Lost Days

It all happened yesterday, it was maybe quarter past 6 in the evening, when i yelled Maa from the top of my lungs (apparently you need to do this in order to get attention in Indian Households).

She came to my room drying her hands with pallu of her saree as she was doing some chores in kitchen, i being busy with my "So Called" Work from home, "Maa can you oil my hair or even better can you do your signature champee please", i said in dull tone to show my level of energy. 

She, after giving me "Kuch kaam khud be karna seekh lo beta" look instantly went to bring hot oil for champee, i was more than happy to know she actually fell for "i am tired, i need attention" trap.

So fast forward she was doing her classic champee and my head was bobbling funnily, i whispered underneath my breath not expecting an answer "Nani must have taught you these excellent champee moves naa", to which she replied in real low voice "Beta nani was too busy in earning and feeding six of us", her tone was low but i could sense the sadness in her voice. i was numbed as to how i should console her and light the moment.

A little backstory, my mother is one of five sisters, and after death of her paternal uncle and aunty, my nani adopted their only son as he was only 11 at the time of the incident, my nani was govt. high school teacher because my nanaji always wanted for her to be an independent woman.

After untimely demise of my nanaji, my naniji was left with 6 children and her shattered will to make it through those tough times, my mother was 13 at that time.

Needless to say little things became challenges for them, from funding school for all to buying neccesities. My mother along with her siblings did various jobs like giving home tutions, assisting dada(homeopathic doctor from their neighborhood)to help naniji make their ends meet.

Fastforward to yesterday, i was almost asleep with my head in her lap, woke up in stutter drooling all over,something inside me felt bad for her and cursed god, i adamantly asked her to sit and let me oil her hair for once, she refused and then agreed half heartedly, i oiled her hair and performed some of her champee moves and failed miserably.

I could sense she was happy and relaxed, but also having hard time to remember when was the last time someone oiled her hair, which was heartbreaking to even thing about.

We never admit how lucky we are or how little things like hot tea on a cold evening, money found in old jeans pocket or a champee on a tired day are soo important, and can restore your faith on HOW LUCKY WE TRULY ARE. 

I promised myself to make it a ritual to oil her hair once in a while and to learn champee from her. 

It was an experience that was uncomfortable, as a daughter to realise that my mother missed most of her childhood, but it made me immensely proud daughter on how bravely she stood with naniji in those tough times. I love her to my core. and its impossible to bring back those days of her life but i gave her champee this afternoon, she seems pretty happy about it :)💗💗💗

#MonWrites

P.s. Attaching picture of me and maa :) yes i've got my eyes from her :p