Housewives has been taken for granted.How everyone becomes blind to her minute sacrifices has been detailed in the story.Imagine a day without your mother.Who would have prepared your delicious meals,washed your clothes,organised your room?And the unconditional love? It might be just another day for you but your mother,the woman is like oil which keep you running all through the day.

 

“Memsahib! Here is your milk.”

She yawned and took the milk. “Hari! Have you started mixing water in it!?” she enquired as she raised her eyebrows.

“No, no! Memsahib, How can I do that with you? You are my old customer,” said Hari defending himself.

“Oh! That means you do that with your new customers for sure,” she said wittingly. Hari frowned. “OK!OK! You can go now,” she said as she closed the door.

That was Ragini around her 40s, mother of two children. Monday had her long black hairs pulled up in a tight bun. She wore a purple cotton saree. Her legs were bare and wrists were adorned by simple red bangles which gave a musical touch to the environment as her hand moved continuously to do the household chore.

“Wake up! Akira it’s 6 O’ clock,” she said as she pulled up the curtains.

“Mummy! Let me sleep. I don’t  want to go to school today.”

“Ok! Sleep but at least call and wish your friend on her birthday if you are not going today.”

“OMG! How can I forget,” exclaimed Akira as she suddenly stood up on her bed. She rushed to the bathroom.

“ I just wonder what the school does. Birthday treats drives them more than the classes,” said Ragini and started folding the blanket and organizing Akira’s bed.

She went in the kitchen then. She started preparing breakfast and lunch. While she did all this, she sang a song from Manna Dey’s album- “zindagi kaisi hai paheli haii..kabhi ye hasaye..kabhi ye-.”

Her song was obstructed by Akira yelling from the hallway. “Mom! I am going to school. Bye!”

“Wait! Wait!” Ragini ran and gave lunch to Akira. “Take your lunch. It’s aloo ka paratha.”

Akira frowned. “Now I am in 10th standard, nobody brings lunch now! Also, this aloo ka paratha is so oily and untrendy,” she yelled.

Ragini gasped. “But what you will eat then!? Take it, you are still in 10th standard and I am not going to give so much money every day,” she said as she kept the tiffin inside her bag. Akira angrily shut the door hard and left for school. Ragini sighed and returned to the kitchen to clean the leftover.

The clock struck eight.

“…pull the lace back through the hole to form a second loop, then pull on both the loops to tighten the knot,” explained Ragini to Kyra.

“Where are my keys? I am getting late” said he as he rushed into the room.

Kyra ran to her father. “Today is my primary race Papa and I have to tie my shoes in the midway,” she said as she hugged her.

“Oh! All the best dear,” said he.

“Ugh!” groaned Ragini as she went in the hall. “Here! Take it. It has been ten years and you are not able to find your keys.”

“It’s  your business in here. There should be something for you to do all day long at home,” he said.

She became a little sad at it. But it is what she has been doing and seeing since long. She recollected her emotions and started plating breakfast for him.

 

The clock struck twelve in the noon. It was a celebration for Akira that day in school. While she was talking to the birthday girl, another friend broke into their conversation. “The canteen’s been closed!” she exclaimed.

“What!” Akira and her friend exclaimed.

“What I’ll  give you all for the treat now!” said her friend sadly. Just then someone shouted with amazement from behind “Akira you brought lunch!”

“Mom must have thought it to be my younger sister’s bag,” she defended herself.

“But today your Mom came out as a saviour. Wow! Now at least we have something to eat,” said her friend. She opened the tiffin and everyone had it and praised it.

 

Meanwhile, back at the home, Ragini was chatting to her neighbour. “Ugh! There is a lot of work to do,” she said as she was leaning on the door and one of her hand resting on her tired waist.

“Be strong! God gave us so much power. After all, it is us who give birth to the baby,” said her neighbour.

“Yes, He gave us so much strength. But for what to bear the pain that we go through while giving birth. That’s why a woman is able to bear the hardships so easily,” she said sadly. “Ok, bye I have loads of work to do,” said Ragini as she closed the door.

 

Ragini has just finished her work as the door bell rang. It was Akira. She kept the bag on the couch and lied on it as she came victorious after a war.

“Oh! Akira, at least learn to do your work yourself. I have been doing so much work since morning!” she scolded her.

“Mom why don’t you keep a servant then!”

“I will keep the day when you give your hard earned money to me,” she said wittingly.

“Oh, Mom! I wonder how you relate everything with my studies,” said Akira and went to her room.

Ragini took out the lunchbox and was happy to see that it has been finished.

A satisfaction can be seen from her face. Although not directly but through her food, she delivers love for her family.

 

It was a full moon that day. The lights has been switched on and everyone sat at the dinner table while Ragini is busy making chapattis in the kitchen.

Kyra said with excitement, “Yippee! I won the race today.”

“Thanks Dad for it Kyra. It’s him who taught you to run,” said Akira from across the table.

Meanwhile, Ragini was serving food to everyone.

“Oh! Today was a busy day. I had so many clients. Listen! Have you brought the lotion from the store.”

“Yes, I have kept in on the bedside table,” said Ragini and again went to the kitchen.

“Mom I have finished eating. Ah! Feeling really sleepy,” she said as she yawned and went to her room.

Everybody finished eating went to their rooms. Ragini cleaned the dining table and then the kitchen. Prepared a plate for herself to eat. As she sat at the table, she accounted every money that was spent on that day.

After that, she cleaned the dishes. Switched off the lights. Just when she opened her room she was hugged by her daughter Kyra. “Thank you Mummy!” she said.

“Shush! Keep it low,” she said as took her into her arms and continued moving to her daughter’s room.

“Ma’am  told me that I won because I was able to tie the shoe laces quickly,” she whispered.

Ragini laid her on her bed with a soft smile. “Really! You are a smart girl,” she murmured. “There you go! Good night! Don’t let the bugs bite,” she said and kissed on her forehead. She switched off the light and carefully closed the door.

And finally went to sleep.

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