In remembrance....

It was early morning when I received a call that day!

It was a known voice but I could not recall who was on the other side. She told to come to my house as early as possible a delicious breakfast waiting for you!

By that time I was half confirmed about the caller but the breakfast with shambar made me confirmed.

I was surprised as my childhood pal was staying in the US and I had lost her contact long back.

I told just wait I will reach on time as I used to. I dropped my daughter at school and asked her the address to drop in. She sends me a text and I proceed.

Waiting to meet her after a decade..... The address was new to me so it took more than the usual time. By that time so many people got scolded and finally, I reached.

On my way, I packed black grapes (seedless), few packets AMUL Masti and chocolates.

Before I get in I had plans in my mind to give surprise to her so covered my face with her most loved flower yellow Rose...

I rang the doorbell and a lady opened it; I was looking a little pale and got unpleasantly surprised by seeing my hands full of bags.

I asked her is Nisha in and she said yes but keep calm. I did not listen to her and shouted, as usual, Nishu comes on darling see what I have for you in exchange for Shambar......

After 10-15 steps what I saw.......

Nishu was sitting quite, tears rolling down from her cheeks and the master chef who used to serve shambar resting in peace......

Just a flashback......

Nishu was the only daughter of Ms. Reddy (Aunty) and she was a single mother; not by choice but by accident. Aunty was a teacher in a government school and was a very good cook. Being a foodie I used to go to her house without permission from Nishu to have all south Indian dishes and especially Shambar.

I had never seen aunty unhappy and tired. Even at 9 PM if I reach there she would be reciting Hanumanchalisha and cooking food. Will tell me to wait for 10 minutes to finish her Hanumanchalisha and will serve me food along with Nishu. She will give all cooked foods to both of us. But we used to have one plate of food and will force her to have food with us. I remember, she never discussed the study with us. But of course, it will teach us to be happy without much of materialistic things. She will share the need for women to be independent in life and to work hard. We will listen all and sometimes listen to none...

Especially I will always tease her " Aunty, how is your wall-bound Hanumanji doing ?". Is he sometimes visiting for achar, papad or sending me only for having shambar with you. Why your Hanumanji never giving you medicine to take away the arthritis pain from your leg. She will always tell me God is just a way of hope and confidence. She will also tease me; my Hanumanji will help you to write those forgotten lines when you appear exam "Gandhi"

She struggled so much in life but the last struggle what Nishu shared; I was saddened.

Nishu was in the US and aunty in India. When she falls sick 3 years ago she did not inform her thinking her daughter's family life will be disturbed and Nishu may quit the job to come back. Once when she fell extremely sick a friend of ours informed Nishu over the phone having explored her in a hospital.

Nishu when she wanted to come back, her husband told her not to; because she had to quit the job and her daughter may not get a good environment in India. Nishu tried to convince more and then she was told: "Don't your mother know, she had donated you to us".

 Nishu told me she just replied my mother donated me without my consent. Hence I am also donating my daughter to you and dumping this donated life and going to meet my mother who made me who I am. She never looked back then. It's the past 3 years she served her mother " a paralytic woman" who worked hard day in day out to give her a good education and a good life.

Aunty never let Nishu know that the financial struggles she had to get her education loan for perusing MBA. Likewise, Nishu never told aunty what she dumped to be with her real HERO.

She never put pressure on Nishu to work and pay back the loan but a man by accruing he became the owner and without her knowledge donation label was put on her...

This is Life. Women are donated; men are Masters!

I told nothing to Nishu. Put the yellow rose on the feet, kissed them and prayed to God to give everyone a mother like an aunty and a brave daughter like Nishu.

.....While scolding my daughter for her low score in maths, I got a message from Nishu tomorrow maa's Barshi if you get time just drop in but no Shambar....... In the end, there was another line

 "Don't scold your daughter for her scores, unless you will donate an ATM to someone for his greed"

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In loving memory of the chef, the mother, the fighter, the hope, and an inspiration "Ms. Reddy"

This piece of writing is dedicated to all single mothers who fight infinity battles for giving a happy life to their kids and finally RIP in some old age home or at MUKTI BHAWAN......