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Amma
There was a wedding procession going on somewhere in the outskirts of Tamil Nadu, a simple one. The bride was sitting nervously a bit curious, all set up for her new life. She was Selvi, a teenage girl waiting for the procession to get over.

Selvi was the third daughter of Nagpal. Selvi's mother expired when she was seven years. She had five sisters and three brothers, being raised by a single father. It was tough for Nagpal but he was determined to raise his children without being married. Due to financial crisis, Selvi had to discontinue studies, she managed till eight grade from south Tamil Nadu university. Selvi shifted to Mumbai after marriage.

Their marriage was running smooth, with life's ups and downs but was happy. Her husband supported her in all ways, but due to language problem (she knew no other language except Telugu) she didn't find one. The couple was blessed with one daughter and one son. Selvi was expecting a third one. That year was a blessed year as Selvi's husband had a promotion too.

It was Diwali, Selvi's hubby had to go to stay late at the office for some office work. "Don't go dear leaving me, my due can be any moment." said Selvi "It's just a day's work, I will return till evening" said her husband. Selvi said "GOODBYE", unwillingly. She was worried and nervous too. What if the delivery date is today, what will I do? This thought was pricking in her head continuously. The evening passed Selvi's husband didn't return. The time went from dawn to noon to night, without any whereabouts of Karunidhi, her husband. There might be some additional work at the office which might have held him, assured Selvis's conscience, but was a little bit worried.

Next day the phone rang."Are you Mrs Karunidhi?", was the enquiry."Yes", said Selvi. "Please, can you reach the civil hospital immediately".said the caller. "Why is everything fine, What happened?". He is fine, he wants to talk to you, I am his boss, was his reply.

At the hospital, Selvi was guided to a room, followed by Karunidhis boss. Karunidhi was in ICU, he suffered a sudden respiratory tract infection, blockage of the respiratory tract as he was an asthmatic patient. Due to this reason he was hospitalized directly from the office. He did'nt want Selvi to be informed but his condition being critical, his boss did not have any other option. Karunidhi died in the evening. Selvi ninth month pregnant with the third one, just started at his dead body. No complaints nothing just stood straight. She fell unconscious and was shifted to the labour room. She was blessed with the second daughter. In the ward, she looked towards her children"."Why me, lost my mother when I was small, now my husband?" God gives troubles to his strong angels, now be strong and think about your kids, replied Selvi's brother who stayed with her in the adjacent room.

Being a single mom is difficult, but being only a homemaker when your hubby expired is toughest. She could not find any job due to her language problem but had to search to feed her children. Karunidhi's boss bought a sewing machine for Selvi and she started stict hing suitcase covers. She used to earn little which was not sufficient to raise three kids. Selvi's brother bought her machine (grinder) so that she could make idli batter at home and she could sell that on weekends. Days were tough but she had to manage for her kids. She was determined to raise her children with courage and confidence. She was advised by many to remarry because she was too young to be called a widow, she refused reluctantly, she said now these three kids are my life.

The struggle and pain at that time were beyond imagination and inconsolable. Selvi's brother turned a father figure for kids and supported financially at that time. Her children were interested in studies but due to circumstances had to leave studies and earn at a very small age. The age where youngsters enjoy at college, they had to work to support their mother. Finally, Selvi's hard work and determination paid off. Her three children had grown into mature adults and are very well settled now. Everything is good now but Karunidhi is being missed by his family.

Hats off to all the single mothers (maybe divorced or widow) and kudos to their struggle in raising their children single-handedly. They don't remarry for their kids and alone they face struggles of life just to see their children happy. Such a selfless love. Selvi's children value the pains and struggle their mother went through while raising them. Her responsibility was over, now it was their turn to pay back.

This was Selvi's story, A single mom, everyone called her AMMA, but for her children called her their...."IRON LADY".
This is the real story of my bestie's mom. Proud of her.