This year I have a special women in my life whom I’m grateful of , I love her but I never thought I could even manage to talk to her for a moment. I have written a short story, that I connect to. Take a read :

Sia stayed in a joint family and had a love marriage. She stayed with her Mother-in-law - Radha, father-in-law - Prakash, husband - Varun and a sweet little two-year-old son - Kartik.

Sia knew from the beginning that her mother-in-law was a depression patient - a severe one. She was aware of her behaviour.

Radha was very fragile emotionally, she would often remember her married daughters and weep for hours. She was socially aloof and a reserved person. She had a degree in Science and was a very bright student in her college days.

Radha often used to say and do things to make Sia uncomfortable and Sia had judged this. Sia was vulnerable to Radha. Radha did things on purpose to irritate her, like making sounds at the night to frighten her, talking to imaginary people, cooking at midnights, cleaning the house multiple times, washing washed vessels. Sia has gauged this and she knew precisely how to tackle her.

Before Sia, there were two more daughters-in-law of Radha who could not handle her and had parted for this reason. Varun was the only son now who agreed to take care of his parents.

Sia would go mother-in-law's room on purpose and start talking about daily events, taking care not to take her into the past. Maintaining a very general conversation, not making her realize that she’s not well. Singing her favorite songs together. Asking her views on how to raise Kartik.

Radha was very kind and generous. She wanted her acceptance as normal. She was ready to explore the world again not fearful of anything or anybody around.

Sia started taking her out in public, and slowly Radha lost the fear. She was comfortable in public. Sia made Radha join a yoga center and made her go daily. Radha started with her medication. Radha was doing just fine.

The doctor had stopped her medication and asked Radha to walk and socialize as much as possible. And whenever she feels lonely or sad she could go to her counsellor. Things were working in Radha’s favour, she was towards being herself again. Sia was the happiest watching Radha recover.

After a few months, it was Sia’s third wedding anniversary. She had called her few friends and family. Varun also had called his guests and his brothers, sister-in-laws, and his sisters. Nobody apart from Sia, Varun and Prakash knew about Radha’s improvement. This was Radha’s first family function after her recovery.

All the guests gathered while the cake was bought in. Sia and Varun were about to cut the cake. Just then Radha stepped forward taking everybody’s attention she said, “Good evening to all, and very happy anniversary to the both of you. Yes, I’m talking, I always wanted to. But I never had the courage. She gave me wings.” Radha pointed at Sia. Sia was lachrymose, Radha went closer and rubbed her shoulder.

Radha continued, “I know many of you are in the doubt as to whether I am normal or no. I’m quite normal now by God’s grace and my daughter Sia’s courage.”

Pointing at Sia’s parents, Radha said, “You have made a courageous daughter, who survived me and my tantrums, and to top it, took care of me like am her own mother. I never thought anyone besides my kids will ever do this what Sia’s done to me. She gave me myself back. I’m all the Radha I ever was, thanks to your loving and caring daughter. Without her, I wouldn’t have gotten myself back.”

“And to all my children here, I want you all to be carefree about me. Now I’m all good and normal to live on my own and I also have my loving husband who would take my care from now on.”

“And at last, I want to thank Sia from the bottom of my heart for taking care of me, putting up with my tantrums just like Kartik’s. I owe you my new life, I know you love your mom dearly but even I want to be your mother by default. Will you allow me?”

Sia nodded and hugged Radha.

P.S. : Hope you can judge whom I addressed at the start, A very happy women’s day to my mother-in-law who’s my mother now by default. A warm hug and a very happy women’s day to all the lovely mom-in-laws. Respect them because they got your loving husbands to live.
#extraordiNaari #babycharka #babychakramoms #southmumbaimoms #loveyourmil