An Accolade
It was 8.30 by my watch, wrapped myself with the soft woollen pink
sweater and light blue jeans. I was waiting in Platform No. 2 holding my mom's
little finger, who was in Yellow Cotton Sari properly ironed, red Bindi, packed
herself with a black, yellow bordered shawl waiting for the passenger to arrive
at the station.
Today I am accompanying my mom to her office. My mom works for
Public Works Department. Like every other day, she catches the train at 8.30
and head towards her destination. But today, apart from her friends, I was also
a part of her daily voyage.
Like other days, I always had kickass mornings. Whistles of
Pressure Cooker, Chirping of Sparrows, Clucking of hen and the clanging of the
temple bells, all together forced to open my eyelids. I still feel lazy and
cover my body again with that warm, cozy quilt. And there comes my mom who put
her efforts to get me up as today I am going to my grandma's place to meet
her.
After 15 minutes of tantrums, I somehow step my feet out of that
soft bed. My mom already kept my sleepers near to the bed. It was already 6 O'
clock and I hurriedly rushed to the washroom. Everything was ready as usual. My
toothbrush was dazzling with Pink toothpaste; my blue bucket was filled with
warm hot water waiting to get it split onto my soft skin. My blue jeans and
pink sweater was all ready to get onto and provide warmth to my body.
While I was taking bath, my mom was all ready with Steamed Rice,
Pointed Gourd Fry, Fish Curry and Pulse served with fresh coriander in the
dinning table. Dad was busy ironing mom's Sari and blouse and kept it ready for
her.
We all in the breakfast table and both were finally ready to go,
however I still need my mom's hands for getting a proper Pony Tail. An Auto
rickshaw was summoned by my Dad. The driver led me and my mom to the Railway
station. I was cuddled by my mom's friends and colleagues. Some were giving me
chocolates, some give some early morning advises and some kisses to my chubby
cheeks.
Finally, train arrived at the station. My mom helped me first and
then she herself managed to get into the compartment. The passenger was full of
hawkers and my heart filled desire was to have those groundnuts. After few
moments, someone called for the Groundnuts and that was none other than my mom.
She was the one who knew each and every detail written in my heart and my mind.
She helped me in breaking the ground nut shells, removed the pink colored
covering and fed me. My joys knew no bounds. I was feeling very happy and
content.
At around 9.30, we reached the station. My mom held my fists
tightly and took a rickshaw towards my grand mom's place. Spending some time,
my mom left me and headed towards her office. I spent the day listening to
stories from my grandfather and relish all my favourite dishes which my
grandmother prepared for me.
Evening, 5 O' clock, my mom came back from office, bought some
nice snacks for all. We reached our home by 8 O' clock at night. We freshened
up, have some snacks and I started playing with my brother. But my mom, like
other days, went to kitchen for preparing dinner. I have no clue how she
manages to cook different items everyday and we all relish it.
My mom putting toothpaste for me and for my brother. While we both
were brushing our teeth, mom was busy preparing my bed. She spread the blue bed
sheet, covers the bed with mosquito net, and kept the quilt on other side of
the bed. She never spent a minute without working. I think that is the secret
of her fitness.
Mom ends her day by giving me a glass of hot milk and finally
rests herself on her bed thanking god for everything. I made myself comfortable
inside the cozy quilt, thinking about her and dozed off within minutes.
Suddenly I found myself lying in my back cracking chair with the
family photo album in my arms. The photos were of that great lady who always
burnt herself to enlighten me and her family and that is none other than my
mom.