Break-up

It’s always easy to write an interesting story, as you have all the controls in your hand. You can add as many cheesy words to it, give it a glow of imagination, and load it with a lot of hard editing. But when it comes to writing about something that has happened in real life, it is a very tricky and difficult task.

Here I am giving it a try to pen down something really normal that happened to me a few days back. It was Friday morning, just like any day. I started my day with my normal chores. After finding a bit of me-time, I hooked over my phone. Although I am present on all the social media apps, I rarely share anything. January is usually a month of appraisals, hikes, bonuses, and new beginnings.

As I scrolled down my screen, I felt very low as I saw everyone sharing their success stories. Half hidden in my cosy blanket, I was just wondering if I had been the only one with nothing exciting happening in my life. Is this year nothing like a goal-achieving and goal-setting year for me?

My thoughts were shattered in a jiffy when I heard the whistle of my cooker. I rushed to the kitchen to save my dal, but unfortunately, the smell was quite strong.

After giving my dal a treatment so that it became eatable, I went for a bath. Looking at my face in the mirror, I sighed over the dull and gloomy skin on my face. It reminds me of the glow my friend flaunted in her recent instal reel after an O3 facial. I immediately began looking for any leftover face packs. I was very desperate, like some smack. I covered my face under the last pack, hoping for a miracle to occur. But nothing worked. I decided not to look at the phone for the next few hours and focus on myself. I folded clothes, arranged the house and so on. Listening to a few old sad songs by Lata Mangeshkar, I dozed off. A phone call brought me back to my senses. It was a video call of my mom and sis. We do that every day. It works like therapy for the three of us. The first thing my sister shouted over the phone was, " Did you do something to your face? You look so gorgeous. " Finally, it felt so good to hear something great about myself. Maa and my sister are like best buddies to me. For them, I don’t need any filters. They love and appreciate me the way I am. 

I was feeling a bit better. As my daughter returned from school, she announced upon entering our home, " Aaj fir daal jal gai?" and we both giggled. My daughter is the next person in my life who always makes me feel happy all the time.

I told her about the sad and gloomy day I just had. Her immediate reaction was, " break up from social media. It's a toxic relationship between you two. " 

I was like if I was some teenager asking about my screwed up relationship with my bestie,

She made a deal with me, stating, " I will eat this whole dal without any fuss and, in return, you have to let me do something." I agreed to her stupid deal at once. 

She took my phone and exited me from all of my # bachpan ki Dosti, # we girls rock, # HR college 2005, and # partypals. She smiled and said, " Happy Freedom Mom."

I was a bit sad about her actions. But somewhere I was relaxed too. She captured the moment on camera and shared it on Instagram with the hashtag # mymomrocks # The best cook, most beautiful person, and simply the best.

And then she read all the positive comments and hearts popping in about me.

The evening was peaceful without any mental distraction. I decided to treat her taste buds to a better dish. Her all-time favourite is Shahi panner.

Around 9, my hubby entered the home, announcing, " Please make two extra chapatti as it smells of Shahi panner."

Together, the three of us had dinner, laughing over the day we had. As I ended my day, I really liked my life. It was rather a blessing to have a family around who cared so much. Who needs to know about other people's stories when your own world is a beautiful fairytale. At times we need to get away to find the lost pieces of ourselves.