The New Leaf

Aditi felt a lump in her throat , and a tightness in her chest , as she was about to knock the door of her neighbours.

She wanted to invite only the children for her kid's birthday party.

She remembered the lavish birthday party they had two years back.They had arranged for a grand birthday bash for their twins in a big resturant hall. There was buffet with delicious food and enthralling music.The entire family of the kids were invited.There was a two tier chocolate cake with fondent decorations on top.

All the children were excited to receive the return goodies. Her husband Vinod was a Project Manager in a software company, and wanted to arrange the best party possible for his 5 years old twin children.

Suddenly Aditi's thoughts got interrupted with the opening of the main door.

Her neighbour Mrs Lata showed a mixture of surprise and awkwardness in her face.

She welcomed her inside and made her sit on the cosy sofa.

"So good to see you Aditi after so many months.I felt very sad for you , the news was very shocking for all of us", said Lata.

Aditi noticed an emotion of pity in her eyes and felt uncomfortable.

Mrs Lata also realized it and wanted to quickly change the subject.

"How is school going for Rahul and Sneha", she asked. I haven't seen them in the school bus for many months.

" They do not go to their previous school any more" answered Aditi with embarrassment and hoping that she is not asked about their new school.

Aditi quickly handed over a paper with sketch pen scribbles made by her children.

" Please send your daughter Rupa to our home , tomorrow at 5 PM for Rahul and Sneha's birthday", announced Aditi and handed Mrs Lata the card made by her kids.

Sure she said, and please let us know if you need any help from us, added Lata.

Mrs Lata's face seemed confused as if she was never expecting that Rahul and Sneha could have any birthday celebrations any more.

" It is a small gathering of few kids at home" added Aditi and got up.

" Please wait", shouted Mrs Lata. She dashed into her kitchen and came back with some packets of biscuits, chips and juices." Here please give these to your kids", insisted Mrs Lata. Aditi gave a smile and thanked her.She felt grateful with all these kindness but the sound of pity and sympathy somehow hurt her self respect.

She was used to giving but never used to taking. But life has changed she thought, it can never be like the beautiful past she had.

After Shutting the door , Mrs Lata called her daughter Rupa. A tall thin girl of seven who was busy watching cartoon in her room, came running and hugged her mother.

"Rupa you have been invited to Rahul and Sneha's birthday party tomorrow" informed Mrs Lata.

Rupa beamed with joy and started planning excitedly."Let us give Rahul the new video game and Aditi loves painting so let us gift her an art kit for their birthday, Ma", said Rupa.

"No", retorted Mrs Lata." Let us give them cash they need cash more than anything now", I will talk to your papa Rupa."

Mrs Lata was in a dilemma too much cash in a birthday will look awkward and too little will not be of much help to the ill fated family.

Aditi was never a good student.She somehow passed her BA exam in History .

She never had high ambitions or the need to do anything in her life.Being the pampered daughter of a doctor, she had everything she wished for from her childhood.Her good looks and sweet nature enticed young Vinod, who had landed on a high paying job after finishing his engineering.

They had a comfortable lifestyle sometimes leaning towards luxury.

Vinod was always spending too much money and Aditi was carefree.

Soon the couple was blessed with twin children.Together they had a picture perfect life.Going on vaccations twice a year, buying a big apartment, dining in expensive resturants and all the comforts that money can buy.

The last two years were like a nightmare when both Aditi's father and husband Vinod passed away suddenly , due to Corona Virus.

Life was changed.

For 10 months Aditi never left her room.

Noticing her apathy and depressed state of mind , her old mother had taken her children along with her.

But reality stuck her like lightening.

The children were removed from their expensive international schools and put in the local corporation school.

Then there was a period of papers and documents where Aditi ran from bank to bank to handle all the finance. All the insurance and other returns she got, mostly went for the payment of the homeloan and at the end she was not left with much.

The guilt of not having an established career hit her hard and she desperately applied for small jobs.

At the end she got the job of a librarian at a local school.

The cold winter had passed and suddenly she realized it was time for a new beginning.

She wanted a new leaf, a new chance in life.

Aditi was standing in her kitchen while she was baking a cake in the pressure cooker, and cooking some pulav for her children's birthday.

Big or Small but we will celebrate, we will smile again she resolved.