she smiled for the first time

As I walked away from her, my thoughts swirled with self-doubt. "Will she think I'm a fool?" I wondered. "Am I a fool really?" The inner monologue continued, and I was lost in my contemplation. I was unaware of the surroundings, let alone the world. I was lost in deep thought and I barely recognized what was happening around me.

"Oh, yes, you are," my mom chimed in, looking at me with her hands on her hips. She had overheard my thoughts...but how? Did I blurt them out? Oh no! I am a fool indeed, there is no hiding now, isn't it? whatever it may take let me tell her the truth...

"Did I?" I asked, taken aback by her sudden comment.

"So, there is a girl? You lied to me?" she inquired, her tone laced with a mix of surprise and curiosity.

"Mom, avoiding the question is not a lie; it's a diversion," I explained, attempting to justify my teeny tiny mistake (well might not be a small one). "I know that once you meet her, you'll be just as smitten as I am. You'll be going crazy too, and, well, you'll probably be proud of me as well," I added with a playful giggle.

My mom considered my words for a moment, a sense of understanding can be seen in her eyes. "I might as well meet her, then. Now, go and wash up. I'm hungry, so let's eat together once you're done," she declared with a warm smile.

"Sure," I agreed, feeling a mix of excitement and anticipation about the prospect of my mom meeting the girl who had captured my heart.

After a refreshing shower, I carefully packed the beautiful saree and kurta I had bought for the girl. And, I decided to give these lovely gifts to my mother. I was so excited and couldn't wait to share the wonderful news with her. 

As I packed the gifts, I couldn't help but imagine how my mom would react. She always cherished receiving gifts, and I equally cherished giving them to her. The thought of her smile and happiness filled my heart with joy. But doubts started creeping into my mind. Would she like the gift? Would it be something she truly appreciated?

Despite these uncertainties, I knew I had to overcome my doubts and give my mom the present I had chosen for her. I couldn't let my worries hold me back. After all, it was the thought and love behind the gift that mattered most and I know my mom would say I love it no matter what I give her. So, with a hopeful heart, I made my way to share this special surprise with my dear mom, looking forward to her reaction and hoping to see her face light up with the happiness that only a heartfelt gift can bring.

"Mom, look, I got you a gift," I said as I handed her the wrapped package.

My mom's initial reaction was one of modesty. "You shouldn't spend money on gifts," she protested, her voice filled with motherly concern.

"I know, but this is a special occasion," I assured her. "I just got a raise in my salary, and I wanted to celebrate it with you."

With a sense of anticipation, I watched as my mother carefully unwrapped the gift. Her eyes glistened with tears and suddenly into shock as she saw the kurta inside. However, she attempted to put it on to mock me and to make me realize that it was far too small for her and was not the gift I intended to give to her. I messed up the packages and handed over the other present to Mom.

"Mohan! Do you think I'm going to wear this? And are you out of your mind? This wouldn't even fit my little finger!" she exclaimed, her laughter ringing through the room.

I quickly grabbed the kurta from her, feeling embarrassed by my mistake. As I handed her the saree, I hoped it would be a better fit and that she would like it.

My mother's eyes lit up as she unwrapped the saree. She ran her fingers over the fabric and smiled. This time, her response was more appreciative. "This is lovely, Mohan. Thank you for the gift," she said with genuine gratitude and I loved the one it suited her. Seeing her happy made me happier. And his mother was lost in thought.

After my husband's passing, I found myself in a challenging situation. To provide for my child, I took up work as a maid in various households. But life was tough in a patriarchal society, where I faced harsh judgment and unwarranted comments. I endured all these difficulties silently, knowing that speaking out might force my young son to grow up too quickly, missing out on his childhood. my determination not to let him know led me to continue working, even when my health began to deteriorate. Living in a close-knit village, news spread quickly. As a result, it became increasingly difficult for me to find employment, and I lost my job. This left me struggling to put food on the table. Despite my hunger, I pretended to eat, ensuring my son had enough to eat and I would sleep with an empty stomach.

My son, Mohan, observed my sacrifices and took it upon himself to support the family. At the tender age of 7, he dropped out of school and started working on a construction site as a daily wage laborer. He was the brightest at his school. But he took the role of the family's breadwinner, setting aside all his childhood dreams. His earnings were diligently saved, showing his immense commitment to our family's well-being.

As Mohan grew, he never indulged in personal luxuries, consistently saving the extra money he earned. It was evident that he took care of me and my needs came before his own. Now, suddenly one day, he mustered the courage to talk about a girl he had feelings for, and how could I say no when he asked me something for the first time? After years of sacrifice and hard work, it was a moment of joy and celebration. Mohan set an example that love can flourish in the face of adversity, even in the most trying circumstances. He loved me more than life and I hope he gives her the same attention. I don't know if I gave all my love to him but I wish that the girl he loves gives him that. Thinking all this to herself she felt extremely proud of her son.

The next morning, as I prepared to leave for work, I was in high spirits. With the prospect of seeing the girl again, my heart raced with excitement and a bit of nervousness. I left the house in a hurry, ready to face the day

Walking through the picturesque green fields, I couldn't help but hum my favorite melodies. The beauty of the landscape filled me with a sense of joy and fulfillment. But as I approached the "chai corner," my excitement reached its peak.

There she was, strolling along the freshly dampened mud road, adorned with vibrant rangolis in front of every house. As I set my eyes on her, she seemed to radiate like a ray of sunshine. I marveled at her in her yellow kurta, her grace capturing my heart once again. But even as I watched her, doubt crept into my mind. Did I truly deserve someone as wonderful as her?

As she came closer, my breath caught in my throat, and I couldn't contain my excitement, though a hint of nervousness lingered. What if she found me weird? These questions raced through my mind as I continued to gaze at her. She noticed my gaze, and to my surprise, she smiled back at me. At that moment, my heart raced like a fleet of speeding cars, and the sound of my heartbeat seemed deafening, filling me with a mix of excitement and anxiety.

She reached the "chai corner" and unlocked the door. "Chachi isn't feeling well today," she explained, a tinge of disappointment in her voice. "She wants me to grab some of her supplies and close the corner."

The news disheartened me, as it meant that I might not get a chance to talk to her. However, she quickly brightened the situation. "You know what? Since you're here anyway, I can make you some tea before I close up," she suggested with a warm smile.

I grinned and nodded my head enthusiastically in agreement. She prepared a cup of tea and handed it to me, and I accepted it with gratitude. As we stood there, sipping our tea, I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and connection between us.

"Would you like anything else?" she inquired, her eyes locking onto mine with an air of kindness.

"No, thank you," I replied, my heart pounding as I savored this special moment.

We left the "chai corner" together as she locked the door. I was eager to take this opportunity to talk to her, and I had a small gift in mind. I reached for the kurta I had bought for her, ready to present it as a surprise and shockingly she accepted the gift saying thank you.

But just as I was about to speak, I noticed a familiar figure walking down the same road she had come from earlier. It was my mother, with her curly hair tied up in a messy bun. She had her hands full with a bundle of covers and a shoe. A shoe? Mom! is what I thought to myself at that very moment.

"Mohan! You idiot!" she exclaimed, spotting me. "You know I can't walk this far, right? I understand you like her, but this is not the way to behave."

I gestured to her to keep her voice down, but my mother was completely clueless about the situation. She continued to scold me "Do you think getting a promotion meant you have to go with mismatched shoes to work? I get it you were excited but this? You are a fool!"

My mother's attention suddenly shifted as she noticed the girl.

"So you are the girl he's been talking about?" she asked with a friendly smile.

The girl couldn't contain her laughter and burst into giggles. Both my mother and the girl continued to laugh, and I stood there, completely embarrassed. After a moment, my mother headed back home.

Before leaving, the girl turned and said, "Niveditha, oh, and thank you once again for the gift, I will make sure to use it properly".

I stood there, utterly bewildered by the unexpected turn of events. As she walked away, I couldn't help but burst into a spontaneous dance in the middle of the road. It was a moment of pure joy and disbelief. After the brief dance of celebration, I regained my composure, still wearing a wide grin on my face. Softly whispering to myself, I said, "Niveditha."

Niveditha and Mohan, what a lovely combination. It was a promising start to a beautiful chapter in our lives, filled with hope, excitement, and a deep connection that had just begun to flourish.

The relationship between Mohan, Niveditha, and his mother was a complex yet beautiful dance of emotions, love, and destiny. As they got to know each other, their bonds strengthened, and their lives intertwined in unexpected ways. Their love story was a testament to the power of human connections, showing that love can blossom even in the most challenging circumstances.

The coming days were a whirlwind of shared moments, conversations, and stolen glances. Niveditha's presence at the "chai corner" had become a regular part of my daily routine. We'd exchange stories and experiences, sharing our hopes, dreams, and the little things that made us laugh. I found myself falling for her more deeply with each passing day.

My mother, too, had taken a liking to Niveditha. They'd often engage in lively conversations over tea, and I could see that my mother was genuinely fond of her. It was heartwarming to witness their growing friendship.

With time, I began to understand Niveditha's story better. She had migrated from a nearby village, having lost her parents during the war. She used to live with her grandparents, but they, too, had passed away recently. Left with no family, she had felt lost and unsure about her future. Then, Madhura Chachi offered her a place to stay and a job at the "chai corner." The warmth and affection with which Niveditha spoke of Chachi's support were a testament to the kindness that existed in our village.

My feelings for Niveditha were growing stronger, but there was a nagging feeling in the back of my mind. I couldn't shake off the fear that I was running out of time to confess my feelings to her. I knew I had to leap soon, but self-doubt still held me back.