“The streets weren’t safe after dawn.” Lakshmi said softly.
“Wait wait ma! You mean dusk, right?”
“No! I mean what I mean!
I repeat,
The streets weren’t safe after dawn! The evenings were the best, beautiful, relaxed and romantic, but mornings were the opposite…monstrous!”
Shreya asked in disbelief,
“But just now you were telling me how beautiful your childhood was and how you enjoyed playing with your friends all day and now..”
“Ahhh!” Lakshmi said sarcastically, “All that was before marriage!”
Shreya laughed and put her hands around her mom, “Ma!! You are happy with my choice, I know! But you do look tense. Tell me, what’s bothering you.”
Lakshmi wiped the tears that had suddenly decided to rush out of their abode. Looking at her daughter passionately, she said,
“Nothing beta! You will be moving to another city soon after marriage.
It’s just that memories from the first few years of my married life came flooding in.”
“Then let it all out ma! Continue your story, tell me, why did you say,
the streets weren’t safe after dawn!”
Shreya took her away from the kitchen.
“Come Amma! Let’s have some mother daughter chill time.” She made her sit comfortably on the sofa. Lying down on her mother’s lap, Shreya was all ears to listen to the flashback.
Lakshmi began,
See, around the same age as you, I got married. I was also the only child of my parents, again just like you. I had moved to a completely different city after marriage, you too will be doing the same. That’s why I became slightly emotional.”
“Ma..no drama..start your story please”, said an impatient Shreya.
Lakshmi smiled.
“I remember the first day vividly.
The rays of sunshine falling on my face from the only window in the room. This was the natural alarm. I had no choice but to wake up. I was startled!
That was my first dawn and first shock!
For me, until marriage happened, the dialogue was always this,
“Dawn ko pakadna mushkil hi nahi, namunkin hai!”
Shreya was laughing uncontrollably.
“Laugh laugh..This was nothing. There were many more shocks waiting to be unleashed on poor me!” continued Lakshmi.
“I thought I was getting married to this handsome man from Bombay. Bombay! Wow!It was like Singapore, my friend had said. I had agreed to the proposal immediately. No questions asked!
After marriage, came the rude shock!
Here I come to this one room kitchen house, a matchbox size house in Bombay, nowhere near what I had imagined!
Wake up at five am, prepare breakfast and lunch before 7. 7 am to be precise! Omg!
I really wonder how I managed to do all that.
No cooker, no gas stove, no mixer! The grinder was unheard of!
The first thing I learnt was, how to cook rice without a cooker, thanks to a kind neighbour.
Random guests would keep dropping in.
No eat outs, it was always cook and eat at home…we were ‘aatmanirbhar’ since long!”
“Bhaapre Amma! Then, what happened?” Priya got up from her mother’s lap. The matter was indeed serious.
“As though this daylight drama wasn’t enough to scare the wits out of me, there was more to follow!” Lakshmi continued.
Marketing issues..
I had to go to the market, be it rain, winter or summer. And I could procure vegetables, fruits, etc, just enough for a day or two. No fridge, you see!
Marketing was not easy at all. I didn’t know Hindi and everyone else knew only Hindi!
I remember..At one time I had memorised the word ‘Dhaniya'(Coriander) but eventually forgot and on reaching, I said, “Dhuniya chahiye”
(Dhuniya=World
Chahiye=Need)
The seller had a hearty laugh at my expense, saying, You cannot buy the world!
But as it is said,
‘Experience is the best teacher!’
Thanks to these daylight adventures, I picked up the Bombaiya Hindi language soon. Made friends too.
Another scary routine was going to the Bank!!
I really wondered, “Why do the banks operate only in the mornings!! I really dreaded those visits!”
Those serious faces in the bank, the rude stern voices..My my! Imagine ..All that torture for a withdrawal..to take your own hard-earned money! Phew!!
Withdrawal symptoms of a different form, I say! Lakshmi and Shreya laughed heartily.
“But really you have had a difficult time, Ma!”
“Yes, initially yes! But Appa was a big support. He would appreciate me. Take me out in the evenings, we would go for movies.
I made friends, started liking the city and soon fell in love with Bombay!
I learnt new things from everyone and everything around me. I became close with the extended family. Remember the random cousins who would drop in, as you know Shreya, they are my besties till date.”
“Super Amma! You and Appa are the best!”
“Wish you the best too, my little Shreya!”
“I hope by sharing I haven’t ended up frightening you.”
“No worries Amma! Chill!
Seeing is believing!
“I see how happy you and Appa are. What you shared with me now has only made me stronger and positive. I promise to follow your footsteps and I also know I always have the backing of you both!” said a confident Shreya.
