Even though the problem at the company was unresolved, Ira didn't wish to affect her father's jolly mood.
'I still have time to resolve the conflicts in the office.' With this thought, she left early. Moreover, she was anxious to see her mother.
-----
In a huge mansion, there was a woman in plain blue apron and a pair of yellow dusting gloves. She had tied up her hair in a bun, and her old age was evident by the wrinkles on her face.
The woman had a mop in her hands and a dusting rag on her shoulder.
'My mom is alive and well.' Ira watched her transfixed. It was hardly a day ago when she was weeping at her mother's funeral. She had even buried her mother with her own hands near her father and brother's grave.
Seeing her Mom standing in front of her eyes was blissful.
Her Mom, unaware of her arrival, was busy mopping the floor.
When Sia saw her daughter, she removed her gloves, placed them on her shoulder and ran to Ira. She patted Ira's shoulder.
If it were the Ira of the previous lifetime, she would have avoided Sia's touch and rolled her eyes before crying out 'dirty.'
Maybe she didn't believe Ira came home. At times especially during holidays, she would wait anxiously to see her. However, there would be no sign of her daughter's arrival.
In fact, Ira never understood her Mom. Who, even after having so many servants, did the cooking and cleaning by herself. She resented her for being a 'stay-at-home' mom. Besides, her Mom was not a match for her fantastic father, who built his life to the limits of the sky– from rags to riches! Ira had felt that her Mom contributed a lot less to the family than her dad.
Sia Rai depended on Tej Rai, her father, for everything. Even before cooking, she would ask his opinion on which dishes were to be made. Although Sia was a well-educated woman, she never interfered with Tej Rai's business. Unlike mothers of other affluent families, the kitchen and their house was her the whole world. Until this day she never participated in those galas, charity events to socialize and appreciate the high-class culture.
Ira had a life full of regrets, but what she regretted the most was, not appreciating her Mom. Everyone in the family took her for granted.
'An ordinary housewife.'
This woman, an ordinary housewife, who not only stood on her own feet but also carried her daughter on her back. At times when they had no money, and there was no one to depend on this woman was unyielding and independent.
'I thought I was strong. I had grown up with a lot of experience in life as a businesswoman, reaching the top of the ladder. Nevertheless, when the first difficulty arrived, I broke down. This ordinary housewife was the one who held me tight. Not letting me fall.'
When Tej Rai died, they went bankrupt. While Ira was still crying over her misfortune, Sia single-handedly started a business of delivering homemade lunch boxes to offices. As time passed, Ira became involved with the business. With her business mind and her mother's delicious food, the company slowly expanded.
Those were tough times!
In the present, Ira hugged her Mom tight. Then she removed her mother's apron, took the mop from her hand, and declared, "Let's have a 'Mom' s-day-off.'"
Surprised by her sudden change, Sia came forward and touched her forehead. The temperature was normal. She asked in a worried tone, "What happened? Is there something wrong? Do you want to talk?"
Ira took her hand and seated her on the sofa. "Mom, take a rest today. I will help you." She took the cleaning supplies from her mother and got to work. Sia was shocked. Ira, who never held a mop or rag, was cleaning.
"Mom! I will help you cook, too!"
Sia was still in a daze. 'Illusion. It is all an illusion,' she thought.