Half a Cup of Tea

Shamim Merchant

Author

A teacher in an IGCSE international school, Mumbai Half a Cup of Tea

"Mom, for how many years will you have only half a cup of tea?" I smiled at Vaibhavi while setting the small mug on her out stretched tray. Patting her cheeks, I wagged the envelope at her which I had been clutching in my hands, ever since the news came in. I had read it at least twenty times by now. Today my happiness touched the roof and in the same excitement I squeaked, "You know Vaibhavi, now I'll have a full cup only with him." She laughed and spinning me around, pulled me in a big bear hug. Bantering she said, "Oh ho mom! So my bride is eagerly waiting for her groom huh! Finally the windows of desires have flung open." I shied away from my own daughter. She's fifteen now and we are more of best friends. In the last ten years without Viraj, we've literally grown up together. The passion to earn more and give a better life to his family, took my husband, Viraj, to a foreign land. But without proper legitimate documents and for violating legal emigration policies, he was detained in their country for nearly ten years. Five years after marriage and with a four years old Vaibhavi, Viraj left us. None of us knew then that we'll have to live a decade without each other and struggle through the thick and thin of life separately, oceans apart. First time when the phone call came with this bad news, I was sipping my evening tea. I can never forget my feelings of that time, bitter tears, a constricted heart and screamed out hoarse voice. Without Viraj, life has been nothing less that a dreary whirlpool. In the last ten years, every effort to bring him back went in vain. Savings dried up long time ago and after that it's been a survival spree. My job,relatives, friends and neighbours saw us through this storm. Eventually with the blessings of the almighty Lord, finally the authorities showed mercy and Viraj, ...

my husband, my daughter's father, is coming back home.

"Mom, aren't you scared?" Her question confused me. "Scared of what Vaibhavi?"

"Ten years is a big time. What if he's a changed man? What if he doesn't gel with us or doesn't like us anymore?" I smiled and made her sit. "Vaibhavi, he's your father, my husband. He's missed us as much as we've been craving for him. It might take some time to adjust, but at the end we are family." I was right. He embraced both of us together and wept like a baby. He kissed Vaibhavi ample number of times and said in between tears. "I'm so sorry my gudia. I wanted to be there to see you grow up. But now I'm not gonna go anywhere. You are my world." Vaibhavi hugged her father and all her apprehensions simple flew away. That evening and every evening after that, over full cups of tea, we exchange long stories, filling the gap of our lives to come back on the same track. After all there is a decade to cover up for, you see!!

Badminton Match

"Amrita, think twice before refusing. It's a golden opportunity." "I know Ma'am." "Stop calling me Ma'am! You know I don't like it." "Okay Mansi, yes it's a wonderful chance." "And yet you don't want to grab it? I wanted you to go on this trip with me. This project will take you leaps ahead of others. Don't you realise that?" For the fifth time they were having this discussion ever since the assignment had come in. Mansi was her senior and both friends worked in an ad agency. Amrita kept quiet, when her boss was tired of convincing her, she slowly opened her mouth to voice out her reasons. "Mansi you're aware I'm not someone to shy away from work. If my daughter's badminton finals wasn't during the same time, I would have surely come with you to Australia."

Mansi was seething with rage and passed a sarcastic remark, "This is not the first and the last finals of her life." Amrita gave back "And this is not the last project for our company." "Amrita you're unnecessarily making a big deal about this badminton match of your daughter. As if you are sure that she will win." This comment irritated Amrita, nonetheless she kept her anger in check and said firmly, "That's not the point. Whether she wins or loses, I want to be there by her side. I don't want to miss out on the important events in her growing up years. Please try to understand." Six hours later, at home.......

"How did she take it?" Anurag was on the bed with his legs stretched out. He was eyeing Amrita keenly as she applied... lotion on her arms. He was eager to know since he came home, but they followed certain rules and didn't discuss such things in front of their daughter Arundhati. Amrita smirked at her husband from the mirror, turned around and huffed. "Not very kindly of course."

She came and sat beside him and he had more to say, "But Amrita, she knew about your decision all along, didn't she?" "Yes. But today it was like a final no. So obviously I killed her previous hopes and she was angry."

Anurag took his wife's hand in his and said, "I understand this project is important. I'd hate to see you spoil your tuning with Mansi. She's not only your friend but your boss as well. I'm there for Arundhati. If you still want to take up this assignment, it's fine by me."

Amrita smiled and shook her head. "No Anu, I've made my decision. This is what I want. I wish to be there for our daughter, see her playing. Sitting in the audience, I want to cheer her, scream her name and enjoy the memorable moments." Anurag pulled her in his arms. "You're a wonderful mother and I'm so proud of you." "I'm only trying. I wish to inculcate the best values in Arundhati. But all cannot be lectured about. Some need to be experienced first handed." Anurag grinned and embraced her again.

Standing outside their closed bedroom door, Arundhati wiped her tears and was filled with renewed love and respect for her parents.

Shamim Merchant, Mumbai.