Serving the toasted bread to Ninad, Vaidehi pushed the bottle of honey towards him. Before settling in the chair next to him, she fetched newspaper and kept it in front of him.

While spreading honey on bread, Ninad could notice the emptiness that has cast its shadows on Vaidehi’s spirit. Off late, Vaidehi had been building cocoon around self. He was not thus surprised with her action. It was an unwritten rule of their household that she read the newspaper first and then the rest of the family.

“My lucky day”, he said, unfolding the paper. Though settled next to him, Vaidehi was sinking deep in her own lone world and thus did not quite hear what Ninad had said jubilantly.

Ignoring nonchalance, he continued,” Someone gave up the first readership rights”

Minni their pet cat by now had jumped and nestled in Vaidehi’s lap. Minni purred as Vaidehi fondled her.

“Minni also seems to be happy to see me reading the newspaper first”, he said.

“I read somewhere that one reason why cats are happier than people is that they have no newspaper”, replied Vaidehi taking note of Ninad’s comments.

“Ohhh… So that’s a plot to make me unhappy by offering to read it”, said Ninad playfully.

“Do you really think so?”.

“Of course not, Vaidehi. But whats wrong with you these days”

“You wont understand”

“Why?”

“You are busy with your job, seminars, tours and…”

“You have your garden, painting and Minni. Don’t you?”

Vaidehi heaved a sigh while staring outside the window.

“There’s a difference Vaidehi. I have me but you have lost yourself with time. Accept the reality. The birds have to fly out of the nest someday. Don’t you want your children to conquer new horizons?”

“Did I not give up my career for our children, our family?”

“Yes, we all know… children and me. We are what we are because of you. No denying it”

“Then?”

“Sorry if I’ve hurt you but that wasn’t my intention. Its been over a month that the youngest bird flew away in pursuit of her dreams. I wish to help you out of the ditch that you’ve dug for yourself. Over the years, you have forgotten what is meant to be the real you. Giving priority to us, you have built walls between you and your wishes, hobbies, interests and most important your free spirit. Time now to nurture a new relationship. One that will connect you with true you, your innate desires that you have set aside for so long”, replied Ninad, holding and caressing Vaidehi’s hand.

“It’s too late.”

“It’s never too late! Its just a coat of dust that has gathered around your soul which needs dusting. How about an art-workshop this week end as the first step? I remember having seen a flyer in yesterday’s paper” said Ninad.

“Ummm…”

A date with self Vaidehi… a rendezvous to bring life back to life, to fetch vivacious Vaidehi who is hiding deep inside”, he said while dialling the number from the leaflet to book a place for Vaidehi at the art workshop.


I’m Writing Bravely for the Write Tribe Festival of Words – March 2019 hosted by Write Tribe
Its Day 4 and I have used word prompt “Nurture” and the quote prompt One reason why cats are happier than people is that they have no newspapers. ” – Gwendolyn Brooks
You can read my Day 1’s post, “Charcoal and Limestone” here , Day2’s post “Inverted Reality” here, Day 3 post “Handful of Serenity” here
Picture courtesy Pixabay


11 Comments

Akshata Ram · March 7, 2019 at 3:36 pm

Nurturing onself- something that we often forget. Co incidentally my post deals with the same topic Anagha!

Abhijit Ray · March 7, 2019 at 5:47 pm

Vaidehi and Ninad beautiful names. I loved them. Vaidehi seems to have same problem all mothers feel. It is so real, children grow up and leave. A mother who had built her world around them, all of a sudden feels empty.

Shilpa Nairy · March 7, 2019 at 6:00 pm

Well said Anagha. Each woman has to understand this and live life happily.

Sajid Akhter · March 7, 2019 at 7:44 pm

Very well observed and written. It is important to have some me time to evaluate yourself and move forward in the right direction.

Thanks for sharing, have a good day.

Shilpa Garg · March 7, 2019 at 8:17 pm

They say that the most powerful relationship you will ever have is the relationship with yourself. It’s important to nurture and grow and focus on self love. A lovely story, Anagha!

Shubhra Rastogi · March 7, 2019 at 10:02 pm

A beautiful story. It is very important to spend quality time with self. It really uplifts the mood, self confidence and self esteem. When we start appreciating ourselves we automatically start respecting ecah relation with ease.

Jisha Rajesh · March 7, 2019 at 11:14 pm

A lovely story that conveys a good message. A nice title as well.

Esha M Dutta · March 7, 2019 at 11:55 pm

Absolutely loved your take, Anagha. If every woman did take some time to focus on herself, things would have been so different.We need to keep ourselves replenished always, to be able to fill others. Sadly, we seem to overlook that too!

Esha M Dutta · March 8, 2019 at 12:08 am

Loved this story, Anagha! So true and yet, we need to remind people that they need to nurture themselves first before taking care of others. Vaidehi is indeed lucky to have someone like Ninad to nudge her to get back to her old self after all these years!!!

Anshu Bhojnagarwala · March 8, 2019 at 3:26 pm

Beautiful story, Anagha! Life doesn’t end with children leaving the nest, we need to kindle a relationship with ourselves.

Suzy · March 9, 2019 at 2:23 pm

Oh yes. Art is therapy for the soul. At least it is for mine. We all need to find an outlet that gives us that zest for life.

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