"Maa, Maa... Where are you?" I shouted with all my might as I exited my room, radiating joy and excitement.

I caught my mother's voice calling, "Tara, I'm in the kitchen," and rushed to her side.

"Maa, I have some excellent news. You know what?" I exclaimed, "You won't believe it," as I ushered her into the living room.

"What is that, Tara?" She seemed utterly bewildered.

"Reema is finally coming home back, Maa." I exclaimed with delight, "She is arriving in India tomorrow."

This morning, Reema reached out to me as she typically does. After exchanging updates about our daily lives, she unexpectedly revealed her plans to return to India after an six-year absence.

"Is that so, Tara?" The words seemed utterly unimaginable to Maa. For years, she has been longing for the return of my beloved babysitter, Reema.

"Indeed, Mother, our Reema is coming back to us," I replied, embracing her warmly. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears.

"Hush now...Please don't weep, Maa. At long last, our Reema will be returning to us." I spoke softly, and she acknowledged me with a nod. For a time, we lingered in each other's embrace. I gently pressed my hands to her tear-stained cheeks.

"Maa, there's so much ahead of us, so let's save the tears for later," I said with a reassuring smile.

"Absolutely, I'll prepare her favorite food and snacks," she said, her smile brightening the room.

Following that, we enjoyed our favourite cup of tea at the dining table, engaging in conversation about our aims for the day ahead. Maa's eyes sparkled with a newfound brightness, and a look of pure delight graced her face.

"Hey Mom, we're off to the market to pick up some essentials!"

She inclined her head in acknowledgment of my words. Following that, I retreated to my bedroom to ready myself for the grocery store. After attending to my hygiene, we both made our way to the market.

Once I hopped on my scooter, I set off with my mother to the grocery store. My mother possesses an admirable sense of organization, always maintaining a meticulous list of her necessities, whereas I find myself quite the opposite. I tend to gather a multitude of items that serve no real purpose, primarily because I rarely take the time to create a list. In this scenario, I find myself utterly lacking in discipline.

As I checked the items on the shelf, I unexpectedly encountered another person. A wave of dread washed over me as I realized it was my aunt, my father's sister. She gazed at me, her eyes sweeping from my head to my toes. I remained silent.

With a hint of irony, she said, "Has your mother failed to teach you how to greet the relatives?"

I let out a little sigh, listening to a lecture from someone who seemed to miss the mark on respectful communication.

"Greetings, Aunt." I shared my feelings with a bunch of over-the-top expressions.

I have an intense aversion to this woman, her family, and her character. The family exudes an aura of magnificence, yet beneath the surface, they are merely somewhat showy.

She glanced about and inquired, "Where is your mother?" before reaching out to my mother. In an instant, the radiant joy on my mother's face shifted to a palpable tension. Indeed, these relatives have the power to transform my mother's previously cheerful demeanor into one of sorrow in an instant. Their craft is a masterpiece.

"Greetings, Sita Bhabhi (Sister-in-Law). How do you fare? It has been ages since I last saw or heard from you," she said, embracing my mother warmly. My mother simply acknowledged her with a slight nod.

She proclaimed, "I'm well, Kitu Didi (Elder sister)"

"Are you still unwed, Antara? You've surpassed the age of thirty," she remarked, pretending to worry about my well-being.

"Indeed, I have yet to find the right one. Choosing solitude is far better than enduring unhappiness, wouldn't you agree? What if my partner betrays my trust and leaves me to rely on my family?" I ridiculed her, and for a fleeting moment, her expression soured, but she quickly masked it with a different demeanor.

"Obviously, you are not married yet. Men seek women who embody qualities of slenderness, athleticism, and appeal and who come from esteemed backgrounds, yet you do not align with any of those traits." She addressed me before pivoting to confront my mother.

"There are numerous fitness classes offered, Bhabhi. Enroll her in one. If she sheds a bit of weight, she could find herself wed to someone from a respectable lineage, which would lighten your burden. I can also recommend some trusted dermatologists who can assist her in achieving a lighter complexion." She asserted, "She doesn't resemble our family; everyone in our family has light skin and is beautiful."

At this moment, I felt an overwhelming urge to quiet the woman by hurling an object in her direction. I held back my fury.

"No, Bhabhi, she is my precious little one and not a burden to carry. She has the liberty to decide if she wishes to enter into marriage. I have no objections to her decision to stay single, nor do I have any concerns if she decides to marry." I longed to wrap my arms around my mother and express that she was the most wonderful mother one could ever hope for.

"All I desire is for her to find happiness; that is my only concern," Maa concluded.

"It may be easier to say, Bhabhi, but after a few years, girls become a burden." With a feigned smile, my Bua (Aunt) responded, "I have a few individuals she can meet and choose to wed. If you wish, I can begin hunting proposals for Antara."

"We shall inform you, naturally, but for now, we must take our leave." She exclaimed, "We are running late," as she tugged me along beside her.

My mother halted her steps as she further inquired, "Bhabhi... you didn't ask about bhai (Brother)?"

Maa quietly released my hand and turned back to Bua, her silence speaking volumes.

"We're not together anymore. The Divorce Day marked the conclusion of all we had," Maa asserted.

"He is suffering, dear sister-in-law. At the very least, you should come and meet him." My aunt said, "He made many mistakes, but for the children's sake, you should at least see him once." Her eyes were genuinely brimming with tears. Their actions turned my mother into a rock.

My mother moved in silence, and I stole a look at Bua, who was in tears, yet I merely trailed behind Maa. She perched on my scooter after we completed the transaction at the shop. She remained silent the whole ride. I departed to the office, leaving her behind in the quiet of our home. My father treated my mother poorly, and the scars of that time still haunt her. He shattered her spirit and took everything she held dear.

My mother was an intelligent and captivating young woman in her era. My mother, Sita, stood as the unwavering support of her family, even though she hailed from humble beginnings. She possessed a refined education and was adept at managing her household.

While she was working in one of the firms, her boss found himself captivated by her charm. The boss was my father. Initially, she felt a sense of reluctance, as the idea of marriage loomed over her like a shadow, suggesting that her ability to care for her family would slip away. My father persuaded her that he would be able to provide for her family after their marriage, and he later won over his own family as well.

He presented a proposal to my mother's family. Their hearts swelled with joy at the thought of their daughter joining the ranks of a formidable lineage. They consented without hesitation. When my parents united in matrimony, their celebration was nothing short of breathtaking. My arrival a few years later shattered the blissful conclusion they experienced.

She often endured the relentless mockery of my grandparents from my father's side, who ridiculed her parents and the struggles of her Poor background. My mother believed that my father would offer her some assistance, yet he did not. My father longed for a humble partner who would nurture the family and manage the home, and that's exactly what my mother was.

She endured anguish throughout her pregnancy; they had dreamed of having a son, but the birth of me dashed their hopes. Her mother-in-law reduced her to the role of a mere maid, nothing more. My mother was heartbroken by the reality of my father's infidelities. Her existence after that revolved entirely around me. After enduring six years of pressure from my father and in-laws, she resolved to attempt pregnancy once more, but to their surprise, my baby sister Reema came into the world.

My mother's existence spiraled into darkness following that moment. She suffered through relentless verbal assaults, both day and night. She had nowhere to go because her parents had warned her not to come back home. I remember my mother lying about having swollen eyes every morning, even when I was a small child. I have never witnessed the affection my parents held for each other. Affection had slowly diminished, and they existed solely for the sake of societal opinion regarding their potential separation.

My father seemed perpetually distant from us, never quite present as my sister and I grew up. He rarely addressed us with any warmth or inquired about our achievements in school or whether we faced any challenges. He and my grandparents were absent from our lives. They completely ignored our existence. Reema and I would spend countless hours together, eagerly anticipating Papa's arrival, longing to share our stories and achievements with him, yet he never showed up.

During family gatherings, my male cousins would receive all the attention, completely overlooking us as children. I always heard people speak of my father's greatness, how he built his empire single-handedly, how he became a millionaire, yet we never truly knew him. His lack of understanding and the way he treated Mom left me feeling isolated and unvalued, while Reema was too young to grasp the true nature of the situation.

As I grew older, I discovered the truth about my father—he was a man who had pursued countless women in our neighborhood. He was a man of significant means, and women found themselves drawn to him. He possessed strikingly attractive looks. His actions have devastated my mother; she has lost all faith in him and the love he once offered. She existed solely for our sake. This experience weighed heavily on me; I would spend countless hours weeping for my father's affection or find solace in indulging in my favorite meals, which ultimately resulted in my undesired weight gain.

In moments of sorrow, I found solace in food, and during times of solitude, it became my companion. If my family or friends teased me, I would indulge in food. This turned into an uncontrollable binge, and I found myself powerless over what I was consuming.

This became a problem for my father and grandparents, who would ridicule a 16-year-old, make disparaging remarks, and openly laugh about my weight when my mother was not around. Despite the heavy burden of embarrassment, I chose to remain silent in front of my mother, engrossed in her struggles.

After a few years, my father lost his business; he had taken on a significant amount of debt and was unable to repay it. We moved from a spacious bungalow to a cozy little house. It was a harrowing experience for my mother. Father unleashed all his pent-up frustration upon my mother. My mother reached her limit, and so she initiated the divorce, leading to their separation. When they parted ways, I was attending college while Reema was still in school.

It was an incredibly challenging period for us. We faced numerous challenges, and managing them felt overwhelming. Fortunately, my mother found a job and worked tirelessly to support both me and Reema. It was an incredibly thought-provoking period for us. Yet we triumphed over all obstacles. Hardship imparts valuable lessons, and the foremost is the importance of standing up for oneself. I discovered how to confront those who tormented me. I gathered the strength to rise above the harsh words of others.

I emerged from my trance and arrived at my office punctually. The best job I've ever had is at a wedding planning company. For the past seven years, I have been under the guidance of Miss Gurpreet Kaur, who has been an exceptional leader. She offered me the opportunity when no one else did. This place has imparted a wealth of knowledge to me. I stepped into the workplace and offered a warm smile. My passion lies in my work.

"Good morning," I greeted everyone with a smile.

I entered my cabin and settled into my chair. I drew back the curtain of my window, and a gentle breeze caressed my face, bringing a smile to my lips. I inhaled the crisp air and essence of the morning. The sun caressed my cheeks, enveloping me in a gentle warmth.

"Ma'am, the weather is quite lovely today," my secretary Veena remarked as she entered the room.

"Yes, it's such lovely weather today," I said with a smile, then turned away from the window and settled into my chair.

"Madam, your hot coffee without sugar is ready." She uttered.

"Thank you, Veena," I remarked, taking a sip of my coffee. The chill in the air was biting, yet this coffee undeniably enveloped me in warmth.

"So tell me, Veena, what are the appointments for today?" I asked her, and she provided a concise overview of the schedule and the tasks that awaited us.

"Let us begin, Veena. We have a long day ahead," I said with a smile before heading off to work.