Geet walked with her kids to her black raven Cadillac Escalade (her pride and joy and one of her splurges!).   She quickly buckled the kids in their car seats and got them settled with their activities - colouring books for Maya and reading for Rohan.   She moved towards the driver seat and started on their way.

Looking back at the kids, Geet was surprised that they were not nervous or crying.   She was definitely curious as she questioned internally:   "How could she get this lucky?"

Treading carefully, Geet cautiously inquired:   "So my lovelies, are you excited about day care?"   

Maya nodded.

Rohan keenly replied:   "Yes, I can't wait.   Andrew is going to bring his new Lego set for the space shuttle!"

Mirroring their awe and excitement, Geet encouraged:  "Wow!   I am so proud of you both.   When I was your age, I was crying so hard and would not leave my mother's side when we reached school.   Do I need to worry once we reach day care?"

Maya tipped her head sideways and asked curiously:   "Mom, why would we do that?   We have each other, right Rohan?   Plus, Miss Lacey and Courtney are going to be there."  

Rohan flashed Geet his look of wisdom in agreement with his sister.

Geet chuckled:   "I wonder how your mom is going to do?   I am so nervous.   So, you guys will be fine?   If you need anything, just let Miss Lacey know, okay?"

With confidence and assurance, Rohan retorted:   "Mom, you worry too much.   We are big now, right Maya?"  

Maya smiled to Geet and nodded sagely.

Geet humourously wondered:   "Are they the parent and am I the child?   When did my babies get so independent?"   She wanted them to need her too but she wasproud of them for being so fearless.    

They reached the day care and got out of the car.   Geet hugged them tightly and gave them their bags as she walked them to the day care.   Miss Katie Lacey and the owner Miss Debra Holloway were standing outside greeting parents and kids with big smiles.

Miss Holloway:   "Geet, it is good to see you.   How are you, Rohan and Maya?   Both of you, are one of the few kids, who are excited.   Geet you have done a fine job."

Geet humbly responded:   "I think I am just lucky.   I have packed all their necessary things.   Here is their list of allergies.   If you need anything, you have my contact information.   Also, Nausheen will be home by the afternoon, so you can contact her as well.   I want to make sure everything will be alright.   Am I babbling --"

Miss Holloway gently patted Geet's shoulder and Geet took a deep breath.   Debra answered in a soothing manner accompanied by a chuckle:   "Geet, please don't worry.   You have chosen the right place and they are in good hands.   You are more nervous than they are, aren't you?"

Geet grimaced and bent down towards Rohan and Maya.   Taking one good look at both of her angels again, she started on her last minute instructions.   After some time, Rohan interrupted her:   "Mom, you are getting late.   Don't worry, I will take care of Maya.   Let's go!"

Rohan took Maya's hand authoritatively.   Geet stopped them both for a quick cuddle and kiss. This was a big milestone for her little ones and they did not realize it.   She was getting teary eyed but wanted to appear brave in front of them.

She finally got up and waved to the kids, as they walked forward waving back at her.   She stayed there until they disappeared.   She finally let the tear slide down her cheek and wiped it off quickly.   She consoled herself:   "This is a good thing."   She had to get back to work full time. Everything did rest on her shoulders after all.

She took her leave from Debra and Katie and promised to be back in the afternoon to pick her kids up.   She quickly sat in her car and made her way back home.   She was going to be late if she kept focusing on her emotions and she could not afford to do that.

*************

Geet reached home to rush towards her room to get ready for her first day at work.   Geet made her way in the direction of the bathroom and observed her 28 year old image in the large mirror.   A person with curly brown long hair; light hazel brown eyes; light skin; cute upturn nose (one of the features she liked); full lips and a defined chin stared back at her.   She was attractive in her own book, but the years had taken away the constant laughter from her lips and the luster from her eyes.   She found solace in the following notion:  "She had no regrets, that was life."

Her hair was being kind to her today, so she decided to quickly run herfingers through it and leave it as is, saving her some time.   She then moved on to her make-up.   It was her "war paint", that required to look professional, to hide her flaws and emotions.    She added a little eye shadow, liquid eyeliner, mascara and a darker lip gloss.   She looked fresh with some light blush finishing her look.   Spraying her favourite perfume (this month it was Ralph Lauren Romance), she was done!

She had already decided on her navy blue dress that was sleeveless and reached a little below her knee.   It had an umbrella flare and complemented her curvy figure.   For an East Indian girl, she was not your typical stick figure.    She was not fat but had a very healthy bust and tiny waist.   She had normal hips followed by pretty shapely legs.   Her arms were slender but not as toned as she would have liked even after all the lifting that she did.   Shaking her head, Geet reflected:   "Oh well.   All my life, guys were always attracted to my busty chest, drives me mad!"

She also did not like her stature at 5' 5", she was not as tall as she would like to be.   However, heels always made the difference and she could not live without them.   She made her way to her walk in closet to get out her black 3 inch heels.    They made her manicured feet look so good.   Grabbing her crème colour jacket to complete her look, she quickly assessed the reflection in the full length mirror behind her bedroom door.    She looked good and needed to leave NOW.

Geet walked down the stairs with her heels in her hands and called out to Nausheen:   "Amma, I am waiting for you downstairs.   See you in a bit."   Geet grabbed her purse and made her last minute checks.   She took her laptop bag and did her final walk around, as Nausheen reached her.   They walked out of the house locking it, as they moved towards the car.

As they settled in the car, Geet looked over to Amma who was dressed in her black dress pants and white shirt with her hair in a bun and black flats.   She looked nice.

Geet instructed:   "So Amma, you know that this is just a regular check up.   All should be good.   You watch what you eat and you walk every day.   No need to worry."

Nausheen calmly replied with mirth:   "Geet, I am sure everything will be fine.   Don't worry so much.   When are you going to learn?"

With concern, Geet questioned:   "I am not that bad, am I?   The kids were telling me the same thing this morning.   I just want to make sure that everyone is okay."

Geet shrugged and focused on her driving.   Nausheen observed her closely.   She considered this time as the best to broach the subject, but knew she had to diplomatically approach it.   One wrong move, and Geet would have her head on a platter!

Nausheen cleared her throat and decided to forge ahead:   "Are you nervous Geet?   You are going back to work after almost two years.   I know it will be a huge transition but I think this is the right thing.   How are you feeling about all of this?"

Geet frowned at Nausheen and replied:   "I am excited and maybe a little anxious.   I have worked really hard towards my career.   However, the break was a necessity.   Rohan and Maya needed me, Amma.   I don't regret it at all.   But I am glad to get back into the thick of things.   I hope I am able to balance it all.   I don't want to be away from the kids too much."

Nausheen observed Geet the entire time.   She seemed calm, so Nausheen took her chance and continued:   "Well, Geet; if you opened up your mind and heart a little bit, then you might receive further support.   You don't need to do everything alone, you know?   Maybe if you even talked about things as a start, it will help.   How long are you going to keep your barriers up?   It was five years --"

Geet abruptly interrupted Nausheen with a hand on her hand.   She was looking ahead and there was no difference in her demeanor.   However, to Nausheen's trained eye, Geet's jaw was clenched and she was sure that her eyes had turned to stone.

Geet voiced:   "Let's not talk about this.   I don't need anyone.   I have you and the babies.   I am happy.   Now with work starting, I will have a full life.   Amma, today of all days, let's not do this.   Hmm?"

Even though Geet's voice was controlled, Nausheen could hear the brittleness of it.   She could not stop her worrying thoughts:   "She is so young.   Why doesn't she understand that I won't be around all the time.   She needs someone.   How do I explain this to my lovely and strong girl? "   Nausheen shook her head and smiled back at Geet:   "Okay as you wish, beta (daughter).   How did the kids get off at day care?"

Geet merrily gave her account and relaxed back in the driver seat.   She did not want to think or feel anything right now, about what Amma had said or was trying to say before she put a stop to that conversation.   It would have led her down a treacherous road.   She understood Nausheen's point but she was fine.   That was all that mattered now.   

She mentally gave her thoughts a shake and chatted with Amma happily.   The environment in the Cadillac quickly changed from cold to warm.   The drive remained uneventful as they reached the hospital.