DR. Sheila Nair landed at the international airport in Dallas, gathered her baggage and walked towards the immigration counter. It was her first trip alone and out of India. She did not want to be here away from her practice but had cowed down to family pressure. Her youngest daughter Neelam had been living in Dallas for past few years and was pregnant. It was her first child and she wanted her mother to be with her.
Sheila was living alone in Mumbai and managing the hospital started by her late husband and her. Her husband Dr. Ravi Nair had died ten years ago. It was a critical juncture in her life with kids still in college and a business to run. Bobby her son was in the medical school and Neelam was studying to be a software engineer.
Neelam had graduated and got married to a boy belonging to Maharastrian Brahmin family. There was some resistance from the boy’s mother but eventually everyone agreed and the marriage was a happy occasion. Within a year the couple had a job offer in USA and that was now five years ago. Bobby had joined the practice in the meantime and had big plans for the hospital.
Sheila walked out and peered into the thronging crowd. She saw Ramesh standing in the aisle waving to her. She walked towards him and they hugged awkwardly.
“Where is Neelam?” she asked still looking around.
Then she saw her very pregnant daughter amble towards her. Sheila couldn’t believe it was the same girl who would run to her with her pigtails swaying in the air. Mother and daughter hugged and cried.
Ramesh dropped them at their home and drove back to work. It was good time for mother and daughter to catch up. Sheila was amazed at the house and the neighborhood they lived in. Neelam was happy to her mother with her and felt it would be a well deserved break for her.
“It also gives my son a chance to build the empire he dreams with me out of the way” said Sheila in half jest.
“Oh Mother” said Neelam smiling.
Next few months flew fast with Sheila getting acquainted with the place and the weather. December was cold and dark. The child a handsome boy was born in December and it kept Sheila busy. It also gave a lot of time for the mother and daughter to get reacquainted. Neelam went back to work within couple of months of the child’s birth. Then it was Sheila and her grandchild.
Sheila enjoyed the break but missed her hospital and patients. She had been working for more than thirty years and it had been like her second skin. The routine slow pace and stillness were nerve racking to her. Initial months when Neelam was with her she did not mind it so much. Now with both her daughter and son in law at work she felt claustrophobic and homesick.
Sheila wanted to help out but these felt like a prison. She thought about countless parents who make such trips and if they felt the same. Sheila looked much younger than her fifty five with her hair still black and a face which had been if anything embellished with age. She had been a beauty and a heart breaker in her younger days.
Sheila would sit by the window looking out and trying to put her life in perspective. Hers was an arranged marriage and a loveless one at that. She and her husband did not share any interests. She was a romantic at heart while her husband was focused on his work. She wondered if Ravi even would have known of her existence if she were not a doctor.
Sheila thought about her son and his ambitions. He was not happy having an active mother still involved in the business decisions. There were times they would get into arguments and debates. It seemed to be increasing in its frequency over the last few years.
Soon it was time for the perambulator and pushing around the kid in the neighborhood. They went shopping and got one. First few days her daughter and son in law walked with her as they took turns pushing the kid around. Sheila saw American parents push their kids around and the Indian entourage. She loved her daughter and the grandchild. She was not sure that she wanted to spend time pushing the child around and cooking meals for the family.
On her walks alone the usual paths in the neighborhood pushing the pram she met other grandparents. It seemed to be a chore they enjoyed or had resigned too. It was something expected of Indian grandparents. Sheila had been now in Dallas for almost five months.
“Neelam, I would like to do some charity work here” said Sheila one day.
“Really” replied a surprised Neelam.
She recovered her composure and said “let me talk to Ramesh”.
That night when the topic was broached it was an unhappy Ramesh.
“So who will look after the baby?” he asked
Neelam was quite.
“I told you we will call my mom, but I gave in to your insistence” said Ramesh still peeved.
“Now we have to find a baby sitter and stuff for your mom to do” continued Ramesh.
“What can I tell her?” replied Neelam.
The next day during their perambulation Neelam reluctantly brought the topic. She tried convincing her mother how difficult it was to fit these in their busy schedule. Could she not wait for a few months? Sheila could see that her request had made her daughter upset.
“I have lived all my life for the family. I think I do deserve to live remainder of my life doing things for me” said a calm Sheila.
Neelam looked at Sheila not knowing what to say.
“I would like to go back. Please don’t extend my visa. I have some thinking to do on what I want to do for the rest of my life” said Sheila.
The following month Sheila flew back to India. Her son had sent the driver to pick her up. It took her a week to recoup from the long flight. She visited the hospital the following week and could see the changes. The changes were good and she had to agree much needed.
It had been a few weeks since her trip back from USA and Sheila decided it was time to speak to her son
“I would like to retire” she said
“That is good mom. You need to rest and relax” said Bobby
“Yes. I want to sell you my stake in the hospital” said Sheila
“What?” said Bobby as if he could not believe what his ears were hearing.
“I have completed my responsibilities to my children. I want to live rest of my life doing things which would make me happy” said Sheila.
Bobby was not happy. He was not happy with her ideas. But he knew his mother was a very adamant person and would not budge. He had to meet the chartered accountant and get things sorted out. Sheila informed Bobby that he did not have to pay the whole amount in one installment but wanted everything documented. Sheila also wanted to ensure that she could visit hospital for certain hours every week and provide free consultation to poor patients.
As she drove home that evening Sheila thought about western ball room dancing she had wanted to learn for a long time. Maybe she will meet someone interesting she thought and smiled.
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thanks for the visit and comments
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Give in to the ' just ' demands / requests of your kids. At the same time, retain your self respect. Live your life the way you want it and be happy at all cost..Wow !! I really admire this Sheila !!!
Happy I tumbled in here. Must slowly go & read your other blogs .
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usha
thanks a lot....
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very nice story
and you have created a strong character.. good for her
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Matheikal
thanks as usua you are very kind with your comments
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Another beautiful story from you. I arrived here late. But enjoyed it. Very realistic as usual.
Your heroin, however, has the guts to face it.
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thanks Mr.Sampath for the comments and the recomendation
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Dear Cherian,
you have captured wonderfully the reality
of indian American women who need their parents...
they seldom understand the needsof their parents....
sheila is now going to fly and all best wishes..
.wish her all the best...
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Priya
Thanks...though for trying and putting the comments.
I always felt parents Indians give up to much for their kids sometimes getting nothing at end...thanks for the visit
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Thomas,
Somehow I'm not able to comment - Sulekha website is swallowing my comments.
Liked this story a lot - good for Shiela that she sold her stake to her son. Had she given it to him for free, she would soon be forgotten, and won't have the financial security to retire.
Priya.
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