A Trip Alone

She sits at the dining table nervously. It had taken her a lot of courage to decide. She looks at the packed bags kept near the door. Why was she having second thoughts now?

She waits for her family to be awake. She thinks about her kids. How would they manage without her. She has always been by their side since they were born. She looks at the photo frame hanging on the walls. She gets up and touches the photos with her hands with different emotions going on. She looks at the picture of the kids smiling and throwing snow. Their trip to Shimla was so much fun. Her hand goes through each and every frame as memories rush through her minds of the good times. She looks at her wedding picture. Her husband holding her hand and looking in her eyes as they smile. Such a beautiful moment captured by the photographer. Her husband is so dependent on her. From the morning tea to the clothes he wears. How will he survive without her.

Her thoughts are broken as the door of the room opens.

Her husband comes outside.

"So you have decided you will go," he asks.

"Yes." She says trying to convince herself more than him.

He picks up the newspaper and sits in the balcony.

She goes and fetches his tea from the kitchen and places it near him.

"Where's your tea," he asks.

"I will get it." She says and rushes towards the kitchen and brings a cup of tea for herself.

They sit in silence as her mind fights whether she should go or not.

After what seems like ages- she gathers some courage and speaks

"Vishu, I know you aren't happy with my decision but I have to do this. I have spent years dedicating my life for you and children and now I need to live for myself," she says.

He looks at her through the newspaper for a minute his eyes piercing through her. Before he can say anything the door of the kids room opens.

She gets up and fixes their breakfast. There is silence in the house. She looks up at the watch. It's 10 am now. She should be leaving in an hour. She goes inside the room and takes out a light green salwar suit and keeps it on the bed as and goes for bath. In the shower she cries thinking about her husband and children and their silent treatment. But it was time she had to do things she wanted. They will have to live without her.

As she comes outside from the bathroom her clothes are not there on the bed.Instead there is a gift wrapped packet lying on the bed. She opens it and to her amazement there is a new pair of jeans and T shirt. There is a note also with it.

"Dear wifey,

Do you think I will let you go in that boring Salwar suit of yours. Wear this please."

Tears of happiness flow through her eyes. She gets ready and comes outside apprehensive of the clothes she is wearing. She opens the room as her husband and the kids look. The kids whistle at their mom.

"Mom you look awesome," his son says.

"It's so hard to shop for you mom. After coming from the trip you need to loose some weight. I have kept an extra bag in your luggage. Please wear those clothes mom." Her daughter says chirpily.

She goes near her and hugs her tightly as tears stream through her eyes. She goes near her son

"Don't even think mom. You have become all senti. I am not hugging you," he says.

She doesn't listen to him and hugs him tightly even as he protests.

She goes near her husband-

"So this all plan was made by you," she asks him.

"Yes of course! You decided to go all alone girls' trip of yours for 10 days without us. How can I let you go so easily," he says smiling.

"I can really stay if you guys want. How will you manage," she says.

"And waste all that money we brought your clothes from. Are you mad. Go out there and enjoy with your friends." He says and hugs her.

The car honks outside the house.

"Your friends are here.Kids take the luggage and keep it in the car," he says.

She goes outside and sits in the car and bids goodbye to them teary eyed.

At the age of 50, she goes for that trip with her girls that she always dreamt of.

Live the life you want. It's never too late.