Being Blessed

"What has destiny in store for me? Will I never be a mother?" On thinking this the tears rolled down Prakriti's eyes. Prakriti was quick enough to wipe them lest they be seen by anyone in the family.

For everyone, Prakriti was a career-oriented woman who was least bothered to start a family. She was labelled a free bird who didn't want to be caged in the arms of her child. Everyone had a different perception about her or actually she was considered indifferent!

But, no one knew the real her. The one which was hidden behind the veil of her smile. The one who longed to be a mother. The one who loved kids. How could she tell them reality! The truth of her life. The fact which was locked between her and her husband, Manav. The doctor had told that her uterus..........

O! This brought a big pause in Prakriti's life. Still it was not something which couldn't be taken care with medical expertise. She was happy on hearing this. With this began the rounds and rounds of medical tests, regular visit to her gynaecologist and finally one day, she had a genuine smile on her face when the test confirmed positive. She still remembers the day; it was the first day of Navratri. Finally, the mother Goddess had blessed her to be a mother.

Her joy was unbound which needed to be supplemented with....... Yes, an injection that could sustain her hope, her baby, her desire and longing to be a mother. With it also began her religious ritual of offering water to Lord Shiva daily.

She was totally under medical care. So she missed the sweetly bitter experience of home remedies for morning sickness by her mother-in-law, who asked her to keep the news a secret to ward off evil eye. Though she didn't believe in her, she agreed to her mother-in-law for her sake.

The feel of a new life inside her made Prakriti act like a coconut. Yes, it seems funny, actually, she tried to be hard and rough from the exterior whereas she was protecting the little seed of joy in her womb. She continued with her job, but she was extra careful about everything she could think of ........ her stance, her posture, her speed, and her diet.

Her uterus was anteverted so the little baby bump was visible earlier than expected. She felt shy. She wanted to hide it. Very soon her colleagues guessed, her so guarded secret and she was showered with the love and blessings.

With the baby bump appeared her craving for mango. In winters, she wanted to eat mango....... It started a difficult period for her husband as it was practically impossible to get mangoes in winters. The only mango that he could find was mango flavoured ice-cream and mango tarts. Being health conscious Prakriti was against eating so many ice-creams in winters.

Prakriti was showered with love, love and love but she became temperamental. She wanted to be accepted as she wished. Her mood swings especially increased when she left her job in March. Now being full-time home time moved at a slow pace. She felt as if she was alone.

Her mother-in-law realised this and she became her best friend during this period. They gossiped, watched movies together, and ate their favourite pani puri almost on a daily basis.

Finally, the day arrived. Prakriti got admitted in the hospital, it was the time for C- section. The cry of the baby brought a smile on the face of Prakriti and Manav. The mother-in-law welcomed Goddess in the family with an open heart.