NANDINI MUJUMDAR

Abstract

3.6  

NANDINI MUJUMDAR

Abstract

Can You Stand Beside Me?

Can You Stand Beside Me?

3 mins
184


Rita pressed on the brakes of her car. screeee.. eech, pulled on her car to the roadside, parking it nearly jumped out. 


 But the poster of a very old advertisement of the famous Caramel cookies caught her eye. The twenty-two-year-old advertisement photograph of a small girl in an apron, golden curls tied with a pink ribbon. 

Rita took a closer look and realized some changes were made in the old picture. 


Shila, (the girl in the ad), was holding a fresh lemon, instead of a fork as in the original advertisement. The new lemon drink was launched by the company. Thus a nostalgic add with the old ever-fresh lemon flavor drink was perfect advertisement wizardry.


Rita's lips curved in a smile as she saw this old pic, of her beloved daughter. The episode of her little daughter Shila, twenty-two years ago came alive in her memory. 


"Mama, can't you stand by my side in the advertisement". 

"No dear, it's purely your solo modeling session. But remember I am always by your side in hard times, darling". 


Shila with her long braided hair

 was selected to promote the cookies. 


The shoot was in the garden and little Shila in retakes spilled the dough on the red polka apron to the horrification of the director! Even the spare one was stained by her. 

The irritated director had to carry on with a yellow apron. The whole shooting team was amused with the situation as Shila was loved by all. 

The boss was strict and all secretly enjoyed when her small lapses irritated him. 


"Why should the company insist on this gawky little pigmented skinned girl as their model? The company has finances to hire a fashion icon". 

"MR. PERFECT" yelled Shila but too late as he, in his angered muttering took two steps behind. 


SPLASH…….. Mr. Perfect had fallen down in the garden pond!! 


This memory always gave a fun-filled mood to both the mother and daughter. The daughter now was the fashion icon of Hollywood! Rita was going to stop by even on the return journey from the airport after picking up Shila from her flight from Hollywood. 

Both of them together can have a good laugh. 


"Mama, can you stand beside me"?The top model Sheila had asked on her telephonic call three weeks ago. 

"I am always by your side, dear". Rita had replied struggling to keep her tone light then. 

Her eyes glistened when she recalled Shila informing her she tested positive in corona, virus test there, and was in an isolation ward. 

Now tested negative thrice after her struggle with the virus, she had taken flight home. 

Rita was on the way to international airport to gather her fashion icon of the west back home. 

Yes, a refreshing old memory with a fun-filled laugh together was just the thing they needed!! 


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