Mom's Magic

Maa, please relax, sit down, don’t worry I will attend to the customers’ said Shiv in a worried tone. He quickly escorted an exasperated Madhu to the chair placed behind the counter and offered her a glass of water. Shiv smiled at the customers waiting at the cash counter and signalled that he would be there in a minute. The beads of sweat on Madhu’s forehead were dripping down her temples and her effervescent smile was aching to keep it's arch. Shiv held his mother’s hand and gently wiped the beads off, looking lovingly at her with reassurance that everything was under control.

Shiv grabbed a bar of dark chocolate from the counter and asked Madhu to put it in her mouth, as it would help her stabilise the low sugar levels. Shiv then quickly focussed his attention on the customers at the counter who had witnessed the episode. The 11-year-old Shiv stood just a few inches above the counter, but his confidence was that of a professional. He thanked them for their patience and asked the lady at the counter with a smile which of irresistible desserts she would like to sample. While she looked at the appetizing display of delectable delights through the glass of the counter, he put her at ease by asking her taste in desserts, less sweet and solid or sweet and gooey. He also went on to explain with an adeptness that the cakes were healthy and an absolute delight for the health conscious as they had a wide range. Gluten-free, sugar-free, apple and oats, date and honey, carrot and walnuts etc. to tickle the taste buds and satiate the sweet tooth.

He patiently gave her samples to taste and while she mulled over the exotic taste of the samples, Shiv attended to the next customer a gentleman who seemed to be in a hurry. Shiv asked if he would like to sample the myriad flavours, to which he curtly replied that he had no time to spare and needed to pick up brownies to gift his nephew on his birthday. Shiv pleasantly smiled and asked him his nephew’s age and if he liked nuts. The gentleman nodded and Shiv picked out mouth-watering walnut brownies and packed 8 for him. The gentleman said he had no cash on him, Shiv was quick to point towards the QR code for easy digital payment. Shiv handed over the box of brownies and said, ' Please convey my wishes to your nephew and if he relishes them bring him along the next time'. The grim expression on the gentleman’s face dissolved into a faint smile. The lady by then had set her heart on the tiramisu cake and got it packed. She thanked Shiv for helping her zero in on the cake. She looked at Madhu seated at the rear end of the shop and said ' Your little man here is an ace in disguise, a thorough professional. Congratulations!'

Shiv looked back to check on his mother who smiled back with moist eyes oozing love and pride. Madhu stood redeemed with what she had witnessed in the last half hour. Tears rolled down her eyes, her heart filled with pride, as her thoughts wandered to three years back when her husband Adarsh met with an almost fatal accident and lost his movement waist down owing to a spinal injury. Her endless prayers and tireless nursing saved Adarsh’s life, but he was left wheelchair-bound and out of work. Madhu though apprehensive, took up the reins of running the house and keeping the family together. Madhu had a passion and flair for baking, she decided to harness this skill for a livelihood. Madhu started small by taking baking orders from her neighbours, relatives and friends and as she had no help, she often took Shiv’s assistance in some chores much against the wishes of her in-laws. She worked relentlessly at refining her skills, learning new techniques of baking and icing and innovating new healthy recipes. It was tough to o say the least, but she stood tall in adversity despite being a diabetic as Shiv was her pillar of strength. Shiv sat by her side post school and offered to pitch in, while his mother regaled him with stories of wonderful cakes and how each ingredient added magic to the taste. Shiv in all his innocence said that when they would have a patisserie, he would name it ‘Mom’s Magic’.

In the face of adversity Shiv had grown beyond his years and Madhu knew she had his tender shoulders to lean on. Shiv was Madhu’s rock and after two and half years of tireless efforts, Shiv’s dream of Mom’s Magic was realised. Madhu treated Shiv as an equal with respect and encouraged him to be curious and learn the ropes of the business. Madhu despite the odds gave him a nurturing environment to learn and grow. Shiv would join her at the store each day after school and help her around, but today was different. The 11-year-old had shown his mettle as a true professional and impressed the customers with his knowledge, pleasing demeanour and finesse.

Shiv called out to his mother, but she seemed lost in thought, so he walked up to her and said’ Maa, you are okay right? Please don’t worry, we are a winning team'. He hugged his mother and Madhu kissed him on his forehead and said, ‘We should rename this place 'Shiv’s Magic'; I now have the most dependable business partner’.

Give your children wings to fly, roots to come back and reasons to stay.