Navitha Reddy

Children Drama

5.0  

Navitha Reddy

Children Drama

The Servant Mother

The Servant Mother

7 mins
698


Dhanya was in a hurry. She was returning home after grocery shopping. Instead of waiting for the lift, she took the stairs to reach her 5th floor apartment. She was panting and trying to catch her breath. It was very hard to climb, with all the baggage in her hand. She entered the house and quickly refreshed herself and went to the kitchen to prepare snacks for her kids. Around 6 pm her son Vishal and daughter Nisha returned from college. The moment they entered the house, they messed up the house by throwing the cushions on the ground, shoes and socks on the table, jackets and bags on the sofa. They even fought over the TV remote. They were absolutely spoilt kids.

Dhanya came out with onion pakodas and coffee for them. They were busy with their mobile phones. Though Dhanya was very tired she did not show it to her kids. She lovingly asked her kids, “how was your day, what did you eat for lunch?” They ignored her, picking the pakodas without even looking at her. Dhanya felt very sad that her kids did not spend much time with her, though she tried impressing them with her cooking and doing everything to please them, never saying no to them. They were undisciplined and untidy. Everyday their room would be scattered with clothes and books. Their bathrooms would also be very dirty. They were never bothered about hygiene and cleanliness. Dhanya would clean everything without complaining. She did their laundry, ironed their clothes, polished their shoes and arranged them in racks.

Vishal and Nisha gave orders to their mother. “Mom prepare Aloo paneer, roti and eggs” Vishal said. Nisha said "I want pulav, raitha and kheer. Please get curds and paneer from the store, I want them for dinner tonight”. Their list was endless. Poor Dhanya never complained. Her husband Sunil too, did not bother. He was always busy with his office work.

One day Dhanya was carrying a heavy bag and walking on the road. Her elderly neighbour stopped her and asked where she was going. She told her that her daughter had been enrolled for a tennis coaching and that she was going to drop her. Her neighbour questioned her “Your daughter is almost seventeen years old and the tennis coaching camp is just half a kilometre walk, can't she carry her bag herself”. Dhanya hesitated for a moment and said “She is still a small kid, she won't be able to carry this weight” and moved on. Vishal and Nisha had taken Dhanya for granted. They never showed any love or gratitude towards her.

Thara, Dhanya’s elder sister visited them and felt sad for Dhanya. She was not happy with the way Vishal and Nisha were treating Dhanya. After dinner that night, Dhanya was still in kitchen cleaning dishes. It was around 11pm Thara came over to kitchen looking for Dhanya as she did not get an opportunity to talk to her sister.

Dhanya with a smile on her face asked "What happened Didi, aren’t you sleepy?”

Thara, helping her sister said "No Dhanya, I am not able to sleep, I wanted to talk to you. I came here to spend time with you but from afternoon I’m seeing that you are busy with one or the other work". Dhanya in an apologetic tone said "Sorry Didi, Vishal, in the last minute told me wash a few clothes. Nisha wanted me to cook her favorite food. So was a bit busy with that, could not spend time with you. Anyway you are here for another 2 days, we definitely will have a gala time”.

Thara, with a deep sigh said "Dhanya, What is this? Your kids are spoilt to the core. I expected Vishal and Nisha to come to the airport along with you to pick me but you came alone, I sent them so many gifts before and expected a little gratitude for that. I watched them giving you orders rather than doing it themselves. They are always hooked to the TV or mobile. They do not even have the courtesy to treat their guests at home. Dhanya stopped her in between saying "No Didi, they are still small kids, they will learn gradually. I am a homemaker and I have lots of time to do all this. I don't feel bad at all.

Thara furiously said "Stop it Dhanya, Stop making a fool of you, by giving these silly explanations. Your kids are treating you like a servant. Being a homemaker does not mean that you should do everything by yourself. Teach your kids some manners, gratitude and responsibility. They are grown up, Vishal is 20yrs and Nisha is 17. They should be able to do most of the work by themselves and also help you out, rather than ordering you around. You have a wrong notion that, if a mother does all the work, the kids will love her. No, they will blame you for everything in future when they have to do everything by themselves.

Dhanya was embarrassed but said "Didi, it’s my way of showing my love to my kids. Nisha tells me, none of her classmate’s mother does all this". Thara was mad by then. She said, "Exactly, all other parents are teaching their kids to be responsible in their life. Now parenting style has changed Dhanya. Without any gender bias, be it a girl or a boy, many are teaching their kids to cook, clean and do their laundry at home. In future, if they go out to some other town or country, will you go with them? Every family member should share the workload instead of burdening just one person. Kids should be emphatic but at the same time they should also know to be kind and sympathetic. Just going to top colleges will not make them an educated person. Stop being a ‘Servant Mom’. There is a lot more to do in life”.

Dhanya was not sure how to react "Didi, how will I do it? I can’t say no to my kids". Thara advised "For the well being of your family, learn to say NO. Dhanya was still in a dilemma. She couldn't sleep all night thinking of all the things her sister told.

Next day Vishal and Nisha came looking for their mom, “Mom where is my blue shirt? Is it ironed? Did you polish my shoes?? Vishal asked. Nisha asked “Mom can you come and drop me to my tennis coaching camp. I cannot carry this heavy bag. Did you keep my racket and towel in the bag?? Dhanya gathered all her courage, turned around and said “You guys are big now, can't you’ll do it by yourself?? Vishal and Nisha were taken aback. They looked at each other and were shocked to hear this from their mother. “Mom are you alright? You never spoke to us like this before". Nisha told in anger with her eyes wide open. “No I am not the same old Dhanya to listen to you and follow your orders. From now on you have to do all the work yourself. Your rooms should be clean and tidy, no messing around the house and both of you will help me with the kitchen and household chores as well. Vishal was angry and said in a loud voice "Are you out of your mind Mom? Who told you all this? We are not your servants to order us like this? What kid of a mom are you? You don't care about your kids at all. Dhanya stood there without uttering a word.

Suddenly Sunil came out of his room and slapped Vishal. Sunil was furious "I should have given this slap long back, when you back answered your mom. How dare you talk to your mom like that? Does she look like a servant to you both? He looked at Dhanya and spoke in a concerned tone "Dhanya, I wish you had done this long back. You thought, the way to express your love for your kids was by doing their work. It's my fault. I turned a blind eye to their behavior. Now, I hope we have both realized our mistakes. From now on they will do all their work by themselves and also help you in the kitchen. I am the head of the family and I have decided this. Every Sunday, complete cleaning to be done by all of us. Got it. No more taking advantage of your mom's innocence”.

Dhanya looked at Thara, who was a silent spectator of the entire episode and flashed a smile at her.


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