Mother

"Are you sure?" - these three words were still ringing in Sudeshna's ears. Today she handed over the resignation letter and bid farewell to her lifelong dream of teaching yet somehow she was still happy. Sudeshna now would be able to spend her entire time with her five-year old son Abir.

"How would you handle everything, financially?" - the words hit Sudeshna hard. She lost her husband two years back in a car accident and now after leaving the job, well, she was bit worried. Sudeshna had to single handedly take care of grocery, electricity bill, school fee, and what not. But when Abir snuggled into her lap demanding to hear a story, she instantly knew withstanding all won't be that difficult.

"Do you even have any idea what today's engineering colleges charge?" - the words ripped apart Sudeshna's heart. She knew admitting Abir to a well-established engineering college is something beyond her capability but she also knew exactly how much this would help Abir's career. It is not a big deal to sell her jewelleries.

"How would you live by your own at this age?" - the words made Sudeshna tensed. She has grown old but Abir wants to go abroad for further studies. Sudeshna doesn't want to stop him of course. Nothing would make her contented than seeing her only son prosper. She supported Abir by giving him away rest of her savings.

Abir works in a colossal corporation of United States. His wife and kids threw him a surprise birthday party. All his colleagues and friends were merrymaking in his posh mansion. But what about Sudeshna, Abir's mother?

Sudeshna was sitting on bed of an old-age home. Abir sent her there few months back when she got ill and he was compelled to fly down on a very short notice to India. Abir convinced Sudeshna that all this is for her own benefit.

Abir doesn't come to visit but remembers to send money. He calls once or maybe twice a month.

A tear ran down Sudeshna's cheeks as she flipped pages of an old album.

Parents do not show but they sacrifice a lot for their children. In return, they just need time, love, care, and attention. Are we too busy or caught up in our own lives to do that?