Me And The Little One

It was a busy Monday morning and I was in a hurry to reach my office. I had to drop my 6-year-old son at his school on my way too. As I got dressed up, I threw a quick glance at myself in the mirror. After assuring myself that my external appearance was satisfactory, I turned to check my bag. I can't afford to leave behind any important document at home and come all the way back from the office to fetch it. The next crucial task was to check around the apartment thoroughly. I hurried to close the windows, switch the fans and lights off and turn off the gas cylinder.

"Sunny, are you ready?" I called out to my son.

"Yes, mom." He walked towards me, neatly dressed in his school uniform.

"Then, get into the car, honey," I said fumbling with the car keys. "Otherwise, we will be late."

He promptly obeyed my command while I locked the apartment. I threw my bag on the back seat of the car and settled down by his side. Just as I was about to start the engine, I noticed a peculiar expression on his face. He was staring hard at me with a flushed face.

"What is it, sweetie?" I can't help asking.

"Mom," the young gentleman crossed his hands over his chest while his eyes kept continuously scrutinizing me. "I really feel jealous of you."

"Why?" I was astonished.

"Because," he threw his hands up in the air, "you are an intelligent, responsible and independent lady. You take care of every minute thing and do your job with excellence. You are an outstanding businesswoman as well as a marvellous homemaker. You don't have to depend on anyone and are free to take decisions at your own free will. And look at me!"

He sighed and wrapped his hands around himself with a long face that made me chuckle.

"I am not free to do what I want to do or go places I want to visit. I have to ask for your permission. I am not allowed to do anything without an adult's supervision. I feel so small and unimportant."

As I heard those words, I burst out laughing, adding on to his exasperation. I gulped down my laughter and assumed a serious expression to straighten his ruffled feathers.

"And, I'm really jealous of you." I said as I placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Now, what makes you feel jealous of me?" He looked curiously at me.

"You don't have to worry about anything. Your parents are there to love you and take care of you. You don't have to bear the pressures or tensions. You are free to play and enjoy as much you want. You don't have to face the harsh realities or deal with the cruel world around. You are safe within the secure boundaries of an innocent childhood into which no mean and macabre adult can invade."

"But I want to live like an adult, mom." Sunny clenched his fist in a hurry to grow-up. "I wish I could switch places with you."

"You will, very soon." I sighed as I failed to make him understand how tough the life of an adult is. "Only that, I can't be a child again."