Guardian Saints

Meera was a gazelle eyed dark woman married at an early age and brought along with her a huge dowry. She impressed everyone at her in-laws with her love, care and hardwork. All except her husband appreciated her soft spoken, humble and loving nature. He constantly taunted how his life became hell after marrying a dark woman. 

With the passage of time, Meera bore two girls both inherited her dark complexion and loving nature. The house resonated with giggles and smiles of the kids when their father was not home. When he came then all of a sudden a good day turned into a bad. Meera felt defeated, angry and overwhelmed at times. She got caught up in those ugly moments cried squeezing her tiny girls to her bosom.

One night her husband came home packed his stuff and went for good declaring he found a pretty girl to spend his life. Meera was broken to the core thinking of ways to describe the situation to her kids and ailing Inlaws. But there is something unique about hearts who understand without uttering a word. They stood by her making her stronger. Meera tried to convince who ever would listen to find a job for her that she was willing to learn and do anything. She was a good cook, she started a small catering business. She provided lunch boxes for college students living in rents near her. But the meager income was not enough to cater to the household expenses which were constantly increasing. Meera didn't give up though she knew the situations were beyond her control. Her family was on her struggles journey and along for the ride with her. She started working as a help at the local grocery store in the evenings. Nights she spent sitting near the window staring at the stars spilling light in all directions and thinking of ways to increase her income. In the meantime, she was the star of her family.

Festivals meant joy and preparations for everyone, but for Meera it was overtime at work as well as mental and emotional strain. She tried hard to buy new clothes for her girls, which had patches sewen over patches. Toys and sweets were luxury for them. Diwali was the time when the students left for their home which meant no catering work for the duration.

One evening before Diwali she was about to retire for the day when the store owner's wife asked her to wait and handed her two paper bags. She hesitatingly took them home and on opening the first bag found two pretty frocks exactly her daughter's size, while the second contained a cotton saree and a white dhoti which she happily showed to her stunned family. The next morning when she opened the door for the milkman was pleasantly surprised to find two extra packets of milk. Her neighbors called her home to help in sweet and confectionery preparations and gladly packed some for her to take home. At home, she found boxes of crackers, diyas, and fruits with labels of her name.

Meera's family was ecstatic while she was wondering who the guardian saints were. Her mother-in-lawsmade apparent it was her good behavior that people came forward to help her. In the evening she received a parcel in her name containing a beautiful saree. Meera was overwhelming with love and blessings and felt grateful more than ever and knew this was the beginning.