Another Morning!

The alarm buzzed at 6:15 am. I rubbed my sleepy eyes and yanked my plantar fasciitis foot to avoid the shooting pain that crept occasionally. I walked to turn the kitchen light on with half-closed eyes.

I switched off the fan mechanically like a robot. Brushed my teeth and stepped into the kitchen for making lunch boxes for that day.

As I take out the chapati dough from the fridge, a thought passes my mind.

A dear friend is moving out of her marriage. Thousands of miles away, I am helpless.

I boil milk for my daughter; in a steel vessel. They say microwave is not good for health.

Another Ebola case in my city. Poor girl. All of twenty-six. She was doing her duty after all.

Salad is packed for the husband.

A  friend was happy last week as he was getting married. 

While I look for the Garlic croutons in the pantry. I realized. His wedding got canceled.

I pulled a small lump of dough from the big one. Rolled it in my palms.

One mom I knew came to help her daughter. She walked away due to some differences.

I pressed the ball of dough on the wooden plate. Rolling the palak paratha for son's lunch.

That mom's sister once said to my mom, your daughters are not worth the dust of her kids' feet.

Some kind of pride rose in my heart. Things come back in circles. The same kid that fought with her mother now. Whose dust on shoes I am not equal to?

I smeared a pinch of ghee on the palak paratha. Let it stay soft till lunch.

A couple married for 22 years fell apart. They have been falling apart. I just watched. Helpless. A part of my heart ached. Silently.

Lunches are packed and I run to shower. Warm Water hits my face.

Cyclones in my homeland. Homes shattered. No electricity. No water. Warm Water? Are you mocking? What can I do to help?

I grabbed the half glass of milk and flushed it down my daughter's throat. Changed her clothes and made her braids. Lean like her.

Apply your moisturizer. Instruction passed. For the millionth time in ten years. He is not picking up on his English vocab yet. Waiting for his clinical evaluation results. 

Come, let's go. I pull her along with me to the car. I lock the main door. 

The cold breeze of a fall morning hits us. We smiled at each other. Amma, I am not late, right? Yes, you are. A little bit. NO..I am not! 

Nothing stops!

I leave the house another morning. Perplexed!

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