Self confidence makes you a Superwoman!

 "My mom? She's no fun to hang out with", she heard her son talking to his friends.

Anupama, a soft spoken, uneducated but cultured girl, got married to Anil Ahuja. It was an arranged marriage. Anupama's family wasn't as well off as Anil's. So Anil always had a upper hand after marriage.

Anupama had 5 siblings. She being the eldest and due to economic conditions, had to give up her education after grade 4, so that her younger brothers could go to a good school.

Anupama on the other hand was an A+ homemaker. She could cook all kinds of cuisines. She was an expert in embroidery designs. She kept the house neat and tidy. She ironed the clothes and folded them like a pro. She sang beautifully. The mornings at Ahuja residence, would always be blessed, with her bhajans and aroma of her breakfast dishes.

Anupama's son Aditya was now 14. A teenager, Aditya was outstanding in sports. He was average at academics and Anupama was held responsible for this. Anil always said, "Anupama, you are not educated enough to help Aditya with his studies, so he lags behind".

Anupama tried many tuition classes for Aditya, but he never scored upto the mark.

Anil was at a higher post in a MNC. He had a lot of office dinners and get-togethers. But each time he would make some excuse for not bringing Anupama along. He always thought, that his uneducated wife will bring him embarrassment, in public.

Aditya was learning from his dad. He never wanted his mom to attend PTAs of school. He never invited her to the annual functions nor for his sports days.

Anil's parents stayed in a different town. They kept visiting Anil sometimes. Each time they came, was the only time Anupama felt the coziness of a family. They were very supportive to Anupama. Her MIL always comforted her after watching Anil and Aditya's behaviour towards her. Her in-laws had, on several occasions, told Anupama to do some business of her own. They were ready to invest. Let it be cooking, embroidery designing or any other thing she likes.

But Anupama thought Anil would object and always turned down the offer.

Today, Aditya had invited his friends over. Aditya had warned his mom, about keeping interaction with his friends to a minimum.They were having a e-gaming date. They were in his room, playing xbox games.

Anupama wanted to serve them snacks and hot chocolate, so she went to his room. The door was ajar and Anupama heard Aditya's saying...."My mom is no fun to hang out with!"... She knocked at the door, handed over the tray to the boys and left quietly.

But the words kept ringing in her mind...."Am I no fun to hang out with?", she thought. "My husband and son, both think the same". She knew all of this before hand, but today she had heard it from the horse's mouth. And that hurt her really bad!

She called up her in-laws. Narrated them the whole story. She felt dejected and asked them for help. She told them that she yearned to be 'wanted' by her family. Her MIL asked her to come over and stay with them for few days. Anupama never had a break from her monotonous routine. So she made up her mind, decided to be brave and asked Anil for his permission. His parents had already called to request him to send Anupama. So eventually he said yes.

Anupama packed her bags and with mixed feelings left her home. At the in- laws place, she followed the same routine, as, that her own place. Got up early, cooked, cleaned etc etc....But she realised, her in-laws slept late into the morning.

After they got up,  two maids came in. One was given the kitchen duty and other the cleaning and left over chores. Everything was beautifully managed. In-laws were pensioners, yet managed all this within their budget. Her MIL was into bonsai. She took her morning tea in the garden, cutting plants and arranging pots. There was a gardener who accompanied and helped her with all this.

FIL had joined a laughing club. He used to go out, exercise, laugh, chit-chat with friends over some tea and snacks. Come back, have another cup of tea at home with MIL. They used to talk about anything and everything...from news in the newspaper to what his friends said to what her friends said.

Anupama had never witnessed such a life! She loved what she saw. Her MIL always wanted to do this, dust off the layers collected over her superpower-her 'Self-confidence'.

"Doing household chores is okay, but there should be a 'me time' too. And that's why they we've been telling you to start something of her own", MIL said.

Anupama came back to her home, after spending 'quality time' with her in-laws. She was energised and geared up this time.

She had chalked out a plan, along with her in-laws, to start her small boutique. She talked to Anil about it. He was surprised to hear Anupama talk about investments and finances and business. He was impressed. She sounded like a confident woman now! He promised to help her out.

She was working hard for the start-up. Aditya was also  amazed to see his mom's new Avatar. Anupama finally did it! Her superpower was ignited not to douse, this time.

It was the opening of her boutique "Valiant Vama". The guest of honour were her in-laws. They cut the ribbon and everybody celebrated!

Anupama called Aditya and asked, "Will it be fun to hang out with me now?" ....Anupama's eyes were full of tears....Aditya got ashamed of himself...He apologised to his mom. Hugged her tight. Anupama kissed his head, Anil joined the embrace. Today Anupama felt the coziness, she had missed for so many years.....!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: We don't live in an age of fantasy to have superpowers like the Avengers or Krish, our superpowers are our attributes that we can enhance and use, to put our best foot forward.

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