Mother’s Day always gets me thinking about what it would have been like if mom would have been here but every time I cannot even imagine because it has been 12 years now that mom left us for a better world. It pains to say and trust me even embarrasses to admit that her memories are now not enough for me to survive my lifetime they are kind of fading now. But, one memory that is still fresh in my heart and on my mind is that one trip we both went together to Thailand a 40 days before she left us.
It was April 2009, mother’s day was approaching and I wanted to make a special memory with her because I knew I might get married soon and since my now husband (then boyfriend) was waiting for his campus placements I was not sure which city would we land up in. So while swapping the pages of newspaper full of mother’s day offers, an advertisement from a renowned travel agency caught my attention. They had published a half page ad for Thailand packages and they looked so exciting and honestly suited my budget also (I had been saving for sometime if not this trip I would have gifted my mom a daimond ring but I am a believer in creating memories and not hoarding jewellery.) But, I still had some doubts in my mind. Thailand is a country famous (or maybe infamous for an ideal bachelor’s trip destination for boys). I wasn’t sure if it would be safe for two females going there all alone and taking mom on my responsibility was something I was scared of. So I called him whom I used to call in every confusion (my now hubby) and discussed the idea and my apprehensions with him. Not only did he ensure that I was not scared (he told me how safe Thailand is as a country and if we didn’t engage into any unnecessary misadventure we have nothing to worry about) he also asked me to be ready with passports and all other prerequisites tomorrow and we shall go to book the package.
At home when I told about my plans to mom, bhai and dad, there were mixed reactions. Dad, ofcourse had heard stories about Thailand and the open prostitution culture there, bhai was surprised that how have I saved so much money and mom was annoyed that the money I should be saving for my post marriage expenses I am spending on her. I told everyone that first and foremost I am not cancelling my plan and then handled their queries. Convincing dad has never been tough for me so I managed, bhai handed me a list of things to get for him and mom requested me to postpone the trip to October on which I don’t know why but I replied “Mom who has seen October.” Never knew mom will actually never be able to see October.
Next few days were spent in shopping and packing, mom was on cloud nine and was telling everyone that her daughter is taking her to foreign country for a trip. She announced that all other expenses will be met by her as I am already spending a lot. Still remeber how she kept on swinging between being proud and being guilty. This is how mothers are, right? The time when we were leaving for airport, my dada dadi told me that they are proud of me that I am such a confident and bold girl that I am not scared of travelling to any country in the world for my mom’s happiness and that in my age when kids want to travel with friends I want to take my mom for a holiday, hearing this made my mom even prouder (That’s how Indian bahus are, all their lives all they want is appreciation from in-laws.)
On the trip we had a gala time, I had planned the trip in such a way that we can see all the special places of Bangkok and Pattaya, I also took my mom for a special thai massage, shopping at The Indira Market, dinners at the best Indian restaurants, swimming pool and what not. While on our way back to India she told me how happy have I made her and that she has enjoyed like a kid and that she has never had such a relaxing and luxurious holiday, she was so happy that instead of cribbing about the fact that she follows a satvik diet (she didn’t eat onion and garlic too), I made sure that she ate best dishes available made specially for her, purely satvik. Her words made a place in my heart and it is only for those words that I am surviving without her even today.
PS: Readers, God really makes plans for us. He knows what he has planned for us and steers our life accordingly. In my case, he probably knew that we will never see an October together and that is why even after my mom’s insisting I planned not to postpone the trip. Because that october never came!!
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