Thanks to Urvashi and Akanksha, for hosting this amazing blog hop ‘women supporting women’. I have read so many beautiful posts in this series, today I am bring a short story, of course a fiction, for all of you, inline with the theme of the hop. I like to write short stories, more than non-fiction. Hope you all like this one too.
The morning was beautiful, the winters had just begun in Delhi. But Mithila had no time today, even to sip her favourite masala chai. She was chasing the clock, as she was getting late for work and her darling maid Lakshi had not arrived yet. Her husband and daughter were off to their respective destination, office and school. Her run to finish the chores, was interrupted by the doorbell.
It was Lakshi. “Here you are, finally. But now I am leaving for work. Finish everything in the evening Lakshi” Mithila said in a single breath. “Didi, I am going on a month-long leave. My sister will do my work. I will bring her in the evening”, Lakshi replied with the same rush. “suno Lakshi…”, Mithila called her. “aati hu shaam ko didi,” said Lakshi as she sneaked out. Although Mithila wasn’t happy with the news, but she had no time to discuss it then. It was an important day at work today.
Mithila was anticipating a tough day at work. She picked up all her stuff and locked the home. Mithila and Niketan were married for seven years. They had a 4-year-old daughter name, Anagha. It was a love marriage, both of them working on good posts. Mithila’s mother lived just a couple of blocks away and Anagha was staying with her nani after school till one of her parents used to pick her up in the evening. Many times, the thought of leaving job crossed Mithila’s mind. But she was confident that her family is supporting her, especially her mother Shalini.
Her mom was a retired lecturer, she loved Anagha however she had her own work too. She was still giving guest lectures, attending conferences as well as presenting research papers. On the occasions, when Shalini was traveling or unavailable for Anagha, it was Lakshi. She was doing best she can to support Mithila. And Mithila always showed how indebt she was to Lakshi in every possible way. May it be paying fees for her daughters’ school or to take both of them out on a Christmas eve along with her own family to plush malls. They all were there for each other without saying anything explicitly.
Mithila loved her role and the organization she was working for. It was her 6th year with the company and she was a big promotion too. But today was not the day to think about it. It was her turn to stand for one more woman in her life. Rituja.
Rituja was not just her colleague, but her best friend at work. She was a divorcee. She had gone through enough in her life from domestic violence to miscarriage and a bad divorce fight. All in a short span of 18 month of being married, the family was wealthy but still had dowry expectations. Which obviously were unfulfilled to their expectation but above Rituja’s parents capacity. This experience made Rituja a rebel and strong, outgoing woman. She had her own rules, and she disowned the rules by society the moment no one from the society stood by her when her divorce case reached the court. Everyone wanted her to compromise. She would have done that if the pain and burden of losing the unborn child was bearable.
Coming back to today, Rituja filled a molestation complaint to the HR about their HOD. She was right, most of the females in the team had faced his unwanted advances, but no one dared to speak out. Most of the women either changed the company or at least the department. But Rituja wasn’t going to let it go so easily. She had to fight it. There were people in her team, talking about how out going she is and leaving no stone unturned to character assassinate her, just to make the boss happy.
Today, Mithila had to register her statement in front of the HR and management team. When she reached office, all eyes were stuck on her. She could sense people talking and gossiping about what she is going to do today. Her promotion might get affected by what stand she would take today. But she knew she has to stand by Rituja today, she had seen the HOD pilling up on her on many occasions and trying to touch Rituja and make her uncomfortable.
Mithila settled on her desk, Rituja was sitting on hers. People also settled. The entire day passed just by waiting for a call from HR but that didn’t happen. And Mithila started for home. By the time she reached home Niketan and Anagha were home too. In fact, even Lakshi was waiting with her sister.
“Oh ha, ye syaapa abhi baaki hi hai”, Mithila said in frustration looking at Lakshi. While making tea for all she got into conversation with Lakshi. Lakshi was telling her sister what and how things need to be done here.
“Why do you need a month’s holiday?” Mithila said a little irritated. “you know both my sons are in hostel didi. One of then is giving first board exam. I want to be there to see how he studies, what he wats and all”, Lakshi explained.
“Board exams are announced long ago, why are you telling me now?” Mithila was still unhappy. “Didi, if I leave my work just like that, I won’t get it back easily. And I need this work Didi. So, I first convince my mother to send my sister here, then convinced her to do my work for as long as I am gone. Then convinced my husband that this will work out and our son needs me right now. When everything fell into place, I booked a ticket. I went to station to bring her home, that’s why I got late.” Lakshi was going on and on.
While listening to Lakshi’s story, Mithila was convinced that every woman is supported by so many women in their lives. Without whom, they can’t achieve much even in a day-to-day life. Her resolve to stand for Rituja was stronger than ever now. She knew for a woman to succeed in her endeavours she support from a lot of women, her real life heroes.
Thanks to all of you amazing readers and participants of the #WSWbloghop without the motivation and support from you guys I would not survive and thrive in this world specially blogging. I would like to take this opportunity to show my gratitude for two such friends who are always there, Sonal Mathur from AuraofThoughts.com and Alpana Bapat from mothersGurukul.com Thank you, ladies.
If you like to read short stories, here is a story about happiness!!
Very true Ujjwal, behind every successful woman there is a pack of women supporting her!
A lovely story from the everyday minuscule struggles of a woman that accumulate to build her up.
Nicely put!
Thanks Jyoti. Yes indeed, we cannot move ahead without all these everyday heroes in our life.
Such an interesting way to bring out multiple real-life stories in one for all the readers. Indian Women survive because of the support system we have in our gal pals, sisters, maids, mummy, grandmoms, gossip aunties, cook didi, women groups, colony groups, kitty groups. Can’t imagine my life without them.
Wonderful piece of fiction Ujjwal! Story well reflects the true meaning of women supporting women. Usually we think woman can be supported by a woman through a formal channel or by a power in hand atleast on one side, but here the angle of lakshi is no less than an eye opener. How we are surrounded by so many helping hands of women, most of the time we forget to acknowledge the contribution of a maid in our success. Also where Mithila stood firm for her colleague against the HOD of the company is indeed commendable!
Yes… we need to acknowledge this power of supporting each other in ever possible way. Thats what keeps all of us going forward.
A fantastic story about Mithila. I agree with you women need each other for support. Women, at times, don’t realise how much support they get from other women in their life. Your post has got me thinking of all the women I have in my life who support me. I am very grateful for them being in my life.
Every woman can support another woman if they have the will and heart to do so and when that happens life becomes better for such beautiful women just like each one of us in the #WSWBlogHop beautiful story dear 😊👍🏼👏
Indeed. Infact, its a women who pulls another down too. It’s a decision to support and not other way round.
Wow Ujjwal. What a brilliant take on the prompt. Your story truly reflects that a woman definitely needs support if many woman to sail in the life. It is the woman who can change thenfacebif the world.
Thanks for helping me sail through
This is such a beautiful take on theme Ujjwal. Loved the story so much. Here in USA I used to Miss our typical indian support system so much. Indeed in our society there are many beautiful examples that truly represent how women support women. Your story capture that essence wonderfully.
This is such a brilliant take and such a true story .We really need to support other women in our life .
Ujjwal as I always say, you weave magic with words. This story is another example of that magic. How beautifully and softly you spoke about the support system. Its been 14 years, I am doing all the chores without the help of maid or any house help. We dont realise how much they help us. We tend to get upset when they as for leaves but they also have their family and needs to fulfill. Talking about friends then they are our second family. Things that we cannot tell our close one’s we can talk to our friends.
Why I am talking about Mothers in the end because there is so much to talk about. her and thank her for everything she has done so far and still does that one comment will fall short.
Thanks for the shoutout. Means a lot.
Thanks for your generous words Alpana. And thanks for always helping me out.
Very good Ujjwal. You explained the importance of every woman in our life. Mother,maid, friends every one is made our life easy and enjoyable.we should thankful to them.
Thanks for being a solid anchor mom
This is so beautiful to read dear Ujjwal. A beautifully written story woven with so much of love and care. Heartiest best wishes to you dear. Keep writing more stories like this.
Is there a part 2 of the story Ujjwal? I am curious about the outcome of Rituja’s story 🙂
You have interlinked the life of so many women in this small tale..very lucid writing I must say. Really loved it as it was so relatable to our everyday lives. My live-in maid is usually my confidante as well.
With mitila standing with rituja she will get justice.
Thanks for your kind words harjeet
You have beautifully weaved a story around the prompt, Ujjwal. Apt, crisp and inspiring. More power to your write up.
Very well written story Ujjwal! A woman who is confident and secure knows to celebrate other women’s success without questioning her own….*Empowered women, Empower women.😊
You have captured an essential truth so well in your story- women are the strongest and most able supporters of other women, in all aspects of their life. Enjoyed reading it!
That is so true. I mean if not for my friends and mom, I would have surely collapsed during my second pregnancy!
I loved how you handled the theme on this post. It feels special to have your back by someone especially mom.
There is no support bigger than the one from another women for the women in need, Such a nerving story and i feel so much for Rujuta, looking forward for Mithila to get her much needed voice and so true a women makes another strong…
Loved this story
So true.. we all need women support in our lives.. we feel lucky to have support from mom, sisters, friends, colleagues. Well written and balanced story. Perfect for the theme.
What a lovely piece of happiness written Ujjwal.. I had smile at the end of the post… So much loved it.
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