"Mom, for how many years will you have only half a cup of tea?"
I smiled at Vaibhavi while setting the small mug on her out stretched tray. Patting her cheeks, I wagged the envelope at her which I had been clutching in my hands, ever since the news came in. I had read it at least twenty times by now. Today my happiness touched the roof and in the same excitement I squeaked,
"You know Vaibhavi, now I'll have a full cup only with him."
She laughed and spinning me around, pulled me in a big bear hug. Bantering she said,
"Oh ho mom! So my bride is eagerly waiting for her groom huh! Finally the windows of desires have flung open."
I shied away from my own daughter.
She's fifteen now and we are more of best friends. In the last ten years without Viraj, we've literally grown up together.
The passion to earn more and give a better life to his family, took my husband, Viraj, to a foreign land. But without proper legitimate documents and for violating legal emigration policies, he was detained in their country for nearly ten years. Five years after marriage and with a four years old Vaibhavi, Viraj left us. None of us knew then that we'll have to live a decade without each other and struggle through the thick and thin of life separately, oceans apart.
First time when the phone call came with this bad news, I was sipping my evening tea. I can never forget my feelings of that time, bitter tears, a constricted heart and screamed out hoarse voice.
Without Viraj, life has been nothing less that a dreary whirlpool. In the last ten years, every effort to bring him back went in vain. Savings dried up long time ago and after that it's been a survival spree. My job, relatives, friends and neighbours saw us through this storm. Eventually with the blessings of the almighty Lord, finally the authorities showed mercy and Viraj, my husband, my daughter's father, is coming back home.
"Mom, aren't you scared?"
Her question confused me.
"Scared of what Vaibhavi?"
"Ten years is a big time. What if he's a changed man? What if he doesn't gel with us or doesn't like us anymore?"
I smiled and made her sit.
"Vaibhavi, he's your father, my husband. He's missed us as much as we've been craving for him. It might take some time to adjust, but at the end we are family."
I was right. He embraced both of us together and wept like a baby. He kissed Vaibhavi ample number of times and said in between tears.
"I'm so sorry my gudia. I wanted to be there to see you grow up. But now I'm not gonna go anywhere. You are my world."
Vaibhavi hugged her father and all her apprehensions simple flew away.
That evening and every evening after that, over full cups of tea, we exchange long stories, filling the gap of our lives to come back on the same track. After all there is a decade to cover up for, you see!!
Shamim Merchant, Mumbai.
