Chapter - 2

Meera worked on her project sincerely. Suddenly she remembered something and checked her watch, it was half past 5. She remembered Kamala ma's word that morning. She said that she wants to leave early that evening and asked her to come early.

Meera drafted a mail detailing about the work she did and attached the required documents with that mail. She rechecked that once and clicked the send button. She breathed out in relief and hurriedly packed her belongings.

Aditi reached her desk at that time. "Meera why are you so hurry? Let's have snacks in cafeteria and you leave after that since you haven’t had your lunch" she said with concern. "Sorry Adi, Kamala ma asked me to come early. So, I need to go, Krithi will be alone" she said with a smile standing up from her place. 

"Okay but make sure that you eat something once you reach home" she said strictly. "As you said madam" Meera replied with a smile and bid her bye.

Aditi, Meera's best friend. She met her two years ago when she joined that company where Meera was working. They both become friends in very short period and Aditi always treated Meera as her own sister. 

Aditi resembled Maaya in several acts. She could never leave Meera alone and would support her in all her works. Whenever she feels down, Aditi was there to support her.

Meera reached the bus stop and thankfully she got a bus immediately. She reached her apartment around 6.30. Kamala ma smiled looking at her. "Sorry ma, I'm late" she apologized. "No Meera, just now I completed my work" she said with a smile.

Kamala is the caretaker of Krithi. Meera found Kamala in one of the shops in the platform. Kamala had one daughter and she worked hard for her daughter. Previously she was selling vegetables in one of the shops in the market and Meera regularly bought vegetables in her shop. Kamala felt many difficulties in that job and she once informed that with Meera.

At the same time Meera was looking for a caretaker for Krithi. She asked Kamala whether she likes to do that job. Kamala accepted that wholeheartedly.  Meera too felt contented to appoint her as the caretaker. She took good care of Krithi in Meera's absence. 

She too took good care of Meera and Meera felt motherly love in her caring nature. "Kamala ma you take leave for two days. I'll manage" Meera said with a smile. Kamala accepted that gladly since she had some personal work.

Meera slowly entered into Krithi's study room and hugged her from behind. Krithi squealed in happiness seeing her so early. Usually, Meera comes home around 9’O clock where Krithi will be in half sleep. Today she felt happy to see her early. "Mommy ?" she hugged and kissed her cheeks.

Meera kissed her back and asked what she was doing so far. She opened the assignment assigned for her and said she completed that by herself. "Very good Baby girl. You are so cute and talented" Meera said lovingly by kissing her forehead. "Today, my girl has done this great work. So, I'm going to prepare her favorite food and dessert for dinner" she said kissing her chubby cheeks. She squealed happily.

"Another good news for my sweet girl. Mommy got two days leave and I'm going to take you to all your favorite places. So, this weekend mommy and baby are going to rock" she said with twinkling eyes. Krithi jumped in happiness. She always longed to spend time with her mom which was not possible all the time. 

Meera too wished the same but at the same time she has to work hard to keep Krithi safe and happy. Now she got leave and more than Krithi she felt happy to be with her.

Meera carried Krithi in her hand, made her sit on the kitchen table and started preparing her favorite pasta. Krithi said all her stories sitting on the table. Meera listened to all her stories by giving exact expressions and at the same time she prepared dinner and her favorite chocolate brownies.

After preparation, she freshened up and set the table. She made Krithi to sit on her lap and started feeding her by her hands. Krithi enjoyed her favorite food. Krithi too fed her, and she ate it with happiness, meanwhile Krithi said several things happened in her school with cute expressions rolling her round eyes.

Meera heard all her stories with excitement eating the food she fed her. "Amma, these brownies are choo sweet and tasty. Mmmm... Yummy!?" She ate it by licking her cute lips. Meera's heart filled with overwhelming happiness. 

Every day, she would worry about Krithi thinking what she ate and what she was doing. Kamala ma will take good care, but a mother's care is incomparable to anyone else right! Today she felt satisfied seeing her eating happily in her arms.

After a long time she too ate wholeheartedly. After a heavy dinner, Meera took Krithi for a small walk in the play area of kids. Krithi's friends saw them coming together. Meera used to play with those kids whenever she gets time and the children called her to play with them. Meera accepted and along with Krithi she too joined the kids. Everyone enjoyed playing and returned home after two hours.

Meera gave Krithi a warm bath and made her change into night dress. Meera too changed her dress and laid beside her. "Mommy! Mommy! Tell me princess story" she asked hugging her neck. Meera started telling beauty and the beast story. Krithi eagerly listened to the story with an adorable expression. She ended the story by telling her that ,..with a kind heart one can change even a heartless beast into a good human.

Krithi listened the full story and slept hugging her tight. Meera patted her back and watched her sleeping peacefully, a relaxed smile covered her face. She too slept in her embrace.

Next day morning,

Meera woke up and prepared breakfast. She slowly woke up Krithi, gave her bath and made her to eat the breakfast. Both had breakfast and Meera took Krithi to the mall as she promised. Krithi enjoyed a lot. She participated in all kids’ games and for her surprise, she won in few games. Meera admired all her activities. Krithi took part in those games with involvement and played very cleverly. She bought several toys and dresses for Krithi. Krithi selected few dresses and Meera bought that for her happiness. They both had lunch in her favorite restaurant and finally Krithi cried for ice cream, Meera too bought that without any hesitation. Krithi enjoyed eating ice cream and they reached home around 7:30.

Krithi looked very tired, Meera prepared a quick dinner and fed her. Krithi slept once she had the dinner. Meera too felt tired, she freshened up and had her dinner. She looked at Krithi who was sleeping very calmly. She smiled and slept peacefully hugging her.