She lost her husband when her five children were still learning how to walk and talk.

Three daughters, two sons — and a mountain of responsibilities. 

She washed dishes, cleaned houses, worked at construction sites — even with high fever and an empty stomach.

She smiled when her children laughed.

She cried alone, so they wouldn’t see.

One by one, she arranged her daughters’ weddings, holding her tears behind the vermillion smiles.

She sacrificed her hunger, her health, her happiness.

Now she lives with her son…

The same son who once clung to her saree…

..now yells at her and says,  ‘You did nothing for me.”

That night, she cried silently  not because of his words, but because she never expected them from him