Growing Up

A struggling Kid - Part 2

With all the conflicting thoughts Meera was very determined to help her mom in any way possible. Her mom struggled against all odds to get her into an English medium school so that her daughter need not struggle like her. She used to sell 'puri bhaji' in morning and also do other households chores for a living. By the end of the day her mother used to get exhausted , the only time Meera used to get with her mother was at night. Naive Meera used to wait whole day long to spend time with her mother with lot of questions in her mind.

One fine night Meera was lying down on her mother's lap counting the innumerous stars in the night sky, suddenly she asked her mother what does Meera means?? Why is her name Meera???....

Mother with a leer on her face replies: "I kept your name Meera because you are the Laxmi in my home one day you shall bring 'prosperity' (meaning of Meera)". Meera was very happy to know that her mother sees her as a goddess. Her desire to help her mother grew stronger since that night. She studied hard to please her mom and also started looking for jobs. 

Gradually her job search brought her across a young guy named Hari. With Hari, she was exploring a new version of herself. Hari used to get her beautiful gifts , take her around the city respect her and love her. 

Meera was in love with Hari she wanted to shout out to the world. The feeling of love embraced her soul so much that she couldn't stop thinking about Hari . Through out the day smile never faded from her face eyes shined likes stars everything around seemed and felt magical. She could feel the long lost positivity in her. For once she was happy from inside. 

Hari showed Meera the colorful life they can lead together away from grief, misery and violence. Meera pictured her own family with Hari her kids and their grandmother. She followed her dreams her love the taste of freedom she was so waiting for.

Finally the day arrived when Hari proposed Meera to get married that was the happiest day of her life. She shied away went running to her mother hugged her and said, "I have found the man I wanted to stay with". Meera said "Mother , Hari will keep me happy I trust him he loves me more than anything in this world. You will not have to work anymore I and Hari will take care of you". 

Mother was shocked knowing about her daughter's affair. She got furious and anxious of her daughter's well being , warned her not to meet Hari anymore. But nothing could convince Meera that Hari was a wrong choice. She cried the entire night and decided to do something about it.

Next day, as soon as her mother left the house she ran to meet Hari. Meera told everything to Hari and expressed how much she loved him. Seeing Meera so broken Hari comforts her in his arms and that day they made love to each other. 

Meera's love for Hari made her blind she expressed her feeling to run away with Hari and start a new life. Hari without any reluctance agreed to her. That evening Meera was happy the only thought wondering in her mind was of Hari. She hurried home prepared the last supper for her family. The thought of leaving her mother her only friend broke her in a major way.

That night again, Meera laid on her mother's lap staring at the night sky millions of thought crossing her mind the only difference was now she cannot express her feelings to her mother. Her mother slept off soon unaware that she won't be seeing her daughter again.

Meera waited till everyone slept off she softly kissed her mother's forehead wishing to see her again and eloped in the darkness. Hari met her at the station they were headed to Bombay 'The city of dreams'. 

For the first time in life she was stepping out of her own homeland holding hands of her beloved. They sat in the train night passed by talking about their marriage about how many kids they want about the big city about the sea the waves about the never ending hapiness.

Hari and Meera slept off in each other's arms as the night was long and dark. 

As we all know morning brings a new hope a new ray of life so did it bring to both Meera and her mother. 

Meera's mother woke up to only know that her daughter have fled with Hari. Her pain was more than my words could describe. She went from door to door seeking for her daughter trying to find Hari but every possible effort went in vain. After one full day of searching she went to police station for help her eyes only wanted to see Meera again. The dreams she woved for Meera all came crashing down. Was it same for Meera???

Meera woke up to her new life in a closed room where she couldn't find Hari. Her head was hurting she felt very weak very dizzy barely left with any strength to shout or get up. She could only wait for Hari to come back. After a long wait the door did open only for her to realise she has being sold. Meera went numb she couldn't think of anything else but the promises made by Hari the colourful dreams he showed.

Till date Meera's mother is waiting for her daughter and Meera is lost in the world of human trafficking.