Ankita

Ankita, please come here and finish your home work! Shouted Shreya and Ankita just disappeared out of her sight to go out and play with friends. Ankita is studying in class I at a very prestigious school in the locality where the Kumar’s are staying. Kumar works as a manager in a marketing company and so his deadlines are very tight and he can spend only little time at home. Shreya decided to quit her job once she conceived as she cannot depend on any one to take care of her baby.

The initial days were boring staying at home but she slowly got used to it. After Ankita came in to their world, life changed totally for Shreya. She was a mom 24/7 and Ankita needed lots of attention. Some nights, she would refuse to sleep and Shreya had to invent techniques to make her sleep and adapted herself to the needs of the demanding baby.

Ankita started to grow and became more inclined to mom as she got to spend most of the time with her. When she was 2.5 years old, parents decided to admit her in a play school where she gets to meet the other children. Shreya and Kumar had a tough time deciding the best school which should be close to home too. Shreya finally decided upon one and Ankita was admitted. It was very difficult in making Ankita stay in school for first 2 days and from the third day, the child got used to it.

Shreya had to go and drop her at 9 in the mornings and come back and again go at 11 to pick her up and once back home, both mom and daughter would play, eat and sleep together. The school had lots of interactive games, story telling, rhymes, etc to keep the children engaged. Ankita was a shrewd student and absorbed everything like a blotter paper. Ankita was enjoying the play school completely and it was now time to send her to a full time school.

Shreya enquired about all the possible details from the parents who came to the play school and finally short listed a couple of schools. Applying for the same, attending the interview, everything happened in jet speed and finally Shreya sat at home biting her nails to know the result. They were told that school would send in a letter to inform if the child got selected or not in 15 days time. Ankita did well in the interview but for the one question that ‘what would you want to become when you grow up?’ which obviously Shreya and Kumar did not prepare her for.

It was Day14 that they got a letter from the Dream school that they should go to the school for the joining formalities in 2 days time. Shreya immediately called up Kumar and shared the lovely news with him and he came home with Ankita’s favorite ice cream.

It was now Day 1 of the school and Ankita was clad in the beautiful uniform with a tie and shoes. Thanks to the play school experience, she did not make much fuss at being left alone. Kumar had brought in a camera to capture their darling’s expression and much to their surprise; she gave a bright smile and waved at them. They both said bye to her and came home. The timings for the first month would be from 9 am to 12 pm and then it would be regular school timings.

Shreya came home, finished cooking and cleaning the house which was strewn with Ankita’s toys and sat down to take little rest. She opened up a magazine and saw an ad for a part time job. At first, she did not attach much importance to it but just noted down the number. It was now 11.30 and she had to fetch Ankita from school. The first month flew off and Ankita adapted well. She would recite rhymes and the stories unasked but if asked, she would never open her mouth!

Once regular school started, Shreya found it very difficult to fight the boredom! Ankita would come home at 2pm by school van and till that time, Shreya would not know what to do! Once Ankita is at home, Shreya’s world revolved around her. Ankita was a fussy eater and being sent to school, she slowly changed.

Come weekends, they would happily go out to the beach or meet in-laws or go for a movie or shopping. Life was moving fast and Shreya suddenly realized she wanted to do something useful. She suddenly remembered the ad for part time job and called them up. They readily agreed seeing her qualification and her timings would be from 10 am to 1 pm and as she did not demand much salary, it was convenient for both of them.

She would come back at 1 and be ready to welcome Ankita. They would discuss the day’s happenings and would sleep off. In the evenings, Ankita would go out and play and sleepily finish her homework. The homework was more for Shreya as she had to do Ankita’s projects! Ankita soon grew up and is now in Standard I and Shreya is struggling to make her finish the homework. Dad and daughter would never study if Kumar had to teach her something and all the study hours would be changed in to play time!

Not only in academics, Shreya had also taught her kid music and enrolled her in dance classes. It was pleasure listening to Ankita’s singing but being adamant, she never sang in front of others or if asked! Shreya had to talk to her teacher and made her take part in School Annual day function where Ankita would be reciting some songs with the other kids.

Now, all the three are starting for the function at the school auditorium and Ankita never stopped singing those songs on the way!