The mother: This is my oldest daughter.. you must have met my 2nd one
Stranger: Yes. So, what does this one do?
The mother: She works out of the house.
Stranger: Oh… *walks away after throwing a “avlo thaana” kinda glance*
The mother: That is so and so, I have met her before at the temple and again at that one’s wedding.
The girl: okay. *grits teeth and prays she can control herself till they get back to the hotel*
Few hours pass by.. They are finally back in the hotel, and out of the saree and all the finery.
The girl: Sits on the cot, flipping channels aimlessly while the mind is racing and she is seething within. The
only thing in her mind “How do i broach the topic and get it out of my system”
The mother: We shall have to head out again at 5, so be ready in time, don’t delay. Wear that saree, do you have bangles, bla bla bla….
The girl: Ma, why did you say what you did to that aunty?
The mother: huh, what are you talking about?
The girl: You know, that aunty who came and spoke to you while we were waiting in queue… I do not just work from home you know. I run a business..
The mother: Same thing no * walks away to the loo*
The girl: *sits seething and upset wondering if the mother will ever understand what she does, why she does and acknowledge all that she has accomplished.
*Mother comes out of the loo*
The girl: tell people I run a small business on my own please.
The mother: seri seri… ithukku than unnai velaikku poga sonnein.. [This is why I told you to go work somewhere”!] *plops on the bed and proceeds to zzzz*
The girl : :’_( :’-( *it has been 7yrs and still the parents don’t seem to get it, acknowledge or accept…*
*gets off the bed and goes for a walk to fight off anger/tears* …