It was usual day in US. I left office after attending a meeting. I was stressed as outcome of meeting was little unfavorable.  I started driving to home. Yeah what I m seeing.. small white  flowers are coming down from sky .. everywhere… Snow Fall!! Is it? Awesome !!! That’s only word I could utter. Nature was trying to chill out everybody.  I was trying to recover from meeting effect. I knew that until and unless I kiss my child I won’t feel better. Still office thoughts covered my mind. I started thinking about my next strategy towards my client and planning my moves.

I am about to reach my home. Wow!!! I was stunned by seeing a large teddy hanging outside children’s shop.

I could not stop myself; I bought it for my sweetie. I was too excited to show teddy to my chottu .I drove back instantly.

I literally ran towards my apartment. I unlock my flat I threw my laptop on sofa. Snow fall was getting harder outside. It was chilling like anything. I forgot all my office tensions. I started calling “chottuu chotuu..” I was expecting some giggle .. some soft noise.. From inside...

My eyes opened wide when my roommate came out. She gave me horrified look. She was rather confused. She put her hand on my shoulder. I saw her face and came down from air. I kept teddy on floor with heavy hands. She whispered “I know you are missing your baby so much”. Now I could not control I could see her face became blurred. Tiny tear kicked my mind control wetted my chins.  I had simply forgot that I left my chottu in India. My 6-7 months old baby... Now according to time frame... He must be sleeping ..Dreaming his mom... His mom the corporate girl...

As I saw empty room ..All memories started gathering into my mind. I remembered that special day when I became mother. After I delivered my baby, nurse took him for bath and medical tests. When I came back to senses I was eagerly waiting for my golden gift.

Nurse came insight room, she handed me something soft soft, warm, lively, wrapped in white cloth. It was reddish flesh having tiny fingers, small nose, small eyes . I was so pleased , I thanked god for such a lovely gift.  He was looking like small angel.

 I recalled that once my mother told me when I was born I was as good as bald . I had hair only after some months. I smiled. I touched his forehead slowly removed cloth covering his head. Oops what I m seeing it was soft like all infant but no hair.. ehhehe  he will become like me. He had inherited features from my hubby too but he will be my replica. I felt like I got world in my arms. I hugged him, those blessings from god touched my soul.

Snow fall had increased outside and hot storm in my eyes. I sat on floor touching my back on wall. Chain of all moments

Started in my mind. It was my last day in India. I still remembered each second on India airport.  Last five minutes to check in.

I was hugging, kissing my chotuu like anything. I was not at all ready to leave him. He was wetting my shirt with saliva. 

He was trying his grip on shoulders. Finally my husband took him away. Suddenly I felt small jerk on my neck.

Oops he was holding my wedding ornament in his grip and smiling towards me. My baby was trying all possible ways to

Convert corporate element into his mom. I still remembered how difficult it was to take my necklace back from his hands.

Ten tiny figures were fighting with me and making me as weak as possible.

I left with him heavy mind. As I moved ahead I ignored that loud cry, I became deaf. I closed my mind, dumped my heart at airport itself.

As night spread dark allover, questions covered my mind. Was I selfish? Was I heartless? Did I forget humanity?

Did I have right to part one child from mother? I never had answer to these questions though they used to burst my brain each day. I could only recall that day when my PM asked me for this assignment.

“Shalaka you have been excellent team leader and technical guide our account for last 4 years. In fact after you maternity leave you came up as most capable team leader. “ .. “yeah. You too gave me nice opportunities to prove myself” .. “So keeping all in mind I want to offer you new assignment for which you will be onsite coordinator for 2 months and thereafter you will continue as Project Manager. “ “ PM n  me? “

It was brightest day of my career. I achieved my destination for which I was putting my all energy from years n years .Saying No to this opportunity was out of question as it would have lead turning down good will of my seniors. For that moment for that point I left my personal life. It was matter of only two months. As all professionals sacrifice their personal life for career I did the same. I felt nothing wrong.

But everything wrong started when 4^th month started on my assignment in US itself. There was no sign that I am going back to India. Today, in meeting client asked me whether I can stay back for another month. I simply diverted him from topic.

It was jolt in my stomach. Nobody was caring for infant who was waiting for his mom in India. Neither my desi PM nor my client.

I called up my home. My hubby started video conferencing. It was such pleasure to see my chotuu on my screen. We were chatting about general topics. My hubby was sharing all stories about my baby. How he is trying to walk, how he is making everyone laugh. How many things he had broken in our house ..,. He shared every moment of chottu which I missed. After listening all, I wished that I could touch those lovely chins through my laptop’s screen. Suddenly chottu jumped on laptop s lap and he waived his hand towards me. He grabbed laptop and started kissing my image. I could not with stand with that storm. I could not see such a small baby missing his mom like anything.

Now everything was clear, corporate girl , non electric machine dissolved in deep love. I knew I was simply going out of race.. the rat race. But sometimes your priority gets changed. You need to provide resource where it is actually needed. Oops again that techi language... anyways I decide to go back. I wiped out my tears. I needed to put email to Pm describing all reasons professional reasons. But what if he denies? ok.. I took another decision. I typed my resignation kept it in drafts. Now it was no way coming back. It shook my head for a moment. I could recall all my endless efforts to achieve this height. All comfort n dignity that  I am used with. But this time I did not let that OSC and future PM win over me. I sent email with attachment  explaining reasons.

That night I felt as if it’s last night in US. I was dreaming my departure to India. My chottu..standing with his father. Waiting eagerly for me. As sun rise. I felt my Pm must have thrown my email in deleted items. So probably today will be my last working day. I did not dare to switch on my laptop till I got into office.

There was one unread email. Yea it was from my PM only. I tried my best to keep my heart strong. I opened it ..

It said :-

Ok .. Shalaka . I will putting formal mail regarding your transfer to India. Well I personally liked your attachment of reasons. J. Your baby is too sweet. He looks like you.

I was extremely happy reading that mail. I could not understand how he agreed in first shot.. well something else clicked in my mind. Why he is mentioning about my chotuu..  ? I checked my sent items. I sent email to my Pm with attachment. Body of email was correct but attachment? Big oops!! I accidentally attached chootu’s image as reason attachment.  That smiling baby worked!!! ;-)) .. My baby gave his best shot to get his mom back!!... it was all about true love.. my baby’s love towards me..

I thought, I may achieve all heights in my carrier...   But I will get my baby’s childhood back. Whenever it wil be matter of priority, I will priories my soul first... I smiled I started back for my work.  With great relaxations of mind I started my usual day in US.