Apron Strings

“Mom, see what I drew in class today”, my elder one chirped as he came back from his drawing class.

“What’s this, it looks beautiful.” I said taking the sheet of paper, he so enthusiastically put in my hands.

“Sir wanted us to imagine that we had turned into ants and have crept into mummy purse. We had to draw what we saw inside.”

That sounded cool! ‘Let me see how far his imagination had run’, I thought.

He had drawn an open purse, brown, just like mine, and the contents inside. I couldn’t really make out what they were so I asked him to explain.

“See, that’s your lipstick and that, is your eyeliner”, he said pointing out to two familiar looking shapes in brown and black, “and this is your hanky, your comb, your mobile, your keys, vehicle license, and see I even drew your book.” He sounded quite pleased with himself. Actually, I was quite pleased with him too.

I didn’t realize an 8 year old knew all that! There, I could make out, whatever he had just described, and yes! the book….a red cover with ‘Danielle Steel’ written on it! (Spelled correctly too!) He knew what I was currently reading!

I was touched.

When had my little baby grown up?

My mind raced back to the time when I had first felt my little one move. He had only felt like a fluttering butterfly! That first time is etched forever in my mind. It had been the most beautiful feeling in the whole world. The fluttering was soon replaced by firmer kicks, stretching his delicate feet and elbows, trying to make space for himself.

He knew me so well even back then. He would respond to my moods with his kicks. He would kick excitedly when I was excited; seem to swim slowly when I was upset. He always knew if I was anxious, happy, fearful, or impatient, in pain or sharing my thoughts with him. He always knew it. And he responded accordingly!

Though astonishing, that is how close knit you are. To the baby that you carry in your womb. And in your heart.

Any mother will tell you that!

I wondered what would happen when he stopped knowing me. I prayed that day would never come.

I wondered whether he would just grow up or outgrow me. I secretly hoped it would be the former.

I wondered if he would still respond to every emotion that I felt. I hope you will, little one, I really do.

My name is Shubhangi Srikanth and I write under the pen name Titli. I started my blog “the little princess” and it helped me channel my thoughts in the proper direction.
After having worked for more than 12 years in the Pharmaceutical and Banking sector, I now freelance as a content writer for medical and health websites. I have two adorable boys, who have taught me more about life than I could teach them. Being a mother is one of the most fulfilling roles of my life, one that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world!