Ekta Mahajan had beautiful red cheeks and pink lips. Her skin was soft and fair like butter. As she was born in Sikkim her pet name was Sikku. She was born to a Punjabi mom who got very angry to have a second daughter and almost disowned the beautiful child at birth. My Mom was in the hospital during her birth. She got very angry and said to Sikku’s mom ‘if you do not want her, give her to me.’ Sikku’s mom in her grief said ‘yes, take her, I do not want another kudi (girl).’ Henceforth, She became my mom’s foster daughter.
Sikku literally started growing up in our house. She used to go reluctantly to her parent’s only at night to sleep. She called my mom Ma and my Dad Bapi (what I used to call). The whole of Gangtok came to know that Sikku was my mom’s second daughter. Sikku started speaking in Bengali instead of Punjabi. She loved fish curry and not rajma. She could recite Bengali rhymes better than me. My mom was proud of her second daughter.
My mom used to do amateur theatre and Sikku became her regular companion for rehearsals. Sikku remembered all my mom’s dialogues better than my mom. In one of the plays, the character played by mom gets killed. Each time my mom rehearsed that scene Sikku used to start crying. One day, she even went and hit the actor who killed my mom’s character in the play. On the day of the play, Sikku was sitting in the audience and prompting the dialogues before the actors uttered the lines. She was actually giving out the spoilers. Those who were sitting near her definitely must have got annoyed that evening.
One day Sikku was playing in our garden and she fell and got a deep cut in her forehead. My mom was in the kitchen, when she saw blood, she didn’t think twice. She just picked up Sikku in her arms and ran to the nearest doctor. She had not worn her sandals or even locked the door. Sikku’s mom saw my mom running with a bleeding Sikku in her arms like a mad woman. She ran to our house and then stood guard at our unlocked door. That was the day I saw both my Mom and Sikku’s mom hugging each other and crying, while Sikku was giving a toothless smile with a bandaged forehead.
Days passed happily in the small hill town of Gangtok. One day rolled into another and then one day my dad received his transfer orders. My mom had never liked Gangtok and always prayed for my dad’s transfer. Finally, dad got transfer orders to Kolkata, my mom’s prayers were answered however she was not happy. It suddenly dawned on her that a transfer meant she would have to part with Sikku. She started crying non-stop. On the day we left Gangtok, my mom was not ready to leave Sikku. She was hugging and kissing her constantly. Sikku didn’t understand what was happening and she found the whole thing quite amusing. She was giggling at the attention she was getting. I even saw a drop of tear in my otherwise strong dad’s eyes.
Two weeks after we shifted to Kolkata, my dad got a telegram from Sikku’s dad that Sikku was very sick. She had stopped eating and was constantly crying holding the lock at our door. It was difficult to move her from the portico of our house. When the next occupant of the house shifted, Sikku went and created a ruckus that why others were shifting in her house. The telegram drove my parents into a shock and within a couple of days, we went back to Gangtok only to meet Sikku.
We went and stayed at Sikku’s house. The moment she saw us her fever went down. She had not eaten properly ever since we left but the moment my mom fed her she finished a full bowl of rice. We spent a whole week at her house and in that one week, the mothers explained to Sikku that we would be gone for some time. This time perhaps the little child understood that few relationships are meant to part.
Image: Pixabay
This is really dad balaka. I thought sikku would have been allowed to follow you. Feeling heavy for the unwanted flower. Attached detachment:) have a nice day. E is for exaggeration. https://syncwithdeep.wordpress.com/2018/04/05/e-exaggeration-blogchattera2z-atozchallenge-atoz/
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Such a beautiful story Balaka. I hope Sikku is fine now. Kudos to your mother
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Ya she is fine.. happily married with two kids😂😂
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Appa! Thank God
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I am loss of words. Such beautiful relationship. Please share something about your mom too in the series. I want to know more about her.
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Well, I don’t have any exclusive story about my mom in the series..but she is in many stories as a character actor if not the main protagonist.
I am really happy that you loved my story. Your comment made my day.
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Loved it !! You have beautiful story telling style.
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Thank you soooooo much dear😘😍😘💓💓💓
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Your mom is A-m-a-zing!!!! My heart went out to Sikku on your leaving; poor thing she must have been devastated. I wonder how she reconciled later and what thoughts she’d have as to why you all left her?
Balaka – just a feedback dear; I woud love to know more about the person in present times. Maybe you could add a PS about it at the end of the post!!! Just a thought 🙂
The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak #atozchallenge
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Well..that is a good idea..but I am not in touch with many of them..so it would be difficult to add for all posts..as for Sikku, she is happily married with two kids..
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Its like adding a closure to the story; feels good to know that they are doing well!! Thats why I suggested. So where you do know, pls add it! I would love to read about it! 🙂
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Sure darling, your suggestion is accepted..will do that..it is indeed a nice suggestion and thank you for the same shalz
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Very touching story balaka. Actually fostering parents add much respect, because they know that the relationship with the foster child is temporary and the child may have to part any time. respects to you mom here, for she has been kind enough to part from the child. Good to know that she is married too (from comments above). E is for Exaggeration. https://syncwithdeep.wordpress.com/2018/04/05/e-exaggeration-blogchattera2z-atozchallenge-atoz/
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Thanks
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Touching story balaka. Respects to your mom becos she has been mentally prepared to part from the kid. As foster parents, they always know that the relationship is temporary and the foster child may leave them any time. Good to know she is married too. e is for Exaggeration. Do have your say.
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Yes not all relationship are permanent but even temporary relationship can be heartwarming
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Not all kinship are by blood. Such a heartwarming tale.
Balaka you are so lucky to have a mother with a golden heart!
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Thanks Anagha..
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What a wonderful tale Balaka! And your narration is really good.This was the first thing I read this morning but forgot to comment.
http://namysaysso.com/blog/everlasting-atoz2018/
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It is ok Namy..I can understand the stress level we all are going through 😀
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Your mom is a real Angel. This story beautifully reflects the intracacies of human bonds. Only love matters
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Thanks Akshata..I agree only love matters
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This is the best post of the day, Balaka! My tears won’t stop even as I type this comment. So touching, so loving! Sikku is indeed the luckiest girl!
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Awwww… I am humbled Shilpz…hugs
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❤❤❤
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wow! what an amazing story…thanks for sharing. How is Sikku now?
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Sikku is absolutely fine. A mother of two now. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
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Such a beautiful story. I love the name sikku. Love your writings
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Thanks Priya
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A child knows when she is loved and wanted. And this knowledge makes them thrive and grow so well. It’s wonderful that Ekta found that love and support from your mom. Hope Ekta is doing well in her life!
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Yes you are absolutely right. They do know who is genuinely loving them. Thanks Shilpa for visiting and commenting.
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Beautiful story, Balaka. Hat’s off to your mom.
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Thanks Varad.
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What a beautiful story, Balaka! You make your characters so lovable! I had tears in my eyes when Sikku wouldn’t eat and fell sick. Please keep them coming on! Can’t wait to read your ‘F’!
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You are so kind to leave such a beautiful and encouraging comment. Thank you so much. I have a smile on my face as I type this 😊😊😊
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🙂 🙂 🙂
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Your mom was such a compassionate, kind hearted and loving soul. I am sending my warmest regards and hugs to her.
This was a very beautiful, very touching story, Balaka. Indeed, Love is all we need to bloom and grow.
I appreciate the theme within your theme i.e. bonds beyond the confines of family.
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Wow Moon you came up with a new dimesnion to my theme
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This is sucha beautiful story that I dont think I have the right words for it.Your family isn’t always you blood.
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Yes family is not only blood. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
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What a heartbreaking thing, not to be wanted by your mother, who was culturally conditioned to believe women were below dirt. I don’t have words. Your Mom saved that girl from total destruction.
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In India even now girl child are unwanted. Thankfully things are changing yet we have miles to go to reach equality. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
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Oh! God.. Such bonds teach us so much about life! Your mom is superb! Hats off to her for showing such unadulterated love towards sikku.. Would love to know how old were you and did you feel jealous? 😀
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Neha, when Sikku was born I was around 6 years old and when we left Gangtok I was 12 years. I never felt any jealousy towards her. I was a single child and always craved for a sibling, she fulfilled that gap. I loved her like my own sister..on the contrary she was very possessive about Mom and never allowed me near mom whenever she was around. I was never allowed to touch mom’s lipstick but she was allowed to play and smudge them. But she was too small and we all loved her dearly. She also loved me more than her own sister.
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Some relationships are indeed beautiful and its sad when such relationships part. Ur post brings out the bitter truth that even today the birth of a second girl child elicits mixed reactions
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Yes…Even now a second girl is unwelcome and even a first girl is also unwanted. Thanks Ramya
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Your mom is indeed pure soul. You are lucky to have her. Lovely and touching post Balaka.
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Thank you Shilpa.
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A lovely story, I hope Sikku makes it through, a big life lesson to learn so young.
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Thanks..yes it was indeed a life lesson.
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Such a touching story. My heart goes out to Sikku. From such a tiny age, she had to go through so many things and yet she was able to receive love and care that she deserved. Partings are always difficult.
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Yes partings are difficult. But we just managed fine.
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So beautiful story, Balaka. It touched my heart. I felt that am so connected with Sikku.That was another story of an unwanted girl child :-). Your narrations and displaying the two protagonist character are amazing. Loved it.
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Thank you so much Sayanti. I am glad that you felt a connection
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This was such a beautiful and heart-warming story. our mom is an angel on earth.
How is Sikku these days? Whatever happened to her? Are you still in touch?
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Thanks a lot. Sikku is fine. I am not really in touch but she is now married with two kids.
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Aww.. It was so sweet of your mom to take care of Sikku. I am sure she missed her as much as Sikku missed her and your family.
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Ya, my mom used to feel terrible without her. Thanks Deepa for reading and commenting
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Aww, such a heart warming gesture. Kudos to your mom for taking her in when her own mother did not accept her.
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Thanks Disha. I am glad you liked it .
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What a heart touching story. Sikku must have had a spiritual relationship with your mom else how was she destined to get such immense love from someone other than her parents
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Yes, you are right. They were destined to come together. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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This is actually called bond by heart !!
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Is this a true story? And what became of Ekta when she grew up?
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Yes, this is a true story. Ekta is fine now.. married and mother of 2
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how sad to think that she was unwanted….
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Such a beautiful heart touching story!
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Such a beautiful heart touching story! Just loved it
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Not all blood relations are as precious as the one mentioned here. Your Mom’s and Sikku’s is cosmic connection. What happened to Sikku next, did she understood the sifting part and accepted it or followed your family.
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No she settled without us.
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