A liar at times

Rumita Deb

Like all mothers, I too have a mother who prioritizes my happiness, my troubles, and my worries over everything in her life.

She toils from the wee morning hours to late nights.

And when I ask her....Ma aren't you tired?

She nods her head side’s ways replying in the negative. A lie it is, but with a flash of smile she does it all, putting aside all her weariness and fatigue only to put me at ease.

At dinner, she spreads the platter serving a lion’s share in my dish...

And when I ask her, why only the little portion for herself, her lips loose no time in replying, "Dear, I am full to the brim." It’s in fact another lie to feed me in oodles.

Festivities come and go; she spends her savings in buying the best robes possible for the apple of her eye...

And when I ask her, "Ma won't you buy anything for yourself?" Another prompt lie pours in - "I have too many for my cupboard to hold."