The kitchen seems to be her favourite place these days.But at this time of the night.What she doing ? I wondered.Oh! the servant is away on a long holiday so mother was clearing away the dishes of the day.

I called out to her and she answered� Clearing away sweetheart. Go to bed. Sweet dreams”Were the last words I heard as I drifted off to sleep.I woke up to the clutter of dishes in the morning. “Do you ever sleep?” I wondered
“Yes of course. Between the hours you do,” she replied.
And then the rush hour began. Breakfasts to be made, lunches to be packed, clothes to be put out…darn where’s that missing sock?

“Where’s your water bottle baby?” “I forgot it in school” my sister muttered .Oh shoot where’s the substitute? Homework she checked once again and made notes to the teacher and WOW there we were ready to go!We were dropped at school and they are off to work.

School is over and i am still waiting.“Mom,” I call her “You are late.” “I am going to be late”, she says “Dad will pick you up today”,“But Mom my project work aren't you going to help me on this!” I wailed.I fret and fume through my homework but my eyes on the clock.Finally its so nice to see her back .At 7.30 she stumbles in, her cell phone clutched to her ear .She heads straight to the stove. Cooking for dinner has begun.“Mom my project,” I begin. She shoots instructions over her shoulder, one eye on the stove the other on sis.

The phone rings ..its a call from granny for mother.“Your brother is coming to see you tomorrow dear.And you know he loves the chicken curry you make. I know you are busy, but he does not come everyday does he?And he loves you all so much, he does, please come back early from work tomorrow, spend some time with him,convince him to marry the girl i chose,you have certain duties towards your brother, remember. "

It looks like peace will reign for the night, but the phone rings again,It’s the aunty from mom’s office. She seems upset and Mom asks her to calm down.“The boss is under pressure and we have to bear it.” She says.

At night that day I hear murmurs from their room;“So no promotion for you” she says, “But what about the work you did and the award you won? “ she asks dad"please dont quit now dear. “Don’t take any decision under stress. Let’s talk about it tomorrow.” she says.For the first time I see she is distressed.

The next morning it’s rush time again.Mother is in the kitchen.