M.I.R.A.G.E.

M.I.R.A.G.E. …..Ruby spelt it out for her daughter, Olive. What a topic for an essay. What happened to those old time topics like “Monsoon” or “Summer Vacation”.

“What does it mean, Mum. I could not understand the teacher”. Ofcourse, you won’t sweetheart. You are just 4 years old and look what essays your teachers are making the kids write. Ruby sighed and smiled, “It’s easy, shona, look mirage is an illusion you see. “Ok”, replied Olive, not convinced and definitely not enlightened. Ruby tried one more time, but the disappointment in her daughter’s eyes reflected back.

“Look, Oli, let us sit with it during the weekend and I will show you images and examples so that you understand. Also, sweetheart, there is a scientific reasoning to its occurrence. I will explain everything to you. You have to submit the essay on Monday, right?”. “Yes, mum”, gleamed Olive, assured that she will make it to school with her essay; she had full faith on her mother.

Phew! Ruby kissed her daughter’s forehead and asked her to hurry up for school. Ruby has been in a very bad mood. It was her birthday tomorrow and Madhur wasn’t even planning anything. Last month they had agreed on a trip to Kerala, but he is not even talking about it now. And Ruby was too egoistic to speak about it again.
Maybe, he thinks we have grown too old for birthdays. But I am not asking for a grand party, all I am asking is a simple quiet celebration with family. C’mon we hardly get to spend time together these days. It’s either work or school or boring routined chores.

Ruby shrugged of the thought. I have a presentation at office and I cannot afford to look disturbed. Silly me. She quickly got ready, and went inside Olive’s room to see her dressed and ready to leave for school. I am so proud of Oli, she is the ideal daughter. And is she growing up so fast.

“Papa is going to drop you to school today, Oli. I have a meeting to attend. So wait for him to come back from the gym, ok? Also have breakfast both of you, it’s on the table.”. She kissed her forehead again and hugged her tight. She felt so relaxed. I have you, Oli. What else do I need?

Ruby was feeling happy. She instructed the maid with the list of things to do and left the house. She clutched her purse and looked at the jingle that Olive made for her birthday last year. Hmm, gifts from Oli for one week. This time I got nothing. Maybe she is growing up or am I going far away from her. Am I not that loving and caring Mum anymore. Instantly, she felt guilty of leaving her daughter alone at home. Oh! God, I have to go to work.

Once in office, Ruby’s day passes like a whirlwind. She hardly has time for a proper lunch and today she has presentations and meetings lined up for the day. Ruby loved presentations, she was very good and she knew it. But today she felt distracted, she felt a little lonely.

At the end of the day, Ruby was exhausted. Work took away most of her energy and her war with her emotions left her paralyzed. She turned on the car engine, dreading to go home and see nothing for her, nothing special. Slowly she parked her car in the parking lot and walked up the stairs. She rang the doorbell and waited for few minutes, but no one answered. Hmm Laxmi must have taken Oli out, but at this time?

Worried, she took out the keys and opened the door. The house looked dark, she saw candle light flickering in the distance. What is that? Hey, are they planning a surprise party for me. Ohh! How nice. Ruby threw her laptop bag on the sofa and managed to walk straight towards the light, smiling and waiting in anticipation for something to happen. She heard mumbling voices, but nothing happened. The candle light flickered several times. I think I see people, is that Chaitali or just a shadow. I do smell food, wow, what have they planned? I am sure Madhur has ordered my favourite Tiramisu Cheesecake from Ol Factory. What is that in the darkness, balloons? What! That’s too much. I am not a kid anymore. But what is happening. Why doesn’t anything happen.

Ruby, now irritated, asked, “Anyone here?”. She saw a figure stand upright, “Didi, when did you come? No light in the house since one hour.”. That was Laxmi. Olive came running from somewhere and hugged Ruby, “Mum, Laxmi didi was telling me a horror story. It was so cool.”. Ruby found it difficult to speak. She went and turned on the main switches that had tripped. Light streamed in instantly. She looked around hoping to see the crowd. Oh, what am I? 6? Nothing like surprise parties happen these days. And look at me, what all I saw and how illusion played a trick on my mind. Ah! Mirage!

Ruby smiled, called for Olive and said, “So Oli, are you ready for the essay?” “But, Mum, I thought we are doing it in the weekend.”. “Well, let’s do it now.”. Ruby instructed the maid about dinner and told Olive to wait for 5 mins. Now, I can explain Oli what Mirage is. Gosh. My illusions seemed so real. I really wanted something special to happen. Well, not always can you get everything.

Ruby changed and went in front of the mirror. She saw herself, her eyes gorging in with tiredness. Her eyes fell upon an envelope that read, “Something for you”. Isn’t that Madhur’s handwriting…hmm. Ruby opened the envelope and out came three tickets. What! Paris and London, for 2 weeks. What is all this. Oh my god, such a fool, I am . Ofcourse, Madhur you heard me all right. Ruby looked at the mirror again, not caring a bit about the groggy eyes. Mirage, eh? If you think right, it will never be mirage, it can be reality. And if you are patient, you will get more than what you imagined.

Ruby rushed to Olive’s room. Before, she could say anything, Olive looked at her and said, “Mommy, looks like you got Papa’s envelope”.