Hemalata, the real Mother
By Lokanatha Mishrs
Deepak’s life had been a struggle since his wife’s passing when he was 40, leaving him to care for their two daughters. He was working as a clerk in a reputed bank, trying to provide for his family. One day, he met Hemalata, a woman who had recently joined as the principal of a private school. They met through a mutual friend, and Deepak helped her open a bank account and the school’s account in his bank.
As they got to know each other, Deepak found himself drawn to Hemalata’s beauty and kindness. After just four months of knowing her, he invited her to his house, gave her a ride, and introduced her to his daughters. She seemed to hit it off with the girls, discussing their studies and bonding with them. Deepak even prepared dinner for the four of them and requested Hemalata to join them. After some persuasion, she agreed and praised his cooking.
As the days went by, Hemalata asked if she could stay with Deepak and his daughters for three weeks, citing that she would be homeless due to renovation work in the girls’ hostel where she was living. Despite initial reservations, Deepak agreed, and Hemalata stayed with his daughters in his house. However, even after the three weeks were up, she didn’t leave.
Instead, Hemalata became an integral part of the household. She helped Deepak with cooking and looked after the girls’ studies. The four of them lived together happily, and Deepak found himself growing more and more fond of Hemalata. As time passed, their bond strengthened, and they began to feel like a family.
As time passed, Deepak and Hemalata’s mutual affection grew stronger, but they struggled to express their feelings to each other. Hemalata had become like a mother to Deepak’s daughters, showering them with love and care. However, their household dynamics changed with the arrival of Deepak’s cousin, Renu, who had recently been appointed as a lecturer in a college. Renu, a 28-year-old divorcee, moved in with Deepak and his family.
As Renu settled in, Hemalata took on most of the household responsibilities, including cooking and teaching Deepak’s daughters. Meanwhile, Deepak started spending more time with Renu, taking her to movies and restaurants. Before long, Renu became pregnant with Deepak’s child, and they decided to get married.
After the marriage, Hemalata left Deepak’s house and moved to a rented apartment. With Hemalata gone, Deepak had to take on cooking duties again, as Renu struggled in the kitchen. However, the bigger challenge was the tension between Renu and Deepak’s daughters, who couldn’t adjust to their new stepmother.
As the differences between Renu and the girls became insurmountable, Deepak’s daughters decided to leave their father’s house and move in with Hemalata. Deepak, who had been supporting Renu, was left to navigate the complexities of his new family dynamics. The relationship between Renu and the girls remained strained, and Deepak found himself caught in the middle.
As the years went by, Deepak’s daughters thrived under Hemalata’s care, and she became like a mother to them. She decided to dedicate her life to their upbringing and well-being, choosing not to marry and instead focus on their needs.
Meanwhile, Renu gave birth to a baby girl, and she and Deepak were overjoyed with their new addition. They spent their days happily with their little one, enjoying the joys of parenthood.
As time passed, Deepak’s daughters grew up, completed their engineering degrees, and landed good jobs. They eventually got married and started their own lives. However, despite their success, they maintained a deep-seated resentment towards their father and stepmother, Renu.
In a surprising turn of events, the daughters chose to maintain a relationship with Hemalata, whom they considered their true mother figure, and completely cut ties with Deepak, Renu, and their half-sister. Hemalata, who had poured her heart and soul into raising them, remained a beloved figure in their lives, while Deepak and Renu were left to wonder what had gone wrong.