Mrs. Singh's gaze bore into Nishita's. "Ever delved into why your mom always saves those extra mango slices for you?"
Nishita nodded. "Yeah, she said it's because I enjoy them."
"And did you inquire further, why she prioritizes your happiness over her own pleasure?" Mrs. Singh gently prodded. "She could have a taste of all those mangoes for herself but she prefers to give it to you, why would anyone do that?"
Her mind kicked into high gear, leafing through memories to find if her mother had answered this similar question before. "I distinctly remember bringing this up," she recalled, pausing to sift through her thoughts. "She cited something along the lines of desiring to pamper me, even if it meant setting aside her own delight."
A knowing smile played on Mrs. Singh's lips as she gently shook her head. "You're disregarding the more profound reality, Nishita," she noted with a hint of wisdom. "Humans, especially in relationships, often surrender their wishes out of love."
Love? Duh!?
"Huh?" Nishita's confusion was evident as she tried to comprehend the complexity of Mrs. Singh's perspective on relationships.
"Love reigns supreme as a fundamental emotion, surpassing all others," Mrs. Singh explained, her tone carrying a depth of perspicuity. "It's what we yearn for—it brings us stability, a sense of belonging, and connects us with those around us."
"But love can also bring pain," she countered.
"True," Mrs. Singh conceded sympathetically, "but despite the risk of heartache, we're willing to take it because we fear being alone, being left out."
She pondered Mrs. Singh's words, her eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and contemplation. "But what about independence?" she asked, a bit doubtful.
Mrs. Singh shook her head gently. "Independence and loneliness are two different things," she clarified. "I've been married for twenty-eight years and never felt dependent on anyone. Surprisingly, I've never felt lonely either," She paused, a flicker of introspection crossing her features. "Despite being a housewife without a job, I could anytime choose to walk away to live alone if I wanted to. But I prefer to be with my husband and kids because the joy of caring for them and welcoming their love is unmatched."
Nishita listened intently. "So, you believe compromise is essential for survival?" she ventured, curiosity laced in her voice.
"Where do you find life without compromises?" Mrs. Singh differed. "When you travel, you compromise your time to engage in other activities. You can't have it all at once. Life is a journey, and we choose to nourish ourselves with serotonin over dopamine."
"Meaning?" She inquired.
"You haven't looked into them?", Mrs. Singh frowned.
Nishita clicked her tongue, a thoughtful expression clouding her features. "Hormones? Yeah, I've read about them, but I'm scratching my head trying to see how they fit into this whole drama," she admitted.
Mrs. Singh chuckled. "Don't worry, I'll break it down," she began, settling back in the swing and gently rocking it back and forth. "So, dopamine is like that quick hit of pleasure—you know, when you munch on those extra mango slices. It's instant gratification and feels great at the instant, but it's short-lived. You'll find yourself craving more like you're hooked on something. And when you don't get your fix, you end up feeling irritable and out of sorts." She explained and paused to exchange a knowing glance with Nishita.
Waving her hand, Nishita pointed. "That's how addiction works!"
"Exactly!" Mrs. Singh applauded at that comment and added, "But serotonin? That's the good component. It's like a steady stream of happiness that lasts. It's like when your mother goes out of her way to make you happy, and you can see it in her eyes," She smiled at Nishita's baffled expression. "Your smile brings her so much joy, way more than any drop of dopamine could ever bring. It's a deeper, more meaningful kind of happiness that lasts. She prioritizes her long-term happiness over the momentary pleasure."
"Wait, are you secretly a biology teacher?" She razzed.
Mrs. Singh chuckled. "No, just a biology and psychology enthusiast. I've done a lot of reading on the subjects."
"Ah, got it."
"Anyway, what your parents did—or do—for you isn't really a sacrifice; they're just selfishly happy," Mrs. Singh winked while joking at her expression. "They've made picks that they won't regret, don't shame them by calling their choices a sacrifice," she added thoughtfully. "Sacrifice is when someone endures hardships just to conform to societal norms without any expectations, like those women you met in the villages."
Nishita nodded in agreement.
"But they still have a choice," Mrs. Singh continued. "They can choose to soak up your wisdom and pass it on to their offspring. And you know what? If, there's a chance to educate those village ladies, count me in!"
As they spoke on the thirteenth day of February, she couldn't believe anymore the number thirteen to be unlucky.
"So, spill the beans! What other reasons do you have?" Mrs. Singh prodded playfully, returning to her teasing mode. "You mentioned you have a lot of them."
Nishita sighed dramatically.
Sure, she had reasons equivalent to the number of lanes in the DMart, but Mrs. Singh's way with words was like watching a master magician at work. It was as if she could sweet-talk the birds out of the trees and convince the Sun to rise in the west. Seriously, the woman was verbally gifted with a wit sharper than a Rajput sword.
Hey! You're crushing on her already, and it's only been half an hour... Talk about speed dating!
Damn!
--
A/N
Yashoda Veer Singh- mother of Jagdish, Krishna, and Subhadra. She's something for sure ;)
"Koi Kahe" is the youth anthem of the century!
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Chronicles Of My Darling Husband
RomanceBook 1 of "Destined To Be" ------ ❝Cat got your tongue, wifey?❞ Surprised, she stood frozen to the spot and squeaked as his fingers slowly trailed down the fire on her skin. ❝I want to be a gentleman, as my Maa raised me to be, as this world sees me...
