Priyanka couldn’t believe that she had just got married. Tears of mixed emotions rolled down her cheeks. As she lay in bed with Sanjay, her first love and now her husband, she felt complete as a woman.
The next day, Manju Aaji greeted her with warmth and light in the morning. “Good morning, dear daughter,” she said with a beaming smile. Priyanka looked at her mother-in-law, who was seated with her laptop open, repeating some lines from the screen. “I am learning English,” she proudly declared to Priyanka.
Priyanka walked into the kitchen, thinking about all the pending tasks that needed to be done. To her surprise, the kitchen was sparkling clean. The food was cooked, tiffins were packed, laundry was already drying, and the maid had begun with other household chores.
Priyanka then approached her mother-in-law. Manju Aaji gently touched her hand and whispered, “Priyanka, this house is ours. I don’t believe in the idea of retiring after a daughter-in-law comes in. I will continue living as I did before, and for you, you’re more than just a daughter-in-law to me,” she said with a smile.
Priyanka sighed, though she looked happy. Manju Aaji asked, “What’s the matter, dear?” “I just started my job before the wedding, and last night, Sanjay mentioned he wants to be a father as soon as possible,” Priyanka confessed, her eyes reflecting her nervousness as she searched for Manju Aaji’s response. “I was flabbergasted when I heard this. I’m not prepared to become a mother right away, Aaji. I have my dreams and aspirations. I know motherhood is part of every woman’s life, but I don’t wish to embrace it just yet.”
Manju Aaji fell silent, lost in her thoughts of the past. Her open laptop mocked her with the English language. She remembered her passion for learning languages and her dream of starting an institute, which had been overshadowed by her pregnancies—first a child, then within a year another, and suddenly her dream faded in the transition of life.
Motherhood hadn’t stopped her completely, though. She pursued her passion repeatedly. Her in-laws hadn’t supported her much, but she kept fighting for her dream in silence, like a private battle.
“Aaji,” Priyanka touched her arm gently. Manju Aaji could see herself in Priyanka. A single tear rolled down her cheek, but then she smiled suddenly.
“Motherhood is the best feeling in the world, Priyanka. I find it hard to express my feelings about this. But I believe motherhood is a choice. You can choose to become a mother or decide not to. I fully support that idea. Even if you opt not to be a mother, I will continue to support you. The choice must always be yours. I gave up my dream to become a mother, but I’m still pursuing it. You should have the freedom to choose,” she reassured Priyanka.
“And if Sanjay truly loves you, he will understand. I’ll talk to him about this, so don’t worry too much. Just remember that women can be happy and fulfilled even if they are not mothers, while others can feel lost and unhappy even when they have children. It’s all up to you.”
Manju Aaji stood up from the sofa and picked up a photograph of her children from the nearby table. “I love my children and don’t regret anything in my life, but what I want to convey is to be more than just a mother. Be a woman with your own choices and identity; that is the key to being happy.”
Just then, Manju Aaji greeted a little girl standing at her door. “Oh, this is my first French student!” she exclaimed excitedly. “Priyanka, I’ve learned French, Spanish, and German. I’ve started my little class with just one student today,” she said, her eyes sparkling with childlike enthusiasm.
Priyanka felt overwhelmed. She couldn’t decide if Manju Aaji was a super mom, a passionate student, a dedicated homemaker, or simply a woman of substance. So fragile in appearance, yet possessing such profound thoughts and a powerful persona.
A simple saree-clad woman moved around with a child and began teaching French. Priyanka felt small in her presence but was filled with pride for a woman who looked beyond motherhood and made her own choices in life.
Priyanka knew what she wanted… she just knew.
The Momma Clan 
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