Sunday Story: Better Late Than Never

Anamika had been fidgeting with her dupatta, ring, and mangalsutra cyclically for more than an hour. Her daughter, who was sitting by her side, tried to help her calm down, but her fidgeting did not stop. And it was understandable—she was about to apply for a loan to start a small business of her own.

It had been a lifelong dream of Anamika’s to do something of her own, be her own boss. Ever since she could remember, she loved jewellery—both wearing it and making it. When she was in her teens, she dreamt of actively pursuing her passion for jewellery-making. However, both her destiny and her family were not on her side at the time, and she had no other option but to tuck that dream away on a shelf.

As life happened to her, Anamika left her dream behind and shifted her focus and efforts to the things that were presented before her. She soon forgot that she even had a dream. Like others, she too had fallen for the trap of conformity that society laid in front of everybody in the form of security. But one thing remained with her—her love and eye for the right kind of jewellery.

Even though she did not become a professional jewellery designer or stylist, Anamika would still choose and style it for everybody else, be they her friends, sister, mother, or anybody else from her extended family. Everybody came to her for advice and she just knew what would be right. Such was her knack for it that they believed that whatever she would suggest was bound to be perfect.

When Anamika’s daughter entered her teens, she started noticing her mother’s flair when it came to jewellery styling. She also noticed her mother’s popularity among their extended family and social circles and the trust these women had in her. Seeing the immense potential, she one day suggested to her mother to start a small styling-cum-designing business. At first, Anamika thought that her daughter was joking, that she was only pulling her leg and therefore dismissed it. But soon she realised that that was not the case.

It was an idea that was, in fact, Anamika’s dream at one point in her life—the dream she had tucked away on a shelf long back. And it had been so long since then that the very idea seemed foreign and almost impossible to her. Her first reaction, as a result, was to dismiss it right away. But her daughter did not give up on it, for she was her mother’s daughter after all. She had sworn to persuade her mother, one way or another.

Eventually, something inside Anamika started stirring—it seemed as if her soul had finally woken up and found access to the tucked-away dream. Though she still had her reservations and fears, her gut kept nudging her. And then, one day, she woke up with a newfound conviction—she was ready to become her own boss.

Anamika’s daughter was as excited as she was. To Anamika’s surprise, she had already laid out a major chunk of the plan; she had only been waiting for Anamika to be entirely convinced and take the decision herself. She narrated the entire plan and that is how, that particular day, they found themselves at the bank to apply for a loan.

That day’s wait had been the longest and most anxious one hour that Anamika had ever experienced so far in her life. Finally, her name was called. The two women got up and followed the neatly dressed receptionist who had called Anamika’s name. As the two walked down the corridor, Anamika felt a heady concoction of excitement, fear, and hope. Finally, after all these years, her dream was about to receive the wings that deserved all along.

Liked this story? Here is another to lift your spirits—Sky Is the Beginning.