What My Parents Do Not Say
Though you do not say, I hear you, mom and dad.
I hope you’re doing fine, my baby. It is your mom. We haven’t sat down and had a chat in a while. You seem to be busy. When you were a teen, you asked us to give you space. At first, your dad and I resisted. You know we first laid eyes on you when you were a ten-minute old baby. You were delicate, fragile, and weak. We had to train you to poop and lure you into a bath. So, the hesitance was explainable.
As a baby, you were quite ritualistic. We needed to play music in the background to make you eat. I still remember the first time we scolded you. We were at the hospital. Your grandfather had just passed away, and I was in no mood to dance to your tunes. We couldn’t play music.
According to you, you grew up at fourteen.
You started mentioning terms like ‘privacy’ and ‘freedom’. I guess you also mentioned ‘independence’. It was new to us. Maybe, you felt we resisted your urges but we meant no harm. Contrary to popular belief, we did not intend to control you. Once, we were also of that age, and we had our fair share of temptations. We never meant to control you, but to guide you through this perplexing state, because we knew better awaited you.
Years later, we realized you were more mature than we accredited you. You had made quite a good life for yourself. We knew you didn’t fool around with guys or took drugs. Not that we are orthodox or conservative, though.
We are proud. You are a grown woman who knows her stuff.
But, your silence concerns us.
You were never like this. When you were sixteen, you were loud and clear about your boundaries, and what displeased you.
Now, you don’t express your disregard about our ways or mannerism. We don’t have a hint about what is going in your life. We know you do not want to bother us but you are our child. You will never grow old enough for me— not when my teeth would be replaced by dentures, or when I’d have no control over my pee.
You are always working and it bothers us. Back then we used to make sure you got good grades, as we wanted you to lead a comfortable, cozy, and warm life. We did not envision you sad. You appear to be blue and gloomy. Is it because of work? or you don’t enjoy it? Is it about a boy? or you fought? No matter what — my dear child, we’ll always be there for you.
Yes, even when you are miles away from us, we’d still be in a position to help you, guide you, and make sure you’re ok. You have grown up, and you have so many places to go to, so many parties to attend. But, our world revolves around you. We do not have any places to go to or adventures to await for — but to be around you. Ooh, Speaking of conferences — without taking much of your time, my dear child,
we love you…….
