Bring on the week I challenged myself cheerfully. But as things would have it had been a bad Monday, a worse Tuesday and a terrible Wednesday. Everything was falling through the cracks. Anything that could go wrong – did. I fought to keep my cool.

Mid-week crisis
On that dreadful Wednesday, two hours before close of office hours the phone rang. My daughter’s school doctor was on the line. “Amina’s had a fall, I suspect she has fractured her right hand …..”, she said and delivered the medical mumbo-jumbo. “Can I speak too her,” I cut in….. . I knew an early-leaving request would not be entertained. I didn’t even want to try. I placated my daughter, promised her the moon and got busy. A feeling of impending doom persisted.

Mother’s day
An hour after the promised time I got home. I was sick with worry and filled with dread. The door was ajar. I pushed in. A blind-fold was thrown over my eyes and fastened securely. I was pivoted around and my vision was tested. All the time Amina’s hysterical laugh inundated my nervous state. I was cautiously led to the sitting room. “You can look now,’ she called out. When I freed myself I saw my princess with one hand in a sling, a flower in the other and a card held between the lips. “Happy Mother’s Day”, she said throwing herself into my arms. I held her tight and showered kisses on her upturned face. I looked beyond her shoulder and saw a table laid with goodies. Right in the center was a home-made cake with chocolate icing. “Did you bake it?” I asked trying to match her mood.

Mama’s princess
She explained to me how she measured and mixed the ingredients with the use of the good arm. How she had taken the help of a friendly neighbor to bake it. (I had warned her several times not to use the oven). I touched her hand. I needed to know she was fine. She crumbled. Sobs racked her frail body. The effect of the Ibuprofen had worn off and she was hurting. (I later learnt it was a muscle sprain and not a fracture). I let loose my pent up feelings and sobbed with her. My helplessness and her selflessness took hold of me. We rocked together for what seemed like hours.

From the time she was three till now, she was the stronger one. She was the one who always understood, accommodated, and sacrificed. I admired her courage and her resilience. I wondered why Allah chose ME for this wonderful gift. How blessed I was that this little angel was born to me. I have always known and will always believe that couples who have girls are the luckiest in the world. Amina Kausar Bintory… may your tribe increase.