My Confidante? Mum’s the word! Woman's Era (Part 4)

 This article of mine, was published in the October (First) 2012 issue of Woman's Era.

                                            My Confidante? Mum’s the word!

               Trupti was irritated with her uncle who insisted on petting her and caressing her whenever he visited their house. He was 45 years old and she was eighteen. As soon as she spotted that creep, she’d make an excuse and walk out of her house. She wondered whether she could confide in anyone at home. She didn’t want them to feel that she was trying to prove that she was so desirable or that she was leading that lecherous man on! She was even frustrated with her inability to take the bull by its horns and rebuke that man. What would the family members think! They would think that she was rude and impertinent.

                She confided in her closest friend, Neha, who wisely advised her to confide in her mother. After all, mothers always trusted their children and protected them from such unwelcome advances. Surely, she would teach that creep a lesson! But Trupti was scared of her strict mother. What if she didn’t believe her, worse, told her father about it? She’d die of shame! Still, after a lot of coaxing by her friend, she confided in her mother.

                Instinctively, her mother guessed that she was telling the truth. She assuaged her fears and told her to avoid being alone with that uncle. She even devised plans to stop him from visiting them altogether. When her indirect attempts failed, and the uncle continued to brazenly visit them and stare lustily at Trupti, her mother squarely confronted him and threatened to expose his behavior before their family; and if need be, even report the matter to the police. Needless to say, his visits abruptly ended and he cut off all ties with Trupti’s family, much to the relief of Trupti and her mother.

                On Mother’s Day, Trupti presented her mother with a huge bouquet of red roses and a lovely greeting card that simply read, “To my dear mother, my best friend and confidante! Happy Mother’s Day!” She added her own words below the printed ones. “Sorry for not trusting you earlier. You are the best mother in this world.” Her mother shed tears of joy. She had just realized how her strictness had cost her, her daughter’s confidence and how she had just regained it. Trupti also had tears in her eyes as she kissed her beloved mother.

                Now you know whom to tell that secret to!

                                                                          THE END

My mother - My best friend and confidante!
My unconditional supporter and believer!