GEMS

The colourful small roundels, the chocolatey pearls called "gems" acquire a special place in my heart. I can never say a 'No' to gems. Irresistible..aren't they? 

Maa knew my love for colours. I was an all rounder in school and loved my studies too. But the naughty brat that I was, Maa needed something to help her, in helping me be focussed. She noticed once the care I took in preserving the beads that Dad got me once. The child in me was overwhelmed by how so many colours- red, blue, yellow, green, purple, pink etc.hid within them that tiny chocolate ball I so loved.

Maa got the trick. She would always tempt me to achieve my goals with the reward of that small little packet of colourful, chocolate buttons. Buttons ..yes that reminds me once I even made an artpiece all studded with gems, such was my love for the colours and gems.

So whether it was being the topper in class, or winning a drawing competition, Maa smilingly handed me my most coveted gems. Whenever I got the best singer or the best actress award, gems awaited me. Maa completely trusted me and my gems.

Once I fell ill..was down with typhoid. My typhoid relapsed and I had become very weak. I was not able to get back to studies, nor played. Maa was really worried. She tried everything but no amount of positivity brought me back on my feet. Then Maa again took the help of Gems. 

She got a number of colourful packets of gems, gave one or two balls to me and filled the rest in a glass bottle. She kept the bottle at my bedside and told me that the day I got back to my original self, being myself, I could have the entire bottle of gems.

The colours did the trick. The small colourful chocolate pearls had me in their spell..and I started taking my steps towards my wellness. Within a week's time I was back to my cheerful, energetic self. Call it colour therapy or call it tempation/ greed, but the balls created magic.

To this day I will always choose a packet of gems over a big expensive bar of chocolate.  My boys and my entire family have fallen prey to the magical spell of gems. Now Maa is no more, but in these small balls I feel her love, her care and her trust in me. Now whenever I feel low, I feel the need for a warm hug and encouraging words, I grab a packet of gems and feel a positivity wrapping me in a loving embrace. As I write this, I have a packet of gems right in front, with which I wish to reward myself...to feel loved, feel Maa!

©®Madhumita