The Heartfelt Promise I Story By Damayanti

The Heartfelt Promise

Chhaya – The Beautiful Girl

It all started when my mother drew her first breath as nature stretched awake from her winter’s slumber. She had a rather dusky complexion, which had a beauty of its own. However, in a house where fairness was praised, her beauty was often seen to be a flaw. Especially her grandparents, they were deeply disheartened as they heard that their first grandchild was a granddaughter. They had always dreamt of a grandson, luck just wasn’t on their side this time. 

Despite the judgemental stares and disapproving comments made behind my mother’s back, she never gave up. She was a fighter, aiming to prove herself worthy and succeeding in becoming independent on her own. She believed from the bottom of her heart that there is no other achievement like being independent. Her parents named her, “Chhaya”, a name which doesn’t reflect a darkness that dims, but rather a shadow of silent support and comfort in times of need. 

My mother, Chhaya, was a very calm and composed child. She never really created chaos, being comparatively well-kempt than other infants. It wasn’t really a hassle for her parents to manage her, which they were thankful for. However, their lives took a turn as after about three years from her birth, my grandmother gave birth to twins- both of them were boys and their skins carried the grace of the moon’s reflection on the sea. 

The Twin Boys

My grandparents and relatives were extremely overjoyed, this news was something else! They handled my uncles like precious porcelain, providing utmost care and warmth. They were like a symbol of the silver lining every cloud has. They didn’t really come to the realisation of how special and loved they were since they were just newborns, but they were clearly happy and content by the surroundings they were in. The family members reached towards the light, forgetting my mother, the comforting shadow. But Chhaya? 

The Path Of Independence

She didn’t seem affected at all, even though deep inside, something broke and could never be fully healed again. She knew she had to carve her future from what she had herself, and she was determined to do so. She studied hard and devoted her all to prove she was worthy, to prove she was capable enough; to prove she could achieve her dream on her own. Luckily, she had gained a few friends who helped her whenever she needed them. She had a balanced life, ignoring all negativity and striding ahead. As she went forward, she developed a deep interest towards nursing. She noticed how nurses were gentle and elegant in their work; their patience would never wear thin and they would handle all situations with steady hands and a calm mind. It slowly grew into her own ambition, and she spent all her days and nights chasing it. She gave the entrance examination to enter the world of nursing, and she passed the examination with excellent marks. She then learnt nursing with a curious and open mind, excelling in her training years. Yet, she kept on striving for perfection.

Finally, her hard work had paid off as she found herself standing in the hospital courtyard, wearing her white uniform which seemed to glow in the sunlight. The same girl, who was once overlooked over her fair-skinned brothers, now walked with glory and grace. She had never chased light: she had now become the lamp herself. Everyone who underestimated her was now in awe, completely mind-blown and amazed at Chhaya’s feat. Her life was now stable and she had achieved what she dreamt of- independence.

Shyama

One day, she had a new patient who came across a brutal bike accident. His left leg was severely injured, while his right leg could still walk, barely. My mother, being the caring and kind woman she was, helped the man to recover and treated him with unyielding shelter and gentle attention. They slowly grew close and started to know more about each other. He shared how he was too tired that night to drive properly and had to face the consequences of his languor. The accident was unnerving for him as well as his family, his parents and their family dog. But when my mother started taking care of him, his family was assured about him being in good hands. He went on to express his family’s and his own gratitude towards her patience and gentleness which had helped him recover and lit the lamp of hope in his mind and heart once again.

Hearing this, my mother also communed her life story- a tale of inspiration, heartbreak and finally achievement. Shyama listened intently, mentally jotting down important points. Soon, Shyama’s parents realised how disciplined and compassionate this girl was, and they decided that she was the perfect bride Shyama could ever have. Meanwhile, both of them grew closer, getting to know each other’s interests and likings. Shyama revealed that he dearly loved poetry- along with his government job, he wrote poems as well! He read some of them aloud from his memory, impressing my mother. She could feel her attraction towards this gentleman as the time passed, but she kept it to herself, not wanting to ruin this moment. She also talked about her hobbies and preferences, and they realised they had a lot in common! “My favourite colour is blue.” Said Ma, to which Shyama said, “I also love blue! Along with that, I also love green and red.”     

 “Really? What’s your favourite thing to do when you have time in hand?”                 

“I usually just take a nap or write a poem if the mood strikes.” 

“I also nap sometimes. Nothing is as refreshing as a nice and undisturbed afternoon nap!”

They shared laughter and joy with each other, creating a warm and happy memory. And that is how, LADIES AND GENTLEMAN…my parents fell in love!

The Proposal

Baba’s parents had finally convinced Ma to make them visit her parents. On the day they visited each other, Baba’s parents had brought with them a marriage proposal. “Your daughter is truly one-of-a-kind!” Said my granny, “We’ve never seen someone so beautiful from the inside out before! We’d love to make her our daughter-in-love.” Added grandpa. The conversation went on, the parents discussing this further. Ma’s parents were pleased when they heard that Baba had a government job, and that he also pursued his passion towards poetry. After a while, they finally came to an agreement. Even though Ma wasn’t initially ready for this, she didn’t resist either. Just a few days before their marriage, they decided to meet in a nearby restaurant. Baba arrived right on time, but Ma was stuck in traffic and thus became a little late to arrive. Baba waited patiently, something he had learnt from Ma herself.

When they sat down together, Baba broke the ice, “You know, Chhaya… Since the day I saw you sharing your life story with me, how you were discriminated against but never demotivated, it was truly inspiring for me. I have a fair complexion, I’m a man, maybe I’ll never understand the true extent of your suffering and pain, but I promise that as long as we’re together, I’ll make you feel as loved and cherished as you are meant to be. You’re special, you’re beautiful in your own way, your voice is like a flowing river which gives life to land, your eyes are just as beautiful as dawn, and your dedication… is rather ethereal. I like you, Chhaya, I really do. I’ve liked you since the day we had that small talk when I was in the hospital bed. You didn’t see me as just a patient, but as a friend. I’m standing where I am now because of you, and I’m grateful because of that. Thank you…”   

His words struck a deep chord within my mother: no one had ever complimented her, no one had ever thanked her, no one had ever… observed her the way my Baba did. Tears of happiness filled her eyes as she realised that, for the first time in her life, someone likes her truly, someone likes her dearly. She was in denial and surprised together- how can the girl who was criticised all her childhood be worthy of such sweet words and love? Realisation dawned upon her that Shyama didn’t just see the person outside, but right through the soul inside. He didn’t see the complexion of her skin; he saw the beauty and simplicity of her soul.

The Wedding

Their wedding day was a joyous celebration of love acceptance, both parties were very pleased about this. It was definitely a memorable day for them.

And then, little me was born! I was born when the Sun’s rays were the mightiest. My mother, Chhaya, had desired that since I’m a girl child, she didn’t want me to face the same ignorance as she did when her younger twin brothers were born. So, both my parents agreed on keeping only one child, me. Being the only child, I was used to having all the attention and the spotlight of the family, and also the only troublemaker! My childhood was bright and filled with many memories, my parents ensured that I had everything they couldn’t have.

Learning Lessons For Life

During adolescence, my mother and I held heartfelt conversations- her dreams, her principles, her rules, and stories about how she met my father. Through her words and experiences, I realised that if there was one thing which could truly make someone free, that was financial independence and dignity. My mother made me realise that no matter what circumstance you’re in, nothing is as valuable as self-respect. My father also deliberately taught me the difference between self-respect and egoistic behaviour. Egoistic behaviour was almost a curse which had the power to destroy anything and everything, even the closest and healthiest relationships. Both of their contributions have shaped me into the person I became, and I could never really thank them enough for it. 

Covid – 19

From childhood, I was quite good in studies, especially biology. I had gained a deep interest towards it, and it soon started to become my dream to become a doctor and help people. My mother, once I shared this, was extremely excited and supportive, which led me to focus on building my career around it. I had chosen Bioscience to be my subject combination, and then I passed the medical entrance examination to open me up to the universe of medical studies further.

Things were all going fine till it took a turn when a new virus, Covid-19 or the Corona virus took the whole world by storm. I was in my 2nd year of studying to be a doctor during that period of time. My mother was a nurse, so she was also a frontline worker. She had a very positive attitude, taking up initiatives and joining the social movements and donations to help improve societal health with each small act of kindness and compassion. Afterall, improving overall health and hygiene practices would go a long way in controlling the pandemic. Like most frontline workers, even my mother was affected by the outbreak, she was diagnosed with Covid. Being a nurse, she knew the steps and precautions which would help her overcome this, and she followed them regularly without fail. Slowly, her discipline and self-control helped her to bounce back. 

After a few days of recovery, she joined work again. My father had advised her not to go back to work so soon, but she didn’t listen at all. From childhood, she was a very compassionate, considerate and generous person, she couldn’t let the patients fight alone, she knew she had to help. She fought through the hardships, helping as much as she could. However, this time… This time she wasn’t spared. This time, Covid took a toll on her mentally and physically. Yet, she refused to inhabit a bed in a hospital. After all, she was a nurse and knew how to take care of herself. Why waste a bed which could help another victim? Nevertheless, my father and other family members convinced her to be admitted under professional treatment. I used to receive daily news and updates every day, till one day, all I received was a letter…

The Letter…

“To my life,                                                                                                                                                                

                   How are you doing? This time, I couldn’t take care of myself on my own. You all had to get me admitted into this hospital, and now I’m not able to talk face-to-face with my dear ones. I deeply miss you, sweetheart, I wish I could see you everyday like I used to before this disease caught up to me again. There are some things I meant to say to you during this time, I’ll try to share as much as I can in this letter. 

           Growing up, as I’ve told you already, I have been disapproved of due to having a dark complexion. I’ve heard discouraging comments from many people including my own family. But I never gave up, they could never shake my self-belief. Never let someone shake your self-belief, strengthen yourself. From when I was a child, my classmates would often laugh at me for feeding stray animals. But I never stopped, because I knew what I was doing was a deed of humanity, and nothing could ever make me think otherwise. So, never let others’ reviews or actions make you doubt your actions as long as you know you’re true to yourself and you’re doing it for the betterment of society. Lastly, since you’re studying to be a doctor, I’d advise you to always prioritise work. You’re not just treating patients, you’re saving lives, do remember that. Being a frontline worker isn’t easy at all, but I know you can conquer the difficulties and achieve your dream. 

                  That’s all for today. Looking forward to recovering soon and seeing your bright face again.                                                 

With lots of love,                                                                                                                                  

Maa.”

The Tragedy

Just as I had finished reading the letter, my father burst into my room, his eyes were frantic and his shoulders were hunched.

 “Y-your mother, she couldn’t… she couldn’t make it…”

My mouth was slightly agape as I swallowed hard, trying to process this. My mind was a whirlwind of questions which I knew would remain unanswered forever. The news sounded unsettling and impossible to be real at the same time, I was in shock and initial denial. After a while, we immediately rushed to the hospital. Despite being extremely heavy-hearted and mournful, I tried my best to control my emotions.

After being able to calm down my racing heart, I silently conversed with my late mother through whispers in my mind. “Mother, I hope wherever you may be now, you are happy and untroubled. I will always remember your words, your tips and advice. I will miss our small conversations and deep discussions. I’ll only ever be disappointed about one thing- you couldn’t see me become a doctor before you left. You’ll see, one day, I’ll surely make you proud. Do keep an eye on me from the clouds. I love you…”                                                                                 

Vow to remember

And with that, I shared my heartfelt vow to her for the last and final time.

FAQ’s : The Heartfelt Promise

 What is the main theme of “The Heartfelt Promise”?

The story highlights resilience, self-respect, independence, and a mother’s unconditional love.

Why was Chhaya discriminated against in her childhood?

She faced judgement for having a darker complexion and for being a girl in a family that preferred sons.

How did Chhaya overcome discrimination?

Through hard work, confidence, education, and by becoming financially independent as a nurse.

Who is Shyama and how did Chhaya meet him?

Shyama was a patient who suffered a bike accident. Chhaya treated him, and they eventually grew close and fell in love.

What qualities made Chhaya a successful nurse?

Her compassion, patience, gentleness, and sense of responsibility toward her patients.

Why was Chhaya affected emotionally during the Covid-19 pandemic?

She was a frontline worker who witnessed suffering daily and eventually caught the virus herself.

What is the significance of the letter in the story?

It is Chhaya’s final message filled with life lessons about dignity, kindness, and courage.

What promise does the daughter make to her mother?

She vows to become a doctor, uphold her mother’s values, and make her proud.

What lessons does the story teach?

To believe in yourself, treat others kindly, remain humble, value self-respect, and work hard for independence.

Where can we buy books?

You can Buy Books at Bookosmia website and Amazon, here are few Children’s Books published by Bookosmia

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This article is published by Bookosmia, India’s #1 publisher for and by young people. Bookosmia is Children’s Book publisher and publishes stories, books, podcasts, events, TED-Ed talks, workshops, bedtime stories and more related to kids and young adults.

Photo Credit – AI Generated Images by Magic Media of Canva and Chat GPT.

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