Vaibhavi was in a daze. She had just heard something that she wished she had unheard.

As she sat down, all she could think of was how this could happen to her. All her life, she had detested it. And yet, she couldn’t control herself from doing the exact same thing!

It had been thirty five long years since she had been at this home. Having landed in this home after her marriage to Sanjeev, she had adopted it lovingly and openly.

Though it was a new city for her, and the entire setting was new, she had readily accepted it. All because of the love she had received from Sanjeev and his welcoming family.

She had confidence that she would figure out her new life. That there will be many adventures along the way.

Reality however had turned out differently. Her mother-in-law wasn’t an easy boss to please, and expected the moon from Vaibhavi. She was always helpful and guided her well, but those expectations somehow showed up at the wrong times.

In front of guests, when she didn’t do something right. Or in front of the extended family, when she wanted to show who was in charge. Even in front of the children sometimes.

Vaibhavi had ignored it at first, taking it as the need to prove how good she was in everything she did. However, after a while, these loose comments started making her feel worse. It was as if in spite of all her efforts, there was always some shortcoming.

She had tried talking to her mother in law, explaining to her how she was trying her best. All she got was encouragement to try harder. She had felt slighted then. Her relationship with her mother-in-law was never the same again.

Vaibhavi had then decided that if there’s ever a chance when she has to be the mother-in-law to her son’s wife, she would pay heed to not behave like this.

After all those years, belying her own experience, she had today broken her own promise.

Her son had just been married for a few months and he and his wife were visiting for the first festive celebration.

As was customary, she guided her daughter-in-law on what needed to be done, and the rituals and customs they had been following for generations.

Her daughter-in-law had listened with intent, and had tried her best to do as was told. Of course, as a first-timer, there were some lapses.

On this, Vaibhavi had today morning called her out. Her daughter-in-law grinned sheepishly, expecting her to be excused for the minor lapse. Instead, she had received a small lecture on how she ought to do better, as there were high expectations.

She had listened to Vaibhavi quietly, nodding and absorbing. Once that lecture had finished, she just said, “Mom, you ought to cut me some slack too. This is my first time doing this. Please treat me as your daughter”.

This is what dazed Vaibhavi. And as she replayed the incident, she realized she had fallen into the same trap she had tried to escape from.

She got up, went over to her son’s bedroom and knocked on the door. Her daughter-in-law opened the door. Vaibhavi’s moist eyes were enough to break the ice.

She hugged her daughter-in-law as she would her own daughter, and apologised for the rant.

They both had tears in their eyes. Tears of unwanted expectations that had been drained now, and replaced by those of mutual affection!