Pink Party Frock

It was a pleasant November afternoon with clear blue skies and gentle sunlight marking the advent of winter. Maya parked her car in the parking lot of a high end mall in her city and took a moment savoring the warmth of the sun as she stepped out of the cool air conditioned interior of her luxury sedan. The warm sunshine was a perfect accomplishment to the happiness she felt today, the day just as perfect as it could be.

The high-end mall that she chose to visit that day was not too crowded, a Sunday afternoon. Maya like shopping when shoppers are few which ensure full attention of the shop's attendant to make her choices. She walked into the mall with the gait of a shopper who knows what she wants. And went directly to the famous garment outlet that catered to the rich and affluent.

Raising her Calvin-Klein glasses onto her head, Maya looked around the store. It was spacious and well lit. Lined with the most expensive clothing one could buy. Designer labels flashed everywhere. Maya was happy taking stock of the colorful Winter Collection. She knew she would find what she was looking for.

"May I help you, Madam?" a polite, young voice asked her. Maya turned to face a young girl in familiar blue uniform of the shops’ attendants. She appeared to be in her twenties, a slim girl with average looks. She had her hair neatly tied into a bun and wore the mandated make-up as the other girls. The name-tag pinned on her shirt read 'Kavita'. One thing that struck Maya was that the looked looked extremely tired. Even the expertly applied concealer could not hide the dark circles beneath her eyes which spoke of sleeplessness and fatigue. Yet she stood their with a smile in her face and a cheerful demeanor waiting for Maya's reply.

"Why yes! Thank you for asking. I am looking for a frock for a small girl of 6. Preferably a pink one with frils. Can you show me where can I find it?" Maya asked. "Sure Mam, please come with this way" and the girl lead Maya to the childrens' section of the store. Maya was glad that she had a lot to chose from.

"These are the dresses for little girls, the ones on the left are the latest arrivals. Are you looking for causal wear? There are some pretty jumpsuits that I am sure you will like" Kavita said with enthusiastically.

"No, I am looking for a party dress, a pink party frock. You know, the kind kids wear to birthday parties" Maya replied.

 "I will show you the dresses Mam" Kavita said and continued with her conversation following store's protocol of keeping the customer engaged and adding a personal touch to their shopping. " Is it for your daughter, Mam? I am sure she is as pretty as you and pink is a perfect color for her fair complexion."  Maya smiled and admired the girls effort in salesmanship! Her training complemented her pleasant, friendly personality and cheerful attitude. She must be a star here, Maya wondered. Maya instantly liked the girl.

Both of them sorted through the dresses, all the while chatting about the designs and make. Kavita had understood Maya's requirement quite well by then. She expertly handed out one piece after the other, all of which Maya loved. She was happy being attended by such a hardworking and diligent person rather than a sloppy, grumpy one lacking interest. 

  The place was like a little's girls paradise of dresses, shoes and pretty stuff every little girl dreams to have. Maya remembered the time when she was a kid herself. How she had loved shopping! She had wanted all the pretty dresses for herself. She admired the creativity of kids' dress designers, most of them men, many of them bachelors. Each one would have a tiny girl in mind when they sketched out the dress and added a ribbon here, a button there. 

 Maya pictured her daughter in all the dresses she liked. Her daughter looked cute in all! But she knew what her daughter would love to have for this birthday- a pink frilly frock. Which baby girl would not like a pink frock in her wardrobe? Complete with matching head band and hairclips, shoes and socks. Perhaps she will get a tiny cute sling purse to go with it too. Her daughter was growing up and she would love to have a purse, just like her Mama. And bracelets, many of them, which she can jingle around. She contemplated in getting a pair of pink eyeglasses to match to the outfit, but later discarded the though as it would be too garish. My! Wouldn’t she look pretty, just like a princess or a tiny fairy? Maya could not help smiling to the thought. She felt very happy.

'Mam, I can see you are thinking of your daughter" Kavita's voice got her out of her day dream.  “Daughters are like that" she continued. “You just cannot stop thinking about them when you spot something pretty. You picture her and how her face lights up when she opens the dress package and tries it out. Or tries the hairband. And then hugs you and kisses you for getting her the dress. Isn't that the best thing in the world, Mam? Makes you forget all the pain." 

"Yes, that's true. Do you have a daughter?" Maya inquired. "Yes, and she is also 6 years old, like your daughter" Kavita replied with a smile." It must be difficult for you then, to leave her and come to work on a Sunday. Who takes care of her at home? Your in laws? Or your husband?"

" Yes Mam. It is indeed difficult to leave her and come to work, but I have to, for her sake. My husband died two years ago, in an accident at his factory. Since he was not commissioned, the compensation we received was was not enough to sustain my infant daughter and me. I took up this job to keep us going. The pay here is not enough so I work overtime and on holidays to pull through. I don't want to go back to my village because if I do so, my daughter's life will be like mine-married young without education. I want my daughter to study and be independent. I want her to have a good life where she can afford all she wants and does not have to struggle for sustenance.I don't want her to go through all that I have and I am going through" Kavita replied, her eyes smarting with unshed tears.

She went on. “Luckily I have good neighbours and they look after her as their own child when I am away at work. Yet, I constantly think about her, whether she has eaten or not, whether she is safe. But I know my sacrifices are necessary for her well being and a secure future. She is a talented girl, Madam and a very sweet child. She has somehow sensed my pain and is never fussy."

"You know, Madam. I meet so many mothers, like you, shopping for pretty things for their daughters. I smile and help them with their purchases. But deep down I wish I could get my daughter pretty dresses and pretty shoes, deck her up like a princess and give her all comforts in the world. I feel guilty that her childhood is in poverty. Destiny can be so harsh, Madam. She could have been born to parents like you, but chose me instead!"

 Maya could see the pain in the saleswoman's eye along with the dream she had for her daughter. Suddenly, she felt distressed that a mother had to struggle and be away from her young child at lengths only to ensure her child has a better life. She wished she could console the lady, offer kind words of encouragement, but she knew it was futile. She couldn't change her life or take away her pain. She felt grief creeping in to her heart and knew she needed a distraction.

"Don’t worry, all will be fine" was all Maya could muster. Then she asked Kavita " I am too confused now with all the dresses. Can you please choose one for me and all the accessories too? You seem to have a better choice than me".

Kavita was back to her cheerful self and replied enthusiastically " Sure Mam. I will be glad to." And went ahead selecting the pink dress. It was a pretty one with tulle layers and satin ribbons. Adding to the dress were cute hair clips and a hair band with tiny pink satin roses. Shoes and socks in pink completed the attire. Maya was happy to see Kavita's keen interest in collecting the ensemble. It was as though she was shopping for her daughter and had forgotten her poverty for that moment.

"I will be at the billing. Please pack and send it across." Maya said as she moved to the billing counter. At the counter, Kavita was ready with her package and her now-familiar smile. Maya paid for the purchase with one of her credit cards.

" Thank you so much for shopping here Mam. Please do come back. I am sure your daughter will like the frock" Kavita said handing over the package to Maya. " I will. Thanks a lot, for everything. I hope God gives you all the help you need and the strength bring up your daughter the way you want to. Take care Kavita" said Maya and walked away.

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 A week later,Kavita was called by the store manager. Expecting the worse, Kavita went to the store's office to meet him.

"Kavita, there is a courier for you. Please collect it from the warehouse when you leave for the day" the store manager informed her. 

Kavita was perplexed. Who could send her a courier? Her parents were illiterates and there was no courier service at her village. She did not know anyone in this city well enough to get a courier.

She went ahead with the day's chore wondering what the package had and who had sent it. And eagerly waited for the day to end. After her shift ended, she went ahead to the warehouse and asked for the package. The warehouse attendant pointed out to a large cardboard box at the corner, with her name on it. There was no sender's address. 

 Hastily, she ripped apart the tapes that held the box and peered into it. And she was surprised. The box was full of clothes, shoes, children's books, toys and dolls. All for a girl child, 5-6 years old. Kavita examined the goods. the clothes were pretty and expensive and the shoes too. Who could have sent her such an extravagant gift??

Suddenly the flap of the box caught her attention. Taped to the flap was a pick envelop addressed to her. Kavita opened the envelop to find a letter on expensive writing paper. She read the letter.

"My dear Kavita,

I am not sure whether you remember me, but we met last week when you helped me shopping for the pink frock and shared a piece of your life with me. Your story touched a part of my life which I have not visited in a long time and revoked feelings long buried.

I could feel, the other day, deep down you were wishing you were me. Someone who had everything she wanted for her daughter minus the pain and suffering. Believe me, the pain that I go through everyday is nothing compared to your struggle. You have a daughter to go back to. Once she comes running to you and hugs you, I am sure you forget all the pain and the day's fatigue. When you give her a bath, feed her, paly with her, you forget all worries. At night when she cuddles next you, you feel blessed and bountiful watching her peaceful innocent face while she sleeps. 

 I dont. Because I don’t have a daughter. Or a child. And call it destiny's cruel decision, I can never have. I will never know how it feels to be a mother or to love unconditionally and do all it takes to ensure your child's happiness. True, I have everything else-a big house with all comforts, people to work for me, money to buy anything I want or go wherever I want, a loving spouse to support me and be my companion and a great job to keep me busy. But I don't have the only thing needed to make life complete, a child. 

  In my own way, since the last seven years, I have been trying to feel like a mother should. I shop for the kid I don't have.I collect toys and books wherever I go. And like the other day, I buy dresses for a daughter. At home, when grief strikes, I loving go through the things and imagine I am mother. You may think I am mad, but trust me, this keeps me sane. My world of make believe helps me go on.

Hearing you out that day, I realized there is a little girl somewhere in need of these things. Someone who can really wear the dress and play with the dolls. So I am  sending you all the things I have been storing away with the hoping that you can give it to your daughter and make her a princess. If you look into the envelop, you will find a bank account number. You will have money in it every month from now on. It is for your daughter's education and all that you have planned for her and for you.

Please accept. It will make a childless woman's life worth living for and give her the solace she never had.

 Thank you dear"

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