The story is related by Deepa, a mom, 38 years old, as the central character. The episode unravels, the transformation of her relationship, with her Dad in the earlier part, and now with her son, Rohan.
The conversation between Deepa and her son, describes the vibes and feelings, that each one had, for the other.
Reflections of mom and son are presented, for the reader to understand, what emotions each, felt for the other.
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Dad and me connected with my son Rohan, on video calls practically every day, these days. With my husband having neglected my son and taking sparse interest, in his activities, Rohan never felt close to him. Consequently, I did observe, that Rohan missed, a man to man relationship. He however, felt closer to my Dad, who took interest in him, hearing him out, on his pursuits, passions and everyday happenings.
I rang up Rohan, that day, reaching out to him. I knew that, during evenings, he returns after his game of basketball, around 6:30 pm and takes a bath, to refresh himself.
As usual, he picked up my call, promptly, knowing that, it was usually only me, who rang him up, during that time.
Deepa : "Rohan, my son. How was your day today?".
"Dad has been telling me that you are keeping yourself busy, with both academics and your extra-curricular activities."
Rohan : "Yes Mom, this being the last semester, academics is not too much of a pressure, as I have already earned, the required credits and am even getting additional credits, with my honours elective."
Deepa : "So my dear, what are you doing with the bike, that my Dad, gave as a present to you, on your eighteenth birthday last month."
Rohan : "Mom, do you know, - its an excellent bike, and the model, is ideally suited for long distances cruises and rides."
"I am very excited. I am now exploring new places, with my friends, mom and sometimes, even alone."
Deepa : "Don't go alone, dear."
"I am planning to come and visit you, next weekend. May be, you can take me, on one of your ecstatic bike rides, with me as a pinion rider."
Rohan : "Oh, Mom, I would love that."
"You look good, when you are in your 'T' shirt and jeans."
"And, Mom, you are definitely an adventurous type and a great company to have."
"I will look forward to your visit".
Deepa : "So Rohan, I understand, that my dad is guiding you, and giving you his own tips, on life experiences".
"And, Rohan, I am glad to observe that, you consider him, like your dad and address him, as 'dad' instead of 'grandpa' ".
Rohan : "Yes, mom."
"Like you, I also, never felt that, my dad meant much to me, in my life."
"I am happy for you, that you finally got a divorce from him."
Deepa : "Haan, Rohan, you understand me well."
"I was glad when you supported me, during those troubling times, when I had to go through the process".
"But finally, I am glad that, it ended up, the way, we wanted it to end".
Rohan : "Mom, you are still very young".
"Some of the girls in my class, look older than you".
"I am sure that, if you come to my college, many of my friends, would think that you are my girlfriend, not my mom."
Deepa : "Ahaan, Rohan, I will take that as a complement".
"And, Yes Rohan, I am your girl friend, in several ways, - you have been my friend, my companion, my trusted partner in many ways".
"You know, more about me, than perhaps even your dad".
"Only two men in my life, know me as much as I do myself, Rohan - you and my dad."
"I am happy that, I am close to both of you, and my life gets a fulfilment, - with two of you men."
Rohan : "Mom, I love you. No other person, has taken so much interest in me and in my life than you and your dad."
"By the way, I should start calling your dad, by his first name, Sandeep!, like you do".
"Is it ok with you?"
Deepa : "Of course, my dear. My dad would also love such informality. You feel free to address him, in whatever manner, you are comfortable with. As for as I am concerned, both you men, are my family".
"You can also call me, by my name Rohan, if you like".
"I think it brings more intimacy, in our relationships."
Rohan : "I think so too, Deepa - I mean mom."
Rohan smiled, as he had this conversation with his mom. He was indeed happy with the way, his Mom loved him and knew him inside out.
Rohan realized, these days, that he liked photography, movie making and creative arts. Design, advertizing, media, fashion and film industry, hence, may perhaps be his career choice, after he graduated.
Rohan also realized, that the love that he got, from his mom and the guidance he got, from Sandeep, were making life easier for him, and something to look forward to and relish each day.
He ended his conversation with his mom, and proceeded to get ready, to go the dining hall, for his dinner.
For Deepa, at the other end, life had already made choices, for her, after her divorce. She was happy, that her husband did not make much fuss, about the divorce and made her a free woman again.
With her fashion design qualification, Deepa sought and got a job, in a nearby College, of Fashion Design. Being not very far from her Dads' home, she was able to continue to be with her Dad, Sandeep, until her son Rohan, finished his Engineering Studies.
Deep recollected the time, when Rohan came to spent his college vacation, with her and dad. All three of them, had became a close, intimate, loving family. They had family nights, and movie nights, where, she would be sandwitched, between the two men she loved.
Rohan was with her and Dad, for nearly two weeks. She was delighted with the competition, between her Dad and her Son, in smothering her, with their love and their desire, to be with her, so much that, when they went on an outdoor camping one day, she shared the same tent, with them both.
I was surprised to realise the intimacy, I shared, with Dad and now my son. Nowadays, they would both take every opportunity, to kiss me, hug me and tell me how beautiful I looked. I used to dress up, for my two men, and unashamedly, flirted with them, with each one separately, and also with them both.
My son, Rohan, after his graduation, got a job offer and would be soon, joining an automobile firm. He had a creative streak in him, wanting to design products and create new technologies, involving motion of objects, in their respective spaces.
I was also partly responsible, for inculcating such talent, in him.
On the days that Rohan loathed his Dad, prior to my divorce, unable to get over his aversion for him, I would spend time with Rohan, to assuage his feelings. The outcome of such time spent, was the closeness that had resulted, between me and my son.
Rohan and me shared every small excitement, joyous moments and some dissappointments and dejections, that came our way.
I knew Rohan was good at design. Being a fashion designer myself, I would share with Rohan, what made things, more attractive.
Rohan was always appreciative, of the dresses, I wore, which, I designed myself. Part of my own talent, was shaped, by the feedback, which Rohan would give me, on every garment, I wore, every dress, I draped myself in. I learnt more from him, than, what I learnt from my fashion design school.
Rohan had an excellent eye for details, and a spectacular talent, for making textures, colors, contours, shapes, be worked upon, to make an exemplary tapestry of patterns and designs.
We grew up over the last few years, to horne each others skills and talents, - with him, contributing to my fashion fabrics and works, and me, helping him, improve on his creative, automobile designs.
While I knew how important it was, for dresses to conform, to the contours of a woman, and create an elegance, making her attractive, it was Rohan, who would give me tips, on how fittings can be done.
He suggested techniques such as a hidden zipping, which makes the dress, slip on a woman, over her head, sliding down to rest, on her hips, and with the concealed zip, doing the trick of closing in on the sides of her dress.
With such figure hugging dresses, aligned, with the body contours, my designs, made a striking impression and appeal, for younger women.
I was soon able to improve my wardrobe, and also send dresses, that I made, to boutiques.
Needless to say, I became an object, a model, to be experimented with, in various trials and techniques, that Rohan and I exchanged during our interludes. I got used to dressing, and wearing trial suits and blouses in front of Rohan, and eliciting his comments.
Such life events, proceeded naturally. Surprisingly, there hardly, were any hesitations, that I felt, in exposing myself to my son. He was my companion, my man and, there was no other man, I would want in my life, to admire me, and see my naked body contours.