Most important words any parent can say to their child, and it is not I love you

It came to me in a drunken stupor…the moment I say it people might just stop reading what I am trying to say. But the fact of the matter is…it is often when your ability to think is dimmed that you think clearly. For you only think about one important aspect and brain is too numb to interrupt that thought with unnecessary noise. And that night, as I sat enjoying a drink I realized the most important words my parents always repeated. And no…it wasn’t I love you. I guess, that is a given. It was…I believe in you. A mother myself now…still struggling and fighting the nuances that life keeps throwing at me, I realize that these words have been my biggest strength.

I was never a straight A student. Yes, perhaps above average but never a straight A. I would learn and work and get good grades. My teachers loved me and my friends…I always had many but never had any. There was something else I did spectacularly – I failed. There have been so many instances in my life that I have failed that it is not even funny! And after every failure my parents would look at me, smile and say – I believe in you. I am confident that no matter what life throws at you, you would find a way to overcome it. I believe in your abilities, your strengths and your intent. And even though you have failed…I believe that it is just one of the many battles. I believe in you!

These words have been my strength…and how! Am I a success? I know not. Certainly there are these times when I believe that I have not achieved anything in life. But the power of those words…that trust, that unshakeable faith in my abilities keeps me going. Even when I failed by the standards of the world I could feel my mum staring at me and smiling and saying – you would figure it out. And today, when I see my son struggling with a small thing and see my husband tell him the very same thing I cannot help but smile.

As parents we often forget that it is not just about telling your child that you are loved. It is giving the child that belief system, that confidence in his/her own abilities and nothing spells confidence the way a parent’s smile of comfort that the child would manage. When you tell the child that you believe in the child…it stays. A child looks up to their parents for approval…it is the first instinct. That first level of approval. And when s/he gets an approving nod…its so much easier to get up and walk again. But a frown, a sneer or a worry is killing. How deeply it affects the child perhaps cannot be explained.

So when you child falls, smile at him/her, tell them it is okay and tell them that you believe in him/her. Parents are always there and it is important to tell your child that he/she can turn to you. But more than that, tell them that you believe that they can do it themselves. Don’t look at the child’s failure and consider it a given, frown and worry about what your child would do next! Instead turn to your child, smile and shrug. Say it is okay. That You believe in him/her. That is all it takes. 

The Closet

Soft, smooth and supple. Thats how you would define her. Strangely, her skin called out to you, making you wonder how it would feel in your hands. The taut jawline stretched over to an etched face, rounded bosom and the oh so delicate flat stomach. The curved belly and the stretched smooth skin. She looked perfect, sitting there on the chair with one leg folded...all confident of her own sexuality. Would she ever have to even doubt if she was desirable...guess not. Was it that confidence that made her so?
Whatever it was, she looked breathtakingly beautiful in that white bikini top and the skimpy bottoms. You could but only feel jealous of the man who sat next to her, caressing her and smiling at her. Even if you wanted to, you could not forget the vision of her, stretched on that beach chair, still wet and even though she was with another man, you so wanted to reach out and just touch those glistening beads of water that clung to her still. How would it be like to touch her?  To feel her body move beneath your hands....the touch of her skin against your fingers...the breasts...heaving as you undid the white strings....

"What's wrong?" The words invaded her thoughts and she looked up at him. His breathing was still ragged but the satisfaction was not there in his face. He looked all perplexed. Shaking her head she touched his face gently.
"Nothing darling."
"Well...you were thinking something..."
She smiled and felt the image of the woman invade her thoughts again. An object of desire and perfection. Her body, glistening under the sun, at the club today. And then she imagined how her lips would  part in the sweet surrender to ecstasy. Strangely she was aroused...unbearably so. She looked back at her husband and pushed him aside, swiftly moving on top of him.
He was still looking at her when she smiled at him....
"My turn..."

The morning sun...

"You look tired..." he said and she looked at him. It had been a wild crazy night. After years he had been dancing the whole night with a woman...a stranger and though nothing had happened...he felt exhausted. It was a lovely feeling and it was all over his face...happiness and contentment.
"Just sleepy," she murmured and before he knew her head was on his lap. They were still at their friends' place and the party was over. Binod had long gone to his room with Nidhi and Ashish was lounged on the couch across the room. Everyone else had left and after hours of dancing and drinking they had finally called it.
He still could not believe that the woman he had met just hours ago was resting her head on his lap. He looked down at her dark head, long dark hair, spread on his thighs. She moved and put her feet up, nesting her head in his lap and he was stirred. She looked up at him, her eyes red with effects of alcohol, pleading and urging.
"Honey you are drunk..."
"And you are a gentleman?" She asked, mockingly.
That was invitation enough and his mouth came hard on hers. She moaned and he plunged deeper, feeling her perfume mingled with the smell of vodka arouse him. Without knowing he was urgent as his hands reached for her breasts, firm and supple under the black top. And she responded. He could hardly believe that the night could get any wilder but it did and twenty minutes later he was all but convinced he was in love. Gripped in satisfaction he closed his eyes and slept...a very happy man.

She tiptoed her way back to the bedroom. Bathed now, she smelled of faint lavender. Removing her towel she got in the bed besides him and snuggled up to him. He moved, aware of her scent.
"What time is it?"
"Just about 5." She said and he turned towards her. He was wearing his shorts and smiled as her hand moved up his thighs.
"I take it the ladies night out was nice..."
She looked at him as his eyes fluttered open.
"It was fun....yes,"
"Nice..." he replied and she kissed him gently on his chest...
"But not half of what i am about to have now..."
As she slided down in the covers he had only one thought...he was the luckiest husband in the whole wide world!