Ajay and I had been married for seven years. Our married life was not a fairy tale, but I always strived for my child and my chosen home. From the day I got married, I accepted to be with my mother-in-law — a woman who was paralyzed, could only stay in bed and who needed care for every meal, every sleep.
In the beginning, I thought simply: she is the mother-in-law, I am the daughter-in-law, it is my duty to take care. But I had no idea that this burden would drag on to exhaustion, and the saddest part was that the burden came from the man who was supposed to be standing shoulder to shoulder with me — my husband.
Ajay used to go to work, and in the evening, he would be on the phone as soon as he got tired. Mother’s care, food, water, medicines – everything was in my hands alone. He always said:
“You take care of my mother better than I do.” If I did, Mom would be even more upset. ”
I didn’t complain. I just thought: well, the wife takes care, the husband works. But then I found out — Ajay just wasn’t working. He was in a relationship with someone else.
Everything came to light when I accidentally saw a message:
“I’ll be back tonight. Living with you is a thousand times more fun than at home.” ”
I didn’t scream or cry. I didn’t make a fuss. I just asked softly:
“What are you going to do about the mom — the one you’ve been ignoring for so many years?”
Ajay remained silent. The next day, he moved out. I knew he had gone to live with the woman. No matter how much I called, sent messages – they did not answer. The mother-in-law was lying in the room, she had no idea. She was still confident that her son was busy, would be back in a few days.
I looked at them — the woman who had once closely scrutinized my every mouthful, every sleep, who had once called me “not worth being a daughter-in-law” — and my throat filled my throat. For a moment I wanted to give up everything, but then I thought: As a human being, I must have a principle.
A week later, I called Ajay:
“Are you empty? I’m bringing mom to you for care.” ”
There was a few seconds of silence on the other side, and then the phone was hung up.
That evening, I quietly bathed my mother-in-law, changed clothes, neatly folded her bed sheets and blankets. I put medicines, hospital papers, even old test files in a cloth bag.
At night, I put them in a wheelchair, and said softly:
“Mom, I’m taking you to Ajay’s for a change of air for a few days. It’s boring to stay in one place.” ”
He nodded gently, his eyes happy like children. He had no idea that he was going to be “entrusted” to his own son, who had decided to abandon him.
Arriving at the place – a small apartment, I rang the bell. Ajay opened the door, and inside was the second woman, in a silk nightgown, with dark red lipstick.
When they saw me pushing the wheelchair on which my mother-in-law was sitting, her face refreshed, the two of them lost their color, they were stunned.
I gently pushed the wheelchair to the living room, arranged blankets and pillows, and put the medicine bag on the table. There was a smell of perfume in the house but it was cold and lifeless.
Ajay stammered:
“What are you doing?” …
Ajay stammered:
“What are you doing?”
I replied with a smile, calmly:
“Did you forget? Mom is your responsibility. I’ve only helped for a few years. From now on… Take care of yourself. ”
The woman standing behind Ajay was about to say something when I turned to her and looked straight into her eyes.
“From now on, whenever Ajay gives mom medicine, cleans her, or changes diapers – remember my hasty meals, the nights I woke up with my mother’s fever. And if you ever feel exhausted, remember: This is something a son — or a husband — should have picked up a long time ago, not me. ”
The air in the room became denser. Ajay’s face turned red, while the other woman turned pale and turned around and walked away.
I bowed to my mother-in-law, and said softly:
“Mom, I won’t be able to take care of you anymore.” I’m tired. But I don’t complain to you. I wish you good health. ”
And then I turned around and left without waiting for anyone. On the way back home, I cried. Not because of pain, but because I had finally — calmly and gracefully — let go of that burden.
On the way home, my tears were constantly flowing, but they were no longer tears of humiliation or anguish. They were tears of liberation, of the burden that was lifted after 7 years of constant struggle. The empty wheelchair in the back seat was the clearest proof of my determination.
Ajay did not return the call. The woman didn’t either. This silence was not surprising, but an affirmation of their selfishness and irresponsibility. They had gotten used to me, like a silent shadow that handled everything without any remembrance or thanksgiving. Now, the responsibility had gone back to where it should have been.
When I arrived at the familiar house that suddenly seemed too big, I went to my mother-in-law’s room. Everything was as neat and organized as I had left it. There was no more low moaning, no smell of medicine, no need to change diapers. At first, this emptiness felt strange, but it was soon replaced by a serenity I had never felt before.
That night, I slept very deeply, not woken up by my mother’s faint voice, nor did I need an alarm to check the time of the medication. It was my first sleep in many years where I was completely on my own, not a caretaker, not a cheated wife.
The next morning, I started to organize my life. I filed for divorce. The process was completed quickly, almost without any controversy. Ajay accepted every condition, just made sure that I didn’t create any ruckus or demand property. He had clearly shown: when his own mother was not the only thing that mattered, what mattered was wife and children.
At the small court hearing, when the judge asked the reason for the divorce, I simply said: “Our paths are now parted, and I have to respect my self-respect. Ajay sat there with his head bowed, not daring to look at me.
When all the paperwork was completed, I decided to sell the old house and buy a small apartment near my son’s school. I wanted to start a new life, completely free and free from any tragic memories.
Rebuilding life and new happiness
After getting out of marriage, I realized that I had lost a lot over the years of becoming the “ideal wife, blind obedient daughter-in-law”. I had ignored my work, my interests, and my friends. Now it was time to recover.
I quit my old job, a monotonous office job that I had accepted to take care of my mother-in-law. I decided to pursue my old passion – interior designing. With a little savings and the help of an old friend, I opened a small design studio.
In the beginning, everything was difficult. I had to strike a balance between refreshing my information, finding clients, and caring for my son. But whenever I looked at my design, seeing the beautiful spaces I created with my own hands, I was further inspired.
My son, 6 years old, slowly began to feel a change in his mother. Her mother was no longer irritable or tired, but always smiled, with a twinkle of confidence in her eyes. He became more attached to me, and he stopped even mentioning his father. Children are sensitive, they know who really loves them and who lives with them.
One afternoon, while I was working in the studio, the phone rang. It was an unknown number. The voice on the other side stopped me a little: Ajay.
“You… How are you?”
His voice was tired, his previous arrogance was missing. I replied in a cold, firm tone:
“I’m fine.” What did you call for?”
Ajay hesitated:
“Mom… Mother’s health has worsened. That woman… She is no longer able to take care. Mom wants to meet you. ”
I took a deep breath. There was no longer any malice in my heart, only a mixture of pity and despair for a son.
“Ajay, mom is your mother. If you and the woman chose that life, you also have to accept the responsibilities associated with it. I performed my duty as an outsider for 7 years. And now, I’m an outsider. Remember the words I said when I was leaving. ”
Ajay tried to plead:
“Please, just for a while. Mom wants you to come and take care of them… That… She has left. ”
I burst out laughing, a bitter but possessive laugh:
“Did she leave? It was obvious. He loved you when you were a free man, not a responsible person. And as far as I’m concerned, I’m no longer the endurant woman I used to be. Call an ambulance for mom, not me. I won’t interfere in your mother’s case. ”
I hung up the phone, my hand didn’t shake at all.
I understood that if I went back, even once, I would betray the freedom I had earned through tears and patience. I had decided to move decisively to save myself.
The Importance of True Self-Worth
That call was the last time I heard about the old family. I found out from friends that Ajay had to quit his job to take care of his mother, his life had become difficult, and his ex-girlfriend had disappeared without leaving a trace.
I didn’t feel any happiness. I only felt sorry for the life ruined because of his negligence.
And me, I continued my journey. My design studio began to flourish. I was doing what I loved, respected by clients and colleagues. I found my happiness back in drinking coffee with friends, and weekend trips with my son.
I met a new man, a quiet and gentle architect. He did not promise to bear the burden of my life, but rather respected and encouraged me to pursue my career. More importantly, he treated my son with true love.
Looking back, I’m grateful for those difficult years. It was my ex-husband’s cruelty that forced me to break the shell of weakness, that forced me to find my self-worth.
The last lesson I learned wasn’t hate, but this one:
Women must learn to prioritize themselves. Happiness is not in sacrificing everything, but in self-respect and the courage to let go of things that are not worth you. When you know how to value yourself, the whole world will respect you.
The day I signed the papers to buy my new house, I stood and stared at the sparkling lights of the city, and I promised myself: “I have let go of the past, I have found peace.” From now on, this life is mine. ”