Unhooking

 “As hard it is to raise them, it is harder to let go”  said Twinkle Khanna about parenting 

So true

I bid Adi goodbye on 30 October 22. The next 30 days I have been an emotional wreck. I devoured literature on how to fill my empty nest, self help books to combat anxiety 

Phone calls lasted at least for an hour till Adi complained I am eating into his study time. I am sure it is just to get me off his back that he has resorted to key words like studying, seminars, submissions. 

Two months down- 3 upper respiratory infection and 2 cycle falls resulting in 2 torn shirts- distressed denims for real, bald patch on the scalp, a badly done crew cut to compensate, scars on the wrists and elbows and a cycle that looks frozen in a funny yoga pose. 

Technically in a Technical institute but mine looks like in cadet in the Defence Academy down to the sunburn, grime and uniform ( denim on denim as distressed as denim can get in every video call and visit)

After Karan Johar made K3G, every Indian mom has imagined family reunions with helicopter whirring, SRK long double breasted jacket flapping, Jaya Bhaduri’s heavily sequinned saree fluttering. I am no exception 

Reality check- Parents annoyed by waking up at 3 am for a 60 minutes ride to catch the son before he runs off for class and the ward not woken up completely and hence not in best behaviour. A hug if lucky and a smile if time permits. 

Long distance parenting sucks. I shoot 3 questions a minute and Adi doesn’t like to be rushed. End result- Love all -mostly the Tennis kinds

The umbilical cord was never cut. Now it has just been stretched 600kms along the west coast. Unhooking is my new responsibility, and I will get there gradually one deep breath at a time.