Basabi Basu
Bio
I am Basabi and have played many roles - daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, - in-law and otherwise. But first and always I am me. I love to read, write, learn and grow.
Stories (5/0)
Independent Living
I am an East Indian married woman, mother of two adult sons. I have flirted with the dream of being independent but did not believe it was possible. My brother moved out of our home when I was about 12. My father passed away when I was 18. I met my now husband when I was 16. I always had male figures in my life that were my anchor.
By Basabi Basu2 years ago in Motivation
Baby
As he got on the bus, holding his mother’s hand, he was excited. They would be on the big bus till nightfall, he had been told. What fun, Mom and Dad with him for the whole day. It had not happened in a long time. He would not close his eyes for a single moment that day. Sleep could wait till he got to Grammy’s.
By Basabi Basu2 years ago in Fiction
Believer
Having lived in the fast-paced world of the West, I was struck by the serenity that a simple ritual can bring to the start of any day. Offering prayers along with fresh fruits or sweets to the family deity gives us a moment to be retrospective, grateful, and centered. The first time I witnessed Maa, my mother-in-law, do this was when she visited us a year after our wedding. Maa is tall and slim with cascading, salt, and pepper hair. She wears her hair in a neat bun while she cooks or has a meal but most of the time, she leaves it down. Maa’s softly contoured face draws attention to her eyes. They are big, deep brown, slightly curved up at the sides under perfectly shaped eyebrows. There is a warm glow in them that reflects a sense of peace that seems inherent in her. She drapes herself in pastel-colored saris that she appears very comfortable in. Her hands are rough, with yellowing, ridged nails and stubby wrinkled fingers - clearly hands of a hard-working woman. Her life spent in cleaning and cooking for her family seemed to have affected her hands the most, the rest of her has aged with much grace.
By Basabi Basu2 years ago in Fiction
Letting Go
As she prepared for the evening the smile on her face was youthful and vibrant. The soft lilting music created a soothing ambience and her deliberate movements were like a dance to the rhythm. She cleaned the little table with a damp paper towel and wiped it dry with a fresh one off the roll. She placed a coaster on the center of the table and pulled up two chairs facing one another. She sat on one and put her hand out towards the table, then slowly pulled the chair a little closer, reaching out again. Her smile broadened as if in approval. She then walked across to the second chair and did the same. Next, she lit the floor lamp and positioned it so the center of the table was fully lit. She stood back and said, “Perfect!” She clapped her hands and gave herself a hug. As she walked away I turned the lamp off. It was still light. She threw back her head, rolled her eyes and said, “Here we go again.”
By Basabi Basu2 years ago in Fiction
The Room
As I hear the sounds outside, I know another change is coming about. I started off as an empty room in the northeast corner of this house. According to the original plans, I am part of the ‘servant’s quarter.’ I have one window facing east and on the western end of the southern wall is a door which leads into a short hallway heading into the kitchen. My floors are red tiles while the window has fancy wooden grills and translucent glass panes.
By Basabi Basu2 years ago in Fiction
