My son went back to school today as well. 3rd grade and all that cool gangsta life. He was anxious, excited, worried, hyper excited, sleepless, sleepy, OMGexcited about his first day back. We’ve been up since dawn, choosing outfits and eating the world’s slowest breakfast.
So finally the kids are inside their classrooms and I drive home in a dreamlike state. Feeling light as a feather, eyes full of stars and house devoid of kids. For someone who’s always either had a child attached to my hip/boob or following me all the time for the past 8 years, this is such a pleasant change. I’m feeling adventurous. Damn, do I actually get to sit down and drink coffee like a human being rather than chase kids and reheat the mug a few dozen times? Wow, I’m living the life aren’t I?
I spend a lazy morning, pottering around – cooking, singing (badly), writing. I rediscover the joys of having a full five minutes in the bathroom without small hands banging on the door. I even put on a shiny dress, knowing fully well, I’ll regret it come laundry day. The AC is on, Siri is belting out some sweet tunes and the smell of Paneer Butter Masala is making me feel positively giddy.
I sit down to eat a nice, quiet lunch by myself – I even read a few pages of the new Stephen King novel. The house has settled nicely after making its usual comforting creaking noises. It’s peaceful and quiet. Mmmm.
Quiet.
So quiet.
SO QUIET!
TOO quiet!
Radio silence from Siri because my phone has run out of charge. The house is silent too, possibly taking a much-deserved nap. My plate has been licked clean (shut up), I’ve already consumed an extra glass of juice and feeling slightly bloated I change into yoga pants and do some laundry.
A busy 10 minutes later, the washing machine is humming, the dishwasher is gurgling and I’m fighting a fresh wave of loneliness. I try to write and the words don’t sound good. I try to dictate notes and my voice sounds like I have a head cold. I click around on Facebook but it looks like everyone else is asleep.
Then I suddenly get this bizarre urge to watch Peppa Pig on repeat.
So I do that. Watch Peppa for a whole hour. ONE WHOLE HOUR!
Then my phone alarm buzzes. I get this happy lilt in my heart as I get up. I brush my hair and put on some lipstick. Change into my pretty dress again.
And as I rush to school to pick up the kids, I try to stop this big, stupid smile from spreading all over my face. I come across a fellow mom in the school parking lot.
“Wow, Pavi, first day, huh! I had so much free time suddenly. I missed this re! Thank God, school started right?”
And I nodded eagerly, fingers crossed behind my back.
Thank God indeed.
