Independence day

I got up early in the morning, went by walk to the nearest school with a number of reporters following me. It was not just any other day but the day when every kid was given chocolates. Though that was not how the kids were expected to remember the day. 

In front of 100s of kids, I stood smiling and waving my hand. I was asked to hoist the flag and stand in attention to sing the national anthem. Am i worth it? I was not sure. I was just an actress. My profession has made the world love and remember me. But is that enough to touch and hoist the precious national flag? Apparently the school felt it was. Wearing a tri colour salwar with matching accessories, a flag pinned over my chest I did look worth the position. When the entire ceremony was over, I was taken to the principal's room and was gifted with a memento for my visit. I gladly accepted it. 

I waved for the kids and came outside the school. My car driver was waiting outside to take me for a shoot. While I was busy smiling and posing for the cameras just before getting in the car, I saw a woman in her early 40s looking at me from the house nearby. A closer look would suggest that she was no more than 35 years of age. Life had aged her and there was pain, struggle and unexplainable pride in her stare. It was that look from a woman without a limb whose house' name plate read retired Lieutenant general. It made me think. looked around, I looked at the memento in my hand- My attire and my national flag pin. And then I looked at her. Our eyes met...

"Madam madam" came my maid's voice. I had overslept, just like every other day. She reminded me that I had an appointment to attend the nearby school's flag hoisting ceremony. I asked my assistant to inform the principal that I was bailing out of it. I knew what they would say when they hear that news. But I also knew whom they would invite as per their backup plan. I sat in front of the television and watched the Prime Minister's speech in my tri colour salwar with national flag pinned over my chest.