Over the years, tears haven’t stopped but I learned to build a life around the avalanches of tragedy. I had never known a life without him.

We all know about Simran's Bauji and applaud him when he finally says "Ja Simran Ja". But what do we know about Simran's Beeji - her mother? Her life and choices, and what she wishes for?

In the early nineties, when my mother was a part of my father's large joint family, young women aspired to become either tailors, nurses, typists or teachers. That was what the men of the family approved of.

Though occasional phrases like “we always buy from you” or “I’m not making a profit... this is the cost price” were thrown in, the game remained tactical to a large extent.

There were no secrets between my mother and me. After coming home from school, an hour was reserved for the two of us. It was our time.