Slice of life: ‘My biggest loss is my daughter’s death’

Vijaya (45), Food vendor

O ur family is small. I and my husband a son. Our daughter passed away nine years ago in an accident. My husband is a fisherman and I sell food on the beach. After he comes back from the sea, in the morning, I help him sell the days’ catch. Our son a private firm employee. After my daughter’s death, I was heartbroken. I did not eat for weeks. But my son was the one who consoled me. He said he didn’t want to lose his mother, too. My biggest regret is that I was not able to see my daughter happily married. I wanted to organise a grand wedding for her. It’s every parents’ dream. My husband and I may not earn much, but we would have borrowed money or sourced from somewhere to see our dream come true. My son is my hope now. It is because of him I am alive. After my daughter passed, I thought it was over for me. But my son, who was in college then, used to sit next to me and console me. He is a kind boy. I hope that his future isn’t like mine or my husband’s. His job pays him well and he said he might get a promotion soon. He’s very clever and I know he deserves it. My husband and I are getting old now. Once he settles down, I hope that I can arrange his wedding in a grand manner.