People claim that you can’t change an individual’s nature. Well, my mother (Mama) clearly defied that logic one day. And she did it in an impactful manner, not simply transforming one from Harry Potter to Voldemort but her method left a lasting impression on my personality for a long time to come.

One fine day in January after the class was over for the day, I stuffed my backpack with the usual books and homework material. I ran out with much excitement and went immediately to the makai wala (corn seller) outside the gate.

As soon as my car arrived, I hopped on eagerly and was accompanied by my mother and younger sister in the journey. Along the way, I and my sister occupied ourselves by playing Rock, paper, scissors whilst passing through extensive traffic jams. At the same time I was thinking as to how lucky I was to have received only a multiplication worksheet to complete.

Upon entering our residence, I immediately went upstairs to watch some cartoons. In the evening, I got down to finish my homework, which was over with quickly. My sister, Kulsoom, had in the meanwhile occupied herself with a doll taped on my toy Ferrari, which was amusing to watch. Dinner was next, with meatballs and rice served by my mother and all of us, except for our father sat, and finished our meals. Not much interaction took place at the dining table

I was on the way to my room upstairs when my mother asked me to show her the homework diary. Accordingly, I took out the green-coloured notebook and handed it to her. She went through it intrinsically, initially with an startled and later angry expression on her face, asking me in specific detail about a social studies test, which I casually brushed off saying that “I forgot about it.”

Mother then responded bitterly saying, “I don’t like liars.”

I immediately realised that she had figured I wasn’t performing well in tests for some time and taking preparations for granted.

Asking me as to where the social studies notes were, she asked me to come to her room. I hesitated and told her that I couldn’t find any notes to which she responded “irresponsible” and “ignorant”.

My mother was mad as hell, and I was now personally getting extremely frightened. She took the bag from my hand and started messaging other mums on her WhatsApp group. She then took out pictures of information that dealt with the upcoming test, which she received from her messages. And then I was told to memorise all the points and not to forget them.

With all my concentration I started studying and within 20 minutes, I was tested orally for answers. The questions were put forth in such a difficult manner that I felt I was hardly prepared and as expected answered most of them incorrectly.

She then sat me down and explained matters to me calmly, making me list down all the incorrect solutions, taking out a notebook and making me write all the solutions at least 10 times each.

This was pure hard labour, something I was not used to. Once done, I showed her the work and she seemed relieved in comparison, telling me to immediately pack my bags and go to sleep.

The next day, I gave my test in fear and awe. I was perplexed as to my performance as most students seemed confident after the test and I was continually worried about the results. The whole process of waiting for the result left me anxious, also impacting my sleep.

The marks were announced the following day and much to the surprise of all, including myself, I got full marks. No other student achieved a similar feat in that particular test. Most eyes were rolling as they looked at me in disbelief as before this I had never even scored a high grade.

I felt proud, and wanted to be perfect like this, I felt determined. But I knew I needed help. So, after waiting for many hours, I raced to the car where mum was waiting for me, then asked her to help me become perfect.

My mother replied to me, “You can’t be perfect, but you can be the best.”

I said, “Okay.”

And then she told me, eye to eye, “Are you willing to work smart?”

I replied to her and said, “Yes, I am.”

After that, mama started helping me work smart and think smart. She was always there and never gave up and I reciprocated it by doing the same. I still continue to work and think smart in my life and it has led me to much success. Now when I think about what happened to me, I realised it was the will and love my mother had for me, that changed me from a failure to an achiever. She made me find my true potential. All the accomplishments I’ve had in my life are all because of my mother, my human backbone, and my father, the bread winner and a good person.

Published in Dawn, Young World, August 17th, 2019