21 years ago, I hid something from my mom.
After a few months, she found out.
But what followed afterward, shook me to the core…

It was the month of August and I was in class 4th. I had started disliking Maths as a subject and my mom was not aware of it yet. One day a surprise test was taken in Maths.
As soon as I saw my marks, I was horrified!

Many questions regarding her reaction flooded my mind and unsettled me. At that moment only, I decided, I will not inform and hide the test sheet.
I came home, carefully looked for a cupboard in the store room, hid my test sheet, and waited for a few days with bated breath.

Months passed and nothing happened. I was happy that no one got to know about the test paper. It being a surprise test, those marks never appeared on the report card.
I reached class 5th and completely forgot about the test paper altogether.
Life was all good until….

One day when I came home, Mom asked me, “I got one of the Maths test sheets in the store room. You have got just 5/40, but as far as I remember, you have never shown it to me.”
And I froze.
Fear was written all over me…

I was now mentally prepared for scolding. Thousand of thoughts crossed my mind in those 45 seconds but what followed completely shook me. Instead of scolding me, my mom made me sit. In a very calm and composed manner, then she said these Golden words.

“Daughter, marks or no marks, whatever the situation is, I would want to hear it from you first. I won’t care what the world thinks/say, I shall always trust you. So it’s important that we share an honest relationship where you don’t have to hide/fear anything from me.”

I learned an important lesson on that day.
Honesty, transparency, and trust is the key to any relationship. Whether it’s work or personal life, you succeed and grow only when you don’t compromise with your core values and principles.

Thank you for this and many more valuable lessons in life!