Saruna Thapa’s Second Sunrise
Saruna Thapa, a resilient single mother in Gangtok, rises from the ashes of betrayal and abuse to reclaim her life, her strength, and her identity through baking and self-love. A touching tale of empowerment, motherhood, and rediscovery.
She rose from the ashes like the Phoenix, and this time, she was stronger than the person she had been before. Saruna Thapa is a beautiful woman in her forties, living in Gangtok. She’s smart, independent, and yes, she’s attractive too. She drives her own car to work, has many friends, and is deeply loved by her family. Her son is in middle school — not doing too well academically, but he rules her world and is the centre of her affections.
As a single mother, Saruna often feels she hasn’t done justice in raising her son. But all her friends disagree — to them, she is truly the best mother they know. The middle sister in a family of four sisters and one brother, Saruna was always the most sensitive and caring one.
As a child, she loved to sketch and cook. Later, cooking became her passion. Although she studied hotel management in college, she eventually secured a government job and cooking took a backseat. Still, she often hosted her friends and family, delighting them with her culinary skills.
She had a heart of gold — trusting and generous — and many a time, people trampled all over it, leaving her crushed and broken, nearly costing her life.
Her friends often worried about her caring nature. She was too good, too innocent in a world that preyed on such goodness. Her husband took her for granted, maintaining a string of affairs. She chose to turn a blind eye — until enough was enough. Bravely, she walked out on him.
She had given her twenties, her prime years, to building her husband’s life and trying her best to make things work. But sometimes, things just aren’t meant to be. In compromising, a part of her had died — she remained in a marriage devoid of love, respect, or compassion, where only doubts, suspicions, and hatred moved in unison.
Leaving her husband wasn’t easy. It opened her eyes to the harsh realities of Sikkimese society. As a single, working mother, she experienced judgement and unsolicited attention. Many men, colleagues and acquaintances alike, pretended concern — but she was wise enough to see through their lust-driven motives.
It sickened her to see how some tried to prey on a woman simply because she was alone — like an unattended chick spotted by a hungry eagle.
But she fought it all and stood tall, her dignity unshaken.
Yes, she found love again. But fate dealt her another cruel hand. This time, the man turned out to be abusive — both emotionally and physically. She bore it silently, fearing what society might say. She stayed, thinking she wouldn’t find anyone else. In living her life in chains, she nearly lost herself.
It took her a long time, but she finally broke those chains and set herself free.
The abuser tried all he could to win her back, but she had moved on — and that was the best decision she ever made.
Today, she runs a successful bakery. All her stress melts away the moment she feels flour and butter in her hands. As she moulds cakes into various shapes, she’s transported to a wonderland that refreshes her and makes her fall in love with life again.
Baking makes her feel free, strong, hopeful, and creative. She loves her job.
Today, she received an order from someone at her office. The colleague told her the cake should be big and beautiful — and that it should represent strength, female strength.
Saruna was lost in her world, trying to create magic. With cream and fondant, she shaped a Trishul — a trident in the hands of a modern woman. This figure held a baby in one hand, a briefcase in another, a frying pan in another, and a lipstick in another. She wore a Western outfit, had long flowing hair, and radiated power.
Saruna wrote “Shakti” beneath her feet.
Then her phone rang. She was asked to write “Happy Birthday” on the cake. “What’s the name of the birthday girl?” she asked.
On the other end, the caller laughed and began singing, “Happy birthday to you…”
She paused — and then smiled.
She had completely forgotten it was her own birthday.
The doorbell rang. She opened it.
There they were — her family, her friends, her colleagues. They had all managed to come, as early as six in the morning, just to wish her.
She smiled, her eyes brimming with tears, as everyone around her read aloud a note written by her best friend, Pari:
“You’re amazing, because in today’s world of diplomacy and fakeness,
You’re real — and in spite of all the heartaches, you’ve weathered them all.
You’re an inspiration — and we’ve all learnt to live our lives from moment to moment from you.
You’re fabulous.
You’re life itself. Happy birthday, darling. You’re special to us.“
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