“Unni, please come and do your home work,” called her mother. “You have had four days holidays. You have played all the time. Only your homework is due. Please come, darling,” Neena continued persuading her younger daughter.
It was a nice evening. She had watched a good movie and has finished all her household chores. It was a comparatively relaxed routine, she thought to herself. Now I have to catch a glimpse of the new magazines…
Her mother-in-law has been shouting at her kids for quite sometime. “Stop playing, come and attend to your studies…” Kalyani has been calling both her grandchildren since Neena sat to watch the movie on the television. She personally doesn’t enjoy watching television for long and hence doesn’t allow others also for that!!!
Yoga, music and movies are Neena’s preferred modes of relaxation. For Kalyani it’s all sheer waste of time and energy; not just physical but also electricity.
“My son is toiling hard in desert conditions for your own good. He could have continued with his job here and led a simple life. Poor fellow, he has left me alone at this age, for the sake of your future. But you are not realizing that. He has enrolled you in one of the best schools in the city, but you never realize the worth. By the time you start understanding about life and the value of money, it would be too late. Only I seem to miss him, my dear son…” Grandma went on with her mumbling…
It’s always like that; once she starts, she seldom stops. We were a small, secure, content family with minimum aspirations that pulled on comfortably. But when MIL suddenly got bedridden, we realized our savings were meager. How we struggled to revive her…None of her other children bothered to spent even a day for her…let alone bother to share some expenses… That was the real situation which forced us to separate and seek out better earnings, for collective good. Now, she’s blaming my poor kids…
Better I shift my mind to something else, otherwise I may utter irrevocable murmurs…After all I am also human. Running the whole show all alone at so young an age, adjusting with round the clock tongue lashing is not an easy matter… Strangers evaluate me as lucky…Only I know my situation!!!
Finally she decided to persuade her kids to do their homework. Though MIL’s blabbering is quite irritating, her intentions are good. I have to forcefully make kids heed to her words; else I would be in trouble, later.
“Darlings, what are you up to? You were playing silently since morning. What keeps you so engaged? Let me see…” She adopted one of her most cute ways of speech!
“Oh. You have mixed up all colours of the Play Doh! So much models. You have used all moulds effectively? Now, how do you plan to re-pack?”
“Mamma that has been our confusion. Look, there were 10 shape cutters in this kit. We already had few moulds from the former kit. The dough was not enough. So we started mixing them. Now we can’t put the colours back exactly. Tell us, how we have made the modeling compound, using forms? Which is better, mine or hers? Which design has come out better? Did you like the butterflies or ducks?” Voiced the younger.
“If you behave properly and daily do your homework without persuasion, I shall ask Pappa to buy you another set of colour clays without moulds. But, I will recommend only if you follow what I said and respect and obey your Grandma. You should never make her feel sad and lonely. She is the eldest of us all.” Neena advised her kids. “Now let me see who is going to be a good girl?” she waited for their response.
Babitha and Namitha quickly washed their shape cutters, wiped them dry and put them in the tub. They packed the mixed dough into various packets as such and kept them off. They went and sat on their study tables and silently started working on their homework.
Grandma was busy arranging for the lamps to be lit. As she finished her only domestic duty, she supervised closure of the gate and the cattle shed. She opened the verandah doors wide open and checked that all windows are shut.
She went and washed her legs, hands, face. As she turned to light the lamps, kids were also ready, clean and bright! The magic of proposed bribery! Thought Neena. There was no other go. I am a poor manager and even poor a mother. Oh no, I will lose my self esteem, if I start thinking like this…She consciously corrected herself.
Babitha and Namitha sang their hymns very loudly and in unison. They sat like Barbie dolls with their Grandma. Neena was relieved. Only if they behaved thus, daily, she prayed from the depth of her heart!
Neena prayed fast and submitted herself to God Almighty. Then she turned and sat to glimpse through the magazines…
January 28, 2009
January 17, 2009
THE RAMAYANA OF A NUCLEAR FAMILY
“Luv, Khush…come and drink your milk;” called Sita at the pitch of her voice.
It was already 6.30am, just after sunrise. Sunrays have beautifully transformed from red, through orange and yellow to white. Sky was slowly turning light blue. There were innumerable white clouds running fast, here and there. They too may be late for school…Sita laughed at her silly thought.
Only if I had a dutiful son like Adithya……
“Luv, Khush, are you coming or should I take the stick?” yelled Sita, again from the kitchen. She was getting more and more tense with every passing moment. School bus would arrive in less than an hour. Kids were still playing outside. They have to drink milk, take bath, have their breakfast, dress and get ready. “When they are going to finish all this?!” opined Sita.
Both were students of elementary school. Khush being small has to be fed. Unlike Luv, Khush enjoys eating his food on time. But, he enjoys playing with his brother more…
After all, they are small children…Sita tried to console herself...
“Luv, Khush, come here;” pleaded Sita. She has learnt there’s no use shouting at them. Still there was no response.
As Sita picked the uniforms for ironing she sensed her tension mounting again....
If only I had a domestic maid who is faithful and stayed back,I could have ironed these uniforms yesterday itself. “Oh God! Please keep the power in supply, she prayed from the depth of her heart!”
I have to iron Ram’s attire and mine too, she thought amidst her haste.
“Luv, Khush, come on; be good boys; who ever come first would get a chocolate.” Sita picked her last tactic. She knew Khush would rush in at the very mention of chocolate…She felt sorry, she has trained them thus, out of her own helplessness.
Khush ran up to her and hugged her. “I am always your good son, am I not? If I get ready quickly and go to school, will you give me the chocolate?” he asked in his usual childish manner. He always finds out some way to escape punishments, thought Sita. This fellow is really dynamic.
She rushed him through the milk, bath and dressed him up. She made him sit on the table and have his food as she put on his socks and shoes. She polished them after wearing on his legs!!! I would always think of doing these chores before going to bed,the previous night; but it never materializes. She regretted, as usual.
Feeding breakfast was pending. She kept the chocolate in front of Khush, as an effort to pacify him. She let him slowly eat his food.
Soon she packed their snacks, lunch and water bottles. She checked their bags and pencil boxes. Thank God! Everything is in place.
Luv was standing idly all this time and that irritated her very much. “Cant you wear your uniform, polish your own shoes, eat the breakfast laid on the table? When are you going to do all this by yourself? Will I live long enough to see you becoming a smart, independent and capable person?” She spoke a bit aloud, but all to herself.
She dressed Luv and sat with them to feed. Again she started to speak for herself.
“You are becoming real bad boys. Luv has not had his bath and you are not eating your breakfast yourselves. You have not read yesterdays lessons. If you are going to continue like this, either I would put you in a boarding school or else I would die out of stress and tension.” She was really frightened.
“Mamma, don’t speak like this. We shall be good boys. We shall obey you. We shall do our duties…we think we should everyday, but then once we start playing, we forget all that…Sorry Mamma. Don’t be sad…Please…” they pleaded.
Just then they heard the horn of their school bus. Both got up and washed their hands. My kids so active and so fast!!!!!!!Sita was astonished. they really enjoyed their studies and school.
Sita gave them a short kiss and wished them a good day. “Poor guys. I am taking off all my stress on them…” She thought regretfully.
Luv and Khush took their bags and ran to catch their school bus. They waved bye with such energy!!!
God has blessed me immensely. My kids are intelligent and talented; loveable and caring…They are good at studies and have never bought much complaint from school either. They manage to complete their homework by themselves. Still, I never get time or attitude to appreciate my kids, let alone nurture them properly. Sita was feeling sorry for herself.
She peeped at the clock and hurried in to the kitchen. She gathered all vessels for cleaning. She piled them in a tub and kept it in the work area. Washing bar was there. She looked for the scrub. It was also in place.
She went to the kid’s bedroom. She gathered clothes and bed spreads. She walked around the house, collecting all clothes and piled them near the wash tub. Then she went round once again and spread new cushion covers, bed sheets and towels where necessary. She took dresses to be ironed next and got immersed on that…
“Sita, where are you? What’s the time now?” came in Rams’ query from their bedroom.
Sita switched off the iron box and kept it erect, out on the stand. She quickly reheated the tea in the microwave and mixed some milk. She kept that on the front desk and went to collect the morning dailies. There were English, a local and a business daily, as usual. She took all these to Ram, who was lying all awake on the bed. She kept the papers and tea on the side table, took his huge modern watch and handed over to him. He took a peep at the time and got up. She cleaned the bed, brought the toothbrush and put paste onto it. Next she checked for availability of hot water in the mixer tap. It was hot enough. Solar geysers are good during summer months. It stores hot water for more than 30hours, especially since the new vacuum tube technology panel was installed. She remembered how tedious it was for her earlier to heat huge pans of water early in the morning, that too on smokeless chulahs! Carrying the heavy containers all this way was the most tedious task then…
She waited to hand over the towel, collected the tea cup and wished a formal day. She carried his ironed attire-pants, shirt, coat and tie- on the hanger and put them on the wardrobe. Polishing the shoes and selecting matching socks completed her duty of virtual assistance.
She busily ran around noting down requirements for the next day, packed evening snacks for kids, reviewed the list of proposed activities from the desk note, marking and jotting down as required…
There were few phone calls to be made. First she enquired whether her maid would turn up. Sujatha, her maid, was already half way and that relieved much of her tension…
Next she called the grocery for home delivery of requisites and vegetables.
She called her in-laws and parents, ascertaining that everything was alright.
She arranged items to be cooked for dinner, packed her lunch box. She took extra care not to murmur around, so as not to irritate Ram. Even a slight and careless remark made offhand would spoil the whole show, she forced into her memory.
As Sujatha turned up, she started accomplishing the cleansing tasks at a rapid pace. She washed the vessels, clothes, put the ones for ironing, others on the stand, scraped coconut, cut and refrigerated fish and vegetables, collected dustbin, cleaned the courtyard, swept the floors, ate her breakfast and went off…
If not for her, I would have been doomed.
Sita recollected former days, when she was forced to depend on irregular maids and the whole household was shattered. Oral outrages were common and much of the food cooked was wasted…
Time and money are equally valuable…So was prestige! How much she suffered silently, managing beyond her limits, trying to balance both work and home…There were days when she regretted being a responsible executive…Ram too was in stage when he too had so much official responsibilities that family had to be put down as a second priority. Work has been his passion; always…She was more of a home maker.
Even when kids were too small, many a times she had to attend work, just to be retained by her company…In brief, I have compromised my adorable motherhood for few pennies and the little freedom…
How, she struggled hard to initially come into terms with this busy and hectic schedule with little rather negligible space for LIFE!!!
“Sita, are you busy?” that’s Ram’s call for the breakfast to be served; guessed Sita. She ran downstairs. He quickly nibbled his quota, drank his milk, gobbled his tablets and went into the living room.
No comments, no complaints, no questions, no appreciation…that’s Ram.
As she helped him put the tie and shoes, she reminded him to avail leave over the weekend to fix appointment for routine health check up of his mother. She bid farewell and stood by the gate until the car passed out of sight.
It was just 8a.m. She had more than an hour… Now she was nearly comfortable.
It was hectic starting at 4 in the morning…Same mechanical routine everyday…
She sat down and sipped her tea and peeped at the headlines. She browsed through the emails. All her cousins were settled abroad. She was the coordinating link between their parents and themselves, trying her best to pacify everyone…Thank God! Nothing special…She heaved another sigh of relief.
Alarm sounded loudly intimating her that time is running out…She started running around once more, closing all doors and certain windows that were left open by Ram; simultaneously biting into her breakfast and gathering necessities into her shoulder bag. As if a top performer in an ancient circus show, she managed to have the sandals on her legs, shut the main door and started her vehicle. Once outside, she got out of the car, closed the gate behind her and rode off …
It was a usual day at office. She was competent and comfortable with her job description; she preferred smooth hassle free execution. She was a good motivator and team player too. She was a diplomatic link between her superior and her subordinates…An effective, but humane Manager. It was the sole satisfaction in her life…her only enjoyment…
At the end of the day, she called and verified whether kids have reached home safe, have had their snacks. She motivated them to login for their online tuition. She would be home as they complete the same. Luv was computer savvy even as a small kid and this was one of his passions. She had installed antivirus kit and child lock facility along with a software to track the sites visited online…She used to cross check their work daily, even if it was midnight.
She rode home with a free and relaxed mind. She thought about means and ways to instill the value of effective time management into Luv…She felt she needed some support there. She slowed down the vehicle and called one of her friends- a Counselor cum inspirational columnist. They were friends for long and so she could present her requirement in brief. Her response was like a soothing breeze for Sita. She became more and more calm and arrived home totally relaxed…
Khush came and hug her, right at the entrance, while Luv clang near, hoping to gain space any moment. They walked by her side, narrating their specialties of the day, their fights and accolades. She bathed them and they sat for evening prayers.
She made a review of their daily lessons, gathering as a bird’s eye view.
Slowly they marched into the kitchen to prepare dinner. As it was getting ready, Ram came in. Kids ran to greet him at the very sound of his smooth sedan. Sita made his special gano-coffee and took it along with the coco drink for kids. She sat on the sofa, as their kids competed to remove their fathers’ shoes, socks and tie!!! As soon as he had his coffee, Khush jumped on to his lap. They dumped his bag and attire on the nearby chair and started rolling all over.
Then there was the GK time. Kids would pick any topic from the daily newspaper and Ram would narrate the details…Sita adored the way he presented the matter. Meanwhile she would read other news too. That was the time for a working mother to read the morning daily!!!
Now as Ram refreshed himself, kids would be watching some animation CD and Sita would be busy laying out the table for dinner. She relished the family time when they could dine together…
It was followed by story time, wherein Ram would take the lead and doze off amidst the narration. Mostly Khush would follow his father. But Luv would have his eyes open, staring at his mother. He was so fond of stories even as a babe…
After they have slept, she would come back to the kitchen, clean the place, close all doors and windows, check school diaries and online assignments; recheck emails for additional messages if any and so on…She would work through the next day chores, making small reminders wherever necessary…
If she feels energetic, she would select dresses for the next day and iron them along with their kids’ uniform or read some books availed from the library. The alarm being set regularly, she would call her mother, kiss her goodnight over the equipment and say her prayers…
Thank God for a Good day…Please fill me with sweet dreams…
It was already 6.30am, just after sunrise. Sunrays have beautifully transformed from red, through orange and yellow to white. Sky was slowly turning light blue. There were innumerable white clouds running fast, here and there. They too may be late for school…Sita laughed at her silly thought.
Only if I had a dutiful son like Adithya……
“Luv, Khush, are you coming or should I take the stick?” yelled Sita, again from the kitchen. She was getting more and more tense with every passing moment. School bus would arrive in less than an hour. Kids were still playing outside. They have to drink milk, take bath, have their breakfast, dress and get ready. “When they are going to finish all this?!” opined Sita.
Both were students of elementary school. Khush being small has to be fed. Unlike Luv, Khush enjoys eating his food on time. But, he enjoys playing with his brother more…
After all, they are small children…Sita tried to console herself...
“Luv, Khush, come here;” pleaded Sita. She has learnt there’s no use shouting at them. Still there was no response.
As Sita picked the uniforms for ironing she sensed her tension mounting again....
If only I had a domestic maid who is faithful and stayed back,I could have ironed these uniforms yesterday itself. “Oh God! Please keep the power in supply, she prayed from the depth of her heart!”
I have to iron Ram’s attire and mine too, she thought amidst her haste.
“Luv, Khush, come on; be good boys; who ever come first would get a chocolate.” Sita picked her last tactic. She knew Khush would rush in at the very mention of chocolate…She felt sorry, she has trained them thus, out of her own helplessness.
Khush ran up to her and hugged her. “I am always your good son, am I not? If I get ready quickly and go to school, will you give me the chocolate?” he asked in his usual childish manner. He always finds out some way to escape punishments, thought Sita. This fellow is really dynamic.
She rushed him through the milk, bath and dressed him up. She made him sit on the table and have his food as she put on his socks and shoes. She polished them after wearing on his legs!!! I would always think of doing these chores before going to bed,the previous night; but it never materializes. She regretted, as usual.
Feeding breakfast was pending. She kept the chocolate in front of Khush, as an effort to pacify him. She let him slowly eat his food.
Soon she packed their snacks, lunch and water bottles. She checked their bags and pencil boxes. Thank God! Everything is in place.
Luv was standing idly all this time and that irritated her very much. “Cant you wear your uniform, polish your own shoes, eat the breakfast laid on the table? When are you going to do all this by yourself? Will I live long enough to see you becoming a smart, independent and capable person?” She spoke a bit aloud, but all to herself.
She dressed Luv and sat with them to feed. Again she started to speak for herself.
“You are becoming real bad boys. Luv has not had his bath and you are not eating your breakfast yourselves. You have not read yesterdays lessons. If you are going to continue like this, either I would put you in a boarding school or else I would die out of stress and tension.” She was really frightened.
“Mamma, don’t speak like this. We shall be good boys. We shall obey you. We shall do our duties…we think we should everyday, but then once we start playing, we forget all that…Sorry Mamma. Don’t be sad…Please…” they pleaded.
Just then they heard the horn of their school bus. Both got up and washed their hands. My kids so active and so fast!!!!!!!Sita was astonished. they really enjoyed their studies and school.
Sita gave them a short kiss and wished them a good day. “Poor guys. I am taking off all my stress on them…” She thought regretfully.
Luv and Khush took their bags and ran to catch their school bus. They waved bye with such energy!!!
God has blessed me immensely. My kids are intelligent and talented; loveable and caring…They are good at studies and have never bought much complaint from school either. They manage to complete their homework by themselves. Still, I never get time or attitude to appreciate my kids, let alone nurture them properly. Sita was feeling sorry for herself.
She peeped at the clock and hurried in to the kitchen. She gathered all vessels for cleaning. She piled them in a tub and kept it in the work area. Washing bar was there. She looked for the scrub. It was also in place.
She went to the kid’s bedroom. She gathered clothes and bed spreads. She walked around the house, collecting all clothes and piled them near the wash tub. Then she went round once again and spread new cushion covers, bed sheets and towels where necessary. She took dresses to be ironed next and got immersed on that…
“Sita, where are you? What’s the time now?” came in Rams’ query from their bedroom.
Sita switched off the iron box and kept it erect, out on the stand. She quickly reheated the tea in the microwave and mixed some milk. She kept that on the front desk and went to collect the morning dailies. There were English, a local and a business daily, as usual. She took all these to Ram, who was lying all awake on the bed. She kept the papers and tea on the side table, took his huge modern watch and handed over to him. He took a peep at the time and got up. She cleaned the bed, brought the toothbrush and put paste onto it. Next she checked for availability of hot water in the mixer tap. It was hot enough. Solar geysers are good during summer months. It stores hot water for more than 30hours, especially since the new vacuum tube technology panel was installed. She remembered how tedious it was for her earlier to heat huge pans of water early in the morning, that too on smokeless chulahs! Carrying the heavy containers all this way was the most tedious task then…
She waited to hand over the towel, collected the tea cup and wished a formal day. She carried his ironed attire-pants, shirt, coat and tie- on the hanger and put them on the wardrobe. Polishing the shoes and selecting matching socks completed her duty of virtual assistance.
She busily ran around noting down requirements for the next day, packed evening snacks for kids, reviewed the list of proposed activities from the desk note, marking and jotting down as required…
There were few phone calls to be made. First she enquired whether her maid would turn up. Sujatha, her maid, was already half way and that relieved much of her tension…
Next she called the grocery for home delivery of requisites and vegetables.
She called her in-laws and parents, ascertaining that everything was alright.
She arranged items to be cooked for dinner, packed her lunch box. She took extra care not to murmur around, so as not to irritate Ram. Even a slight and careless remark made offhand would spoil the whole show, she forced into her memory.
As Sujatha turned up, she started accomplishing the cleansing tasks at a rapid pace. She washed the vessels, clothes, put the ones for ironing, others on the stand, scraped coconut, cut and refrigerated fish and vegetables, collected dustbin, cleaned the courtyard, swept the floors, ate her breakfast and went off…
If not for her, I would have been doomed.
Sita recollected former days, when she was forced to depend on irregular maids and the whole household was shattered. Oral outrages were common and much of the food cooked was wasted…
Time and money are equally valuable…So was prestige! How much she suffered silently, managing beyond her limits, trying to balance both work and home…There were days when she regretted being a responsible executive…Ram too was in stage when he too had so much official responsibilities that family had to be put down as a second priority. Work has been his passion; always…She was more of a home maker.
Even when kids were too small, many a times she had to attend work, just to be retained by her company…In brief, I have compromised my adorable motherhood for few pennies and the little freedom…
How, she struggled hard to initially come into terms with this busy and hectic schedule with little rather negligible space for LIFE!!!
“Sita, are you busy?” that’s Ram’s call for the breakfast to be served; guessed Sita. She ran downstairs. He quickly nibbled his quota, drank his milk, gobbled his tablets and went into the living room.
No comments, no complaints, no questions, no appreciation…that’s Ram.
As she helped him put the tie and shoes, she reminded him to avail leave over the weekend to fix appointment for routine health check up of his mother. She bid farewell and stood by the gate until the car passed out of sight.
It was just 8a.m. She had more than an hour… Now she was nearly comfortable.
It was hectic starting at 4 in the morning…Same mechanical routine everyday…
She sat down and sipped her tea and peeped at the headlines. She browsed through the emails. All her cousins were settled abroad. She was the coordinating link between their parents and themselves, trying her best to pacify everyone…Thank God! Nothing special…She heaved another sigh of relief.
Alarm sounded loudly intimating her that time is running out…She started running around once more, closing all doors and certain windows that were left open by Ram; simultaneously biting into her breakfast and gathering necessities into her shoulder bag. As if a top performer in an ancient circus show, she managed to have the sandals on her legs, shut the main door and started her vehicle. Once outside, she got out of the car, closed the gate behind her and rode off …
It was a usual day at office. She was competent and comfortable with her job description; she preferred smooth hassle free execution. She was a good motivator and team player too. She was a diplomatic link between her superior and her subordinates…An effective, but humane Manager. It was the sole satisfaction in her life…her only enjoyment…
At the end of the day, she called and verified whether kids have reached home safe, have had their snacks. She motivated them to login for their online tuition. She would be home as they complete the same. Luv was computer savvy even as a small kid and this was one of his passions. She had installed antivirus kit and child lock facility along with a software to track the sites visited online…She used to cross check their work daily, even if it was midnight.
She rode home with a free and relaxed mind. She thought about means and ways to instill the value of effective time management into Luv…She felt she needed some support there. She slowed down the vehicle and called one of her friends- a Counselor cum inspirational columnist. They were friends for long and so she could present her requirement in brief. Her response was like a soothing breeze for Sita. She became more and more calm and arrived home totally relaxed…
Khush came and hug her, right at the entrance, while Luv clang near, hoping to gain space any moment. They walked by her side, narrating their specialties of the day, their fights and accolades. She bathed them and they sat for evening prayers.
She made a review of their daily lessons, gathering as a bird’s eye view.
Slowly they marched into the kitchen to prepare dinner. As it was getting ready, Ram came in. Kids ran to greet him at the very sound of his smooth sedan. Sita made his special gano-coffee and took it along with the coco drink for kids. She sat on the sofa, as their kids competed to remove their fathers’ shoes, socks and tie!!! As soon as he had his coffee, Khush jumped on to his lap. They dumped his bag and attire on the nearby chair and started rolling all over.
Then there was the GK time. Kids would pick any topic from the daily newspaper and Ram would narrate the details…Sita adored the way he presented the matter. Meanwhile she would read other news too. That was the time for a working mother to read the morning daily!!!
Now as Ram refreshed himself, kids would be watching some animation CD and Sita would be busy laying out the table for dinner. She relished the family time when they could dine together…
It was followed by story time, wherein Ram would take the lead and doze off amidst the narration. Mostly Khush would follow his father. But Luv would have his eyes open, staring at his mother. He was so fond of stories even as a babe…
After they have slept, she would come back to the kitchen, clean the place, close all doors and windows, check school diaries and online assignments; recheck emails for additional messages if any and so on…She would work through the next day chores, making small reminders wherever necessary…
If she feels energetic, she would select dresses for the next day and iron them along with their kids’ uniform or read some books availed from the library. The alarm being set regularly, she would call her mother, kiss her goodnight over the equipment and say her prayers…
Thank God for a Good day…Please fill me with sweet dreams…
First Proposal
It was a wonderful evening. Sheila has just returned from College. Always flushing in a positive boom of energy, she unloaded her baggage. Her parents were having serious discussion with one of their family friends in the living room. Slowly Sheila walked in and greeted them all cheerfully. The response was not as vivid as she expected. However, Sheila suppressed her dislike and quit the scene.
She was always over mature for her age and a capable girl, whom her parents adored. She checked out and noted that tea has been already served. So, she caught hold of the novel she had left half way through, yesterday and climbed on to the terrace.
Sheila was through her final year of graduation in Economics. Though a good academician, she was an ardent cook, a well learnt classical dancer and is comfortable playing the organ for ganamelas (musical evenings for film songs-live stage shows) in student get-together’s. Her major hobby was reading and Arthur Hailey was her recent fascination. She loves finishing the novel at a stretch, but, she seldom gets a chance for that.
Immersed in the novel, Sheila didn’t notice that the clock needles were circling in its true pace, real fast, Sheila murmured to herself as light on the terrace became less and dimmer.
Quickly, she got up, kept a bookmark on the page and ran downstairs. She had her body bath and went to light the lamp. She would sit and pray for 5-15minutes, while her parents enjoyed a full time circle chanting hymns together. Grandma would also join them and she used to feel secure and comfortable amidst them.
She had minimal cookery tasks for dinner, which she accomplished very fast. As she set the table for the family, Grandma joined her. She tasted the dishes and appreciated her cutie’s culinary skills. She could over hear the narrations on daily news at that hour on the television. Oh! Appa and Amma have finished their prayers and will soon be by the table, she hurried…
“Grandma, I think its Smt.Maya reading the news today,” said Sheila.
“No, no, I guess its Smt.Rajeswari Mohan;” said her Grandma.
This was a daily habit. Now they would bet on the colours of the Sari as well!!!
Grandma was an excellent companion at home…Sheila hugged her and enjoyed getting petted often, even at this age…
(Unlike these days of information explosion with news on numerous channels every hour,earlier there were only occasional telecasts in local languages earlier.)
Appa, though a successful lawyer, had certain disciplinary measures at home. Once on the dining table, nobody was permitted to talk. The menu is prefixed schedule of nutritious and healthy food, fresh, served hot and taken together, on time. Everybody had specific seating arrangements also. Appa eats pretty fast and Sheila releases a long sigh at this finishing point. Now, she starts murmuring with her Grandma, who needs more time due to lack of adequate numbers of teeth in working condition.These are moments when they share the happenings of the day, enjoying food simultaneously.
Amma would be busy cleaning the kitchen and shutting the posterior half, while Appa would be engaged with the gate, verandah, and anterior half of the house. This leaves them with ample time for short chats.
As usual, Sheila and Grandma had a topic for discussion today too.
“Why did Chandra uncle and Laxmi aunty come today?” asked Sheila. She had noted the atmosphere was slightly heavy after their visit. That’s quite unusual of her Appa.
“They came with a proposal for you!” said Grandma. It was an unexpected answer for Sheila. Though some of her classmates were already engaged and the season was ON, she never thought she has become eligible for that stage. She was basically an academician. She wanted to go further up to research… She was planning to specialize in International Trade. She wanted to be more active in her music accompaniments too.
She was yet to think on these lines…
Grandma read her thoughts silently. After a break, she continued: “Their nephew, Nandan is a practicing doctor and has completed his FRCS from London. We have seen him many times on their daughters’ birthday. Don’t you remember? A nice fellow. He is a handsome, fair, educated, financially sound fellow and is free of burdens.”
Sheila was silent. She didn’t know what to say. She liked the fellow. But whether they would be compatible? God alone knows. She reserved her thoughts.
“Everything is fine. They wish to check for suitability of horoscopes. But, Chandra didn’t bulge. Have your food and go to your room. I have to explore the reason;” said Grandma.
Sheila was quite. She somehow managed to finish her food. Wasting food was against her father’s un- prescribed laws. She didn’t want to invite his wrath.
Mechanically, she stride into her study and opened her project literature gathered for review. She was simply staring at it. Nandan’s image as a boy passed over the page. It seemed as if he was running around. He was wearing his favorite strap trousers and was running at a rapid pace into Chandra Uncle’s house as she entered their house with her parents during the vacation. How they all teased him for that…Sheila had felt pity for the small fellow companion then. That was their first meeting.
Nandan was fatherless and his mother was unemployed. He was living at the ancestral home of Chandra Uncle. They had enough income from the farms and he was good at studies. He used to be a regular visitor to Chandra uncle’s house on every vacation. Sheila was a good friend of their kids and so were both parents. Their Mammas’ were colleagues. So Sheila had a special prominence there.
Sheila loved rather adored Laxmi aunty. She was simple like her Mamma, but more expressive. There were no strict disciplines. There was more freedom and no compulsions, or so she felt. She loved their food habits as well.
Nandan was initially very shy. Maybe because he was born and brought up in a village. As he joined for his +2, he used to wear dhoti. He felt comfortable with that and looked gorgeous with that line moustache…Was it original or drawn??? Sheila laughed to herself.
Economics review papers seemed to laugh at her. She closed them and bid farewell. As she laid her hands folded on that table, her thoughts went in to imagine Nandan as she saw him last.
He used to attend English tuition near her music class and they used to meet regularly during those 2 years. They would simply share a smile. She had noted disappointment on his face then itself, on days when her friends were with her. Oh, so he might have liked me then it self? Sheila’s imagination was running wild.
She tried hard to recollect the whole as if in a flashback…
Yeah! His eyes used to shine as they met each other, both busy to reach their own classes, coming from opposite directions. But, he was full of inferiority complex then.
Sheila remembered how her friends narrated about their cousin…His withdrawn nature, patience, silence at the face of atrocities, tolerance and so on…Though these had a complaining tone; Sheila had always felt apathy towards Nandan.
He had qualified with a high rank. Had he been initially tutored under English medium, he would have got a rank, opined her father. Nandan was so intelligent and hard working. As he joined the AIIMS and further went abroad, there was no further news…
It’s nearly ten years now, assessed Sheila.
How would he be? When did Grandma see him to describe so vividly? Had they bought some latest photos? Has he transformed from the shy and tolerant fellow? Sheila felt a surge of curiosity rushing through her spine…
She slowly got up. Put off the lights and lied down. She slept with her Grandma. She was yet to turn up.
Her curiosity rose again. This time it was quite serious. Suppose if this proposal gets fixed??? Some of her friends have had a hard time, searching out grooms for 2-3years. Many of them were pushed off to college to increase their status and decrease the financial burden on dowry. Though illegal, dowry was very popular in various forms all around.
Suppose if our horoscopes match??? What will they ask as dowry/wedding gift???
It was the pet name of reference in so called “elite” circles. A professional post graduate, self built, with sponsorship debt due for clearance, physically fit …the gift would naturally be cumbersome. They might demand for this house, a car and support to start independent practice, sure. Will they seek support to clear the debts that Nandan owes his sponsors and uncle? Oh! This is too much. My parents can’t manage all this…
Sheila felt slightly disappointed for herself.
Then she diverted the energy positively. “Wah, if it gets stuck at that stage, then he doesn’t like me. They are simply trying to ensure safe dealings. It’s only a business proposal, not a life proposal. I worried unnecessarily; sighed Sheila”
Her thoughts went further deep and wide.“Will they send me for higher studies?
Will they be willing to spend on me?
I am quite outspoken and smart, though I am good at house keeping and am intelligent. Will he be able to adjust with that?
Where will he be planning to settle? Here or in his native place?”
They may settle here imagined Sheila.
They may sell off their farm and clear their debts. They may purchase a new house in this city. His mother would adjust and come down and stay here with them. Will she be the same old person? Is there any probability for a tie? She was extremely conservative. She didn’t appreciate her niece wearing Punjabi dress then. Now a day, Churidar has become very popular.
Will they permit me to pursue my studies in dance and organ? Will they send me for concerts and ganamelas? Will they appreciate my voracious reading habit?
Visual images flew past one after another…one frame after another…cogently as in a movie…
How often can I visit my parents? Oh! I would terribly miss my Grandma. Who would take care of her? Who would help Amma with the morning chores? Who will polish Appa’s shoes? Who will serve food? What would happen to our little Vrindavanam in my absence…..Tears rolled down, unknowingly. I am so secure and comfortable here…
What would be my fate there?
The door opened and Grandma entered silently. She put on the dim light, and sat beside her pet daughter. “The proposal stands dropped,” she said in a single phrase. “ Don’t ask me anything. Also don’t let your parents know that I had told you about this discussion. I knew you would be waiting for me…Forget the incident and behave as usual.” With these words, Grandma said her prayers and lied down. “But why? Grandma,” asked Sheila. There was no response.
As the movie was replayed, Sheila guessed that she too liked Nandan for some reason. Was it sympathy towards a fatherless child? Was it admiration towards a self made man? Was it his intelligence or tolerance that she appreciated? Am I starting to love you? Someone asked from within her…She was stunned. Sheila quickly shut off those thoughts with force and murmured: “Bye Nandan. Thanks anyway for having made me start thinking about this stage of life…Some one better is waiting for you out there. Find her out and live happily…”
Grandma overheard her murmur. She gradually turned over and hugged her pet.
“Not alone financial burden, darling; Nandan plans to migrate overseas. We didn’t want to send you that long. Hence that was dropped. If he’s made for you, this would again comeback to us. We can think more then…Sleep well for now. This is a natural turning point in everybody’s life. I am happy my son has started thinking about getting you settled!!!!
Sheila hugged her Granny and tried to gather some sleep…When she slept,…..???
Did she appreciate the outcome? It was her life…But none asked her a word…No mention at all…Is it what happens in all families???
Who knows??? She chanted her daily hymns and put her legs over her Granny…
She was always over mature for her age and a capable girl, whom her parents adored. She checked out and noted that tea has been already served. So, she caught hold of the novel she had left half way through, yesterday and climbed on to the terrace.
Sheila was through her final year of graduation in Economics. Though a good academician, she was an ardent cook, a well learnt classical dancer and is comfortable playing the organ for ganamelas (musical evenings for film songs-live stage shows) in student get-together’s. Her major hobby was reading and Arthur Hailey was her recent fascination. She loves finishing the novel at a stretch, but, she seldom gets a chance for that.
Immersed in the novel, Sheila didn’t notice that the clock needles were circling in its true pace, real fast, Sheila murmured to herself as light on the terrace became less and dimmer.
Quickly, she got up, kept a bookmark on the page and ran downstairs. She had her body bath and went to light the lamp. She would sit and pray for 5-15minutes, while her parents enjoyed a full time circle chanting hymns together. Grandma would also join them and she used to feel secure and comfortable amidst them.
She had minimal cookery tasks for dinner, which she accomplished very fast. As she set the table for the family, Grandma joined her. She tasted the dishes and appreciated her cutie’s culinary skills. She could over hear the narrations on daily news at that hour on the television. Oh! Appa and Amma have finished their prayers and will soon be by the table, she hurried…
“Grandma, I think its Smt.Maya reading the news today,” said Sheila.
“No, no, I guess its Smt.Rajeswari Mohan;” said her Grandma.
This was a daily habit. Now they would bet on the colours of the Sari as well!!!
Grandma was an excellent companion at home…Sheila hugged her and enjoyed getting petted often, even at this age…
(Unlike these days of information explosion with news on numerous channels every hour,earlier there were only occasional telecasts in local languages earlier.)
Appa, though a successful lawyer, had certain disciplinary measures at home. Once on the dining table, nobody was permitted to talk. The menu is prefixed schedule of nutritious and healthy food, fresh, served hot and taken together, on time. Everybody had specific seating arrangements also. Appa eats pretty fast and Sheila releases a long sigh at this finishing point. Now, she starts murmuring with her Grandma, who needs more time due to lack of adequate numbers of teeth in working condition.These are moments when they share the happenings of the day, enjoying food simultaneously.
Amma would be busy cleaning the kitchen and shutting the posterior half, while Appa would be engaged with the gate, verandah, and anterior half of the house. This leaves them with ample time for short chats.
As usual, Sheila and Grandma had a topic for discussion today too.
“Why did Chandra uncle and Laxmi aunty come today?” asked Sheila. She had noted the atmosphere was slightly heavy after their visit. That’s quite unusual of her Appa.
“They came with a proposal for you!” said Grandma. It was an unexpected answer for Sheila. Though some of her classmates were already engaged and the season was ON, she never thought she has become eligible for that stage. She was basically an academician. She wanted to go further up to research… She was planning to specialize in International Trade. She wanted to be more active in her music accompaniments too.
She was yet to think on these lines…
Grandma read her thoughts silently. After a break, she continued: “Their nephew, Nandan is a practicing doctor and has completed his FRCS from London. We have seen him many times on their daughters’ birthday. Don’t you remember? A nice fellow. He is a handsome, fair, educated, financially sound fellow and is free of burdens.”
Sheila was silent. She didn’t know what to say. She liked the fellow. But whether they would be compatible? God alone knows. She reserved her thoughts.
“Everything is fine. They wish to check for suitability of horoscopes. But, Chandra didn’t bulge. Have your food and go to your room. I have to explore the reason;” said Grandma.
Sheila was quite. She somehow managed to finish her food. Wasting food was against her father’s un- prescribed laws. She didn’t want to invite his wrath.
Mechanically, she stride into her study and opened her project literature gathered for review. She was simply staring at it. Nandan’s image as a boy passed over the page. It seemed as if he was running around. He was wearing his favorite strap trousers and was running at a rapid pace into Chandra Uncle’s house as she entered their house with her parents during the vacation. How they all teased him for that…Sheila had felt pity for the small fellow companion then. That was their first meeting.
Nandan was fatherless and his mother was unemployed. He was living at the ancestral home of Chandra Uncle. They had enough income from the farms and he was good at studies. He used to be a regular visitor to Chandra uncle’s house on every vacation. Sheila was a good friend of their kids and so were both parents. Their Mammas’ were colleagues. So Sheila had a special prominence there.
Sheila loved rather adored Laxmi aunty. She was simple like her Mamma, but more expressive. There were no strict disciplines. There was more freedom and no compulsions, or so she felt. She loved their food habits as well.
Nandan was initially very shy. Maybe because he was born and brought up in a village. As he joined for his +2, he used to wear dhoti. He felt comfortable with that and looked gorgeous with that line moustache…Was it original or drawn??? Sheila laughed to herself.
Economics review papers seemed to laugh at her. She closed them and bid farewell. As she laid her hands folded on that table, her thoughts went in to imagine Nandan as she saw him last.
He used to attend English tuition near her music class and they used to meet regularly during those 2 years. They would simply share a smile. She had noted disappointment on his face then itself, on days when her friends were with her. Oh, so he might have liked me then it self? Sheila’s imagination was running wild.
She tried hard to recollect the whole as if in a flashback…
Yeah! His eyes used to shine as they met each other, both busy to reach their own classes, coming from opposite directions. But, he was full of inferiority complex then.
Sheila remembered how her friends narrated about their cousin…His withdrawn nature, patience, silence at the face of atrocities, tolerance and so on…Though these had a complaining tone; Sheila had always felt apathy towards Nandan.
He had qualified with a high rank. Had he been initially tutored under English medium, he would have got a rank, opined her father. Nandan was so intelligent and hard working. As he joined the AIIMS and further went abroad, there was no further news…
It’s nearly ten years now, assessed Sheila.
How would he be? When did Grandma see him to describe so vividly? Had they bought some latest photos? Has he transformed from the shy and tolerant fellow? Sheila felt a surge of curiosity rushing through her spine…
She slowly got up. Put off the lights and lied down. She slept with her Grandma. She was yet to turn up.
Her curiosity rose again. This time it was quite serious. Suppose if this proposal gets fixed??? Some of her friends have had a hard time, searching out grooms for 2-3years. Many of them were pushed off to college to increase their status and decrease the financial burden on dowry. Though illegal, dowry was very popular in various forms all around.
Suppose if our horoscopes match??? What will they ask as dowry/wedding gift???
It was the pet name of reference in so called “elite” circles. A professional post graduate, self built, with sponsorship debt due for clearance, physically fit …the gift would naturally be cumbersome. They might demand for this house, a car and support to start independent practice, sure. Will they seek support to clear the debts that Nandan owes his sponsors and uncle? Oh! This is too much. My parents can’t manage all this…
Sheila felt slightly disappointed for herself.
Then she diverted the energy positively. “Wah, if it gets stuck at that stage, then he doesn’t like me. They are simply trying to ensure safe dealings. It’s only a business proposal, not a life proposal. I worried unnecessarily; sighed Sheila”
Her thoughts went further deep and wide.“Will they send me for higher studies?
Will they be willing to spend on me?
I am quite outspoken and smart, though I am good at house keeping and am intelligent. Will he be able to adjust with that?
Where will he be planning to settle? Here or in his native place?”
They may settle here imagined Sheila.
They may sell off their farm and clear their debts. They may purchase a new house in this city. His mother would adjust and come down and stay here with them. Will she be the same old person? Is there any probability for a tie? She was extremely conservative. She didn’t appreciate her niece wearing Punjabi dress then. Now a day, Churidar has become very popular.
Will they permit me to pursue my studies in dance and organ? Will they send me for concerts and ganamelas? Will they appreciate my voracious reading habit?
Visual images flew past one after another…one frame after another…cogently as in a movie…
How often can I visit my parents? Oh! I would terribly miss my Grandma. Who would take care of her? Who would help Amma with the morning chores? Who will polish Appa’s shoes? Who will serve food? What would happen to our little Vrindavanam in my absence…..Tears rolled down, unknowingly. I am so secure and comfortable here…
What would be my fate there?
The door opened and Grandma entered silently. She put on the dim light, and sat beside her pet daughter. “The proposal stands dropped,” she said in a single phrase. “ Don’t ask me anything. Also don’t let your parents know that I had told you about this discussion. I knew you would be waiting for me…Forget the incident and behave as usual.” With these words, Grandma said her prayers and lied down. “But why? Grandma,” asked Sheila. There was no response.
As the movie was replayed, Sheila guessed that she too liked Nandan for some reason. Was it sympathy towards a fatherless child? Was it admiration towards a self made man? Was it his intelligence or tolerance that she appreciated? Am I starting to love you? Someone asked from within her…She was stunned. Sheila quickly shut off those thoughts with force and murmured: “Bye Nandan. Thanks anyway for having made me start thinking about this stage of life…Some one better is waiting for you out there. Find her out and live happily…”
Grandma overheard her murmur. She gradually turned over and hugged her pet.
“Not alone financial burden, darling; Nandan plans to migrate overseas. We didn’t want to send you that long. Hence that was dropped. If he’s made for you, this would again comeback to us. We can think more then…Sleep well for now. This is a natural turning point in everybody’s life. I am happy my son has started thinking about getting you settled!!!!
Sheila hugged her Granny and tried to gather some sleep…When she slept,…..???
Did she appreciate the outcome? It was her life…But none asked her a word…No mention at all…Is it what happens in all families???
Who knows??? She chanted her daily hymns and put her legs over her Granny…
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