Chapter #1: A day that has a beginning….

A day that has a beginning…

 In my house, the days start with the cooker whistle. The whistle starts at 6AM sharp. It is an unsaid rule that everyone must wake up by the first whistle! Breaking the rule means waking up the sleeping lioness of my family, my mom!! The lioness of our family still wakes up early to wake up the sun! Every day she draws the rangoli in the entrance to welcome Lakshmi god. My father leaves for work by 7 AM. Hence, by 6 AM, his lunch box will be ready!

Hence, as a routine, I wake up at the first whistle. Today, I did not want to get out of bed even though I woke up by the first whistle. Lazing in the bed, caressing my13 days old son who is beside me. He is in sound sleep with a smile. That smile is contagious. With a smile, I caressed his hand carefully not wanting to wake him up. His smile widened a little more. It is too early to assume he realized me but still, the moment is wonderful. My wife, Nandini sleeping still. No whistle could wake her up today as she was exhausted due to last night shift in taking care of our son.

With the yawn and smile, forcefully I dragged myself to the hall for coffee. I am Varun, the hero of the story! I look like 35 but by birth certificate, I am 30. My wife always teases that she delivered a baby and asks, “when is my turn?”. My 5-month belly, grey hair that’s pop up here n there gives me the feeling that I become matured and a complete family man with a family pack!

 By default, the coffee will be available on teapoy at 6:05 AM. The fast I reach the hall is directly proportioned to the temperature of the coffee. Unfortunately, today is not my lucky day! The coffee is warm, and I prefer hot coffee.

While I am thinking about how to reheat the coffee, from the kitchen, “what is the kid doing? Is your wife still sleeping? Is she not going to wake up? How many times do I need to say the same thing? All I am asking is wake up early," mom says.

She is not expecting any answers from me neither there is a gap to answer. Listening still not listening to her, I gulp the coffee in two shots and keep the empty cup back to the teapoy. Moved from there quickly, locked me in the bathroom for a while. That’s a relief!!  The moment I step out of the bathroom, “No one wants to hear me here. Who will keep the coffee cup back in the kitchen sink? Am I servant for all of you? I am dying in the kitchen and everyone else is relaxing!!” my mom roars. Still no voice from me.

Varun, “listening or not.??  Today we are going to meet Pandit in his house to decide the date for the naming ceremony. Do you still remember? Get ready by 10 AM. No one remembers anything. I need to tell everything”.

 I go to near to her and say, “Ha! Amma, I remember!! I will be ready. Not to be worried” ask, “what is for breakfast?” In return, the response is a look!! The looks are to say, “Go n ask your wife!!” and the rest is known. It is time for me to move from there.

 As I reach the bedroom, my kid starts crying. Nandini stirs by that and asks, “Why he is crying?” I check and say, “He needs a diaper change”. “Umm. change it” and she turned to another side! I could say only, “Uhm…Nandini, listen, today we are going to see pandit by 10 AM”. I think this statement gave her enough energy to wake up. “Okay! who are all going?” She asks as wakes up. “Amma and me.” Nandini's response is “Uhmmm! Change diaper, I will get my coffee.”

Nandini, my wife! She is a teacher. She is not short or not tall. Because she believes 4.8 inches of height is not short! She keeps practicing the commanding skill on me so that she could get a hold of kids!! Most of her response in the morning is “Uhm, Hmm…” But it is just for the morning!

 “Why your mother stares at me. Do I look like an alien??” Nandhini asks by sitting next to me. She continues, “On my every movement, I always feel like somebody's watching me”.  Ignoring her, “Feed him, he is crying and have to get ready” and I leave from there. Some questions do not need answers! It should be listened to ignore. Like my mom's questions in the morning and my wife's comments on my mom.

 After finishing breakfast, while I take the mask and sanitizer to leave, the phone starts ringing.

 

“‘Han, Varun’, Uncle speaking

 ‘Hello, uncle’.

 ‘Have you started?’

 ‘Yes, Uncle! we are starting now and will be there in 30 mins. will meet you in house’”, I keep the call. 

“Who is it?” asks, my curiosity mom. "Pandit mom, let’s go, wear mask.” Nandini comes out and says, “Call me once you reach!” Starting my new e-bike, I say “okay!”.

 We reach Pandit's house at 10:15 AM. Pandit is in his home-wear dress and his beard is reaching out his chest. I think he did not shave his beard for a long time. He looks more of Saint than Pandit.

“Hello, Uncle!, How are you?”. "I am fine. Come, Come.!! Sit here. Vandana, get coffee,” Pandit says and sits opposite me.  “No uncle! no need for coffee. We just had breakfast,” I say. Vandana aunty comes with three cups of coffee,” so what, ?? have here too. Nothing will happen” with her contagious smile and voice, she can melt anyone. If not married, she would have become like Singer, Chitra. Interrupting my thoughts, she continues, “In your name, he wants to have one more coffee. coffee addiction!!” I could not resist more as well as the coffee flavor is much better than my house and it is hot!!

“How is the kid? Is he sleeping at night? How is Nandini?” Vandana aunty inquires. Before I start answering, my mom quickly says “He is not sleeping at night.  I am only taking care of him. Nandini is still on bed rest. She is just out of delivery right!! so I do not give her any work.” “Oh! That’s nice but isn't too much work for you”? says, Vandana Aunty. My mom achieves her mission by making Vandana aunty say what she wants to hear. Before my mom utters a word, the phone starts ringing from their kitchen, and Vandana aunty rush to take the phone. I thank god inside else my mom's pride story would have taken the entire day!

 After taking few details from me, Uncle says, "coming Sunday is a good day. Have the celebration that day itself”.  Mom and I were happy with the date. Immediately, my mom wants me to dial my sister's number to inform her of the date and confirm their arrival. In my house, any functions do not happen without her. Beyond being my sister, she is one of the greatest influencers on my decision. Since I am married, so many times, I felt that I might need to take a break from discussing with her every detail of my life incidents as now my life is not only me. It involves my wife too. Even tired consciously but I failed miserably. I could not, as I am highly habituated and it is quite unavoidable to skip my sister, as my mother is also influenced by her.

  “Hello, Date is finalized? “my sister, asks. “Yes, it is Sunday.!! When are you starting?”  For a change, she says, “No! There is a lockdown. I am afraid we are not going to be there and try avoiding other presence too!! Call me once you reach home”, she keeps the phone.

With the response, my mom is highly disappointed. So, I! I think that disappointment made me not think. “Well, no one needs to come. Inform Nandini not to go call her parents as well. It is going to be a home function. What do you say Pandithij? Why invite everyone?” my mom, impulsively say in the heat of the moment. Pandijth nodding his head, “Yes, yes! It is right.”

Immediately, like a key doll, I dial my wife's number. “when is the date?” my wife, asks. “Sunday, inform your parents not to come for the function as my sister is not coming due to lockdown.”

At that moment, I could not realize the damage I created for my next days. Words are very powerful!

 A new drama to be unfolded...

 

Saritha Subramanian