It was the 8th of April 2006. I was at my parents home at the time. I was studying hard to clear my scores at the M.A. – 1st year. My brother had his exams in two weeks.
My brother is a good student and when he studies – he studies. Even if it costs him his lunch, dinner, play time. He won’t talk to mom, dad…. He’ll lose himself.
And I’m just the opposite. During Exam time – I start feeling guilty about not helping my mom with household chores. I start remembering that I need to talk to my parents, more. I could show them my gratitude and cook for mom when she was tired. Wash all the dishes everyday. Sweep the floor.
During exam time, I start finding the starless sky more attractive than the words in my book. I start having romantic fantasies. And this time, I was fantasizing about my husband. I was creating dream castles in my mind. Trying to help my mom with the household chores. Despite the fact that she has a maid who’s at her beck and call, I was on her back constantly. Its not like my mom couldn’t see through the act.
As with every exam I’ve given in my life – my mom stood over my head daily. Especially this time, since I’d come home to “study”.
This one night my parents had to go out for a dinner function and they let me know they wouldn’t be back until late. And they warned me not to go out. Not to talk over the phone. Not to dream. Not to cook. Yes they paid me to order ourselves a pizza. Luckily, they did not lock the door.
I had not eaten anything superb since one long day! I decided my brother and I needed to go dine. I persuaded my brother with these arguments:-
- You really need some Air. You’ve been studying since so long. (NO RESPONSE)
- You’ve been at it for so long, this is a good change. (NO RESPONSE)
- We’ll eat something good. After soooo long. (NO RESPONSE)
- We’ll get to do the sister brother thing after so long. Such a good chance to go out and have some fun. (I guess THAT LINE melted him)
He gave me 10 minutes to dress. At the end of 10 minutes we were out on his bike debating where we should go and eat a delicious meal and return home before our parents came back. We decided to go to Mogambos (An italian joint at Fountain)
Within a span of ten minutes we were inside and ordering. Each ordered ourselves a good sized pasta and drinks. We ate slowly and made conversation that generally comprises of all the stuff brothers and sisters who get along like bread on butter – talk.
An hour later we pain the bill and were on the bike again. I was so happy! My eyes were dancing and this really amuses my brother to see how happy I get when I’ve eaten. My brother asked me if I wanted to go any place else.
Why?
Because there was alot of time left for mum and dad to be home. And the fact that we did not recieve a call, meant they were enjoying themselves.
We went for a long ride along the seaface and then sped home.
I told my brother happily that day, that this was the best meal I’d ever had.
And I asked him if he knew what are the components of the best meal.
He asked me what they were.
I said, “Good food, drinks, and lip-licking desert………..”
I trailed off. I wanted to add one more thing but I didn’t want to sound melodramatic. Sometimes I feel shy to say the things I feel.
What I did not say that day was – “……………… with a beloved.”
(We rushed home. My mom guessed what I had been upto the next day, and laughed it off. She said I just needed a reason to run away from my books. But I promised her that I’d study. I did. With a little supervision. I went crazy a day or two before my exams and promised her that the day my exams were finished, I’d build the largest bonfire of my study material, and dance around it!
My mom said that this was what I always said.
MOM!!!!!!!)
