Shail’s Nest

- a short story.

She hurriedly stirred the vegetables once and went back to chopping more onions. One needed lots of onions to be sliced finely, fried to a golden brown and sprinkled on top of the potatoes. It added that special flavor. And today she wanted the special flavor to be there more than any other day. Without her knowledge her lips curved into a smile at the reason. Just then she heard the baby cry. O bother, she had hoped he would sleep for some more time letting her finish her work.

“Ruhiiiii..” she called out in a stage whisper.

She did not want the baby to hear her. Once he heard his mother’s voice he wouldn’t settle for his elder sister’s company.

“Molu, go and rock Rohan in his cradle for a few minutes. Momma has some more work da!” she said.

Ruhi flashed her dimples smiling at her Mom and ran away to take care of her little brother. She thanked her stars for the lovely daughter she had and got back to finishing the work at hand. From early morning she had been in a tizzy, trying to finish one job after another. She wanted everything to be just right today. The cleaning and scrubbing part of it had been attended to the previous day itself. The house now sparkled. She had managed to even wash the artificial flowers in the vases. She had only planned on doing the usual housework plus the special cooking for today. Then suddenly she remembered that the car was all muddy she having gone out in the rain yesterday. She did not want to drive a dirty car, not today of all days! So she had spent some time washing the car. And then she had seen the cobweb in the corner of the TV room. Off she had run to get the vacuum cleaner and clear the spot. In between she had fed and bathed her one year old and also made him take a nap during which time she could just about finish cooking the special meal she had planned for the day.

She could hear Ruhi cootchie cooing to the little one. The poor dear. She knew her Mom was busy and was trying her best to keep the little one occupied. The little fellow was getting impatient and his cries were getting louder.

“Its alright Ruhi, you go have your bath and get ready,” she told her daughter, walking quickly to the cradle. “Wear the blue frock. I have got you some matching hairclips of little dolphins” she said,

Ruhi’s face lit up at the mention of dolphin-shaped hair clips. She ran away to get ready, while her Mom tended to her little brother.

She scooped him up in her arms, settled him on her hips and hurried back to the kitchen. The onions were getting nice and golden brown. With her free hand, she carefully took them out of the oil while still talking and cooing to the baby.

“Will my Monu have a biscuit??”

She hurried to the cupboard and from the container took out a biscuit for the little one. She made him sit on the carpet in his room amongst his toys and rushed back to the kitchen to switch off the stove. Hmmm… everything done. Now she just had to tidy up. She ran back to check on her son in between tidying up the kitchen. Ruhi was out after her bath. Thank God. Now she would keep an eye on Rohan. She glanced at her room and did not like the look of the sheet she had chosen. Asking Ruhi to keep an eye on Rohan she quickly changed it to the one with the tiny yellow flowers. Yes, that looked just perfect. Now was the tricky part. She wanted to have a bath. She could not hope to have a leisurely one as she desired. But even the quick one she hoped to have had to be real quick. Reminding Ruhi once again to not let Rohan get into mischief, she had a quick shower. Out and dressed in her new outfit she looked at herself in the mirror. There was a glow in her face which she could see for herself. She quickly ran a comb through her hair. A bindi for her forehead, some kajal for her eyes, a dash of lip gloss for her still red lips and she was done. Now it was Rohan’s turn. After changing him she carefully checked all the rooms. Everything was perfect.

“Momma, my dolphin hair clips??” Ruhi asked.

Oh God, the child had been patiently waiting for it. She quickly took them out of her handbag where it still was and fixed them neatly on either side of Ruhi’s head. Her daughter dashed off to check herself in the mirror.

“No time Molu, let’s hurry. It is now time for the train!”

She got out of the house with both the children and her handbag. She carefully seated the children, made them wear the seat belt and sat herself in the driver’s seat. Soon they were off.

The train was on time. They had just time to park the car and get platform tickets. With Rohan trying to get his hands into the handbag and pull out whatever he could, it had been tough. They heard the final announcement and saw the train moving into the station even as she walked on to the platform. Her heart beat faster as was usual. As the train, slowed she saw him at the door of the 8th compartment. He waved to her and Ruhi and they waved back in joy. Soon he was near hugging her and Ruhi while Rohan hesitantly looked at the tall strapping man, his father.

“Daddy daddy daddy!” trilled Ruhi hugging running around him in circles and hugging him in turns, while she smiled happily. They were all together once again.

Her husband was home.

On the way back they all had lots to say to each other while Rohan slowly was getting used to his father’s presence. He still clung to his Mom but now smiled shyly at his father watching how his sister was laughing and talking and hugging him.

Home sweet home.

As soon as her husband stepped in he looked around admiringly. He knew how much of special effort she must have put into it with two small kids and all for his homecoming.

“Wow!! Is this my home or some castle??” he asked with mock seriousness making her heart sing.

“Hungry??” she asked him hiding the pride she felt.

“Yeah. You know how the train food is… all yuck!”

She smiled as she heard him. She knew how much he hated the food they served on the trains.

“Go freshen up and come. I will lay out everything.” she said.

“Hmmm….” He said holding her close. “Not so fast Ma’am!! Let me smell those jasmines in your hair”

Ruhi was delighted with her Dad’s answer and giggled. Rohan looked at his sister and also went into peals of laughter. Her heart swelled. She felt so happy. She pushed him off to go freshen up. With Ruhi keeping an eye on Rohan yet again, she started laying the table. She quickly heated the dal and vegetables. He liked his food served hot. She stood at the table and checked, salad, dal, his favorite potato dish, veggies, fish curry, prawns fry…. Just then he walked out of their room.

“Arrey, what have we here?? Royal feast no less!!” he teased her.

“You sit down’” she said, “I will get the spoon for the pickle, rice and also some ice water.” She walked into the kitchen humming to herself. And then she froze in shock. Helpless she stood as she saw in her mind’s eye her perfect welcome and the perfect day drain away right in front of her eyes.

“Hey, where are you??” she heard him call out.

She did not answer as disappointment welled inside her.

The silence seemed unnatural to him. He peeped into the kitchen. One look at her face and he was by her side.

“What’s the matter??” he asked alarmed.

The day’s work and tension took its toll on her and she burst into tears hearing the love and concern in his voice. In between sobs, she mumbled,

“I can never do anything right!”

He was bewildered. Ruhi was at the kitchen door looking anxiously at her Mom and the baby could be heard cackling in glee, demolishing his truck against some building blocks.

“Come on now, tell me darling, what’s the problem??”

“I.. I …forgot… to cook the rice” she admitted between fresh sobs.

“I wanted everything to be so perfect today and I did not even cook the main thing!!”

Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks. She looked so adorable. He wanted to laugh out loud at the situation and tell her it didn’t matter at all. But he knew how much this meant to her.

“..and you are hungry too, I know” she mumbled between more sobs.

Now he laughed, hugging her close.

“Oh come on now. How long is it going to take for rice to cook?? Not till eternity??” he asked forcing her to look up at him.

“I waited all these months to taste food cooked by you and I cannot wait another 20 - 30 minutes?? Eh??”

“Now you switch on that rice cooker and go wash your face and come… or rather I will do that myself” he said leaning across and switching on the cooker she had kept ready but had forgotten to switch on.

“..and we are going to utilize that time to see who is going to win at a game of Snakes and Ladders! Are we not Ruhi Molu??” he asked turning to his daughter. She nodded her head back at him, back to her smiling self, now that her mother had stopped crying.

“So run along and get that Snake and Ladder board. Let’s see who is going to win!!”

And as Ruhi ran away happily to get the game he turned to her and said,

“Oh, there is something pending…”

She looked at him questioningly.

He pulled her closer and kissed her.

Reposted from shail - mohan blogs @ sulekha.com