My 6-year-old came up to me yesterday, her eyes shining with some concern.
“Amma?”
“Yes, darling.”
“So Eva told me yesterday that Santa is not real. Is that true, Amma?”Continue reading“When in doubt, lie.”
Category: true story!
Silence is underrated – an absurd walk down memory lane.
(Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash)
My sister and I were reminiscing yesterday, mostly about my grandpa and his sheer badassery. A stringy beanpole of a man, grandpa (or Thatha as we called him), was a force of nature. Bright, articulate, and an absolute whiz at crosswords, he introduced us to Shakespeare and Wodehouse, the latter birthing in him a fondness for puns and wordplay. He was loaded with self-deprecating anecdotes — his favorite was the one about how he was napping after a huge lunch when India won independence from the British Monarchy. He loved the sillier side of life and was my best friend and confidante growing up.Continue reading“Silence is underrated – an absurd walk down memory lane.”
Someone’s gotta do it.
(Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash)
As a reasonably organized person, I enjoy the sweet, sweet joy of crossing out things/tasks accomplished. I’ll often add a couple of frivolous items just for the satisfaction of checking them off the list a few minutes later. And this show of planning makes me feel more like a functioning adult. I’m still not sure if I filed my taxes correctly, but the fridge is stocked, the kids are done with their dentist visits, and I’m caught up on laundry + chores. I’ve also been writing every day, keeping fit, and remembering to floss at night. Hey, at this point, my self-esteem is at an all-time high.Continue reading“Someone’s gotta do it.”
The chatterbox and the chump.
(Photo by Caroline Hernandez on Unsplash)
In new situations, I often flounder. As articulate as I like to think I am, my default mode is awkward mumbling when put in an unfamiliar or stressful scenario. I need a few minutes of back and forth before I relax enough to speak without sounding like a chump. I imagine it is the same for many adults (if not, I’m jealous, because how?)Continue reading“The chatterbox and the chump.”
Grief and the wings of life.
The voice said, “She’s dead, Pavi. Your paati is gone.And she’s never coming back.”
My tummy hurt. I was 11, and this was my first brush with death. Continue reading“Grief and the wings of life.”
Melodrama
I once got so filmy. Must have been 12 or 13. I found out one of my school acquaintances had a serious crush on the same person as me. I asked her if it was true. She replied with an eye roll and a smirk.
The worst amma in the world.
Today was a parenting win for me. It was 3 pm. Day 32 of sheltering in place.Continue reading“The worst amma in the world.”
50 shades of red.
I spotted my first grey hair when I was 20. I was a standard Year 2 medical student; exhausted, overworked, surviving on strong coffee and the goodwill of nurses. Over the next few months, that one sneaky grey strand became two. Then five.
I was ashamed. I mean, who greys at 20?Continue reading“50 shades of red.”
How to age twenty years in one weekend – a manual.
He is 9. He is adorable with his Cheshire-Cat smile and that one wonky tooth. He is a blessing every day and I love him so much, my heart hurts from the joy of it all. Some days, I marvel at just how bright he–.
Hang on just a minute. I’m getting ahead of myself.Continue reading“How to age twenty years in one weekend – a manual.”
Just you wait…
With his matted hair and snarling mouth, he crouched low and waited for me to run. Almost like he was egging me on to make a move.
“Give me a reason, little girl. Just give me one good reason and I’ll rip you to shreds.”Continue reading“Just you wait…”
