A different home from a different time

October
in a different life it meant end of busy season
it meant beautiful colors of the Fall
it meant looking out the window to see halloween decorations
it meant reminiscing about Diwali prep at home
it meant getting together at a friends place and playing cards
it meant a slight chill in the air
it meant eating goodies bought from Patel store
it meant booking tickets to India if lucky
it meant missing home
This October
I still miss home......
A different home from a different time

Look at me

I was jabbering on the phone like the world would end if i hang up
you called me
Look at me Mamma
I ignored you
I was typing on the keyboard probably liking something of someone
you called me
Look at me Mamma
I paid no heed
I was watching Masterchef rooting for my fav contestant
you called me
Look at me Mamma
I said not now baby
Now you are sleeping next to me
in that nook between my shoulder and chest
and all i want to do is Look at you
Tommorow i will try harder
Tomorrow i will do the right thing
Tonight i will smell your hair and sleep.

My very own Shakespeare

Cast of Characters :

Arav - A 2 year old who thinks he rules the world.
Mamma - The 2 year old' mother who is expected to follow his every command
Mukesh - The household help and the 2 year olds best friend
Papa - mostly off-stage but featuring in a lot of conversations
Random soft-toys treated as animals
Imaginary friends

Scene 1 Act 1
Location : Bedroom
Time : Past midnight

Papa snoring away to glory.
Mamma : Arav please be quite and sleep now
Arav : NO
Mamma: If you are not quite Fairy God mother wont come in your dreams
Arav now pretends to close his eyes for 1/10th of a second
Arav : Fairy God Fairy God way are yoooo??
           Nahi shun raha hai.....


Scene 2 Act 1

 Papa snoring away again
Mamma has narrated 4 bed-time stories
Arav : Mamma one more story please
Mamma : Why dont u tell me a story now? its your turn.
Arav : Ok
Once upon time one boy and one mamma paani mein shwimming karte hai PLASH!!! finish
Mamma : one more story. 2 goats wala
Arav : Ok
Once upon time 2 goats paani mein gir jaate hai PLASH!!!! finish
Mamma : one more with monkey and crocodile.
Arav : Ok
Ek baar monkey and crocodile are friends. They both paani mein gir jaate hai PLASH!!!
Mamma thinking it is going to be a long night.

Scene 1 Act 2
Location : Drawing Room
Time : Afternoon

Mamma enters stage left and realises that the paint on one of the walls has been peeling away. There are many scratches.
Mamma gives Arav a stern look
Arav (with as much innocence as possible) : Maine kuush nahi kiya. Toy story liya (points to his woody doll) aur tuk tuk tuk kiya aur kuush nahi kiya.

Scene 2 Act 2
Location : Kitchen
Time : Morning

Arav : Mukesh mera daadhi kidhar hai
Mukesh : aap abhi chotte ho isliye aapko daadhi nahi hai
Arav (now looking at Mamma) Mamma aapka daadhi kaha hai
Mamma : Mamma girl hai na isliye no daadhi
Arav : No mamma shaving kiya isliye no daadhi.

Scene 3 Act 2
Location : Drawing room
Time : Evening

Arav (singing to himself) Jabebi bhai Jabebi bhai
Papa : Shweta what is he singing?
Mamma : Jalebi Bai
Papa : Why?
Mamma : Beats me.
Papa : Sigh it was only yesterday when he was speaking in mono sylables and we were waiting for him to speak in full sentences.
Mamma : WE....excuse me....i was never waiting i knew what was in store.
Arav (now looking at TV) Papa mujhe i-phone chahiye and i-pad chahiye
Papa and Mamma collapse.

Curtains draw upon the stage as the lights dim....