Very early in the morning
“Are you ok?” I stifled a yawn
“Yes” replied my wife
“You don’t seem alright?” I further probed
“Nothing, it’s just a Facebook post” she looked at her phone
“What about it?”
“Well, there is this post about an old age home back in India. They have interviewed few parents on how their children leave them unto themselves in their old age. It is heart wrenching”
“Ah, I have seen that too” I looked at her “My heart bleeds upon hearing such. Its atrocious how these scoundrels leave the parents in pursuit of their personal happiness”
“Hmm” she concurred
“You shouldn’t see Facebook as soon as you wake up” I said as an afterthought
“You are watching your mobile too”
“Well, I am seeing twitter. Its news, unlike Facebook. It’s different”
“Right”
“By the way, remind me to have a skype call with my mother this evening. It’s been a week, and the last time I spoke to her she hasn’t been keeping well”
Little after mid-day
“Am I late?”
“No, we just got started” spoke my colleague munching on the food
“Only 3 of us. Where’s the 4th one?” I asked opening my lunch box
“He said he will join” replied the 3rd colleague
“Have you heard of Bangalore molestation on New Year’s Eve?” I started a topic
“Yeah, few rogues molested women on the roads. My blood boiled reading that news” the 2nd colleague fumed
“Where do these guys come from? Don’t they have sisters?” the 3rd colleague exclaimed
“The pathetic part is that the onlookers just gazed on without helping. The police should shoot them on the spot” I passed the verdict
“Men molest; Movies objectify; Society restricts; No country for women” the 2nd one whirled his head
“What’s up guys” joined the 4th colleague
“Hey, you are too early. We are almost done” I joked
“I brought a news. Guess what?” the 4th one continued “the rumours are true. They have selected that pretty girl that came to the interview the other day. She will be our new team member, joining us next Monday”
“What are you saying?” we raised our eyebrows
“You heard me. At last some motivation at work” the 4th one chuckled
“I didn’t see her the other day. How does she look?” quipped the 3rd one
“Ha. If I answer, I bet you will cancel your work-from-home shift on Monday”
“You better bet, and I still would” the 3rd one snickered
An hour after evening
“I love office parties”
“Same here” responded my Aussie colleague
“What do you think this is?” I showed the first platter on the table
“Beef pie” he responded
“Nah, I can’t eat this. How about this?” I peered into the next platter
“Ham I suppose, mate”
“Eww, will not eat this too”
“That’s chicken” he pointed at the next platter
“Great” I took two servings
“You don’t eat beef and ham, I reckon?”
“Yeah, ethical reasons” I bit my tongue “I don’t eat chicken either on Saturdays”
“Ha Ha” he continued “what’s all this fuss about…erm, Jallikattu? Did I pronounce it correctly? Is it a fun game?”
“It is just a bull sport from ancient times. Unlike similar sports across the globe, the bull here is treated with reverence, before and after. The intention is only to tame the bull – just the man vs beast thing, and not harm it. And once it is done, the bull is served well” I explained
“You guys seem to have great respect to the cow, don’t you?”
“Absolutely. We Indians live by certain principles that we take pride in. Non-violence towards animals, and respect to the cows is one of them” my chest expanded
“That’s not entirely true” intruded my other Indian colleague from across the table with a grin on his face and two beef pies on his plate
An hour before sleep
“Don’t watch iPad while having dinner. That’s a bad habit. I told you many times” I raised my voice
“Why, Daddy?” asked my son
“You should concentrate while eating. That’s good for digestion. Switch it off”
“Ok. But why are you watching TV when having dinner?”
“I am an adult. I can watch news on the TV” I chewed a mouthful of dal rice
“That’s not fair, Daddy” he switched off the iPad
“Look, son. We tell you what is good for you. You will grow up a good man if you listen to us”
“Ok”
“Now tell me, who do you like the most – me or your mummy?” I kissed him
“It’s you, Daddy” he didn’t wait a second
“What did you say?” his mom screeched from behind
“I just fooled Daddy. I like you the most, Mummy” I heard him whisper into her ears
“That’s my boy!!!” she giggled
Goutham Palagiri Ramblings 