Quirky Indians 31-35

Soman used different toothpaste every day while Mori and Keshav travelled in trains only if they were together.

Day 31

Bhavi got her first swing at the age of thirty two.

When the couple bought their first home, her husband surprised her with it. He knew Bhavi’s mother never allowed her on one because she had an irrational fear of her daughter falling and hurting herself.

Now, Bhavi spent most of her time on the swing. They had their morning tea on the swing, she worked from the swing as her daughter did her homework in the evening, and the couple had their coffee at night in the swing too as she read her book and her husband massaged her feet.

“I was thinking of renovating the balcony, Bhavi. What do you say?”

“It is already filled with your pots and plants, honey.”

“It still looks a bit empty to me. Such a wasted space.” He looked at the other side of their home with a sigh.

“What do you have in mind?” She massaged his hands.

“Another swing.” He made her laugh in delight.

Day 32

Soman used different toothpaste every day of the week because the basin had seven tubes on it.

Everyone in the family wanted their own after their tubes starting running out in a week, with salt, with clove, natural, gel based, neem infused, whitening, and a mild one for his grandmother.

It was assumed that he liked the variety. So, nobody asked which one he wanted when the shopping list was made.

It went the same way till he got married. When the couple went for grocery shopping after their marriage, she was amused as she added her own brand for their personal bathroom.

“This is not on the list.” He said as she added the ninth tube at the check out counter.

“You said you liked mint.” She smiled.

Day 33

The Sharma siblings were partners in crime for their midnight maggi cravings.

It was the only time they played well together.

Usually at each other’s throats for everything, their maa had to separate them by hand on various occasions. Yet, Golu and Dori found ways to irritate each other.

But the maggi heist required them to work together.

They came out of their room at one in night. Dori was on the lookout while Golu took over the chef duties.

The younger sister whined when he took too much time, “It says two minutes! Why do you have to make it so complicated?” She eyed the vegetables with distaste.

He shooed her away to stand by the door as he did his magic.

Golu was feeling a bit fancy today, so he took out his mother’s spice set, all the sauces they fought to buy at the supermarket and pizza seasoning too.

Dori was concerned about the ingredients on the countertop. If maa woke up because of his antics, they were going to get more than an earful.

“Hurry up Bhai! She will wake up.” She peeked out at their parents’ door.

“Don’t rush the chef.”

Her nose scrunched and she rolled her eyes as he scooped the noodles on bowl behind her back.

“Come.” He carried the tray out to their room. Dori looked back to see there was no trace that he had cooked anything there. She knew he would also wash their dishes after they were done eating.

She hummed and did a little happy dance with her shoulders as her eyes closed on the first bite.

“It’s good, huh?”

“It’s the maggi.” She teased, earning tickles from her brother.

Day 34

Mori and Keshav travelled in train only if they were together.

Their first time on the vehicle was when they went for honeymoon. A word they didn’t even know at that time. But Keshav knew he wanted to travel with her. So he saved up and bought the tickets.

After that it became a yearly ritual for them.

Their whole family would pile up in the only car available in their village to drop them off at the station. Their children giggling in arms of aunts and uncles. The couple would always take the window seats and lean out till they could, to wave them goodbye.

Mori would pack ghee loaded chapatis, and aloo subji for their journey. Keshav would buy them fried puffed rice and spicy peanuts at the station. The hawkers would sell the passengers hot tea at all the stops. They would get it at every other station, talking with other people, sharing food and anecdotes the whole way, barely sleeping at night.

“Where will we go next, Ji?” Mori asked from her lower berth. Keshav liked climbing up the small foothold to reach his makeshift bed.

“Anywhere the train can take us.” He leaned over to give her a grin.

Day 35

Vijay had the habit of sulking near water to cool his mind.

“Accha ji mai hari chalo man jao na” Madhu shook her head with a smile as she sat on the deck beside her husband, teasing him with her favorite song.

He was facing the other way.

“What happened?” She asked in a soft tone.

Vijay looked back at her, mesmerized for a moment. How did she ever agree to get married to him? He relaxed in his position, but turned his face away from her, “I don’t know if I can do this.” His latest business venture was a risk no one had taken before him. If it failed, they stand to lose all they had, cars, offices and even their home.

Madhu took his hand that was placed on the wooden surface. She ran light circles with her fingertip, her gaze fixed on the process.

“When I was young, I was the only kid in my family who couldn’t climb up the tree. My mother saw my siblings teasing me one time as she was cleaning out the rice. She didn’t say anything to them then, but she took me to the tree in the evening. You know what she said to me?” Madhu looked up to see his eyes already locked with hers, “I don’t know anyone who can do this better than you.”

He clasped her hand in his and pulled her closer, resting his head on hers, “If you say so.”

She smiled and moved to stand up, but he held her tighter, “Abhi na jao chod kar, ki dil abhi bhara nahi” He sang in her ear, earning a laugh from his wife.

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