Vidur and I. We just finished dinner. I see him settled in the living room. I've wound things up in the kitchen and I decide to join him.Me: Oy, what are you watching?
V: Oh, am waiting for my program to start in ten minutes…so I thought I’d have the channel on in case I forget and miss the first few minutes.
Me: (Rolling eyes) So what’s happening?
(Neither of us is familiar with that program, okay? But we enjoy seeing a bit of this and a bit of that and reconstructing the story as we see it. I am an accomplished channel surfer)
V: You know – that man – the heroine’s husband.
Me: The cutie?
V: Yeah, yeah..(reciprocal rolling eyes) – his boss’s daughter is in love with him.
Me: You mean his wife?
V: No no – his boss’s daughter is different. But she doesn’t know about her.
Me: Who, his wife?
V: NO! (clearly exasperated) Mi. The boss’s daughter. She doesn’t know about the wife. She works in another place.
Me: Who, the wife?
V: MI! The boss’s daughter
Me: Hmm. What does the wife do?
V: How should I know? Why should I know? I am only waiting for my program to start.
Both of us look at the screen.
Me: Hey is that the wife?
V: NO. (in a quiet voice) Please let me watch my program. It is only 15 min.
Me: Alright.
Hair ruffle and cuddles follow.
Me: Anyway, I can’t stand that program
V: Me neither. So constipated.
Me: Who, the wife?
V: Glares at me.
I withdraw into the cushions on the futon. And no. There’s no moral to this story. We may not be normal. And that's okay!
Another day.
V: What are you doing?
Me: Making a plan for this week's work
V:What have you got in today's plan?
Me: Oh, I have to turn in some articles for a client
V: Who? (Like he knew everyone)
Me: The medical one. What about you?
V: I plan to finish some Math homework. Then I'll bathe and have lunch. After that I'll browse some cosmology info and then, watch a movie. Will you watch it with me?
Me: Let me see, Vidur. Depends on what stage of my project I am in. And I want to finish it before Daddy comes home so we can all go to the terrace.
V: Why not sit with me and work on your laptop?
Me : Oh, I suppose I could do that (Suckered! Of course I’ll end up watching the movie with the laptop warming my lap and parked on the table in turns - as I swipe the touch pad to keep it live. The only work I’ll get done is reading blog posts and sharing them)
V: Okay - after the movie we'll go to the terrace, then I'll come back and practice music for an hour. Then we'll have dinner. After dinner I will draw for some time and then, around 11, I'll go to bed and read for a while.
Whew! Nice eh? All planned out. So focused, that child. I should learn a thing or three from him.
V: Whats for lunch, by the way?
Me: Whatever you'd like :-) You choose...
V: What are my options?
Me: I made stuffed parathas for Dad's lunch. We could have that. Or if you prefer you can have pasta
Or noodles. Or pizza. But I think you’ll love today’s stuffed paratha.
*parathas are Indian flatbread made from wheat flour dough.
Notice how I cleverly mention the option I want him to choose last – psychology, folks – kids usually pick on the last word! And he did!
V: What did you put in the stuffed paratha?
Me: Carrots, radish and onion and coriander
V: Mmm. Can you stuff that with cheese also for me?
Me: Sure, I can do that
V: Ok..what will I have it with?
Me: I can make some paneer subzi for you.
V: Ok Mi. Now lets do our work
Oh, really? So reassuring.
Two minutes later...
V: Can we listen to songs as we work?
Me: Sure. What you want to listen to?
(V immediately comes over to make a play list of his favorite 1930's 40's Bollywood music. I am happy. I love it too. After all, only a hundred songs on the playlist. So cozy)
Windows media player starts up and Amirbai Karnataki's melodious voice washes over us, overpowering the whirring of the fan. Every few minutes, Vidur turns and looks at me and smiles. One might think he launched the artist and is now appreciating her talent.
V: Mi lets have some cheese
Me: OK - but you’re going to have it with your parathas also!
V: That’s okay. Just a little cube. Which flavor do you want?
Me: The herbs
V: I am having the lite
Me: Ok
V: Can I have two
Me: Sure
I enjoy the look of concentration on his face as he peels the foil off my piece and presents it to me in a little cup. My cup really runneth over.
V: I miss Paati (Grandma)
Me: Me too.
V: Summer vacations were such fun with her.
My eyes fill with tears as those words tug at my heart. Hugs ensue……as we hold each other, and Mom in our hearts and memory.
Mom and Vidur Nov 23, 2005
Remember, more often than not....
I am loving life. I don't worry about it. Too much. We only live once.
Are you?
Do you remember conversations and smile to yourself?
Do you enjoy your little moments? What is your favorite memory?
