Kitty Party
Chapter 1
It was Sunday and we were all having a late breakfast. Mummy was in a bad mood. And when she is in a bad mood she bangs things. Today she was banging utensils – first in the kitchen and then at the breakfast table. It is an unwritten rule in our family that when Mummy is in one of such moods we all keep quiet and wait for the storm to pass. It usually does in a couple of hours. But this time it seemed stronger than usual. Dadi, Papa, Yogi and I kept looking at each other questioningly. It became obvious that none of us knew what had brought on this particular storm. Finally Dadi took the initiative.
“Lata”, she said gently, “whats wrong?”
Mummy took a deep breath and all of automatically sat up straighter in our chairs.
“Nothing’s wrong Mataji”, she said unconvincingly.
Dadi tried again, “You seem very worried.”
“I’m not worried Mataji…..well yes I am a bit.”
“What about?”
“It’s my turn to host the kitty party this time.”
All of us relaxed a bit. This did not sound very threatening.
“Oh is that all?” I asked, “what’s so worrying about it?”
Mummy glared at me “What’s so worrying about it? Have you ever hosted a kitty party? Do you realize what it is like to host 25 women under one roof? Have you ever cooked food for 25 people in your life?” her voice kept rising with every word.
“Umm…no” I said looking at Dadi for support.
“Calm down Lata”, said Dadi, “we will work it out. A small kitty party should be no big deal. Right Yudhveer?”
“Huh?” said Papa, “Kitty party? Oh yes, kitty party of course. I mean of course kitty party....”
For the non-enlightened souls who are as lost as Papa here, let me define this term – a kitty part consists of a group of women who get together every month for a meeting, they pool together a specified sum of money, then a draw is held and the woman whose name comes up gets the whole amount.
In most of the bollywood movies ‘kitty party’ is where the bad daughter-in-law goes to leaving her badly treated mother-in-law alone at home. But in real life kitty parties are the one of the biggest sources of female-bonding Indian women have. Though the money is supposed to be the main purpose of a kitty party, the real reason for most women to be a part of a kitty group is to get some family-free and commitment-free time for a few hours.
Coming back to Mummy’s kitty group, it consists of 25 women, mostly housewives, living in our locality. I never thought much of it till now. Never had to as these kitty parties take place on weekdays when we are in office.
“Oh I don’t know how I will handle the whole thing”, once Mummy got started, it all came pouring out, “Our drawing room is not equipped to seat 25 people. I guess I will pull the dining chairs…..but still it won’t be enough. I think I will buy some of those plastic chairs. What do you think Mataji?” without waiting for Dadi’s answer she carried on, “And the food, how in the world will I make all that food in a few hours? Somebody will have to serve the snacks and cold drinks too…..and the games…oh God it will be a disaster! I will become the laughing stock of the kitty group!”
“Hush Lata…calm down beta”, said Dadi, “it will not be a disaster. We have had bigger gatherings at home before. Why are you so worried about this one?
“They were all family gatherings Mataji. Relatives help around the house, specially in the kitchen but here the women will come prepared to enjoy the party. I will have to keep everything ready before the party starts. And it’s a rule of our kitty group that we only serve home made food. So I will have to cook for everybody.”
“Don’t worry Lata. You are not alone. We will all help you…won’t we kids?” said Dadi looking at me and Yogi.
I nodded but was unsure what I am agreeing to. Yogi kept his eyes on his plate and pretended not to hear.
“Now Lata tell me when is this party”
“Day after, on Tuesday”, said Mummy.
“Well Guddi”, said Dadi turning to me, “why don’t you take the day off and help us organise this kitty party?”
Mummy suddenly perked up and looked at me expectantly.
“What?!” I was taken aback.
“Oh yes Guddi!” said Mummy, “if you are here to help us with the preparations, I am sure everything will go smoothly”
“Hey hey hey….just a minute”, I said, “I can’t take a day off at this time….there’s so much happening at the office…..come on Dadi, how could you….”
And then Mummy gave me the I-kept-you-in-my-womb-for-nine-months look. I had no option but to throw down the arms.
“Oh all right. I will take the day off” I said.
“Perfect!” said Mummy and smiled for the first time since morning.
