Rabri devi asks Putchu what she should make for lunch. Abhishek and Aishwarya are coming. Bhindi ki bhaji says Putchu. Aap woh achha banaati hain. Abhishek and Aishwarya arrive. Putchu thinks that Abhishek is so normal-and-good-looking. And Aishwarya, even without make-up, she looks so stunning. Suddenly she “realizes” that  Gucci, her 18-month old, has slipped into the commode. She goes to her, wags her finger and says – No mama, dirty! Putchu wakes up. When she tells me about the dream, we are greatly amused. What was that, indeed.

 

Putchu’s my sister. She’s been home from the US for a month now. It was an unplanned holiday brought on by desperate homesickness. Later, I think maybe the dream is about being Indian? Bollywood, Lalu’s politics.

 

April 4th is Aja’s birthday.  Aja and Aai refer to grandpa and grandma in Oriya. They raised us and for us, Aai is God. Aja passed away more than a decade ago. Aai is the kind of person who says “yeah, right” when you suggest that we should rightly be brought up by our paternal side. She knows her mind. So you know what you can do with your advice.

 

When Putchu, the sentimental-type, tells Aai about the birthday, Aai promptly tells her – make khichdi, kheer. Excuse me? laughs Putchu at the familiar mild-sarcasm. Aai repeats it and then asks patiently, how is your hand now? Putchu is unable to use her right hand because she has just taken three stitches in her palm from where a thick splinter (from tending her plants) had to be removed.

 

Putchu gets it. What’s in a date? And she’s relieved. Aai is just not one to pine away. She’s got things to do. Like marvel at Gucci. And I wish you could see just what a beaut! this curly haired, dimpled midget is.