Feline Musings

I hear the door swish with the push of her hand as she gingerly steps in, and I know its time to come back from la-la land. My husband is already out of bed - brewing the perfect early morning tea with a dash of ginger, for self and her. We three have our first cuppa together in the close confines of the kitchen – I am of course a black coffee drinker and she has always been amused by how some one can drink a beverage without milk. I am the only one who is half-awake, my husband and she are alert and conversant. I don’t even remember what they were talking about – something about the weather!!!

Hubby dear has to get ready for office and I have to prepare breakfast. Before entering the bathroom husband confirms from her if she has taken warm water from the geyser for her use. Yes, she has. Hubby can spend a luxurious amount of time on his morning ablutions.

Breakfast in my household means the best of the fried and stuffed. It is paneer paratha today. I am busy, and so is she with other chores and I am still somnolent so there is no scope for conversation. As the first paratha sizzles on the greasy pan, I regain some consciousness. I flip the steaming paratha on the plate and call out to her to quickly have her breakfast. If my husband is responsible for her morning beverage, I pamper her with the first-fresh-piping hot paratha of the day. I offer her chilly pickle with the paratha and wait for her expert opinion.

The man of the house can be heard gargling and nose blowing with great ardor, in the bathroom. We can do some woman-talk and she initiates the typical feminine chatter. She asks me if I could find a reasonable tailor in the shopping complex opposite our apartment. I tell her that I did find a tailor but he is neither good nor reasonable. She sighs. She has to get blouses stitched for two new saris. She says she will ask around for some good tailor. I look forward to having this useful information.

I tell her I will be going away for the weekend. She looks at me with dismay! She silently shakes her head and says she doesn’t like it when I am not around. I instantly warm up to this lady who says she misses me when I am away. It’s nice to be liked and missed! But then, I reciprocate the feeling. I also miss her when she is not around.

I ensure I am gentle and good with her. I cannot earn her ire. I wouldn’t know how to set things right. She accidentally broke some fancy crystals and I shrugged it off saying, it was fragile. The other day, hubby dear also broke a glass, and all hell broke loose. He looked amused and said, “Why crib so much today when you did not say anything to her?” I shamefacedly replied, “I wouldn’t dare to scold her!” Yes, I also treat her with great respect.

Since I moved into this new house after my marriage, I have got used to having this woman around. I depend on her to keep me going by the clock during a difficult work-week, and have most of the kitchen, laundry and house in order. She has made settling into a new schedule and way of life very easy. I am glad to have her in my life and I appreciate the little things that she does over and above the routine. I realize this woman is an essential support system and in all a very significant woman in my life. And when this power-house of energy, tells me that tomorrow is her fortnightly off, I mentally reshuffle my entire schedule, and call out to my husband, “We will have to dine out tomorrow. The maid will be on leave!”

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