My head is already pounding and it's 5:00pm.....
still 30mins more and my shift for today would be over...

I leaned back in my seat and looked around in my white cabin with a white table placed in front of me and 2 visitor chairs on the opposite side and a medical stool adjacent to mine.
An examination bed at a corner of the room seperated by a white curtain.

Long gone those days when my body used to smell of jasmine because I now reek of disinfectants...
But I love it.
It satisfies my mild OCD nature.

Soon a lady in 50's entered in along with a nurse and I examined her after she gave her complaints.
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" doctor, it's 5:30 " nurse said and I sighed in relaxation. I can now leave...
" Sarayu , I told you no formalities when we are alone right? " I said and she nodded. She is a nurse assigned to my cabin. Being youngest in the list of the doctors in this hospital did earn me spot light which is good as well as bad. If you would have asked me 5 years back that when I would become a doctor, I would have said that it would take me 10 more years to become a full fledged doctor with all these certificates in my hand.
But alas....
I'm 25 with a tag of MS Orthopaedics in my hand....

That was all because of Alexander. Don't know if I have to thank him or curse him... He spent god knows how much on getting Indian doctors of all my listed medical subjects from India and got me personally trained and educated under them. They were given posts in his private hospital to torture me!

Yes it's basically a torture for me because I was their only student! How much ever I like this stream but as an only student in the class, I disliked that feeling.... I was once a middle bencher for god's sake!!!

My 5 1/2 year course was cut down to 4 years with intensive theorotical as well as clinical training under them.
My patients were none other than his 'mafia men'. My first patient was only mafia men.... Wah wah...
Morning theory classes with only me in their class and then Clinicals from afternoon to almost midnight every day....
Surely the cases I was exposed to ain't normal ones.... You can imagine what all we get to see when we are in so called private hospital hoarding all mafia people. The only saints were those doctors...

For a few months which was an  important and crucial phase of my life, they allowed me stay on bed and was only given double dose of theory classes. They thought that they were going easy on me...
* rolling eyes *

Later, I thought that Alexander would let me get enrolled in a speciality and I would go back to my country , but that guy didn't allow me saying that it's not safe outside!!!!
I turned into a freaking fire ball that day...
He again enrolled me under a Indian medical university and as usual bought few more doctors from there for my further education.
By god's grace, they let me train for three years and it was a little smoother..... I mean,
I got time for myself a little...

After my specialization, I didn't want to live on Alexander anymore and I feelt that it wouldn't be safe for my children too....
Though I am grateful that he let me live under his wing at a tender age and gave me a chance to learn many things which I could only dream of...
A secretory, an assassin that can handle any kind of weapon, a doctor...
Most importantly, an independent strong woman.

After I came back here to my mother land, though Alexander insisted on helping me out on getting a job, but I denied blantly....
Because I knew one thing for sure that, Life can't be bought with money.
If I'm not eligible , then I will work hard to get it on my own... This is me treating lifes that we are talking about.... A doctor.

After a multiple applications which successfully got rejected because of my age and duration of course . I finally landed in a hospital which accepted me based on my clinical knowlegede and also warned me that a complaint or misconduct, then I will be removed...
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" lakshmi! " I heard someone calling out and came out of my thoughts, I looked at sarayu while she was staring back at me with concern..... Why?

" I've been calling you since ages
Leave now, I have to get the cabin cleaned up " she said and I looked at the cleaners near the door in their plain orange gown, with their equipment...

I nodded at sarayu and tidied up my table and locked the cabinets. I handed my apron and Steth to her and she kept them in a cover.

While passing through the white corridors and metal chairs on the either side, people passed by me with tears in their eyes, some people were seated quitely waiting for their close member who went inside the cabin. A lady came out from paediatric department with her baby girl on her hip who is smiling looking at the chocolate....

A Hospital
A place where life begins
A place where life heals
A place where life ends
A vessel culminating leelas of 3 gods
( Brahma , Vishnu , Shiva )

As soon as I stepped out, the horns of vehicles, the sirens of ambulance with a stretcher being rushed out....
Greeted me.
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As soon as I reached the tailor aunty shop, she pushed her thick rimmed glasses up her nose bridge and looked through them while squinting . I smiled at her and she smiled back at me.

" aunty pillala dresslu kuttesara? " I asked her and she nodded
( aunty, are kids dresses stitched? )
" ayindhi ra oka nimisham "
( it's done, just a minute)
she said and got up from the plastic chair infront of the tailoring machine.

Well, she is the only one who stitches at a reasonable rate compared to those costly boutiques which are out of my range....

I saw her taking out a large plastic cover from a wooden rack and she asked me to check the clothes. After making sure that those are my kids clothes, I gave her the rest of the payment and walked towards my home which is just 10 mins walk...

While passing through the street I looked at the large gardens seperated by metal fences , with houses in middle.... This is surely a costly area and for someone like me, it would have remained as a dream to rent a place here , until an old lady appeared in cabin my hospital few months back....

I was exhausted....
unable to find a place in a safe area within my budget.
I groaned while looking through different rental home sites in my phone...A salary of 75,000 is not at all sufficient... School fees, groceries, clothing, electricity, water....and the list goes on...

That was when an old lady with few roots of white hair in her lucious black hair along with her husband entered my cabin. After checking his scans , it is clear that he has lumbar spondylosis. My senior in the department left early, so they were brought to me for consultation. The old man's body isn't compatible for the surgery. So, I have suggested them physiotherapy for now .
I guided and instructed him while making him do the exercises...keeping in mind about his weakened bones.
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Soon while going to the cafeteria outside the hospital, I recieved a call from a house owner whom I have contacted on a website...
As soon as she said that the rent is 25,000 , I almost pulled out my hair.

That was when the couple whom I have treated earlier approached me and the lady offered me a place to stay. She said that she would take a rent of 5000 and that I have to assist her husband in physiotherapy exercises.... I have nodded immediately and accepted knowing that they live in a better part of the city....
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The sun almost set and an orange hue filled in the sky...
I walked faster as soon as I spotted my home... I looked at kamini ji asked she was walking towards her home with groceries in her hands. I smiled at her and she smiled back at me. We talked for a few minutes and entered our homes which were side by side. She is the lady who brings my children along with her child from the bus stop as I come late from work. The old woman who rented me the home looks after them till I or Anu come back.

I knocked on the wooden door and soon Anu opened the door. She smiled at me and took my bag and the covers from my hands.

While going towards my room, I heard sounds of kids playing in their room...

I entered my room, shed off my clothes and took a warm shower . After changing into a lose shirt and pyjama, I pulled my long hair into a tight bun.

I entered the hall and sat on the couch , feeling the softness of the material... I let my head fall back and I sighed in relaxation.

And soon an army attacked me.

" maooo " I heard my daughter yelling for me... Seriously? 'Mao' for 'Maa' ? This girl is more madder than me.

I looked at her pouting at me while my sons are standing near my legs, clutching on to my pyjama. Ibbu is standing behind Neelu and looking at me with a smile with his twinkling unique eyes....

Wait, one more is missing....

A loud howling sound came from behind the couch and soon husky ran towards the table infront of me with Noor following behind him.
Wait.... Is that my clutch on his tail!?
Oh my god!!!

Soon husky waggled it's tail and Neelu removed the clutch.
" I said no play with clip " Neelu almost shouted at noor and noor looked down at her small fingers...

" Neelu beta, she is your younger sister right, she is so small
She dosen't know na
Tell her sweetly
She will listen to you " I said taking noor in my arms who is almost at the verge of tears....

" no Amma
She no listen " Neelu said in her baby voice strictly....

" but you are big girl Neelu
You should take care of your smaller sister because you are big right? " I said trying to make her understand and Neelu scoffed.
This is the only thing I don't like in my children.... No... I guess there are many more....

" I'm only 4 " she said showing her 4 small fingers and I nodded sighing....
I just want to sleep now....
Please god....

" dessse " noor said almost jumping out of the blue giving me a mini heart attack.

" yah baby.....
Kids I've bought dresses for cultural and ethnic day , they are placed in my room." I said and they all started discussing about what to do tomorrow....
No thank you?

" dinner is ready " Anu yelled from the kitchen and I started gathering all my kids who are spread in different continents.

We sat on the floor and I started serving kids while Anu went to bring curd and salt from the kitchen. We don't have a dinning table and I don't plan on spending money on one...

" maa day after tomorrow
Help me ready " Neelu said in her cute voice and I nodded at her....
" meee " noor too said while I was feeding her with small baby spoon and I nodded at her too....

I raised my head to look at Neelu staring at noor with her eye brows scrunched....is she angry on her....
I have to do something.... I think she is developing a kind of hatred towards her.... But why?
Is she being neglected?....
I really need to observe her from now on. I have to mend these 2 little girls.

" Neelu you are going to dance tomorrow ? " I asked her and her eyes twinkled. I guess she really needs someone to talk to her.... But she has many siblings... Then why is she feeling neglected?

" no mumma tomorrow is skit
day after tomorrow is dance....
I will ready like you
You take good photos of me
I keep on instagram " she said and I smiled at her enthusiasm and seeing those cute dimples.
Her dance interest started when she saw my 8th class Annual day Bharatanatyam pictures on instagram.

Though I can't access into my IG directly, but I have another account which I have least used and that account is following my main account. So she saw all my pictures from there.... She really wanted to wear that dress and dance....
So she learnt from her teacher and YouTube after pestering them for months that she will do this dance and they accepted.

" what about my boys? " I asked while feeding noor. They curtly nodded a 'yes' .

" we have to....
To not to regret in future " I again looked at them shocked. I have been getting many such sentences from their mouth since the moment they started framing sentences.

" you are not interested in dancing then why force your self? " I asked and Utkarsh nodded at my statement.
" no mumma
We also need to learn " he said in his small baby voice with stern eyes....

" ya....yah " I said looking at all 5 boys who are looking at me.... My reserach seminars are better than this...

I don't think so I need to teach them anything, in return they will only teach me....

" how was your school today? " as soon as I asked, many voices came out arguing about who want to speak out first and how their teachers praised them.... This is only one of those few moments they behave like children...
Though I want them to sometimes fight and quarrel with each other, and come to me so that I can feel like
' Raj Mata ' of this home trying to settle down the disputes.....
those powerful vibes...

But it's okay, by the time I return to home after a stressful day, I don't have to face panchayat.
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As soon as dinner was over, they washed their little hands and I made them sleep in their room which had 3 beds. Ibbu and Abhimanyu sleep in one bed, Rudra and Utkarsh occupy the second bed, the last one is occupied by Advaya and Neelu .

Noor....well she is the most picky one... Sometimes she will squeeze in with her brothers for the night or else she will sleep with me in my room. Anu has her own room on the other side of the hall....

I was leaning on my bed and reading journals while the door slowly creaked opened followed by the distinct sounds of anklets... I looked up from my journal and saw my daughter Neelu with her messy hair.

I moved my legs aside on the bed so that she can sit near me.... She sat in a butterfly position and kept on swinging her legs in the air while sitting in the corner of the bed.

I pulled her towards me and removed my glasses keeping them on the table beside my bed.
" what happened princess ? " I asked her softly while she still kept on staring at her fingers....as if she is contemplating whether she wants to talk or not....

" sorry " she said softly and I looked at her.... Is she regretting.... But for what?

" why dear?
Did you break something? " I asked her while rubbing her cheeks softly...

" no mumma
Um.....
You angry....
Because I not good with noor " she said looking down and I knew where this is going... Neelu dosen't have the capacity to analyze her behaviour and faults on her own . It must be my sons who must have talked to her....

" my gudiya
I'm not angry on you...
You don't have to say sorry, actually...
You should never say sorry...
You should show it in your actions...
Like...
Be good to your sister if you are really sorry... Bond with her well....
You know na ,
She waits for all of you near the door wishing you to come home early after school...

She spends most of her time with nani and nanu in the upper floor above us....

She loves you alot baby... " I said softly while braiding her messy hair...

" but annaiya (elder brother) don't play with me anymore...
when noor is there.... " she said.... okay...
So here is the problem, though my sons have good intentions but they should spare sometime for their other sister too....

" Neelu
Why don't you play with little noor?
She will surely love to play with you " I said and my daughter rolled her eyes..
I said her multiple times not to do that.... But she keeps on doing it...

" she is lame mom " she said and I looked at her attitude filled face. I face palmed myself. Surely my behaviour rubbed off on her.

I talked to her for some more time about her new friends and she kept on saying me about TV cartoons and serials and what not.... This girl is more hyper than me...
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She yawned and I tucked her into bed beside Advaya who is snoring softly...
I pushed back her hair strands from her face and kissed her forehead.

I looked around and my eyes fell on Abhimanyu. Noor is lying on him completely with her small hands wrapped around his torso. This baby panda.....

I went back to my room and laid back on my bed. My room door creaked open again and Anu barged in with anger on her face....

" where are your gold bangles ? " she asked and I kept mum looking down at my bedsheet. This girl is more scary than my mom sometimes...

" why do you have to do this lakshmi? Those were the only 2 bangles left...
You really don't have to sell the stuff you like and adore... " she said...
I have sold my 2 gold bangles as I can't remove money from savings for clothes.... Buying almost 3 dozens of clothes does require a lot of money...so I sold off my bangles...

" why do you think like that Anu...
They are my first priority,
I can't rob them off their happiness " I said and she opened her mouth and closed...gaping like a fish...
Confusion is her middle name.
It's easy to confuse this girl with few words... Even my kids know that... I laughed internally....

We talked for sometime in which she mostly lectured me and then left saying a good night....

Out of routine, I touched my wrists to remove the bangles before sleeping but remembered that I don't have them any more...

Nothing is more important to me than my children's happiness...
They are my world... How can I let my world become gloomy?
It only costed me 2 non living things in exchange for their beautiful smiles to lighten my world... It's worth it....

My thoughts slowly went down the stream back to the day I woke up in a white room on hospital bed.
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That day, when I thought that I wouldn't be able to survive after the blast, but I ended up waking on a hospital bed.
I thought I was in heaven.
I slowly tried moving my almost numb hands and soon there was a commotion that I woke up......

I thought they were angels and I smiled at them to only recieve concern filled faces....
As soon as I spotted Alexander entering the room , I was shocked .
" wait! How come you enter heaven?" I said and some of them stiffled their laugh...

" nonsense " he mumbled and left.

" ma'am, you are still on earth and alive " a nurse said softly with a tinge of humor in her voice....

" what! " I almost yelled and I looked around clearly....
Wait...
I'm still alive!?
But HOWWWWW

I looked around and saw the hospital setup... So... I'm alive?....
I pinched my self and....
Yes I'm alive!!!

I looked to my left to see Valero standing beside a table. He was staring at me as if I'm a miracle...
" how do you feel? " he asked still with a scrutinizing gaze...

" where is my son? " I asked almost fretting... fear crawled up in my body slowly....

" he is in car " he said and I nodded. What is my son doing there?
Valero immeditaley called one of the gaurds and asked him to bring my son...

" how...
how am I still alive? " I whispered looking at my hands....

Valero indicated a man in white coat holding onto a file to speak up....

" we developed a type of chemical in lab that can prevent burning even if you stand in between flames.
But only for 5 mins before the chemical wears off and you could burn down into ashes after " he said and left the room after doing general examination.

Chemical?
What chemical?
When did they apply? When did I apply? I don't remember anything of such sort.....

Wait....
Those ladies who came to do my.....
" make up? " I said out loud... That day I did feel that they have applied a lot of layers and they didn't even look like makeup artists...

" yes, your wig, dress makeup are all made tolerant of fire. That kid was also made to wear them " Valero said and I was shocked...

" why didn't you people say me this before?
Wait...
Arjun came....
How did he know the location ?
Wait...
Was this all a trap for him to believe that I'm dead?
But why? " I whispered processing everything slowly... I can't still belive this... I can't digest the fact still...
So this means that they gave away my location...
But why?
I mean I can still hide without him finding a trace of me...

" because Arjun already knew where you were " hearing that voice, I snapped out of my thoughts and looked up to see the person whom I have forgotten long ago...

" Rahul bhaiya " I felt my throat drying up . He smiled at me....a sad one.... His eyes were speaking volumes of pain he is holding behind..

He sat on a stool beside my bed and held my hand softly in his large ones.
" I'm sorry " he said looking into my eyes with his eyes pleading for forgiveness and his face dull... As if he hasn't slept since ages... As if he was tired....

" Anna ( brother)
You don't have to be sorry for something you haven't done. I knew that if you would have known about it, then you would have come to take me away , like the same way you did the first time....
And even if you did come to take me away from him, I wouldn't have come because I had to be there " I said assuring him... I don't want people to feel bad for something they haven't done... Especially when we know that they will be there to fight for us if they knew what was happening with us... I never blamed anyone in this struggle....
Nor my husband....
Though I cursed him when I was in pain,
But I never blamed the whole thing on him...
That dosen't mean that I will go willingly into his arms after what he has done to me....
I don't blame him for the condition Kaira put me in, but I do blame him for not believing in me and hurting me....

My dignity and ego are my pride.
I wouldn't even let my parents raise a finger on me, then how can I let him slip off when he crumpled it!

I know a few morals and values...
But in this particular aspect, I donot allow it to muddle my judgement and decisions . I'm no saint to let bygones be bygones.

No one disrespects me
No one
I meant
No one....let it be in any situation.

Rahul bhaiya did text me atleast once in a few days asking about my well-being and it was I who lied, for my son. As my phone was already hacked.
He shouldn't lower his head for the condition his sister is in nor for the deeds of his friend.

" maaaaa " I heard my baby shouting loudly standing in the arms of gaurd near the door.... I felt a jolt of electricity passing through my body as soon as he called out for me... I smiled at him as he was bought near me...

" maa " he called again touching my cheeks with his small hands... As if it's unbelievable for him....

" it's been a month since you were in coma " Rahul bhaiya spoke out and for a second I was in trance...
Month? Whaaaaat! co...coma....!?

" that day when the blast occurred, we didn't expect that the roof would collapse . Though we managed to pull you to the underground basement through an automated slide-in passage , but it was late and by that time you were already injured " he said looking down.... Wait...
I remember faintly...
That day, the floor under me opened up and I fell inside with a lot of pressure with my bleeding head....

" you were severly injured... " he said as if he still can't believe it...
Though the whole thing was planned by them...and it could have hurt me...
But still, they have did it for me...
I would have died if I had to...
But I survived right?...
' Think positive lakshmi
Think positive '
I contained myself to not to angry on them....

" bhaiya, let's go home " I said and was about to get up but I felt my head spinning. He took baby from my arms and asked one of the gaurd to get me a wheel chair.
I seriously needed it...

" it's been a month since you properly slept.
Take care " said Valero while patting Rahul's back while Rahul nodded and moved my chair...

After passing through the dimly lit basement , he helped me to sit in the car and kept the baby in my lap.
My rasgulla started playing with my shirt while I looked at rahul....

He dosen't have any connections with me... It was just a name sake relation that we have agreed on to...
Then why does he have to take it seriously... He did all this for me...
This means that he has been keeping a tab on Arjun's movements....

I can't question him about this bond between us which I don't even know it's depth... It might hurt him if I question about it...
And I don't think so I need to doubt anymore about this... He proved himself as a one whom I can trust...
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I woke up early in the morning and buckled up myself for the day.
You can't even guess how much work I have now....

I tied up my lose curls into a bun and cleaned up myself.

I went to my children's room and saw all of them sprawled like star fishes. Ones legs on others faces...
Noor was hugging and sleeping with Neelu... Don't even get me started with Neelu. Her one leg and hand is hanging down the bed. I'm sure that if noor leaves her, she will fall off. I stiffled a laugh and woke up everyone.

All were in their towels while Ibbu was removing clothes from the cupboard for them to wear. I helped Noor and Neelu to get ready.
These girls I say...
I don't even tired this much after a surgery as much as I get after braiding and styling their hair.
Even if a single strand comes out, they will make me redo it again.
Sometimes I feel like getting both of them get a Bob cut.
Or I should open a parlour.

Ibbu and noor were doing their prayer and I peeped at them... I love seeing them offering their mind and souls to their all mighty....

Later, all of us did pooja together and went to the hall room.

I went to kitchen and started making dosas for them while Ibbu is feeding Noor.
Sweat trickled down the sides of my face....standing near the stove ain't an easy thing.

Anu came running into the kitchen saying sorry and I smiled at her...
I didn't want her to wake up early..
She is too young to take up responsibilities... I want her to concentrate on her new job and live a care free life but she is hell bent on helping me....

She made kids drink milk and I know that some of them must be throwing tantrums...

" okay monkeys,
don't drink milk...
I won't take you out today " I shouted loudly from kitchen. Fridays are half days, saturday and Sunday is a holiday for me. Though I had to leave on emergency sometimes... But it is better this way..
I can relax.... Oh yah
And on Fridays we all go out for fast-food....

Suddenly there was a pindrop silence and I smiled. This works.

After break fast, I left Noor with aunty and went to bus stand which is a 3 min walk from my home. We bid them good bye and 5 of my kids boarded bus. Later Anu too boarded a local bus and waved at me while leaving.

I walked with Ibbu holding my hand with his soft ones... I smiled seeing his beautiful orbs looking around with a small pout on his lips...

He is in 1st standard now.... Though all my kids are in same school, but the pre-school branch is on the other side of the city from main school branch.

I asked him and even tried to pull his bag off him, but he never let's me carry it. He will just hold my hand while pulling along with him on the footpath...

As soon as we reached his school. He looked at me and I bent down kissing his forehead.

" hi didi " I turned to my left to see a girl in her school uniform....
Ah....
That honey dipped word from her mouth......
'Didi' word is soo ear pleasing than 'aunty' word......

" hello " I said and looked at my son who is glaring at her...
Wait.... My son dosen't like her?
But she looks soo beautiful....
Wait, why do I get future couple vibes here?
I guess they will become a couple in future like in those cliche stories...
Haye.....

" I'm Aryan's friend Amika " she said. I nodded with a smile and looked at my son who seems ready to blast any time.... " this is my mother " he said slowly....
Wow, he is really very angry...
It's been long since I have seen emotion on my son's face...

She said me that it's her birthday today and forwarded a chocolate box. I took one from it and patted her head while feeding half of the chocolate to her. I asked her to come to my home when she is free so they all can play...

She left mumbling a 'bye'...

" what happened Ibbu?
Why are you glaring at her? " I asked him while he stared at me...

" nothing "
he said angrily huffing....

I sighed knowing that he wouldn't tell me anything... 
" son,
Behave well with deserving ones
Before you judge whether they are deserving or not, make sure you know the facts correctly.
Never hurt innocent ones. " I said softly and he nodded after saying good bye....

I know, he will think about it...
But why is he angery on her ? There is something more to it that he is not letting me know.....
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After coming back to home and taking a bath.
I threw myself on to the couch.

Heaven.
Half days are heaven.

" Rudra
What are you doing? " I asked him . He is sitting on the floor and doing something with utkarsh on the phone.

" mom
We are making memes and editing funny pictures " he said and I raised an eyebrow...
Really? Memes..
At their age I don't even remember alphabet 'A' properly even if I was made to pronounce 100 times.
Sometimes it makes me wonder what if I was not given neuro-activators at the time of comatose...
Would my children be different?

But alas, it can't be changed now...
Those chemicals really did affect them....
Not in a bad way though. But they are more intelligent for their age... I was scared of the side affects that would be inflicted on my fetus after knowing that I was pregnant... But by god's grace, they were healthy and normal.
But I still remember Neelu....

" mom see them " utarksh said and I nodded looking into the screen...

( oh.... So this is why those oranges were left halfhazardly on the kitchen slab....)

( this cat.... Oh wait.... This thay stray cat!.... And those are noor's clothes!
I glared at my boys while they smiled sheepishly)

I laughed at the last one....

I praised them as well as scolded them to not to waste food and as well as let animals wear their clothes. There multiple infection that one can get from them and not to forget that they are still kids....

I looked at my girl as soon as she came out of the room...
Half of the time she dresses up in ethnic wear and she dolls up herself all cute...
I went and kissed her face.... she forwarded me the anklet that fell off and I hooked it up on her feet.

Of course we are twinning , whatever dress material I buy and if she likes it too, then I will get her also a pair stitched up...

I looked at Anu as she bought noor out....

I locked the door as soon as everyone stepped out and we started walking towards the street....
My kids were talking among themselves while Anu is carrying noor on her hip....
I smiled looking at all of them...
If they are happy, then I am happy...

As soon as we crossed the road and reached the pav bhaji stall,
My children sat on a wooden table. I went to the vendor and ordered 6 plates pav bhaji.

I went to another shop which is 3 foot away and bought a chocolate milk shake for noor...

Now it's time for me and Neelu....
I went to the other side of street , a meter away from their stall point on the street by holding her small hand... I can see my children from here...

" Mumma! " my daughter yelled and I looked at her.

" take! " she said and I looked at the plastic bowl the pani puri uncle is handing towards me.
I gave a goofy smile at the old uncle and took it. Pani puri can make me do things that no sane person can do...

I ate 3 plates and Neelu is still on count....she is stuffing in her little mouth as fast as she can so that her bowl will be empty for uncle to place next one...
Water is dripping from the sides of her bowl and she lifted her bowl and drank it....
I can see her nose watering...
Damn, this girl really has gone on me.

After having our pani puri, I paid uncle and wiped Neelu's mouth and nose with my dhupatta....

" Beti, yesterday I didn't give you change na , take this 20 rupees " uncle said and my body froze....
I looked down slowly to see my daughter already fuming....
I gave her a small smile with my distorted face....
Oh god....
I eat almost every day...
She dosen't know it... Shit.... Shit....
I was planning on keeping this a secret....

" mom!
You lie to me!
Even I will eat daily " she said huffing and flaring her little nostrils....

" I'm sorry sorry
Mumma won't eat from tomorrow
I get alot hungry after walking from the auto point till here, so I eat a plate.... Don't you want me to eat? " I asked her giving my puppy eyes....

" ummm.... It's okay...
You eat....
You will hungry " she said softly almost talking to herself in a baby voice... I can see concern in her eyes...
Though I played her, but I don't think so I will be able to eat anymore.....
As I will remember her....

Where have I stuck myself....
I will buy her too whenever I eat...

We went back to the initial stall and I looked at my sons.... Their stomachs are more larger than water tankers that come in our colony. But I am happy that they have a good appetite...

We went on to multiple stalls and ate as much as we want....

It's a 'Friday feast'... We have to do justification to those two words.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
It was 6 by the time we reached home, I said sorry to Anu as she has to go to temple on Fridays while we all go to together on Mondays or Sundays...

She took a bath and was about to leave but Neelu came down running towards her in her new set of Patyala.

Let us keep her cuteness aside,
this habit of her to change clothes constantly will lead me to join myself in my own ward.

" Mumma, I will go with maasi " she said sprinting on her tiny legs towards anu. Where does she get this energy from?

" chodo na di (leave it sister)
I will take her along with me " Anu said as if I had denied....
Girls in this house are variety species. Why not call a museum?...

" okay,
go and come back safe " I said while looking at noor and husky playing tea-tea with their plastic kitchen set
and went to my room...