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My mother came back with two plastic bags full of vegetables. I helped her carry
them into the kitchen. She opened the fridge to keep the vegetables inside.
‘Who had the Frootis?’ my mother said.
‘I had one. And Ananya also.’
‘Three Frootis are missing. She had two?’ she said.
I kept quiet.
We came to the living room. My mother brought a giant cauliflower, a plate and
a knife with her. She started cutting little florets with the knife, using her thumb
as a base.
‘Aunty, can I help?’ Ananya said.
‘With?’ my mother said.
‘With dinner,’ Ananya said.
‘Yeah, mom, why don’t you let Ananya make dinner today?’ I suggested with a
heavy smile.
Ananya glared at me. To help is one thing, to prepare a whole meal another.
Still, if Ananya had to make an impression, she had to more than wash the
vegetables.
My mother looked at Ananya.
‘Sure, aunty, why not? It will be fun,’ Ananya said.
Mom shrugged and passed the plate to Ananya. ‘Krish likes gobi aloo. I
thought we will also make black daal, bhindi, raita and salad. Nothing much,
simple dinner.
‘Mom,’ I said, to stop her from increasing the menu.
‘The dry atta is in the drum below the gas stove. Knead some for the rotis,’ my
mother said. ‘Yes, Krish?’
‘Nothing. You want to cook together so it is faster?’ I said.