Read The Book
Written By: Smt.Sundri Uttamchandani
Uncle bought two eggs that day. He stylishly handed the money to his grandson and said, âTake this money and go get bread.â Aunt had taken out all the old clothes and was altering them. Pushing her spectacles upwards, she looked at uncleâs face and questioned, âHave you found your youth again that youâve started eating eggs and bread?â
Uncle turned to his daughter-in-law, âChild, please just light the stove for me so that I can make eggs.â
âCanât you hear me? Who am I barking at?â
Uncle was now a little agitated and said, âYes, yes I know, you are barking at me. How will you tolerate others when you are a vegetarian?â
The daughter-in-law lit the stove, came back and sat down. Suddenly, aunt gave a jerk and went towards the kitchen where uncle had broken the eggs onto a plate. Aunt stood at the door with a finger on her lips and watched him for sometime. She then said angrily, âShould eggs be broken onto a plate? Huh? You chopped the onions too with those hands! Now even the knife has been touched by the eggs - have you used the spoon as well? Oh, you have ruined the salt too. Iâm doomed! Now come out and let the daughter-in-law make the eggs for you.â
Uncle lathered the ghee on the tawa and poured the eggs .Aunt was now furious and said, âNow you have ruined the oil pot!â
The grandson who was fond of his grandfather pulled the grandmotherâs pallu and said, âCome out of the kitchen and let Baba make the eggs.â
Aunt snatched her pallu and said, âWhat happens if I stand here?â
Uncle laughed and said, âShe is standing here to watch how Iâm making eggs.â
âGoddd Blesss.â aunt said in a long drawn out manner, smirked and went out.
The grandson whispered in her ears, âAmma! Baba is going to take you out today. I know it.â
At first aunt frowned and said, âWhere will he take me?âAnd then she shouted, âAye, where will you take me after eating eggs?â
Uncle answered from the kitchen, âTo the movies.â
Aunt went back to the kitchen door. The grandson winked and jumped while saying, âSee, I know everything.â
âMove away scoundrelâ she said and went into the kitchen. Uncle was now eating the bread and eggs and said, âYour son has given me three tickets for the movie.â
âYou havenât given birth to a son then why are you saying son? Say nephew!â
âI didnât give birth to a son or was it you? I did not ask you to give birth only to daughters. The way my nephew is treating you, your own son wouldnât have.â
âNow enoughâ¦Okay, hurry up and get ready so I can take you to the movies.â Uncle said and touched auntâs shoulder.
Aunt moved away, saying, âFirst of all, wash your hands with soap. You have polluted the whole house, donât pollute me now.â
Uncle laughed and said, âI shouldnât pollute youâ¦Come on come on, hurry up or the movie will begin.â
âYou can go. I donât like these habits in this old age.â
âOh! If at fifty you consider yourself old, you have a long way ahead.â
âYou may have a long way ahead.â
âI most definitely do. A man can have children up to the age of eighty.â
âNow shut up, have some shame in front of children.â
âYou crazy woman when the children do not have shame in front of us, why should we feel embarrassed before them? Your son bought these tickets and asked me to take you. You are bossing around all day long. There is no peace in the house when one returnsâ¦â
âDid he say that?â
âWhy are you shouting? We are living as parents and children. What is wrong if he said so? Come on now. Iâll wash my hands with your fresh soap too.â
âLeave my soap!â aunt shouted. Uncle left the new soap and washed his hands with soap on the wash basin. He said, âIs that fine now?â
âWhat fine? Wash your mouth first. When you sit near me, you will smell of eggs.â
âI made a big mistake by marrying a Brahmin.â
âWhy? Are you repenting? You can still send me backâ¦â
The daughter-in-law entered, put down auntâs clothes and said, âAmmi I just ironed them now.â
At first aunt just looked at the daughter-in-law and then smiled and took the sari and blouse from her.
When both the oldies were leaving the house, the daughter-in-law handed her child to the mother-in-law.
Closing the door aunt said, âThis grandson of ours has been sent with us as a watchman. Sons and daughters-in-law are very clever these days!â
- Translated by Arun Babani
