STICKY CHORES

Concept and Assistance: Saptarshi Mazumder(Kajo) my Boloo

4th of June 2015 was my day! That's what I told myself when I heard that the parents had to leave home and station to attend a sick aunt who stayed in another town. She was close to us and upon learning about her sickness, they decided on the visit; now that I was a grown up kid and could manage for a day or two at most! Rigorous counseling followed.

My mother arranged all tasks that wouldn't bother me handle the daily chores for a couple of days. The food was cooked and neatly placed in different containers in the refrigerator so I only had to take them out and warm them before eating. She ensured that everything was in place. My father took out the family car and bade me farewell, with strict orders not to open the door to unknown persons at all and go out if at all necessary ensuring that I had the keys to open the locks first, lock the door and the iron grill in front of it.

Left all to myself, I switched on the TV, the most loved activity and, poured over all the channels that would kindle my interests. I wasn't hungry at all and never felt the urge to eat even when the clock raced past the usual time I had my lunch. So, as usual, had a late lunch and while gulping down the morsels, realised that I'd missed my bath!

By this time, they'd reached my aunt's place and Mumma as I fondly called her, called up to enquire what I was doing. I meekly answered the topics covered from the syllabus and she was satisfied that I was seriously into studies beyond any doubt as exams were near. A sigh of relief descended down my spine as she hung up but then, what if she asks from the chapters? I decided to get back to my room and desk to prepare the topics narrated over phone just to avoid her ire. My aunt was so sick that she needed immediate hospitalisation. So they decided to stay back.

My problem started the next day i.e. on 5th of June 2015.

The day started with me sleeping over and thus forgot to open our main gate that my Mumma does religiously come what may, all through the year, over the vagaries of seasons. The maid had come and went away after calling up and banging the iron gates several times that I learnt as she was complaining to Mumma in her usual fervour a couple of days later. She usually comes at 5:30 AM. I did not have the habit of waking up that early in the morning [at least not by myself!]. The clock showed 8:10 AM and I jolted out of the bed. Now, shall have to do all the tasks she does, I said to myself. Feeling hungry after doing the dishes and cleaning, I thought about making my breakfast. It reminded me of how I would yearn for chapattis and potato fries. But then, that was a difficult task, I realised soon. To make things simple and easy, I took two bread slices, two eggs(to my delight!) and marmalade. Just then, the phone began to ring and it was Mumma on the other side. Worried as she always was, I started narrating my woes and just then I smelt something burning. Bidding a quick goodbye to her, I rushed to the kitchen and saw to my horror that the bread was over toasted and the eggs were over boiled and as a result the yolk came out. My dream breakfast was over. The heating needed adjustments that I learned.

Had to throw away the burnt bread and eggs and survived on Bombay-mix (chanachur) and puffed rice(muri). As I was studying, the bell rang and I could see the milkman through the magic eye on the door. Took the milk and put the milk on boil. This time, I didn't forget to simmer the flame after the experience of bread and eggs. It was useless waiting for the milk to boil as it'd take some time and boiling for a few minutes was essential to kill all germs that I learned in one of my earlier classes on Biology. So, decided to study just to be rudely disturbed by a burning smell! I ran to the kitchen and found that the milk was all over the stove. Hurdle after hurdle!

Had to clean the stove all over and neatly enough not to leave any evidence of my follies. Then, I decided to go to the nearby shop to buy a packet of milk. After coming back I suddenly realised that I had forgotten to cook lunch for myself. This happened out of utter mismanagement of resources that were there in the fridge. All my hunger knew no bounds in an empty house on the previous day that kept me finishing the ready stock bit by bit.

Utter disgust took turn in the form of anger and vented my ire by throwing a turmeric container that lay nearby and threw it at the mirror over the basin. The mirror broke down so did I. but then, it had to be repaired else that'd be another story when Papa and Mumma comes back. I went to the nearby glass shop and gave the length and breadth of the mirror. Fortunately for me, they had the glass ready in an hour. I had to sacrifice my pocket money and part of my savings to fund its purchase and fixing charges. The boy came and fitted the mirror and went away. I boiled some rice and eggs and this time, was strictly standing beside the gas stove. Did not move an inch. Not even to the toilet to relieve myself.

It was my first hand at cooking and slept for some time. It was the loud calls of Bihan and Sirnjoy that woke me up from my slumber. Splashed water on the face, drank some from the bottle and went out to play football with them, safely tucking the keys to the doors in a pocket of my pants. The time was around 6:00 PM when I came back. Was hungry and as usual, prepared some instant noodles, ate it quietly, whatever it tasted!

The next day, Papa and Mumma came back before noon and found that the house was shining clean and that, the mirror had an extra shine. I told her the whole story of my battling chores eating the sweets that they'd brought to satisfy my hunger that was without breakfast!!