It was sometime in October last year that I got my promotion orders. Along with it came an extra bonus, a posting in Chennai. So finally I would get to lead a normal life with Mom and Dad, after all these years of being nomadic. Higher studies and initial years on the job in an MNC had taken me away from home, roaming around in the northern parts of the peninsula. The worst part was having to fend for myself. Now was my chance to square the deal.
A couple of weeks went by, pampered by Mom and Dad by turns, gaining weight in the bargain. But that was no big deal. A month of hitting the gym and presto, you get back in shape.
It was during this time that Mom introduced her to me for the first time. Though she insisted I had seen and known her since childhood, and I did remember that vividly, I feigned ignorance. I was now a changed man. By now my choices had undergone a metamorphosis. Seven years away from home, one does tend to cultivate new tastes for things and leave old ones behind.
Not caring an iota for my feelings, which I managed to convey in polite ways, mother went about trying to have her way. Trying to make me change my mind, she started singing her praise.
Look how she resembles Khushboo (her favourite actress down south). Eek. She and Khushboo? I tried to change the topic.
A sly gaze at her and my judgmental mind began working overtime. She seemed too fair, puffy, gol matol . No match for me, not my taste nor my type. Dark and dusky was my all-time favourite. Why was Mom introducing her to me of all people! Didn't she know my taste by now? Knowing my Mom, she was always right. I have been a witness to many a battle, and Dad always lost.
I racked my grey cells to come out with plans to shake her off and save my skin at all costs. But then, Mom proved smarter. She found new ways to get her acquainted to me as each day dawned with new hope. Either she was jobless or Mom was smitten and besotted by her innocent, homely, rolly-polly appearance.
Turning to Dad with an SOS proved futile. He had a regular 7 to 9 a.m. regimen, his golden hours, exclusively spent on a long walk at the beach nearby, followed by an hour-long banter with his retired friends, sitting on the benches there, catching up on the news and their pension grievances in reference to the recent Pay Commission award. He was nowhere in sight!
Once in exasperation, I uttered out aloud in no uncertain terms to Mom, 'I will have nothing to do with her come what may. Ask her to stay out of my way.’ Stricken with bewilderment and muttering under her breath, she said: “Beta, don't go by looks. Maa hoon teri... I know what is best for you. She is most suitable for you and I am sure she will take good care of you, just like me, for a lifetime. You will be happy and healthy in her company. I can entrust you peacefully to her.'
The conversation, rather the monologue, went something like this. I was struggling with my tie as the knot seemed to elude my deft hands.
Did she really mean those words, did she believe I would fall for her given the strong recommendation? Then, oh boy! she was in for some disappointment!
I started circumventing and planned an early departure to office. At least I will be saved the embarrassment and displeasure of having to meet and greet her. So bland! Mom and her tastes! Age was fast catching up with her.
My ploy worked, but for only a week. Moms are moms! They have the knack to go about having their own way at all times.
Having guessed my plans she came up with her own. This time around she brought her along with some colourful, spicy and eye ball-rolling type companions. Dressed up in different hues and wearing the most enticing make-up, not garish but subtle and glamorous...now that is an oxymoron!
It was getting difficult to resist her, if only for the sake of meeting her entourage!
Mom had laid out a trap and I fell for it headlong. By now I started looking forward to our morning rendezvous, the best part of the day, it seemed! How will she be dressed today, what makeup would she be in, not to miss out on the interesting and enchanting company she brought along with her!
When the precious 10-odd minutes flew by, I never knew until the gentle nudge came from Mom on my shoulder to get up. This was not fair, just when I was beginning to enjoy her company, she would cut it short!
Days are passing in utmost bliss in each other's company. Both are getting to know each other better, with a new facet getting revealed each day, hitherto unseen.
From being virtual foes and wary of each other, we began to grow fond of each other. Her smooth, blooming and glistening face with “chubby cheeks” looked right out of a sauna bath, hot and steaming. As she sat demurely in front of me, with eyes bent trying to gauge my love for her, I unabashedly devoured her with my hungry eyes. Men will be men. So much I was in love with her that even on days when she arrived in plain white, I noticed how beautiful she looked. Sadhgi mein hi sundartha hai. Kisine sahi kaha hai.
And Mom was having a gala time all through this. She seemed the most pleased by our bonding. All her fears were laid to rest and she went about humming her favourite tune.
I must agree at this juncture that Mom really cared for me and my health. If I had my way it would be anything — oily, fried golden brown, crispy, loaded with sweet’n fats. By now I was addicted to butter-soaked parathas, samosas, kulchas, kachoris, burgers, pizza and pasta. Why, even cheese sandwiches buttered on both sides, and hot sizzling pooris. Makes me drool just thinking of all the stuff I had been having all these years, with no one around to check on me except for my guilty conscience, which I had learnt to conveniently ignore.
But steamed and oil-free idlis it would be, Mom had decided well in advance, catching me unawares. All my tantrums took a backseat in front of her decisive nature and genuine concern for my waistline.
And that's how, friends, I got hooked to idlis for life, cleverly devised by my humble Mom for an unsuspecting me!
An array of chutneys: coconut, mint, onion, coriander, urad dal, carrot, tomato, zucchini, lentils, radish, beetroot curry in coconut milk, good old sambar, and the vampish siren to silence all, ‘gun powder’, an ardent companion of all times, in thick’n thin.
Plain white idlis made way to accommodate yellow Kanchipuram idlis with coconut, mustard, karipatta, jeera and urad dal seasoning with a tinge of turmeric. At other times it would be vegtable idli or rava idli, then idli poured in the appam pan to get spongy paniyarams with a wide range of mixing, carrots’n peas, coconut and cottage cheese, at other times the sweet variant with jaggery’n coconut. Or further still, an 'idli upma’. Sunday special with chicken curry or mutton korma.
Whoever thought idlis could team up with a plethora of partners, giving back such rich dividends.
It has managed to carve a niche for itself and stay firmly grounded. Why, even Khushwant Singh, a gourmet to the hilt, admitted to having idli and coconut chutney for dinner each day. The lightest yet most wholesome meal.
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