Me, the cook !

“This Saturday it’s going to be our place,” my hubby announced.
“Really…?” though I was aware this was going to happen someday…, I was even subconsciously waiting for it.., yet I could not escape the little shudder the news sent through my nerves.
We were going to have a small get-together of all the friends, we made after coming here. Last time it was Swapnil's place, this time we were going to be the hosts.
Actually, there was no need to panic, but this time it was ‘me’ who was going to “cook” and that was something that would worry my guests next time they would think of coming to our place.
“It’s potluck. Anu 's going to bring biryani,” ...one relief… “What will you cook?” another bombshell...
“I’ll make chhole…umm .. and Carrot halwa.” I readily came up with the answer…an outcome of so many days’ thought process.
Somehow, I felt confident about chhole…!

The whole week ahead brought back to me the familiar feeling that I always passed through when my exams were approaching.
I researched the grocery shops thoroughly this time and came up with a number of vegetables with curious names…how to cook them?… obviously, a foreign thing to me.
Cleaning the house and making it presentable was another difficult and never-ending task.
With the apprehension of upcoming test, it slipped out of my mind that I needed to confirm with the recipe of chhole. And this horrifying thought roused just the evening before ‘The Day’.
“You are impossible. Why did you not think of this earlier?,” my hubby’s face wore the familiar expression – ‘what-a- difficult-woman-this-is!’.
With a premonition of upcoming word-fight, I hurriedly assured him, “Don’t worry. I’ll manage it very well.” I searched a number of food web sites only to increase my confusion as there were various recipes for chhole.
I tried calling Amrita, but could not get her. My heart sank in my boots.But now, there was no turning back.

“Was it so bad? I had tried sincerely to give justice to all the recipes I came across. ” I could not help bursting into tears when all the guests had left.
“No, no. In fact, you have made it this time. They are so tasty. And it’s good that we can have them for tomorrow’s meal also.” My hubby seemed to sound genuine.
“It was the snack items, we bought, filled everybody much to relish the main course.”
I thought exactly the same. So we agreed finally on some point.
“Do you really think they are pretty delicious?”
“Yes, of course, dear,” he assured me.
As I thanked him generously for this rare compliment, an idea struck me.
“I am going to publish my recipe on net,"I announced enthusiastically.
“Oh!..Pray don’t you, please,” he said hastily with a ‘oh-my god-what-have-I-done’ look on his scared face.
I gave him a bitter look…
And the next moment we burst laughing our hearts out.

My Darling !

A feeling so tender…
just fills me up full…
And flows out of the heart…
it's so wonderful !...

Those tiny, little hands
when hold me too near,
The tender-throbbing heart
I feel so dear.

Full of surprise
the round, big eyes ...
Perceiving, discovering
the world and its wise.

A number of questions
the little brain would ask,
What would I answer now?...
that’s a testing task.

Every gesture so lovable,
every thought so curious,
With the zest brimming full
I wonder, what a genius!

What the world would have been
if not this way but the other...?
I thank you God and feel most proud
for being my Darling’s mother.