A Mom-less Home

It has been nearly a month (and counting) since my mother underwent surgery. U know that "cliched" dialogue mothers give "Start working around the house so u will know to do things when I am not here?". Well, I did learn a few of the things: "patiently" cleaning a sink full of utensils and others. Thankfully my mom underwent her surgery towards the end of my semester, which means no classes and only assignments for evaluation. Thank God!!! If it was otherwise, then I am done for! 

Anyways, the first day after my mom left for the hospital, I did the cooking for all three meals- breakfast, lunch and dinner... But I realized that the associated tasks eat into my assignment time ( I would say this is mostly bcoz of my late waking up; Though I set the alarm for 7am, I switch off the alarm and sleep till 7:30... Lazy Me? Yes, Yes, Yes!!!). 

That was when our neighbours came to know about the situation at home and offered to help me out... In COOKING (What did u expect? That they will come and do everything for me? U got to be kidding me..) 

This was (and still is) the plan of action of running the household without mom: I learnt how to make the rice for all three of us: me, my Achan, and Grandpa and the neighbours would give all three of us the curries. We'll use them, wash the utensils they gave the curries in and give them back. Each of us does their cloth washing in the morning, and I do the rest of the household work in the afternoon and evening. 

But then, problems start to pop up: My Grandpa didn't like the curries, and my dad was forced to buy lunch for himself and Grandpa. When dad goes out to buy the lunch (called "meals" in our place), it is way more than what two people could eat (I know, u are thinking someone's left out. Yep, that's me. I don't want to eat a three-course cooked outside for three months-hopefully. I at least need the rice prepared at home. That's how it came down to two). Worst, for the first few days, there was a huge amount of waste generated which had to be simply thrown away. Now, that's the last thing I want!!

How to deal with this thing now? I told dad, "Buy the lunch, including the curries only for yourself and Grandpa. I'll cook the rice for myself, and the neighbouring grandma has offered to cook the curry for me. Don't, and I mean DO NOT buy anything for me unless I tell you I want to". 

Next up washing the clothes. I wash mine every day, even if there us just one ( it does increase to 6-7 when I go out to play.. That's how sweaty I am!). But getting my father to wash his clothes after it was done by mom for years was difficult. The clothes are in ur room (Yes, we put all the clothes in one place and segregate them later) and u slept off, I am busy, I am reading the newspaper- the many excuses. Now, he does it by himself, no hassle and tussle.... 

In the afternoon, I eat early, wash the dishes and go to sleep. As soon as I close my eyes...... DEIIIIIII....   And I see a million-dollar smile.... Of my DAD!!! He brought lunch for him and Grandpa. Now, what am I supposed to do? Serve it!! Again, Million-dollar smile..... I go, serve it, and launch myself to bed. 

But I had to find time for my own activities. From 10-12 in the morning, after preparing the rice, it was assignment time. After lunch and a short nap, I would do some exercise. After finishing the pending work, both academic and household in the evening, I will go to play at 7pm, return by 9 and finish the rest of the work. Work-play balance sorted out. 

After nearly a month of mom-lessness, I realized something: If I don't have any other work like I have now and learn a bit of cooking, I can run the household like mom. The only difference is the dishes won't taste like that of mom's. 

However, to slightly change a famous quote, u never know the value of ur mom until the home becomes mom-less. Learn the craft, and u won't miss ur mom....