(Mar 10, 9:11pm)

Going back tomorrow.. flight at 2:35 pm.. the Doctor will come home for lunch, after which we'll be off for airport! Another friend, At*l, will join us midway.. we'll pick him at this place called 'Hartali Mod'..

XXX

All utensils are occupied with Holi left-overs.. incidentally Bhartiji has put sugar syrup in both saucepans.. we needed much of that for puas.. actually it's me to blame.. i was too lazy to get her the proper crockery, which were in the other cupboard..

Anyway, i had nothing to prepare tea in.. and that's where some pleasant idea clicked.. i sneaked into muma's room, and got the same kettle in which she used to have tea..

XXX

The same one in which she had got herself tea on the evening of September 13th.. preparing it herself.. on the carpet beneath our orange sofa.. next morning she would be gone.. only physically gone..

She had offered to make me a cup as well.. I had refused.. because she was annoyed that I had given her a large sugar jar, when she asked for one..I should have been aesthetic and given her the smaller jar.. muma was particular about little things..

XXX

I was uncomfortable in it.. i have never learnt to make proper tea.. in the kettle.. with milk, sugar, everything arranged in the tray nicely.. and that tells me her genes have only partly worked..

I say partly because, like her, i too am keen on reading and writing.. although her range of subject expertise was impressively vast..

XXX

In Bangla, they call it 'poros"... a kind of strong, abstract feel recreated by inanimate objects..

While using the kettle, i could feel that 'poros'.. it was a tender moment... little thoughts happening in pleasant isolation.. immune from prying eyes..

XXX

I used to tell you earlier.. everything in mom's room still remains unchanged.. like they had been on the night of 13th Sep.. in 2010..

Friends, even my maids, have stopped poking me to get over of that.. they know, i would never oblige!

XXX

Visited Shahnaz Aunty one last time.. she would make me kheer tomorrow.. the one which Muslims specially make for Eid.. She forced me she would get me today's dinner.. although that's already arranged at home.. her son had just come with parathas and chicken.. i will have them later..

XXX