(Sep 5, 9:11pm)

Returned from the market some one hour back... Got lots of sweets and other snack.. and now storing them in jars which I washed in the morning..

Don't think muma's absence has taught me these daily chores.. Every year on mom's b'de, I would be doing that.. since when I was very young..

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On her b'de In 1993, mum, I remember, had in fact suddenly cut short her classes and rushed home panicking.. she thought I might just open the stove too, and try cooking for her..

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In 2010 while I was arranging the snacks in the jars, exactly at this time, having returned from the market, she came out of her room and started tasting everything.. randomly.. hurriedly..

Much to my chagrin.. in fact I always advised her against this.. for me, everything has to be perfect..

So unless everything was arranged properly in the 'dubbas', you couldn't taste.. and you just cannot taste  like that.. you must have it properly served..

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Who would have known, she'd fall ill just in few hours.. post midnight.. and in 9 days, she would be gone..

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But why think of 2010.. let's think about 2009.. 5th sep.. I had arrived only in the morning.. from my college in Chennai.. 2000 km down south..

And the day was quite the same.. hectic.. arduous.. and without food..

But unlike today when I really didn't have anything to eat because the maid bunked, that time it was my reckless behaviour..

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The next day, 6th Sep, was grand... we had a guest too.. an uninformed visitor, mom's batch mate's younger sister..

She agreed to have lunch with us, and on hearing about the D-day, gifted a metal fish to mom too.. which I guess, made her quite happy.. Presents, no matter how old you have grown, always make you happy..

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Perhaps, it is human nature to feel elated at the show of affection.. age has no role to play here.. In fact as you grow older, you learn to value more..

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Evening was wonderful too.. we had the cake.. plus select dishes from select restaurants.. one item from Rajasthan, the other from Kapil's 11..

I am usually careful at not just listing the menu, but also at deciding which one would be the best at what place..

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Tomorrow I'd be doing that again.. I'll visit the temple to offer prayers.. and then get the cake and other things for dinner.. but that would be in the evening..

For lunch, I'll ask Bharati ji to prepare pulao and chicken.. and some raita.. plain one.. since dinner would be heavy..

XXX