It was Teej yesterday.
For those of you who may not know, Teej is a festival celebrated in parts of Northern/Eastern India. Wives observe day long fasting and offer prayers for the well being & prosperity of their husbands.
Yesterday, as I observed the day long fasting, I couldnt but help being reminded about my first Teej. We had been married for 4-5 months when my first Teej arrived. I spoke to my mother who advised me to observe a day long fast. Even a drop of water was to be avoided ! Those were the initial heady days of marriage "jab log pratishtha me praan ganwaate hain". I didnt even think twice before blindly agreeing to do it. When I told hubby dear, he was more than encouraging.
"Dont worry, it wont be tough. And I'll make special Kheer for you to break Fast. You'll love it" said he.
I had never fasted before. But I was taken in by his assurances and continued with the Fast inspite of feeling uncomfortable all day long. I woke up next day feeling weak as a patient. My Hubby being in the habit of having "Bed Tea", simply looked up sleepishly and said "Honey will you please get me some tea ? I'll finish my morning rituals and quickly make you that special Kheer for breaking your Fast".
I wasnt quite feeling equal to the task but dragged myself to the kitchen and got him his morning Brew. He sipped it nonchalantly and glanced at the papers. It was only later that I realised how big a "Souten" the Newspapers would turn out to be.
Suddenly my hubby looked up from the papers and said "Hey, why dont you soak the Rice while I go through the papers. That way we'll save Time". I figured what he was saying was correct. I got up and did the needful.
"Hey where's the milk ?" asked my hubby. I pointed to the refrigerator. He thought for a while and said "Guess, you might as well put it on the stove. It'll likely take some time before it boils down to the desired thickness. I'll honour the toilets until that time"
I didnt like the looks of things but my throat was parched and my stomach was dying for a morsel of food. Willy nilly I put the milk on stove for boiling.
My hubby must have heard the sound of the gas lighter. No sooner had 5 mins passed, he shouted from the toilet "Could you stir the milk please otherwise it might spill over. Dont forget to add the rice." I was besides myself by that time. But I shouted back "Of course Honey, anything for you. I'll take care of the Milk & Rice. You take your time"
It wasnt long before the milk had evaporated to the desired thickness. Once again my hubby called out from the toilet "Honey, I'm almost done. Will join you shortly. If the milk is ready, please add the sugar and dry fruits". I was so hungry by this time that I could have had the kheer without the sugar and dry fruits. But I obediently did as told and waited for the thing to be ready.
My hubby finally appeared out of the toilet and joined me. He looked at the vessel with an expression that I thought resembled suppressed disappointment. He shook the ladle a couple of times and announced "Well, its done. Try it and let me know how it tastes".
I could hardly wait for the thing to cool down. As I shoved the steaming Kheer into my mouth, hubby said "Didnt I tell you ? I'll make you the most delicious Kheer you ever had. Isnt it great ?"
"Of course darling", I replied, "I'm lucky to have you. What would have I done without you ?"
"Main dua maangti hoon ki main saat janam tumhe hi paaun", added I in a thoroughly filmi fashion."
My hubby smiled innocently and hugged me.
But I wasnt done. I added "....aur yeh mera saatwan janam ho....!"
