The day I set out cooking

It was a sunday morning. My in-laws with whom we stay had gone outstation - which meant my husband, me and our four and half month old daughter had the whole house to ourselves to fool around with. My mother in law's absence also meant that I now had the control and charge of the kitchen and could try out and enjoy a few dishes for the afternoon feast. So then, I combed my hair back into a clip, tied up an apron, took on a belan and like the super cook they show in the cookery shows I was ready to go - when I realized I needed some chillies, tomatoes, bhindi for making pulav.

We have an in-house vegetable shop in the apartment, but woe of woes! I did not have his number. My husband proudly fetched out the intercom book and with a ever helpful voice said - The number is 3-6-2.

I said - ok! 3 – 6 - 0 !

A pause on other side and I hear him shouting - No ! 3 – 6 - 2

Funny ! Why did he have to speak so loud I thought and said - Ok..Ok ! 3 – 6 - 2 !

I dail the number and all charged up that I am, I say- "is it the vegetable shop ?"

The voice on the other end goes blank and says - "Bejitable shop ? ..."

I pause. I frown and I reply - "Isnt it the vegetable shop ? .."

And the voice says - "No madam.. Bejitable shop nahin hai... Security hai !" ( No madam.. its not the Bejitable shop… it is the security ).

Uh ! I pass a very silent long 5 seconds with the receiver on my ear.

I recover first and before anyone else can deduce anything I say confidently and sweetly-"Is it 3 - 6 - 0 ?"

The voice seemed pleased as it replied - "Haan Madam.. !"( Yes.. Madam !)

"Do you have the number of the vegetable shop?" - I ask. I continue to have the confident sweet smile on my face and the sweetness in my voice.

"Nahin madam... hamare paass nahin hain... "( No madam... I dont have it ... )

And then, as an after thought - "ruko madam.. Bejitable shop ka number chahiye na... Book me check karta hoon..." ( Wait Madam... you want the no. of the Bejitable shop.... Let me check in my book ... )

And I hear him fluttering some pages and mutter to himself -" B .. A... G... I ....."

( Uh! I couldnt believe my ears. I am unable to suppress my smile that is forming on my face. I sit back and give myself a few seconds before I continue. )

"Thats Ok.."( barely able to speak between my giggles..) "I have the no.. Its 3 - 6 - 2..."

"Achcha madam !" ( I can hear the relief and happiness in his voice ) .. (Ok... madam..)

I still have the smile on my face as I call the Bejitable shop to order for the chillies, ladiesfinger and tomatoes that I needed for my cooking. This time I am more relaxed and slow.

"Kul milake kitna hua?" ( How much will it cost .... ), I ask the Bejitable shop owner, Sanjay.

"60 rupees", he tells me after a bit of mental calculation..

"Ok, please have it sent immediately", I say

"Thik hai madam"( Ok, Madam), He answers. And then lowering his otherwise very loud voice down to a whisper, he asks a little cautiously -

"Madam, Maa ji nahin hai... ?" ( Madam, is maaji( motherinlaw ) not there ? )

Uh... !!!!!!!