#juggernautcontest ; #mominme  #hangry  Here's my entry for the contest :)


Title: Will She Ever Get In?
I see her through the crack of the wardrobe door. She begins her day by cursing the alarm. "Damn you! I was dreaming of David Beckham and now you're reminding me to make breakfast?"

 Seven snooze buttons later, Tara woke up with a start. She was late again. She ran to the kitchen and whipped up some porridge for the kids (with applesauce, no sugar). 

Then she packed sandwiches in their lunchboxes (thank God for pre-made chutney) and went to get her sleeping monsters ready. 

 
 The children were dragged out of bed, pulled through the brushing, bath, change and finally seated at the breakfast table. Tara's tummy gave a tiny rumble of hunger.

"This porridge tastes like mud, we want sugar!" The kids yelled.

 "No sugar, eat healthy!" She yelled back, trying to shove the gloopy mass into their clamped mouths. "Sugarrrrr!" They yelled louder, so sugar was summoned. Just few spoons later, the bus arrived. 


With the kids packed off, Tara thought she would have time for her green tea but, she was mistaken. First there was the dhobi, then the maid, then the neighbour, then the husband's breakfast and lunch to be dealt with. I could hear her tummy rumble louder in the wardrobe. 

"Let me make my egg white omelette now," she mumbled, when....

Ting tong! "Madam, we are from the bank, you have five minutes?" "Sure," she said.; The stomach protested again. 

Five minutes became twenty. The bank guys went on about something, but Tara could hardly comprehend their words. 

Her eyes filled with tears and images of vada pav filled her head. She wanted to ask her unwanted visitors if they had nothing better to do but resisted. 

The maid butted in, "Didi, I won't come to work tomorrow, sister's husband's cousin's son marriage."

"Go, go for the entire world's marriage," Tara muttered, now nursing a headache. The maid didn't hear her but I did. "Easy now, Tara," I whispered. 

Ping! WhatsApp text from the husband.; "Baby, meeting the boys tonight for beer, will be late!" 

I could smell the smoke from Tara's ears as she typed a string of angry emoticons. 

"Relax," I wanted to tell her. "Remember, you promised." 


Now the protests in Tara's tummy had turned into a revolt. She marched to the kitchen. They were all out of eggs. "No eggs!" She screamed. 

"Control, control!" I yelled. But it was too late. 

Tara turned hulk and gobbled up two chocolate bars, one jam sandwich and the leftover sugary porridge within seconds. Then, all was quiet.

After a few minutes I could hear her near the wardrobe. She opened it and held me in her arms. Her fingers touched my faded places, the fashionably torn patches and the size 28 label. "I'm sorry," she whispered guiltily. "I'll try again tomorrow, promise. I'll fit into you soon."

And I, her old skinny jeans smiled and sighed again.

#juggernautcontest ; #mominme ; #hangry  
Here's my entry for the hangry mommy contest :)


Will She Ever Get In?
I see her through the crack of the wardrobe door. She begins her day by cursing the alarm. "Damn you! I was dreaming of David Beckham and now you're reminding me to make breakfast?"
 Seven snooze buttons later, Tara woke up with a start. She was late again. She ran to the kitchen and whipped up some porridge for the kids (with applesauce, no sugar). 

Then she packed sandwiches in their lunchboxes (thank God for pre-made chutney) and went to get her sleeping monsters ready. 

 

 The children were dragged out of bed, pulled through the brushing, bath, change and finally seated at the breakfast table. Tara's tummy gave a tiny rumble of hunger.
"This porridge tastes like mud, we want sugar!" The kids yelled.

 "No sugar, eat healthy!" She yelled back, trying to shove the gloopy mass into their clamped mouths. "Sugarrrrr!" They yelled louder, so sugar was summoned. Just few spoons later, the bus arrived. 
With the kids packed off, Tara thought she would have time for her green tea but, she was mistaken. First there was the dhobi, then the maid, then the neighbour, then the husband's breakfast and lunch to be dealt with. I could hear her tummy rumble louder in the wardrobe. 
"Let me make my egg white omelette now," she mumbled, when....
Ting tong! "Madam, we are from the bank, you have five minutes?" "Sure," she said.; The stomach protested again. 

Five minutes became twenty. The bank guys went on about something, but Tara could hardly comprehend their words. 
Her eyes filled with tears and images of vada pav filled her head. She wanted to ask her unwanted visitors if they had nothing better to do but resisted. 
The maid butted in, "Didi, I won't come to work tomorrow, sister's husband's cousin's son marriage."

"Go, go for the entire world's marriage," Tara muttered, now nursing a headache. The maid didn't hear her but I did. "Easy now, Tara," I whispered. 
Ping! WhatsApp text from the husband.; "Baby, meeting the boys tonight for beer, will be late!" 

I could smell the smoke from Tara's ears as she typed a string of angry emoticons. 

"Relax," I wanted to tell her. "Remember, you promised." 
Now the protests in Tara's tummy had turned into a revolt. She marched to the kitchen. They were all out of eggs. "No eggs!" She screamed. 

"Control, control!" I yelled. But it was too late. 
Tara turned hulk and gobbled up two chocolate bars, one jam sandwich and the leftover sugary porridge within seconds. Then, all was quiet.
After a few minutes I could hear her near the wardrobe. She opened it and held me in her arms. Her fingers touched my faded places, the fashionably torn patches and the size 28 label. "I'm sorry," she whispered guiltily. "I'll try again tomorrow, promise. I'll fit into you soon."
And I, her old skinny jeans smiled and sighed again.

#juggernautcontest  #hangry  #mominme  
Sakshi was standing beneath her impressive tall standing office building, the famous Rennaisance Towers. She had now been working on it's 17th floor for last 5 years but it seemed as if ages had been spent here...her second Uber booking had been cancelled..she had confirmed it from her side but that guy on the other end had cancelled it.. evening office rush sucks.... everyone wants to get back home or these days even to a gym or at friend's.. ASAP..
What a day it had been..curse Mumbai...Curse it's traffic.. mornings..evenings..even sometimes nights are maddening in this city of dreams..it never sleeps.. everyone is; running in a mad race...but all she wanted now was a cab...; it was already 6:15 and in half an hour it would be time for Aarav's day care to close for the day..she hated that look in Aarav's eyes when he was the last child who was left waiting to be collected..he never said anything as he couldn't speak much but that look always brought tears in Sakshi's eyes.. sometimes she thought wether she had taken the right decision to carry on with her job after Aarav..but that flat they had bought before his birth had still many unpaid installments and she like always had wanted to support Sumit (husband)..but how she wished she could leave everything and be with Aarav and see her boy growing!!
Trying for a booking the third time, Sakshi felt her stomach fluids doing a somersault... probably even making some weird noise.. she then remembered that all she had eaten since morning was an egg and 2 slices of bread..post that it was a mad day at office..the cleint presentation on which she had worked day and night had not gone as expected and later a; showdown with boss had made her skip lunch..ya she had 3 cups of coffee which combined with hunger.. frustration and anger had started giving her even a heartburn.... sometimes she felt like 40 or 45 at 32... God bless Sumit (husband), who before leaving early today for office had cooked her an egg and knowing that she had been working hard till late night on her final client presentation had been kind enough to freshen up Aarav (2.5 year old son) and drop him to his day-care..
The cab had thankfully arrived and Sakshi was now eagerly waiting to meet her son, who on the other end would be as eager to run into his mother's open arms...if there was one such time of the day when Sakshi could close her eyes for a few minutes and think about something or even not think at all and relax, it was this.....
But amusingly, today despite of so many things going inside and around her, her thoughts were centred on rajma chawal and a thandi kheer from her mom's hands..but dream it was as mom lived a bit far and wouldn't anyhow come to visit her on a Wednesday...well Wednesday it was; today so Radha taai (the cook) would be cooking simple daal chawal as per the predecided menu Sakshi always gave her at the start of the week.. avoiding mid week hassle always made her plan most of the things in advance...anyways who had the time or energy left at the end of the day to shop for groceries also now!!
Sakshi had collected Aarav who thankfully today was not the last one as Prisha, another kid and Aarav's buddy's was also waiting for her mom who by chance was late that day..but Mrs. khanna (the daycare lady)..was a gem of a person who was responsible and never complained..and always had a smiling face..
Sakshi who was carrying Aarav throughout the 10 minute walk from the daycare to their flat had now asked him to get down for a minute and Gosh..the moment she had opened the door and was expecting the smell of the daal tadka to welcome her, she remembered that it was the third Wednesday of the month, the day when Radha taai visited Siddhivinayak and it was a compulsory leave for her..
Damm..how could she forget this..there was no option now but to cook...Sumit would be there any moment now...and Aarav was thirsty..Sakshi had served him some water and gulped down a glass herself when the bell rang..
She knew it was Sumit but when she opened the door!!..it was Sumit and her Mom!?... Mom?..howcome mom was here?..at this hour?..with Sumit?..and what was she carrying?...that familiar big steel tiffin!!..Sakshi could smell Rajma chawal in it even before opening it!!..
Sensing that she was too too surprised, mom had given Sakshi a hug and told Sakshi how Sumit had called her and told about how Sakshi had a very bad day, rather days..and she was needed there..
Sakshi's happiness had no bounds...in this day full of struggles and in fact in her life which was full of struggles most of the times,; she was blessed with a family who cared and supported her!!
The hangry mom Sakshi was now being fed by her mom to a sumptuous meal of Rajma -Chawal, Paneer masala, zeera rice and her favourite thandi Kheer!!
Sakshi finally had a good ending to; her day..How many of you are as lucky as Sakshi when it comes to days like these?..

#hangry  #juggernautcontest  #mominme  

It was finally that day! Aparna woke up early in the morning feeling all giggly inside. She tiptoed out of the bed, as though she were walking through a mine field, all the trouble just to avoid waking up the 1.5 year old. She had been planning for some days now, and a demanding baby before things were done would derail the whole plan!

Aparna quickly got done with the morning chores, her in-laws had decided to go to the temple in the morning. She sent her husband off to work as well, she smiled at the still sleeping form of the baby visible through the crack of the door. She had the house to herself till afternoon, she calculated. After making a few phone calls, she decided to catch up on breakfast before Kichu woke up. She had hardly taken a bite when the wailing started "ammaaa, ammmaa".; Well, breakfast can wait for sometime, she sighed under her breath.;

She had just bathed and fed Kichu, when she remembered,; "Uff! The cake". Strapping baby onto the car seat, she drove out honking and snaking her way through the busy roads. She reached the bakers, and waited as they brought her order, a beautiful glazed chocolate cake. She glanced sideways at the array of sweets, pastries and rolls.;

"Should I....?",; but she remembered her struggle with PCOS, she had sworn herself off junk food and was afraid lest she should lose control if she had even one. She clenched her fist, paid and left for home.;

Once home, she deftly worked at making the food for evening. She wanted everything to be perfect. Her stomach grumbled and growled and the baby refused to sleep. The hunger pangs and the baby tantrums along with the long list of chores still awaiting her made her feel frustrated... would any of the plannings even take off? After sometime her tummy gave up the futile growling, and the hunger fizzled out when she downed a glass of cold water from the fridge.;

It was 3'o clock by the time everything was done and smuggled away into the bedroom. She had cleaned up to cover her tracks and perfumed the rooms hoping that no aromas would be left behind. She had plans for the night with hubby dear. Just as it was all done the doorbell rang. She couldn't eat lunch now, for amma would enquire why she had not eaten till now. No excuse would be satisfying, she knew. So Aparna made small talks with regard to their travel.;

By evening, the door bell rang and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law arrived with their families. Aparna's in-laws were surprised at the sudden visit, she could tell by the look on their face. She proudly whipped out the cake from it's hidden place with the words "Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary" written in white across it.;

The surprise party was a hit. Amma's tinkling laughter and sparkling eyes, and appa's merry roar gave Aparna a deep satisfaction. She sunk her teeth into a juicy kebab, "This was definitely worth it", and she caught the warm smile of her husband from across the room.

#hangry #mominme #juggernautcontest
Priya was not sure if she is Angry or Hungry anyways the GRY made her CRY. Hubby is out of country so it's just the 1 year old Sanju and her, She was secretly happy when husband said that he will be out of the country for a week... It means "No cooking 🍳" still she managed to say "Oh Anand, me and the baby going to miss you loads" and hugged him, She was already planning where all she will lunch in with the baby. Thanks to the Baby Led Weaning Sanju can have her own meals with her hands, Yay!

The mornings were always packed cereals 🥣 and 2 minutes Maggie, Priya would baby wear Sanju and head out to malls and restaurants. First 2 days were fun they both had Chinese noodles, wonton and momos, Italian lasagne, risotto and dessert will also be Trimasu. When they both came home Priya could hear her tummy saying "Darrrrr burrrr " well when you eat out for continues 2 days Darrrrr burrr is common. She slept over it.

Priya woke up with bad stomach ache, She immediately understood she has got upset stomach, Still managed to cook and give something to little Sanju." Ringggrrr Ringggrrr " It was Anand"s WhatsApp msg, He sent a picture of soft idlies with sambar he is eating at a South Indian restaurant captioned " I miss your food baby". Priya was all of the sudden Angry on her and her hunger made it worse, She missed her mom who succumbed to death when Priya was newly pregnant. She missed her presence, Priya's mom always had mehandi on her hand.. The fresh ones not the powdered ones, Whenever Priya is sick she will give her curd rice with her mehandi hands and Priya would get well soon. After her mom passed away Priya did not dare to keep Mehandi, She simply can't bare the smell as it will bring her mother's memories.. 

She sat on her sofa with growling pain and remembered her mother, the smell of her mehandi hands and how fragile her mom was when she passed away. Priya asked " Ma where are you? I miss you so much ma" Suddenly Sanju was standing on front of her with half dripping cerelac spoon 🥄 offering to Priya. The little one understood her mumma is hungry, Priya was on tears and gladly took that spoon to her mouth.. That moment " Smell of Mehandi filled that room". 

Note: This story is bit of my imagination and bit of real life incidents. Unlike North side South Indians will grind the mehandi leaves and keep it fresh on thier 🤲 and take off when dried, The smell of fresh Mehandi and eating curd rice 🍚 with those hands is heaven and every South Indian will relish.