" It's okay...we love to help my sister. And it's our plate....we can wash it ourselves. we are big boys..." said pradip and that made my heart big with pride. That's my boy..and I am proud of him.
As I was about to go in I heard my father in law say " That's right...a man should know how to help his mother and sister....when I was young I used to help my mother a lot. My daughter in law is doing the right thing...don't interfere. " his voice is firm and my respect grew more for him.
with Adrik I entered the house. Children came running towards me. I let my boys take the bags from my hand while purvi fetched water for us to freshen up and then brought cold water for us to drink.
" Thank you for taking care of the naughty ones....hope you both had a lovely lunch. " I asked my mother in law. " yes, we have. Thank you for cooking for us. " said my father in law, it's my first proper conversation with him and already I am getting fatherly vibes from him.
" It's not a big deal...don't thank me. " I told him. " Mom....did you buy clothes for us? " asked pradip looking towards the big bags.
" Yes, I bought clothes for winter for you and your sisters. " I told him while picking Arav from the bed, that little was stretching his hands to get me to me.
" sister....look your dress is soo pretty. " said pradip showing purvi her dress. Purvi's eyes sparkled as she saw her new dress.
" what have you bought for the boys? " asked my mother in law. " I told the sister to make some warm clothes for the boys and as for normal dress...they have many so I didn't buy anything. " I told her and by her look I know she didn't like my answer but I said nothing to explain to her. she didn't argue with me.
She talked with adrik a little and left. Now I don't have time to waste. I am going to invite my sister in law for my daughters birthday and since I am meeting with her for the first time I will be taking sweets for her.
Aloo puli. The dish's primary components are rice flour, maida (refined flour), suji (semolina), and a filling made of coconut jaggery/Nolen Gur. And I fourtunately have everything with me.
" Husband you rest and take care of the little one and others come and help mummy. " I told dragging the kids in the kitchen. The boys have learned their manners and now doesn't mind doing work with me.
It's so simple first I should heat the pan and add the ghee. As it melts, I add the coconut and stir for a couple of minutes and then add the sugar and let it in the jaggery and let it melt.
" Arav is sleeping...you need my help? " asked adrik getting in the kitchen. I know the kids wants to play and frankly they are delaying my work so I shooed them away and took adriks help. I had to instruct him to do the work.
" Keep mixing everything together. Add the cardamom powder and mix in." I gave him the container and he nodded like a good student. I let the children's go in our room and do some drawings since Adrik is here to help me.
" Keep cooking the mixture for 7-8 mins or until it comes together such way that once fisted it should hold the shape. " I instructed him and he did as I told him to do.
well my plan is to take sweets and to make a sweet connection with my sister in law hope that works well for me.
Now its time to heat the vegetable oil, and deep fry the pithes, a few at a time to a golden brown over a medium flame. I didnt let Adrik do that work for me...his hands are precious made to save lives what if he gets hurt ? I can do the work myself. So , he just simply watched as I fried those pithes.
Once they are ready I took them out and dunk them in the warm sugar syrup for about 4-5 mins. This will make it nice warm and sweet. Very tasty for cold days. Adrik told me his brother is having seven kids .....so I packed one pithes for each child and two for the adults. Since two of his brothers children have not started solids yet so I made some sweet yogurt for them.
I have packed 16 pithes for that house and gave one each to my family for tasting. I have set aside Arab's yogurt. when he wakes up I will feed him his portion. " How is it ? " I asked them . My kids are now having mouth covered in syrup but still they manged to answer .
" So good mummy " said Purvi who is eating like a little squirrel. " So tasty " said my boys and well its not that bad to be mother of some cute kids. " Husband lets go and do what we both have planned. " I told him. This time I let him carry the bag and together we came out to go in our family house.
" I think brother will be back from farm now. " said Adrik. Its my first time going in the family house. I know Adrik's elder brothers wife is a good woman its just I never wanted to have a good relation with her. We reached near the house in few minutes . The house is big with a huge courtyard for vegetables and fruits , the house is really clean.
A little girl is siting in the courtyard feeding a little child , she looks tired and quite irritated with the child , she has no experience and is having hard time controlling the child. " She is the eldest daughter of the family . " said Adrik in a whisper. I nodded.
" Bhabi....bhabi....." he called out , that's what you are supposed to call your elder brother's wife. A woman walked out of the house , she is a in her thirties , a motherly glow in her face , looking quite shy she walked towards us.
she looked at me with a curious glance and I think I deserve it . I smiled at her and she smiled back in response....hope my relation gets better with her. Hope things get better.