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It was a beautiful day. Sky was clear ,cool breeze tossed leaves under the trees sluggishly.

Down the
slopes of tiger hill , view was clear .One could see almost three sixty degree angle . The far flung
snow capped peaks of ChurChandni sent refreshing air of tranquillity. As I walked past the tea stall
on the Mall , smell of fresh Darjeeling tea , forced me to turn around for short break. I descended
the steps beside Carlton Hotel and approached the lower Bazar road .It was my usual path, where
way home I made a short stop to pick up fresh baked honey bread and our stock of milk for the day.
After retirement I had settled in a small hill town which was not very far from my native place. My
busy schedule to office had made Subhadra and kids busy in their lives. I had worked nine to nine
schedule till one day when I realized that I was not supposed to go to office. The realization that
there was nothing to keep me busy sent shivers through my inner soul. Subhadra , despite being a
housewife and having ample domestic help, had very tight schedule .I wished retirement age was
ten years extended.
I jumped to my i-pad and started exploring internet sites, as to how I should lead my second life.
There emerged whole lot of literature , a whole bunch of options. Some suggested re-emloyment ,
some social service, club houses etc. Apart from a daily session with my kids-plants in my backyard ,
Subhadras kitchen garden , morning walk has become an essential part of my daily routine.
Although entry into kitchen garden did not go without warning. She warned me about each and
every corner, her precious possessions their age, their likes- dislikes .I had never, known she had
whole different world to keep her so preoccupied. I was alarmed about her concern, and I wasnt
confident of my gardening talents. Anyways I had to create my separate corner, which has over the
years amalgamated into her part of organics.
As usual as I reached home Subhadra had done her short morning walk in the backyard, caressed her
kids as she called them. Meanwhile as I removed my shoes and sat with the newspaper, she got us
fresh green lemon tea. Phone bell rang suddenly, as both of us did not expect any call at his time. Hi,
grandpa how r u? What r u doing today? I am coming with few of my friends. I wanna show them
hills and wild .Is it okay with U? It was Arnab. He had this habit of saying everything in one go.
As I got back to my chair and picked up my cup ,I discovered Subhadra had disappeared. Soon I was
busy in the backyard pruning the roses and watering rest of the greens. Kitchen abutted the
backyard, So I could see that Subhadhra was busy there. Why was she cooking so early? We had vey
light breakfast so no lavish cooking used to be there. Sweet smell of desi ghee besan ladoos
disturbed me. I forgot what I was doing and soon found myself in the kitchen. What is this ? Is there
any festival today. Yes came the answer from her busy being who was rolling ladoos elegantly with
her both hands occasionally using cold milk to hold the batter together. I turned to the calendar
hung in kitchen by her to check full moons, new moons etc. NoI shouted back. You fool my
grandson is coming , is it less than a festival?
Let me see if these ladoos are good enough for our Arnab. Step aside I will not give you even one
.They are all for Arnab. Anyhow I stole one. It was yummy . I could not remember when she had
made these in the past. Ok leave my way if you can not help me. I have so many things to make .
No ,no tell me what should I do? First tell me what are you going to make? Ok don;t talk so much
,bring onion and garlic from the store and peel them . Ok but tell me what are you cooking?
Butter paneer , palak kofta , sweet and sour pumpkin , Puri , Kheer , dahi bhalla . It was an endless
list. Do you think he will eat so much. Dont worry his friends are also coming sternily, she
replied. Arnab should visit us every week, thought I .
Soon I found myself peeling cruel onions and crying. Green chillies , garlic , tomatoes followed. It was
fun any how . With hope of getting a lavish lunch, I finished chopping veges with not much effort.
Great go and take bath now , are you not late for breakfast? Oho! I had forgotten my breakfast.
What special are u making for meI enquired like a child. Nothing, came a cold reply today you
have to eat Oats and Museli. Why old people were not pampered like this. I wished I was Arnab.
Subhadra had not finished all her cooking and I was still sipping my breakfast tea when there was lot
of noise outside. I got up to see . Simultaneously the doorbell rang ,it was Arnab.............
In a moment our living room was filled with all new kind of hair styles, Yankee pants, and flashy
shoes.

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