Day 8, AC:

I recently read about Hestia, Greek Goddess of the Hearth. She’s the one who keeps the home fires burning, and draws us to her warmth. In my attempt to become a Domestic goddess ( I need a name!!! What shall my avataar be??? Suggestions, anyone??), I shall endeavour to emulate Hestia. Although I’m not at all sure Hestia uses a rolling pin, or in my case, a wooden spoon.

This whole “become a Domestic Goddess” journey began one hot summer evening, eight nights ago. It began with the thunderbolt from Zeus himself! By the Gods, this was one storm I did not expect and for a day I tossed frantically in the murky depths of my despair.

Carmeline Braganza had coolly walked out on me. In a very indian standoff between maid and mistress, Maid sashayed out, nose in the air ( major cash debt notwithstanding) and Mistress won the standoff. Pyrrhic though it was, I convinced myself it was but a minor inconvenience.

Who am I kidding?? Carmen’s gone??? I woke up lathered in sweat despite the the freezing air conditioning, at 4 am. I hyperventilated. And rationalised. And fell asleep… to a nightmare where I was alone in the kitchen, pots boiling and frothing over….and I was all alone.

I eventually woke up and faced reality totally anaesthised. Change: it was time for Change. Change, good Change, necessary Change, unwanted Change, unnecessary Change ( in the middle of the holidays!!!!).

Did I forget to mention that we threw Man Friday out the same afternoon as well?

Ahh… it was definitely time for Big Change.

Amma looked at me nervously. She comes and stays nights, sends Ale to school, gives us dinner, breakfast and clears the kitchen so I may work, party, socialise unhindered. Amma, I like. She reminds me of a stubborn ox who will pull the plough with grit and get the darn field ploughed and never mind if it’s hot or cold or wet or dry. She squares her shoulders and gets to work. Which is exactly what she did that morning.

Day 1, AC ( Afer Carmen): Amma made chapattis, dal and a nice, crisp kuccha-pucca gobi. I relished the peace in the house and the silence in the kitchen. I had to clear up after lunch, but that was easy.

Day 2, AC: Amma saved me the morning and rustled up some simple fare. My Kaka took us for beer and sea food dinner. I was hoping for home-made thaali but he chose to dine out. Doolaly the micro brewery was boring. The food at Signature was not remotely south indian, despite the appams and neer dosas. Promised Kaki I would make her gassi and appams ( I can,err…I could).

We rescued a stray puppy from the street after dinner.That makes for five canines in the house. Better get her adopted before Ale gets back from Camp. She’s cute. Really.

Day 3, AC: Lunch courtesy Amma. Hmmm… need to get cooking. Dinner was at the Lovely Neighbour’s, for her birthday. Didnt have to cook. Yay!!

Day 4,AC: Amma treated us to more dal roti sabji. We ate humbly and gratefully. The Husband gave me some pointed looks as I refused to look him in the eye while he heated limp sabji in the micro.

Day 5, AC: Even more humble chapatti and bhendi. I spent the day at the Doctor’s (Oh, Im diabetic)after picking Ale up from camp. The Husband no longer looks pointedly at me but glares.Ale wrinkled her nose and gamely ate lunch and was probably back at camp with this menu. We eat dinner at the theatre, watching “Iron Man 2”. Nachos, samosas and watery Pepsi.

Day 6, AC: The Husband met Carmeline. Outside the gate! She came to repay the sabziwaali’s loan ( he was mighty tempted to ask her when she planned to repay ours). SHe pointedly told Lata-sabziwaali that SHE had quit working for US. Humph! I wouldn’t take her back if she begged……