Hina's Daily Diary - Episode 3

Episode 3:

Hello, my beautiful people. I am so excited to come to you all again and share how we celebrated my dear grandson's birthday. There is a popular saying in our community that says, "Nakal karta vyaj saru lage," which means the income of interest is dearer than the principal amount. And that's how I feel about Aakash too. But there is one more special reason because Aakash is the only one who understands and supports my dreams of becoming an actress. That's a dadi and pota secret. So, as our family tradition started by me, we wished him at midnight, and as usual, Jagdish got furious at this ritual of wishing at midnight.

"Raat na baar vagya pela bhoot braham karta hoi (Midnight is the time for the ghosts to party). Aapda Sanskar savar kor uthi (Our culture is to wake up early in the morning), take blessings of God and then blessings of elders. This Hina introduced all these western culture rituals in my traditional house."

"For everything, Hina is to be blamed. How about our darling daughter-in-law who only wears western clothes even if they do not suit her at all."

"I am not interested in arguing on useless topics with you. Tell me why you are dressed so early in the morning. Are you also helping Sheetal vav with the birthday party?"

"Never. Sheetal thinks only she should organize her son's birthday party, so let her do it. I am dressed because it is Kiara and Siddharth's wedding today."

"So, are you their mother that the media is standing outside of our home to take your pictures and interviews?"

"Tame nahi samju the excitement. Java do ne (You won't understand, leave it). By the way, is your tayyari (preparation) done for the birthday party?"

"Of course, I have already placed an order with the caterers. My kaam is always very chokas (perfect). There is no need to remind me at all."

That day in the afternoon...

So, all I had to do today was dress up and attend the party like a guest. All arrangements were taken care of by Sheetal and Jagdish. But I was an uninvited guest at Siddharth and Kiara's wedding today. I was waiting from the morning for the first pictures to be out, who wore what, what food was served at the wedding, how did their parents look like, etc., all the details. Just then I heard a conversation between Sameer and Sheetal.

"Who are you? Have you lost your way? This is the Patel household. Do we know you?"

"Tara chokra ni Maa chu Gadheda. Shu angrezi fade che? (What are you blabbering in English) You do not know the mother of your own child."

"I just could not recognize you. What have you done to yourself? Which salon did you go to? Are you sure they have done the right kind of make-up for you? I think we should go and ask for a refund."

"You will not understand this is a new kind of Western-style look. I am looking quite nice. I will go and ask Mummyji."

I did not want to lie. Though I had not seen Sheetal yet, the way Sameer's reaction was, I wanted to save myself from giving any kind of opinions today. It was her son's birthday, and I did not want to make her feel sad, so I locked myself in the washroom. Sheetal did not see me in my room, so she went away, and then I heard Jagdish shouting for me

"Hina, EE Hina."

I came out from the washroom to meet Jagdish. I sensed something wrong as Jagdish never returns home this early from the shop. He was late even for our own wedding because he was busy serving his customers. So, something is wrong. Jagdish met Sheetal on the way, and he asked her, "Tame ben kaun?" (Madam, who are you?)

"Papaji tame pan shu?" (Papaji, why are you kidding with me?)

"Etlo badhu party mate makeup oolkhati pan nathi. (So much makeup. It is so hard to recognize you) Ee jeva de. (Its ok, leave it) Tell me where is your mother, India?"

Hina comes out of the washroom.

"Mother India nu shu kaam padyo? (Why is Mother India being remembered so desperately?) Sheetal vav, do not listen to anyone. If you like your look, then just be happy about it. And yes, Mr. Jagdish, what can I do for you? I am quite busy with my Bollywood engagements today, so please be quick. I do not have much time."

Jagdish pulls me off to the bedroom. Well, I know what you all are thinking because you do not know Jagdish yet. And Jagdish began...

"Hina pela catering company. I made a big mistake. I gave the wrong date to the caterers."

"Le, how come you made a mistake. Tamaru kaam tub av chokas ne." (Your work is perfect, right?)

"I think shop nu too much stress bhari gadbad thai gayi. Kaik idea lagad ne have tu." (I blundered, please give me some idea)

"Wah, Hina does everything only for panchat (gossip) and timepass. Ek mahan vyakti bolya ta. (Some mahapurush said that) It is your problem, and you deal with it now."

I really did not want to help Jagdish, but what to do? I am a Bhartiya nari. In those TV serials, no matter how bad everyone is, but the bahu always does her own duties. I am not at all like those TV serial bahu, and my family is nowhere like those TV serial characters. Me and my family are like an Indian thali, a mix of everything sweet, sour, bitter, all-inclusive. I quickly thought of an idea and went secretly to my neighbor Madhu's home.

"What happened, Hina? Aren't you busy preparing for the party? I am so confused about which sari should I wear for the party?"

"Shu farak pade tu kai pan pere. Thodi tane koi jovanu che?" (Wear anything. Anyways, who is even looking at you?)

"Le, do not underestimate me, huh Hina? Just because I do not put any effort into dressing myself. Tara bhai (Your brother-in-law) was looking nicely at the new sari fashionista neighbour."

"Acha, so all this 'what shall I wear' baval (confusion) is stemming from there. Baju ma Babita reva aavi gai che. (We now have a Babita in the neighborhood) Wish I could help you in sari selection, but I need your help urgently. Jagdish gave the wrong date to the catering company, and now there is no food. Hoshyari chokas kaam ni." (This happens when one is overconfident of himself)

"Ohh. Babre. Tu pachi, why don't you ask She

etal vav to order food from some restaurant?"

"Restaurant to thik Madhu. Why don't we ourselves cook pav bhaji for all the guests? You remember we used to cook so many meals for all our functions in a kitchen outside."

Madhu was hesitant, but she never tells me NO. So, I got on to this special endeavor to cook last minute for so many guests. I immediately called Sameer and gave him the task of buying all the ingredients. Sheetal was extremely tense and not happy with my decision to cook. But since her papaji had already made a big mistake, she let it go too and was okay to follow my plan. I guess she wanted to do other things to keep children and guests entertained. At least, thank goodness, the cake was delivered on time as per Sheetal's choice. And my darling Aakash was just too carefree. All he wanted was just a good time with all his chillar party.

Jagdish helped me build a temporary kitchen in the neighborhood, and Madhu had already informed the other ladies of our group. So, here we were cutting, chopping, and churning the ingredients required to cook up a delicious pav bhaji. Payal, our new Bengali neighbor, saw us all cooking and offered her help. Madhu was angry at her but said, "More hands are always welcome as time is less and there is a lot to do." The ice was finally broken, and Payal had started mingling among the other ladies. Huge beach mats were rolled outside homes, men and kids sat down for the meals. Delicious Pav was sautéed in butter on a tawa and served hot to everyone. Jagdish and Sameer looked after all the guests, and my darling daughter-in-law was just busy chitchatting with her friends and clicking selfies. Really, this generation they do less work and only keep smiling for the pictures.

Then came the turn of the ladies to have their meals. So, we put the remaining food in the center, and all the ladies were happily enjoying the meal and chitchatting. As usual, my husband had to interrupt.

"My dear sisters, please let me know if I can serve any one of you. Please feel at home and eat nicely."

Madhu was quick to taunt...

"Jagdishbhai, we made pav bhaji by slogging for 3 hours, and now you have come here to show your mehmangati (hospitality)." The entire gang of ladies laughed off. Jagdish was embarrassed, but he promised that one day he will take the entire ladies' gang to eat the best Pav Bhaji of Morbi in a restaurant to return the favor.

Pav bhaji was delicious, and Aakash had a memorable birthday. Sheetal got tons of pictures for her Instagram account, and it was a well-deserved happy ending. See you all tomorrow. Till then, Jai Shree Krishna.