I was shaken out of my mandatory post-lunch siesta on a particular day when the kids entered home after coming back from school and announced loudly in unison, “Mum, it’s our sports day on Wednesday,” . Before I could gather myself properly on the sofa, the war of words ensued as to which house is going to grab the 1st spot this time, Emerald or Onyx. The war of words gained momentum to such extent within few minutes that both of them had to use their limbs to win over the other and I had to intervene, “Well, kids, if you are practicing hard, then you have equal chance to win. Now let us decide what am I going to bring to school on that day to snack on during breaks.”
(They were put in different house on my request so that a healthy competition between brother and sister is fostered. In retrospect, I think that was a pretty bad idea actually!).
….and they immediately settled down to decide on “something healthy” list of snack and drink that would keep them energized throughout the day to win the battle. Chhutku went on to suggest “kind of chicken pizza” as according to him ,chicken is protein and gives energy (so Chhutku-ish) and Misti went diagonally opposite to suggest some” fruit & nutrition bar” in her trade mark tone of a authoritative big sister as her Sports Teacher said so…
The list grew into a full page within minutes and I apprehended another round of verbal and physical series of attacks and counter attacks. During these moments of crisis, I am often compelled to use the ultimate warfare that I have in my stock and I had to announce,” Babies, stop fighting. Let Dadda come back from office and decide.”Their Dad has the ultimate veto power on any issue which we cannot decide upon amicably!
After a long day in office, my husband had to put on the Judge’s cap (a virtual one) to decide on the things that I should carry to school on sports day and Chicken Pizza was the first item to be struck down! Chhutku grumbled endlessly behind the closed doors but the list had already been finalized which included glucose biscuits, fruit slices, fruit juices and lemonade (home made).
Well, this part was still easy but here comes the next part – execution of the decision! “Obviously, Ma is going to come to school with these in a “Fly Emirates” bag,” stated Chhutku very casually.
Was it that simple? Nah!!
So Misti quipped,” Yeah, I know, only if she remembers the day and date.” By now, along with everybody in my family, my kids are also convinced that I am a living example of “forgetfulness”. Chhutku never had complains if ever I missed any Parental Engagement Day as he inherited many traits of mine(forgetful, unorganized, clumsy) but unfortunately for me, Misti is blessed with many traits of her dad (elephant’s memory, methodical, perfect). So she took it upon herself to remind me every day. She prepared a list of items on a A-4 size paper with flashy colors and wrote the day and date in Font size 40 in bold and pasted it right on the Fridge Door. As if, that was not enough, everyday she read out from that paper quite a few times with the hope that it would get etched out in my memory cells before the D-day arrives!
…..and finally the day arrived. Misti gave me the final reminder before boarding the bus and instructed me categorically to bring everything in two sets in two bags so that there was no confusion in the last minute. Nervous as never before, I packed everything as instructed and hopped into a taxi well in advance so that I could reach before the March Past. I took a seat in the front row managing three of my bags (two “Fly Emirates” and my Purse) somehow. The moment Misti spotted me in the audience, came another hailstorm from her, “Ma, got everything? Remember, the yellow-purple bag is mine. Have you got a schedule of the events? Please get one from Mr. Todd otherwise, how would you know where to go? Come back quick, ok?” I ran in vague direction to collect a schedule from Mr. Todd not knowing where he was and somehow, managed one and took good 15 minutes to figure out where the various pits were and how the events had been organized. I froze almost when it was clear that they would be in different pits simultaneously as they are in different class and to make matter worst, the pits were diagonally opposite at any point of time. How could I make myself present in two places at the same time? What if Misti feels thirsty when she was running the sprints? …and Just in case Chhutku feels hungry when he had been lined up for long jump? Brain stopped working, as usual and I took a deep breath!
By the time, I could decide on my strategy, the announcement came,” Please do not enter the play ground with heels.” Now where do I keep my sandals (my favorite one)? Exhausted with so many ifs and buts, I dumped it in one corner of the ground and started running towards the pit where Misti was going. She was participating in the long jump while Chhutku was trying his hands on with Cricket shots in other side of the field. I barely stood there for few minutes watching Misti and she came towards me, “Now I will have to wait for my 2nd and 3rd chance. You go to Chhutku if he needs you. Don’t worry, I don’t want anything for drink or snack’.”
I ran towards Pit No 4 in bare feet gasping for breath and moment I reached there, the event came to close. With Chhutku and his group, I walked (ran) to Pit no 6 and hardy took few breaths while watching Chhutku throwing the javelin and he whispered, “Ma, give me some juice and go to Babu in case she needs water.” I grabbed my bags and ran to other pit on the other side of the pit where Misti was practicing basket ball. “Ma, how is Chhutku doing? Give me some water, no lemonade please and I don’t mind if you wish to go and stand with Chhutku,” Misti said so lovingly. Another 100 meter sprint for me…….
……and this continued till the day ended with Misti’s house securing the first position while Chhutku’s house came second. What a day! “Kids, now I need a break and some rest too. My legs are aching badly and I am very hungry after day-long sprinting across the field umpteen numbers of times,” I almost collapsed and sat on the grass in the field. “Ma where have you kept your sandals?,” asked Misti with so much of concern.
“I don’t remember, baby. Never mind, I will walk bare feet but I have no energy to search for it now,” I somehow managed to utter. Chhutku (the one who does not walk a step if not pushed) said so caringly,”Misti, You give her some biscuits and lemonade and I am going to search for her sandals”
….He came within few minutes with my sandals dangling in his hands and we headed towards the cafeteria with my two children by my sides as we were in no mood to eat those leftover biscuits, juices and stale-smelling lemonade. Once we had rested and were no longer starving, the brain gradually returned to “function” mode and we decided to call up Dubai Taxi to be transported to home. As now the brain was in fully functional mode, it came to my mind in a flash that so far, except deciding on the list of snack and drink, their Dadda had not contributed in any ways to this ‘Oh-so-important” event of the kids.
…..and I wasted no time in shooting an sms that we were thoroughly exhausted after so much of active sports to call a taxi and that it was his moral responsibility at least to come to school, pick us up and drop home! Emotional blackmail always works and he obliged.
Once back home, I threw myself on the sofa straightway in the drawing room itself as if I was a dead warrior and fell asleep within minutes! That day, I had to take off from kitchen duty also as I earned this right after such flawless execution of motherly duty! A hot-water footbath followed after some lovely Biriyani and kebabs (home delivered by Handi, a favorite eatery joint of mine and it was complimentary from my husband’s side!). I retired finally calling it a day!!
Even though I woke up with sore legs the next day, I had few reasons to feel very happy about. Firstly, contrary to my perception, the brother-sister duo showed that they cared for each other and both wanted their Ma to take care of the other and watch the other perform, even if it meant that I had to cris-cross the field so many times! How sweet and generous on their part!! Secondly, even if they were tired and exhausted, they took care of their Ma in the best possible way! Shouldn’t I be proud of my little ones and lastly, as it was too much of exercise the previous day, I could merrily take off from Studio Fitness and enjoyed random TV serials over left-over biriyani and kebabs!!
The count-down for the next Sports Day has already begun and Chhutku has started negotiating hard that the list of snack must include chicken pizza next time!!
