Right At Home

                      
Right At Home

“It might seem crazy what I'm ‘bout to say 
Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break
Huh, because I’m happy...”
“Sherry and Terry, you both are looking so happy. What's the special today?”, Taj Mahal asked. Sherry started ebulliently “Taj Mahal bhaiya (brother), Bhabhi(Sister in law), Neil and Nikita(their kids) came back to the home after the vacations of almost one month. This one month was very tedious for us. We were alone at home. No one was here to take care of us. In the starting we were talking and laughing but afterwards it became dull.” Terry added to Sherry “I badly missed Nikita’s innocent sur and Neil’s naughty taal.” Then Sherry replied “you talked just like Neil.” And all laughed of loud. 
“After completion of vacations, they came and Bhabhi straight away started cleaning the home and we got first number and now look at us we are so fresh and pretty but, Taj Mahal look at you, you are dirty without bath, little bit yellowish” Sherry and Terri teased to Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is always proud with high temper. Actually, it suits him. Taj Mahal countered “I am snow white fair and very beautiful and I will be always. My unique beauty is recognised by whole world and I was one of the wonders of the world.” 
Decoration cycle started talking in between like rushing in between two cars “Taj Mahal looks really wonderful amongst all of us. We must agree.” 
Kerala elephant brought all back to the main conversation and said “After so many days we feel very fresh because Bhaiya, Bhabhi, Neil and Nikita came back. Bhabhi’s unique quality is she always gives first priority to us, to clean us, to make us feel fresh.” 
Small Lantern agreed upon Kerala elephant’s opinion and added “Neil and Nikita are their biological kids but bhaiya and bhabhi treat us with same love and affection. I think little bit more love with us. Right twisted flower pot?”
 When small Lantern addressed flower pot as ‘twisted’, flower pot irritated and he was about to cry and spoke out “all of you started calling me twister just like naughty Neil. I don’t want to talk to you.” 
Then sparrow peeped out from her nest and started speaking with her melodious voice “don't cry flower pot. This shape is itself is your beauty. Bhaiya and Bhabhi always say that you are very valuable. Did you forget this?” Now flower pot became happy with sweet dimple on his face. He said happily “very important thing is when Bhabhi clean us, she always uses very soft and clean cloth. As I’m continuously in water when she cleans me up with affection, I feel the warmth of a mother’s love in it. And I become fresher like an autumn.” 
When water word uttered, Shikara boat from the Dal Lake Kashmir came in front and started sharing her experience excitedly “initially I had mixed feelings just like a bride. At one side new life is going to start and, in another side, you are going to miss your family, home sometimes your place also. I was also in same dilemma. My mother had a concern about how can I survive in Mumbai’s hot and humid climate but when bhaiya, bhabhi, Neil and Nikita came to my Kashmir’s home, Nikita picked up me. I still remember Nikita and Bhabhi were looking so lovingly at me. My mother said at that time this house must be decent so each and everyone will live happily. Now I got very caring, amazing friends like you. I’m experiencing affection in this hot and humid climate.”
During this plumpy conversation, 12 struck in a Clock.  Cuckoo sir came from the Clock. It was 12 noon. So cuckoo sir got much time to speak. Actually, he is a foreigner. He Came from Germany. So, everyone calls him as ‘Sir’. Cuckoo sir began to express “Since, my first day everyone was curious about me. Especially Neil and Nikita. She was welcoming me as ‘welcome cuckoo Sir, welcome cuckoo Sir’ just like welcoming the special guests with snacks and tea. At that time, I felt very happy and proud of Nikita. Till now, Neilkumar came to know that I will be coming in the window for more time at 12. So, he started rotating my hands so fast to bring the time at 12. It hurts me. It was very painful. When bhaiya came to know about Neil's this notorious behaviour, Neil got slapped. Bhaiya warned him not to behave like this again. I also felt bad for Neil but felt pleased because bhaiya could understand my feelings. As cuckoo Sir was very particular about time, he shared his experience eloquently and rushed into his home. Generally cuckoo sir addresses bhaiya and bhabhi as sir and ma'am because he is a ‘German Cuckoo.’
“I have heard from my family friend’s that their family members go to office daily. So, no one is in home. They don't feel, that house as their home. Only four walls and feeling suffocated. Our ‘Ajmer’ friends were telling right Mr Puppet?”, Mrs Puppet asked. As head of the family, Mr Puppet said “yes we are so fortunate that we are here. This home is not only positive, caring but also delightful. We get all respect, love from our bhaiya, bhabhi and little ones. Even though, we are non-living in this living world, bhaiya’s family treat us like their own family members.”
 As in Panchpakkwan (a meal with five different sweets) spicy tadaka must be included to add the richness of the food. Just like spicy tadaka, photo frame started complaining about his fate “you all are very lucky. Bhabhi cleans you daily. Sometimes, she changes your places. So, you get a chance to enjoy the new place with new friends. This enjoyment is not for me. I keep on hanging on the same wall and maybe die here only.”
 Sparrow came out again and convinced “photo frame, when guests come to our home, their first attention goes to you only.  They appreciate your beauty a lot. These big and boring walls get ‘The Most Graceful Award’ because of you only. So, they are always thankful to you.”
 Sparrow has a strong convincing power with over loaded sweetness. She continued “we came here from different corners of the world. Someone from Kashmir, Kerala some from Gujarat, Agra. We are always thankful to God, because of his blessings only, we are here. But now it’s time to take care of our lovely family.” 
 Everyone agreed to Sparrow’s word and showed ‘Unity in Diversity.’ They expressed the best wishes to bhaiya, bhabhi, Neil and Nikita. Goddess of the home also showered blessings and said “Tathastu.”

 Prajakta Supekar 
  30/09/2021