*Dinner what? Do you guys talk anything but food? What was that? She asked what they served us on the plane? Like the first thing when you landed.'

I opened the fridge and took out two Frootis. I gave her one.

*She is going to come back from her walk and prepare dinner. Offer to help her, it is a good start.'

*Help her?' She poked a straw into the Frooti with more force than necessary.

*You know, make a dish or two. Or if you want to bowl her over, make the dinner tonight.'

*What? Are you crazy, I've never made full dinner.'

*Really?' I slurped noisily at my drink.

*Don't "really" me. Did you ever learn to cook?'

*No, but I studied all the time.'

*I went to IIMA, too.'

*Yeah but,' I said and paused.

*Yeah but, what? I am a girl, so tough luck, baby. There's the kitchen,' she said and tossed the Frooti carton on the table.

*Ananya, I am suggesting ways to win over my mother. You said you will do whatever it takes.'

*Fine, can I have another Frooti? I am famished.'

I gave Ananya another tetrapack. The doorbell rang. Ananya stood up too go to her room.

*Stay,' I said as I opened the door.

43.

My mother came back with two plastic bags full of vegetables. I helped her carry them into the kitchen. She opened the fridge to keep the vegetables inside.

*Who had the Frootis?' my mother said.

*I had one. And Ananya also.'

*Three Frootis are missing. She had two?' she said.

I kept quiet.

We came to the living room. My mother brought a giant cauliflower, a plate and a knife with her. She started cutting little florets with the knife, using her thumb as a base.

*Aunty, can I help?' Ananya said.

*With?' my mother said.

*With dinner,' Ananya said.

*Yeah, mom, why don't you let Ananya make dinner today?' I suggested with a heavy smile.

Ananya glared at me. To help is one thing, to prepare a whole meal another.

Still, if Ananya had to make an impression, she had to more than wash the vegetables.

My mother looked at Ananya.

*Sure, aunty, why not? It will be fun,' Ananya said.

Mom shrugged and passed the plate to Ananya. *Krish likes gobi aloo. I thought we will also make black daal, bhindi, raita and salad. Nothing much, simple dinner.

*Mom,' I said, to stop her from increasing the menu.

*The dry atta is in the drum below the gas stove. Knead some for the rotis,' my mother said. *Yes, Krish?'

*Nothing. You want to cook together so it is faster?' I said.

*She can make it if she wants to. I am not that hungry. Let it take time,' my mother said and switched on the TV.

Ananya cradled the cauliflower in her lap like a newborn child. She couldn't cut it like a pro, with the knife and thumb action. She cut florets one at a time, using the knife like a saw.

My mother sniggered. I gave her a dirty look. *I have a headache. I'll rest in my room. Call me when dinner is ready,' my mother said and left.

*Ananya, you want help?' I said.

*Leave me alone,' Ananya said, her gaze deep into the cauliflower.

*Use your thumb, like this,' I said and mocked the action with my hand.

Ananya tried. Two florets later, she cut herself. *Ouch!' she screamed.

*What happened?'

*Nothing,' she sniffed. *Nothing, go rest with your mother.'

*Is that blood?' I said. *You are hurt!'

*It's OK. I said I will do what it takes. What's a little blood?'

*This cut is not my mother's fault,' I said.

*Shut up and get me a band-aid. And bring the bhindi from the fridge,' she said.

An hour later we had cut the gobi, bhindi, onions, garlic, ginger, tomatoes, cucumber and green chillies required for the various dishes. Until you do it yourself, you don't realise the effort your mother puts into every meal.

We went to the kitchen. I took out the atta in a bowl.

*I have no clue how to knead this,' she said.

*It's OK, I've seen my mother do it. Let me try,' I said and poured water into the bowl.

*And you fry the onions in ...this?' Ananya pulled out a kadhai from the utensil shelf.

*Yes, please,' I said and switched on the gas. I opened the box of spices. She didn't know how to use them.

*Remember the five constant spices in every Punjabi dish a salt, turmeric, red chillies, coriander powder and garam masala,' I said.

Ananya cooked the vegetables while I worked the atta. I had to refill the atta twice due to too much stickiness. A pungent smoke rose in the kitchen. Both of us had a coughing fit.

*What did you do?' I said.

*I ... don't ... know.' Ananya coughed uncontrollably.

My mother came into the kitchen. *What are you doing?' she ran to the stove and lowered the flame. *Who cooks on such a high flame? See, the spices have burnt.'

Ananya backed off from the stove.

*And you? What are you doing here?' my mother said.

*I ... I came here because of the burning smell,' I said.

*And you hands fell into the atta?' she said, pointing to my dough-smeared palms and fingers.

I kept quiet.

*See, this is how she will use you after marriage. She can't even make rotis.'

Ananya exited the kitchen. I wanted to go after her, but with mom present, it didn't seem like a good idea. I threw up my atta-filled hands in despair.

*She is South Indian, mom, how can you expect her to....'

*You said she wants to make dinner. PK, tell her to make dosas if she wants.

Can she make dosas?'

*Yeah, I am sure. But you need a grinder....'

Ananya came back into the kitchen. *No, aunty, I can't make dosas,' Ananya said. *And I can't make a roti either. In fact, I am terrible at cooking anything.'

*Apart from cooking schemes to trap my boy,' my mother said.

They exchanged battlefield looks, Ananya left the kitchen in disgust.

*Mom!' I said in frustration.

*What? What else is this?' my mother said. *You are under her spell. You bring her home. You knead atta for her. You give her two Frootis I had brought for guests. You are so worried about her. What about me?'

*What about you, mom?'

*What is she doing here?'

*Mom, she can hear you.'

*See, you only care about her. Go, be with her.'

My mother rearranged the plates in the kitchen. She threw the old spice mixture and made a new one as I left.

*Get me to the guest-house. I want to leave,' Ananya said, her face wet with tears.

*No,' I said and wiped her tears. *No, you can't.'

*I can't do this,' she said. *I thought convincing my parents would be enough.

You said your mother is sweet. Sweet? If your mom is sweet, then Hitler is a cuddly toy.'

*Take a shower, Ananya,' I said. *Let's all eat dinner together.'

We sat down for dinner. My mother served me. Ananya took the food herself.

I chose the topic. *What are the important ceremonies for Minti's wedding?'

*I have to go every day,' my mother said, chewing her food. *There is a puja, then a sangeet. Of course, the important ones are the sagan and the marriage, next Friday and Sunday. You'll come, no?'

*Sagan and marriage, of course. I'll bring Ananya, too.'

My mother gave me a dirty look. She didn't want to talk about it with Ananya present.

*Don't avoid the topic, mom. I've brought Ananya here so you and the family get to know her.'

*I already know she can't cook dinner,' my mother said.