Cotton & Kohl and Foraging for food
"This is not even healthy" "did you know you DONT need dairy?" Nivi looked straight at II as she challenged her Amma
"Well then... you dont have to drink your milk. I mean school is not necessary either" II said sarcastically
"Ammmaaa" Nivi scowled
"Whats going on II?" R&B came down through the back staircase
"Umm.. nothing" II muttered
"Why is Nivi upset?" he demanded
Sid & Ved were pulling each other yanking on each others' ties
Sahana and the dogs sat under the table eating off the floor
"Nivi?" R&B shrugged
"I am not going to say anything Dad" Nivi flicked a lock of silky buttery locks
"II?" R&B demanded
Sid choked and fell on the floor
Ranjan ran toward him
The boys screamed at each other
"II?" R&B asked patiently
"OK... I am sick and tired of arguing with her for everything... every GODDAMN thing" II said unapologetic
Nivi squirmed
"Gudiyaaa?" Ranjan hollered
Sid and Ved clung to him as he shut their ears
"u are dramatic and intolerant" R&B spoke in scissor like words
"Oh yeah? How about u try to talk to her" II said arms on her hips
Nivi pushed her full plate forward, the glass of milk fell and rolled
She looked afraid
"Kudikka vendaam nu pidivadam pidiche, ippo kottiyacha?" (u didnt want to drink, now u spill it all)
Nivi began to cry
"I hate this house" she hissed
"Well... in that case we will find you another family soon" II lashed back
"II... ENOUGH" R&B warned
The dogs licked the milk hungrily unmindful of the rolling silver tumbler
Nivi crawled despite being TWO and bend down
II dragged her up, and smacked her butt
The boys' honked outside the gate they could hear it all the way inside
They got the kids on the bus.
It was some exclusive private school run by an NGO of which Ranjan was the biggest donor
The teachers wore cotton and kohl in their eyes
The whole place smelled like jasmine and sandal
"Amma pick me up soon, I beez going to Sam Athai house" Ved yelled
II nodded expressionlessly
Sid yelled back at her from inside "Amma Mimika took my pencil bOSK (he couldnt say box)"
II was really irritated
The school was all about personal responsibility and Sid was going to have to sit it out today with no writing work
"Ayyo" she muttered angrily
"THIS is what pisses me off about her" she said thinking R&B was near her
He was inside
Ranjan was having the kitchen mess cleaned up
James & Chuck followed him faithfully hoping they will get Nivi's uneaten omelette
Sahana reached for it took a bite and fed the puppies
AND ATE THE REST
"Where is HE?" II demanded
"Oopar hona hai osne, apni bitiya ke paas" Ranjan said wearily
"YOU see what she does everyday dont you dad?" II asked in a angst ridden voice
He looked nervous and afraid
He had never had a kid that constantly challenged authority like Nivi
Nivi questioned everything
She used all her reading skills to arm herself with knowledge or so it seemed like
The tall grandfather antique struck 7:30
II leapt up the stairs
R&B and Nivi were in the 2nd floor lounge on the couch watching some rock climbing video
"Since u are not going to school today, change out of your uniform and come down u can help me in the kitchen"
"But I thought you had a job" Nivi said
"I forgot to drink my coffee so I am punishing myself by staying home too" II shot back
R&B stood up as he saw tension rise between the two
Waved a finger
"No... hang on... u hang on" II hissed
Nivi slinked back behind R&B
"Do u know how much kids all over India crave for a glass of milk every morning?" II was choked up
"II" R&B said gruffly now
"No... let me finish da... I let her be... I dont interfere with her addicted state of reading all the time. Her art work, I let her skip shabad when she wants, I let her see Greg" II fumbled
R&B sucked his breath in
Nivi looked aloof
"MY child... I never imagined we would be raising an anarchist. Some things are NOT cool"
"They torture animals when they get the milk out. they are cruel to chickens and it hurts them to lay eggs everyday. Women menstruate once a month, but these hens dont have a choice?"
R&B looked thunderstruck
He suddenly looked like he sided with his wife
He couldnt imagine his darling baby girl talk about periods
He realized she was growing
It annoyed him, no... no pissed him off
"There are a million chicken farmers that would die of starvation if we all stopped eating eggs"
"Thats a cop out Amma" Nivi said smugly
"I GIVE UP" II said her shoulders slumping
"she has missed her bus now" II said sadly
R&B had no idea how to make peace he adored both his girls
Well... the snotty two year old that ate dog fod AND dog's food...
"Can we have a moratorium on this topic until 4 PM?" he asked softly
"I am going to work" II said tearfully
"Amma" Nivi looked distraught
"I havent packed u lunch, you should probably look at foraging for food" II said quietly and walked into the bedroom
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