Antara's Diary.......21st Sept to 24th Sept

Dear Diary,

Oh my God …………. I told you boys were stupid! My next door friend preferred my bro to be her dance partner and she coolly dumped our he-man Billo. Poor guy couldn't believe what was happening. And then she tweaked Abhi's cheek and said, "when should we practice dancing together?" Abhi blushed and held on to his cheek. His first crush ! Hahaha ! Billo looked on in disbelief …… He told Abhi that that was a dirty game to play. Oh look who's talking !!!!

Someone came to our house. A man and a woman. I guess these were the guests Vidya was talking about yesterday. She was only complaining and complaining. The man said something to Vidya and packed her off to the kitchen. Next the woman called Billo her grandson. Dear me!! Everyone was surprised and before anyone could say anything, she had Billo on her lap and he was squirming. For once I felt sorry for the dude….. And naughty Abhi kept silent over the mistake and hid a smile. Arti bua didn't let Papa correct the mistake. That woman gave Billo a chocolate and a gift. He took it and went scampering home….. Papa told her she had made a mistake. She was angry with Papa over the matter. Anyway she pulled Abhi to her and did the same procedure but told him she's give him a gift later since the gift had gone with Billo. Then she asked me to go forward. To go forward? What for? Eeeeks …… wild horses wouldn't make me do that. Vidya tried to tell me to go to Dadi and say namaste. But I didn't. The woman was upset. And what about me? I was upset too…..Why doesn't she go away? The old man pulled my cheeks. Oh I don't like them….. I started yelling and couldn't stop. He was awful and my cheeks were hurting. Vidya took me to the other room. Once inside the room, I found peace.

Goodnight Diary ….. I hope the days fly past because I don't want these people here for long.

Dear Diary,

I painted something nice on that white canvas. I didn't know it was a saree. It had a green border, so I thought I'd fill it up with some leaves and butterflies. You know how I love butterflies……. But that woman came out of the bathroom and saw my creativity she shook me so roughly! She smacked my cheeks too. Naturally I started bawling ….. I was angry. How dare she slap me! Vidya protected me and exchanged a few words with the dragon.

I thought no one could be worse than Billo's mother but this one really took the cake. I left from there and went to my own room. Abhi followed me there. He kept telling me that I shouldn't cry. Abhi said that taiji was not good so not to bother about her. But I was angry. Abhi took my hand and tried to take me away. But in my anger I pushed him and he fell down. Vidya came at that moment and lifted him up. She tried to quieten me. But my mercury had shot up so much, I just couldn't stop yelling. It was only when I heard Vidya's soothing and lilting voice that I stopped yelling. She really sings beautifully. I stood up and turned to her. She wiped my tears. So I wiped hers. She gave me a kiss and Papa stroked my hair. I liked that very much. Abhi and I went down to play.

As we were going to the door, the couple came there. Abhi was angry and shouted at them….why did you hit my sister. Whooa !!!!….I had never seen him lose his temper like this. I thought that was only my department. Vidya and Papa diffused the situation and we went down.

At dinner time …….. I decided it was time for me to ….. So I got off Papa's lap and went to Tai ji……… *yawn*

Diary…I'll tell you the rest tomorrow……Good night.

Dear Diary,

Oh yes…..to continue with yesterday's act……..

I caught the dragon's hand and pulled her. She had greater strength than I so she stayed put. But she took great offence and off she went. Vidya took me in to her. She cajoled me into saying sorry to her. Sigh…..I stretched my hand out to her. She didn't know what I was upto. Well neither did Papa, nor Vidya nor even Abhi knew my little plan. Everyone thought what a good girl I was! Papa told his aunt to take my olive branch. Finally she took my hand shook it. I took her hand and dragged her from the room ….. through the hall to the front door. And when she stepped out, I closed the door on her face. Boy…..I really felt I had achieved something. Papa, Vidya and Abhi couldn't stop themselves from giggling. So they approved of what I did ! That was a surprise for me …….. but I was very happy. The old lady was not subdued. When Papa opened the door, she was standing there snorting. She broke into her usual dramatic speech and then went inside. Oh well! …My plan failed. It was late and I couldn't sleep. I tried to play with my toys but couldn't. Vidya tried to pacify me but I was uncomfortable……

No matter how much I did try

I couldn't sleep or just lie

In the house there was disturbance

Which was really beyond endurance

I went and stood in the balcony

Trying somehow to find mummy

And into the heavens I did gaze

At the twinkling star through the haze.

Vidya stood quietly with me

I know she is really a nice lady

And hour after hour rolled by

But going to sleep I didn't try.

The stars had gone and the sun peeped

But both of us were without sleep.

Next day too I couldn't sleep. Vidya took me to the clinic and asked my teacher questions. My teacher told her to keep me engrossed in some activity all the time so that I would get tired and then sleep. That dragon was always irritating Vidya…….

Diary, in this way the day wore on……..