Chapter 6- The food
Radhika was tired by the time she reached home. What with Keshav barging onto her. What if she accepted his help once, she has not given him right to give opinion on each and every case of his. She knew how the firm worked and so far have followed all the policies diligently.
She saw Rohan sitting and doing homework. Ryan was playing building blocks. Abhi as usual was with newspaper.
Once the dinner was finished she called Rohan. Rohan came to her head bowed as if he knew why his mother was calling him
Ryan came to her and Radhika gave a strict look to Abhi which Abhi knew that if he didn't take Ryan and move to the bed room his wife is not going to be happy. Once Abhi went with Ryan, Radhika looked at Rohan
" Rohan Beta tell me. Don't you like the food. I make different curries everyday. If it is about warm food, beta you know..
" Maa it is not about warm food, I ..." the child looked at her hesitatingly whether to tell or not
" Beta you are supposed to have proper lunch and if you waste lunch , ask your friends, go hungry it is not good for you. So tell your Maa what is ailing you" asked Radhika
" Maa I don't want non-veg food " told Rohan
Radhika was surprised. What had happened to Rohan suddenly. He loved fried chicken like anything
" But no non -veg why suddenly, you like chicken a lot "
" Maa that you know this time for Children's day we had a chief guest who is from PETA. She showed us the reality of how animals are tortured in the name of food. Some pictures were really moving Maa. After that whenever I see chicken and other non-veg items I feel those animals are pleading to me, not to kill them"
Radhika was stumped. Now what was she supposed to tell her son. To have non-veg, while he wanted to be a veggie which was actually not bad. But allowing him that posed major challenge for Radhika because Abhi wanted Non-veg everyday, even she preferred to have non-veg and Ryan to liked it. Usually she cooked one non-veg dish per day and it was for everyone. But now cooking veg and non-veg everyday would be taxing for her on working days.
But she felt it was time for a healthier choice. Atleast 2 days a week all of them will have veggies only. Rest day she will manage to make something good for Rohan. Weekends was ok as she could make 2 dishes.
" Rohan beta that is your problem. Don't worry. From tomorrow your lunch box will have veggies only. But one thing beta, others in the family will have non veg. You wont feel bad naa" asked Radhika
" No Maa. I know Papa loves non-veg a lot. I just don't want for myself "
" That's like a good boy. Now if you have finished your homework, pack your bag for tomorrow"
Once she settled Rohan , she went to her room. The question was how to convince Abhi for having veggies 2 days. She sat beside him in the bed. He tried to be romantic but Radhika was curt
" Abhi I need to discuss something with you" and she told him the gist of her discussion with Rohan
" Radhika, Rohan is mad to go behind things like PETA. It will be a passing fad. Why are you encouraging it" asked Abhi
" Abhi it might be a passing fad and maybe after sometime Rohan will start having non-veg. But I want Rohan to take that decision himself than telling him it is a fad or something. Secondly our son is not doing something bad. Being a vegetarian is good for health. So if a child chooses a healthy option why a mother should discourage it. He is quite open in us having non-veg. So why cant we be accommodative of his request. Thirdly I am asking you only 2 days as Wednesdays and Fridays are generally hectic for me so I have to choose my son and give what is good for him. I will make spicy veg dishes "
" If Rohan wants veg, I want non-veg Radhika" told Abhi. " I don't know how you manage but I cant go without non-veg. Children's habits can be changed. It is just that you don't want to try" told Abhi
Radhika gulped hard. But when she spoke she was firm. " Abhi I have taken the decision. So if you want non-veg on Wed and Fri you can have it from your office canteen. I cannot ask this to my son. And I cannot manage two dishes on Wednesday and Friday.
Saying it she switched off the lights and turned away from Abhi tears streaming from her eyes. Why cant her husband understand some simple things. Why cant he change a little bit.
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
Arjun
Sensational South
