1:05 am.
The world all around was asleep. It was no different in Kittunni's house as well. Mohan, Manjulla, Kittunni and his 6 month old brother Purushu - all sound asleep. That was till Purushu decided that he had other plans.
"WAAAHHHHH", rang the alarm from the little one's mouth.
Manjulla, still sleeping, started moving her hand. It was on a quest for something precious - Mohan. After some searching, it reached its destination. It knew what it had to do - she starts scratching Mohan's face.
"What?", Mohan asked in an irritated voice. He was still in his sleep and didn't bother to open his eyes.
Manjulla, in her sleep and eyes closed, points to Purushu.
"Baby crying"
"Ok"
Nothing happens. Few seconds later snoring sounds filled the room. Purushu looked confused. This was not the story he had in his mind. He looked at Mohan. He looked at Manjulla.
"Bloody buggers!!", he thought. He decided to raise the tempo
"WAAAAAH.......WAAAH......WAAAAHH"
As soon as the siren started, Manjulla's hand set out on its journey once again. Again it found its target. But this time it didn't want to take any chances.
"WHACCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKK"
A hard slap and Mohan got up with a start, holding his cheeks and screaming. "What the fuck?"
"Language", came a sound next to him. Mohan turned around. It was a sleeping Kittunni. "Even in his sleep he is my father", Mohan muttered angrily, still rubbing his cheeks. Ignoring Kittunni, Mohan turned back to Manjulla. She was sleeping with mouth wide open and yet, had a hand raised with a finger pointing towards Purushu.
"Baby crying"
"I can see", Mohan replied in an irritated voice. "He is hungry. Give milk"
"I gave last time", came the reply.
"So? This time also you only have to give. I have no milk to give".
"He doesn't want milk. He wants some love. Just take him and cuddle"
Purushu meanwhile was looking back and forth between Mohan and Manjulla for some resolution. As Mohan lied down to sleep, Purushu felt betrayed. But he was not one to give up so easily.
"If I can't sleep, then I won't let you sleep you morons!". Purushu resumed his crying with increased volume.
Manjulla's hand started moving yet again. As before it found what it was searching for. And as usual it did what it was supposed to do.
But this time nothing happened.
She tried harder. Few more slaps followed. No reaction!!
Confused, Manjulla opened her eyes. She turned over to look at Mohan.
Mohan had a pillow on his face and sleeping peacefully! The man has taken counter measures. She was slapping the pillow all this while.
Manjulla got up, irritated. "Useless!!!", she muttered, angrily. She picked the pillow and threw it away. Underneath that pillow was a smiling Mohan in deep sleep - he had finally attained nirvana.
Purushu sensed an opportunity! This was it! The situation was just right. He just needed a spark to trigger the explosion. He took a deep breath and gave the scream of his life.
"WHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA......"
Manjulla got all the more irritated and turned towards Purushu.
"ENOUGH!!!". "Don't wake up the entire neighbourhood"
Manjulla looked up at the clock. 1:30 am!!! She let out a sign, picked up Purushu and started walking up and down the room.
"Purushu mone chakare, don't cry da. Sleep fast so that Amma can also go to sleep"
4:00 am
Manjulla was still walking up and down. For some reason Purushu has decided it was not yet time to go to sleep. Manjulla's hands were aching and she was at her wits end.
"For God's sake go to sleep you brat. I haven't slept the whole night because of you. Have some mercy on me"
As she continued walking up and down someone else was having the dream of his life - "Katrina you naughty naughty girl, wait till I catch you".
"Arghhhhh", cried out Manjulla, almost pulling out her own hair.
10 am
Mohan was getting ready to start his work. Next to him, Manjulla was lying flat on the bed completely knocked out.
Mohan shook his head. "Women! Why are they so lazy?", he thought, pondering over the future of mankind.
"Oh my God!!! The sun is almost above our heads and your wife is still sleeping? What kind of example is she setting up for me to follow", Kittuni asked, feeling aghast at his mother's irresponsible attitude towards life.
"Don't worry, you can follow me", Mohan replied, giving last minute touches to his hair style
"Whatever. Enough with your hair, I am hungry. Don't you know its against law to keep a 5 year old hungry in the morning?".
"Is there nothing in the kitchen?", Mohan asked in a surprise tone.
Kittunni looked at Mohan with his eyebrows raised - "Between her who is sleeping like a dead log and you who don't know the how to even boil water, how do you expect there will be anything in the kitchen?"
"Good point", Mohan replied. "So what do we do?"
"You asking me? A 5 year old? Do you have any self respect?".
Mohan threw an ugly stare at Kittuni. Kittuni cared less. His body had needs and he had to fulfil them one way or another.
Mohan knew he had to do something about the breakfast before the situation deteriorated any furthur. He turned to the only person he could depend on in that room.
"Manjuuuu...", a soft voice reached Manjulla's ear.
Manjulla opened her eyes
"Hope you slept well last night", Mohan asked putting on his best smile. Manjulla gritted her teeth in fury.
"What do you want?"
"Breakfast!", came the answer instantly accompanied by a 200 watt grin
Manjulla smiled. Mohan's hopes were raised.
"You know what? You are the best cook in the whole world dear. I am sure you will do a great job". With this Manjulla went back to sleep.
Mohan turned to look at Kittuni and smiled sheepishly. Kittuni understood what that smile meant - he was going to go hungry that day.
