038: S1E4: 26 MISSED CALLS: THE LEMON

Shadow of their house has come to their front yard. Afternoon sun has moved behind the hill their home is on. They are basking in the sun on a corner where sunbeams are still there. They are sitting on a red rug made by local tribal people. Vipul is sitting on a cane chair covering his face with a cricket magazine. Mother and Sonali are hand knitting a sweater and a headscarf respectively with knitting needles.

There are a few lemons left from winter. Mother goes to the kitchen and returns with a knife, steel plate and a big yellow lemon. Sonali asks Vipul to get the heavy grinding stone outside. It is too much work for Vipul but he gets it unwillingly. She herself gets salt, ginger, garlic and green chilli and some other spices. Mother cuts lemon into pieces and Sonali makes the seasoning ready in the grinding stone. Fragrance of salt preparation starts flowing in the atmosphere. She then carefully mixes spice preparation and pieces of lemon on the plate.

Roopali is sitting alone on the other side in the shade. She is still angry and is not talking to anyone. Mother doesn’t want to ask Roopali directly. So she calls out loudly to grandma in a nearby house to come and have lemon with them. She thinks Roopali will also hear and won’t be able to resist her favourite afternoon dish.

Sonali fills 5 bowls with lemon preparation. She first gives it to neighbour grandma and then to Vipul. Both of them start eating. Grandma praises Sonali for her skills in making the dish so tasty. Sonali is afraid of going near Roopali. She asks mother to call her or go there and give her the bowl. Mother being mother goes to Roopali.

“Roopali, you have been hungry since morning, so have some lemons,” mother says affectionately.

Aroma of preparation stimulates her stomach which is sending signals to her mind. Her heart is beating faster, hands are trembling. Water is coming in mouth which she is trying to hide from others. Roopali keeps quiet. 

“Are you not listening to me?” chides mother.  

Roopali, “I am not only on hunger strike but also observing silence. Do not disturb me.”

“But, you just spoke,” says Sonali with a laugh. 

“That was to tell you all. I won’t speak now on,” says Roopali looking at the other side. Sonali keeps a bowl in front of Roopali thinking that she may eat after a while. Sonali takes her hands to her ears and says “sorry didi” with such naivety that anyone would melt, but Roopali doesn’t. Mother and Vipul try to convince her but she is not in a mood to talk.

Grandma comes at last and says, “Roopali, you better mend your ways else your in-laws will abuse all of us”. With this Grandma goes back to her house. Mother, Sonali and Vipul leave their bowl open in their front yard for birds to take. Roopali says, “I won’t eat in the evening also, what will you do for dinner”.