Mothers Can be Sous-Chefs, by Annapoorni Anand, Hyderabad

Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, brought up in Thrissur, Kerala, and now residing in Hyderabad, Telangana, Annapoorni is a voracious reader who wants to take more opportunities to write, as well as a teacher who uses storytelling and read alouds in class.

The device glows in the corner, and my son is hunched over it. He has been in that position for more time than can be comfortable.

I flit in and out of the room, hoping he will look up and maybe engage with me, with anyone. The lockdown has obviously given my son some magnetic power that enables him to hold that device for hours on end. 

How does he do that? I wonder. My shoulders and arms ache with the strain of using my own device

Unsuccessful, I tug myself back to the kitchen. Cleaning, chopping, sautéing ... a lot of ... ing to do. Frazzled and sweaty mornings– I should be used to this by now.

Today's kitchen forecast:

1) Some green chutney splatters from my mixer, which has been making this weird chugging noise,

2) Dosas that refuse to leave the pan,

3) Or will it be just bland, boring burnt toast?

I am saying this, because that's just how some days are. Everything goes wrong, like a domino effect or something, and today, today I have gotten up late! I am sure there is a philosophical theory around that.

A lanky shadow looms over me. It's my son, with his laptop. He grins at my shocked expression. He is definitely amused, though I have no clue why. My accidents are yet to happen.

In his deep, changing voice, Udbhav asks me, “Where do we keep the dal?”

His laptop is still droning, and I realize it's a video of a recipe. I see an animated chef extolling his mother's dal makhani.

The way Udbhav holds the knife with ease, it seems as if he has done this before. Well, not much, really. Obviously, his interest in cooking goes beyond cheering for his favorite participant in MasterChef Australia. I am excited to see what he is going to cook.

For today, I am a sous-chef.

_________________________

(This story was prepared for an “Imagine Another World” online storytelling workshop held October 14, 2020.)

Protect yourself and others from COVID-19: wear a face covering over your nose and mouth, practice physical distancing from other people, and avoid settings that are crowded, indoors, or involve close contact. More information about how to stay healthy.