Off the Spread

"I am going to cook the biryani today, the real royal way" said Madhav, as he adjusted the print out of the recipe of Awadh-style Biryani and placed it exactly in sight and away from water, oil or fire. He had invited thirty six of his relatives -- young, old and very old -- to dinner tonight. Devoid of a say, and skills, to cook up such elaborate royalty, Aditi was assigned the work of the menial labour serving the artist. She would arrange the spices, wash and dry the rice grains and cut her way through the potatoes and onions.

The potatoes were integral to a biryani. She diced a kilo, and it felt like she was tossing the dice of a board game which had complete control over her life now. The onions were essential. She chopped and sliced two kilos. And cried over the control she no longer had over herself. Good, thought Aditi. Nobody would notice, no questions to answer.

"Remember to slice only half a kg" warned Madhav's booming voice from inside the kitchen, blended with the blender's whip of the curd and the spices. 

Aditi sniffed and did not reply. She did not care. Neither for cooking, nor for hospitality. Towards people who would only end up as the panel of critics scrutinizing her abilities and stripping them off with their hostility. She looked at the knife. She loved chopping.

When she was done crying, and not tearing up because of the onions, she smiled. How would it be to serve Madhav biryani? He was after all a goat, unimpressive and understated. All he did was bleat for attention and gleam in the awareness of his value. He was unhealthy, as a man, as meat. And Aditi laughed some more. Madhav biryani would also have the right amount of fat. 

She had a bath, decked up with her prettiest smile and wore the ornaments of a bride of the house. She was full-marks well behaved with the guests. However, the panel of critics could not but award her with the best hospitality tag, what with her insisting they have more helpings of her husband's delectable mutton biryani. She smiled effervescently as she did so.