Writing Prompt: Burnt https://sabethville.wordpress.com/2014/01,31/365-days-jan31st-burnt/

My house was burnt yesterday. There were things I left behind. I wish I could take them with me. I know why I couldn’t . It was so sudden. I also had to get out fast. I couldn’t look for my clothes I just bought. I didn’t get a chance to wear them. My gorgeous shoes. My favorite dishes.

I can only sit and cry because I was unable to take them. The thought that I was safe with my family and my pets, brought me back to reality.

I can always start buying these things slowly. I should be grateful I am alive.

I have learned one lesson from this tragedy. I must not attach me with material things. After all when I pass on I won’t be taking anything with me but my deeds especially good ones.

DP Daily Prompt: My Number One

My father was the most important person in my life. He was a very busy man. He went to work at 8 am in the morning, Came home at 5  pm. Every day I looked forward to the time,he’d come home and say, ‘Ranu,how are you today?”  I’d sit down and tell him about everything  that happened in school. He’d sit by my side and listen.

One day he came back  and found me crying. It disturbed him. I always smiled and came running to him. I told him about my day. It was unusual , he asked, ‘Ma ,what’s wrong?’  I told him the servant served cold food, cold food gives me a stomach  ache. Dad was not impressed. The servant was warned. From that day my food was never cold.

I’ll give a short introduction about the next one. I always washed my clothes,I didn’t let the servant wash them. I knew they cannot wash better than me. That day it was raining, it was my day to wash my clothes. Mom was cooking in the kitchen. I asked her where will I put my clothes to dry, because it was raining outdoors.  Mom yelled at me and told me to leave. I was sad. I carried the clothes and walked in front of my Dad’s room. He smiled and said, ‘What are you doing Ma’. I was in a bad mood, I said, ‘don’t talk to me.’ Hours later I was my old self again, I laughed and talked with my Dad. he looked at me and said,  ‘why were you angry earlier?’ I told him Mom was angry with me.  He smiled and said, ‘your Mom was angry and you got angry with me.’    ‘ Well   that’s okay as long as it made you feel better.’

This was my Dad the most affectionate person in my world. How can anyone else take his place?

DP Daily Prompt: Memories of holidays Past Ranu’s post

Eid celebration (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My most favorite holiday is “Eid al-Fitr. It is an important Islamic celebration.  I have incredible memories of this day. The festivities begin after the end of Ramadan. Parents have a lot of work to do before this precious holiday.

My Mom was responsible to buy materials for us. Then the tailor came to take our measurements .  He’d tell my Mom when the clothes would be ready. Most of the time the clothes were ready two days before this holiday.

We’d wait patiently for the day of the celebration. One ‘Eid Day”. The tailor brought the stitched clothes the day before. We were concerned ,we thought we’d have to wear our old clothes instead of   the new ones.

The morning of ‘Eid Day’ we’d compete who’d take a shower first. We’d wear our new dresses and wish our parents. We’d thank them for providing the clothes. My Dad would take my brothers to the mosque to pray. We’d wait for them to come home, my Dad would give us money. We’d be very happy and plan what we’d do with the money.

We’d gather together and have a bowl of Vermicelli, a sweet dish prepared by Mom. This day was full of activities. We’d visit our friends and families. We had to eat more of the same dish everywhere we went.  Mom always cautioned us not to say no.  We’d eat and were afraid we’d be sick.

Back at home, Mom would call us for lunch. We’d enjoy eating ‘Rice Pilaf’, ‘Mutton Korma’, ‘Beef Curry’, “Raita'( yogurt salad), she made vegetable salad with cucumber,tomatoes,onions, green chillies,sprinkled with lemon juice.  We’d thank God before and after for the meals with family and friends.

By seven we’d be in bed fast asleep. Mom couldn’t she served meals to the servants.  She’d finish her night time prayer and then go to sleep.

Those memories are still fresh in my mind as if it happened only yesterday!

DP Daily Prompt: Clothes (May) Make the (WO) Man Post by Ranu

I feel clothes are very important to me or anyone. My first important priority is a) it should be age appropriate,b) it should be presentable. It’s particularly important in the case of a woman.

I don’t have a particular style,but I make sure it complements me. I settle for mild colors. Garish colors are not suitable for me. When I am in a public place, I make sure I am presentable. It makes me feel good about myself.

A few years ago, my second daughter went to a store, she was dressed casually,the sales woman completely ignored her. She complained to her friend about it.Her friend asked her how was she dressed. She was surprised she didn’t think it mattered what she wore. It did. Now she knows because she experienced it.

DP Daily Prompt: Green- Eyed Monster post by Ranu

English: Muslims looking for the new moon to mark the Eid al fitr, the end of the month of Ramadhan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I cannot recall any kind of jealousy I had with anyone outside my family. Inside my family there has been instances,when I rebelled.I thought it was unfair. I cannot be sure if it is jealousy or partiality.Maybe an outsider will view it as border-line jealousy.

One year my father told my mother to buy new clothes only for my big sister for the second eid.All the others will have to wear clothes that we got for our first eid. I told my mother it is not fair. Why will she be treated differently,she should also wear the same clothes. Otherwise she has to buy new clothes for me too. My Mom knew she has to give in to my demand,or the situation might go out of hand.

I felt terrible for my other siblings,but the rule was made by my parents and I have to fight against it. I got my new clothes,the rest of my siblings didn’t dare fuss. At the time I didn’t know the phrase:”Squeaky wheel Gets The Grease”.

What do you think,will you call this act of mine ,”JEALOUSY”?  It is your call.

Please Note: Eid is a celebration we have,twice a year. One is after the month of Ramadan,we call it Eid-al -Fitr, the second one comes after two months and ten days after the first one,it is Eid-uz- Zuha. In the second one an animal is slaughtered  e.g cow,camel,goat,these are the common ones.

The Elder Sister by R.Tagore Translated by Ranu

‘The Elder Sister’

Her father is a labourer from the west.

He digs the earth on the banks of the river,

to arrange the bricks.

The little daughter is going back and forth to the wharf,

she is carrying a lot of dishes to wash,

she prances down the steps several times in the day,

her brass bangle rings ding dong when it touches the brass plate.

She is busy all day.

Her younger brother bald headed,covered with mud,and wearing no clothes,

walks behind her like a pet bird.

He sits on top of the wharf,stays quiet and patient.

The elder sister fills her pitcher and carries it on her head.

With a  plate in her left hand, there goes Bala

holding her younger brother with her right hand.

She is her mother’s representative.

Her back  bent down with the heavy load ,she is a  very young elder sister.