The morning sun was shining bright bringing the energy of a new day at Chandigarh. The hustle bustle outside marked the morning rush hours of going to work. The traffic both outside and inside was intense, suitable for a Monday morning.

At his home in a locality of Chandigarh, Apurv was sleeping soundly in his bed, lost in the world of sweet dreams and unaware of the chaos ahead, until SPLASH!!

“Aaaa, tsunami. Help, aaaa”

“Good morning, bhaiya,” Aarohi chirped as she poured more water over her brother.

(Good morning, big brother)

“Aaru, is this a way to wake anyone up?” Apurv said in a hoarse voice, his tone revealing his irritation.

“My dearest big brother, this is the perfect way to wake anyone up if he does not listen on the first call. Mummy has called you outside. And one more piece of news, she’s angry with you” Aarohi said and ran away.

“At least tell me the reason for her anger,” Apurv shouted behind her.

“Find out yourself, bade bhaiya” Aarohi replied back, giggling.

(Find out yourself, big brother)

“God knows what tsunami is going to come today. And let me tell you, my dear readers, my mother rarely gets angry. But if she does, then no one can save you from her.”

APURV’S POV:

I quickly freshened up and went to the kitchen. My mother was finishing washing the utensils in the sink. A flash of yesterday’s night events came to my mind.

“Mummy, shall I help you with the correction of your students’ answer sheets?” I asked her to try to lessen her workload.

“No need, my dear. This is the subject of accountancy, not neuroscience” she replied with a tone of sarcasm.

These sarcasms and teasing are common as I am the only one in my family who pursued science and became a doctor. The rest of the members are from a commerce background. Even my sister, who is seven years younger than I, is also working in the sales team of a company.

“Apurv, please wash the dishes before you sleep since you will be done having dinner in the end. It's 8:25 right now, so you have enough time to do that.” my mother said to me.

“But won’t Shashi aunty be coming tomorrow for the household chores?” I asked.

“She’s on leave tomorrow. Her health is not well.” she replied.

“Okay. Don’t worry, mummy. I’ll do the dishes before I sleep.” I said, holding her shoulders.

“Don’t forget, please.” she replied.

This is our routine at home. Whenever our maid is on leave, it is the duty of us siblings to do the household chores. My mother believes that cooking, cleaning and other household chores are essential for all. Hence, we are taught these life skills from childhood.

“Hey Bhagwan! I forgot to wash the dishes.” I said in an inaudible voice to myself.

(Oh God!)

“Yes bhaiya. And on top of that, you woke up late.” my crazy sister said, leaning on me from behind. Trust me, she loves watching me get a scolding from mummy. She could have woken me up a little early when my mother had gone to school to teach. But no, she always has to irritate me.

“Uth gaye sahibzade,” mummy taunted me.

(Have you woken up, my beloved.)

“Mu-Mummy vo, I was going to wash them.” I tried to make up an excuse.

“When? At that time when the pile of dishes falls out of the sink?” she interrupted me, her voice full of anger and frustration.

“Because of you I have no time to rest throughout the day. You had only one task, Apurv. Neither do you have to check patients at home nor make food in the kitchen after coming back from the hospital.” She added, pushed me aside, and stormed inside her room, banging the door on my face. She collected her belongings and left for school.

I was left behind, full of guilt.

Aarohi brought a plate of breakfast in front of me. Mummy had prepared aaloo parantha, my favourite meal ever. But I couldn’t even take a single bite and left for my shift at the hospital without having any food.

I arrived at the hospital only to witness a crowd of patients running here and there. This was due to the new policy of the hospital on providing free treatment to the poor. The hospital looked like a market and the people like swarms of bees flying here and there waiting for their appointments in the corridor.

I went to my cabin and attended to the patients till my colleague-cum-friend Dr. Tarun called me for lunch.

“What happened? Why are you looking so gloomy?” Tarun asked.

“Nothing!” I replied.

“Okay” he said, nodding his head in agreement.

“Are, kaisa dost hai tu? Maine bola ki kuch nahi hua aur tune maan liya? Hey bhagwan! Kitna berehem dost diya hai tune mujhe.” I cried dramatically, looking up.

(Hey! What sort of friend are you? I told you that nothing happened and you believed it? Oh god! You have given me such a merciless friend.)

“Excuse me, Mr. Drama King, I knew you would tell me by yourself without any persuasion from my side. That is why I didn’t ask you. And stop crying to God. Thank him instead for giving you such a great friend like me. Anyway, God doesn’t live on the ceiling of the cafeteria. Go to the temple for that.” He exclaimed, purposely saying the last line in a whispering tease.

“You, a great friend! What a joke. Leave all that and listen to my problem. Mummy is angry with me because I didn’t do the dishes at night.” I told him my problem, resting my hand on my chin.

“So you should have washed them early in the morning.”

“I could have done that, but I got up late when mummy was ready to leave. And while washing the dishes, she also got late for school. Now tell me how to improve her sulking mood.” I replied in a melancholic tone.

“Boys run after girls at your age. And you are running after your mother. Wow!” He laughed at my misery.

“Stop spreading salt on my wounds. Give me an idea to uplift my mother's mood.” I said.

“No one can save you other than God. Aunty will be fine only if she wants to. And for that, apologize to her and confess honestly that you forgot to wash the utensils. There is no other way other than honesty.” He exclaimed like a teacher.

“You're right. I'll apologize to her today itself. It doesn't feel good when mummy gets angry.” I replied.

After completing all my appointments for the day, a ward boy came to inform me about some interview happening tomorrow regarding the new scheme launched for the poor. Since I am a part of the core team, I have to be there.

But my first priority was to apologize. As soon as I reached home in the evening and opened the door, I was welcomed with a pillow straight on my face.

*********************************************************

Hey everyone!

This was the second chapter, a peek into the peacefully chaotic life of Apurv. Did you like him and his family? I am sure that each of us has forgotten to do the daily chores one or the other day.

Please like the chapter and tell me your experiences in the comments. I would love to read all your thoughts and suggesstions.

For more information and updates, follow me on Instagram @the.rustic.muse

See you soon with the next chapter.