A Tale of Two Winters

"Get up soon; it's time for Chemistry now." I peeped with one half-opened eye from under the blanket. "Ma, five minutes more." "Nope, you are getting up now."Unwillingly, I had to get up. Today, we have that unwanted weekly test of Chemistry; I can't escape. 

"Damn! The water is so cold! Why can't they supply warm water during December?" murmured the grumpy me inside. A huge glass of milk and bread toast awaited me on the table. "Ma, Bournvita?" "Not every day, you just had a stomach ache the day before yesterday, remember?" Oh! sure I did, it was bad! And what my mother did not know was that I had 2 plates full of Puchkas after the evening Maths Tuition. So, I had to oblige with the plain milk and toast breakfast. That warm milk was enough to shake off the chilly cold. 

It was study time now. It was very foggy outside and still dark, I could barely see the tree next to my window. I hoped my cat was safe outside. Should I go and check? But if I would get up then my mother would be furious. "Mew," here she came. Happily playing with my slippers, my white and grey cat was warming herself under the study table. I was relieved and opened my Chemistry Book. It was 7:30 and I had almost  2 hours to study. Early mornings are dark in Kolkata. 

At 9:30, I got up from my table, my head spinning while trying to remember the Formulas, I just mugged up. The fog had receded- a lovely winter morning!! I went to the balcony, almost wrapping my cardigan. The tea stall in front of our house had the stove on. People were sitting and sipping tea from small earthen pots. The warm smoke from the tea made rounds over their head. Some elderly people were reading the newspaper, and some were chatting. Everyone was enjoying the chilly winter. It felt so pleasant- everyone was doing something without being busy. 

"Get up soon, it's time for school," I said while hurrying up my 9-year-old. "Mummy, 5 minutes more." "Nope, time's up". She got up unwillingly and went to get ready. 

I opened the door to the balcony. It was December, but where was the winter?! My husband had gone to drop our daughter off at school, and I needed coffee after a busy early morning. 

While the water was boiling, I looked at the clock. It was 7:30 already. I made breakfast for us—poha with lots of vegetables and some peanuts. That's how we like it. We had breakfast at 8, and I went to the kitchen to prepare lunch. I prefer to finish my kitchen duties before our maid comes. 

At 9:30, I went to the balcony. I was sweating and desperately in need of fresh air. I stood on the balcony and looked at the huge tree in front of our house. There was a flock of parrots- chirping, quarrelling. I took a video of them. " I can make a cute reel." I thought. The weather was charming but cold is a far cry in Mumbai. People were walking on the street- busy, on the go. No one had the time to stop. "Even I have a lot to do, so no wasting time." I rushed to take a shower. It felt so nice- everyone was busy doing something.

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