“Today is Vaikuntha Ekadasi!! The most sacred of all
festivals. A fasting ritual today will bring you closer to God!!! “ My mom
ordered on the phone.
“But amma office .......! “I squeaked but cudnt complete the
sentence , had to eat my own words.!!
“Seems like you have forgotten our customs and traditions
!!! Iam so ashamed, I gave birth to a misfit who doesn’t respect her religion .
All our relatives will soon be mocking me and your dad for your western
ways!!!” My mom yelled in the phone!!
"Mm.......! My
head swayed in mute agreement!!! But but , can i atleast eat something else chocolate, icecream etc .. ? " I asked hesitantly
!!!
"After going
to US, seems like you have grown wings. Shut up and listen. If you feel too
hungry ,drink a glass of milk or coffee. Do you understand????” High command ordered.
Iam too scared of
my mom!!. When she orders, I and my Dad blindly follow. Better to do what she
says , rather than face a courtmartial at home.
My night was
filled with nightmares. Mouthwatering delicacies Laddus, Pulihora, Vadas etc etc and me
hogging all those just like the Indian demons in all those hindu mythologies .
I got up with a groan in the morning! Oh no!! The nightmare
continues.....!!
Well, i thought to myself, if i immerse myself in my work, i
wont think of food. I checked my office calendar frantically. Good! i retorted
to myself, A teleconference from 6:00 am - 9:00 am. Thank god!! I hurriedly
took a shower to calm down the raging volcano in my stomach called
"HUNGER" and dialed in to the call!
"Team, we are here to review the status of usecase
development for NGProfile" my manager announced.How was ur holidays ?”, he asked cheerfully!! "I
had a lot of pies and delicious turkey!!".
" Piessssssssss!!" Stars floated in front of my
eyes!!! mmmmmmm, i moaned. Sindhu, my colleague shot me an IM on the messenger,
"U forgot to put ur phone on the MUTE button". Oops!!
"So Aruna, how
are usecases for Req 3 and Req 4 coming along?" quizzed my manager.
"Growl Growl my stomach groaned!!". I have identified the synopsis and am working on
it" I replied meekly.
"Well hurry up, we only have 1 more week to finish everything"
he ordered. "Why does everyone order me about ?
Cant they give me a plate of doughnuts. I could move a
mountain for them. I thought.
Meditate!! Someone was pounding inside my head. Think of
god!!!! I chanted “Om Namo Narayanaya!!!” Then a rebel within me said there is a god within me, who needs to be
happy, I should eat something. Again I chanted “Ommmm Namo Narayanaya” ,this
time , i said it out aloud!!!!!
Off to work, i went . Usually when i drive , i see beautiful
tree lined houses, quaint doll houses , and notice the fresh aroma of cactus,
or citrus flowers in the air. Today though, i had no eyes for these!!!!!
Wow, never knew there was an icecream parlour in this
route!!! Mmmmmmmmmm!!! Burger King fries are so yummyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!"
"Shut up" i said to myself, concentrate!!!!!!
The office was deserted today , everyone is enjoying
holidays. Sindhu, the only other colleague around said "wanna go to the
cafetaria to get something" . "No!" I replied."Iam fasting
today for Vaikuntha Ekadasi".
She laughed and said, "Well best of luck with that!!!
But can you please accompany me to the cafetaria".
What do people know about torture . Water Boarding, that doesnt even come close to the torture i felt
today walking along the counters in the cafetaria. The aromas and scents never
smelt so good.
Gosh, time is going on so slow!!! When will the day endddddd
, i thought!!!
