I shoved my laptop into the bag and rushed to the elevator, trying hard not to trip on the folds of the saree which now hung precariously on me. The elevator was almost closing shut, but for the laptop bag which I flung between the closing doors. But newton’s law…the elevator must now stop at every floor, I wanted to curse out aloud…I was going to be late today, again….
I rushed out of the elevator the moment it stopped at the basement and ran towards the car.
The last few weeks had been difficult, trying to find meaning in a new found relationship status. Trying to look for that elusive balance between the wife and the working woman. Berating myself for not being able to juggle everything all at once. Trying to find my space in the volley of relationships thrown at me all at once, just like my Roxane Gays and Rebecca Solnits struggled for space in the already overflowing bookshelf of superhereos.
I had to talk to the husband, I needed his HELP….
It was the tang of roasted red chilies that welcomed me home as I literally sprinted from the car park to the main door. The splattering of the oil managed to lift my sagging spirits a bit. I walked towards the kitchen and there he was, his strong back towards me, the sleeves creasing over the rippling biceps as he ground the garam masala on the grind stone; yes he was old school that way. As he scrapped the masala from the grindstone with his sinewed hands, I couldn’t help but notice how strong they were and yet so gentle, zephyr-like. He saw me from the corner of his eyes and his face lit up with the brightest of smiles. He beckoned me to come.
I tied my pallu around the waist and stepped in trying to figure what I should do…
‘Just sit, I have everything under control’ he grinned
I plopped myself up on the counter, unsure. He asked me about my day, told me about his…as he cut, peeled, mixed, stirred with the precision of a conductor, the kitchen tools his musical instruments, the simmering gravy his symphony.
He scooped up a little gravy on the edge of the spatula to taste, his eyes closed, brows furrowed, and then his lips curved into a smile, the same smile which lingers on his face whenever I am around.
‘Senorita’ he scooped up a spoonful of the crimson gravy and a juicy piece of mutton on to a bowl, handing it to me with pomp and flare.
‘Mmm’ I cooed, as I licked the bowl clean losing all semblance of gastronomic control. I had already lost my heart to the aroma of the korma; the spicy gravy tingling by taste buds now, made me fall head-over-heels-in-love with the korma and the man behind the apron, again.
But that was years back…
It’s been 8 years since that day….I have, over the years, managed to figure out my space in this relationship, and so have my Roxane Gays and Rebecca Solnits….I still get late from work, and I still feel guilty (albeit for missing out on watching our favourite series together)
Did I talk to him that day you ask? Oh yes yes, I did…and he refused to ‘help’…because isn’t the house for both of us to keep he said…so we decided to share the load instead, equally, life partners Et al…
Does he still cook? Well yes he does, just like I do….just like most women do and never get asked this question…..
But since you asked…he does cook, especially the korma!
In fact why don’t you come home for Dinner someday? Everyone says the food at our place is unlike anything they have ever tasted anywhere…
Guess some recipes have secret spices, some marriages too…the spice called equality!
“This post is a part of the Valentine’s Day blog train hosted by www.prernawahi.com & www.vartikasdiary.com, sponsored by ShilpSa, Kalpavriksha farms & Neha from @bloggingmadeeasier ”
I wrote on the prompt ‘How your spouse made your life spicy?’
loved it! every marriage is made of a different kind of spice. for some love works. for some understanding. for some communication. #vday #blogtrain
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Agree… Thank you
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Truly spicy…mazaa aa gaya
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Hehe… Thank you
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Hey that’s a great excerpt from your life. I want to point out that you’ve picked to share a very simple story that means a lot.. 8 years and many more to go!
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Thank you for such encouraging words
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Just wow! Loved your blend of words, how you described the korma being made and the imoortance if equality in a marriage! What a refreshing read!
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Thank you 🙂 🙂
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ww.. beautiful love story.. Stayed glued
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Thank you
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beautifully written and well-articulated yaa.. stayed glued till the last lines
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Thank you
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Loved your unique take on the prompt. ☺️❤️
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Thank you
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Amazing mix..both the story and the narration!
Dont you think Esha its crime to set such high couple goals? Hahahaha…
Absolutely refreshing, entertaining, thought provoking and mystic post! Kudos.
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LOL😂😂😂 thank you.. so glad you liked it
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Now here’s one thing that even my nearly perfect husband lacks — cooking. Loved your take on the prompt and flawless delivery. Good write-up!
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Thank you so much😊😊
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A well-written post it is, I am actually loving reading every post :)))
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Same here and thank you
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I must say you are soooooo lucky…god bless you both.i loved your style of writing..iam feeling hungry now after reading this .. imagining both of u in kitchen n cooking together…omg..so much romance❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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❤️❤️❤️❤️ Thank you for such generous praise… Waise it indeed is romantic
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wow, just loved reading your article. The articulation, the choice of words, the analogies, the sarcasm, the love, everything was in perfect balance. and who can resist falling for a man who cooks, lucky you.
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Thank you so much for the kindness..glad you liked it
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I would want that korma recipe though 😀 😉
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LOL… Come home😉
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Loved reading the story. It had a smooth flow which keep me hold till end.
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Thank you… Glad you liked it
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Made me hungry reading this. Yea, hubbies cooking is always extra special. 🙂 It was heart-warming to read about the equality in your relationship.
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Thank you
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This is one spice which I would wish is part of every relations.Beautiful story telling and it reminded me a bit of my relation. 🙂
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Thanl you and so glad you related to it
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Wow loved the post and loved the message you had shared. indeed every relationship has a secret of success like a good recipe. and when all ingredients combine together it makes our taste and life better.
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Thank you so much
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How I wish if my husband cld also cook just like urs😉 he definitely added super spice in Ur life…😁
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Haha… True that… Thank you
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I’m confused regarding which part to talk about in this post, honestly. The choice of words, the expression and the subtle message of equality, there was a deliciousness to this whole recipe that I could have over and over again (sans Mutton since I’m a vegetarian :-P).
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Thank you so much the kind words… And dont worry.. Come over.. Shall make some kathal korma for you😊😊
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Liked the way you played with each phrase artistically in the post and best one was ‘aroma of korma’.
Cheers
MeenalSonal
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Thank you
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Loved this post! You have a flair for storytelling. You had me hooked to the opening scene, and left me wanting more. I look forward to reading a novel someday 🙂
#VDayBlogTrain
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Oh wow…you are so so kind…I am pinching myself now… Thank you very much
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Well! Given that my husband would cook only if it would help him save his life, I am soooo jealous of your korma cooking husband. But really it was a such a poetic narrative. Thoroughly enjoyed it
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LOL😂😂… I am sure he makes up for his lack of cooking skills in other ways…
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Loved your post. Simple and straightforward. Everyone should add equality to spice up the marriage.
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Thank you.. Glad you liked it
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What a wow post especially as it comes straight from the heart. Love is as much about cooing sweet nothings as it is about sharing the load equally. Loved this equation between the two of you.
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Thank you Anshu😊😊
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What a refreshing post, that talks not just about love but also gender equality. May the aroma of spices keep filling your life with happiness forever.
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Thank you Vartika.. Glad you liked it
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Beautiful write up. I could picture the entire blog. I also believe in equality in marriage!
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Thank you
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ya spice.. it makes every recipe delicious and sumptuous 😂😂😂. .. those little additions… splattering. . sagging. . just brought the tasty dish in front of my eyes…😛😛
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Thank you😊😊
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can I say its a yummm post! loved the idea
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Hehe.. Thank you
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In India its so rare to find a relationship of equals, everyone happy in their own space still together. In the first year of marriage only I made a rule for myself that whatever my husband does in terms of household chores I never interrupt or say don’t do it, so now even kids know if the maid is on leave dad can also wash vessels and breakfast for everyone is his responsibility. Happy Me.
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Oh you have brought up such an important point…we need to start including the men right from the start… It isnt that they dont care or dont want to.. In most cases they just dont know any better because the havent seen their dads do it
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How romantic Senorita. Such a classy write-up. I wish you all the love and happiness in your life.
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Hehe… Thank you much
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So beautifully written.. was totally captivated in the storyline.. u r an amazing author!!
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Awww… Thank you😍😍
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This isn’t just a valentines day post, Esha.
There are so many delicate layers to it, It is a food post, a post of love, relationships, understanding (I could go on and on, but you get the gist, right?)
This has to be my favorite post of the Blog Train.
What a pleasure it was, reading it! Akin to eating chocolate on a cheat day!:)
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And I am going to go around the entire day with a big grin on my face… Thank you for the kindness… So glad you read it and liked it…
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Every relationship has their own secret recipe. This is such a simple crisp yet impressive writing. Loved how you enveloped the recipe at the physical level and beyond.
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Thank you and yes you are right…. All relationships do habe their own secret recipe…
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Spice is life stands true. Such rhythmic post. Glad you both share the load and set the example.
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Thank you… 😊😊
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Such a heartwarming post, Esha! I loved how beautifully you added most needed spice in marriage called equality.
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Thank you… 😊😊
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Loved, loved and totally loved the spice mix and the korma and the spiced up marriage of yours peppered with the most elusive Equality!!
Stay blessed
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Thank you for such generous word…. Yay!!
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As usual very well written Esha..remember our conversation the other day..new horizons waiting for you 😁
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😁😁 Thank you so much, for reading this and for being so generous😘😘
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Mind-blowing blog! This is the equation between me and my husband and I always say there is no other “secret” of our happy marriage. Wish all the couples follow this. Wonderfully written.
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Thank you for your kind words… Equal relationships do help making life easier for sure… Isnt it?
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Wow…such a dream come true this blog is…husband cooking with so much enthusiasm…the recipe of this relationship is definitely spicy in a sweet way..!!! Will make my husband read this 😉
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Thank you for the encouraging words… Relationships become easier without the added baggage of compromises and gender stereotypes… Isnt it?
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The way you explained everything, the aroma of garam masala, the splattering of oil and finally the korma.. you painted the whole scene in front of my eyes. Beautiful. And yes, “some recipes have secret spices, some marriages too…the spice called equality”. #vdayblogtrain
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Thank you so much Alpana…so glad you liked it😊😊
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This is a really refreshing post. Written with a lot of heart and the love shows. Some typos have crept in. But otherwise a wonderful post
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Thank you very much…so glad you liked it….and thanks for pointing out the typos, will just go and correct it….
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Wow its really a amazing love story.. Enjoyed reading it… Well written dear
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Thank you so much😊😊
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