You and I - a pranushka tale

chapter five

Everyone in the house was still not letting Mithrah do any sort of work. Her mother Radha, was still adamant that Mithrah, Rana and Prabhas were not to do any sort of labour until she decides they can. Her father Veerayaindi was no less lenient. The three of them were getting pampered and it was to an extent where they were beginning to become restless.

As she sat curled on the sofa, she realised that she could only watch so much television before driving herself mad with boredom. She began wandering around the house to see if she can help about, coming to the conclusion that chores were better than sitting around. She walked into the large front room first, only to see Prabhas peer at some of the paintings on the wall with curiosity. Mithrah realised it was one of her pieces that her father had placed on the wall proudly. She immediately walked back out hoping he didn't see her, but he had looked back and chuckled at her endearing childishness.

Her steps were next towards the large kitchen. There would surely be something to do there she assumed even though her culinary skills excelled as much as her road safety skills. In other words non-existent. The kitchen was already bustling with chefs busily preparing lunch. Amongst the workers, Mithrah caught sight of some of her aunts. She hurried towards them and peered over their shoulders.

"Auntie, I want to cook something." She said picking up a bottle of spices and shaking it trying to figure out what it was.

Padmini slowly took it out of her hand and placed it on the table in fear that it was about to drop all over her niece's face. She gave her a wary smile. "Sweetie, do you know how to cook?"

Mithrah shrugged. "How hard can it be?" She asked almost dropping the carrot that she had begun balancing on her finger.

Padmini tried not to laugh at her niece and cleared a section of the large kitchen for Mithrah to use. "What do you want to cook?"

Mithrah's eyebrows furrowed as she appeared to be in deep thought. She wanted to make something delicious but it couldn't be too complicated to make. She knew where she was limited in talent. "Something sweet like...kesari?"

Padmini placed the ingredients on the table and gave her a rundown of the instructions she was to follow. She then returned to focusing on whatever she was cooking, leaving Mithrah to look at the ingredients excitedly. She didn't know what she was doing but she was ready.

Humming a random tune she set to work. Her aunt gave her the ingredients to make milk Kesari as she thought that would be an easy one for her niece to follow. Yet, it all stared back at Mithrah intimidatingly as she picked up a jar of milk and poured it into the saucepan. She was about to continue when she realised she hadn't switched on the stove. Making a face at her foolishness she quickly switched it on.

She told herself the soft aromas of the preparations for lunch around her was her distraction, thus why her own dish was not starting off amazingly. Next, she picked up the bowl of sugar but paused. Did her aunt say to put saffron first or sugar? Shrugging she poured the sugar in and began to stir.

Slowly, her milk Kesari began to take form and an enticing smell left her pan. She grinned and called Padmini over. "Auntie! I think its ready. Come and check. Quickly!" She hurried her aunt who came over with a smile. She could already smell the dish and knew her niece had done a good job.

Mithrah switched the stove off and poured the dish into a beautiful glass bowl and placed a spoon in it. She was eager for her brother to try and let her know how good of a job she's done as her aunt was fasting due to the temple festivities. Just as she was about to walk out, Prabhas walked in.

Prabhas looked around the kitchen, appearing lost as if he didn't know who to approach. Her aunt immediately hurried to him causing Mithrah to roll her eyes.