Kashibai Peshwe

Part 19.2- A solace of tamarind

"Don't do this, don't do that, don't eat this, don't go out on your own! We tell you, Bhiu, it is no fun to be expecting a baby! Suddenly everyone else takes control over your life!" The long-suffering Kashi unburdened her thoughts before her best friend. Unknown to the rest of the family Kashi and Bhiu had begun addressing each other by their first names when nobody else was present. Kashi wished she could shed off some more traditions. Carrying the extra weight around her middle was not half as difficult as the ridiculous formality that was demanded of the women in the Peshwa family. In any case both girls were nearly the same age, lived under similar circumstances and were secret keepers for each other. And at Radhabai's insistence Bhiu visited the Peshwa's residence more frequently so that she could keep Kashi company.

"What did Vaidya buwa say? All well with you and the baby?" Bhiu enquired. While she was happy at the thought of becoming an aunt the fact that Kashi had beaten her in the race to motherhood had begun affecting her unwittingly. Especially because unlike the Peshwa, who was away on campaign for months on end, her own husband did not travel out much. The expectations of others were overwhelming and while most of the gossip went on behind her back, she was painfully aware of the content. Bhiu pushed her thoughts aside and forced a smile on her face. She knew that although she was feeling low she had to portray herself more positively for Kashi's sake, because she had always stood by Bhiu whenever she needed her to.

"Let us demonstrate! Sasubai Saheb sat to my right and Kakubai Saheb to my left. The doctor checked our pulse, face, eyes, hands, nails and then asked us to hold out our tongue. He then asked a dozen questions about our health before being convinced that everything was well! When the physical examination was over we were asked to leave the room before there was any further discussion about out diet and the tonics we need to take until the baby arrives!" Kashi stretched her dainty feet and asked Baiza to loosen the grip on her silver toe rings slightly. Bhiu could see that Kashi's feet were swollen.

"Do they hurt?" Bhiu voiced her concern. Every passing week added a new symptom to Kashi's pregnancy. But she had gotten over her morning sickness and food aversions and was eating normally. She had also begun to gain some weight. The doctor was summoned because she was still feeling light-headed. When she fainted in her mother-in-law's presence the Peshwa's mother became anxious. Kashi was carrying her first grandchild and the possible successor to Rau. She could not take any chances during Kashi's gravid state.

"Not really, but we tire easily and feel the urge to lie down more often!" Kashi took a deep breath as the wind suddenly blew in the scent of mogra blooms that grew abundantly on shrubs around the Peshwa home. Braving the scathing heat of the Sahyadri summer the steadfast jasmine had managed to make its presence felt and the girls felt blessed. Baiza sat next to them stringing the pristine white mogra flowers into garlands for their hair.

"Forgive me, but that is because you are weak owing to your paltry diet. Just lentils and rice with a few morsels of vegetables are not enough food for the growing baby. Tai Saheb, why don't you advise your sister-in-law? Rau Swami Saheb in all his enthusiasm has sent across several boxes of dried apricots, figs, raisins, pistachios and almonds as soon as he got the good news. And Tai Saheb is scared of eating the mewa because she fears it will make her fat. When I was expecting my daughter the cooks in the helpers' kitchen plied me with meat and eggs every other day." The opinionated Baiza could not help but speak.

"As if we can eat meat and eggs! Baiza, don't even speak about such taboos, lest you are overheard!" Kashi scolded her. Dairy and honey were the only animal foods that Brahmins could partake. Kashi was not too fond of dairy but on Radhabai's orders she was given warm saffron-laced sweetened milk twice daily and a drizzle of warm butter fat was poured on her rice and lentils.

"By the way, Baiza, what do you have stashed in that pouch tucked into your sari? Have you begun taking tobacco too?" Bhiu's sharp eyes noticed the slight bulge visible just beneath Baiza's sari border.