A DIFFERENT BEAT

Shriya was very impatient today.She somehow wanted to run into the courtyard and play in the rain.I could not understand what fun she could get out of it.We were already late for Karthi's reception. By the way,where is my husband who always promises to be on time but keeps us waiting for atleast half an hour.Should I phone him? "Ammu, why are you standing outside?" my father-in-law sounded like a typical man of seventy."Raju will be on his way." Parents have a strange way of supporting their children. I was sure that he would be still in the office wondering how to promote the sales and what plans to implement. "Shriya...you are gonna get from me.You'll catch fever,girl...and listen, you gonna spoil your dress." This was usual.My father-in-law telling me something.I scolding Shriya in quick succession. How fast life becomes dull and monotonous. "Ammu,did Jaya call?Will Bhama and Suresh come today evening?"the deep voice of my mother...

"Now listen ma, I am going to be a femist. No I am already a femist." Suchita sounded serious. Tears had already collected in the corners of her eyes. Anita did not lift her eyes from the book which she was reading. Bringing up a kid was not at all easy. "Ma...did you heard what I said?" Anita was quick to correct her daughter this time,"Look Suchi, it is did you hear..did you hear what I said." Anita looked at her seven year old daughter. An editor by profession, Anita could never tolerate a grammatical error.It struck her immediately like a wrong note in the octave. (Rude joke:Editors always search for mistakes) "Ok...did you hear?"Suchita had her hands on her hips. Anita found her seven year old daughter extremely cute. Her hair looked unruly. She looked wild, but aren't tiger cubs a delight to watch. "Did you...did you hear?" she tried changing the tone since the initial question did not fetch her an answer. "Suchi.....