Home Alone

My right hand moves across the sofa to the side table, to pick up the glass of scotch. I savor a sip and feel the warmth inside. I continue to browse on my laptop, occasionally munching my favorite salted cashews. It is half past ten and I make myself another drink. The night is still young and I am in no hurry. In fact, my weekend trysts with Johnny Walker are relaxed and enjoyable as never before. Because, there are no reminders that, “Dinner is ready”  ... “No more drinks” ....”Enoughhhh, come to sleep”!! That’s because, I am HOME ALONE !!

It’s been almost 3 months since I have been staying alone at Alexandria. Binny and Mickey moved to Mumbai and I began my life as a forced bachelor.

When my kid brother heard about this arrangement, for some reason which I did not comprehend, he was very excited! He narrated a story of his friend who had recently moved to Mumbai while his family remained at Bangalore. This friend was having a time of his life, reading books, listening to music and in general having the time to do whatever he desired to do, without being chained by the responsibilities that a family brings. And most importantly, the friend used to boast about how he now received special treatment from his wife, when they met over weekends. Although my kid brother has 10 years of marital life less than me, I could notice that he was envious of the life I was about to start!

It’s been 3 days in a row that I have stayed back pretty late at office to complete some meetings with my colleagues. The meetings were extended and I was pushing for perfection and closure. I could see a few of my colleagues glance at their watches, occasionally. I had no anxiety building up about going home quickly! Why should I?? I was HOME ALONE !!

In the last three months, I have not been to Carrefour at the City Center mall. Earlier, at least once a week, I would display the countenance of a nonchalant hubby, who would dutifully tag behind his wife for shopping, displaying great interest in jewellery, home decorations, etc, which I had no understanding nor any inclination. My past few weekends have been at home, going for walks on the Corniche regularly, which I enjoy so much. Cos I am HOME ALONE!!

Taking care of the house and cooking is a definite challenge. But I have managed to upgrade my culinary skills to fix up a quick dinner or lunch. I have tried roast eggplant (aubergine) successfully, created quick chicken dishes, substituted “Balady bread” for parathas, and lived on corn flakes for a healthy start to a day. I have had the freedom to pick up anything from the food court downstairs, whenever and whatever I wished to. Cos I am HOME ALONE !!

I have the reputation of packing my stuff a few hours before we embark on any journey. My flight to Mumbai leaves 48 hours from now - I am taking a short break over the Eid holidays and weekend. But tonight I have my suitcase already fully packed. I am desperate to go home, like the days I was  in my hostel days, before the summer vacations.

I look forward to again chide Mickey for spending too much time on Facebook; I want to compliment her for getting excellent marks in English and Economics; to tease her and fight with her, cos she is growing up so fast and soon will be out of her teens; to make her cry when she does not understand my ancient methods of teaching maths. And prepare her favorite chicken dishes. Before she too takes wings like the elder one, living her own life.

I want to tag along with her and go shopping again, grimace when I see the price on the tags; I want to be nagged about smoking too much; I want to be around when she is not feeling well and gently care for her with my healing touch; want to compliment her on her delicious rawa idlis and dosa; long to have our morning tea together and rush back from a weary day at office to the place called HOME, knowing that someone is waiting for me.

I have always been a unsolicited adviser to my kid brother – will now tell him that his friend was actually putting up a charade of enjoying himself, cos he had noa choice. 

Just as I am, putting up a brave face of cherishing being HOME ALONE !!