In “Lock down”, I got relief from her. There was a seize fire between the mental war of consciousness and unconsciousness. After one week of “Corona” virus pandemic lock down, I received a call from her. Initially, I tried to avoid her but my husband forced me to attend the call as there might be some important news or problem at my workplace. So, keeping these possibilities in my mind, I picked her call.
After formal conversation she unexpectedly asked me about the recipe of a Mediterranean dish “Dolmas”, which I used to cook and take for my lunch so many times. I became surprised because she had never appreciated any single dish I’ve made by myself, even she always made fun of me in front of my other colleagues who admired and encouraged me a lot. My colleagues waited for the occasions or sometimes they “create” a ’cause” to throw a party or “fine” just because they wanted to eat something cooked or backed from my side. And I always loved and enjoyed to cook or bake for them. So, on Linda’s demand, I forward her the recipe in full detail. but its a little bit technical. I suggested her 2-3 tutorial “links” to watch on “you tube” but she refused and continuously insisted for my recipe; though she still has not appreciated but asked about my recipe. The fact is that I was really very happy.
I got engaged in my other household work as in the “Lock down” phase, everyone become busy in completing the pending work. The season is going to changed and today, I decided to clean the “over stuffed” cupboards of the house. It looked like we are have just shifted to the other place. Suddenly, I heard my cell phone ring tone. “Mom ! Its aunt Linda”. My elder son entered the room with my cell phone in his hand. Yup! It was Linda who has asked me about alternates of some ingredients as she hadn’t find at home and markets were closed due to the current pandemic situation. She refused to made another dish because she had made her mind. My mind was also occupied but Linda asked me for the first time so I hesitated to argue with her. Time passed by and finally, we came to the conclusion. The ingredients list has been finalized now. “Hon ! What would be for our lunch today?” My hubby’s voice heard around. I saw in his direction; he was standing in the door entrance half leaned and grabbed his fatty loosed tummy, it seemed he was badly hungry. Oh! I totally forgot about lunch preparation. I couldn’t decide yet what to cook. I rushed into the kitchen; my playland, my wonderland and of course, my regime where I feel myself, a worthy kitchen “Queen”.
Linda’s calls continuously received during cooking. My own cuisine got confused and my kitchen became messy as my attention diverted so many times. It took so long to prepare lunch for my beloved family. We all were dead tired today. After watching my worst condition, my kids and hubby helped me a lot. I was blessed and lucky in the sense that my family members remained very co operative all the time and well aware of my nature. Linda has contacted my time by time or whenever she needed and when my cell phone ringed, my spouse take the “position”. In fact, we ate lunch with Linda. Her “tutorial” went so long as it seemed a research project for Doctorate Degree. When I felt my soar throat or it chocked, my younger daughter quickly placed a glass of water in front of me.
Standing before the wash basin while cleaning the utensils, Linda again approached me. I gave her some more guidelines regarding the upcoming step. After that, I rushed into the washroom. After a minute, ring tone of my cell phone again heard. Now I feel embarrassed. On the other side, Linda was furious. “There may be some step you have missed!” Linda’s angry voice emerged. “Oh no, no my dear ! I’ve learned it on my finger tips.” I explained sheepishly. “Then you might intentionally skipped something in the method as to hide your recipe secret or you wanna hide some secret tips”. She scolded. I felt irritated since that time she offended me. Had there been no lock down situation, I would surely went to her place and cooked for her; in her own kitchen. I was again surprised by her unpredictable behavior. Neither she dropped the call nor she want to talk.
It was so difficult to calm her down. Ah ! It takes 14 hours to make only one”online” dish during lock down. Finally, it had done. Linda was not satisfied as usual. She never said a word of thanks. I felt horrified and upset imagining how would I face her in future and how she reacted and condemned me in front of my colleagues. How would I satisfy her? How many explanations? Nobody knows. At last, I threw myself on the bed; deep sleep oceans took me to the unknown dream valley where there was no Linda.
But it was just a dream, of an insufficient sleep. On the next morning my cell phone began to ring and my heart beat racing fast. It was early morning. With a heavy head and swelled eyes I turned back and took my cell phone from the side table. Uh ! Not again! But the reality, the truth was that…. it was Linda again; waiting for the new recipes from me.
It took more than a month for so many recipes and my “courtesy” trapped me badly. My life had become a disaster. At outside, there is “Corona” and inside “Linda” is there. On one evening, I received a website URL in my inbox message. It was requested to subscribe. OMG! It was Linda’s website of cooking and baking. I visited in detail. It was no doubt, very well presented. I liked all categories and the most happy moment for me was that my recipes were there (though without tips) but it was all mine. Lastly I read the “Introduction/ About me” in “home”page:
“Hi ! I am Linda; a data operator in a multi national firm. I cook and bake since my childhood. It is my passion. My family, friend and colleagues appreciate me a lot. They forced me to create this food blog. Viewers! These recipes are pure my own creations. Some are learned generation after generation. I love to share my family”secret treasure” with all of you. Waiting for your kind feed back.”
It was not a big surprise, It was a shock for me. Instead of being thankful or acknowledging me, she had taken all the credit. Once again I felt “robbed”. My cell phone rang again. It was Linda. “Hi there! subscribe to my food blog and get ready for more tutorials for me as I plan to make another category before Christmas.” She ordered me which I completely ignored. ” Sorry Sweetie! for this purpose you have to visit my “E-book” published soon online because “All rights reserved” now.” I throw a stone in the stagnant water and, circles going to begin in Linda’s head.
