Maithily's Scribblings

This happened around the 18th of July, 2014. We were newly married, still learning about each other, slowly trying to become friends before anything else. My husband usually returned home around 8:30 or 9:00 PM. So when the doorbell rang at around 6:00 PM, I casually assumed he had come home early. But when I opened the door, it wasn’t him. It was his colleague, Sharma. He handed me my husband’s mobile charger and casually asked how he was doing. I was confused. I told him my husband hadn’t returned home yet. That’s when he said something that froze me. “There was a small accident at the office. Something fell on his head. He left in the morning itself.” My heart stopped. I didn’t know what to think. Tears started flowing instantly. Seeing me cry, Sharma tried saying something to calm me down and left. With trembling hands, I kept calling my husband. After a few attempts, he finally answered. He said he was at the guest house with his friend — the place where he used to stay ...

In these twelve years of marriage, as far as my memory stretches, my husband has never once told me what he wanted to eat. Never asked for a special dish. Never made a request. But on 10th February 2026 , something changed. For the very first time in twelve years, he said he wanted to eat green gram gravy. And I don’t know why… but it felt so incredibly special. On one hand, I was already running out of ideas about what to cook. And on the other hand, this man — the man I love so deeply — had finally asked me to make something just for him. There was no grand celebration. No dramatic moment. Just a simple request. I hurried into the kitchen with a smile I couldn’t hide. I prepared the green gram gravy with extra care, and for a change, I even made urad dal rice — something I was trying for the first time. The entire process felt different. Warm. Meaningful. Personal. It wasn’t just about cooking. It wasn’t just about food. It was about being needed. It was about being asked....

I am someone who loves celebrating my birthday. As a child, it was exciting. But after becoming an adult, it became something deeper, a day I consciously set aside for myself. A day where I felt special. A day where I allowed myself to enjoy the little things that make me happy. But in August 2025, my birthday carried a different weight. On the 28th, my father-in-law passed away. It was one of the most devastating moments of my life. He was not just an elder in the family; he was my guide, my guardian, someone whose presence anchored us all. His last rites were planned for the 29th. My birthday. I was shattered. I was grieving. I felt lost. Gowri Athai was with me throughout. She picked me up from the Chennai airport, brought me to Cuddalore, and took care of me like my own mother. In that moment, when I had lost someone so significant, she became my quiet strength. Even while I was mourning, my phone kept lighting up. Friends and relatives were calling and messaging to wish me....

It feels strange to even write this in the past tense. I am a below-average cook. I say that without hesitation. The curries I make taste good not because of my skill, but because of a secret ingredient — a special chilli powder. But this wasn’t just any chilli powder. It was formulated by my father-in-law. Ground in his own mill. Packed in his own shop. Made with precision, patience, and pride. Traditional South Indian Kulambu milagai podi,  but to me, it was simply mama’s masala . After I got married, I never worried about buying chilli powder from outside. All I had to do was make one phone call. “Mama, milagai podi venum…” And he would prepare it fresh for me. My brother-in-law Suresh would carefully pack and courier it. If someone travelled from Cuddalore to Mangalore or Chennai, I would request them to bring a packet. It travelled across cities with me like a silent family member. I must thank my father-in-law for this — whether I learned cooking or not, his masala n...

Based on my daily experience with my four-year-old daughter... Daily Chaos Honestly, I wish knives became blunt the moment tiny hands touched them. I wish lipstick and nail polish would instantly dry up if kids picked them up. I wish the handwash dispenser allowed exactly one pump—no more, no less. I wish bathrooms were extremely inviting only until bath time was done, and then immediately stopped being interesting. And once they stepped out of the bath, I wish kids magically came out dry , especially the long, dense hair they absolutely refuse to dry, because patience is clearly optional at that age. Very Important Invention A device that tells me the exact time my child will need to use the bathroom. I could plan my entire day around it. Productivity would skyrocket. An I nvisible-to-Kids Rack A rack where chocolates, snacks, juices, and junk food are clearly visible to adults but completely invisible to toddlers. Because no matter where I store these things, they somehow g...

Today, 9th February 2026, marks our 12th wedding anniversary , and my heart feels full in the simplest, most beautiful way. The day became special right from the morning because a few people remembered. My husband’s friend Jeevan , Uma Chitti , my cousin Sandhiya anni , my Wipro friend Lakshmi, and Selvaraj mama  took a moment to send their wishes. That thoughtfulness alone made me feel so happy and deeply blessed. What made the day even better was my husband reaching home early from work — a rare and precious gift in itself. Together, we visited Shri Jai Ambe Karthik Swamy Temple, Vadodara , and the experience was calm, divine, and grounding. As a small token of love and gratitude, we donated ₹1,000 to the temple and requested them to prepare evening prasadham for two days . It felt peaceful and meaningful. After the temple visit, we did a little shopping at the Tamil shop below — picking up Thangaiah mixture, Mysorepa , and a few groceries. Those familiar flavours always bring...