Aarshabhese Decoded

I have been meaning to do this for ages, but never got around to doing it.

Today I start the journal which will regularly decode the newly invented language called Aarshabhese (by the the Great Mr. Aarshabh Prateek)! This will be ongoing and I will keep adding to it as and when time permits.
For now:

1. Katlaa kat katlaa: The ultimate expression of endearment invented in Aarshabhese - when you find something / someone so delectably cueete that you can just go mad you say "Katlaa kat katlaa" Like I keep saying to Aarshabh and I did when I saw this picture above!

2. Digaa lagaayegaa - I want to put teeka (he loves putting teekaa - pucca Brahmin hai)

3. Nahin pehnaa makhin - I don't want to wear rakhi (he calls it makhi)

4. Mummy ne lagaaye mehni - mummy has applied mehndi

5. Bander kya jaane Adritaa kaa swad - He has a little monkey so I once said 'Aarshabh Bander - bander kya jaane adrak kaa swaad' he picked it up instantly and ever since says it whenever he plays with that monkey - Adritaa is his friend from tara.

6. Kappalbhatti Pannaayaam - Kapaal bhaati pranayaam.

7.

Words of wisdom from an otherwise really tired mom!

My Dear Aarshabh,

As I was rocking you gently back and forth, while making you sleep, it occurred to me that it has been ages since we had a mother - son chat! Baby, you have turned two! A big milestone indeed, and someone told me the 'terrible two' is a preview to the teenage! Here are some words of wisdom that I collected over my teen age and kept them locked in a diary for the day my child can have them! On your birthday, mama spent a month planning and getting all the 'right kind of toys' that will not just entertain you but also provide opportunity for you to use your creative instinct, for you to investigate, explore, experiment and enquire. But what I will give you now is for you to absorb, assimilate and imbibe in your day to day dealings ... as you grow in life. You may not understand most of it today ... or even in next ten years ... but after that ....this will make alot of sense! So happy growing my baby!

We start with 7 pearls of wisdom as it is your birthday month number(also I am tired and can't think of anymore for now, but will keep coming up with more I promise)

1. "Ghar se mazjid hai bohot door chalo yun karlein .... kisee rote hue bachche ko hasaayaa jaaye" always be compassionate to the lesser privileged, the helpless and the ones in need of help. If you can do something for someone, NEVER procrastinate,DO IT NOW; and always be kind, kindness pays!

2. In Shakespear's words "It is excellent to have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant". Always strike the perfect balance between physical strength and moral strength. Never be the cause of anybody's pain!

3. Always find a reason to smile (you inherit your smile from me)! Always be the reason for people to smile! Laugh alot, its alot of fun (trust me) as they say "Life is not a laughing matter, but can you imagine life without laughing?"

4. (this is something I keep drilling down your father's throat and I warn you DON"T FOLLOW IN HIS FOOTSTEPS) "The Perfect way to add drama to life is to wait till the deadline looms large!". Be like mama "a stitch in time, saves nine", be organised and always have a contingency plan in place. Keep your things in order, remember 'a place for everything, and everything in its place".

5. Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights before the dark hours of reason grows .... always be connected with your inner child, because it is the childlike innocence in an individual that makes him unique and special.

6. Be careful about knowing excellence from perfection, excellence we all can strive for ... perfection ... is God's business.

7. Life is a movie and you are the star .... make it the ultimate block buster ... the grosser of the century!!!!

love you loads,

Ma!

Khatoon kee khidmat mein salaam apun kaa

Today is a breakthrough day! A day to be marked in gold in the history of the Prateek Sharma household! For it is today .... at 9:45 pm (IST).... that Mr. Aarshabh Prateek walked up to his mother and .... (take a deep breath)

Readily .....

Willingly .....

Patiently ....

brought his hand out to mama and said "Khaatoon khatwaayegaa" (well he says that all the time) but this time ..... HE MEANT IT!

Can anyone imagine my joy! I was so overwhelmed that it was just short of tears running down my cheeks with a beauty queen patent gesture of 'OH! thank GOD!' with my face in both palms!

OK, gone past the melodrama .. here are the facts!

Normally, in the Prateek sharma household, one is witness to this never ending chase between mama and son where mummy runs after baby with nail cutter in hand and baby runs further ahead 'Nahin khatwaayega khantoon"

(Khatoon Khatwaayegaa in Arshabheese is decoded as getting nails cut)

Poor mama has always been the victim of dirty glances by aunties who see Aarshabh's over grown nails as mama's continuous failure at being the good mother, or feeling guilty whenever a scratch appears on that beautiful face of an otherwise angelic child - and mummy feels why can't I do a better job at this! Having tried everything, warm water soaking, singing & dancing and making the ritual fun, doing it to self to the extent of losing the skin even, as nails on mama are long forgotten history! But nothing EVER works. Mama has to resort to the ONLY one thing left ... jalladism. She and Rita didi hold a hand while baby sleeps and clips those silly nails off. (Phew! Mission accomplished!)

But today was a different day! He ACTUALLY CAME UP TO ME AND GOT NOT ONE BUT TWO NAILS CUT! Thereafter of course .... his better senses prevailed and he was back to normal .. resisting any further mention of nails!

Never the less, its a start! We got two nails down with no drama and melodrama!!!!

May God almighty bestow upon my son more of such wisdom and may my child allow me more access to his Khatoons!