Morning Fog—Nancy Parks
A DIFFERENT WORLD
—Farida Haji
“Maa, send the corn chicken recipe.”
It was a way of indirectly letting mom know I missed her. That this lonely, hugless being needed her embrace and presence more than ever.
I am not a terrible cook, but it’s not my first choice or love when it’s time to step in the kitchen. If I ever earn that extra buck, I won’t flinch before hiring a cook, though I would happily clean the house!
In the WhatsApp tab, I saw Maa typing . . .
I opened her chat and sat there waiting for her fingers to work their magic, like they always did when I was young.
This time transported me elsewhere though. I stared at the screen.
I started reading . . .
Ingredients Cooking time Serves
Yourself A lifetime All
Time
Patience
Multiple emotions
Salt
Method
Place boneless self in a situation.
Pour time. Add some eye rolls, a handful of tantrums and slaps, and two tablespoons of criticism.
Add a dash of encouragement. Let it boil.
Poke self with a knife. Check for character and behavioral tenderness. Set aside.
Remove frozen memories from the freezer. Add fresh moments. Rinse under flowing time. Grind the mixture together to form a smooth paste. Set aside.
Take a separate circumstance and pour elements of frustration, a tinge of anger, and salt—definitely salt. That's mandatory. Stir.
Add your flavorful self to this concoction. Sauté until all elements combine and shape you.
Pour in memory paste, gradually.
Cover the circumstance with a lid of hope. Let it simmer.
Fifteen minutes later, check on your situation and use the magic liquid in which your boneless-self brewed; adjust the temperament of your dish.
Maa is typing . . .
Ting! I followed her recipe.
My family and I sat to eat. Kids, in-laws, spouse, et al. Some found it bland, some lacking salt. But. For me, for me, every bite was perfect. It was what I made. It was what Maa had made. It was me.
The plates and pans were clean. The food was in their tummy. Tomorrow will be a different meal. I’ll miss you again, Maa. I’ll cook another version of me!