Perks of being Pregnant

                                    

                                          
Deva and Adi stood there helpless as Jai kept walking to and back from the kitchen. They wanted to laugh, but could not as they understood the plight well. But there was one fellow who kept laughing openly. 
                          
"Rei Bava.. Aava noona. Don't forget."
                          
"No way Arjun. It is already spicy enough!"
                          
"It is specifically written by Vennu. Do you dare deny?"
                          
Jai sighed defeatedly. And went to the store room to get a tin of Mustard oil. 
                          
"Now Here!"
                          
Arjun gave the knife. 
                          
"You could at least take that job!"
                          
"Well.. Vennu asked you to do it. I don't want any credits you see!"
                          
"Credits ah beerakaya! You don't want to become sacrificed."
                          
"But I can let you. AS you see.. You are the father!"
                          
"My turn will come. Appudu chepta nee sangathi!"
                          
"We will see Bava! We.. will.. See.."
                          
He said juggling three onions. 
                          
"Yeah right! Now give me them. I've got to chop them.. Then.."
                          
"Chop the gonkura. A little bit of ginger. You have got to grind the chillies."
                          
"I know! Now Shut up and let me work!"
                          
He said as he got to work. Cooking for his wife, her favourite dish. 
                          
"Bava.. Get the pan ready"
                          
Jai growled at Arjun who was sitting on the kitchen counter. 
                          
"One more word and I will throw the hot pan at you"
                          
"That might not get you on the good books of Vennela!"
                          
Entered Deva shaking his head and chuckling. 
                          
"Jai.. Wait I will chop them."
                          
"Vaddu Nana. I will do."
                          
"Then why waste your energy on me for not helping you!"
                          
Arjun sulked. 
                          
"Nana is not gloating there and goading at me!"
                          
"The perks of having a cousin."
                          
"How does Manasa even manage this monkey fellow!"
                          
"I don't manage Jai. I go with the flow. That is the only way"
                          
Said Manasa leaning on the kitchen door. JAi shook his head. 
                          
"You have had your experience with Vennela."
                          
"Yeah I understand you Manasa. My pities!"
                          
" Appreciate that"
                          
She said enjoying the site of a husband trying to fulfill the wishes, or should she say mood swings, tantrums. But it was cute.
                          
Jai was chopping everything needed for the dish and poured mustard oil in the hot pan. 
                          
"Avaalu.."
                          
Said Arjun. Jai grunted but put mustard in the oil and waited for it to sputter. 
                          
"Minapappu" 
                          
Broken urad dal followed by Curry leaves and chopped ginger.
                          
"Fry the onion. And once its fried well, add the gonkura.." 
                          
Jai followed the instructions given by Vennela and repeated by Arjun and soon the smell of gonkura pachadi sifted around. 
                          
"Jai.. add a very small piece of jaggery along with hot sesame oil. It will not change the taste but it will balance the heat."