As a student, while my two sisters were super intelligent and found their place in the top position in the class I was pretty mediocre. I was happy with my 60 per cent and spent a considerable time outdoors. Sporty, competitive and tomboyish I would be a part of every athletic event and sports team in whichever school we went to. Judo, volleyball, basketball, horseriding, athletics; I was pretty much in all of them. Every evening, I would leave the house to play and return after a couple of hours to find them in the same position. I could never understand how these two remained glued to their seat. Gosh! It seemed as if time had stopped while I was away.
Needless to say, Mom would worry about me and I was told nearly a million times by her about how bleak my future would be. “You’re in the twelfth class. Get serious. You’ll not get admission in any college with all this khel-kood.” her volume would rise each time she saw me entering the house all sweaty, clothes all dirty and hair flying all over my face.
The profundity of the board exams hit me when they were a couple of months away. I opened my books one evening to look at the syllabus. It was huge. I wouldn’t be able to do it. The panic attack started and the horrible feeling of hopelessness washed over me. Oh God! I knew nothing. In the corner of my tiny study room, I put both my hands to my face and started weeping. Outside the door, Dad heard my sobs. He walked in and hugged me. “Dad, I will fail the boards. I know nothing.” I was howling by now. “Shhhhh! Calm down beta. I know you. You’ll do it.” he kept repeating.
I got all the support I could from him. After office, he would come to the study, open my books, organise notes, give me micro tests on every sub-topic, engage in discussions and answer the last ten years papers of all the subjects. Eventually, the chapters started making sense and I regained my confidence. I would study deep into the night and Dad stayed awake with me. He would go to the kitchen and every night make some culinary delicacy the faujis are known for making – Caramel Custard, Bread Pudding, Fruit Custard, Egg-Toast, sandwiches and the Ultimate Keema-Macaroni in White Sauce Bake. We would have a midnight feast to the peppy lyrics of Bobby Mc Ferrin’s “Don’t worry, Be happy” playing in the background. It was Dad’s favourite song and sometimes he and I both would break into a silly dance of our own.
When my name came on the admission list in Jesus and Mary College for Economics Honours, I saw his face light up. Honestly, I couldn’t have done it without him. His unflinching support and belief in me kept me going strong thereafter, winning accolades and awards in whatever I did after that. In 2007, I received the Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini award for my contributions, services and achievements in the field of Education. I’m so glad he was there to see me walk up the stage to receive it.
I rummage through my cupboard for his favourite shirt that lies in a corner of my cupboard. The faint smell of his that the shirt held has now faded away. It’s been four long years since Dad left us and what remains are just a handful of his personal belongings and a plethora of memories. As the world celebrates Father’s Day today, I reminisce about the man who was my hero, mentor and my best friend – Dad, Papa, Popsy. This morning, I baked the Keema Macaroni in White Sauce that he made so well and has many memories woven into it. I can hear Bobby Mc Ferrin playing in the other room. Dad may not be alive but he is present in my heart every moment. Today I’m not going to be sad but will celebrate and dance to the wonderful song we heard at our house so many times. “Don’t worry! Be happy!” is what he would have liked us all to be anyways.
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people
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- 500 gms lamb mince/keema
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 tbsp tomato puree
- 2 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1 tomato chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups macaroni
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup mozarella cheese grated
- 11/2 cups white sauce
- 1/2 tsp red chilli flakes
- 5 tbsps all purpose flour
- 4+1 tbsp butter
- 31/2 cups cold milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Ingredients
For 11/2 cups white sauce
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- Heat olive oil in a pan. Saute onion and garlic till golden brown. Add keema /minced mutton.
- Add the tomato puree, red chilli flakes, chopped tomato, coriander powder, cinnamon powder, salt.
- Add half cup water to the mutton mince and cook covered for half hour, stirring in between. Remove and keep aside.
- In pot of boiling water add about 1/2 tsp salt. When boiling, add macaroni and cook uncovered till al dente. This should take approximately 9-12 mins. Drain and set aside.
- Melt 4 tbsp of butter, add flour and stir on medium heat.
- When bubbles start appearing, pour cold milk all at once and whisk.
- Season with salt and pepper and keep stirring to avoid the formation of lumps. When the mixture starts thickening switch off the gas.
- Brush a 9x12 dish with the leftover butter. Spread the macaroni at the base. dust garlic powder over it.
- Layer the keema over this.
- Cover it with the white sauce. Decorate with egg slices. Sprinkle grated mozarella cheese all over. Top with tomato bits. Bake for 15-20 mins.Serve hot.
Excellent Blog – I was moved with nostalgia.
Thanks for the recipe.
Keep writing such lovely blogs ☺
Thank you, Vikram. The day got me all emotional and stirred up memories of him. I’m grateful for your feedback.
Very well written Ma’m!
some days i also wish i could go back in life
not to change anything but to feel a few things twice.
hats off to you!
it a universal truth ” when you fail at first time call your dad:)”
Thank you, Gaurav! Your feedback is valuable.
Very poignant…a word can create a thousand pictures and your words portrayed a loving relationship…don’t forget he is always watching over you…
Ooh…I prefer Indian food…
Thanks, Vinay!I’m glad you liked the post.
I’ll read the recipe later maybe as my eyes blurr to the beautiful write up for your dad who truly was your hero. Irreplaceable. Incredible ode to a relationship that was and will always remain your main, irrespective of their presence . ❤️😘
Thanks, Deepanjali! Yes! The post did go the sentimental way.
With every word I read i could see all the events happening infront of my eyes and I could relate to most of the events .. foremost being proactive in everything else but studies and then months before exams opening the books and then you’re in for a big surprise lol. Such a beautiful relationship you had with your dad.. wherever he is now I’m sure he’s watching over you and showering you with his blessings and probably he’s still grooving to that tune of Bobby Mc Ferrin’s Dont worry be happy !!
Also the keema macaroni looks amazing.
Keep Writing and Rocking!
Thanks, Pratham! School exams and the anxiety of the results are something we can all relate to. I still get nightmares about it. Yeah! Dad was amazing and I hope he continues to watch over us. The song is probably the message he left for us to cheer up when we are low.
Loved it. I could relate to it, especially since I have spent some time with you and your lovely family. Your proud Dad is watching you from the heavens.God bless his soul! Keep writing. I enjoy your raconteuring. Cheers!
What a pleasure you hear from you Deepak. For sure you would remember Dad. We spent some good times in your company. Thank you for your comment. I’m humbled.