WEIGHTLESS-PART 2

MATURE CONTENT | Reader Discretion Advised | Eating Disorder

Anshul is talking nineteen to a dozen with her mother, as her mother is working on her easel. 

Stuffing her mouth with besan ka chillas and chutney, Anshul is regaling her mother about how nervous she was in the school, and how she was bullied in the break, till it was time for the quiz. Everyone refused to have her in their team coz Kadambari had declared war. So it left only her and Saru. And she knew all the answers. And they won. Just the two of them. 

“You should have seen their faces Mom! Miss David also smiled. I mean I like her. But you know what Saru said I was a sucker coz it mattered to me what Miss David said. Why are these girls so … so like nails… sharp and pointed and shining, thin and hard? Mooommmm are you listening?” 

“Yes I am”, said Bela, tying her long silken hair into a top knot and bundling her daughter into a tickling mass on the rug. ‘You know Anshu, maybe these girls are growing up too soon. But you don't need to. You are still my baby”. 

“Mom,” said Anshul quietly as she lay with her head on Bela’s tummy… “Yup”, responded Bela stroking her hair. ‘I want to get a tattoo.’ 

‘ What? NO.’ 

‘Mommm?’ 

‘Babu, you haven't even gotten your waxing done as yet. Let alone threading… Tattoo is out.’ 

‘Mom!’ 

‘No’, Bela is firm, as she pushed Anshul off her tummy and started cleaning her artwork. Anshul continues to trail her mother around her spacious, colourful, messy studio, gently jumping over the drawings and scalpels scattered on the floor. 

‘In fact, I do want to get my waxing done.’ 

‘No. Then you’ll say I want a piercing as well.’ 

‘Yes.’ 

‘Paagal?’ 

‘Mom, I want to fit in. And I can't suddenly become this, can I, so at least a tattoo.’  

‘Loose weight. That's easier. You are getting a paunch. Motu.’ 

‘Mommmmmmmmm,’ Anshul is exasperated.  

Bela smiles, ‘You fit in basis your intelligence and humour.’ 

‘Mom! You are being unreasonable.’ 

‘No.’ 

‘You are the one who insisted we change cities and come to this monstrous city. I was happy in that town, and I had so many friends.’ 

‘No.’ 

‘You wanted your career, and you played with my happiness.’ 

‘No.’ 

‘I supported you, and now you'd better support me to fit in.’ 

‘No.’ 

‘You are selfish and self-centred.’ 

‘And you are crossing the line. No is no,’ Bela closed the conversation firmly, and gently.