Things I say

Reya has been discussing the topic Life cycle in school and she has many questions about this and its made her think a lot about life and death. My sensitive little doll. Reya: Mamma will you be my mother again? Me: Again? What do you mean? Reya: No later. Me: Later? Reya: Yes when I am born again. Me: Oh then. Yes ofcourse Reya. I will always be your mom. Hugs me and is really happy. Reya: What if someone else could be my mom. Me: Would you choose someone? Reya: I can choose Chhavi aunty. Me: Really? How come. Reya: She never scolds Nayanika like you scold me!

Reya thinking for sometime and then saying to me: Mamma will Maan and Aryan be naughty even when they are really old, like 100 yrs old? Me: No Reya. They will be very sensible boys as they grow older. Reya: But Maan used be better when he was younger. He is naughtier now that he is older. ... Point

Reya's cousins, my nephews, are visiting us these days. The elder one who is about 10 yrs old always has words of advise or admonishment for Reya. She is not used to being talked down so she responded thus one day. Maan: (Scolding Reya) Reya: (walking away and saying to me) यह कोई boss तो नहीं है न। एक 10 year old boy है। :-)

Reya browsing through our old albums. She goes through one of our trip to Jaisalmer, from many years ago when Gautam was still at NIIT (before going to NID). Reya (disgusted look): यह Gauta कैसा लग रहा है मम्मा। कितने बेकार कपड़े पहने हैं। After flipping a few more pages: में कहाँ हूँ मम्मा? मेरे को क्यूँ नहीं ले गए?

Reya is going to a birthday party. I'm driving. Gautam and Vivek are taking a ride till the mall. Reya: आप लोग नहीं आ सकते पार्टी में सिर्फ़ बच्चे आ सकते है। Gautam & Vivek: हम तो आ रहे हैं। Reya: नहीं आप नहीं आ सकते। Gautam & Vivek: हम आयेंगे और खेलेंगे पार्टी में। When this went on for some time... Reya: नहीं। ....... बस! अब इस बारे में कोई बात नहीं होगी। All: हा हा हा (such a daadi)