Mistaken Identity

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She opened the front door and the cool morning breeze greeted her. It was her daily routine to get up early in the morning, take a bath and deck up with a fresh salwar kameez. She tied her hair in a thick braid and a train of red vermillion ran between her parted hair. A bright crimson bindi adorned the centre of her forehead. Small gold jhumkas and a thick black and gold mangalsutra was her daily wear. After praying to God to keep her family well, she would come out to take milk and newspaper and say hello to the rising sun. Today was no different except for a small fact. It was her birthday.

Pammi Malhotra, a cheerful woman who was content with what life provided her. Married at the young age of eighteen, she had known little of the outside world. She didn’t get much of an education to boast of but nonetheless she was an open-minded woman who adapted to changes quickly. That was her survival mantra. 

Pammi’s world was her home with her husband, father in law and two beloved sons. One just joined a job and the other was still in college. Her mother in law passed away recently. Apart from that she had few friends in the neighbourhood with whom she liked to spend her free time. 

“Today the morning is extra beautiful”, thought Pammi.

“Or maybe I’m just happy it’s my birthday”, she chuckled and her chubby face grew a shade of pink. But fine lines of doubts immediately traced her forehead.

“Don’t know whether he remembers or not…”

“Well if he doesn’t then that would be normal…”, she smiled again, broader this time.

Pammi and Kishore boasted of what can be termed as a ‘happy and long married life’. They never had any serious problems in their marriage but they were not the kind who did candlelight dinners and showered love to each other at the slightest pretence. Pammi was a very jolly and social woman but Kishore was the reserved kind. They were quite the opposite of each other. He never showed off his love. There were times when Pammi had doubted that maybe he didn’t love her and was just adjusting with her. But she could never find any solid proof to support this idea. Kishore had always taken good care of her and respected her at every juncture of life. So as time passed, she had dismissed such lame thoughts and had accepted him as her silent lover.

Pammi took the milk packets from the bag hanging near the front door. She picked the newspaper which felt soggy to touch due to the misty morning. As she was wiping it with her dupatta, she noticed a parcel kept near the door. It was addressed to ‘Mr. K Malhotra’. She checked that it was delivered by an online shopping site lovecart.com. 

“I think I heard the bell ring while I was bathing…. nobody heard it I guess…”

She tossed and turned the white waterproof sealed packet in her hand.

“He must have ordered something… but why didn’t he tell me? … usually he always informs me if any online delivery is coming…”

She turned to enter the house when another thought struck her,

“Maybe he is giving me a surprise gift on my birthday! It’s quite unlike him but maybe…”, guessed the forever hopeful Pammi.

She was the extremely optimistic kind who liked to expect and feel excited about things that have little or no chance of happening. She had an imaginative mind.

Pammi felt butterflies in her stomach and tried to control her excitement. She kept tossing the parcel for a few more minutes but then finally gave up. Suspense was not one of her virtues. She quickly hid it under her dupatta and carried it straight to the kitchen. It was her lone territory where there was the least chance of spotting the men of her house.

She couldn’t hold her curiosity any more. It drove her crazy not knowing its content.

“Kishore never liked ordering anything online. But since he has ordered and not told me, there is a chance that it might be something for me! So, there is no harm opening it right away!”

She convinced herself and smoothed the plastic cover with her hand. The opening was sealed. She didn’t give a second thought. She caught hold of her kitchen scissor and cut it open. The content of it kind of shocked her, in a pleasant way. 

There lay a baby pink night gown made of the softest satin. It had pink laces at the back in a crisscross fashion. It was adorned with delicate silk flower motifs in the front. It was long and flowy. The beauty of it made her blush.

“So, after all these years… finally he is giving me a gift, that too such a romantic gift.”, her eyes welled up with happy tears.

Now she didn’t want to spoil the surprise her husband wanted to give her. So, she packed it back and secured it with cello tapes somehow and quietly kept the parcel in the front table without anyone noticing her and slipped back into the kitchen.

She kept the milk to boil, heaving slightly with the excitement of the suspense unfolding. All in her family loved her ginger tea. She added the tea leaves, sugar and the grated ginger to the boiling milk all the while humming a happy tune of some old movie song.

Pammi kneaded the flour for aloo parathas and mashed the boiled potatoes. But her mind was working in another direction. She made a list of all the things she needed to do to look good in that night gown. A visit to the parlour was mandatory. She also practiced how to look surprised when Kishore gave her the gift. She stuffed the dough with mashed potatoes, rolled the dough into round circles and fried them in ghee over the hot tawa with a shy smile adorning her lips.

She put some biscuits in a tray and carried the tea cups to the dining hall along with the aloo parathas in the casserole.

Pammi’s father in law was sitting in the dining hall. He seemed to be struggling with his new mobile phone his son had gifted him recently. 

She kept the tray and casserole on the table and said, 

“Papaji chai.”

When he didn’t respond she said again, 

“What happened Papaji? Phone is not working?”

He simply grunted without replying and continued whatever he was trying to do. 

“After mummyji left, he has become weird. Poor papaji.”, Pammi thought.

She sighed and stopped any further probing into his unknown struggle.

Pammi’s mother in law had passed away a few years back. After that, her father in law mostly kept to himself and avoided mingling with others. At times he wouldn’t talk to anyone for days. But Kishore and Pammi always took good care of him.

Kishore entered the drawing room by this time. He sat on the sofa and picked up the newspaper.

Pammi offered him tea concealing her excitement. But he seemed very normal and calm as usual to her. He took the tea cup and had a sip without moving his eyes from the newspaper even for a second. She waited for some time but he said nothing.

Pammi also sat on the sofa with her tea with a tinge of disappointment on her face. She took another page of the newspaper and started reading. She had started this new habit recently. Kishore only had forced her to read newspapers regularly to improve her English as well as to keep herself updated with the happenings around the world.

Her eldest son Ketan entered the dining hall dressed in a smart pant suit with an office bag in hand and hair neatly combed with a touch of gel. The room filled up with a strong aroma of cologne. Pammi looked at him and her heart filled up with a pleasure only moms of handsome sons have and she said,

“Ketan beta have tea and paratha. Did you see the girl’s photo I sent you through WhatsApp?”

Ketan hurriedly gulped the tea while tying his shoelaces and said, 

“Yes, mom I did. But why do you keep sending these photos to me? I have already told you I don’t want to get married now. I have my ambitions to fulfil.”

His mom said, “Beta, that will go on but this is also necessary.”

“No mom you don’t understand. I want to concentrate on going to the US and pursuing my career there. Marriage is not for me… at least for now. So please stop sending these girls’ photos to me. It’s embarrassing to say no all the time”

Pammi had been searching for a bride for her talented and handsome son for quite some time now. But he always says no to any girl she recommends. 

After this second disappointment of the day, Pammi opened the newspaper. Going through the paper, one headline caught her attention.

“Gay marriage legalized in Germany.”, she spoke aloud.

Kishore showed absolutely no reaction and kept engrossed in his newspaper. So, she said again,

“Eji… what is ‘gay’?”

Ketan raised an eyebrow listening to this question. Kishore finally looked up from the paper.

“Pammi read the whole article and you will know. “

“I don’t have that much patience. You have asked me to read newspapers, so I’m trying to read. You had also promised that you would help me in every way. So now please help.”

Kishore got irritated and got up from the sofa.

“Pammi I’m getting late for office. I will talk to you later.”

He left the hall.

Ketan also followed him and left for office.

Pammi said aloud to both of them, “But have your breakfast you two!”

None of them paid a heed to her.

Pammi’s disappointment knew no bounds. Nobody remembered her birthday. Neither her husband nor her son. 

She served a few parathas on a plate with some pickle and kept it near her father in law. At present, he was busy arguing with someone on the phone. He was oblivious to the world around him.

Pammi muttered, “Men of this house…”

She served some more parathas on a plate and carried it to her younger son Kishan’s room.

It was already time for his college but he was nowhere to be seen. Pammi walked into his room and got the shock of her life.

Kishan was standing in front of the mirror and was applying her new lipstick. 

“What are you doing with my lipstick? It’s new. I haven’t even tried yet! Pammi burst out with her eyes so wide open that it would seem that her eyeballs would fall out of their socket.

He smiled and handed it back to her.

“I forgot to tell you…I am playing Draupadi in our college production… rehearsals start this evening.”

“By the way, you are saying as if I apply your lipsticks every day!”

Pammi mumbled under her breath,

” Who knows…I find them missing every now and then.”

Kishan said, “Enough mom…”

He stuffed a chunk of paratha in his mouth and said,

“I am very excited about this role.”

“Draupadi had five husbands. You didn’t get even one to play? “Pammi asked in confusion.

Kishan said gazing at the mirror and wiping his lipstick, 

“I could have got any role I wanted. I’m a star performer. But I like challenges mom. Playing draupadi will be a real challenge.” He looked all geared up with excitement.

“Okay I got to leave for college.”

He kissed Pammi on her cheeks and ran away.

Pammi returned to her room and kept the lipstick on the dressing table. She was feeling sad and dejected. No one remembered her birthday! 

On top of that, multiple bad thoughts were brewing in her imaginative mind, one after the other. 

“For whom did Kishore order that fancy nightgown? He clearly doesn’t remember my birthday. Then who is the recipient of this romantic gift from him, if not me?”

Then another one crossed her mind. 

“Did any of my sons order that gown? Do they have girlfriends and they don’t want to tell me?

She felt dizzy.

Her train of thoughts was broken by the shrill ringtone of her cell phone.

It was Mrs Sethi, her neighbor.

“Hey Pammi! When are you coming to the kitty party? We are waiting for you.”

Pammi was feeling nauseous as a result of her recent doubts. So, she said, 

“Not today Mrs Sethi. I’m not feeling well.”

Mrs. Sethi sounded concerned, “Oh what happened?”

Pammi made up quickly,

“Just fever… nothing serious.”

Mrs Sethi said,

“Oh, you will miss the exciting news of the moment Pammi!”

“What news?”

“Sharmaji’s son got married without telling anyone”

“That’s sad…”

“What’s sadder is that he ran away with a guy!”

“What! How? Why?”

“Arey he is gay!”

“Gay?”

“My dear Pammi… your English needs improvement… ‘gay’ means a boy who likes boys… not girls… did you get now?” she almost whispered on the phone.

“Oh…”

“So, he got married in another country. In India, his family didn’t approve”

“In Germany?”

“Germany? Why Germany…Pammi your guesses are too weird…. not Germany… United States”

“Oh, I see.”

“Mrs Sharma has stopped going out. You will miss all the interesting gossip. Get well soon.”

Mrs. Sethi hung up in a hurry.

But Pammi still held the phone to her ears. The conversation with Mrs Sethi was still ringing in her head. As a result of which, new ideas crept into her mind. She said to herself,

“Ketan wants to go to United States… and he doesn’t want to get married… and hates when I send him girl’s photos… is he gay?” 

While this thought was still running another one creeped in.

“Kishan wants to play Draupadi…. he was even trying my lipstick! If he can try to wear a lipstick, then why not a pink nightgown!”

She started thinking further.

“Kishore is an introvert. He is a good man but he hardly shows any emotions towards me. I had tried finding all my life if he had a secret girlfriend. Maybe I was searching in the wrong direction. I should have searched for a guy rather than a girl! “

She put a hand on her head and felt that someone was banging her head from inside. Her blood pressure was surely on the rise. She had never thought her birthday would turn out like this. 

She took a water bottle from the fridge and gulped it down. The ice-cold water gave her some relief.

Pammi lay on the bed and closed her eyes. The sudden doubt that her husband or her sons might be gay affected her badly. 

“I don’t mind if anyone of them is gay. But I’m feeling bad since this fact was hidden from me, a wife, a mother who has supported them at every single step of their lives.” she thought in her mind.

She turned to one side of her bed and cried burying her face in the pillow. She even regretted opening the parcel. Her curiosity had spoilt her birthday. Ignorance is a bliss.

Pammi didn’t know when she slept off. When she woke up, her room felt dark. The last rays of the sun were pouring in from her bedroom window. She felt better after the nap. She woke up and washed her face. The house was empty. Her stomach churned since she had missed her lunch. But she didn’t feel like eating. She felt relieved thinking that her father in law had gone out for lunch with his friends today. Otherwise it would have been a disaster if he kept waiting for her to serve lunch. 

She looked at the parcel on the table. It lay there as she had kept it. No one had bothered to touch it.  

The drawing room was dark. She switched on the lights. There was a huge commotion!

She felt hundred lights were lit up all at once. The whole room was decorated with balloons and a cake was on the table. In the middle stood her husband and two sons clapping and singing the happy birthday song!

Momentarily she forgot all about the parcel and a slight smile crossed her face. But the turmoil in her mind was hard to ignore. She couldn’t smile properly instead she broke down. The huge rush of emotions she was having needed an outlet. She started crying profusely.

All were shocked. No one had expected this.

“What happened Pammi? Why are you crying?”  Kishore asked with concern. He never expected such an outburst from Pammi. She had always been a cheerful woman.

Ketan and Kishan ran to her,

“What happened mom? We planned this surprise for you that’s why intentionally we all didn’t wish you. Sorry if we have hurt your emotions!”

Pammi wiped her tears and asked ignoring their explanations,

“Who ordered the pink nightgown? Tell me!” She picked up the parcel and waved it towards them.

All three looked startled at this abrupt question. They all went silent. Each expecting the other to answer.

Finally, Kishore broke the silence, 

“What pink nightgown Pammi?”

Pammi answered straight without batting an eyelid, 

“The one you ordered for your beloved.”

Kishore answered with irritation, “What nonsense! I didn’t order any gown or anything.”

Pammi pointed towards her son and said, “If not you, then maybe one of these two. They are also ‘K Malhotra’”

Both Ketan and Kishan looked at each other.

Kishan said, “Don’t look at me bro. I didn’t order anything like that! Why would I?”

Pammi replied instead, “If you can wear lipstick, then why not a gown?”

Kishan retorted, “Mom I told you that was for the drama! I’m not gay that I will wear some pink night gown!”

Pammi immediately looked at Ketan and charged, 

“So, are you gay then?”

Ketan looked bewildered.

“Why would I be gay mom! I’m seeing the ‘gay’ thing has gotten into your head from morning itself.”

Kishore asked him to stop by showing his hands and said,

“Pammi relax. It might have been delivered here by mistake.”

Pammi kept wailing,

“There is no mistake. One of you is hiding something from me. Trust me. If one of you is gay, then I don’t mind. You will have my full support. Please don’t lie!”

Kishore lost control and snatched the parcel from Pammi and threw it on the floor and shouted, 

“Enough of this nonsense!”

But he suddenly fell silent when he saw his father entering the house after his outing.

Even Pammi controlled herself as much as she could and tried to hide her tears. They all had the decency not to fight in front of him.

But her father in law was as usual in his own world. He didn’t even notice them. But when he saw the parcel on the floor, he stopped and to the dismay of others, even picked it up. He read the address and spoke for the first time in the day,

“When did this come? I’m calling those stupid people from morning asking if it’s delivered yet. They told me that it was surely delivered but I was not able to find it. Thank God it’s not lost.”

Mr Krishnaraj Malhotra took the parcel and carried it to his room and shut the door.

The rest of the Malhotra family stood speechless.