Flattening the Curve!

I really envy people with one of those spick-and-span homes. You know… the sort where everything is just about perfect. Not a cushion out of place, framed family photographs on the side table with the mandatory plants in delicate miniature planters, newspapers and magazines in wooden racks, fresh, fragrant flowers in the vase on the dining table no matter the time of day, neatly made beds with fresh sheets and matching duvets, clothes ironed and stacked neatly in wardrobes, lampshades and ceiling fans sparkling clean, a spotless kitchen with pots, pans and jars kept away out of sight and, the best part of it all… an empty, shining kitchen sink!

Coming to the topic of kitchen sinks, I really can't help comparing mine to Draupadi's Akshaya Patra these days. As most of you would know, this mythical vessel, gifted to Draupadi by Lord Krishna himself, solved the food problem during the exile of the Pandavas in the forest. This blessed vessel would always have enough food for their requirements.

By a sadistic turn of events, conjured by a humour-loving God, the said blessing seems to have been transferred to my kitchen sink!

No matter the time of day, no matter how hard I try, the fact remains that it is never, ever empty. Just as I finish washing the last greasy pan with a song in my heart, and as I move my wet hands towards the gleaming stainless-steel tap to turn off the water, there appears, as though by magic, a plate or a couple of spoons!

My ferocious glance at my grinning son is met with a sheepish grin, and the culprit scoots away to safety.

Tonight, as I sit down with a sigh of relief after completing my washing up for the night, I gaze with absolute wonder at my mountain of handiwork and can't help thinking that this certainly is a curve which could do with a bit of flattening!