Every month-end, the story is the same for a middle-class family with two or three kids. When I was in school, my parents must have gone through the same cycle.
School reopens and kids demand raincoats, umbrellas, bags, and books. Then comes Dandiya nights, Dusshera, Diwali, all wrapping up with Christmas. Parents keep draining their pockets in the festival season. During Diwali holidays, we are at home, playing, eating sweets, and making a mess out of everything.
Then comes the new year—we ask for gifts. Soon after, the chill arrives and we demand sweaters, gloves, and winter essentials. The story never really stops.
And in between all this… the dinner table conversations go like this:
Dad: How was your day, kids?
Child 1: Really good! We went to Raju’s house, ate loads of Diwali sweets.
Child 2: Papa, why were you so late from the office?
Dad: Today’s Saturday… had some extra work.
(Truth: police station visit for EMI notice.)
Mom: Did you talk to them? Remember, Monday we need to pay before noon.
Child 2: But Papa, it was your holiday… where did you really go?
Dad: (smiles awkwardly) Met an old friend after a long time.
(Truth: Balaji Stores, asking shopkeeper for more time.)
Child 1: Papa, Rishabh said he saw you at Balaji Stores. Did you get chips for us?
Dad: Chips? You two already had enough sweets to fill a shop!
(Truth: begged shopkeeper to wait another month.)
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