Short Story: Un-becoming My Mother by Prakriti Singh

In this short story, Prakriti Singh shares a poignant tale about the journey of a woman once she gets married and how a daughter learns from it.

‘You just have to put some cumin seeds in the oil; believe me, it’s easy, and you won’t get hurt’, Ma told me yet again.

‘I know, Ma. But you know how I have been scared of your tadkas since I was a kid. The oil can splash and come at my face. Do you want me to get burnt?’

‘Shut up, you are not a kid anymore. Wear a helmet if you need to, but you will do this today.’

‘Okay, if you say so.’ I laughed.

Here I was, standing in the six-by-six kitchen on a Friday morning, learning to cook a dish I had been craving all week. I poured some oil into the pan, waited for it to get hot as per Ma’s instructions and then put some hing and jeera into it. There was an instant splash and sprinkle, but not enough to burn me. The aroma filled my nose and the kitchen, and I felt accomplished. This was enough dopamine for a day. I got out of the kitchen despite Ma’s insistence to stay.