Being a good boy – Guest blog by Kaaju

I have been watching the old lady sipping her coffee, talking to me and scribbling away in the mornings, in the last few weeks. She smiles sometimes, looks wistful sometimes and talks about so many people I have not met. She also pretends to be my spokesperson – well, she does get it right most of the times, but many a times, gets me into trouble, mostly with Aditi Mamma.

Well, Aditi Mamma, is my Mamma and she takes bringing me up very seriously – she is so particular about every ounce of food I eat and every step I take during our walks. Thank God she has no clue of the treats I get from the rest of the family or the mischief I get into behind her back. She calls me funny names too, more so when she is annoyed – Do you think I am a chicken head? I like her colleagues too – they greet me from her screen – sometimes, when I am not busy, I participate in their meetings and offer my wise counsel. Infact I often steer them towards the solutions fast, so that Aditi Mamma can spend more time with me. I am told that they have a swanky office, but I am waiting to be invited – hope they get this hint.

Then, there is my adorable annoying Ammu, who I think is my aunt, more likely my younger sister. She disappears from time to time, but whenever she is in town, it is lot of fun, even though, I have to hide my bones and toys away. She keeps wanting them for herself – Why cant the old lady get her some. I love sleeping in her lap and getting belly rubs, but oddly enough she seems to be getting smaller and I am unable to fit into her lap anymore. We both love running on the terrace together and share our chicken nuggets – though I strongly suspect, she gives me fewer. She took me out to Cubbon park too and we both made a lot of friends. I don’t like this place called Mumbai that she keeps going to, Can’t she stay in Bangalore with us and we go to parks together every day.

Well then, there’s the old man, who I love to play mischief on – I take his glasses and hide them. I like pulling his mask too, but the most fun times are bath times. I help him by splashing water and when we come out, we have both had a bath. Wonder why he doesn’t appreciate it? He keeps telling me what a good boy Max was, I sometimes think he misses Max more than even the old lady does.

And what is this thing about being a Good Boy – Do I tell the old lady about the number of times he smokes in the balcony? Do I remind the old lady about the number of times Ammu breaks her curfew rules or the number of times, Aditi Mamma gets her favourite Peri Peri Fries and coffee icecreams. Infact I think the old lady herself, is a secret investor in Samosa Party. Just because I am the youngest, Why Am I always told to be the good boy – Is it fair?

Then there is Durga aunty, who has a lab called kitchen with delicious aromas and little Brinda, who cannot make up her mind whether she is scared of me or wants to play with me. And Kasturi aunty who cleans the house and washes the clothes always with a mobile in one hand (unless the old lady is around) – Why doesn’t Kasturi aunty understand that socks are not to be washed, even kitchen towels – they just smell fine. All of them take the old lady too seriously.

And there’s my friend Puneeth, who I take for a walk in the morning and in the evening, though, he would like to believe, is the other way around. We go around to all my favourite places and meet old friends and new ones – polite that I am, I greet everyone. I tried to hug Puneeth once, but he nearly fell backwards – I think I went a little overboard with love. He also wonders as to why I take my bone or my toy along for the walks. Can you guess why?

But I think I take after the old lady the most – both of us love observing people, both of us cannot wait for food, both of us love walks, both of us love our family and have few but loyal friends. Also, we have both been told that we are opinionated. She is fun most of the times, but needs to be told to practice what she preaches – she needs to spend time away from that mobile of hers. A nasty thing – I think Abdul & Akash will agree – I should maybe do everybody a favour and just hide it away for a day. What do you think? I also know that she has been wanting a photo with me, like the one she has with Max, Well, I am making her sweat for it. I will maybe allow her one as a birthday present. Do you think she will allow me a lick of her coffee – it smells so good.