ages ago when they decided my grandmother had reached a marriageable age

my great-grandmother taught her the art of cooking

and she dared to ask the question that has boggled mankind —

ever since The Creation 

ever since Brahma carved the universe 

ever since Allah shaped Adam from dust —

and my great-grandmother turned to meet - 

amidst the crackling of jeera in hot ghee - 

a pair of innocent and clueless 12 year old pair of eyes.

she held the side of my grandmother’s face softly,

smiled the deepest of smiles and said

~~~

years ago when they decided all their kids should know the art of cooking —

for it was a basic need if you wanted to make a living in the city away from the small town —

my mother decided she would learn it too

and she dared to ask the question that still continued to baffle mankind —

maa, ek chutki namak kitna hota hai?

to which my grandmother lovingly replied

~~~

months ago when I decided to learn the art of cooking —

i asked my mother to teach me some basics

and as you well know by now, 

i too, 

dared to ask the question that has remained a serious mystery to mankind all over the planet —

mummy, ek chutki namak kitna hota hai?

and my mother laughed 

and my mother replied