Winter paranoia

Layers and layers of thick, itchy clothes – that is what winter means for Kanta. Even if she does not feel cold, wearing woollen sweaters, scarves, caps and socks become mandatory for her.

By looking at her, it seems that a pile of winter wears is walking on its own. Only when she sticks out her arms or legs, one can understand that there is indeed a human being underneath the pile.

Her friends joke that she is cold-blooded but she hates being called by that name because that is essentially calling her a reptile. Pfft.  

If you are thinking why Kanta feels cold all the time, her mother is the reason. Like every mother, she too feels that Kanta is going to catch pneumonia. Hence all the layers.

There was a time when Kanta used to argue and protest but now she has given up. She has realised that listening to her mother silently is easier than arguing, it saves time and energy for both of them.

It is also true that she easily catches cold but it is not because of drop in the temperature, it is mostly because of the dusty air – something her mother refuses to understand.

Every year from October, Kanta is seen wearing a pale blue cap that she has owned since childhood. She does not do it willingly though.

Suppose, she is going somewhere during winter. Do you know what is going to happen?

Her mother is going to come to her running with that cap in her hand. Then, she is going to tie it on her head saying, "Can you feel the chill? You are going to catch fever. Do not take it off!"

One fine winter morning, Kanta was leaving for office. She had picked a pretty hair do and was feeling good about it. Just before exiting, she checked the location and position of her family members. Her father was ironing clothes, siblings were sleeping, mother was cooking. And most importantly, the main door was open.

She tiptoed into her sneakers and almost ran towards the door. The moment she had set one foot outside, she heard her mother screaming, "Kantaaaa! Where exactly do you think you are going?"

Kanta turned her back with glistening eyes, she felt like crying out loud. Her mother came down, placed the cap around her head and said, "You are looking very pretty, baba."

Suddenly her younger sister popped up. Looking at Kanta, she started laughing so hard that she almost fell down the stairs. "Aww apu, you are simply adorable with the cap. Hehehehe!"

Kanta felt like hitting her sister with the cap but she was running late. So, with a heavy heart and a blue woolly cap on her head, a sad Kanta left the house thinking when this wretched winter was going to be over.