Sandwiched between two loving grandchildren, narrating my college escapades, giggling away instead of sleeping is great fun. It was really fascinating to see expressions of surprise on their face "How can naani a no nonsense, disciplinarian can be mischievous in college".
I told them scratch the skin as thick as it may be finally blood is going to ooze isn't it. So like you, your naani also had mischievous streak.
बताओ ना नानी (naani please tell). They would urge. How can I resist these lovely two faces looking at me. So I say OK. First bed time prayers then......
Prayers said I start. Hmm from my MSc chemistry lab time in Almora OK.
In winters it was biting cold and rains had added to it's severity. We were wanting to have hot cup of tea while doing our practicals, but could not go to canteen because of the reactions of practical which needed constant observation. Sigh! We had to wait till evening to go to canteen (4hrs practicals).
Next day I came armed with Tea leafs, Sugar, milk powder and ginger powder. When we all came to lab someone suggested let us go to canteen one by one.
But there was no taste in tea, as good as it may be without friends around.
I said अगर मैं यहीं ले आऊं तो! (if I bring for all of us, here itself)!
Everyone in unison "कैसे? (How?).
I showed them my stock and
They were for shock.
The question was now "Who will bell the cat or more appropriately who will brew the tea? "
Again your truly accepted the challenge (safety says that lab apparatus are not supposed to be used for any purpose except for chemicals).
I boiled water in 1lt beaker rinsed it thoroughly, sterilised it with ethanol and heated in oven at 100 degree centigrade. Now it was fit for making tea. While I was busy making tea, ten 100 ml beakers were sterilised. Hot tea was poured in small beakers and while we were enjoying hot cuppa, the heavenly smell wafted along with chill wind to HOD's office. Lo and behold next moment like a cat he came and was standing there. चाय किसने बनाई (who made the tea)? He asked. All were like sir ah eh sir as if cat had taken their tongue. So I turned raised my hand and said sir मैंने। सबको चाहिए थी तो मैंने बना दी। (sir I, everyone wanted so I made it). Everyone was stunned by my not being apologetic and rather being brash.
Sir glared at me like in Hindi we would say खा जाने वाली नजरों से देखा (as if he will eat me alive), and left in a huff. I knew I am going to be reprimanded so I thought why spoil such good tea? Drink it before I get summons, so we all started sipping the delicious brew while it was still hot. We all were laughing.
My cup oops sorry beaker in my hand I looked triumphantly around and my eyes met two big eyes through the window. Our HOD Dr. Sharma had turned back and was again glaring at us in anger through window.
What icy cold wind could not do, those two eyes did. The whole lab was frozen to stillness. Then what came to me suddenly I do not know, but I started singing aloud :
"मुड़ मुड़ के ना देख मुड़ मुड़ के,
"मुड़ मुड़ के ना देख मुड़ मुड़ के "
students were stunned and HOD started laughing. He went away saying "Pant तुझको कोई नहीं सुधार सकता" 🤣.
I made another beaker tea and quietly placed on HOD's table.
Yes I was बिंदास (brash and cool) but not disrespectful, so I always got away with my mischiefs.
Good night sweethearts. Next time an incident while doing PhD OK.
