Mantam-ism continues

The day after their Annual Day was declared a holiday. Abbas worked from home that day and I left work early and we took them to their dance class in the evening. Tammu says ‘Roz roz khali dance class mein jabo. School mein jabo na.’ (Daily we’ll go to dance class and not to school)

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While we are reading a book with pics of veggies…

I point at Cauliflower.

Tammu – Gobi Flower

Me – Errr…. You are not wrong. Gobi is in Hindi. What is it called in English?

Mannu: Cauli Flower

Next I point at Beans.

Tammu: Beans

Mannu: Beans is in Hindi. English mein Bolo Taaa!

Next I point at Turnip. Both are dumb founded.

Me: Okay I’ll give you a hint. Jab Mamma Mantam ko bolti hai ki us taraf ghoomo, what do I say (when I ask you to ‘turn’, without giving away the word)

The hint actually confused them even more. So I decided to give away the answer.

Next I point at Capsicum.

Mannu: Taaa…. Mamma jab bulata hai, tab kya bolta hai (What does Mamma say when she calls you?)

Now I was the one who was confused. While I rolled my eyes…

Mannu: Mamma bolta hai na – Come? It is Capsicum!!!

I had to collect my jaws from the floor, I swear.

 

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On a recent drive in Bulu in the morning on a weekday. As per the norm, I comb their hair and make 2 ponies on each head. Then place a small Bottu on their foreheads using liquid Kumkum or eyeliner. One such day (after their Annual day), one of them asks for Lipstick. I said ‘You have to grow big to apply lipstick’. Pat comes the reply – ‘Lekin Mamma ne to Dilli mein Lip stick diya tha na?’ (Mamma had applied lipstick when in Delhi) I had applied Lip balm to prevent lips from cracking in the cold. I said ‘Wo to lip balm tha. Not lipstick’. ‘To lip balm hi do na?’ I gave in for a change, and smeared a trifle lip balm on their lips. While Tammy began haunting the front mirror in Bulu, Mannu asked me – ‘Mamma ko Jumbo ne mirror diya tha na? Ota zara do na?’ They had seen that my BIL (They call him Jumbo) had given me a cute mirror which I had placed in my handbag! I had totally forgotten about it.

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Mantam reading their Phonics book where 6 pictures are given against each alphabet. Tammu generally forgets  most of the names. She looks expectantly at Mannu who will enact hints as if she is a pro at ‘Dumb Charades’.

Just yesterday, Tammu was not able to identify the alphabet G. To my surprise, Mannu called her, joined together her thumb, ring finger and little finger, pointed the index and middle finger towards her and Bingo! Tammu said ‘G’. I was amused and watched like a dumb spectator.

Then there was swaying hand up above in pendulum like motion to indicate a Kite.

There was moving the thumb pointed upwards in a 180 degree motion to point downwards. She meant Jug and tried showing pouring water.

Having twins is certainly fun, I say!!!

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Tammu never will listen to us when we try to tell her something politely. After 3 coaxing attempts, I finally yell. And Mannu comes to me with hands on her hips. ”Mamma, Taaa ko pyaar se bolo na? Shout karke kyun bola?’

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I’m reading a story to them which has a family of lions. Tammu’s first question was ‘Why is Lion wearing a dress?’ I take a deep breath. I say ‘It is just a cartoon beta. Just like Jaggu in Chota Bheem speaks but monkeys actually don’t talk.’ She nodded. I dunno if I answered her well.

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Tammu tells a story: Once upon a time, baby coming running and fell down in the water. Then what happened? Mamma came and Mamma said.. Why you fell down in the water? Then baby crying do because baby fell down in the water. Then Mamma pyaar do and Baby happy ho jabo. Story pheenish’

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Mannu told me that her friend in school had Ooooo (wound) on his finger. I told her to explain in English (Just for  the fun of it). She goes ‘Mamma. A what do no? A ka Mummy brought garam water. A finger ghusabo in Garam water. And aaaa crying do. Then his finger what happened no? Redddd ho gaya.’

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