Dinner

Neha was fuming. She had come in from work early to find the child unbathed and watching a video. As her baby was eating she didn't want to interfere right then and went to her room slamming the door shut.

This was it. There were too many such instances of her nanny deliberately flouting rules. She had to get a new one. Devi was beginning to think of herself as indispensable. When she had specifically told her- no videos at mealtimes.

She called her husband. No answer. She dropped a hurried text. Devi put video while Aadu eating and then texted her mom. Her mom called.

"Ok now calm down. Don't get angry with Aadya.

Can you stop interfering?

Huh? Then why did you text me?

I was just frustrated. I need someone to listen. I don't need you questioning my parenting. 

Ok- I will keep that in mind. I am sorry. I will never interfere again. You barely ask about us anyway and when you do you just shout...

Argh.." she cut the call

Hands still trembling- she called a nanny agency. Yes they would get back if they had anyone suitable. And then another. 

They would manage the interim, she told herself. But it was important to have someone they could trust. 

But Devi was trustworthy. Up to a point. She did put her down for her nap and kept her on a schedule. And could be relied to pick her up from playschool. Maybe it had been a difficult day. Aadya could definitely be a handful. Also- the research around TV was inconclusive. 

She took a deep breath and came out. 

Pretending to read something so as to not look at her, she said carefully. "Devi- why was Aadya watching a video while eating?"

"Arre didi- she just kept crying for Mumma, Mumma, wouldn't eat at all. I told her Mumma is at work and let me tell you a story but she just cried and threw things. And I knew you would be upset if she hadn't eaten by the time you got home", she said deftly moving the question back to her. Would you rather your child starve for your ego? Her tone was obsequious but the subtext was unmistakable. Neha felt her cheeks go warm. 

"So then, why didn't you call me to check?"

"Arre she was missing you so much, if she heard your voice so would have been inconsolable".

Neha glanced at her child, happily playing now. She had not evening received her daily hug today as Aadya had been totally engrossed in her video. 

"Aadya beta you were asking for Mumma na?" Devi crooned. Aadya looked up. And she gave her Pavlovian response. 

"Mommy I missed yoooouuu". 

Neha knew she had been played but as she scooped the child in her arms, she asked herself. Would she rather let her child starve for her ego?

Headspace

There, it started again. Stress took a deep breath and clutched a sturdy neuron. A particularly nasty jolt made him lose his balance but he saved himself by hanging on to a peripheral neuron just in time. All around him he could see Pity, Anxiety, Fear and Anger in various self rescue modes. Just ten mins he mouthed, if their luck held today. They had made up a song to pass the time. 

Today though seemed somewhat easier, thought Stress. He felt lighter, somehow. Must be muscle development through all that hanging. But then he looked around and realized that everyone looked somewhat deflated. In corporeal terms that is. 

Ok, this was serious. They really needed to assert themselves or they would shrink to the size of a bloody brain cell. He had met some Stresses like that when She went out. Some of her particularly smug friends. The thought of their situation made him blink back sudden tears. 

And down here Joy was becoming increasingly hard to ignore. Look at her getting fatter by the minute. It wasn't that long ago when she was a frail waif they enjoyed trampling over. The moment she spoke out..squish ! They could do that all day. 

But She downloaded this app and started practicing some meditation technique. And Joy flowered. They realized that the first time they squashed her and were thrown off by the impact. And now she rolled about, a big ball of Joy looking so very smug. 

But personally he would keep a watch on Love. He was one dark horse. Always cozying up to everyone. It had been easy to brush him off earlier but these days he seemed to be getting insistent. He said he had an Awakening and really came into his own. It couldnt be more uncomfortable. Warm hugs whenever they met ! And they always left him somewhat breathless like the life had been squeezed out of him. Anger, who had to endure the brunt of his hugs, certainly looked like a shadow of her former self. 

Stress panicked. When the dreaded ten mins were over and the closing chorus sung (Dont Stress, Dont Fear, Hold Tight, My Dear). nice touch that, they woke up Sloth who was hinding inside a capillary. 

"Get a move on !

 Assert yourself ! 

We cant be having this everyday ! 

Or we will soon be reduced to surviving on scraps." 

 Sloth was looking at Sorrow. "She knows", he mumbled. 

"She has started running", said Sorrow quietly, while the others looked on in Horror. He is fading fast. 

The Tree House

Creating desires is tough. Transferring it is much easier. As easy as drinking a cup of tea. With the brew decided by me. 

When I first found out that I was a witch, I wasn't sure how that helped in today's world. It was not as though I was born in some picturesque village in England, where I could live in a mysterious old world cottage covered with ivy and honeysuckle and brew concoctions to cure arthiritis. 

I am in a large city in India, where the ailments are so dire, that magic can only soothe and not cure. Here people need money more than magic, and doctors more than shamans. 

The Magic Tea House (see what I did there? heh) has a huge peepul tree growing in the middle of it. In its shade are small teakwood tables and chairs with pale green and yellow cushions. Natural lights from the many windows and a glass ceiling above. I didnt want to go overboard with the conjuring. 

You can find me behind the ebony wood counter, with displays of various teapots and loose leaf teas. I also do non magical cakes. The market for that is huge with the magical teas. 

At first I was nervous about putting word out, what if they took me away? But one evening as I flipped news channels I realized I was onto something. India has an astrologer for every affluent household and god- men and women for those left behind. 

The premise is simple. The difficult part of any magic is conjuring up the emotions. Have a strong enough emotional driver and the rest is basic transportation and transformation. 

So this is what I take and what I brew. There are no free teas. Even after you have paid. You want success, give me some vitality, you want health give me some joy, you get the drift. It is a good rebalancing act. 

I am selective with what I can take and what I can give. Think of me as your family astrologer, but with better tea. And actual magic. Not as God. And certainly not as someone with a medical degree. 

Insecurities monetized. Converted to food and health for the needy. No magic here. But possibly the best rebalancing of all.