Our "Reverend Mother" was an intimidating lady! She loved us dearly like any other mother but never permitted it to show as it may be a sign of weakness ?so she thought. A strict disciplinarian, she by no means forgot to remind us of our lunch time, dinner time, study time, bed time with flawless precision. Getting a busy corporate lady didn't deter her from ringing the maid within the residence from her workplace to inquire about her young childrens strict observance of routine. Although, generally, just after returning from her workplace inside the evening, she regaled my brother & me with her powerful recitation from Tagore, or told us funny stories from Akbar & Birbal while she relaxed her large body into the downy sofa, we wondered how the flow of entertainment stopped abruptly as the invisible antenna in her brain told her it was her childrens study time! A stickler of rules, she wore a Giant watch all round the clock, except at bedtime!

Right after about an hour long struggle with my will power, I would usually settle down with my mathematics. I thought it would relax my restless mood while my brother would focus on his drawing book. Ironically, when I was engrossed with solving the problems of Algebra, rather engaged in a tough battle for the solution of the equations, a sharp summon for dinner would break my trance. To my immense annoyance, the burly maids face would peep into our studies. I would find my brothers face beaming and he would joyfully declare: ?My homework is finished?.Hey Sis! Are you still at it?? How I hated that woman, the second fiddle of our mom!