Murphy's Law!!!

Hi everyone,

You must be wondering what I had been up to since last Thursday. So here's what's going on in my life. 

On last Friday, I tripped on the stairs of the subway station on the way to work and got my ankle sprained. 

The station staff had to carry me to the next level so that I can call for help.

Fortunately my husband had not left for work already. So he came to pick me up from the station. And since I could not even put my right foot on the ground, he had to carry me to the car fireman style.

Thank heaven I married a big guy and he is extra thankful that I am a petite woman. 

On top of that we are in the process of buying a house and Mr. O is supposed to be in Winnipeg from Sunday to Wednesday on business tour. That means we only had the Saturday, Oct 14th to look for houses.

So last Saturday, I hobbled over with Mr. O's hiking stick with a condition that Mr. O will go first and check the house. If he likes the house, then I will go in and give the final approval to go ahead. 

That way I could reduce the time I spent hobbling with a gimpy leg.

Anyhoo, the time is particularly difficult since next weekend, we are having a group of people coming to celebrate our wedding Re-union. 

What is Wedding Re-union you ask? Well, all these people who are coming met each other at our wedding and were my husband's half of our wedding guests except his immediate family.

They had so much fun and memories together that they formed a Facebook group called Wedding Group. When one of them announced that they are coming to Toronto, others jumped in as well. So we are having two of the guests driving from Ottawa and one of the guests flying from Edmonton and the other from USA. The rest are from Toronto.

So, while it's not our marriage anniversary, they want to celebrate our wedding anyway by having a Re-union dinner which is on next Friday. 

So let's put this on perspective.

Right now, I am a partially crippled woman alone in our apartment while my husband doesn't have time to breathe, let alone help me with anything between back to back meeting, reception, wining and dining Canadian Govt. while I am trying to figure out buying a house, figuring out what to eat, checking out the financials, co-ordinating with the real estate agent and as well as missing my husband since today is his birthday. 

While on Friday, we have three people coming to stay with us in our home and the other wants to come and visit me before the dinner.

So nope. My life is never boring. I could literally die of million reasons... But boredom isn't one of them. 


EPISODE: The episode starts with Sonakshi working on her laptop when she sees an email from Bhaiya: Arre, why did Dev send me e-mail? 

Bhaiya comes and sits by her: Why? Isn't it allowed?

Sonakshi says: When did I say that? But what is in this? 

Bhaiya: Actually I want to give you a contract.

Sonakshi is surprised: Contract?

Bhaiya: You have always taken care of Soha and Golu's diet. But what about the rest of the kids in their school? 

Sonakshi: Why? Don't they eat healthy?

Bhaiya: Not at all. I checked their eating habit and also consulted their parents and all they eat is junk.

Sonakshi says: Oh

Bhaiya: We were talking about underprivileged kids but these kids eat unhealthy too. They eat food full of calories, but no nutrition. I understand kids like junk food, but...

Sonakshi: Kids can eat junk food but in moderation. And only when they get proper nutrition and eat healthy the rest of the time.

Bhaiya: That's why I want you to make a diet chart for them so that they can follow it. Otherwise they will eat junk food and medicine for the rest of their life. 

Sonakshi: But Dev, the kids who are not used to eat healthy food, it will be a little tough for them.

Bhaiya: I have solutions for that as well. The food they like, we can add nutrition in them.

Sonakshi looks like in spite of being a nutritionist, she never heard about this concept.

Bhaiya: We can make brown pasta and add lots of veggies and reduce the cheese.

Sonakshi smiles: Of course, we can do it. 

Me: And we can swallow this bull too. Can't we, people? I mean of course, how would a Nutritionist know about healthy substitute for unhealthy food or a teacher know how to teach? Isn't Bhaiya all-knowing to have knowledge for business, education system, teaching methods and now nutrition. But my question is, what contract is Bhaiya offering to Sonakshi? I mean considering he knows everything and Sonakshi doesn't even know her job.


Sonakshi: Don't you think that the rest of the parents will think of this as our interference? 

Bhaiya: People spend thousands of dollars for these, consult doctors. We are giving them advice for free, why will they feel bad?

Sonakshi: You think about others so much.

She gets back to work and Bhaiya opens his laptop. 

She sees an email from Bhaiya again: Now what did you mail me?

Bhaiya: Email addresses of all parents. Email all of them.

Sonakshi: But you talked to all parents.

Bhaiya: But you did the work so the credit should go to you. Everyone will get email from your id.

Sonakshi makes faces.

Bhaiya: I am so cute naa.

Sonakshi makes faces. She sends emails: Done. Now don't tell me to do anything else.

Bhaiya: Arre? You keep scolding me. Oh yes, I forgot to tell you something.

Sonakshi: Now what?

Sonakshi starts smiling.

Bhaiya keeps staring at her face lovingly.

Me: I am not sure what happened there. Why she asked a question and started smiling. 

But, Bhaiya you are cute. You got the parents agreed to the proposal, you came up with the solution, but apparently Sonakshi did the work and should get the credit. What work did she do exactly here other than wondering how can an unhealthy food can be turned into healthy food?



Sonakshi wakes up next morning and checks her phone. She got a lot of messages. She wonders who sent them so early.

She checks and it's the parents. 

She says: Wow, Dev's plan worked.

She reads: Mrs. Dixit, your plan worked.

She makes faces.

Me: Ummm... Whose plan?


Just then Asha calls. Sonakshi picks up the phone and chirps: Hi Maa. Didn't you used to say that I am very lucky that Dev is my husband? I am so lucky Maa, so lucky. Okay, so I will get ready and go to work and call you from there. 

Asha says: Okay. 

Me: This is something that is bothering me about Sonakshi in this season.

1. She didn't want to take up the contract. But she took it up because Bhaiya forced her. When she got award, she said that Bhaiya helped her to follow her dreams. What dreams? The one she didn't have?

2. She didn't want to interfere at this case. Bhaiya made the parents agree, he gave the suggestion, she sent the email because Bhaiya made her do it while she warned him that she won't do anything else.

Yet when the parents appreciated her (they thought it was her idea), she got happy that now she got the credit. Again for a job she didn't want to do and this case, didn't do at all.

It looks like she is like the boss who always slacks off and when her employee does something good, shows up to take the credit.

What's stopped her from saying that it was Bhaiya who did this?

I have no respect for people like that.


At breakfast table, Elena tells Golu to put away his phone. 

But he doesn't.

Elena tries again: Golu, how many times I have to tell you to put away your phone? 

He ignores her again.

Elena gives up and tells Bhaiya: Dev Bhai, I was thinking of dropping them to school. 

Bhaiya says: No need for that. You go to office. I will drop them.

Elena smiles.

Me: Subtle Elena, very subtle. Did you guy see how she made the statement like a question? 

Why does she have to "think" to drop them at home? 

Because had she said: "I will drop them at school today on the way to work."

Bhaiya could have said okay. Then she will be on the hook.

But she said: Dev Bhai, I was thinking (means it's an option and not a confirmed decision) I will drop the kids to school? (Statement ended in an uncertain question as in "but do I have to"?)

This is how people manipulate other's answers. Voice inflection, choice of words and intonation are the biggest tool a negotiator can use.


Bhaiya asks: Did you two take your lunch?

Vicky says: Yes. I wanted to ask you something. I had to talk to you about something important.

Bhaiya: Tell me.

Vicky hands over a document: Check this once please.

Bhaiya discusses the document, Vicky listens carefully.

Bhaiya: Okay?

Vicky thanks him. He says: I had a doubt and you cleared it. Thank you so much.

Bhaiya: I just gave you my opinion. Final decision is still yours.

Vicky: Bhai, I want to tell you one more thing. You do your job perfectly. But the way you are managing the house - amazing.

Bhaiya smiles.

Elena says: Okay Bhai, we are leaving. Vicky?

Vicky: Let's go.

Elena: You two be good okay? Bye.

Soha says: Bye.

Golu continues to play. Elena says: Golu bye.

Golu just looks up for a second from his game. Then he gets back to it.

Me: First of all, who gives smartphone to such young kids? And secondly, who allows phone on the dining table?


Soha eats her breakfast.

Bhaiya see Golu engrossed in his game. He says: Golu, it's breakfast time. So have your breakfast and put away your phone.

Golu still busy in games: BigCha, if I leave now, I will get shot. 

Soha says: Papa, he keeps getting shot.

Sona comes there and says good morning.

Sonakshi asks about her tummy ache. Soha says: No, Mamma. I am fine. Super Papa fixed everything.

Bhaiya smiles.

Sonakshi says: Very good. Perfect.

Soha says: Just perfect.

Bhaiya sees Golu is still playing his game.

He takes away his phone.

Golu: BigCha, I was going to score. Please.

Bhaiya: Breakfast time is for breakfast, school time is for school and play time is for playing. Okay? And what did I say about tab use? It also applies to you.

He looks at Suhaana: And also to you. Give me your phone as well.

Suhaana hands over her smartphone without protest.

But Golu protests: But BigCha, everyone in my class plays this game. If I don't play this, they will tease me. 

Bhaiya: If they ask, then answer them. But you should not have phone at all at your age. You two are very young now.

Golu is upset.

Soha asks: So we won't get tab and phone at all?

Bhaiya: Look, if you two behave, then I will think about weekly tab or phone time.

Golu: BigCha, it's very unfair

Bhaiya says to Sonakshi: Sonakshi, look at these kids. How much they are addicted to phone. All day they want to play with them. They don't want to do any outdoor activities. Did you see the games? How violent they are? I won't support wrong things at all.

Sonakshi: Yes, of course. He is right. You guys should play in outdoor. Did you finish your breakfast? (Looks at Golu) Look at this, you didn't even start yet. 

Golu picks on his food.

Sonakshi: I will drop them at school and I am packing your breakfast for you.

Bhaiya: No Sonakshi. There's no need. 

Sonakshi: No, I am leaving early so I will drop them off. You spend time with Shubh. And yes, give him massage today.

Bhaiya: Okay.

Sonakshi says: Get up and take it with you. 

They leave.

Me: The thing is Bhaiya, if you thought getting kids to change their diet would be difficult, then getting them to change their habits would be even more difficult. But you seem to thrive on challenges. So good luck.


At school, all kids are busy in their smartphones. Golu comes and says: Look I bought cheeseburger. 

No one responds: No really I got a cheeseburger. 

No one responds.

Golu: Look at this once.

Again everyone ignores him.

Me: So now check the title of my post. Basically Murphy's Law says, anything that can go wrong, will go wrong at the same time.

Now until last week, this was the best school with strict policy on cell phones (remember when the teacher took away Golu's phone when he tried to make Suhaana talk to Bhaiya because cell phones are not allowed in school?)

Now every single kid is engrossed in their phone, but no teacher is around to notice.

Until now, this was the best school in Delhi. But suddenly, their teaching sucks, ego sucks, policy sucks and so on and so forth. Means this is the worst school ever. 

As I said, if there is no problem, then how can Bhaiya be hero?


Golu gets frustrated: What happened to you? Why aren't you responding? 

One of the kids say: Can't you see we are playing games? You eat your cheeseburger.

Another kid says: He won't understand this game either. You eat burger Golu.

The previous kid says: Yes, don't disturb us. Only good players allowed her. And you are only good eater.

All kids laugh.

The kid says: He started to think that he is a gamer after only playing two days. Loser.

Other kids chant: Loser, loser.

Golu gets upset.

Suhaana comes there and says: Shut up.

The kids go back to their games.

Golu complained to Soha: Did you hear, they are calling me loser. Am I loser?

Soha shakes her head.

Golu: BigCha took my phone and now I can't play games. But I will tell them that I am not a loser. 

He walks away in a huff. Soha runs after him: Golu stop.

She also runs after him.

Me: Bhaiya, here's your challenge. How would you take away and keep away a toy which the child had been using as long as he remembers? Good luck.


Bhaiya is giving massages to Shubh at home. 

Bhaiya says to Shubh: Papa has studied and now it's time to give exam. Okay? Are you ready?

Shubh gurgles.

Bhaiya gives massage to Shubh.

Ishwari comes there and sees them from the door. She gets impressed: He is doing such a good job. Well done, son. Sonakshi should have seen it.

She takes a video. 

Bhaiya asks Shubh: How are you feeling? Better? Your massage is done. Now tell me how was it?

Shubh smiles.

Ishwari leaves from there and says: I will send this video to Sonakshi. But how to send it?

She sees DK and asks him how to send the video. DK shows her how to send video. 

Sonakshi is working when she receives the video. She wonders: Maa sent video?

She plays it and smiles. She says: I miss them. 

Me: That was a cute scene. This is how a family should support each other.

At Bose house, the baby is crying again and Ronita can't stop her. 

Sourabh asks why they are both crying?

Ronita says that she doesn't like to cry. But she doesn't know what to do. 

Sourabh asks what he should do? Should be not go to work?

Ronita asks him to leave. She says that she will manage.

Sourabh asks her to stop crying first and then make the baby quiet. He says that he will come home soon.

Just then he gets a phone call and he leaves for work. 

Ronita is frustrated.

Me: One thing I am not getting here. Why doesn't she call Asha or her mother to come and help? Why no one comes up with the obvious solution here?


Bhaiya asks everyone to hand over their cell phones. DK protests but hands it over. Ishwari also hands over her phone. Radha and Mamaji don't want to.

Ishwari says: He must be saying this for a reason. 

Radha says: Oh maybe he planned a new game. 

She reluctantly hands over her phone.

DK comes to Mamaji to collect his phone but he says: Get lost.

Me: Mamaji's phone transformed into smartphone from flip phone which he used to use before. But Bhaiya gotta be hero. So along with every kid, every family member has to have a smartphone and be addicted to it.

Bhaiya says: Mamaji... Give your phone.

Mamaji says: First tell us why you are taking away everyone's phones?

Bhaiya: Sorry Mamaji. Please hand it over.

Mamaji: I watch news in this phone. I should know what is going on around the world.

Bhaiya: That's why we have tv. Watch news in tv.

Ishwari and Radha agree enthusiastically for Mamaji to lose his phone. So they urge him to hand it over.

Mamaji says: What hand it over? Look, Dev. I am used to watching news here with a cup of tea.

Bhaiya: Then change your habit. Besides we get newspaper at home. You can read news from there.

Radha and Ishwari again chorus their support.

Bhaiya says: And yes, this is neither a game nor a joke. We have to do this for Soha, Golu and Shubh.

Radha: But isn't it very tough? 

Bhaiya: I know Mamiji. It is tough. But we have to do it for the kids. These kids are on phone all day playing games, watching cartoons. I want them to go out and play. One hour tv watching cartoons is okay. But they don't even go out.

Mamaji: Okay. I agree on everything you said that kids shouldn't be on phone. But why are you taking our phones?

Bhaiya: Because we are their example. We have to set it. And kids learn from us. What we will do, they will do too.

Radha says: But I just learn English on my tablet. I don't do anything else.

DK suggests: Then buy her an English learning book.

Radha says: Shut up. Did anyone ask for your advice? 

Bhaiya says: Maa, your smartphone is already in the bag. Put the other one too. You play snake all day on it.

Mamaji laughs: See how she is hiding her phone.

Ishwari makes excuses: Nothing happens with this. It even connects call with a lot of difficulties. That's why I bought the other phone.

Radha says: Hand it over.

She reluctantly hands it over. 

Bhaiya looks at them.

Me: Murphy's law strikes again. Now that Bhaiya has taken up the cell phone addiction issue, every single person under the sun must have this addiction.

But jokes apart, I don't agree that adults must follow rules for kids. If they are using cell phone at family time or at the dining table, it's one thing. But adults are capable of control. So if the rule is to put away cell phone at family time or at the dining table, they can follow it. But Bhaiya's methods are always extreme.


Ronita is still trying to calm down the baby. Asha comes there and asks why is she crying. 

Ronita cries that she can't stop her baby from crying.

Asha says: One minute. First you relax. Let me see. 

She checks the baby and says: She has constipation. See how her tummy is bloated? You wait here. I will get asofoetida water.

She leaves.

Ronita cries to the baby: Sorry baby. Mamma didn't know. Dadi will come soon.

Asha comes with water and massages on the baby's tummy. She says that when she cries, check his tummy. If she is bloated, it means she is constipated. Kids only cry when they have tummy ache or they are hungry.

Me: A few things to be noted here Asha.

1. Not all bloated tummy is constipation, it could be gas, it could be other reasons. Tummy ache is not one symptoms fits all.

2. And babies don't only cry when they have tummy ache or are hungry. They also cry when they need attention, diaper change, feel too hot, feel too cold etc. Cries are also not one whine fits all.


Ronita thanks her. She says that she could not manage the baby without her. She can't do anything.

Asha asks: How will you know? It's your first child. Everyone goes through this. You go and freshen up. I will make you Luchi and Potato Curry with black cumin. 

Ronita thanks her and leaves.

Asha plays with the baby.


Me: There were few things I noticed here which I hoped Asha would have realized if she was capable of thinking that she can be wrong.

1. Ronita is the mother. But she couldn't understand her children's needs. Bhaiya was the father, but he could calm Shubh down in moment. So not ALL mother know everything to know about their children and not ALL father as ignorant about babies as Asha claimed.

2. She said to Ronita to have patience. This is only her first baby. While Shubh is Bhaiya's second baby, but experience wise this is his first experience. Why didn't then Asha say the same to Bhaiya? That this is the first time, you will learn? 

I had said many times that Asha is very much gender conscience, regressive woman. Unfortunately she thinks that she knows the best.


Bhaiya is waiting with other parents to pick up the kids after school. But they are not coming.

Bhaiya gets worried: I hope Shubh doesn't wake up. What's taking them so long?

One of the parents say: Today they have extra class. May be that's why they are late.

Bhaiya: Extra class?

Another parent say: Yes, the whole process changed so the teacher needs time to help children learn.

Bhaiya says: This is good for the kid's future.

Another parent says: You are right, Mr. Dixit. And also Mrs. Dixit's diet plan will also be good for the kids. Please thank her on our behalf.

Bhaiya says: Sure. If you have any questions, you can also mail us.

The kids start coming out. Golu and Soha come running.

Bhaiya says: Come fast. You must be so tired naa. You studied a lot today.

They say yes.

Bhaiya takes them home.

Me: Not sure why this scene was needed. Moving on...


Ishwari is waiting for the kids. Radha says: Offo, Dev hasn't come with the kids yet. 

DK says: It must be traffic which slowed them down...

Radha says: You know everything huh?

Just then Bhaiya comes carrying Shubh. 

Radha says: There they are.

Soha and Golu runs to Ishwari.

Radha asks: Where were you? Why are you so late?

Golu says: We had extra class naa.

Bhaiya says: Yes, they have studied a lot. They must be so tired. No worries. You go and have food. Then we will play together. It will be fun.

Ishwari also asks them to freshen up.

Golu says: BigCha, we studied extra today so can we get the phone? I want to check my score.

Bhaiya says: Forget phone. We will play football today.

Soha says: We don't have time. We have a lot of homework.

Bhaiya: Even more than before? 

Soha: We have extra classes so extra homework. 

Bhaiya says: No worries. I will help you afterwards. 

Shubh gurgles.

Bhaiya says: Arre, you don't have to do homework. Okay, let me get him to bed. Then I will help you. 

The kids nod.

Bhaiya thinks: I hope the school is not giving them extra homework because they are pissed off at my proposal. I hope, it's not all because of me.

He says Shubh to say bye to everyone and leaves.

Golu tells Soha: Soha, your plan failed. I don't know where BigCha has hidden our phone. 

Soha says: Let it go.

They leave.

Me: I am not sure who is lying and who is speaking the truth. So no comment. 


Golu sneaks into Bhaiya's room. 

He says: If BigCha hadn't said no, I won't have done it. Now I will have to do it.

He looks for the phone in the room. 

He finally finds it along with others' device.

Golu: Yes, now no one will call me loser. I will download new game right away. 

Me: Golu had been indulged way too long for him to take discipline well. That's why one should never spoil kids. Reversing habits are not easy.


At night, Bhaiya and Sonakshi are playing with Shubh. 

He says to Shubh: What does Shubh want to do? Have fun? Lots of fun? What are you saying? You want to talk to Mummy Papa? What do you want to say?

Sonakshi says: You are very cute. I am going to eat you up. 

Bhaiya: No one will eat Shubh. He is not an ice cream.

Sonakshi says: Wait, I will shoot video.

Bhaiya plays with Shubh and Sonakshi takes video.

Me: Cute scene. That's all.


PRECAP: Bhaiya is in principal's office.

The principal says: Mr. Dixit, you wanted change in the curriculum and the teaching method. We did everything you asked for. But what can I do if your children aren't being able to adapt?

Bhaiya: What do you mean they can't adapt?

Principal: We took their surprise test and Golu and Suhaana got the lowest score.

Bhaiya is shocked.

Me: What about the other kids, principal? Are they being able to adapt? I am not sure if you are trying to imply that the whole class can't adapt or only these two.


NO RULES!!! YAY!!!