The Nightingale

I absolutely love singing. In fact I am so passionate about singing that I can't find words to express myself. The tragedy of my life is that I can't sing. I am physically incapable of carrying a note. Every time I open my mouth to bellow some of my favourite numbers I get numerous complaints and requests from my family to SHUT UP. They have realised over time that there's no point in dilly dallying and trying to bear with it. It never gets better :(. Hence, I often indulge myself by singing while walking on an empty road or when I'm in my room alone.

A lifetime ago DD and I had a fight... on the lack of my singing abilities. This is what happened...

On this particular day I had the strongest urge to sing.... and I had to sing as well as I could, stretching my throat to it's maximum. So I took my Ipod with me to my bedroom, wore the headset, lay on my bed and started singing. Loudly. Since I am a perfectionist I tried to match the sur, taal and laya as best as possible and I did this by giving myself free reign. Rehman songs, old Rafi ballads.. all were being sung with great gusto.

DD was in the living room watching TV as usual. After 10 mins he comes and closes the bedroom door. I couldn't care less. I was too engrossed in the joy of my life, imagining that I was the next find of Sa Re Ga Ma. Another 10 mins go by and something hits my head. I turn around to find DD staring at me angrily.

Me: Why on earth did you throw this at me?
DD: I can hear you all the way in the living room and it's terrible.
Me: So? Just close the damn doors.
DD: I already did. But I can still hear you.
Me: That's no reason to throw things at me. What's wrong with you?
DD: You just wouldn't listen. I shouted at you from the living room to shut up but you couldn't hear me above the din. I opened the bedroom door and shouted at you to shut up but you still couldn't hear me. So, I threw that at you. That's the only way to get you to pay attention.
Me: What???
DD: Can you PLEASE stop singing.
Me (nearly in tears and very angry): You are so rude. I can't believe you threw that at me. And NO... I WILL NOT STOP SINGING. What will you do now?
DD stomped out of the room, banging the door for effect. Undeterred I resumed singing...loudly :)).

Fast forward to tonight. Squiggles is screaming and I am singing to her. Loudly and probably tunelessly. There are no sounds of protest from the father. One positive side effect of becoming a mom!!!