“Shall we eat palakova (doodh peda)?” Balli asked, mischievously as we sat in the backyard, playing ‘snakes and ladders’. “No, let's try something else”, I said.
It was the occasion of my sister’s wedding and the house was alive with laughter, lighthearted jokes, and the cheerful chatter of relatives. With all the adults busy with their tasks, we kids had the freedom to roam, play, and, best of all, sneak into the kitchen for unlimited snacks.
"No, we shall have the mixture?" I said eagerly. My stomach is already rumbling with anticipation.
Within a second, Balli and I tiptoed into the kitchen, our hearts racing with excitement and also with the fear of being caught. We quickly filled our pockets and hands with as much boondi mixture as we could and returned to the backyard.
“Boondi mixture is my absolute favourite,” Balli grinned as we made our escape from the kitchen, hands greased with oil and spice. “Every food is your favourite”, said Kashappa with a straight face.
We found a cosy spot, sat down, and shared our loot. The mixture was crispy, spicy, and delicious, but the best part wasn’t the food—it was the thrill of being sneaky and sharing those mischievous moments with friends.