The Momma Clan

“Snowflakes in Mumbai.” Yes! That’s what I was mistaken for the first time I came to this house. Well, I am homemade— a snowman, named Snoopy by her… That girl is walking in and out of her room, multitasking all day.

As I rest in her closet, and sometimes on her study table, I stare at her— the same innocence still beaming from her frail skin, the same voice brimming with excitement, the same slim body with long arms hugging me, tears of joy streaming down. Yes, she’s Durriya— my girl next door.

I am her Snowman, made out of wool, gifted by her mami. I am loved from the day I was conceived; my presence brings a smile to her face. And now, when I see her within the whirlpool of her responsibilities, all grown – up I admire her even more, or to be honest, I’ve fallen in love with my girl next door.

‘Look at Snoopy he’s so cool,’ she tells her hyper son. And ‘whoosh,’ I am punched right in the face by her naughty baby. So, to protect me, she hides me inside her closet many times, and brings me out a few times, just for a change.

But I’ve a confession to make—’ I love her,’ not because she gave me a home, but because she gave me a space to be myself. ‘Can you be yourself at all times? Do you have that freedom? Think, think.’Well, I’ve got that space I can call my own.

I love her for more than that. She’s a mother now, but still a child at heart. She dances when nobody watches her, speaks to herself, and laughs for no reason, so I fall in love with her soul all the more.

For a snowman like me to live in humid Mumbai conditions is challenging. But I still love this place. I love it because she stays here— a girl, a woman with multiple capes. She’s imperfect— evolving every single day. And that’s why I love her— her flaws make her beautiful in this filtered world. She is imperfectly perfect for me.

I am now lying down beside her— she’s fast asleep— her son hugging her tight. And I know she will wake up any moment and put me back in the closet— to protect me… to shield me from the unknown…

My heart sings her favourite song- 

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens

Brown paper packages tied up with strings

These are a few of my favourite things

Cream-colored ponies and crisp apple strudels

Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favourite things….

And ‘She’ of course….

Signing off

Your loving

Snoopy (blushing)