Ramesh, the father, was already on his second cup of masala chai, scrolling through WhatsApp messages while navigating the chaos of the morning news. Beside him, his wife, Sunita, moved through the kitchen like a conductor. She managed three different tiffins simultaneously: one for Ramesh’s office, one for their teenage daughter Ananya’s college, and a softer meal for Dadiji (Grandmother), who sat in the balcony tending to her holy basil plant.
In an Indian household, boundaries are porous. A cousin is often treated as a sibling, and an aunt’s advice carries as much weight as a mother’s. This ecosystem provides a safety net that is both emotional and financial, ensuring that no one truly faces a crisis alone. Food: The Language of Love
