Laughter beyond control!!

😂😂 Laughter beyond control !!

This may sound amusing, but, I have a strange phobia about steel utensils. Born and brought up in a typical middle class Maharashtrian family I am used to seeing  the steel utensils like spoons, bowls, plates, tiffin boxes and all that stuff. These utensils are  an integral part of our kitchen culture. The problem starts only when these utensils fall down and ‘that’ sound makes me laugh out loud uncontrollably. Strange !!! ???

Till date, the astrologers have not been able to decode this problem in my horoscope. As a toddler I used to be fed by my mom in these small steel bowls. Once by mistake the bowl fell down and the mere sound made me chuckle. My mom had seen me  jubilate seeing sparrows in the balcony, but, this was beyond her thinking.

During the early age I was warned by my parents that  the sound of utensils brings bad luck in the house hence better to avoid. I halfheartedly convinced myself about this superstitious idea. Over a period of time I could hardly note that this phobia will create more problems for me.

During the kindergarten days in Bhilai, we used to carry our small plastic tiffin boxes. During the break, all kids would enjoy the supper together. My teacher used to bring her steel box tiffin. Once her box fell down and the sound made me laugh uncontrollably. What happened next still makes me shudder. I cannot forget the scene, through my wet eyes,  the smiling naughty faces of my classmates, as I was punished by my teacher.

Once I went to school there was no problem as the teachers used to have their supper in the staff room. At home, my mom used to warn me regularly and would ask me to ‘control’ my laughter. For everyone of us home is a comfort zone. Its only when you are out in the world,  the problem really catches you off-guard.

We had been to our  relatives place for some function. The senior uncle was serving during the lunch and by mistake the platter slipped down from his hand . Before anyone could blink, I had ran out of the house. I don’t know what my uncle thought but once we were  home I was severely reprimanded by my parents and was told how ‘Wretched Creature’ I was !!!

During 10th class, I used to go for my Math tution. It was a small house and the room where we used to study had attached kitchen. My teacher’s wife had an unusual habit as only  I could note. While preparing food in kitchen the utensils would fall from her hands. Well, any guesses??!!

We were privileged to have television at our home since the year 1977. On Sunday’s, friends used to come at our home to watch movie. Further, we could witness the national programs, chitrahaar and most important  the direct telecast of the cricket matches. One incidence during such match brought the best out of me.

One of our friends had come to see the match and while watching he fell asleep on the chair. The match finished and my mom wondered what could be done now? Suddenly a solution dawned on me. I just took an empty steel glass and  let it fall near the sleeping guest. Well that sound surely brought him to his senses. With a poker face, I told him that the match was over. The guest left reluctantly. Once he left, I could hear my mom and my kid brother laughing inside. It was a great feeling that I could finally ‘control’. 

Later for graduation I went to my uncle’s place. Much later my parents too joined and we all were settled in Nagpur.

Through all these years, I never told or exposed myself in front of my friends about this strange phobia. God has been very kind to me !!! It did happen sometimes while having lunch at a friend’s place the bowl fell down. How I  controlled my laughter only I could know.

Each one of us has seen the movie ‘3 idiots’. There is a scene where Javed Jaffery checks the brass utensil and there is a funny ‘Toing’ sound in the background which conveys to the audience that its empty.

Another movie is ‘Albela’ where the great Bhagwan Dada is dancing and singing on hilarious  song ‘O betaji O babuji, kismat ki hawa kabhi naram kabhi garam ‘ . The song is picturized in a kitchen with lot of utensils around. The song finally ends on the ‘sound’ of lot of utensils falling down on his head. Instead of watching that scene, you only need to watch my glowing face  !!!

During this lock down period, I have self -assigned myself the task of cleaning the utensils at home. They often slip from my hand. The sound does makes me laugh. But, the things have changed now. I have made friends with that sound. You won’t believe, I have accepted my flaw and occasionally do laugh out loud. Whenever I get a chance, I laugh. After all, laughter is a good medicine !!

Now that the cat is out of the bag, a humble request, please do not let these utensils fall in front of me. You know,  I have no control on my laughter !!!  So be warned !!! 

 

Amit Naseri