I AM COZ YOU ARE

  This morning, I get a call from a guy claiming to be from the Telecom Authority of India. Apparently, he’s noticed some "unnecessary activities" linked to my number and plans to block it. So, I start recording the call (because why not?). This gets him upset, and he asks why I'm recording him. He says he’s from the Mumbai Crime branch and that my call is already being recorded. I calmly tell him, “That's fine, you keep recording, I’ll keep recording too.” Then he warns me, saying, “I’m from an officer from Crime branch. You better watch your tone.” I respond, “Yeah, well, I'm also an officer, so stop trying to fool people.” His tone shifts, and now he's threatening, “Ms. Y, if you get rude, you won’t believe what we can do to you.” I tell him, “Do whatever you want, but before that, explain to me what illegal activities you’ve noticed from my number.” He throws out some random phone number, claiming it’s linked to my mobile and being used for ...

Every first Friday, the school my children attend holds a holy mass for Christian students. Since we don’t practice religion, our children feel uneasy on those days, as they're often perceived as Christian by their classmates and teachers. If they skip the mass, they’re questioned, but they’re still too young to explain their beliefs without risking uncomfortable scrutiny or misunderstanding. So, we usually ask them to attend the mass to avoid any issues. My older child goes along with it, but my youngest handles it in her own way. On every Friday mass day, she comes home and calmly tells me she didn’t go. Curious, I once asked her how she manages to avoid it each time, but she just smiled. This Friday, I pressed her again, and her answer surprised me. She simply said, “School is for studying.” Intrigued, I asked her what “school” is called in Malayalam. I answered, “Pallikoodam”—the place near the church. Then she continued with her own twist: “But I call it Vidyalayam—a place for...