lockdown lessons (1)

two weeks into a mandated lockdown, i have

gotten down the rhythm to phulka-making.

i know exactly where to put
the ghee, the dabba, the tongs - on the right,
the spare flour, the dough and the rolling pin - on the left
of the rolling plate, of course.

i remember to keep some space
on the towel laid out on the platform
for the roti to rest just after it's been flamed,
right before it is slathered with ghee
and transferred quickly into the dabba.

i've learned that the key to a good phulka
is to know how much to cook each side,
and that if i get it right,
i have to flip the one on the tawa
and sprinkle flour on the new one
at the same time.

if i can't tell if the phulka is rolled enough,
i cheat: i pretend to turn it,
and hold it against the light for a hot second
to check where it's too thick for the light to pass.

i know exactly which music to play,
where to put the phone,
what to do with the mess when phulkas are done.
two weeks ago i could tell aai,
"कणिक सैल झालीय गं,"*
but now, i can fix it myself.








*the dough is too sticky