Love, Marriage & Neurons (title courtesy Hema Prasad :D)

It is hot outside and most of Mishmash's friends are holidaying in different parts of the world. We decided to stay back the first summer in Singapore. Lying on the bed this afternoon, both, Mish and I were staring at the ceiling and making conversation.  It was a pretty wide-ranging one involving serious topics like grade one, cycles, India, Krishna, Shahrukh Khan, Mohabbatein, Tooth fairies (she dreams a lot of those things and is very pensive about the fact that not one of her tooth has fallen while so many of her friends are done with at least 3) and the most dreaded topic, Love. we were having a rather nice conversation. Suddenly she sits up and asks,

'Ma, how does one  know when you are in love? '

'Umm, well, you'll know when you are in love. I think you have a long way to go.'

'But ma, what do you think? Do you think I am in love?'

'I don't know honey, that's for you to say. I think you love mumma and papa very much'.

'So, I can marry papa?'

'No! You cannot marry any member of your family. You must marry someone outside of it'

'So, who do you think I should marry?'

'You have a long way to go for that. When you reach there, you'll know...actually leave it to us. Your papa will let you know.' 

'What if you like someone?'

'At your age I think its a good thing to like everyone and love all. Be nice...you know you must be a good girl and love all..and ..'.

"Ah no mumma, what if a boy likes you but you don't like that boy at all?'

'Then that's good news for your papa'!

'Ma, how come you married papa then?'

'What do you mean?'

'Papa always told that he loved you first and you didn't like him at all. But later you did and married him. How did that happen?

'It happens. When u grow older, it will all make sense.'

*Silence*

'Why do you ask all this? Do you like someone?'

'Noooooo mummma! All the boys are so silly. I just wanted to know'.

'You can tell me, you know' (What the heck?!!) .....What are you thinking Baby?'

'About neurons ma. How one neuron goes from the brain to the eye and asks it to wake up your body. And the other one which goes from the brain to your  hands and legs and ...'

'Oh the neurons. Damn right, they are cool things aren't they? Tell me more about them Mishmash. I LOVE talking about neurons. '.

Excited, she goes 'Mumma I know all about them...let me show you how they work in action...see...'

*Phew*. Was that conversation for real? I better brace up for the coming days.