It is Friday. I am happy as I have just returned from a swimming session. But at the same time, I am truly exhausted and craving a plate of delectable food. Lunch is served and the first thing that I notice on my plate is CABBAGE ! Really ?!

“For the millionth time, Mum ! I do not like Cabbage”. I stomp into the kitchen to express my annoyance and I see my Mum smiling at me while pointing towards that big bowl of bitter gourd.

There are several things in this world that I naturally dislike, say for example- Overdose of studies, waking up early, bugs (How do you not get creeped out by those….many legged things?!), rains when I have a playground plan, sore throat, over pestering Em, etc., etc… etc……Phew! Just to name a few (OK, That does not mean that I do not have my favorites). However, out of my list, I have shortlisted the “top 5” that wears the crown in the list of dislikes. I am being polite here and using the word ‘dislike’ because ‘detest’ is a very strong word! I am sure you will relate to a few of these, and we might end up being on the same page.

Number 1: Cabbage

I am aware of the fact that cabbage is beneficial for the heart and is a rich source of vitamin C, but at the same time, cabbage TASTES TERRIBLE. Well! Mum likes cabbage and I am automatically forced to eat cabbage almost every 2 days (Poor me!). Only when she is out of sight do I unwillingly gulp it down with water. Every time I eat cabbage, the lengthy, spiny strands of the vegetable get stuck in my throat as I eat them. The worst part is when it is mixed with other vegetables such as spinach, bottle guard, radish…( Who even discovered these vegetables?). If anyone can get me to even like cabbage, it would be a miracle, but for now, whether it is dining outside or homemade, I will never like cabbage. Do you have any recipes for cabbage that I might like? Like a Cabbage sausage? Ummmm…..

Number 2: Visiting a dentist with eagle sharp vision

My life was amazing before I visited a dentist. Thanks to that one shaky tooth that would not dislodge and the new tooth so eager to erupt, I had to visit the dentist. I realized that dentists do have crystal-clear vision. Nothing against Miss. B who might be reading my blog now. She is the sweetest dentist ever, but she did spot the tiniest of cracks in my painful tooth. And suggested a tooth extraction, providing many reasons as to why it was the preferred option. While my parents nodded and argued, the only thing that went in my head was “I have to get out of here!”

My escape attempt did not go so well. When I tried to get up, my mum glared at me. In my clumsy attempt to settle down, I knocked over some of those sharp-looking tools{ Ugh!} and hit my elbow on the chair. While I was recovering from the blast of pain in my elbow, I saw Miss. B ready to dig in with the probe. I almost fainted. Even though I received candies, stickers, a bowl of ice cream, and a thousand praises for my bravery {apparently}, I still dislike dental visits.

AAAAH! MY TOOTH HURTS!

Not again….

Number 3: A turbulent flight

Imagine that you are in an airplane, and you are busy reading a book or listening to your favorite song. Then, all of a sudden, the captain announces bad weather ahead and that the flight might experience turbulence. I hate that announcement.

Now, usually, I sit through turbulence quite calmly till it is within ‘My Tolerance Limit’ (which is extremely low, I suppose). I had a scary turbulent flight journey that still haunts me. The flight ran into turbulence for a short period and it started shaking so vigorously that I banged my head on the seat in front. It was the scariest roller-coaster ride and I felt as if I would turn upside down. I was cold with fright and on top of it, the ice-cold juice from the glass spilled on my dress and made me shiver.  A thousand pairs of eyes fixated on me while I, gripped with nausea, was busy throwing up. I remember the look on the flight attendant’s face. She was extremely concerned. I saw my Mum hunting for that extra pair of clothes which I had neatly packed somewhere. ☹

Number 4: Oiling my hair

My grandmother had first suggested that applying oil on my hair and massaging the scalp would promote healthy hair growth. Till I had short hair, oiling my hair was not that bothersome, but as my hair length grew, the process became extremely annoying. My mum would apply it so diligently, aiming to oil every strand of my hair, pulling and twisting my hair and I would just go” Ouch! OUCHHHHH!” When I complained, she went like

“ Don’t be so delicate! It is good for you. Do you know your grandmother used to ………………….. And we would not complain…………..”. I did receive a 30-minute-long explanation.

“I’m not going to put on oil! Leave me alone! My hair smells weird. PLEASEEEEEEE!”

And again she goes smilingly-“ Do you know Mili…………”

OK, I GET IT, but I HATE oiling my hair.

Number 5: Cleaning my cupboard

Ok, ok. Cleaning my cupboard is my very own responsibility.

Usually, I have no problem cleaning and organizing my cupboard because it is fun for me. I can say my cupboard is a museum of stuff, full of bits I treasure.

However, one incident changed everything. Let me share the incident with you. Well, once when I was cleaning my cupboard, I spotted a bunch of black eraser dust in the corners of my cupboard. I tried to clean it quickly to avoid a scolding. But then I realized it had a different texture and became busy investigating it. Just then two baby cockroaches popped out from nowhere and I shrieked in shock. I shooed them away with a 2-foot-long stick and called my Mum for help. She refused to help me but informed me that the black eraser dust was actually tiny cockroach eggs. I twitched in disgust. She smiled and left the room. I had no option but to swoop every corner of the cupboard in fear, searching for the remaining cockroaches. When I opened one of my files, I saw something moving, and then it leaped at me. I screamed my head off, rushed to the other room until my mum heard me, and hurried to kill the cockroach. I stood on the bed and wouldn’t get down until I saw it dead. My mum was hysterically laughing after the incident {Rude!}. Even writing about it now makes me shudder.

Although my mum sprayed pest spray, I still am wary of cleaning my cupboard. Of course, my phobia has decreased, and I try to keep my cupboard as neat as possible but still…

What are the things that are on your dislike list? Do let me know!

Signing off…………..