And there is nowhere else in the world I would rather be. Do you have a similar story from your own family? Whether you are Indian or just love the chaos of a close-knit home, drop a comment below. And remember: Have you eaten? No? Then go eat something. I’ll wait.

But before sleep, there is one last ritual. Someone—usually my mother—walks into each room. She adjusts a blanket. She turns off a light. She whispers, “So ja. Kal subah jaldi uthna hai.” (Sleep. Have to wake up early tomorrow.)

My mother is a tiffin artist. She packs separate boxes for my father (low oil), my brother (high protein), and me (whatever is left). The ritual is the same daily: “Beta, did you take your water bottle?” “Yes, Maa.” “What about the umbrella? It looks cloudy.” “It’s not cloudy.” “Take it anyway.”

And you’d be right. But you’d also be missing the point.

But “quiet” is relative. The maid arrives to wash dishes. The electrician comes to fix the fan that has been making noise since 2019. The doorbell rings. It’s the kachori wala. My mother buys six, even though no one is hungry. In India, you don’t refuse a vendor; you feed them.

By Riya Sharma

We take the umbrella. It is sunny. We never complain.