No apologies!

 Troubling Is My Love Language

Me: Hi ma’am, right time to talk?Her: Beta, the family is having dinner. I’ll call you once they’ve all retired for the night! Will that work?

Me: Sure ma’am. Thanks a lot and sorry for troubling you... but I love troubling you.

Her: I love that — no apologies!!!That’s where it all began. The art of lovingly “troubling” people.

This morning, I asked my friend, “Do you have an inch tape?”She asked, “Why?”I said, “I want to measure how much you love me.”Her reply..... in her favorite word for me“Bakwas kaur! Chup kar!”

That’s affection, right there.

Now, whenever I don’t want to respond to my mother, I tell her,“Mummy, please don’t disturb me. I have three meetings slotted with Mr. Modi today. I need to know why so much trouble is happening here and there.”

She plays along perfectly: “Oh really?”And then I lower my voice dramatically and say, “I have a secret to tell you... but only if you promise not to share it with anyone.”She nods, “Okay, okay, tell me.”

And I whisper, “You know what, Mummy? Today is Wednesday. Please don’t tell anyone.”And she replies, in the same tone, “Haan haan, nobody will ever know.”

The other day, I told her, “You have to talk to me nicely now — I’m the Executive Director of an NGO.”And her instant comeback? “Then get lost!”

Then there’s a friend who hadn’t called me for two or three months.When he finally did, I said, “Okay, okay, I’ll talk to you, but first you have to say sorry.”And when he did.....I asked for more.I added, “Actually, write sorry ten times and send it to me — then I’ll talk.”

And a younger friend of mine, such a sweetheart — I love troubling her too.

I tell her, “You haven’t invited me for tea in ages. You’re missing out on a very important connection in your life!”....you looser

And yes, “I’m still angry with you.”...I said to another friend.He laughed. He knew exactly what I meant.  

This is not anger, but affection disguised as mock annoyance.

These are the small, playful moments that make relationships sparkle.They don’t hurt; they heal.They don’t create distance; they build connection.

Because, truly......troubling is my love language.

It’s how I tell people: You matter to me. I’m comfortable enough to tease you. You’re part of my heart’s inside jokes.

And perhaps, that’s the sweetest kind of love there is.