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She looks at her husband, snoring on the bed. She looks at her mother-in-law, sleeping upright in the chair. She sighs—a mix of exhaustion and absolute victory.

The TV blares with the evening news or a reality singing show. The volume wars begin. Papa wants the news; the teenager wants the cricket highlights; Dadi wants her devotional bhajan .

Compromise? No. They watch whatever Maa wants to watch, because Maa is the one serving the tea and bhujia (spicy snack mix). In the West, dinner is a meal. In India, dinner is a council.

The family sits on the floor of the dining room, or around a small table. Plates are passed. No one eats until Dadi takes her first bite.