Children are a symbol of curiosity. Their unadulterated inquisitiveness helps them grow and understand the world. The questions of a child can leave a negative trail or a positive one. Like a child asking a pregnant woman, “Why are you so fat?”. Sometimes, questions like these leave situations upon adults themselves. Sivaangi, the mother of the most inquisitive child on the planet, had that situation plenty of times.
"Dhruv, atha keezha vai."
(Dhruv, put that down.)
"No!"
"Dhruv," Sivaangi warned. Her 7-year-old runt was proving to be more hyperactive than her and currently clutched his father's cellphone in hand and was "shooting all the bad guys" that apparently lived in their living room.
"Dhruv," she said sternly, trying to put on an intimidating face. "Ippo nee keezha vekkala, appa va koopduven."
(If you don’t put that down, ill call your dad.)
Dhruv looked at her for a moment, apparently thinking over the threat before setting down his father's phone. He grumbled and sat down on the kitchen island,
"Ponga ma. En superhero va iruka vida matindrnga."
(You never let me be a superhero.)
Sivaangi was about to respond before she dropped the can of sweet corn on her foot, "Ow, sh-"
She stopped mid-sentence, remembering the child behind her. She turned around and looked at Dhruv, who was staring at her,
"Shellfish..?" she finished her sentence weakly, while Dhruv stared at her amused.
"Shellfish na enna?"
(What does shellfish mean.)
Sivaangi sighed and picked up the can, pushing the hair out of her face. "Shellfish, valikambodhu solluvanga."
(You say that when you get hurt.)
Dhruv widened his eyes and was in his own land for a few minutes, thinking of the new word he just learned. Quiet entered the kitchen after a long time, before Sivaangi's phone rang loudly.
"Sollu ma, phone panniya?"
(Did you call me?)
Her husband was in a shoot for his newest movie, and he hadn't been home properly in 2 weeks. Sivaangi groaned as she got up, a sharp pain searing through her back.
"Enna achu?" her husband’s worried voice came through.
(What happened?)
"Onnum illa, neenga kelambitingala?"
(Nothing, have you left?)
Ashwin hummed and she could faintly hear the sound of a car door opening, "Ippo than."
(Just now.)
Sivaangi eyed Dhruv who was engrossed with the can of sweet corn, playing with it while making battlefield sounds. She went away from there, and further inside the kitchen until she was sure Dhruv couldn't hear her.
"Chocolate vangitu vareengala?"
(Can you get me some chocolate on the way?)
Ashwin chuckled, "Yen? Dhruv kekarana?"
(Is Dhruv asking?)
Sivaangi suppressed a smile and whispered, "Illa, naa kekaren."
(Nope, I want some.)
