What A Beautiful Face She Has

Secrets - 2

April 5th, 2016

It was the last day of exams. I was on cloud nine, and what made me even more excited was that tomorrow I’d be spending the whole day with Catherine Akka and her father. I like them, a lot.

April 6th, 2016

I visited Catherine Akka's house. She's three years older than me and cooks really well. After her mother passed away three years ago, she learned to manage all the house chores, including cooking.

She made my favorite food, chicken biryani. I savored every bite. Her dad also bought me juice and KFC chicken. He always treats me like his own daughter. I used to love Catherine Akka’s mom, my athai. She treated me the same way too. It’s sad she left us so soon.

We watched a movie together, and I stayed at her house, planning to return the next day.

They never treated me the way Juno and his family did. Catherine Akka even let me use her tablet to play games. But when I went to Juno’s house, he’d clearly instruct his daughter not to give me the tablet. He was scared I might break it.

I used to just sit beside her and watch her play games. When I asked her once to let me play just one game, she refused, saying I shouldn’t touch it. I remember even requesting Daisy to let me use their tablet, but she always said it was expensive and she couldn’t risk it breaking.

They treated me like I was untouchable.

Today, Catherine Akka’s appa bought me KFC chicken. But once, at Juno’s place, they gave me a five-rupee chips packet and handed it to me. They were hiding a big bag from me, thinking I wouldn’t notice, but I did. Later, they took their daughter into the kitchen and started unloading the bag.

I followed them and stood near the kitchen door.

"Hey, indha. Indha Pringles chips unnaku, indha chocolates and ice cream is also yours. Stella kannula padadha madhiri ingaye ninnu saptutu veliya po.", Daisy said.
(“Here, these Pringles, chocolates, and ice cream are for you. Stay here and eat them without letting Stella see you.”)

"Yen, amma?"
(“Why, Mom?”)

"Indha expensive food-lam ava kuda nee share panna koodadhu. Avalukku already chips vangi kuduthachu. Avalukku five-rupees chips packet podhum."
(“You shouldn't share expensive food with her. We've already given her chips. That five-rupee packet is more than enough for her.”)

Heartbroken, I walked out. I threw the chips packet from the balcony and cried.

What did they think? That I was desperate for food? Did she really think my father never bought me anything expensive?

I usually eat Pringles. My dad always makes sure I eat quality food and stay healthy.

May 6th, 2016

It was Juno's daughter's birthday. Since I liked her, I went along with my mom. But I regretted it, because the birthday girl, just five years old, insulted me in front of everyone.

"Amma, indha saniyana thalli nikka sollunga. Enna idikiranga. Nalla gunda irundhu kittu enna thalluranga, amma. Tell her to stand away from me."
(“Mom, tell this wretched filthy girl to stand away. She’s fat and keeps pushing me.”)

"Hey, edhuku saniyan ellam solra?", my mom asked.
(“Why are you calling her wretched, filthy?”)

"My amma addresses her like that."