Seethalakskshmi, a happy go lucky girl, was the third daughter of Ramani and Rajeswari. Growing up in a small town in southern India, Seetha's world revolved around her family, her friend Jayanthi and her favourite pillaiyar. She grew up at an age w...
Seetha and Arun were also learning that times were changing at a fast pace. Things that seemed like a luxury, just a few days ago were becoming a necessity. Ranju was now 14 and was a big girl now. She had started her periods about a year ago. Although, there were many things that had advanced, the concept of sanitary napkins were still very foreign. Ranju had her struggles. Apart from having to go to school wearing heavy cloth pads underneath, she also had to manage playing sports with that which would rub against her thighs causing rashes, blisters and bleeding.
Ranju started to slowly keep her distance from her father. It was a practice during those days that once a girl attains puberty, she needs to keep an arms distance from the opposite gender even if it was her own loving father. During one of those days, Ranju had reluctantly told Seetha about how she wanted to watch oliyum oliyum at Vidhya's house but could not go due to her periods. Arun overheard the conversation.
That night, during dinner, Arun told his family, "Enakku konja naal munnadi promotion kedachudhu illiya? Adhu kooda bonus um kedachirukku. Nammaathukku edhavudhu vaangalaam nu irukken. Neenga ellam Ungalukku enna venum nu sollungo paakalaam." (I got a promotion a few days back along with which I got a bonus. I want to buy something for our house. Tell me what you want) Shivu promptly said, "Appa TV vaangallam pa. Andha Professor Aathula cricket e poda maatengara. Please pa." (Can we get a TV? That Professor does not play cricket matches on his TV) Sowmy joined Shivu giggling, "Aamam appa TV vaangalaam." (yes let's get a TV) Arun looked at Seetha who said, "TV ellam vaangina kozhandhaigaloda padippu kettu pogum. Ippo pudhusa mixie nu onnu vandhirukaame. Arakardhu ellam anje nimishathula ayidardhaam. Adhu vaangi thandel na enakku sowgaryama irukkum." (TV will spoil their studies. I have heard of this new gadget called a mixie. It will reduce my work) Now the ball was on Ranju's court. Shivu looked at Ranju mouthing that she should ask for a TV. She looked at Seetha who just smiled at her. Ranju smiled back and looked at Arun. He smiled and said, "Ranju unnoda vote romba mukkiyam. Sollu TV ya illai Mixie ya?" (Ranju you tell. Is it going to be TV or Mixie) Ranju answered reluctantly, "Appa mixie ye vaangungo" (Get the mixie) only to get a sigh of disappointment from Shivu.
One week later, it was a day off for Shivu and Ranju as they had their study holidays. Sowmy was in school. A truck came by and stopped outside their gate. Shivu was the first one to notice as he was studying in the porch. Arun's car followed right behind. After parking his car Arun opened the gate wide open and then ran in the open up both the grilled door as well as the wooden entry door. Seetha and Ranju dropped what they were doing and stepped out curiously.
They heard the door of the truck open. One man first walked in and placed a stand in the living room corner, as directed by Arun. He double checked to make sure there was a plug point there. This was a steel stand with a strong wooden plank on it. It had four legs with rollers on the bottom. Then the man went back and, this time, with the help of Arun, carried a rather heavy cardboard box. Shivu quickly joined them to help with the weight. The cardboard box was made to sit on the floor.
The man then took out a pocket knife and cut open the box. Seetha and Ranju who were watching curiously until then, gasped in disbelief. They gasped at the sight of the idiot box that stepped out. It was a TV set. Ranju clapped joyfully and smiled at her father. Shivu's face was beaming too. The three men then placed it on the stand. It had a shutter, opening which, the TV screen could be seen within. That's when Ranju noticed the name "solidaire".
The man then asked, "Motta maadi la antenna fix pannanum. Thambi konjam kooda vandhu kaamikkariya pa?" Shivu nodded in glee and Ranju joined him to go up to the terrace along with the man. Once he fixed it, he told Shivu, "Thambi TV seriya therila na idha vandhu thiruppi vidu seriya. Sila time kaaka, pura ellam ukkandhu thiruppi vittudum." (If you have trouble with the TV come up here and turn this around) Shivu nodded obediently.
Once they came back down, the man pugged the TV in and turned the switch on. At first it was all grainy. The man switched it off and said, "Sir aaru manikku pottu paarunga sir. Appo thaan arambikkum. Ippo edhuvum illai adhunaala thaan ippidi theriyudhu. Edhavudhu prachanai na solli anupunga. Naan vandhu seri panni kudukkaren." (Sir turn it on at 6pm since programs start only at that time. If you have any issues let me know. I will take care of it) Then her explained the various knobs which were for volume, brightness etc. Then he explained how the shutter can be kept closed to avoid any dust.
When Sowmy returned from school, her siblings were eagerly waiting for her and squealed when she arrived, "Sowmy inge paaru. Appa enna vaangeerka paaru" (Sowmy look what dad got) and the three children jumped in happiness. They waited with excitement for the clock to strike 6. Arun slowly opened the shutter while the rest of the family sat on the floor in anticipation. He first turned the switch on and then turned the knob on the TV with a click. It took a few moments before a circular image became visible. The logo was something like a ying-yang. The center circle had the word Doordarshan written and the three letters below that were Sathyam Shivam Sundaram, all in black and white. As Arun slowly increased the volume, the music began. The children felt a sense of pride. None of them knew then that this idiot box would change their lives forever.
On that night when Arun had asked the family what they wanted, Seetha had turned around to wrap her arms around him, "Naan onnu sollatuma?" (Shall I say something) Arun pulled her closer saying, "Hmm" Seetha drew circles on his bare chest and said, "Neengal kozhandhaigalukku TV ye vaamgungo. Nekku nanna theriyum Ranju kum TV thaan venum nu aana aval ennoda sowgaryathukaaga thaan mixie nu sonna. Aval periyaval aayachu. Inime irutina aparam avaathukkum ivaathukkum anuppa vendaam." (Get the TV for the kids. I know that's what Ranju wants too but she is looking out for my convenience. Now that she is a big girl, I don't want her going to random peoples house after dusk) Arun kissed Seetha's forhead and said, "sorry maa. Enakku rendume vaanganum nu thaan aasai. Nee konja naal poruthukko maa. Unakku mixie yum vaangi tharen." (I am sorry. I do want to get both the TV and Mixie. Please manage for some more time and I will buy it for you) Seetha's arms started tracing his body making Arun's breath heavier and she whispered, "Neenga kenathadi la kulikkara varaikkum naan ammila arachukkaren." (As long as I get to see you bathe near the well I am ok grinding it with hand)
Arun turned towards her to kiss her lips, neck and more. Seetha welcomed him into her arms and smiled at the thought that finally Sowmy had started sleeping in the other room with her siblings.
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