The Unsaid

Chapter 1 - Prithvi

Chapter 1 - Prithvi

This story is based in India and the names, characters and terms encountered will be Indian. Some Telugu (A South Indian Language) words are used, the meanings of which are below.

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Prithvi - Earth

Pallavi - The thematic section of a song that repeats

Anna - Elder Brother

Vadina - Elder Brother's wife / Sister-in-law

Babai - Younger brother of father (Uncle)

Yerrakonda - Red Mountain

Kobbari - Coconut

Athaiah - Mother in law

Mavaiah - Father in law

Pav Bhaji - An Indian dish consisting of curry and bread

Garu - A suffix used for added respect or courtesy

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Prithvi closed his fist and felt the grains prick his skin. He opened his palm and gazed at the paddy grains that glowed under the soft sunlight. He stood in his comfortable jeans and t-shirt in a clearing in the middle of a lush green paddy field. The long stalks swayed gently around him, as if doing a light dance with the wind. He let the grains slide down from his hand into the heap on the ground and turned around.

"Preserve five sacks of these grains for seeding," he instructed the elderly man standing behind him.

"But Prithvi Babu, one sack should be enough for our fields."

"Yes Babai, but I will need more in case the other farmers want to purchase them. I don't want any shortage this time."

The man nodded and proceeded to give instructions to the workers. Prithvi felt his mobile buzz and pulled it out from his pocket. Why was his brother calling at this time?

"Prithvi! Come home immediately. Ma fainted!"

"What? Did you take her to the hospital?" he walked fast towards his car as he spoke hastily.

"No. The doctor is home with us. Just come home fast, alright?"

"But Anna," the call was cut before he could finish. He started the car and drove as fast as he could on the bumpy, muddy, uneven road, taking deep breaths to calm his racing body. The car screeched to a halt in front of his house. He jumped out of the car, ran inside and turned left towards his parents' bedroom on the main floor.

"Ma!"

Everyone in the crowded room turned towards him. His body was trembling uncontrollably. Jaya was lying on the bed with a tube going from her wrist to a bottle tied to a stand. She turned her head slightly towards him and blinked with effort. He breathed in relief and walked over to her.

He glanced at his father who sat with a grim expression across the bed in a chair. Pratap Rao Yerrakonda, his father, was a large man, with a commanding, charismatic personality. His mother on the other hand was a dainty woman and reached up to his shoulders.

"What happened dad?" He asked as he gazed at his mother, taking her tiny frail hand into his.

His father took a deep breath before replying, "The usual. She did not eat anything since yesterday. She keeps telling everyone about how to eat and maintain ourselves but will not follow any of it herself!"