DIARY OF A SOUTH INDIAN GIRL

CHAPTER 1

In South India lived a couple who had quite asimple and traditional sort of life.They lived their days quite systematicallyas computer.Amma woke at 4:00 in the morning ,drank a cup of lemon juice withhoney and went to bath.Upto 5:00 Appa wakes goes for a bath.By that time Ammagets ready and makes preparation for the pooja.Then there is a half an hourpooja with all tamil bhajans from the the entire south india.Then there is thebreakfast.A typical menu is served everyday and I don't understand how apparejoices it everytime he sits for a breakfast.It is Appa's most favouritebreakfast- Dosa and chutney with a small cup of tea./There is something specialmade on Sundays that adds tyo appas enjoyment.It is none other than a smallbowl of sambhar.Appa then leaves for work and comes home all frustratedas he ismade fun of at the workplace.He is nevergiven special opportunities.Who will give him?hE never speaks or tries tocommunicate.The only 3 things the office people hear from him are OK.SORRY,PLEASE.Ammawas allowed to talk only 20 minutes a day and the TV was switched on only at6:00 in the afternoon that too for watching the news and appa's favouritediscovery programmes.By 7:30 the lunch becomes ready which includes rasam andrice.That day too appa came home as frustrated as ever banging the tiffin boxon the floor and swearing at his calits."What happened SDwami?"my mom used toasked politely."Nothing!It is none of your business.Those rascals told me I amworth for nothing.Is it?"said Appa."Relax Swami.She went to the kitchen abought a bowl of kheer for appa.Appa was astonishedto see the kheer with rasinson it."Is it you b'day Sudha?Why kheer?"."No Swami.I amk pregnant and we aregoing to parent ac child."Appa hungrily ate the kheer and gave a gentlesmile.It was 7th January,1989 whe I stepped into this family."It isa girl swami"said Amma."I see"said papa a bit excited����\