Meera

Episode 04

My friend says every commerce student thinks mathematics and accountancy are his (or her) forte until CA happens... I too agree to that. It's a phenomenon that often tends to work only with an imperfection!

It was half past five in the evening and Chakarapani Iyengar had just returned from the college. Janaki ammal was confused whether to tell him what had happened or to let Raghav speak to him directly. Either way, she knew that she would be blamed. She had been used to getting blamed for anything and everything that happens against Chakrapani Iyengar's wish. Not that he was a male chauvinist, it was just that he wanted things to happen as per his expectations and he had no one to pour out his grief or anger except his wife Janaki. He treated her with equality and he loved her right from the day she entered his life that he couldn't ever imagine a situation without her. An ideal couple, i.e. an aadharsha thampadhi indeed!

Raghav was still asleep. He hadn't eaten since the morning. He had just had a cup of coffee before leaving to the Institute. As practised in most of the households, Janaki ammal had to wake him up so that she could light the lamps around the house. Raghav woke up lifelessly. His eyes were dilated due to his crying and the long deep sleep. His heart was still heavy like a rock.

"Kannaa!" (That's how most of the mothers especially in TamBrahm households call their son with affection)
"Amma!" (His tone was soul less)
"Poi moonji kai kaal alambindu vaa! Kaapi pottu tharen! Kaalai la irundhu nee edhuvum saapdala! En kozhandhai ku pasikum la!?"
"Maa! Enakku edhuvum venaam maa! Enakku pasikkala!? Naan enna pannuven!? Enakku enna panradhu ne theriyala ma! Andha bhagavan yen ma ippadi sodhikkaraar!? Appa ku therinja veiva maa! Avaraanda naan eppadi ma solluven!?" (He started crying)
"Kannaa! Modhalla kanna thodachukko! Aathula velakkathara nazhi aaiduthu paar! Poi moonji, kai, kaal alambindu vaa! Appa sandhi panna kolla pakkam poirkar. Vararthukkulla nee vandhu kaapi saaptu un room ku po! Eppo eppadi unna avaraanda pesa vekkardhu nu naan paathukaren!"

All mothers are experts in this. They know when, what and how something has to be told to the dads regarding their kids. And it becomes atleast a temporary solution. That's how Raghav was asked to keep his room locked till she makes sure his dad is in a mood to listen.

It was not too long before Chakrapani Iyengar himself called his wife. And fortunately he seemed to be in a mood to listen to her completely before raising his voice.

"Janaki!"
"Kooptela naa!?"
"Raghav enga? Avanayum unnayum kootindu poi Madhava perumal ah sevichuttu varalaam nu yosichen! Enga avan?"
"Polaam Naa! Adhukku munnadi naan onnu solven! Kovappadaama kelungo!"
"Enna!? Edho pudhir podra madhiri irukku!? Results inniku varudhu nu sollindu irundhan! Athaan koilukku poitu archanai pannindu varalaam nu koopiten! Nee ennavo sollanum nu izhukkara!?"
"Adha pathi dhaan naa sollanum nu irundhen! Avan kaalai la irundhu edhuvum saapdama irukkan! Ungalaanda eppadi solradhu nu theriyama irukkan. Ivlo neram thoongindu dhan irundhan! Eppadi solradhu...!?"
"Nee enna solla vara!? Avan ah koopidu! Raghava! Dei kannaa Raghava!"
"Naan kooptundu varen! Irungo!"