Words of Wisdom
He returned with Shravu and his uniform, she got ready to go to her singing lessons
He didnt go with her office, she sulked as she passed him in the drive way
"U take Nandu home" "Explain to Sam why he needs to go home" she spit out
He listened patiently but expressionlessly... and let her pass by
"Chithi Amma sent something for you" Nandu handed her a sack with two stainless steel containers
"Can u give it to Mahavir Uncle kanna, chithi has paattu class"
"There is a traffic jam on Munirka Rd going Eastward" he said
She didnt acknowledge
"Please da" she requested using the opportunity though
"Not in front of Shravu II" he said firmly, but softly
Her shoulders slumped, she walked away dejected
The kid was now with Ranjan, in the office, snacking on the candy Santram bought from Modern Bazaar
He wud be so despondent at R&B's action
She stopped by at Amma's for a few minutes to check on Periappa
"This marriage thing is so difficult ma" she cried
"Why are u crying in the evening kanna" Amma asked troubled
She lay on her bed, and whimpered
"We all want to do whats right, but end up hurting somebody or the other" II said
Appa was gone to Natesan Mama's in Munirka, Mama was mellowing down being pleasant etc, Mami still was very angry, though Sree was Mama's nephew
"How is is knee today?" Ii asked "Why did u send him by himself after 8 PM?" Ii was full of questions
"I cant tie him down kanna" Amma ranted
"U must... I worry about him... Akka doesnt listen to me, Appa doesnt... today I discovered my FIL is not as fit and fine as I assumed" Ii said
"What happened ?" Amma asked worried
"Kanne seriya teriyale ma avarku" (he cant see)
"Its common no kanna? Hes older than Appa, he is older than 68?"
"I know... but he keeps going... like an Energizer bunny... 36 Maruti showrooms, and now he talks about Merc showrooms in the next 3 years or so"II mumbled
"Yaakosram?" Amma asked
FOR WHO?
"Exactly... Manya went to Kufri.. Sam is busy... avanukku appa business la interest ey ille" (he is unconcerned)"
"Nobody is attending AGM, he says he will, but I doubt he will give it 4 entire days (R&B).
"Edo kozhandai madiri he is all excited about his achievements avara kondaada anda aathla aale ille ma"
(Hes like a child rejoicing his success all by himself, nobody else shares it)
"that is so sad" Amma leaned on the footboard...
"Did u say the right thing to Appa and did it get shot down?" she asked
"ALL the time" Amma smiled cynically
"I told him to care more for Excelsior, we fought... othar othar mela kola veriya kovam vardu ma (we hunger for each other's blood)"II hung her head in shame
"Hmmm" Amma looked worried
"I dont think he wants my advice" II said...
MAYBE I DID WRONG??
MAYBE I SHUD HAVE LISTENED TO APPA
MAYBE R&B WILL NEVER LISTEN TO ME
I AM TOO BLOWN AWAY BY HIM
I CANT THINK STRAIGHT
ENNA PANRAN TERIYALE (NOT SURE WHAT HE DID TO IT) WITH MY MIND BODY AND SOUL
ITS USELESS NOW
"He doesnt get along with his Appa no... raja.. so dont say it. Appa is supposed to get along with his brothers,
but yet he doesnt appreciate most of my advice" Amma said softly
"Yenn ma apdi?" (WHY IS IT SO?)
"I DONT know Ishita... just finding a way is so difficult... dont try to find the right way" Amma said
"U watched Periappa 37 years of ur married life, shudnt u have a say?" Ii demanded
"It doesnt work that way kanna" Amma said maturely
"Shudnt Appa respect ur opinions JUST FOR THAT?"
"That means I am using Periappa to get my way" Amma pointed
"No... no... u are wrong.." Ii argued
"Its like everyone in your family looking at Mr Ranjan's every move through the scandal tainted glasses" Amma reminded her
"He keeps insisting I must attend meetings" II said softly
Amma froze... squirmed
"I told him I am busy with my job..." Ii said
Amma relaxed
"Yaarume illaada anadai madiri tonrar ma enakku" she began to cry
(He seems like an orphan to me)
"azhaade kanna".(Dont cry) Amma stood up walked over to her side and sat down by her hugging her
"Shud I feel obligated... why shud I feel obligated... why do I feel pain... onnume puriyale ma" (I dont get anything...) II sobbed
"I dont have any wise words raja" Amma said saomberly
"I am unable to tell my husband LET GO" II said viciously
"I am unable to punish my mamanaar/FIL because HE IS" she pleaded
"tch tch tch tch" Amma looked pained...
"Krishna" she invoked
"Its the most complicated, dysfunctional family ma" II said softly
"Aasa pattu panninde nee" (U married out of choice)
"I know... I know... I know..." Ii cried softly wiping her tears in Amma's pallu
They both were quiet
"Nandu accidentally teased Shravu about the suspension, ivan Nandu kondu poi veetla vida poraan as punishment
(he is going to take the kid home)" II declared angrily
"Paavam kozhandai" Amma was distraught
"sam and Tan and nandu... I CANT FIND ONE FAULT MA" II said softly
"They are gems I agree" Amma nodded
"What happens if this goes on for the next 30 years Ma?" Ii asked
amma looked startled
"If there is no forgiveness or redemption or revelation?" Iia sked
"Will u be able to quit ur job and work with ur FIL?" Amma asked
"Nooo... no... I cant do that" Appa's ethics reared its ugly head inside II
"Pinna vidu... anda manushar talela ezhudi irukku nu vidu" (it was written in Ranjan's fate, so let go) Amma said
As the nurse showed asking for Periappa's kanji
Amma asked her to eat
She refused, just checked what Amma had made... it was the dal ess sambar (vetha kozhambu) and baingan subzi
Amma packed it all in a tiffin carrier
"akka has sent something too... I am supposed to be sending dinner to her, with the Shravu thing that ended... in her state she is sending me stuff" Ii lamented
"she made paal payasam because it was Thatha's (FIL's) nakshatram today/Bday" Amma said
"Oh! so thats what she must have sent" Ii smiled
II made kanji and took it to Periappa and fed him slowly...
Returning after 9 ish
Ranjan was in his office she took some kheer for him, made dal to mix with rice and feed Shravu... Nandu was GONE!!
He was in his office too
She changed out of her "good" clothes to her night clothes
And walked by his office he looked up from a call
She paused to hold that gaze for a few minutes... and walked away.. disheartened
CID
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
