“Amma”
“hmmmm”
“Amma”
“Chollu Rajathi,
ennu?”
“When I grow
big, I want plain sarees like Meena Manni.”
“Plain sarees? Really?”
“Yes, Amma. I
will wear saree to office, everyday. Plain saree with design blouse. I love it.”
“Okay.”
“I want black saree
and white saree also, Amma.”
“Okay. Now
study.”
“Whenever you
buy for me, buy only plain sarees okay?”
“Hmmmm. Study
now?”
“Amma …. But how
will you know what all colors I already have?”
“Write to me
about the colors you buy. I will not buy those.”
“He he. Okay.
Like Patti and you would write letters? Did you also tell her about your new
sarees and blouses?”
“Ha ha. No
Rajathi. We didn’t discuss such important things!”
“Oh! That’s okay.”
“Hmmmmm. So tell
me konday, where will you be when you are wearing sarees. US? London?”
“Tcha, no Amma.
India only. I don’t want to go abroad for work. No foreign mappilai also. I
will be in India. May be back in Kolkata or in North. I don’t like South India
much.”
“Okay. I would
love to see you go to office in saree. Everyday. I hope to live long enough. Live closeby.”
“Amma, I am in 9th
std now. Max 6 years. Please be there.”
“Okay.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.”
“Okay, good. My
first saree, I want orange or yellow.”
“Okay, now study.
We will buy after few years.”
“Yes. I am
already practicing with dupattah, like you taught me. I want to wear my sarees
myself, always. Even on my marriage day, I will wear it myself.”
“ha ha. Okay.
STUDY.”
“Okay.”
2 YEARS LATER
“I love the
orange, Amma. And you are right. When I said plain saree, I didn’t want full
plain. I want it like this, little border and only 2 colors in the saree. I
really love this Amma. I can’t wait to wear it. When will the blouse be ready?
Can I wear your gold chain with it?”
“Yes, I know
what you will like.”
“he he he he. Love you.”
“You promised
good marks, Priya.”
“Okay. Fine. I
love you just okay.”
2 YEARS LATER
“Amma. I want a
new saree for my college farewell day.”
“Okay Rajathi.
Black or white?”
“How did you
know????????”
“I know. I am
your Amma.”
“He he. WHITE.”
“Okay. I have a
saree in mind. Will talk to Appa for budget.”
“Okay. Fast.”
2 YEARS LATER
“These are happy
tears. Don’t worry, Rajathi.”
“Then okay. I
thought I am looking fat.”
“Podi! You are
the most beautiful girl of your age. My Rajathi.”
“he he”
“Wish you a good
first day in your career. Remember to always earn every penny that you are paid.
Your thatha was a hard worker. He never got home a single thing from office. He
never failed any of his assigned duties. He was also an accountant. You are
also one from today. Make him proud.”
“Sure, Amma. You
be well and miss me. Tata.”
“hmmm. Drive
safe. Keep the scooty key safe. Don’t misplace it like you always did in
college.”
“Podi Ammave.
Bye.”
5 YEARS LATER
“Oh, again a big
bag. Rajathi?!?!”
“Okay fine. I am
not wasting money. You only said na I should show you all colors that I added
to my collection. Its 6 months since I showed you last.”
“Yes, konday.
Show.”
2 YEARS LATER
“Rajathi, your
wardrobe is overflowing.”
“Yes, Amma.”
“Do you want to
give away some of the old sarees?”
“No, Amma. I
want a 3 door wardrobe.”
“ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.”
“Good. I have
planned a green shade for you for the next buy. Stop buying black and blue now.
You have a lot of them.”
“Okay. Buy green
with black border?”
“Podi! Okay.”
LAST FEW YEARS of Whatsapp
“Very nice
Rajathi. Selfie angle is also nice.”
Everyday. Every saree. We shared. She knew. Till July 11, 2018.
Our SAREE TALES. This too ends, like all other tales.
Translation Notes
Rajathi – Princess (context,
it is a pet name)
Chollu – Tell, speak
Ennu - What
Patti – Grandma
Konday – Child (context, a
very affectionate way of saying @baby’”
Mappilai - Groom
Podi – Go, get lost (Context,
affectional expression, implying ‘get lost, but with love’ :D”
