May 2004
“Impossible. I
am not going to wear any of this.”
“A bride has to
wear all this.”
“Amma!”
“Priya!”
“You know what,
I know how you switch between Rajathi and Konday and Priya. You use my name,
and I know you are being rude. Huh!!!”
“So???????”
“Sheri. Fine.
You win.”
“Good. So
select. Quickly.”
“None of these.”
“What?”
“Too big and
heavy.”
“They will hold
your hair in place.”
“Ah! That again.
I don’t like to plait my hair so tight, Amma. Gives me a headache.”
“We are not discussing
this again. You agreed last week, Priya.”
“You are winning
every argument, Amma, just by calling me Priya. Unfair play, Indira.”
“Konday, just
listen to me on these things. I know what is best.”
“Hmmmmmm. Yes, I
am sure you do. Fine. But let’s look at simpler ones Amma.”
.
.
.
“This is okay. I
will manage this. We can book it. Done.”
“Not grand
enough.”
“Very grand.
More than enough. Amma, please.”
“Hmmmm. Okay,
now the jewellery. White stones?”
“What?
Artificial jewellery????? Why? You never told me this at home. You are embarrassing
us at the store!!!”
“Needed Konday.
Kazhutthu naranju irrukum appodan.” (Your neck will look filled with jewellery
only then)
“But we have all
that gold chains. And diamond in my ears and finger.”
“Podi. Those are
not enough for your broad shoulders!!”
“What I have is
enough, Amma. I wear only that. Let’s book this headset thing and leave. Its
hot.”
“We can’t come
again to book the jewellery. Let’s finish it now.”
“Amma. I am sure
I don’t want any of this artificial jewellery. I am very proud of what I have.”
“Sabhai ku
poradu.” (Not enough for the society.)
“We go home and
talk. Come Amma, let’s drink a juice and leave.”
.
.
.
“Huh! Feels
better to argue under a fan.”
“Hmmmmm. Wrong
Priya. We should have booked that white stone set. It will look very good in
photos. I have seen many albums recently. Everyone hires. Nothing wrong.”
“Nothing is
wrong about it, Amma. I understand. But I don’t want to fake the jewellery.”
“Hmmmmm.”
“I wear only
what is mine. And whatever I am wearing is mine.”
“You will not
wear mine too, then? Add it on na, please?”
“No. You will
wear yours. I will wear mine. You too need to look like the bride’s mother.”
“But that will
not look enough.”
“So what is your
problem? That I don’t have enough gold or that it is not enough for the stage
on Aug 20 morning?”
“I am happy with
what we are giving you. I am not sure if it’s enough to look a bride. And the
stage thing too.”
“Hmmmm.”
“They will all
cluster on to one spot in the neck and look very less.”
“Okay. Got it. I
will work this out, I have a plan. We will do a demo next weekend. If you are
still not convinced, I will go and order. The bangles will be the highlight, Anyways. Wait and watch!”
“Okay. Let’s
see.”
Aug 20, 2004, 6.00 AM
“Happy????”
“Yes.”
“Looks like
enough?”
“Nothing is
enough for me when its about you. But yes, good enough.”
“Good. You look lovely in this madisar. Mmmuuaaahhhhh. Photo
with bride?”
“Yes.”
“Can you smile
without tears?”
“I am not strong
like you.”
“Yes, I stole
all the strength from you, and left you with nothing. Ha ha ha.”
“Podi”
“By
the way, does everyone know that you have as many new sarees for my marriage,
as the bride? That everytime I changed to a new saree, you too did????”
"No. Not many. Now don't be going around saying that to everyone. You were the one who insisted that I relive my marriage in your wedding."
"Ha ha ha. Yes yes. Just asking. Smile di Ammave.”
“Okay di Amma.”
(This picture does not flaunt the jewellery, as much as she would have liked it to, but the pic is about the smile. Sans tears.)
