PUT IN PLACE

Me bored

Boredom was a common feeling in my childhood. At such times, I’ll run off to my ammamma’s house which was walkable distance from my home hoping that a change of place would amuse me. One such afternoon in 1996 when I was 11, going there didn’t help either. I was so bored, so bored, I almost cried. Mindlessly changing channels on the cable TV, I saw an advertisement for Coca Cola, it had just penetrated into smaller cities like Trichy and was aggressively marketing. The drink came in an attractive red, first-of-its-kind tin can that you got to pop open, all the cool white skinned teens in the ad were drinking it and seemingly, having the time of their lives. Anything new in the market, I had to try it; so, I decided to entertain myself by drinking some cola.

A coke can costed Rs. 20 and I had 0. What do I do for funds? Ammamma can be my financier, I thought. She was in the dining hall serving lunch to my mama. I put on the sweet-grandchild face and politely requested her to give me the money. We kids were never given pocket money and 20 bucks was a big deal at the time.

Ammamma: “Unga amma permission kudutha tharren”

It was my mother’s siesta time.

I: “Amma thoongittu irukkum, disturb panna mudiyadhu”, I countered.

Amm: “Appo amma endhirikattum, apparam permission vangu”

I: “Ma please ma, pleeaaasse”

Mama who was listening, intervened

Mama: “Edhukkudi 20 rupees? Naangallam chinna pillaya irukkumpothu 1 ruvaa than kudupaanga, theriyuma? Adha veche naanga samaalichikkuvom”

I: “Mama, nee chinna pillaya irundhappo Coca Cola illai, adhanaala unakku 20 rupees thevai padalai”, I canvassed.

Mama; “Yen? Coca cola kudikkaama irukka mudiyaadha?”

I: “Ippo adha kudichu paatha enna thappu?”

Having had enough of my argument, ammamma asked mama to give me the money. Mama didn’t want to give me ‘any’ money, but he had to obey his mother too. He smiled smugly, pulled out a ₹10  note from his pocket and said, “10 ruvaa dhaan tharuven, venumna vaangikko”. As a pampered grandchild, I thought it was unfair that he gave me only half of what I asked for, I looked at ammamma for justice but she casually went about her chores indicating that she was fine with what just happened.

   Like any kid, I wanted to throw a tantrum, but the entrepreneur in me came up with an excellent plan. I wore a sad defeated look and took the ₹10  from Mama and immediately ran to thatha’s room. I opened the door and there he was in his signature reclined posture, wearing a pristine white veshti & vest and reading a book. The distilled sun rays from the windows fell on his smooth chocolate brown skin and formed a golden silhouette. There was my angel, who will give me the rest of the funds needed to acquire Coca Cola. I mean, why wouldn’t he? I am his ‘Chinna Kutty’ after all.

      I climbed on to the other side of the bed and asked, “Thatha……. Enakku 10 rupees tharreengala?”

Thatha: “Konja naal munnadi oru 10 ruvaa vanguna lla? Adha thiruppi kudu!”

It took me a while to process what I just heard. Yes, I had taken 10 bucks from him a few days back to buy a Dairy Milk. But I thought he just gave it out of love, now he was seriously asking for that money. What do I do?

I: “Sari, ippo enakku 10 rupees thanga, naan apparama ungalukku 20 rupeesa serthu kudukkuren”

Thatha: “Mudhalla vangunadha thiruppi kudu”

No problem, I have the 10 rupees required to pay off the debt.

He took the ₹10  I gave and handed it out back to me.

Thatha:”Indha nee kaetta 10 ruvaa”

.

I was shocked! Thatha rocked!

My mind voice,

“Enna kodumai saar idhu?

Paechey kedaiyaadhu, veechu dhaan!”

And more memes like this.

 Everything said and done, I was left with just 10 bucks.I explained my plight saying that I needed ₹20  to buy Cola that will save me from boredom and potential death and pleaded for more money.

Thatha:” Unga ammamma kitta poi Elanee vaangi kudi!”

I couldn’t speak a word beyond that because he did give me the ₹10 that I asked for. I also felt put in place - the place where it’s okay to not get what I want as long as I have what I need. I was probably old enough to be there.

    I may be thatha’s cute little Chinnnna Kuttttty and all that, but when it comes to money (and other valuables like integrity, trust, and respect) he would rather I learn to earn!