More Idlis?

Ananthu shuffled into the dining room where everyone had assembled for dinner. His wife was inside, lying on the bed. She'd eat on the bed. Like she had for the last 2 months. One of the girls fed her everyday. In fact, everyone seemed to be only too happy to take care of her. She was, after all, their aunt. And the girls had inherited their father's famous streak for unconditional generosity and responsibility. Amazing how the mother didn't grumble too. Like most women in her position possibly would.

He was the first one from his village to go on to study at the college in erstwhile Madras. He'd finished his Doctorate studies and landed himself a plum job with the Central Government. His good fortune didn't end there. He was immensely lucky to have married Annapoorna, a nubile young girl full of dreams and a rebellious streak that he so loved to control. It turned him on. To see her rebel and then whimper back to reality. They were on a vacation. Visiting all the temples in South India on a pilgrimage. He'd promised his mother this trip ever since he got the job as a Senior Scientist with the Government. Now, here they were at 7 A.M. nearing Trichy.There was a bustle around a small road-side tea shop and the bus driver decided to stop there for a quick breakfast.

Ananthu rued the day he'd boastfully offered to take his young brother-in-law, all of 7 years old on this trip. Of course, the boy had been of immense help. He'd carried the bags around, watched bags all night in the bus lest someone steal it. But then, the boy was a real pest. Very independent, shrewd and too smart for his own good, he decided. Now, he wanted more Idlis. How much does the boy eat anyway? He'd already finished 2 big Idlis that costed 25 paisa. More, he asks! Ananthu refused and walked back into the bus.

He sat down opposite Babu. The girls sat on the rest of the chairs around their father. Ananthu always had a bad feeling about Babu. Even at 50, Babu behaved and worked like he was 30 and had a whole lifetime to do anything and everything he wanted. He was extremely ambitious in everything he worked at. He'd made sure to find a wife who supported him in his ambitions and laugh away all the loans and all the risks. Strangely enough, the girls were the same. Classic businessmen's daughters. He never allowed them to have it easy. He made his girls work hard and learn things the hard way, Ananthu observed. Just like he had. All his life. Babu was known to be a slogger. Someone who didn't take too kindly to lethargy or indecision. Ananthu still remembered the way he'd taken control of the situation on the day his wife was diagnosed with cancer of the urinary tract. Babu announced that he'd take his sister home and take care of her himself. Like he didn't trust her with Ananthu. No one said anything. Even his daughter who was studying for her Board exams. Ananthu was just hoping he could accompany his wife too. He certainly couldn't cook to save his life and didn't want to spend money on eating out for a long time. Considering Poorni had cancer, he wasn't sure of the next events in his life.

The boy stared back at Ananthu and looked beseechingly at his sister, though he knew it was of not much use. His sister did everything that her husband wanted. For all her rebelliousness, she was totally a doormat to her parsimonious arrogant husband. He knew in his young heart then and there that his parents had made a mistake with this one. He asked her this time. "Poorni, tell Athimbair to buy me one more Idli no? Please." She shrugged. "Ivaniku unnu oru Idli venumaame?" After being the recipient of a glare, she told the young boy to go and check if the bags were still on the top of the bus. Annapoorna was tired of the travelling. All the more because of her mother-in-law. All she needed was that brat of a brother of hers to irritate her.

Geeta served Idlis. The girls groaned. Seemed like they all hated Idlis. He noticed that breakfast was usually Dosas or Poori or even Chapati. The girls ate out quite often too. Something he'd ever allowed his girls to do. The girls brought something back for him and his wife too, always. He'd eaten some Pani Puri that evening. After moving to Babu's house 3 months ago, he'd even eaten that expensive international Dosa - pizza. He himself may never have spent Rs 250 on that, but then the girls had ordered some and offered him some. He certainly would never say no to food. Babu didn't like pizza, it seemed. Ananthu thought he saw Babu and Geeta noticing him when he bit into that pizza, but didn't think much of it. He knew that Babu didn't like him too much. He always felt Babu's mocking gaze every once in a while. When he organized his daughter's wedding or when he sent Poorni with a one way bus fare to help her mother when Geeta had gone to her mother's house for her delivery. Babu had sent his sister back with the next visit's bus fare.

Babu wasn't any longer at the table. Geeta kept up the conversation as always: "Avarikku Idli na aagadu. Pasee thaangale na daan saapduvaru. Neenga unnu onnu edthu kongo. Ungalku Idli daan romba pudikyun ille?"

P.S. - This is the first story that I've written in my life. All kinds of feedback welcome. Non Tamil speakers, I'm terribly sorry. Thanks a ton.