The Apple of Her Eyes

Subbu jumped over a puddle on the mud track and hummed a little tune to herself..Soon-...She promised herself
Her mouth watered when she thought of the fish...The last time she ate fish curry was when her eldest sister had come home. The feast was more for her brother-in-law's benefit than Akka's (Akka-elder sister). Everyone knew that Akka detested fish and all things from the sea..This ensured her a high listing in her husband's bad books...

Amma had tried to appease Sundram -Akka's husband -that day ..After all what woman worth her salt would not please her husband with dainty dishes cooked to perfection for the discerning palate...

Subbu remembered her mother's eagerness to please her son-in-law and snorted ..Did not Akka come back with a broken rib the very next week-courtesy -overcooked fish curry that offended the same discerning palate..

Anyway-Subbu shook her head to rid herself of unpleasant thoughts..Nothing would come in between her and pleasure of eating a well cooked meal today..Each day she sat with her mother in the market to sell the home grown tomatoes and greens .. Sweating and listening to her mother's litany of the past had saddened her..but by now she had perfected an expression of sympathy on her face while her mind wandered....She smiled a secret smile in anticipation of the treat ahead..

The smile ended before it began ..She peeked at the street corners and heaved a big sigh when she did not see Amma's friends around.There would be hell to pay if they remarked about her smiling on the roads..Amma would launch into one of her lectures on how unmarried girls should behave ..

Akka's husband's fathers' second cousin had come with a peace offering .. Akka had moaned from the interiors of the hut while Amma entertained the cousin with banana and wails about Akka's cooking..Subbu had looked longingly at the peace offering..It wasn't everyday that prime catch was available in the house..
Akka came out and looked at the peace offering -sighed and wound her unkempt hair.She left home after lunch with jasmine in her hair and Amma's new sari. Amma lighted special incense sticks ..

Subbu was furious-Amma had promised her the new sari for Pongal and everybody had conveniently forgotten.She went out to sulk . Amma had called out to her " Subbu -Would you like some fish curry for the night ".. Subbu stopped cursing all of them and a happy light came to her eyes..

Amma had then ordered her to get some bottle gourd from her friends Koki's house.
Koki's house was three miles away from theirs..

Subbu was coming back home from the errand....It had been a long walk-The evening sun scorched her feet ....Subbu didn't mind ..
The thought of the dish kept her going..As she entered her street she could smell Amma's fish curry...

She heard his voice before she saw him..Anna (elder brother) disappeared from home often-He worked with a cinema unit..When he came back home he told funny stories about fat heroes and young heroines...Amma boasted about it to everyone on the street ..Subbu had noticed that they all looked at Amma with pity when she spoke with pride..
Anna always came back home unannounced, ate , took money from home and disappeared.
Ate-Subbu stepped out of her reverie and looked at the pot-Amma was dishing out the last portions onto Annas plate with a pleased expression ..
Anna noticed her first -"Subbu Come Come" and ginned ..Amma glanced at her and turned her adoring gaze to her son..."Child" Amma admonished -"Greet your Anna"..


Subbu swallowed the hot burning tears ,plastered a smile and said -"Vaa(Come) Anna"