Raveenthran was thoughtful. Across him, Megala sat looking at her brother. They were in Megala’s high end penthouse in Singapore.
“You know, Ravee, here we are enjoying such a good life. We have everything, the luxuries of life. And if there is one person we should be thankful to, its achchan.”
“Yes Meg, I have been thinking about that too. I have an idea. Achchan’s 60th birthday is coming up next month. How about we give him a surprise treat he would never forget? We will spare no effort to show Achchan our gratitude!”
“Ravee, I’m all for it.” Megala was enthusiastic.
***
Achuthan was clearly uncomfortable in the suit. He could hardly sit comfortably. The armpits were too tight, and he was so stiff. Ravee was driving the sports car himself. Too fast. Megala was sitting beside Achuthan in the back seat. She was going on and on about their life in Singapore. The price of their penthouse suites. Their cars. The expensive holidays they had gone on. Their servants. And on and on. Achuthan was happy that they were living a comfortable life. He had made sure they had a good education. And that they got a leg-up to move along in life. And after that he had moved back into the background. His two children appeared to have done well indeed.
But as the car sped along, Megala’s continuous bragging and condescending conversation began to bear down on Achuthan. He was feeling a little nauseous. And a headache was coming on. He also noticed that Ravee’s wife glanced back at him occasionally. Achuthan knew instinctively that she was not very pleased, seeing this old shriveled man sitting in their car.
Soon they were at the restaurant. It was a Spanish restaurant, explained Ravee. The best you could get outside of Spain itself. Authentic Spanish. Each dish went for a minimum of S $ 150, Ravee gushed.
Achuthan looked glum. His suit was choking him, the temperature in the restaurant was freezing, and the food stank to high heaven. The only items on the menu which he could eat were the salads. Achuthan stabbed at the cold vegetables with his fork, washing them down with the cold water. Meanwhile Ravee, his wife and Megala were having a great time enjoying the Morcilla and jamón , the sopas y ensaladas, the chuletas , the cerdo all washed down with the immaculate Vino Rosado.
And then the massive cake arrived. Achuthan stood, feeling like a fool as he cut the cake, while his children and the restaurant staff sang the birthday song. Later everyone ate the cake except Achuthan. It was too sweet for him.
The birthday gifts were beautifully packed. A Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon watch, costing S$ 35,000 from Ravee. An original Forzieri Italian silk tie from his daughter, and gold plated cufflinks from his daughter in law. Achuthan looked at the gifts. He had no use for any of these.
After the meal, they went to the opera. Tickets were S$ 1000 apiece. The world famous soprano Angela Gheorghiu was on. The high pitched performance lasted 3 hours, which Achuthan endured. Sitting in the deep leather seats, awkward in his ill-fitting suit, stomach rumbling from the meagre vegetables he had eaten for dinner. By the end of it, he had developed a splitting headache.
The next morning, they were at the airport, to send off their father.
“Achcha, it was the least we could do for you. We arranged the best of everything. We hope you enjoyed it all.”
“I was so overwhelmed. I am proud that my children are so loving, and are doing so well. Thank you so much for such a nice experience.” Achuthan gushed uncharacteristically.
“You know, Ravee, here we are enjoying such a good life. We have everything, the luxuries of life. And if there is one person we should be thankful to, its achchan.”
“Yes Meg, I have been thinking about that too. I have an idea. Achchan’s 60th birthday is coming up next month. How about we give him a surprise treat he would never forget? We will spare no effort to show Achchan our gratitude!”
“Ravee, I’m all for it.” Megala was enthusiastic.
***
Achuthan was clearly uncomfortable in the suit. He could hardly sit comfortably. The armpits were too tight, and he was so stiff. Ravee was driving the sports car himself. Too fast. Megala was sitting beside Achuthan in the back seat. She was going on and on about their life in Singapore. The price of their penthouse suites. Their cars. The expensive holidays they had gone on. Their servants. And on and on. Achuthan was happy that they were living a comfortable life. He had made sure they had a good education. And that they got a leg-up to move along in life. And after that he had moved back into the background. His two children appeared to have done well indeed.
But as the car sped along, Megala’s continuous bragging and condescending conversation began to bear down on Achuthan. He was feeling a little nauseous. And a headache was coming on. He also noticed that Ravee’s wife glanced back at him occasionally. Achuthan knew instinctively that she was not very pleased, seeing this old shriveled man sitting in their car.
Soon they were at the restaurant. It was a Spanish restaurant, explained Ravee. The best you could get outside of Spain itself. Authentic Spanish. Each dish went for a minimum of S $ 150, Ravee gushed.
Achuthan looked glum. His suit was choking him, the temperature in the restaurant was freezing, and the food stank to high heaven. The only items on the menu which he could eat were the salads. Achuthan stabbed at the cold vegetables with his fork, washing them down with the cold water. Meanwhile Ravee, his wife and Megala were having a great time enjoying the Morcilla and jamón , the sopas y ensaladas, the chuletas , the cerdo all washed down with the immaculate Vino Rosado.
And then the massive cake arrived. Achuthan stood, feeling like a fool as he cut the cake, while his children and the restaurant staff sang the birthday song. Later everyone ate the cake except Achuthan. It was too sweet for him.
The birthday gifts were beautifully packed. A Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon watch, costing S$ 35,000 from Ravee. An original Forzieri Italian silk tie from his daughter, and gold plated cufflinks from his daughter in law. Achuthan looked at the gifts. He had no use for any of these.
After the meal, they went to the opera. Tickets were S$ 1000 apiece. The world famous soprano Angela Gheorghiu was on. The high pitched performance lasted 3 hours, which Achuthan endured. Sitting in the deep leather seats, awkward in his ill-fitting suit, stomach rumbling from the meagre vegetables he had eaten for dinner. By the end of it, he had developed a splitting headache.
The next morning, they were at the airport, to send off their father.
“Achcha, it was the least we could do for you. We arranged the best of everything. We hope you enjoyed it all.”
“I was so overwhelmed. I am proud that my children are so loving, and are doing so well. Thank you so much for such a nice experience.” Achuthan gushed uncharacteristically.
“Achcha, why don’t you come and stay with us permanently?” Megala asked.
Achuthan shuddered imperceptibly.
“Well Meg, Achcha seems comfortable in India. We can just help him out - once in a while. I am sure he prefers it there.” Ravee’s wife answered, almost too quickly.
“Yes, I prefer a simple life. I am comfortable. I am happy that you all are doing well. Thank you again.”
***
Achuthan sat on the porch of his house. It was a hot day, but here on his shady porch, it was cool and breezy. The coconut palms and the acacia tree branches swayed gently, soothing swishing sounds. The chirping birds added to the myriad sounds from the lush gardens surrounding the house. There were fruit trees, and flower shrubs and bushes, with the substantial vegetable patches at the back.
Achuthan had just had his lunch. His favourite ladies fingers and eggplant sambar, with olan. The papadam and potato chips were standard, as were the vadumanga pickles, which made the thairu chaatham heavenly. Achuthan was so fortunate to have Unni Nair as his cook cum general helper. Achuthan treated Unni more like a brother than as a paid servant.
Now Unni appeared, bearing a tray of nuts – peanuts, cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, and another tray of cut fruits – papaya, pineapple, banana.
Achuthan shuddered imperceptibly.
“Well Meg, Achcha seems comfortable in India. We can just help him out - once in a while. I am sure he prefers it there.” Ravee’s wife answered, almost too quickly.
“Yes, I prefer a simple life. I am comfortable. I am happy that you all are doing well. Thank you again.”
***
Achuthan sat on the porch of his house. It was a hot day, but here on his shady porch, it was cool and breezy. The coconut palms and the acacia tree branches swayed gently, soothing swishing sounds. The chirping birds added to the myriad sounds from the lush gardens surrounding the house. There were fruit trees, and flower shrubs and bushes, with the substantial vegetable patches at the back.
Achuthan had just had his lunch. His favourite ladies fingers and eggplant sambar, with olan. The papadam and potato chips were standard, as were the vadumanga pickles, which made the thairu chaatham heavenly. Achuthan was so fortunate to have Unni Nair as his cook cum general helper. Achuthan treated Unni more like a brother than as a paid servant.
Now Unni appeared, bearing a tray of nuts – peanuts, cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, and another tray of cut fruits – papaya, pineapple, banana.
Achuthan closed his eyes momentarily. Life couldn’t get better.
Later, he went in for a short afternoon nap. In the evening a relaxed oil bath, soaking in gingelly oil for a couple of hours before bathing in warm well water. In the evening, a short drive in his MPV to the Bhagavathy temple with Unni, followed by a simple meal at Krishna Bhavan nearby, before returning home for a few hours in front of the TV and then, off to bed.
Just before he slipped into a deep sleep, he recalled for a moment his Birthday treat. He shuddered. It had been the most unforgettable experience in his life.
Later, he went in for a short afternoon nap. In the evening a relaxed oil bath, soaking in gingelly oil for a couple of hours before bathing in warm well water. In the evening, a short drive in his MPV to the Bhagavathy temple with Unni, followed by a simple meal at Krishna Bhavan nearby, before returning home for a few hours in front of the TV and then, off to bed.
Just before he slipped into a deep sleep, he recalled for a moment his Birthday treat. He shuddered. It had been the most unforgettable experience in his life.
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