CAST OFF
I went home last Thursday, really glad a very long and hectic day was finally over. I was daydreaming of the day off the next day, which I would spend on a train chugging my way to Palakkad.
My daydreams were rudely interrupted the minute I stepped over the threshold. Appu, who till the had been lounging on the bean bag watching TV, came running to me at breakneck speed, trying to show me his swollen thumb at the same time giving me a garbled explanation of some skirmish with Acha panther.
A while later, when id heard explanations from both sides, I managed to piece together what had transpired. Appu and Achan had gotten into a skirmish over him having soiled his underpants yet again. I figured the swelling would be down the next morning, and since I had to leave really early to make the early morning ‘Intercity’ to Palakkad, didn’t think too much of it.
Later, I heard, Acha, plagued by guilt and remorse, had taken Appu for an x-ray. ..And the doctor, finding nothing particularly wrong but not wanting to take any chances with the likes of Appu and his hyperactive ways, put him in a cast for a week. Appu had then gone to school amidst protests over “How am I going to turn a page if you send me to school?” (The cast is on his left hand!!) But the bomb dropped that evening. Appu tells his dad “The teacher wants to meet you on Monday”. Visions of being accused of child abuse and being tagged cruel, heartless parents plagued me the entire weekend.
Cut to Palakkad: Appu, thrilled at being the center of attraction, thanks to his cast:
Scene 1: Appu: “Amma, will you listen to everything I say for the next 10 days?”
Me: “Why?”
Appu: (with his most doleful expression) Coz my hand is broken no???
Scene 2: At the wedding pandal where we went to greet the newlyweds: “Ajay uncle, see what my dad did to my hand.” Several sympathetic exclamations later, Appu ends up getting himself photographed as a part of several other family units(except his own of course!!)..as he refused to budge before everyone had properly given him his due, in spite of all kinds of tricks tried by the photographers and videographers to budge him from his spot.
Cut to Bangalore: Appupan and Ammuma are now his willing slaves. Acha, now thoroughly harried, refuses to meet the eyes of any visitor to the home (especially the ones who have heard Appu’s version of the events). The neighboring kids are all green with envy over Appu’s latest acquisition. Appu has taken to biking (still at top speed) with one hand.
Monday morning. Acha asks Appu, “So what time do I need to come in to meet the teacher?” To which pat comes the reply, “My teacher never asked me to call you to school.” I simply, simply told you that.”
My daydreams were rudely interrupted the minute I stepped over the threshold. Appu, who till the had been lounging on the bean bag watching TV, came running to me at breakneck speed, trying to show me his swollen thumb at the same time giving me a garbled explanation of some skirmish with Acha panther.
A while later, when id heard explanations from both sides, I managed to piece together what had transpired. Appu and Achan had gotten into a skirmish over him having soiled his underpants yet again. I figured the swelling would be down the next morning, and since I had to leave really early to make the early morning ‘Intercity’ to Palakkad, didn’t think too much of it.
Later, I heard, Acha, plagued by guilt and remorse, had taken Appu for an x-ray. ..And the doctor, finding nothing particularly wrong but not wanting to take any chances with the likes of Appu and his hyperactive ways, put him in a cast for a week. Appu had then gone to school amidst protests over “How am I going to turn a page if you send me to school?” (The cast is on his left hand!!) But the bomb dropped that evening. Appu tells his dad “The teacher wants to meet you on Monday”. Visions of being accused of child abuse and being tagged cruel, heartless parents plagued me the entire weekend.
Cut to Palakkad: Appu, thrilled at being the center of attraction, thanks to his cast:
Scene 1: Appu: “Amma, will you listen to everything I say for the next 10 days?”
Me: “Why?”
Appu: (with his most doleful expression) Coz my hand is broken no???
Scene 2: At the wedding pandal where we went to greet the newlyweds: “Ajay uncle, see what my dad did to my hand.” Several sympathetic exclamations later, Appu ends up getting himself photographed as a part of several other family units(except his own of course!!)..as he refused to budge before everyone had properly given him his due, in spite of all kinds of tricks tried by the photographers and videographers to budge him from his spot.
Cut to Bangalore: Appupan and Ammuma are now his willing slaves. Acha, now thoroughly harried, refuses to meet the eyes of any visitor to the home (especially the ones who have heard Appu’s version of the events). The neighboring kids are all green with envy over Appu’s latest acquisition. Appu has taken to biking (still at top speed) with one hand.
Monday morning. Acha asks Appu, “So what time do I need to come in to meet the teacher?” To which pat comes the reply, “My teacher never asked me to call you to school.” I simply, simply told you that.”
posted by newatthis at 2:42 AM
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