MATHU
251 Words
On the steps stood a sturdy woman who appeared to be in her early forties. She wore an off-white mundu and a blouse which was tied at the front. Her jet black hair was tied in a tight bun at the back. Her bronze coloured skin shone in the sun light. She had a tooth missing in the front when she smiled.
"I had to milk the cow before I come. My son has sprained his arm and my daughter- in -law doesn’t know how to milk a cow.”
“Your son Nanu? What happened?”
“Ah.. yes, Nanu. Oh what to say edalamma! I told him to be careful while climbing that jackfruit tree; the one that is at the southern end of our backyard. It’s many branches are rotten. Who listens to my words! By the mercy of god its only a sprain.”
“Oh..How is your new daughter-in-law? It’s been.. six months since their marriage, right? Is there any good news?”
“She is good. Didn’t know much cooking at the time of their marriage. But now she is doing better. And yes, there is good news. She is three months pregnant. It is for her wish to eat a puzhukku, that boy of mine had climbed all the way up that jackfruit tree. Young people!!”
Both the elder women laughed at that like they were sharing a secret joke. May be they were reminiscing their younger days. Janu didn’t know.
- Writer
