My phone rang. My mother was on line. She informed me that
she was sitting in Bhima Jewellery, Trivandrum with her daughter in law who was
prompting her to exchange her old studs for a diamond one. I smiled and
said it was good and hung up.
My younger one came running. “Who was it?” he asked.
“It was your Ammumma. She is buying diamonds.”
“Ehhh?? Why is Ammumma buying diamonds??? She is old!”
I frowned at him and told him there was no age to wear
diamonds. He ran to inform his elder brother. Then they both came
running from their room. The elder one asked, “Amma is it true? Ammumma bought diamonds? From where?”
“Bhima”, I answered.
“Why… she should have gone to Kalyan Jewellers. Don’t they
sell diamonds without black dots? They bring good luck!”
Dumbfounded, I realized that it is I who watch Malayalam
channels at home. That is how they get to see all those jewellery ads that
keep coming on TV.
“Amma you also buy diamonds now”, suggested the younger one.
I explained to him that I was not interested in diamonds as
there were many other colourful things in life which were less expensive.
After an hour break, I find him standing behind me as I was
typing on the computer. “Amma, why didn’t Ammumma buy diamonds from Malabar
Gold? They have a big collection…”
I glared at him and said loudly. “Call up your Ammumma and
ask that!”
Their father who had come home for the weekend only to pack
again and leave on Sunday was passing by the door of the room and heard me shout. He came
running inside.
“Why are you yelling?” He asked.
“Your mother in law bought diamonds”, I told him.
“Is it? But why are you angry for that? Is it because I didn’t
buy you diamonds??”
That is it. I close my eyes and ears. I pull up my socks,
wear my shoes and go out for a walk. Walking alone is good for physical and mental health.
