ONE ROOM KITCHEN
(Translated story of s.kachappilly by Kannan Sir)
When the factory siren sounded, they all came out together. Unni decided against going to the hostel. He walked to the bus stand. Bus came but he did not get in. Walked, looking at the buildings on both sides of the road. At a bend he stood on the brick foot path and gazed at the nearby house.
Some days has passed since he called home. He went to the booth. Somebody was talking. When he came out another person came.
Unni waited. He was not in a hurry. Then he realized that the booth will be always busy. So he took the next turn and dialled the number. His wife Latha took the receiver on the other side. Yes she was expecting the call. He described about the house he has seen. The Sit Out, the Car Porch, its Colour. His voice was exited but it was also filled with the unhappiness of being unable to see the inside of the house. There was only nod from the other side. It is like that always. Whenever he calls he will talk about a house he has seen somewhere. His wife won’t protest, the excitement about the house was made by him. But now it has cooled.
He was describing his imagination bout the house. Even when he was asked ‘when are you coming’ from the other side he continued his description. Then the phone was disconnected from the other side. When paying the bills, Unni felt that he has talked more than usual last time, when he came from home his son had fever. He felt unhappy about not asking about that. He has forgotten to enquire the news at home. He thought about calling again. No, he decided much money has been spend now itself.
Unni has not thought of building a new house when he joined the company. “We must have a new house” -Latha would say. Unni felt that what she said was a good idea. They used to discuss the plan of the proposed house. He built a home in his heart. When Unni married Latha, many advised him to take a small house near company and shift. But he decided against it. He thought of father, mother, sisters and brother in the house- leaving them all - Alone. He did not think much, but decided against shifting. At first he used to go home on holidays. What an excitement was! Sisters’ study, brother’s study, aged parents, Lathas delivery, the sack of burdens became big. Frequency of home visits reduced. When he called Latha would say, you should surely come this week, Appu has started walking, or he is beginning to teeth. Unni would say yes, let me get the salary. But when debts are paid, remain will be small.
A shirt for Appu, Latha has insisted on that. It is his first birthday. He bought a not so bad shirt. It was late when he reached. He was coming directly from the company, after getting salary and giving the leave application, yet it was dark.
Lath was expecting him. He felt a suffocating atmosphere in home. Appu was with Latha. He smiled at his dad, may be seeing the happiness of his mother. Unni embraced him forgetting everything, kissed him on his cheeks. Father, mother and sisters have reached the front, but Rajesh was missing. Unni noted it.
His sisters changed the Appu. Unni noted the unhappiness in their faces. He remembered that he could not buy anything for them.
Latha has served food, when he came after the bath. He felt that Latha would not have forgiven him has he not come today. She was so happy. Father, mother and sisters came to supper. Rajesh was not to be seen. Unni asked him, but nobody answered. Latha came to Unni after serving the parents. He took her hand and asked about Rajesh. Latha did not reply, but went out taking the child.
It was lightening outside. The light fell on his face from outside. Rajesh entered the house opening the door. Unni invited him to take food. Turning his head, he went inside. Unni understood that he has grown up, also his Moustache has thickened.
Latha told everything at bed time. Rajesh does not come home on some days. On some days when he comes, there is the smell of Liquor. Unni was dump founded. All his hopes are being gone. He was expecting Rajesh to get a job before they together could conduct the sisters’ marriage. It was impossible by him alone.
Unni could not sleep. He rolled in bed. Then he got up and went near the brother. Rajesh was getting ready to sleep. He looked inquisitively at Unni. Unni said as an introducer “I .. .. .. .. I have decided to build a house”.
Rajesh didn’t say anything. Unni wished that he said something. Then, he continued. The plan of the house is complete. The work will start soon.
Then Latha said aloud, as if remembering something “milkman will continues Appu’s milk only if you pay his dues tomorrow”
Rajesh’s face has a ridiculous smile, may be hearing this. Unni ignored it and continued.
“We will shift once the house is complete. Then you have to look after this house. Latha told you are not coming home some days. It should not happen again”.
Unni had the satisfaction of having built a house, when he said this. Rajesh made no reply. Unni looked at him for some more time.
Latha was waiting for him Unni explained. “I .. .. was telling Rajesh .. about the house.. “
Latha was not attentive. Arranging the bed sheet, she said, “tomorrow we have to pay the milkman’s money”
Unni was again telling about the home. Latha reached the verse of crying.
Lath told, “Dear … … A new home for us is not in my dreams …. . But a rented house, a single room house ….” Latha’s words were breaking when she said this, her throat was drying.
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