‘Loppudu raavochaa, can I come in, Sastrygaru?’
‘You’re already 10 yards inside my house. And I’m not a Sastry or Sanyasi, madam’
‘From the day I came as a tenant in your opposite house, I wanted to ask you one question ‘
‘You came there just a few hours ago. Anyway what is that you wanted ask me? Want broomstick or drinking water? ‘
‘No Sir, you are a witty person’
‘No, I’m a dirty person to the neighbors who invade my house early morning. Your question please, old lady’
‘You’re young?’
‘You’re not old? Your question? ‘
‘I wanted to ask you why I don’t see a woman in your house ‘
‘There are three, all my wives. Sleeping in the top bedrooms.
Anything else you wanted to know?’
‘You seems to be angry . You’re perhaps hungry too. Shall I get you some food from my house?’
‘Yes, please get me chakkara pongal and chakkaravattu upperi . That is what I take for breakfast’
‘I haven’t heard those names even’
‘Then don’t bother me. I am waiting for an important guest’
‘May I know who he is? ‘
‘Not your concern. The visitor is a ‘she’
‘Then, I won’t interfere. I’m out of your way. Before I take leave, can I see your kitchen, please?’
‘Why not my bedroom? Why are you troubling me, madam?
On the very first day of our meeting, you have earned my dislike’
‘My intention is to say hello to your wife and not to trouble you, Sir’
‘Which wife? I have three ‘
‘No, Sastry garu. If you have three wives, you would have been talking to me nicely, softly, sweetly. Your eyes will be glittering seeing a new woman in the neighborhood and she, on her own will, approaching you to say, ‘hello’. You have only one woman and that is why you find life wanting in charm
Can I enter your kitchen and say ‘hello’ to your wife now?’
