Pickles and Papad

An abode of God, the hill town Tirumala nestled with beautiful, blissful nature and divinity. With Lord Sri Venkateshwara seated comfortably on the seventh peak of the Tirumala mountains, Venkatadri, it is the most famous and sacred pilgrimage destination.

At the foot of seven hills in a small town of Alipiri there was a colony of pavement dwellers. A young woman living in one shanty was Lord Balaji 's fervent devotee. But her Lord was not pleased with her.

Smack came the slap on Mala's face. Kesava pushed her and she fell on the ground with that blow.

"Dare you give burnt rotis to my Amma again... Do you get it straight." It was Mala's husband Kesava yelling at her. Mala demurely nodded.

"Her beggar parents couldn't give dowry and this bitch can only give burnt rotis." Her mother in law said as her anger spiked at a vicious level. She was about to spit gutka on Mala's face but Kesava stopped his mother.

"Let her go to hell Amma. Don't spoil your mood. Go for a night stroll." He said and at the same time gestured Mala to go inside the kitchen.

After the night chores, Mala went to bed and curled inside her blanket. She placed a small frame of Lord Balaji near her bed and wiped the pained tear dropping from her eyes. Shedding tears was Mala's only way to vent out her despair and agony. This was her daily night routine.

Mala and Kesava were married for two years. Mala's parents were poor and couldn't give dowry in her marriage. Her mother in law didn't leave a single occasion to taunt her and Kesava too went by his mother's side. Kesava was a rickshaw driver and his job paid him peanuts. Mala tried to convince Kesava to work extra but in vain. Left with no option Mala started working in Murugan's Pickles and Papad company. Initially Mala was reluctant to do a job but now it was her only solace. The only way to get away from her dreadful home. Each night she waited for the dawn. A dawn engulfed with energy, charm and positivity of Lord Balaji. A dawn when she could see Vishnu Sir, her manager.

The first gleam of the sun lit up Mala's mood and she sipped her magic coffee listening to soft bollywood songs. It was the most de-stressing activity for Mala. She was dressed in a simple red cotton sari and the Chandanam on her forehead made her looks traditional yet elegant.

A bunch of fresh jasmine flowers (Madurai Malligai ) kajra was tucked with a small hair pin on her curly hair. It was considered that fragrance of Madurai Mallipoo spread peace and good fortune. But for Mala . Her mother in law was on rage again.

" Aiyo Aiyo Venkateshwara save me from this pompous women. Leave that coffee and give me my breakfast. "

"Amma the breakfast is ready. "

"Then who will serve me ? Your Appa..... "She was about to bump Mala down.

"Give Amma her breakfast and rush to your office. We need your money." Kesava interrupted .

Mala served them the breakfast and rushed towards her office.

'No one bothers for me. ' She said to herself. Pinching her lips together in agony she paced towards Murugan's Pickles and Papad factory. Murugan's factory was a typical small-scale cottage industry enhancing women empowerment. It had a small factory with about twenty ladies for the labor jobs and few managers to manage the day-to-day working.

The security guard greeted Mala in a very screwy way.

"Anna why do you always grin while greeting me? " She asked him quizzically. As always he just grinned again.

"Strange ." Mala thought and hurried towards her work place. The torment of Kesava and his mom lingered on Mala's grimacing face till she saw a tiffin placed in a cloth bag on her table. Her eyes glanced everywhere and then they met Vishnu Sir's deep eyes.

The warmth of his eyes softened Mala. His eyes always had a concern for her. Everyday someone kept breakfast tiffin on her table. Mala was sure it was Vishnu Sir. Though he barely spoke his eyes said it all. The feeling that someone cared made her feel special. Mala was not attracted to him but she adored Vishnu Sir for his concern.

"I feel you should ask Vishnu Sir about the tiffin." One of Mala's friend said to her.

"It's very embarrassing. " Mala said wiping her hands from the fresh mango pickle masala.

"He is soft caring person. I am sure he will not feel bizarre if you ask him. " Mala's friend said as she started pickling the lemon.

"Let me think. "

That night Mala was thinking about Vishnu Sir. She was confused.

"What shall I do Lord Balaji??? Shall I ask Vishnu Sir?" She was talking with Lord's frame. Mala saw Kesava approaching towards her and she quickly wrapped the frame inside her blanket.

Next day had an aura of nervousness as Mala had decided to ask Vishnu Sir. As usual, security guard greeted Mala which a mischievous smile and her breakfast tiffin was ready on her table . Vishnu Sir was busy in his work when Mala knocked the door.

"O Mala come in come in. " He said with a comforting smile.

'Surely he is the person who is doing this generous act.' Mala thought.

Mala sat awkwardly.

"Any problem with work?" He asked.

'Yes he is the one. Look at the compassion in his eyes. He is the one. '

"Mala ??????"

"Yes sir..."

"What's the matter?"

"Vishnu Sir this may sound weird but I have to ask you one question .."

"Go ahead."

"Are you the one who keeps breakfast tiffin at my table? "

"Breakfast tiffin ???"

"Yes tiffin.." Mala repeated.

"No Mala I don't . Why should I ??"

"You don't ???? But your looks are always affectionate towards me...."

"Yes I care for you. Maybe it must be reflecting in my eyes. I respect all women employees in this factory. You all are diligent workers who suffer great hardship and still are so good at work. And you are one of them."

"Oooo. Sorry Sir."

"No worries Mala. "

"Then who must be keeping ???" Mala murmured and left his cabin perplexed.

Vishnu Sir's words 'You are one of them.' pricked her heart badly. She tossed and turned all night long. The fact that she was not special but just one of them made her restless. She took Lord Balaji's frame near her and cried her heart out.

Next day came with the atmosphere of resolution. Resolution to find the person who kept the tiffin. Mala left home early with an excuse to meet her ailing friend.

She reached her factory at sharp eight and camouflaged behind a huge banyan tree. At about 8.30 she saw Kesava's rickshaw approaching her factory gate. Kesava got out with a cloth bag and handed over to the security guard. Security Anna went inside the factory. After few minutes he came and Kesava handed him a paan. They both smiled and Kesava turned towards his rickshaw.

Kesava was about to start his rickshaw when Mala appeared in front of him. Her posture was stiff. She was staring at him incredulously with her eyelashes fluttering rapidly. The whole situation was ineffable.

"You..?....Why.?.......?.." Mala asked with a shaky voice.

"Because I love you. " Kesava said moving his head down. His love for her was silent and deep. Deeper than ocean. Deepest intense love ever.

Mala grasped his collar and cried aloud WhyWhy why??????She embraced him and cried till she melted in his warm arms. Kesava loosened his grip and wiped her tears with his rough hands.

"Amma will never understand my love for you. If I show my love, Amma will turn more nasty. I can't afford to lose you...." Kesava sighed. The fear of losing Mala made Kesava mentally fuzzy.

"I always wanted you to work and so I pretended to be lazy. I am not lazy Mala. I am that person who loves you. Only you. I care for you. You are special so very special for me. "He continued. His grip tightened on Mala's arm.

Mala was unable to utter anything as she still was in a stupor. Gradually all the events came in front of her eyes. Whenever Kesava slapped her it was more of a sound than an impact. It never pained Mala. Under the pretext of money, he always encouraged her to work. He was never aggressive in bed but was soft as a feather. Never did he touch her against her wishes.

'Sometimes God is standing in front of us but we fail to recognize him. ' She said to herself.

"There is a difference between a caring person and a person who cares for you. A caring person will care for everyone. But a person who cares only for you is a special person. Only and only meant for you. That's what you are Kesava . My lover..."

She understood the difference between Vishnu Sir and Kesava. Vishnu Sir was a caring person but Kesava was Mala's special person. Who cared only for her.

"Sit in the rickshaw Mala. Let's visit your Lord Balaji today. . "Kesava said and opened green leaves wrapper.

"Sweet fragrant Madurai mallipoo for you." He said as he tucked the flowers on her curly hair...

As they headed towards Lord Balaji's temple Kesava said " I know you like Bollywood songs." He switched his tape recorder.

A soft romantic song started and it seemed that the words were meant solely for them. The sequence eventuated few moments back blended with the lyrics so beautifully.

Kuch na kaho .... Kuch bhi na kaho....

Kya kehna hai..... Kya sunnaa hai....

Tumko pata hai .....mujko pata hai....

Samay ka ye pal...... Thum sa Gaya hai

Aur is pal main ..... Koi nahi hai

Bas ek main hu ......Bas ek tum ho

Kuch na kaho .......kuch bhi na kaho

1. The journey of Tirumala mountains was the most fascinating one for Mala for she knew that Lord Balaji was always with her in the guise of her lover....Kesava........