Annamma's Chicken 65

“Ma, that Anitha’s husband Senthil…called me at work yesterday…Annamma bring some chicken 65 when you come. Thoo”, Annamma spat viciously. He doesn’t go to work. But he wants chicken 65 everyday!

“Anitha has completed beautician course. She’s my eldest. I thought she will grow up and help me. He doesn't let her work. Who will take care of the children it seems. Miya beevi sitting at home, taking care of children now. But no money for food. Kya ba?”, she chuckled.

“Sometimes I think they’re his children, why should I buy them milk? Anisa is five but the baby is only two. Paapa, what did they do wrong?”

*
“Like in Rajni films, I went to poli-tation yesterday. That old lady I work for, she lost a diamond ring. Why do I need it? To wear while cleaning toilets?”.

“She didn’t even let me enter the house, you know”, Annamma said, counting. “17 years I have worked for her. Ten years longer than I’ve worked for you, ma. In the tation I told them, the only ring I know is curtain ring. Even the police woman laughed, ma! Anyway, she found it later. So they let me go...to get chicken 65! Ha…ha…ha!”

*
Anisa is the best. She tells her parents—no fighting, no hitting, no screaming in front of the baby. “But Anitha? One slap, she will faint. Like a serial actress”, Annamma rubbed her cheek.

I tell them, make it work or go separate ways. My mister, he’s a drunkard. Full fit. All the time. Just lying opposite the church, shameless. Annamma lowered her voice, “Even begging outside the supermarket”. A bigger laugh followed.

“All that is OK. But when my son Selva died at 21, my mister didn’t come. Selva was in the ICU for 32 days. So much left to live. But our lord Jesus has a plan”, folding her hands at the ceiling, she prayed, “Yesuvee, natha!”

“The hospital bill was two lakhs. I didn’t beg. I’m still paying back that loan. I called my mister when Selva was first hospitalised. He didn’t come. Why do I need a husband like this, ma?” she didn’t need an answer.

*
“Yesterday my mister came home to beg. He is sick. Half of Bengaluru’s liquor is inside him. I told him, the money tree in my backyard got cut down for metro construction”, she guffawed.

I was married off at 16. Since then I’ve been his ATM. Still, he sold everything at home for his next drink.

People said have children, he will clean up. It cleaned up—my purse—with two new mouths to feed. Now my Selva is also gone. Yesterday was his death anniversary. I took it out on my mister. Called him names. He just stood there and listened.

Senthil said, give Ayya the money. Don’t waste it on Janamma. Janamma’s my sister, ma. She took care of all of us when she was able. Now she is old and sick. This is my future also, no? But if I fight with Senthil, he will abandon Anitha and the children.

So quietly I packed our bags and took Janamma to the railway tation. We slept there. It will be difficult but I’ll find us a room soon. Let everyone learn to fend for themselves.

Jesus has a plan for me.