The F(L)AKE Story!!

In fondest memory of my Grandfather (Ajja), I write this sweet little incident which I, my sister (Akka) and Dad (Appa) shared.

The most treasured things in life are found in a treasure box called Memories. The more we enjoy life, the more we fight, the more we forgive, the more we love and laugh, the more we learn lessons, the only thing we are creating are priceless memories.

It was a usual day for the rest of them at home, but for me and Akka it was something special because our guardian angel Ajja was at home. Our beloved Ajja was our Guide, Guru and a protector from scolding’s of my parents, which was obvious because of our naughtiness.

When Ajja was around, it was like being with a walking and talking Santa. He was grandchildren’s favourite as he got us whatever we asked for and he also made sure that my parents get us what we asked for. As we are 80s kids, we did not desire for something huge. Huge meaning, a phone/ tab/ laptop, etc. But our demand was something simple. Simple for us, but for our parents it was something very new.

We were blessed to watch colour television. The ad pops up on the TV; me and Akka open our mouth wide and watch this ad of KELLOGG’S CORN FLAKES. The flakes are poured into a classic china, the cut fruits, honey and the milk made it look so yummy that we could not close our wide open mouth till the next ad started.

We knew which God’s doors to knock when it came to get new stuffs or what we wanted. We asked Ajja to order Appa to get the corn flakes right away. As Ajja was in a very respectable position, Appa had to buy us what we wanted.

Appa called me and Akka into the room, where Ajja couldn’t hear us and warned us about buying corn flakes. There was this common rule at home, which we all followed sincerely “No wasting Food”. Appa was very strict about it and he was very sure that we were not accustomed to this kind of food. As he always said when we were about to waste food, He told in a thick voice, “If you don’t finish what I get you, I will tie the food to your ear”. Ah! Who cares, all we had in mind was mouth-watering corn flakes.

After listening to both the parties, our beloved Judge Ajja passed the ordinance saying “treat my grandchildren with a bowl of corn flakes which looks just like the one which comes on TV”. As we had won the case after fighting very hard for our rightful bowl of corn flakes, the only thing which was awaited was to eat and finish off the bowl full of yummy looking corn flakes.

That’s it! Cornflakes bought- Check, Milk poured-Check, Honey Mixed- Check, Cut fruits for the dressing-Check. Appa made it look so yummy. He brought three bowls of cornflakes, one for the judge, one each for the plaintiff’s. Indeed “don’t go by the looks”. Yes, we were trapped.

First spoon of cornflakes goes into our mouth and we see each other’s face and say--- was it for this we fought so much? Yeah, we were Idli, Vada and Masal Dosa people and not at all Corn flakes people. Appa was so damn right.

Assuming all the consequences we might face if at all we waste the food, I and Akka slowly vanished from the Dining area and slipped near the attic to throw the yummiest looking food. As we were about to throw, a thick voice shouts out our names, we panic, we fall down from the attic, started to run thinking it was Appa who caught us. Realising our mistake, we turn back to apologies, the next thing we see is, person standing behind us was not Appa and Guess what? It was Ajja who was about to ask us to throw his bowl of cornflakes as well with a disgusting look on his face. We finish our act in a hurry.

Hush! Me, Akka and Ajja were so relieved that Appa did not notice us while we did what we shouldn’t have done.

We all went to Appa and sincerely apologised for pleading him to get cornflakes and we all shared a healthy laugh together. Appa was happy that his kids and his Father-in-law would never pester him again with things like this and cheerfully slipped into his work.

The next thing we see on TV is “CHOCOS ad with yummy chocolate flakes falling into a bowl of milk”…. Of course, you know what happens next!!

Signing off with my favourite quote--“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure”… Miss you Ajja.

Merry Christmas and happy holiday’s folks… Have fun and go look for your Santa.

 

Ranju…