Vanjaram

Ramana took his cycle and cycled to the fish market. He lived in a slum nearby a beach.As he neared the fish market the smell of the fish gave him excitement.It is the second Sunday of the month, one of the two days he would buy Vanjaram fish for one kilo for his family of 6 members: him, his wife, his two children one of 10 years age and the other 15 years, his father and his mother. The other day was the fourth Sunday of every month. They would eat both lunch and dinner with Vanjaram fish curry and Vanjaram fish fry.Spending 800 rupees twice a month was quite a fortune considering his average salary of round about 16000 rupees.He rode an autorickshaw for a living.He and his entire family devoured the fish and it became a ritual and a must of their lives.

He reached the market, put his cycle on stand and moved towards a woman selling Vanjaram fish.He inquired the price.

“1000 rupees per kg”

the fish seller woman shouted.

“1000 rupees? I buy for 800 rupees everytime”

Ramana retorted.

“Where is Kannagi akka?”

Ramana asked.

He was a regular customer to her.She always sold the fish for 800 rupees to him.And on every fifth purchase she even discounted 100 rupees.

“She didn’t come.Her father died”

the woman shouted back.

“How”

he asked out of concern.

“Died of old age thambi.Heart attack.She will come back tomorrow”

“Alright take it for 800 rupees. How do you want to cut it?”

she added.

“Cut it long and thin. Need for both fry and curry”

he replied.

He got the fish in the black plastic cover which every fish seller used, put it in the cover he bought and cycled back to his home ,his mouth watering at the thought of tasting Vanjaram fry.The sound of fish frying in oil ringed on his ears.His wife had mastered preparing Vanjaram fish curry and Vanjaram fish fry. Though the fish was more suited for the fry than the curry she made them both every time.

On seeing their father arrive , Murugan the 10 year old boy and Kamakshi his 15 year old sister lighted up.Their mouths watered too.

“Appa , Raghu mama came today morning. He said Patti should not eat fish fry.She has lot of fat in blood”

Murugan told his father.

“Dei Muruga how many times will I say you. I won’t become collector staying alive. No one can stop me eating it. I will die eating Vanjaram fish fry on my deathbed. Keep it in mind”

Kamakshi Patti after whom Ramanna’s daughter was named shouted at Murugan on hearing him.

“Patti is strong Muruga. Don’t worry”

Ramana laughed, went inside his slum house and handed over the fish to his wife.She had already prepared masala for the fish curry.She washed the fish in a mud pot, partitioned them into two sections, one for the curry and another for the fry.She applied chilli powder on the partition for fry and kept it aside for the powder to get soaked with the fish.

After some time passed , she took the soaked up fish, lit the stove, put a pan on it , poured oil and gently placed the fish pieces.The cooking sounded like rain drops dripping on floor.

“Mama , why don’t you join Ola Auto? Manoharan joined already na , he is earning good profits it seems”

she asked as she toppled a vanjaram piece upside down to cook it on the other side.

“It will get hectic, need to do a lot of trips.I don’t like it”

“Just try once , if you don’t like you can leave it na”

she tried to convince him.

“Stop it Bhagya , we will talk about it later.Is the fish ready?”

he inquired.

“In few minutes”

she said checking the fish curry which was boiling on the other burner.

The ritual started.The whole family sat on the floor. Bhagya served banana leaves to everyone. Every time Ramanna bought Vanjaram fish he bought banana leaves too. He liked the fish meal to be served on them.

Bhagya switched off the TV.This meal wasn’t to be disturbed by any distraction.She first served water, then rice , then the fish curry followed by the fish fry in the same order she has been serving them since she married Ramanna.

The entire family munched on the meal , Sundaram , Ramanna’s father burping now and then.

“Tasty as always, you are a Vanjaram fish Chef.Give one more piece of fry”

Ramanna appreciated.

Bhagya blushed and served him another piece.And others asked for extra piece too.

“We need for dinner too. This is the last piece”

she reminded everyone.

Once everyone finished their meal , she served herself and devoured her dish.She found it tasty too.

As soon as Ramanna finished the call , he put on his auto driver uniform, took his auto and waited outside a nearby flat waiting for a ride.

An young lad dressed in tee and jeans wih an ID card hanging over his neck came to him. He was starting to work on second shift.

“How much for Siruseri IT park ?”

“Give 150 rupees brother”

“150 rupees? I book for 100 rupees in Ola auto.Will you come for 100 rupees or not?”

“100 rupees wont suffice sir.Let’s settle for 120 rupees”

“No chance”

he said and then opened Ola app in front of him, booked a ride and showed him.

“See just 100 rupees.Good that we have this app else you will keep cheating us”

Ramanna got angry but kept it to himself. This was not the first time he faced such remarks.And this was the first time he controlled his anger.

“Leave then”

he said.

He waited for few more minutes.Another young lad came to him and asked him the same question.He was working in the same area. Ramanna reduced his cost to 100 rupees.The lad opened the app and saw the same amount for the ride.He asked Ramanna if he would give an offer as he could book for the same amount online. Ramanna declined.He ignored Ramanna and booked a ride online.

The evening went by.Ramanna made a total of 250 rupees.

Bhagya called him over phone as dinner time approached.

“When are you coming for dinner?.Vanjaram fry is waiting for you”

Ramanna’s mouth watered.