Samosa - A short story

“Ayya here is today’s earnings” shouted young Velu from the door-step.

“Drop it in the box as usual” retorted his boss from a distant, chewing betel nut .

Each vendor had his own box respectfully, a piggy bank sort of, in which they had to drop the day’s earnings. This was their routine.

Velu dropped the money. “So did you sell extra samosas today?” asked Ayya.

“No Ayya, you know the summer has started and the trains are too crowded nowadays”,Velu expressed with grief.

“Alright! Alright! don’t feel shy to shout, be active with your customers”

“Okay Ayya I’ll leave now” Velu walked out of the house.

The next day Velu started with his job, crying aloud “Samosa! Samosa! 4 for 10! 4 for 10! Sir! Madam! Hot and spicy samosa!”.Velu finished his job as the sun descended down the horizon. After entrusting the earnings to his employer, he met his friends in the theatre as they planned. Velu’s only outlet was cinema. He spared a little money apart from the savings to watch a movie at least, once in a month.

“Didn’t get the tickets? Is it housefull?” Velu enquired his friend.

“No! the movie has been banned” reported his friend. Velu returned back almost devastated.

The next day after finishing his job, he went to Ayya’s house and dropped the day’s money. “Stop Velu!” yelled ayya. Velu’s heart started to beat fast against his chest.

Ayya proceeded in a loud voice, “How much did you drop today?”.

“300 Rupees Ayya”

“Yesterday?”

"As usual 300 Ayya”

“No you didn’t drop 300 yesterday!”

“I promise Ayya I dropped 300”.

“No! what if I prove you wrong? Will you quit this job and give back all the belongings and walk out? I thought you’d be loyal to me, that’s the reason I never check the money you drop”, Ayya flared in fury.

“Ayya I’m sorry, but I didn’t spend a penny from the earnings that day! what would I do without this job?”velu’s eyes almost welled up.

“Go to your mansion! Sleep! Think well and come here tomorrow”

“Okay Ayya” Velu left the place petrified. He felt a lump in his throat which he couldn’t swallow. He ransacked his whole room in the mansion as soon as he reached, waking up his room-mates. He checked his savings and it had the same amount that he had the previous day. He enquired his friends about the missing money. But it turned out to be futile as everyone was proved innocent. He mumbled in a low voice“two 50 rupee notes, ten 10 rupee notes, one 100 rupee note as far as I remember. I would have dropped a note somewhere on the street maybe. God please save me from this!”.  Velu dozed off crying.

       The next day as usual after selling all the samosas, he went to Ayya’s house. “Did you recall anything at all?” asked Ayya with a crooked smile. “No Ayya, forgive me please! It is due to my negligence! here is some money from my savings, I would have missed the money on the street or in train. Please don’t throw me out of this job Ayya!” begged Velu as tears warmed up his cheeks. Ayya suddenly burst into laughter. “Calm down Idiot! You dropped 400 rupees! 100 Rupees more than the normal amount. What if this had happened while selling Samosas? What if you had returned extra money to the customers, do you think they will give you back? Be cautious while handling money, this is business! Never make this mistake again!” smiled Ayya handing a 100 rupee note to Velu.

-THE END-

- Lohithaksha Sreedharan

Edited by: Nivetha Sivasamy

Why not Women from the entertainment industry?

It is weird that my facebook wall has been filled with sprortswomen, women politicians, women CEOs, women entrepreneurs etc. Oh! it is Women's day. But the question is where have all these women been these days? My facebook wall is usually filled with posts regarding actresses, models, and the screenshot of their favorite movie clips in which the glam lady walks with pride when a huge crowd of boys are drooling. This particular scene is from a movie, so the Heroine has to act, not just before such a huge crowd but also in front of so many cameras and technicians. Do you think that's a child's play? No way! Have you ever tried to cross gang of girls or crossed a Women's college all alone? Dude, you'll piss in your pants! I can't face a group of girls, It feels so awkward, I act strange at such times. Now, think of that actress, you got to salute her! What about a ramp walk? Woah that walk with such large stilettos, eating nothing but tissue paper with some Coke before a model shoot.

My question is why don't you wish Women from the Cinema and modelling industry? Why don't you take them as an example for hardwork and successful people. Why only Mary Kom? Saina Nehwal, Deepika Pallikal and Indra Nooyi. Everyday the women from Media industry keep us entertained, you can't ignore a Shreya Ghoshal (oops! she got married, banned from the hearts of boys and cinema!) or Chitra ma'am song when you are too romantic, you can't watch a movie if there isn't a romance or sentiment scene. Our days are filled with women from cine, modelling and journalism industry. They are the wallpaper of most of the teenage boys. Switch on your TV, women newsreaders. Especially newsreaders for hearing impaired are mostly women. I salute to this lady!

I owe a lot to Women from Tamil cine-industry, I've been brought up by seeing them on screen doing wonders and giving life to a cinema, they've made laugh like hell. Here are a few

Late Sukumari, I remember first seeing her in Cho's dramas, her sense of humor, her wit will leave you amazed, you'll surely die laughing, her stage presence and her pride are applaudable. I don't know how she managed to act more than 2500 films.

Urvashi. Yes! Thirupu! Did you giggle? I did LOL. She's one heck of a talented lady, also with a great sense of humor. Her acting is just wow, and instant laugh guaranteed. I wish to see her in a lot more films, she deserves respect. I'm waiting for her pairing with Kamal Haasan again in Uttama Villain.

Manorama Aachi, I need not say she's a Legend the Queen of acting and comedy, also a singer. Who can't tap a leg for her song "Va vadhiyare ootanda, nee vara kaati na vidamaten, jaam bajaar jakku, naa Saidapetai kokku" in a Madras slang. 

Saranaya Ponvanan, I don't need to tell about her acting, starting with the movie "Nayagan" she is the apt actress for Mother roles. Who knows she is also an entrepreneur? She is interested in fashion designing.

Sridevi!! I need not say about her acting, the secret crush of all our dads. Who can forget her recent acting in English Vinglish? She doesn't seem to age.

Jyotika, my favorite actress. Now a mother of two, devoted to her husband Surya and her family. Why can't she be an inspiration? Duh, ma'am we are waiting for your comeback!

Abhinaya, one of the actress who got my attention in recent times. I was shell-shocked to know that she is hearing and speech impaired. She brings out emotions on screen with ease. I hope she gets more films. You totally deserve my respect!

Rohini ma'am, I've always admired her role in "Virumaandi" her patience in her character and her ideologies were thought provoking. I couldn't imagine anyone else would suit that role. Least we know that she is also an author, scriptwriter, documentary and short film maker. I remember once Kamal Haasan had mentioned in an interview that he could see his own essence in her ideologies. I'd love to see you as a director in a movie soon ma'am.

Kasthuri, I know her as she did a very good role in the movie "Indian". Only when she hosted a Quiz show in a Tamil channel, I came to know about her knowledge in science, history,GK and also in Cinema. She totally deserves my respect.

DD! aka DivyaDarshini, she impressed with her roles in "Nala Damayanthi and Whistle", when she seemed to fade away from Media, Bam!! she started to succeed as a VJ. She is a celebrity host now! After her father passing away, she struggled hard to come up in her life and also raised up her younger brother, who is now a pilot. and now she's happily married.You are a true inspiration to many girls DD!

Silk Smitha, the dusky beauty who ruled Tamil cinema, who is no more. Regardless of all the comments, they need courage to act with passion on screen. You have my respect lady!

Sunny Leone! did your eyes pop? Yes, she is from the Porn industry. But how many know that she called of the filming of a scene, only because kids were playing on the streets, there are plenty of actress who go filming item numbers with kids on spot. You got my attention at first, now you deserve my respect lady! Going to post negative comments? Dude, I know you pre-booked tickets for"Leela"

Not only actress, there are many women working behind the cameras in Media industry. I'be listed only a few there are plenty of talented women in Entertainment industry, just because now it has changed from art to business doesn't mean they are not artists, they wear a hell lot of make up, on screen and off screen, smile for everything, act even when they are off-screen. Face all the comments, balance their family, keep in touch with their fans, and finally when they are about to marry, Damn! they are ignored from cinema, and their fans. They have got a life too, money isn't primary for them! They do it with a passion. Every profession has got its own ups and downs. Don't just see them as mere flesh. They deserve respect too!

All these days I've seen news such as an actress catching swine flu, and regular updates till she gets cured and continues with her filming. I haven't seen news regarding Mary Kom catching a flu or getting injured. But now you take her as an example. Why not the actress now? Respect women from the Media industry too.

Finally Happy Women's day, especially to the women in Media industry!

- Lohithaksha Sreedharan

 #Women'sday #IndianCelebrities #Womensday #IndianActress #WomenPower 

The sinister stranger

 “Oh! Shit! Not this guy again” muttered Vasu masking his face with a handkerchief and pretended to be far asleep. “The first day when this stranger wished me luck, all my photographs were bad, I lost my tripod, the weather was bad and to crown it all I was pulled over by the Army men. And I had a hard time convincing them I was a photographer who came there as a mere tourist and not as a spy. Lord! Please take me back safe to Chennai” Vasu said to himself. So scenic and pleasant was Kashmir that one would pay ten times the fare of bus ticket to get a window seat and to get immersed in the aesthetic beauty of her. But Vasu pretended like a soporific introvert in the bus, while others were marveled at the mountains nestled on the arms of mother nature. The cool breeze, as a result of the previous night’s torrential rain, was leaving slight kisses on his cheeks.  Soon Vasu cuddled up in his seat and fell asleep.

           “Hello Sir!” cried a man who was in his 40s, dressed in a suit with a muffler and wore sport-shoes. Vasu woke up to his greetings, and found the man whom he was trying to avoid sitting next to him.

“Have your photographs come out well?”

 “Yes! Very well” Vasu said trying hard to pull his lips to smile.

“So are you heading back to your hometown young photographer?”

“Yes, I hope the bus will reach Srinagar on time, I need to catch my flight” in need to end the awkward conversation.

 “Don’t worry! We Kashmiris are here to take care of our fellow Indians” exclaimed the man.

The stranger headed towards the driver and placed his hand on the driver’s shoulder which sent shudders through him. The bus lost control and came to a screeching halt as it passed through the slippery road in the dark tunnel. But soon the bus lost friction and rammed into a tree.

       The passers-by came running to help. Luckily, they were not much casualties. The bus conductor started to curse the man “don’t you have any sense? You scared the driver!”.

 The injured passengers were admitted to the nearby hospital which included Vasu. The next day Vasu got back to his senses and was discharged. The accident spared him with a few scars on his fore-head. Near the hospital gate, he again saw his bad-omen, with a broken arm and a sullen face. The man handed over Vasu’s camera kit and walked away without uttering a word.

Vasu headed back to his hotel and inquired about the next possible flight. Opposite to the reception on T.V flashed the news “Jammu and Kashmir has been hit by flood, gobbling up the lives of almost 200 people.  Srinagar and the surrounding villages has been filled with water of about 12 feet, IAF and BSF are at rescue.”  Vasu cursed himself as it continued “all the flight to and from Jammu and Kashmir has been canceled”.  He stayed back in Kashmir against his wishes until the weather was suitable for traveling. He never saw the sinister stranger again.

      One year later….

                         “And the best photograph under the ‘natural disaster’ category goes to Vasu from India. To tell more about him, his photos flashed in all newspapers and journals which shook India and the world in 2014 and saluted the Indian army and its rescue force. He gets the grand prize of $10,000 and a trip to our National Geographic headquarters in Washington DC”.  The whole crowd and media folks gave him a standing ovation.  Vasu, who was speechless by this gesture made his way through the audience and climbed the dais and received the statuette. With the mike fumbling in his hand he began to say “The true reason behind my achievement is a sinister stranger whom I encountered a few months back in Kashmir. I considered him to bring bad omen”. The whole crowd looked puzzled. Vasu continued “Yes indeed, a stranger who made my trip worse is the reason for me to witness the disaster and those despair moments. Volunteering in the rescue force helped me to understand what it means to help and to be helped. This made me become a better person. Who knew that it would change my outlook on life? No one is unlucky. It is the time which makes us feel so. What is bad will turn out to be good someday. If we killed all the black cats which crossed our paths, we would need a Pied Piper in each city. There is a deep seated purpose behind all the incidents .Thank you stranger!”

-Lohithaksha Sreedharan

Edited by: Nivetha Sivasamy