after squeals of delight from my daughter who wouldn't know a ferragamo from a frock stitched by the local roadside tailor, sarcastic comments about overpriced italian brands, courtesy my son, and my observations on the psychological differences between paying a couple of hundred dollars vs many thousands of rupees for a tie, we settled in to the usual crazy dinner conversations the family is known to have!
the topic of conversation today was chellam and her penchant for everything branded, hyped and overpriced, and how she would soon (in about 11 years :)) have to foot her own bills.
amidst much hooting and laughter and protests, we figured out this is how she would probably fill her closets with designer junk.
chellam, from somewhere in europe, calling her brother - haaii annnaa!!! (some polite conversation follows)
brother, rudely cutting her off - ok, what do you want?
chellam - nothing anna, it's my birthday in a few days, so i was wondering if you were planning to get me a present. (silence on the line, so chellam bravely pushes on) anna, will you get me a pair of jimmy choos?
long silence again, then, brother - sure... in your dreams! (click of receiver in her ear)
chellam calls her mother next. polite conversation follows, then - ma, its my birthday in a few days...
mother, cutting in- yes, bangaru, i know. i've arranged for a special puja and a homam in your name. i'll send you the prasadam as soon as i get it. put some kumkum on your forehead every night without fail, ok?
chellam rolling her eyes -her mother's a hopeless case- and hanging up. she can always blame it on the connection later!
she calls her father.
father - yes, what is it? i'm in the middle of a monthly review meeting!
chellam - no nana, it's my birthday in a few days, and i was wondering if i could pick up a present for myself.
father, relieved that that's all it is, and figuring he can get off the phone in less than 2 minutes, is all sweet and indulgent now - sure kanna, get yourself something nice. what do you want?
chellam - nothing much nana. is a pair of shoes or something like that ok with you?
father, glancing at his watch - sure kanna, get yourself a couple of nice pairs. but get something sensible, not something horrible in purple or orange, ok? take care of yourself. are you dressing warmly enough? don't go out in the wind without your thermals. i've got to go now. call me on sunday. love you.
chellam hangs up with a wide grin on her face. 2 pairs! yyyesss!!
father hangs up with a sigh of relief. shoes!! now back to the meeting.
of course he has no idea what shoes she has in mind or how much they cost, and she's not going to be around when the credit card slip arrives and he bursts a blood vessel!
No comments:
Post a Comment