MALE HOUSE WIFE
After graduation, I registered my name in the Employment
Exchange and was called to attend a written Dictation Test at Ernakulam. I
qualified and was appointed in the Defence Department. But after three months,
I was discharged. Such appointments were purely
I liked to help Ma in the kitchen. She used to say I have
‘kaipunnyam’ . If I just add salt, the dish will be liked by all. As I liked
kitchen work, I used to do all that work and learned to cook several dishes and
snacks. Soon I joined a catering outfit and began earning salary.
During a marriage feast, a fair girl named Keerthy liked me
and asked about my background. Soon her parents contacted my father and our
marriage was fixed. During ‘pennukaanal’ I enquired about her . She was not at
all shy.
“I am employed in a Project near Raipur in MP. I am Chief’s
steno and earn good salary. Are you willing to marry me? Of course, you will
have to do kitchen work. I hate to do that.” Soon we were married, as she did
not have much leave.
I never had sex. I thoroughly enjoyed the first night.
The journey to Raipur was interesting , as I had never been
outside Keralam. The crossing of the Krishna river was exciting. “you like travel;
I too love it. Now I have you as guardian and we will travel to one place every
year. I liked you at first sight , now I
love you all the more. Do you know Hindi?” “Only some words “ “Does not matter .
I have some Malayalee friends. The wife of our Chief Engineer, Kurien is a fast
friend of mine. She will give you company during day time. Her name is Ann,
belongs to Kottayam.”
Ann had come to the railway station to receive us. She took
us in her car. It was useful, as we had several bags full of things like coconut,
banana etc. Our quarter had two bed rooms. She took rest that day, from the
next day, she went to office. Ann came by about ten. She is a real beauty, with
bobbed hair and sleeveless blows, showing her clean armpits. She was not at all shy and
remained in the kitchen , helping me to set things in order. “This is the
trouble with Keerthi, very careless. She hates kitchen work. I enjoy it. Show
me how you make dosa and sambar. My dosa is tasteless, Kurien says.” Her presence
encouraged Hindi speaking ladies too, to come and enjoy my company. They taught
me how to make North Indian dishes and achars.
Keerthi came from office late, almost daily. On Saturdays it
was half day. Sundays we went out . Ann came with car and we three made good
company.
On week days, I got up at five. She woke up only in time, to
get ready and go. I used to keep three sets of tiffins-one for morning breakfast,
one for meal and a third for snacks at four. As the Project Manager liked my
preparations , I kept extra quantities for him. One day, he came with Keerthi
and praised me :”My PA has made an excellent choice. I shall increase her
salary” he said. “Come and see our office.”
Two years passed . We went home once only. This time, Keerthi’s
sister too came with us . She got appointment in store section. She is not so
fair as her sister, but joined in helping me in the kitchen. In another six months,
the inevitable thing happened; my wife
became pregnant. She wanted to get rid
of it, but her sister and Ann, both vehemently
opposed it; finally, she gave in. To my suggestion, to have the delivery at
home , it was pointed out that there are excellent Hospital facilities at
Raipur.
As the date came nearer and nearer, my wife became very
anxious. Her mother came to console her.
Operation became inevitable as her condition worsened by the
hour. I remained by her side , holding her hand in mine. Then she was taken to
the operation theatre.
We all waited and prayed. At last, a bonny boy was brought
by the nurse and placed in my hand, saying :“Congratulations.”
After another half hour, her dead body was brought out. :”We are sorry Sir. “ said the Doctor.
I married her sister.
