When I was at home, taking the Big Break and pretending to be all cultural, I was learning to dance. I would get nicely decked up, wear a dance sari and cycle to my teacher's house. This was in Chennai, in the summer, and usually, the class lasted for one hour. So, once on my way back, when I saw an elaneer kaari I stopped. Just then a kutti girl also came with her cousin/neighbour/maid's daughter. Non-mother older female, essentially.
Me: Neenga first vaangikonga
(You can get yours first)
NMOF: Ille ma, nee vaangiko
(No no, you should get it first)
Me: Parava illenga. Chinna ponnoda vandirkeenga
(It's ok, you've come with a little girl.)
NMOF (to kid): Ei Surudhi, enna maadiri kaai venu? Thanniya vazhukkaiya?
(Ei Shruti, what kind do you want? One with lots of coconut water or with vazhukkai [this is the gooey white endosperm - yummilicious])
Kid (to me): Un per enna?
(What's your name?)
NMOF: Shu. Apdi ellam kekka koodadhu.
(Ssh, you shouldn't ask questions like that)
Me: Akka nu kooptuko
(You can call me akka [elder sister])
Kid: Ei akka, saari keezha yaaraadhu pant poduvaangala?
(Ei akka, have you seen anyone wear a pant underneath a sari?)
Gotto love Indian kids.
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