Arundhati Roy writes about her "Mother Mary" Roy (Mrs. Roy - founder of Pallikkoodam) "comes to me", but Annakkutty - as she flips pages - sees her mother (Mrs. Samuel) coming to her. (Obviously NOT because Mrs. Roy and Mrs. Samuel were teachers!)
Mrs. Roy (the Mother Mary) - in Annakkutty's view -
does not reflect just Mrs. Samuel, she reflects Annakkutty (as a mother) too.
Most children brought up by mothers - who by choice or not - have to battle out life like an "iron lady" - would find Mrs. Roy very similar to their mothers -I feel so or so would I prefer to believe.
Arundhati refers to herself as an "organ child" - a child who whole heartedly was ready to breathe - to be the lungs - for her highly asthmatic mother when she was just a kid.
When you do not have another person - apart from your mother - who will take care of you -
You love them with all your heart, a part of you shuddering on the slightest thought of losing them - because you know that you'll be out on the streets - if not for her.
And you start being the organ child, understanding their battles, being thoughtful of not burdening them in anyways, not adding even a feather to the load they are already carrying.
Arundhati deals with Mrs. Roy in a way - not quite the same way from how her brother LKC deals with it - though they both would have received a somewhat similar parenting.
Yes, growing up in the same home, under the same circumstances - the influence it has on each varies. If LKC writes a "Mother Mary comes to me", I bet it would be a different perspective, it would be "his" Mother Mary!
Arundhati at multiple instances feels about herself " as a girl who - 'he' will not introduce to 'his' parents" however awesome you are as a person. This - was and is - a thought that has always been with Annakkutty since her teenage days, aggravated in her twenties and remians with her in her late thirties - (which Annakkutty does not care at all now! 😎).
Annakkutty is highly relieved that - if some one like "Arundhati Roy" has felt so, it's not an unnatural thought! 😂
As rain pours down at Trivandrum, the book brings a downpour of tears from Annakkutty!
On a different note -
With a slight grin (anxiety??) Annakkutty wonders if her 10 year old (luttappi) will - one fine day - write a book "When Annakkutty comes to me".
What would she write in that - mindful of the fact that Annakkutty also falls into the same motherhood category?
She can may be use the image here - of Annakkutty's water bottle with a tablet (A vitamin supplement for the 'malnourished' mother 🤪) on the top.
A scene that happens twice a day where -
Luttappi before she leaves to school at 7 AM -
Takes the tablet from the wrap, keeps it on top of Annakkutty's water bottle so that Annakkutty doesn't miss having it.
Same goes at night 8 PM -
Thanks Buddy! 🤩
Amma loves you a lot (that she expresses with cuddles and hugs inspite of being pushed away 😌) - though we kind of shout 5 times a day!
I have to be a bit of Mrs. Samuel - but I am by all means trying to be a much better version of Mrs. Samuel!
Of course I am a highly upgraded version - if you've doubts, you can check with my fellow survivor - my sister! 🫣 ❤️
