Paramyya’s Paddi

Parammayya was born and raised in a family with a hundred acres of coconut plantation and paddy fields. Due to the loss of his father at an early age, he had to halt his education. With all the household responsibilities resting on his shoulders, he arranged the marriages of his three sisters to good families. Later on, he married a daughter of a distant relative.
Parammayya has two sons. After completing their primary education in town, he ensured a promising future for them. Subsequently, he sent them to Bangalore for their college studies. For the children who had been away from their parents since childhood, their love and affection towards their parents was minimal.

Whenever Ammovru (sense of addressing someone respectfully, “madam” the paramayya’s wife) used to tell to Paramayya, “Our children should grow up at home. If we let them live according to their wishes, they will never learn to take care of us in the end.”
“Our children love us, they just don’t express it,” Paramayya used to comfort her, telling her not to worry.

As the children grew older and marriage became a topic of discussion, the eldest expressed his love for a girl in Bangalore and desired to marry her. Similarly, the younger one was in love with a Gujarati girl and was adamant about marrying her. With no alternative in mind, Parammayya arranged the marriages according to the children’s wishes. Their daughters-in-law often provided various excuses for their reluctance to visit the village after marriage. They showed little interest in understanding the joys and struggles of their parents-in-law. Instead, they would only visit for festivals two or three times a year. In later years, two of their children took their wives and children to America, where they settled down. They would visit their hometown once every two years.
Ramani was always there to help them. Since Ammovru didn’t have any daughters, she grew to love Ramani like her own. Paramayya felt the same. Even though Ramani worked as a helper in their home, they never treated her like just a worker. They considered her a cherished part of their family.
“Ramani, why haven’t you married yet?” Ammovru would ask. “You’re already twenty-three, and soon it will be difficult to find a suitable match.”
“Amma, my father is searching for a groom for me. But if I go to my husband’s house, who will take care of you and Ayya?” Ramani explained.

Ammovru, always advising Ramani about the importance of marriage, sighed. “My dear girl, look at my own children. They never call or write to ask if I’m alive or dead. Why are you postponing your marriage?”
Finally, Ammovru found a groom for Ramani, and Paramayya took care of all the expenses for her wedding, ensuring she married into a good family. the house felt vacant without Ramani. At times, Ammovru found herself talking to herself. Even though there were others to help, Ammovru ended up doing the chores herself. She often praised Ramani, reminiscing about how capable she was, to the other workers. Ramani was contacting Ammovru over the telephone whenever she had some free time.
One day, Ammovru slipped on the wet floor, fell, and hit her head, resulting in her admission to the hospital. Ramani stayed by her side for a week, taking care of her.

The children were called from America. As a couple of weeks passed, her body weakened due to the head injury and her diabetes. Eventually, she passed away without any medication aiding her
Parammayya spent his days reminiscing about his wife. Once, he traveled to America with his children. However, the atmosphere there was unwelcoming, with his daughters-in-law looking down on him because of his village background. Parammayya expressed his desire to his sons, saying, “No matter where I am, it will never feel like my hometown or my own place.” He requested them to send him back to town.
His children replied, “Father, you may be in town, but it won’t be the same as being at home. Now that you’re alone at home, don’t you need someone to take care of you if something goes wrong?” After their convincing, they admitted him to Vayodhama, an old-age home in their hometown.

The children were called from America. As a couple of weeks passed, her body weakened due to the head injury and her diabetes. Eventually, she passed away without any medication aiding her
Parammayya spent his days reminiscing about his wife. Once, he traveled to America with his children. However, the atmosphere there was unwelcoming, with his daughters-in-law looking down on him because of his village background. Parammayya expressed his desire to his sons, saying, “No matter where I am, it will never feel like my hometown or my own place.” He requested them to send him back to town.
His children replied, “Father, you may be in town, but it won’t be the same as being at home. Now that you’re alone at home, don’t you need someone to take care of you if something goes wrong?” After their convincing, they admitted him to Vayodhama, an old-age home in their hometown.

Parammayya spent his days reminiscing about his wife. Once, he traveled to America with his children. However, the atmosphere there was unwelcoming, with his daughters-in-law looking down on him because of his village background. Parammayya expressed his desire to his sons, saying, “No matter where I am, it will never feel like my hometown or my own place.” He requested them to send him back to town.
His children replied, “Father, you may be in town, but it won’t be the same as being at home. Now that you’re alone at home, don’t you need someone to take care of you if something goes wrong?” After their convincing, they admitted him to Vayodhama, an old-age home in their hometown.