“Nothing beats a cup of steaming hot coffee with a side of local news in print” he declared as his wife put the coffee down on the table. The morning edition of the local daily and filter coffee in a stainless steel tumbler was a routine. He glanced at the headlines as he reached for this coffee. “Bastards. Power hungry bastards. Every single one of them. They should be shot” he muttered under his breath as he took a sip of the steaming brew.

“Your coffee makes my morning brighter, Sitama” he yelled. He made it a point to compliment his wife atleast once a day. The secret of a happy marriage he believed. He hoped that the kids running around the house packing bags, grabbing lunch boxes, searching for lost stuff and gulping down hot breakfast simultaneously heard the words he uttered. Words were magic – they can make or break. Relationships especially survived on words. “Love, shove comes later. Words and the ability to talk to your spouse comes first” he muttered. Just like every other parent, he hoped that his teenage kids picked the right things and did not have to learn things the hard way like he had to.

Turning the pages of the newspaper, his eyes roamed around the black and white print. “Cinema, theft, molestations, and deaths. This is called news these days?” he splat angrily and rather routinely. He had a love-hate relationship with the newspapers and it was no secret. He grumbled and ranted – frequently and rather poetically that his family avoided him during his newspaper hour. This morning was no different as his eyes took it all in.

Posthumous Honour for Swami

Renowned singer-philanthropist  Swaminathan, who died last year, has been posthumously honored with the Icon award for his “outstanding contribution to music and the society”

“It’s a huge honour – our only regret is that my father is not receiving it himself,” his son, Mr. Ramnathan told the paper. “I think he would be very proud of this honour but he probably wouldn’t have regarded his efforts as particularly outstanding.”

Though in his lifetime, Swaminathan, had won a slew of awards, including a few National awards, this is the first time he has been honoured with the Icon Award.

A new composition by Swaminathan and his late wife Mrs.Bama (who died 5 years ago) was unearthed by his children and re-mastered for release. The composition Addikum Karam, which translates as The Hand that Beats, had remained unheard in his personal archives till it was discovered by his children after his death.

It is being released by Beta Records as part of an album of 50 of his best tracks. “Part of the sales will go to “Right to fight” an organization that helps victims of domestic abuse”, added Mr.Ramanathan

“Posthumous honour indeed” he snarled as he slammed the newspaper down. “How easy it is for people to place the dead on pedestals and shower them with honours. Does the world care about the truth? Ofcourse not.” he muttered as he gulped down the reminder of his coffee scalding his tongue. The bitterness of the coffee adding to the bitterness rising within him.

The world would love Addikum Karam. It was one brilliant piece of work. They will never know the pain, the tears and the suffering behind the words masterfully written by his mother. Words that helped escape from reality. A reality of abuse – physical and emotional. Years of abuse, hidden behind closed doors. Years of tears that the children watched helplessly.

“A donation to help other victims is just not enough. It will never be enough. I will always remain the helpless son” Ramanathan muttered glancing at his watch.

This post is a part of the April A to Z challenge. 26 days, 26 letters and 26 short stories. Come back tomorrow for more.