Mr Iyer was struggling with the lock. He was early from office due to severe headache. With a huff and puff he deposited his laptop and briefcase on the sofa. He was badly in need of a cup of hot coffee. Usually he would wait for his wife for such mercies.
But only in the morning she had shown him a newspaper that said the average Indian male spends only 19 minutes on household chores but 11 hours on personal care. Irritated partly by the truth and partly by the knack of Mrs Iyer rubbing him up the wrong way, he threw the paper and shouted, “See I work day and night to earn money to run the house without any difficulty. Don’t you think that is more difficult than your ordinary chores like cooking and cleaning? Don’t talk as if you are treated as a slave.”
He entered the kitchen and searched for coffee powder and sugar. He was perplexed to see a box full of 500-rupee notes behind the sugar container. When Mrs Iyer and her son Ashwin entered the house they saw Iyer sitting red-faced with a box in one hand and the notes in another. “What’s the matter? Why have you come early?” asked Mrs Iyer innocently. “Explain? What is there to explain? Can’t you see Gandhi in the currency notes?” “They are perfectly legal rupees, quipped his wife. “I know they are. But where do they come from? Are you doing any job without my knowledge?” asked Iyer. “Oh that! I saved a little from the money you usually give for household expenses. What’s the big deal?” said she.
“But the savings you claim is unaccounted and unapproved by me. So it amounts to illegal and black money!” fumed Iyer. “Oh you talk as if the box is Swiss bank and I have an account there and the few thousands I have amounts to black money! You are working in a government office and not respecting government policies. Any party that comes to power is mum. Why are you making this an issue?” asked Mrs Iyer.
“I am in no way a beneficiary!” Iyer retorted. “Appa, you may not be, but I am! From where do you think I get money to hang out with my friends? You insist on austerity measures through the year! What will I do?” said Ashwin. “You are also a party to this crime? I could not believe this! I thought you are a very responsible person! As the head of this house I should have been informed about this long back!” said Iyer.
Ashwin smiled. “Appa, there are three things you must know! Firstly, you may be supreme in the household but no court. Second, one man does not constitute an SIT. Finally and most importantly, I have signed a confidentiality clause with Amma. So I am not in a position to reveal anything. Do one thing Appa, wait till the government takes action against black money holders and then you can follow suit. Until then, chill,” said the son and coolly walked out of the room.
Mr Iyer felt his head spin. Mrs Iyer beamed.