The long story of a "Medhu Vada" shop

The “Vada” is something that I would love eating all day, in fact, one of my favourite snack that I would devour without any second thoughts. The fluffy and delicious “Medhu vada”, oh wow I am in love with it. These vadas have been my weakness all through my life, be it the home-made vada or the ones that I buy from the roadside vendor - they are truly delicious every time.

With a happy face and a wholehearted smile, every time I eat these vadas with a sense of joy. A complete rejoice is how I state this feeling. Since my childhood, I have been an ardent admirer of the “Medhu Vada & Coconut chutney” that makes my taste buds go crazy. They are an awesome combo that’s truly one of a kind with each bit of it makes you go wow.

And, this Vada has always been an element of happiness for me until that day when I couldn’t devour my favourite snack due to an emotional glitch. Yes, a heartfelt narration of the roadside vada seller is all this story is about.

It was one fine breezy eve, with the drizzle about to kiss me and the beautiful rain shouting its arrival. The mood was all set for a full plate of hot & delectable vada to grace the lovely climate. Having set this thought in mind, I started my way back home from the office. En route, I decided to munch my favourite snack from the usual snack spot of mine - The market road vada vendor (I just love their snack varieties), they have it all. Be it the hot bajji or pakora, people flood in large numbers here to parcel their favourite snack.

Located in the streets of a crowded market, the typical “thallu vandi kadai” is a regular sight for the commuters who pass by that street. The small thallu vandi painted in the light blue shade is a treat for the daily-wage workers who couldn’t afford much for their food expenses. They hardly consume four to five vadas and suppress their delicious hunger without many complaints.

On that cool eve, as always I parked my vehicle aside and decided to have a plate full of vadas. On reaching out to the store, the supplier immediately pulled off a plate with three medhu vadas with ample amount of chutneys to savour. I didn’t even care to order because being a regular customer he knows exactly what I love the most. Having offered the plate, I started to gallop with a bright smile.

As I was enjoying the hot snack, there came the showers to interrupt my snack time. Soon on seeing this, the supplier pulled out a tarpaulin sheet for the customers' rescue and made sure that all the customers are pretty comfortable while having their snack.

And, I quickly found a place for myself under the sheet to continue munching.

It went on, I mean the Vada eating & the Showers as well.

I went on to consume almost 10 to 12 Vadas and my tastebuds were on a high note, to be honest. Now that’s complete happiness, I said to myself. Soon after which, I paid the bill and was about to leave. But the showers, they never showed mercy, it kept on raining & raining only for me to stay there for a little more time.

As I was enjoying the showers, the Vada vendor (the owner) gently asked me,

Veedu enga pa? (Where’s your home)

Soon, a wonderful conversation found its route. We had plenty of questions for each other and a thousand answers as well. He never stopped, kept on conversing alongside preparing the ever-delicious onion pakora. We had a healthy conversation, discussed the traffic, politics, governance and all those pieces of stuff that had its equal share in our day to day lives.

This conversation went on for half an hour to be precise & that was exactly when we were exchanging details about our families. Yes, Family the pivotal part of our lives, sometimes we take them for granted. Don’t we?

Even I used to be the same until the vada vendor described how important his family was to him…

He hailed from a typical Indian middle-class family that runs behind several things for decent survival. He along with his brother was enjoying a happy life under the shades of their father, who used to tirelessly work for them. He was passionate, dedicated and hard working.

The vada vendor stated, Enga appa madhiri yaarumae kedayadhupaa..

(There’s no one else like our Dad).

On describing this, I could see a vivid smile on his face, a proud one though.

He continued the narration...

Several years passed, both the sons got married and they were really doing well. But that didn’t last for so long. Things soon took a twist, their Dad faced a big blow in his business, it was downhill from then on. Debts started to pile, they lost all their properties and were empty-handed.

Life could be harsh at times.. And it was even more for this Vada Vendor and his entire family who were at the worst phase.

It was at that juncture, both the brothers thought of a business that would provide larger returns to repay the debts. So, they decided to quit their jobs and started their own “Vada Shops” which eventually aided them to escape from the debts and return to their normal lives.

And all this were for that one man, their Dad who had tirelessly put in his heart and soul just for his family. They never wanted to let down their Dad and did almost everything they could to save him from the financial crisis.

On the verge of the story completion, out of curiosity, I asked him

Anna, Ippoh appa enga irukaru? (Brother, where’s your Dad now?)

And he replied pointing at the sky,

Anga mela yengayo iruparu paa sandhoshama..(He’ll be somewhere there at the heaven happily). I could see tears rolling down his cheeks, his entire narration about his Dad depicted his admiration & love towards his role model.

He added upon, Appa dhan pa ellam, avar illaina naanga illa.. (Dad is everything to us). And this was even more emotional to bear, he had those words in his heart, pure & soulful.

By this time, a little girl had come to the shop. She had a few conversations with the Vada Vendor and then left immediately. Soon after she left, he smiled and said,

Ava dhan paa en pulaa.. (She’s my daughter)

That cherished smile of His on saying this, I could still recollect.

I asked him, Is she studying?

And he replied, Yes in a nearby convent school..

I was greatly surprised, How could a roadside vada vendor afford that much?

It was too direct for a question, but he straight away sensed my doubt and replied.

I work for 16 hours a day, from preparations to selling. I start at 5 in the morning and go back to sleep only late at night. Sometimes, even that doesn’t happen. He uttered.

He works on all the days, without even taking a break. This struck me hard for a while, I couldn’t even imagine half of what he does in a day.

I asked him, Isn’t this too much of straining yourself??

He had this for a reply,

Ippadi ellam vela senja dhan pa, paapava padika veka mudiyum (Only if I put in this much effort, I could afford my daughter’s education)

It was heartbreaking… emotional… I was clueless for a reply..

I just smiled and said, You are an inspiration brother...

Finally, he signed off by saying this one last emotionally inspiring sentence,

Nothing seems to be painful when you do it for your children and family.

“Pappa siripaaa paatha ella valiyum poirum thambi…”

© Ragul Prakash