Handing over my steel bottle, I ask for two tender coconuts. One to drink immediately and the other to be drained into the bottle for later. As I drink my tender coconut, I notice the old man asking his wife – an equally old, frail woman for another.

“தண்ணி கம்மியா இருக்கு. இன்னொன்னு எடு.“ (the water in this coconut is too little, break open another one) She did so without question. 
I paid for three tender coconuts and the man got angry with me.  

“எதுக்கு extra? என்ன பொண்ணு மா நீ. இதுலாம் இப்போ யாரும் பண்றது இல்ல” (Why did you pay extra? Such a naive girl. No body does this.)

I notice the couple on my way to work everyday. Old, silent, in the corner of the road, dedicated to their job- come rain or sunshine, breaking open tender coconuts with a strength that was contradictory to their frail selves. 

I tell him, he’s not responsible for the quantity of water and that fair’s fair. He smiles and tells me to come back for a free tender coconut tomorrow. He even asks his wife to remember me as that girl on the black vehicle that zips by quite fast. 

“இவ்ளோ நல்லவங்களா இருக்காதீங்க” (Don’t be such a good person) I advise him. He laughs at that, like the idea is ridiculous, moreso coming from someone half his age.  He goes on to tell me that god has given him everything needs – a roof over his head, good health, food for the day, enough to have married off his daughter well. Neither of them have big aspirations or wants. We are blessed, he confirms. 

I left this interaction with a smile on my face. This is not an incident that made me reflect on my wants and needs or have an epiphany about being less materialistic. I do not support privilege shaming. It is said privilege that enabled me to be fair today even when they dint expect it. 

But I did wonder, at a time when the majority of the world is unfair, jaded and the dice are loaded, what does it take to be fair even without the privilege or luxury to be so? 

disclaimer : The image is AI. I did not click a picture of the couple. This is one of those few times I appreciate the use of generative images – when you want to capture a memory but your image capture device is not handy.