Respected Sir/Madam,

Is there any freedom in this country for an ordinary man? If it is not the government prescribing some new rule, it is the home ministry at home. The Government is prescribing at what temperature we should run our ACs. OK. Something to do with climate change it seems.

But, do I have any liberty to choose the temperature of the water I can take my bath in? No. Even that is a problem, now.

Let me tell you what happened today with Mangalam.. I am still shivering.

JB: Mangalam, the geyser in our bathroom is not working? Did you get hot water?

MB: You know, I never use hot water. I don't know if the geyser is working or not.

JB: Looks like there is a problem.

MB: Call up the society fellow and they will send the electrician whenever he comes. Nowadays, he comes alternate days only.

JB: But till then?

MB: Take bath in cold water one day.

JB: No way .Do I ever take bath in cold water?

MB: Yes, I know that.. I remember how much galatta you created over hot water in the hotel in Ooty, when we had gone for honeymoon. Then, I thought you were showing off your aggressive side to impress me.

JB: I am flexible in everything, except my hot water bath.

MB : I saw in news, in Estonia , in peak winter there, people are swimming in ice-cold water. 500 swimmers right from a 9 year old boy to a 83 year old woman swam in 4 degrees water. Apparently, it will protect them from COVID. The geyser breaking down may be a blessing. It may do you some good.

JB: European Corona may die in cold water.. Indian Corona will die in hot water only. In Chennai, in summer it is lukewarm water and in winter it is hot water.

MB: When is it winter in Chennai ever?

JB: Aren't we now in Margazhi? Peak winter now.

MB: 20 degrees and that is winter for Chennai.. Haha !

JB: Is the geyser in our guest bathroom working?

MB: You are not going there. It has been locked for months now. After we stopped the maid due to Corona, I have kept it locked. I can't clean it now. I know what a mess you create after your bath. I can't clean it twice.

JB: Then boil a bowl of hot water for me in the gas?

MB: Kitchen is not free till lunch. One day if you don't take bath nothing will happen. Didn’t you say when you were posted in Kanpur you used to take bath every alternate day in winter.

JB : Then it was different.

MB: In the afternoon kitchen is free. You can boil water then in the gas. Take your bath then.

JB: I can never take bath after lunch. I can't have any lunch without taking my bath.

MB: I have told you so many times take your bath early. If you had discovered early that geyser was not working, you could have kept a bucket in the balcony. By now it would have been warm and just right for you to take a bath. You decide whether you want lunch or not?

JB: What nonsense? In my own house I will not get lunch.

MB: I never said so.

In a huff I went into the bathroom I prayed to Guruvayurappa and poured a few mugs of ice-cold water on my body. I tried chanting all the mantras that my mother taught me. The mantras were interfering in my mind with the choicest abuses for Mangalam.

I am still alive. But is this a life.

Yours in exasperation,

J Bhoothalingam