BOOK REVIEW: Dodol for The Doctor (Short Story No.11 from Marriage and Mutton Curry) by M. Shanmughalingam
Malaysians are ever familiar with the gummy sweet delicacy of dodol, glutinous rice flour cooked to a thick goo that is flavored with pandanus leaves and sometimes even durian. Nothing can be better than a short story woven around this delicacy as composed by Dato' Dr. M. Shanmughalingam.
In the past two reviews, readers would have been exposed to the ups and downs in the life of Rasamah, her husband Kandasamy as well as her friend Chelvi and Chelvi's husband, Chellapah.
Rasamah is burning to share with her friend Chelvi some good news of hers. She awaits Chelvi to make some dodol with her while she spills the beans on the good news. They also discuss on their husbands pending retirements and what it would be like to suddenly have them around 24/7. Then slowly Rasamah tells Chelvi the good news.
Kamala, Rasamah's daughter, has received a marriage proposal from a doctor named Dr. Selladurai. Dr. Selladurai was smitten by Kamala's violin recital and immediately requested for a hosroscope match to be seen. Little did Rasamah know that Chelvi, upon hearing this good news, has something up her sleeves.
The very next day, Chelvi visits Dr. Selladurai on the pretext of herself having chest pain. In that span of time, Chelvi mentions about her daughter to the doctor and even shows him a picture of her. Chelvi also hands him a package of, you guessed it, dodol. Who do you think made this dodol and why do you think Chelvi had to meet Dr. Selladurai after Rasamah broke the good news to her?
Rasamah caught wind of the news from another friend of hers but without a moment's doubt she still communicates with Chelvi. Chelvi and Rasamah make a trip to the Kandaswamy temple in Scott Road to pray for blessings. The turn of events after that is what all you readers should look out for.
A short story that relates strong friendship and betrayal to that exact same friendship, this short story left me in utter shock. If you want to know why I'm in such a situation after reading this short story, I highly recommend this book for your reading pleasure.
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