tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24181492916237435142024-03-29T15:02:47.542+04:00It is dark only till you open your eyesEveryday we live we close our eyes and complain it's dark. Do we really need to think that way?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-36538177837056021322017-12-12T18:49:00.002+04:002017-12-12T18:59:23.576+04:00ആഴിയോളം സ്നേഹം <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
പൊന്നായ നിമിഷങ്ങൾ കാണുക പൊന്നേ <br />
കാലം തരുകില്ല ഈ കണം ഒരിക്കലും <br />
കാലമേ കാണുക എൻ പൊന്നിൻ തിളക്കം <br />
വേറെങ്ങും കാണില്ല ഈ അഴകൊരിക്കലും <br />
<br />
അമ്മതൻ സ്നേഹത്തിൻ ആഴം ഞാൻ കണ്ടേൻ <br />
അറിയുവാൻ ആകില്ല ആ വ്യാപ്തമൊരിക്കലും <br />
ആഴമേ അറിയുക ആഴിയും അറിയുക <br />
അമ്മതൻ സ്നേഹം വറ്റില്ലൊരിക്കലും <br />
<br />
വജ്രങ്ങളില്ല വൈഡൂര്യമില്ല <br />
ധനമേതും ഇല്ല പകരമായി നൽകുവാൻ <br />
സ്നേഹമായി നൽകുവാൻ സ്നേഹംതാനല്ലോ <br />
മറ്റേതും നിറവായ് ആകില്ലൊരിക്കലും <br />
<br />
- ക്രിസ് വേണുഗോപാൽ </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-19782387454740890132017-06-05T13:20:00.002+04:002017-06-05T19:55:05.762+04:00One more Letter ... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As the silence of the night was broken by the crickets there was one more sound matching it. The nib of the old Waterman pen on the paper. The writings were broken in between by pauses of thoughts. The late evening rain left a few drips which popped then and now. The air was filled with a strange fragrance, overpowering the smell of the disinfectant which wiped the floor. Was it the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">petrichor</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">or Gods fragrance of compassion. The hospital wards were silent but for a few intermittent snores of the watchman, who were supposed to be the only ones awake at that time of the night. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The bedside lamp on William's table was the only light other than the shy moonlight trickling to the earth through the fingers of the trees which tried to cut the light falling on its eyes. The white paper was shining like a bright full moon on the table with the dark blue table cover which just had a few sheets of paper and the table lamp. The nib touched the paper again letting the brain ooze out through the wedges of the pen's nib...which read...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dear Dad...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The world seems to be envious of the few people who enjoy life to the fullest. The envy flows out through their eyes as tears. Is that compassion or is it something else. I have asked many times myself, why they do so. Today I saw a father and mother come with their only son who was successful in his exams. They were just worried and crying... They talked to Stephen for a while. He was trying to console them, with no success. Ha... ha ha... he should have called me. Why am I here, after winning the awards and accolades for nothing... hmm... Let it be. But the boy came up to me. I smiled at him. He was stressed with all the loads of things he had to study and the expectations everyone around him had. About the boy next door who got one mark more... All I did was not talk... but gave him a hug. He smiled. We became friends in no time. He is fast asleep ... He is safe. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He is now more a son to me like Sunny, my only son till now, busy pursuing his studies abroad. Like Sunny, he also wants to become a doctor like me. Ann wants me to get back home... But then who will take care of my patients here. They need me more. I will call her tomorrow and tell her about the new found son, I have here, like Sunny. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Its late, have an early morning rounds. Will have to check with Stephen about the new admission tomorrow. Will write to you tomorrow... till then ...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With love your son ...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dr. William</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The lights went out and William went to sleep as the night got more darker and was waiting to be brightened in a few hours by the sun. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The hospital wards came to life as the morning shift staff signed in for the day and the started fresh from ward to ward, bed to bed. The Head Nurse walked to one of the beds and in a while was at Dr. Stephens room and said</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Doctor.... William has started writing again... here is yet another letter he has written to God"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dr. Stephen smiled and took the letter from her and filed it in a special file he had in his table. He secured the file after putting the letter in place. He closed it and kept it back safe, and the cover had a red label "William Case number 423... Letters to God" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the head nurse was about to leave Stephen said:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"He would have been the best doctor the world has seen... sad... his life took a turn after he lost his son and his wife left him"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As he closed the cupboard Stephen thought:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"The thin line that divides fantasy and reality... the world of fantasy is so very soothing than the reality... Who is really mad... them or us, who try to find ways to make them do as we want to do ..."</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-89359667521643381012017-02-16T11:49:00.003+04:002017-02-16T11:49:45.078+04:00Lazy morning Sun ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzsL02HJP4EbtdCaDuOVH-IRp4iutEyr7x-ZzQFgusWXIYSYTKKaIHDnHHFQup0P02_WiDqKVHzG7XR5EJv53Hl8EJBhKBo8Ju-za2FK-MfbVyT-XuqJ_wwmX4zlKzjHiNbdTsXzSsWX1/s1600/0f58cc61-2e62-48c7-b6a7-27556bb32d19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzsL02HJP4EbtdCaDuOVH-IRp4iutEyr7x-ZzQFgusWXIYSYTKKaIHDnHHFQup0P02_WiDqKVHzG7XR5EJv53Hl8EJBhKBo8Ju-za2FK-MfbVyT-XuqJ_wwmX4zlKzjHiNbdTsXzSsWX1/s320/0f58cc61-2e62-48c7-b6a7-27556bb32d19.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The clouds were blanket of warmth</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When the sun was still to wake for the day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The cool breeze made him smile a bit</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And made him lazy as in sleep he lay</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He peeped through the clouds shyly once</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Saw the world yet to wake for the day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He knew its time for him to wake the world</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And shine his best for the wonderful day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The hugging clouds kept him in bed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But his duties called the birds to chirp</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And wake him with a smile on his face</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Its another day when he can't be a twirp.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kris Iyer</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-63267497193501968652017-02-16T11:42:00.000+04:002017-02-16T11:42:09.793+04:00Time tells the truth ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan was meeting Ramakrishnan Mama after a very long time, or rather should say he avoided </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">meeting him just for that one incident. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Hello Ramakrishnan Mama, How are you?" Kannan asked without a smile. His words were not from </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the heart. Even after 30 odd years, the scars of those words remain in his heart. Some moments are </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">better avoided and forgotten than remembered and rekindle the emotions which hurt you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ramakrishnan Mama , Appa's cousin's husband, was a person who always had airs about him, working </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">for a private sector company, and the way he would talk would give a feeling as if he owned it. His salt </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and pepper well combed hair, silver rimmed glasses and dark complexion, chequred shirt and grey bell bottomed trousers gave him a look, which </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan was not so comfortable with. His smile did not have much of the warmth of love, or at least </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">that’s what Kannan thought. His son Sidhdharth Ramakrishnan was Kannan's playmate, the one of </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">very few he had of his age or less, as Kannan was the youngest among the children in Appa's family. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Kanna ... how about going home and will be back in the evening" asked Sidhdharth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Sure Sidhdhu ... I will tell Amma and come soon" replied Kannan running towards home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He went panting to the room where Amma was reading a magazine, one of her pastimes in the late </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">afternoons. He reluctantly tugged Amma's saree.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Amma... can I go to Sidhdhu's place and come back in the evening"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Amma took her attention away from the article in which she was engrossed and did not even see </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan coming in. Amma smiled and replied</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Ok, be careful on the roads"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Amma... I am taking the cycle" Kannan had that wicked smile as it was his new found passion to roam </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">around in his newly gifted BSA SLR. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Amma smiled and that smile said it all ... permission granted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan ran to his BSA SLR, standing shining in deep red color with the rim and spokes shining in the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">afternoon sun. He mounted it with ease and started off ... to gain the speed; he would stand and pedal </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">fast, then sit and pedal to maintain the speed intermittently and rushed through the compound drive ways to reach the main road. It was as if he had </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">conquered the roads, when the shining cycle with the smiling Kannan on it sped through the roads. His </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">soft hair would be flying back, eyes would shine, smile giving away the joy in his ride. Within no time </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">he reached Sidhdhu's house which was just a few minutes away. The ten year old Kannan was tall </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">enough to be mistaken for a teen. He looked around in pride and parked his cycle by the side. Locked it </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and took the key tossed it up in the air and caught it. He squeaked the metal gates and rang the bell. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sidhdhu opened the doors and looked at the shining cycle outside</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Kanna... one ride" Sidhdhu pleadingly asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"No Amma has asked me not to give the cycle to anyone", came the reply from the proud owner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They went inside and Sidhdhu was so happy to have Kannan sound. Talks, games, music... they had </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">fun for over two hours when Ramakrishnan Mama reached home after work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"So Kannan ... new cycle" asked Ramakrishnan Mama</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan smiled and slowly got up. Kids always find it difficult to be themselves when elders are around. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"It's getting late... I have to go now" said Kannan and waved at Sidhdhu and ran out of the house to his </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">cycle and quickly vanished from sight with his speed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A few days had gone by. It was a Saturday evening and as Kannan walked back home he saw </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ramakrishnan Mama standing there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Kanna ... I would like to talk to you" said Ramakrishnan Mama</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan went up to him and stood there silent. The regular sweet smile was missing as he did not know </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">what Ramakrishnan Mama wanted from him. Did Sidhdhu complain about anything, or is it about the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">cycle... thoughts hunted the ten year old. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I want you to tell me the truth ... You had come home last week and an Audio Cassette from my </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">collection ... the Jagjeet Singh Chitra Singh cassette... its missing. I want you to give it back... No one </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">else has come home after that or before that"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ramakrishnan Mama said in a stern voice with a smirk on his lips. He had kept his hand on Kannan's </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">shoulder giving a feeling of being the Investigating Officer for a supremely important murder case was </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">being solved there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"But... I did not take it" said Kannan with the pain of being accused of something which he had not </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I am giving you time..."said Ramakrishnan Mama.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan's eyes turned red and tears started rolling down his fair cheeks. He pushed the hands from his </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">shoulder and ran home. He threw himself to the bed and cried his heart out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I won’t steal, I did not, I will never ... but Ramakrishnan Mama believes I did so" Kannan was talking </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">to himself. "Why would he say that...? I did nothing wrong". Kannan kept crying till the pillow was wet </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">with the small boy’s tears. He had not gone downstairs till late</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Kanna ..." called Appa.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan was shocked, Appa has come back from office, Did Ramakrishnan Mama complain about him, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Is Appa calling to scold him ... thoughts ran wild. He slowly went down with his heart beating fast.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"My dear dearest chandu .... time for Dinner" Appa petted his beloved son and with one hand grabbed </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">him with love. Kannan's heart came back to a normal tempo. There is nothing wrong, he thought. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There was no talk about the cassette. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Days passed and was almost a month since he had gone to Sidhdhu's house, far from normal. That </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">evening while walking back home, he saw Ramakrishnan Mama talking to Mohan Periyappa, Kannan's </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">paternal uncle. Kannan did not know whether to move forward or to retrace his steps. He walked </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">towards home, with his ears awaiting a call and it was not long before he heard</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Kanna ... "</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was Mohan Periyappa. Kannan did not look back but walked forward without a reply. He ran home </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and went straight to Amma. The wandering thoughts came back to Kannan. Was Ramakrishnan Mama </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">still hunting for his Audio Cassette, why was he blamed for something he had never thought of...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Mami....." He heard Ramakrishnan Mama call Amma "Where is Kannan"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"He is here Ramakrishna ... come inside... Tea" Amma offered.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"No no ... just had" he replied and walking in turned to Kannan "You are not to be seen these days... </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sidhdhu was asking about you"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan remained silent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"By the way ... I got the cassette... I had given to my friend in the office... I forgot"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The moments of pain and anguish Kannan went through never let him smile with his full heart to </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ramakrishnan Mama again. Blamed for nothing, making him a thief for a theft which never happened, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the smirk on his face with the sense of accomplishment that he found the culprit, all made Kannan </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">aloof from him. The friendship with Sidhdhu remained for a very long time, but t</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">he question still </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">remains in Kannan's head... "Why was I blamed for something I did not do".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Some words hurt you for a lifetime...</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com45tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-50428592088323543382017-02-16T11:41:00.000+04:002017-02-16T11:41:14.807+04:00The moments of amazement...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"And she eloped with the guy next door ...Velu knows this" That were the words from Murugan Pillai, Kannan's father in law who was at home when he walked in. He was </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">talking to Appa in a very serious tone. Kannan smiled at them and walked in from a hectic day at work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"And what happened to Kaveri" Appa asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Oh you did not know ... she is suffering from Cancer... very critical" said Murugan Pillai.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A typical government servant whose life starts in the morning with work and ends with family and nothing else. He was dark skinned well oiled hair set to a style reminding of those who saw it villains of Tamil movies of the 70's, wore brown shell framed glasses, old fashioned full sleeve shirt and trousers and his smile </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">was a perfect dental ad one. He was always hyper with work and home accounts but he seemed to be different today and Appa was listening to him eagerly. The </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">others were inside the house discussing the new variety of Sarees in the market and the ornament patterns that would have looked nice. Typical woman folk </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">talk, nothing chauvinistic about it, but a fact of life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Seeing everyone busy Kannan went to his room, changed and got into comfortable home clothes. He could still hear about the fight of Kaveri and her husband, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the problems in her workplace, her medical conditions and so on, the discussion between Appa and Murugan Pillai. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Do I know her" Kannan thought for a moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He went to the kitchen and got himself a cup of coffee. Sipping the hot cup of filter coffee, Kannan was trying to place the relation or the common factors which </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Appa and Murugan Pillai were talking about. As he was walking out of the kitchen, he saw Amma, Priya and Saraswathy, Priya's mother, his M-I-L as they call </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">it in the new lingo for Mother-in-law chatting away to glory. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Do you need anything" Asked Amma</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That question could have been avoided Kannan thought in his mind as he saw his MIL looking at Priya and Priya looking at Amma for a brief moment. No wife </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">likes her MIL to take care of her son, as it is a constant struggle to prove who is better - "Wife" or "Mother". Probably the fight between women were mainly </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">based on that one point. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"No ...no ... I am fine... carry on" said Kannan and walked to the front room where Appa and Murugan Pillai were still discussing in length.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"And you know the guy who drives that pink Maruti" asked Murugan Pillai</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Ya" said Appa.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan was still not able to figure out what was going on and did not want to disturb the serious discussion between them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Pink Car!!! totally impossible... who would be driving a pink car of all the colors in the whole wide world" thought Kannan for a second and came back to the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">discussion. He saw Appa really paying attention. The matter would be really grave, otherwise Appa would not be listening so carefully, Kannan reached a </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">conclusion in his mind and gave his attention too to the discussion. Murugan Pillai was seriously on it...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"He met with an accident ... he is in the same hospital where Kaveri went for her check up yesterday. She did not see him, but he saw him...."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Appa's eyes were set in a gaze at Murugan Pillai who continued.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"She will need a surgery, but cannot afford it"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Is it some charity issue, Kannan thought, but kept it to himself as he did not want to disturb.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Krishna will not be able to help???" Appa asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now who on the Supreme Lord is this Krishna, Kannan was bewildered, and getting more irritated on not able to place these people in the mental list of family </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and friends. He sipped the coffee which was cold, when compared to the heat of the discussion.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Krishna won't... he gave the money he had to his lover last week" replied Murugan Pillai.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was getting too much for Kannan to digest and he interrupted.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Who is Kaveri, who is Krishna and what is the discussion all about ..." he broke his long kept silence.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All he could hear was laughter. Amma, Priya, MIL and FIL were laughing and Appa was laughing so much that Kannan saw Appa's eyes closed in the laugh.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"What happened... what’s so funny about someone having Cancer, not having money for treatment and accidents" Kannan asked to clear the doubts that had </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">started eating him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"They are to catch up with what both of missed the previous week on their favorite serial on Sun TV, the 9 O clock serial Chiththi" said Priya trying to control her </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">laughter. Kannan also joined them in a rare happy moment.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sharadha, Shakthi, Ramachandran, Vaidhegi, Prabhavathi, Krishna, Velumani, Kaveri, Vishwanathan, Yogi, Viji, Anand, Prasad, Marudhappan, Charulatha, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Daniel were more names which Kannan got used to in the next two years as he heard Appa and Murugan Pillai discuss whenever they met. 467 episodes running over nearly two years, got many glued to it and Kannan </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">thought only ladies get addicted to serials.... and thanked God for not being one of them.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-28527367313604799272016-12-07T15:49:00.002+04:002016-12-07T15:49:20.812+04:00Ahana Smiles ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Amma ... why doesn’t little Ahana smile" asked Madhav
while he had one more mouthful of the rice and dal mix which his mother gave.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Janaki was without any answer to little Madhav's question
like always. She looked up to the sky as if asking God, "how can I answer
such questions" and she looked at the shining eyes of Madhav still waiting
for an answer from her as he chewed away the last gulp of food. Janaki wiped
the forehead with the back of her hand carefully without smearing the few
traces food on her hand while feeding her son.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Why don’t we ask her tomorrow, or ask
Krichbhagwan" Janaki smiled and replied.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Krichbhagwan was the name Madhav liked to call Lord Krishna,
whom he liked more than anyone. But for Janaki Madhav was Krichbhagwan himself,
the curly hair which swayed like feathers of peacock, the smooth skin which was
as soft as butter, the smile which was so pure and the way he walked with
little steps.... Janaki at times kept looking at the tiny foot marks on the
floor Madhav would leave on the floor while he walked with wet feet after a
wash. Janaki and Madhav had a world of their own and their playfulness and love
could never be seen elsewhere. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The sweet kisses on the little feet Janaki loved to give,
the tiny hands which rested on Janaki's face while Madhav slept... even
Janardhan, Janaki's husband, would call them inseparables... with a smile on
his face, which spoke volumes about the pride he had for his treasures Janaki
and Madhav.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Janaki and Madhav spent the night in the dream world till
the morning sun shines on the world for the next day. As the usual practice
Janaki woke up before sunrise and carefully took the little hand holding her
and placed it on a pillow and got up to quickly finish the chores before Madhav
woke up. While she was busy Madhav woke up with the same question in mind,
about Ahanas smiles. Madhav sneak out of the house towards the Krichbhagwan
temple, to ask him. Hardly did anyone see him sneak into the temple as everyone
were in their own world. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Madhav approached the Krichbhagwan idol and asked him
"Krichbhagwan Krichbhavan ... why doesn’t Ahana smile?" from behind
the idol Madhav heard the tinkling of anklets, a dark complexioned sweet
smiling kid was hiding behind the idol. His smile was captive and magical.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"You want to see Ahana smile ... I know what to
do" said the attractive curly haired boy wearing yellow silk dhoti.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Madhav was excited</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"What should I do...? What should I do ..." Madhav
asked eagerly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Hmmm... so you don’t know how difficult it is... still
you want to know" asked the boy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I want to see her smile ... she would look so
beautiful with a smile on" replied Madhav.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Well then... here is the way... if you cross the river
of anger, go through the forest of fear and climb the hill of pain and you will
reach a valley of happiness, bring a flower from the garden of Santhoshmai, and
Ahana will smile again"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Madhav smiled his best and thanked the little boy and was
about to leave when the boy stopped him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Here take my flute and this peacock feather and they
will help you in your journey... and this small pack of butter for you to eat
on the way" the boy handed them over. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With just the desire to see smiles on the smile less lips of
Ahana Madhav set out on his adventure. Meanwhile Janaki burst into tears not
able to find her son at home. Janardhan had started looking for him and within
no time the whole village was searching for Madhav. They did not know what to
do or where to search for the tiny one. Janaki never stopped crying and rushed
to the temple crying to pray for her son’s safety. While she was praying the
little boy from behind the idol came and touched her and the whole village
froze. Everything stopped. People turned to still figurines, trees stopped
swaying, and birds froze mid air and remained as if they were paused.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Madhav started happily running towards the hill the little
boy had pointed and reached the river of anger. The raging river was furious
and was lashing its anger on the rocks on the bed. The mighty river was turning
rocks to sand with its strength. Madhav was standing on the bank of the river
when a little fish jumped out of water. Madhav saw the fish gasping for air
without water and gently picked it with his soft hands and put it back into a
calm portion of the river on its side. The fish looked out from the surface of
the water and smiled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Thank you little one... I am Ekabudhi, a fish who
lives in the river of anger, thanks for saving my life. May I help you"
asked the fish</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I want to go to the valley of happiness and need to
cross the river of anger" said Madhav with the worry on his face</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The fish looked at the peacock feather he had kept safely in
his hand</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oh you are Krishna's friend... I know that’s his...
just place the feather on the water and you will have a way to cross the
river" said Ekabudhi with excitement in its voice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Madhav went to the river and placed the peacock feather on
the water. It was a magical sight when the river calmed down with the touch of
the feather and split into two giving way to Madhav to walk on the soft sandy
river bed to go across. Madhav reached the other side, picked the feather from
the water, waved at Ekabudhi and continued on his trail. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Madhav kept running towards the hill which was in sight and
soon saw the light around him go dark in the forest where the trees shaded the
sunlight. The forest of fear tried to scare Madhav with its darkness, the fear
of the unknown. But the only thought in Madhav's mind still was Ahana's smiles.
But soon he started feeling hungry and sat down under a tree. He was about to
open the butter package the little boy had given him when a whole band of
gorillas surrounded Madhav. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Madhav smiled and asked "Are you hungry"
and extended the pack of butter towards them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The tough heart of the apes melt like butter with the smiles
of Madhav. And the leader said "I am Kapeendra, the leader of the
Gorillas...What are you doing in this forest of fears my little one"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Madhav narrated the whole story while having the butter from
the pack which he shared with the gorillas too. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kapeendra picked Madhav up "Don’t fear, we will help
you get to the hill of pain, but not beyond that"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Madhav slept hugging the gorilla in his hairy chest and when
he opened his eyes, they were at the foothills of the hill of pain. Kapeendra
gently put him down and waved Madhav goodbye with a smile. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was noon and the hill of pain was too steep. Madhav knew
not how to climb the hill and playfully tapped one of the rocks with the flute
the little boy had given him. The rock transformed to a huge black swan
Mahabaka.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oh little one... what brings you to the hill of pain
and why did you wake me from my years of cursed sleep... who are you"
asked Mahabaka.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Madhav smiled and told the swan the whole story. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Climb on... I would take you to the valley of
happiness" said Mahabaka.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Madhav happily climbed the swan and it swooshed to the skies
above the hill and flew down to the valley of happiness. As Madhav climbed down
Mahabaka looked towards him and said "The flute you have is a magical
one... keep it safe. I am sure it belongs to Krishna"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Madhav was anxious and eager to rush to Santhoshmai's house
in the valley of happiness, so just smiled as he tucked the flute in his
waistband. He waved Mahabaka sweet byes and ran towards the house in a distance
where he could see a garden full of smiling violet flowers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Santhoshmai... Santhoshmai...."Madhav called out</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Old Santhoshmai came with a bright sweet toothless smile.
"Is it you Krishna..." asked Santhoshmai.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"No I am Madhav... and I want Ahana to smile" he
said in a confident tone.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The old woman hugged Madhav and took him to the nearby bush
and plucked a bunch of flowers and handed it over to him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Give it to Ahana and she will smile again my blessed
one" said the old lady.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Madhav's happiness knew no bounds...He was sure that Ahana
would smile again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"It's going to be dusk and I don’t want you to go
through the forest again" said Santhoshmai. She went inside her hut and
brought a cup of warm milk. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Drink this and you will be back to your village
again"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Madhav happily took the cup of milk and drank it while
holding firmly to the bunch of flowers which Santhoshmai had given him. The
last drop from the cup was finished and in a flash Madhav was in his bed, as if
he had just woken up. Madhav felt it was all a dream. He looked out of the
window to see everything normal. Ahana was standing in front of her house still
without the smiles. Madhav looked at his hand to see the bunch of violet
flowers whose stalks were firmly clenched in his fist. He ran out and gave
Ahana the flowers to see a beautiful smile bloom in her lips. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Madhav..." he heard his mother call him. The
smile was very precious and made Madhav smile too. Without saying anything he
ran to his mother. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Janakai lifted him up and kissed him gently on his cheeks
and asked "Where were you... I have been calling you for so long"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Madhav smiled at Ahana as he was carried home and the secret
of the smiles remained with Madhav and Ahana. Madhav knew it was his
Krichbhagwan who helped him cross the river of anger, cross the forest of fears
and fly over the hill of pain to reach the valley of happiness to fetch the
smiling flowers for Ahana.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Amma... Krichbhagwan makes everyone happy" he
said with all the excitement</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Yes my darling he does" said Janaki. The memories
of Madhav missing had been erased from all the villagers’ minds by the little
boy Krishna with a touch. Madhav knew how to overcome fear, pain and anger to
bring smiles to his loved ones.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Thank you Krichbhagwan" said Madhav with an
everlasting smile.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-80594377586681768012016-07-12T20:20:00.003+04:002016-07-12T21:18:18.408+04:00Santa and Little Joe ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was a cold December and the season of Christmas. Every boy and girl in the world had written to Santa for the gifts they wanted from him. Little Joe too wanted his gift from Santa, the toy train he had seen at the toy store. He wrote a sweet mail to Santa a few days before Christmas...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dear Santa,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Have you seen the sweet toy train?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It runs in the sun as well as rain</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It has the smile and red hot nose</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Has the chimney and the water hose</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have been a good boy for a while</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I said thanks and please and smile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When someone smiles at me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That’s all you need to give to me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Joe</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He finished writing the mail and wiped his naughty pink face with the back of his hand and folded the letter well and kept the letter in the stocking meant for Santa. The shining brown eyes kept staring at the stocking by the side of the fireplace. Every night Little Joe walked to his bedroom, looking back again and again at the stocking where he expected Santa to gift him his toy train. He smelt always of chocolates he had been gobbling one after the other all day long. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The news spread far and wide from the words of one of the elves at the North Pole that the biggest bag of gifts is to the little town of Nicholasville, far away from the city of London. Joe was so happy to hear his dad Big Joe tell this to his Mamma Mary. He was sure that he would get the sweet toy train from Santa. It was Christmas Eve and the night was a special one. Every house had Christmas trees adorned with glass balls and sweet candies. Every house had the fireplace where the stockings that awaited Santa's arrival.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Santa Claus came all the way from the North Pole with toys for all the children as per the list they wrote to him. On the eve of Christmas, Santa came riding his sleigh with Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, Olive and the red nosed Rudolf, to the small village and deliver the gifts to the children of the village. As the sleigh flew down from the starry sky, Santa saw the small village lit up with lights of different colors. The village had an aroma of hot chocolate and freshly baked plum cakes and ginger bread. The aroma, made Santa a bit hungry, but smiled as usual</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Ho Ho Ho ... It’s the village I know</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here I come with the gifts for all</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Those kids good and smiled for all</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Not for the naughty little brats"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Santa took the biggest bag of gifts and got down from the sleigh, jumped into every house through the chimney and filled the stockings with the gifts, one after the other. Naughty Little Joe had not slept and kept looking at the fireplace and lo... there comes Santa. Little Joe tip toed to the door and hid himself while watching Santa take a beautiful colored ball and put it in the stocking. Little Joe was disappointed.... he had asked for the sweet toy train... and looked at the bag Santa had placed on the red chair near the tree. There it was... the sweet toy train... whose could it be... who the lucky boy...was Little Joe was eager to know. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He walked out of the house and followed Santa. Santa walked slow, but steady with his huge tummy and the red woolen fur coat with white wool at the cuffs. He changed the huge bag from one shoulder to the other as he whistled and walked to a dark alley next street. Little Joe was so curious he kept walking behind Santa, running his fingers through the curly brown hair from time to time. Santa smiled as the chocolaty smell reached his nose and he knew Little Joe was behind him, but kept walking. He reached the door of an old run down house of the poor cobbler Mr. Brush. Mr. Brush was not well, and his son Harry worked on the streets polishing shoes for a living, as It was his earnings alone that got them the food every day. Santa slowly opened the door as the chimney was broken and kept the whole bag near the small tree which had a few candies. Drank a glug of chocolate that was kept for him. As he walked out, Joe rushed to him and shook him by the belt that held the tummy from falling. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Why does Harry get all that ... why... Santa... tell me why"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Santa kept his plump finger on his sweet red lips and said</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh ...."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He took the magic kerchief from his pocket and held Little Joe close to him and waved. "Poof ..." and they became invisible. They saw Little Harry with his torn woolen sweater and worn out pants, torn shoes, stitched to perfection. He pulled on a cap and walked out with all the gifts Santa had given him. He walked from home to home seeing children who did not have even a fireplace to keep them warm. He kept the best of the best toys and shared it with them. Every time he kept a gift near the window of a child, Harry smiled more, and Santa looked at Little Joy with a smile so priceless. It was almost dawn and Santa and Little Joe saw Harry walk back home with the empty bag... Harry had given away all that he got but earned a smile so precious for a year to come. He was the happiest child in the whole village, as the joy is in giving and sharing what you have. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Santa held the small hand of Little Joe and walked back as it was almost sunrise and he had to leave. But before he left Santa smiled at Joe and put him to sleep. Joe woke up to see his dad Big Joe standing to wish him Merry Christmas with the sweet toy train. Little Joe could not believe his eyes....He thanked his dada and ran through the streets holding the toy train close to himself. Holding it as tight as he could as he ran to Harry's house. He knocked the door and waited... puffing and panting in the cold winter morning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Harry opened the door and saw Little Joe standing with the sweet toy train. Little Joe extended his arms giving Harry the toy train he wanted so badly. Tears wiped the dust from Harry's face. He wiped the tears with the hands and took the Christmas gift from Little Joe... As Little Joe walked back, he too had a sweet smile on his face and seeing all this his Dada Big Joe was so happy and proud... and so was Santa who was flying through the clouds back home at the North Pole... sure to come back with a huge bag of gifts for Little Joe next Christmas.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-1252228961915460362016-07-12T05:38:00.000+04:002016-07-14T14:32:38.937+04:00Gratia the beautiful Mermaid<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Deep within the sea so blue, deep within the heart of the sea, there lies a kingdom of the mermaids and men. Of all the mermaids the queen of the land gave birth to the most charming mermaid ever born. The king and queen gave her the name "Gratia". She grew up among the others with love and care. Everyone adored her beauty. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her twinkling eyes like stars </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Were as blue as the sea</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her beauty was beyond words </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">What one could ever see</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She grew with the shining pearl oysters who gave her the pearls to wear, and the corals who beaded the coral crown. Her skin was as delicate white as the mountain snow. But, about her beauty, the world far away did not ever know. Fishes came to her to share the smiles and the weeds tried to hold her back when it was time for her to go. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once a fisherman lost his way and came to the lost world of the mermaids and men. He saw the most beautiful Gratia playing with the school of fish. He was stunned by her beauty. He kept looking at her till it was dark and she flapped her tail fins and swam down to the palace down under the sea. The fisherman let himself lay on his boat looking up at the starry sky. But wherever he looked he just saw the beautiful mermaid princess. As soon as the sun rose in the east, the fisherman tried to get back to his village, all the while thinking about the beautiful mermaid he saw. He reached home and sat his eyes wide open in a daze. Everyone rushed to him and kept asking him what had happened. He blurted out in amazement</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I saw a mermaid fair and bright</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She was real but shines like gold</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is, by far, the beautiful sight</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That I will, in my heart hold</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her golden hair & deep blue eyes</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Shiny silver fins that shines</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Charming as a spring sunrise</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Beauty that no word defines</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Hearing the fisherman talk about the beauty of Gratia, many more went to the unknown land just to get a glimpse of the beauty beyond words. Everyone adored her, praising her and sing songs on her beauty and charm. Gratia knew very well that all of them had come to adore her charm. She smiled at them, waved at them with a smile. More and more came to know about her beauty and came rushing to see her in the sea. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All this went into her heart like a shot of poison called pride. She was lost in her own beauty that she stopped caring for the weeds and corals, never mind the shells and pearls. She kept away from the fishes too and said they were ugly too. The fishes were saddened, the weeds kept away, oysters never opened their heart to give Gratia a pearl, corals made her crowns no more. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Days passed and Gratia spent hours looking only at herself. As the people gathered around she would swim with a haughty flap of her tail fins. Her smile too was colored with the purple of pride. A child who was in a boat cried out</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"She is a witch... see her smile"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And people got scared hearing the child. The people stopped coming to the part of the sea, where mermaid sat alone in the bed with no fishes or corals around. Weeds grew away from her and her smile was of dark purple pride. The twinkle in her eyes were gone, the shine and smile were also gone. Gratia was lonely in the sea bed with no one around to adore her beauty. Gratia went to the king, her father, and cried</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"There is no one to smile at me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">None to share or care for me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was the most charming one</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But no one wants me to have fun"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The king looked at the pride which had taken the shine away. He said calmly to his daughter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Once you had a heart that cared</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A lovely smile that happiness shared</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That’s the beauty of the heart my love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">You are precious when you love"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All night Gratia cried and turned the sea water more salty. The sobs shook the heart of the sea and a tiny fish came to her. With his little fins the small fish wiped the tears of Gratia. Pat her with the tail fins and tickled her to smile. With the morning sun trickle through the sea, the little fish had brought a school of fish to the princess. He also brought a crown from the corals and pearls from the oysters. The weeds came along and hugged the mermaid princess and Gratia was smiling pink of happiness again. Since then, mermaids taking the lesson from Gratia, never heeded to the words of flattery from men from the land. They kept themselves within the sea and their friends, as you are precious when you have those who care... around you.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-86498730707757156142016-07-11T19:35:00.000+04:002016-08-14T23:15:49.099+04:00Mellow & The Palace of Hearts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Once upon a time in a far off land there was a Palace of hearts. Closed to all, covered in the dust of time...as grey as the sad loneliness. No one saw the prince who lived in it. He had shut himself in the palace of heart far from everyone. He did not get out of the palace not let anyone come inside it. No one dared to walk near it, or to care for the dried up garden in front of it. The darkness of the night and the scorching sun wore the palace and its garden down ...</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But there was a young blue eyed, rosy cheeked girl who was as soft as a morning glory but with a smile more bright, as beautiful as the full moon but without the blemishes...with golden hair plaited in two braids to the sides tied with pink ribbons, as pink as her cheeks and chin. She lived in the nearby village and was the baker’s daughter Miss. Mellow. She used to walk to the gates every day and feel sad about the wilting plants and withering flowers. She always wanted somehow to get inside the palace grounds to care for the plants. She always thought...</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"How beautiful it would be </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If the palace was shining right, </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">All the day and all the night </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The plants in bloom fresh & bright"</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She tried jumping over the tall palace gates, but failed. She tried finding a way into the garden, but could not. She saw a small rat near the palace walls trying to dig a hole in the ground. She walked up to him and said:</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Oh my little rodent Mr. Rat.... </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My name is Miss Mellow Baker</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Can you help me get in quicker </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And feed to make you strong & fat"</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The rat smiled at her and nodded. She ran back home and came back with a loaf of bread and yummy cheese. Rat’s heart was filled with happiness.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"If I make a hole for you to get in, </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Would you be the one so kind enough </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">To feed my starving friends so thin</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And make them smile & some grin" </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">asked Mr. Rat</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Seeing a way to get into the garden, Mellow was so happy. She said</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"It would be a pleasure..." and went running to her dad Mr. Baker. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She asked whether she could have three loaves of bread for her friends. And the loving caring dad, Mr. Baker, gave her the three freshly baked loaves with a smile. She went to her Mamma Mrs. Maple Baker and asked for cheese for her friends, and with a sweet smile she gave it to Mellow. She put the bread and cheese in a basket and ran back to the palace wall where Mr. Rat and a pack of rodent friends were waiting. There were House mouse, deer mouse, voles, moles, roof rats, packrats, wood rats, gophers and all the other kinds who were waiting for the return of Mellow. As Mellow was running towards them they could smell the freshly baked bread and the cheese... their ears stood up and they too stood up in their hind legs waiting for the food. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She carefully shared the bread with each one of them and after food they all set to work. They kept digging and digging all day long. By the end of the day there was a tunnel in the ground but not enough for Mellow to get through. Her blue eyes were filled with excitement but got wet with tears as she could not get inside the garden. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Don’t you worry Miss Mellow... we will make it big enough for you to go through by dawn." said the wise Mr. Rat.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mellow walked back home thinking about the dawn when she could get into the palace and water the plants. She could hardly sleep but slept off in the sweet dreams of getting to the garden the next morning. Mellow woke up at the first hoot of the rooster. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Cock-ary-koooo </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Cock-ary-koooo</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She took three more loaves of bread and ran to the palace of hearts with enough cheese for the pack. To her surprise the morning sun was shining, showing her way to the garden, a tunnel fit for her with tiny steps to the size of her soft flowery feet. Mr. Rat was waiting for her at the entrance of the tunnel. The blue glassy eyes smiled at Mr. Rat and Mellow thanked the pack and gave them the tasty treats. The pack of rodents went their way with the basket. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mellow walked down and then up into a new world. A world that was dried up with no water, plants were tired and sad with no more flowers to entice the colorful butterflies. Mellow ran from one corner of the garden to the other searching for water. She reached the pond at the other end, but there was nothing there to fetch the water to the plants. Mellow made up her mind. She stepped into the cold pond and drenched herself in the water. Then she would run across the garden to water the plants. She did the running and watering all through the day and by the time the sun set, the garden had enough water. All the plants were happy. She did the same the next day.... and the next day and the next day for a whole week.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the eighth day the plants were eagerly waiting and the buds in the plants were looking at the end of the tunnel visible to them. But Mellow was not there. Mellow had fallen sick. Her body was hot like a hot oven. Her fever did not let her get up from the bed. She wanted to go to the garden and water the plants. The plants were sad too. They prayed hard to God all day long. And Baker and Maple sat by the bedside of their daughter Mellow and kept giving her soup and put the cold cloth patch to bring her fever down. God heard the plants prayers and it started raining. The rain was pouring on the palace of hearts. It washed the palace shining bright. The windows got clear again and when the sun shined bright the next day the prince saw light fall into the hall. He rushed to the window to see the plants in bloom. He ran out of the palace to see the beautiful garden full of fragrant flowers. He asked the plants and the butterflies </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Oh what a magic has come greet.... </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have never seen a sight so bright</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Who did all this, and it’s such a treat</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Tell me flowers that shine so bright"</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The flowers smiled and told the prince the whole story. The palace of hearts was shining bright and so did the prince's heart....He ran to the village in search of her. He ran from house to house asking for Mr. Baker. And finally the prince reached the bakers home and knocked. Mellow opened the door getting up from bed, and saw the prince stand in front of her with eager eyes. Her smile was magical and the prince knew it was her. He grabbed the hands of Mellow and started running towards the palace. From a distance Mellow could not believe her eyes. The dull gray palace was shining bright in the sun, the fragrance of the flowers reached from far. The white shining palace was like a jewel in the crown when she reached the wide open palace gates, where the all the flowers were greeting the prince holding Mellows hands....</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">From that day on.... there was not a single day when the plants did not bloom and Mellow was crowned the queen as the prince took on the reign. The king and queen lived in the palace of hearts happily ever after... and the doors of the palace remain open for all those who cared and shared some smiles.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-63324926061785339152016-07-02T15:28:00.003+04:002016-07-02T22:17:49.608+04:00Fragrance of life ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The air outside was dry, and Kannan felt as if he could breath no more of the dry air around him. He walked in the busy lawyer’s office and sat on the row of chairs in the lobby. The glass window behind him, open to the sky, had the sun setting and with it seemed as if Kannan's hopes were setting too. The thoughts just came back to him again and again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Sorry... it was nice working with you" the oversized HR Manager with his oddly placed spectacles on the tip of the nose said with a straight face devoid of any emotions, handing Kannan the relieving orders.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"But...you said" tried Kannan to reply but words were not coming to him</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He took the envelope and opened it. It had his tickets back home and the final cheque as the settlement amount. It was Kannan's efforts to save his colleague’s job that held him responsible and had to take the brunt.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As he waited for his turn, Kannan was sitting with his heart sinking and eyes closed. It was then he had a strange feeling. A familiar fragrance... something which grabbed his attention. A tall man in white kurta, blue jacket over it and denims, in his fifties with salt and pepper well trimmed hair, walked with a bag in his hand dragged smoothly on the glassy floors of the office lobby stopped near him and turned and looked at Kannan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"May I ..." He asked with a smile which had a strange aura about it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Sure..." said Kannan in a low voice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Murad" He extended his hands for a shake and Kannan reciprocated with a worried look in his face.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There were moments of silence, before Murad asked Kannan, "Would you like to have a coffee?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan smiled affirmatively "Yes"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Murad walked to the coffee machine and took two cups from it. The whirring sound of the machine and the smell of coffee, started relieving Kannan of the stress in his head. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Do I really need to file a case to get the job back which I really don’t need" Kannan thought to himself, when Murad came back to the seat next to him and handed the cup of hot coffee. As they started sipping from the paper cup, Murad turned towards Kannan and said</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"You seemed to be too worried about something, are you ok"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Yeah... I lost my job yesterday and for no reason of mine" said Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Oh that’s sad, but how does it affect you..." asked Murad</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan's brows knit in a strange expression as if asking why he would ever ask such a question</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I mean .... You are young and still have a great life ahead of you... don’t you see the positive in it" asked Murad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan and Murad had a long chat regarding the misfortunes of life, the problems faced and the issues which sometimes grips a person strangling him to an emotionless stillness. And Murad said</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"My dear... nothing comes before its time and nothing stays after its time"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">His words were like instant magic potion which cleared the worries in Kannan's head.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"You can start fresh as long as you have the heart to do so" continued Murad. "If I were to brood at my problems at this age and you know no one comes to a lawyer’s office for fun... I would not be smiling"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The air around him seemed to have a special fragrance... a fragrance which Kannan could not place where he felt the same before. Was it when he left Dubai in 98, was it when he got the call for a new job, was it when he received the award, was it when Narayan was born, was it when .... No... Kannan could not place it to any particular situation... but was sure that the fragrance was very familiar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Thanks Murad Sir... Hope to see you again soon" said Kannan, and walked to the receptionist.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Please cancel my appointment... "</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan walked out of the lawyer’s office and had a smile ...a content smile on his face. Murad's face, the fragrance, the words all kept ringing in his head as he headed home, packed, went to the airport and reached back to Appa and Amma. As he entered 5 year old Narayan was smiling at him, dressed in a small white dhoti and a silky red shirt. Shining like a star, the smiles had something special. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Ah... Kannan..." Appa called out in surprise and excitement "We were going to Guruvayoor... you never told that you would be coming" said Appa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Amma was spell bound as she walked to the hall where Kannan was standing with his bags, straight from the airport. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I will join you in a minute..." said Kannan. He quickly washed and took a dhoti from Appa's cabinet and pulled a white shirt on. Tied his hair in a pony tail and brushed his salt and pepper beard quickly to shed the few drops of water in them after the wash. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I will drive said Kannan" opening the passenger seat to Appa. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Appa smiled and got himself comfortable in the seat. Amma and Narayan sat in the back seat and the drive began with Hanuman chalisa playing on the stereo system with Kannan singing along. From time to time Kannan kept looking back as he drove and saw Narayan playing with his Ammamma and after a while tired and sleeping in her lap. The bhajans kept changing from one to the other and the drive seemed to lighten the worries in Kannan's head. He talked out the issues he had and his decision to start fresh again to Appa. Appa smiled and consoled him. By evening they reached the temple premises and Kannan parked the car and got out breathing the air around the place where millions come to shed their fears and a few tears. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan held Narayan by his hand and the small boy kept looking at his Appa with a smile as Kannan looked at Appa with the same smile. Just the matter of age. As they reached the doors of the sanctum sanctorum, the people were calling out with faith </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Krishna.... Guruvayoorappa....Bhaktavalsala.... Narayana ..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And Narayan who had secured his place in his appas arms, hugged him and asked him in his ears</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Why are they calling me..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan smiled and gently patted on Narayan's face. He took the next step in and his eyes started flowing with tears... the same fragrance... the smell of sandal, flowers and tulsi... the same fragrance... the one he experienced at every juncture of life when it changed... it was the same ... Kannan's eyes were overflowing with tears and the tears cleared the eyes for him to have a look at Guruvayoorappan himself, smiling...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With folded hands, faith in the heart, and Narayan by his side...Kannan knew one thing for sure looking at Guruvayoorappan... He comes in the form of many to lead him towards the right path. He just has to call him for help. After the darshan, Kannan's heart filled with joy as he received the prasadam from the puajri. The sandal paste, the few tulsi leaves and flowers in the leaf. Kannan put the sandal paste on Narayan's forehead and then on his own. He held the prasadam close to his face and took a deep breath...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"It’s Him... It’s Him..."</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-46190955635833258472016-06-30T12:35:00.002+04:002016-06-30T12:35:35.062+04:00A savings account of memories ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was after a very long time that Kannan went back to home, and was trying to clear the cupboard. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Clutter has to be cleared ...." thought Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amma came with his morning cup of filter coffee, steaming hot with strong smell of the freshly brewed coffee. It was different from all the mugs of coffee at the stores as it also had mothers love in it. Amma smiled and said</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"After so many years, your cupboard is going to get a new life ... at last"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan smiled back, took the cup from Amma and sipped the cup of love. It was a unique feeling when the hot coffee went down his throat, refreshing him. He continued taking out old book, papers, files and all that had been stacked for years. Some old photographs, faded negatives in the translucent covers, note books, texts and so much more. The dust from them made him cough a bit, but the feeling of going back in time seeing the writings, the books and the memories associated with it was worth every moment of it. He got a blue plastic bound book among the loads of things. He wiped it with a cloth and opened it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"New Bank of India.... Kannan Iyer.... SB Account ... 1453"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was the first ever bank account he had. Every small amount of money he got, be it for Vishu or from periyamma as a reward for his achievements in academics as a blessing, or the small amounts of money he took from Appa for cleaning the car or selling old paper. All that went into the account sparing a bit for his books from the book store Paico. He went through each line of it and the first deposit of 5000 rupees dated March 12, 1984. He remembered walking into the bank along with Amma and starting the first ever Bank account in his life with the money he got for his upanayanam. Appa had asked Amma to go with him to start the account. Saving little by little started with that day in his life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When he got the blue passbook from the accountant at the teller counter, which he could hardly reach, the nine year old Kannan had a smile worth a million in the Swiss bank. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Appa.... I will clean the car every week" said the young Kannan "two rupees for car and one rupee for the scooter" was his demand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Appa patted on his back with a glowing smile and said "Done"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The hard earned money was stored in a box he kept secretly inside his study table which had a green sticker on the inner wall which read "Chant Hare Krishna and Be Happy". Every time he opened the desk he would look at the sticker and chant and then look at his safely saved money, to be deposited in the bank.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Months went by and every month Kannan would go with Amma to the bank to deposit the small amounts counting it with care every time he did. He would walk into the huge bank premises as if he owned the world tightly holding the red velvet pouch which Ammamma had given him and give it to the teller along with his pass book.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan stopped the cleaning for a while and was seeing every small entry in the passbook. The money he had saved as a child. He saw a withdrawal entry in it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"1500.00"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan smiled looking at that entry. That was the time when Videocon had launched the economical version of a walkman. It was 300, as Kannan saw it in the Sunday Supplement of Indian Express. The advertisement enticed him and he decided to buy one for himself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Amma ... when are you going to the bank" Kannan asked Amma who was busy preparing biriyani for lunch. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Tomorrow... why what happened... deposit" asked Amma stirring the masala which gave the kitchen a unique smell of the spices.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"No ... I want to buy something... withdrawal" Kannan said with a proud smile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Ok" replied Amma</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The day went looking forward to the next morning when he would go to the bank to withdraw money. Kannan checked again at night before sleep,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Amma ... take me to the bank ... okay"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tired with the day’s work, with sleepy eyes, Amma removed her spectacles and kept on the bedside table and smiled affirmatively.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan woke up early, finished his bath, prayers and got dressed up, ready to go to the bank with Amma. Every now and then he would go and check whether Amma is getting ready. And the moment he saw Amma ready he rushed and put his shiny black shoes on which he had kept polished the previous evening. He was looking at his best when he held Amma's hands and walked with her to the bank which was just a block away. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The person who took the red pouch every time looked at Kannan walk in and extended his arms as if to take the red pouch. Kannan smiled at him and said</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"No... I want to withdraw money"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His eyes sparkled as he took the withdrawal slip and signed it and gave it to Amma for her signature as it was mandatory for the guardian’s signature for minor accounts. He took the money in his hands as Amma watched him take it with the brightest of expressions she had seen. He carefully put all the notes in the brown wallet he had hid in his back pocket, the one which he got when they shopped for the previous festival from the cloth store. The wallet had the emblem of the store embossed on it and the address of the shop printed in white inside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Amma... I will come soon... can I go shopping" asked Kannan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For a 10 year old, he was taller and the town was known to him with his frequent visits to the book shops nearby. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Careful" Amma said "Cross the road with care and come back soon"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan walked with the money in his pocket and kept looking back where Amma was standing in front of the bank seeing her son walk with his head held high. There was a smile on her which Kannan never could forget. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan walked into the electronics shop and asked the person behind the counter where there was a huge hoarding of the newly launched Videocon Walkman. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I want a walkman" said the 10 year old to the salesman.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The salesman looked with wonder. He showed the small black box which had the three buttons on top and a headset. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Do you want to see how it works" He asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Yes ... please" replied Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He inserted the cassette and played it for Kannan and put the headset on the young boy's head. Kannan head the song ring in his head and just fell in love with the experience. Private sound system... he thought to himself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Pack it please ..." said Kannan and took the purse out and carefully counted three notes of hundred and gave it to the salesman.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"At the cash counter please " said the salesman still not able to believe his eyes, seeing the small boy doing his shopping with style.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Walking out of the store, Kannan looked at the world outside, the bright new world where he had done shopping for himself, with his own money he had saved. He started walking back and saw a cloth store and the mannequin adorned with a peacock blue churidar with black leaves design on it. It looked very attractive. Kannan walked into the store after checking again for his wallet. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was evening and Kannan was sipping the coffee Amma had given him and Akka walked in after her embroidery class, she used to attend, as it was holidays for both of them. Kannan looked at her enter and quickly rushed to the study room where he had unpacked the walkman and came back to the dining table with his walkman. Put on the headset and kept glancing at Akka, and her reactions seeing him have a new walkman.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oh new walkman..." asked Akka</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Ya... mine" said Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The tease did not go well, but Akka kept her calm and asked</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Can I see it..?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Sure..." was Kannan's reply.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He handed the walkman and switched it on for her and as she was listening to the song, ran back to the room. He opened the cupboard and took the white plastic carry bag which had a package in it. Came back in style and looked at Akka who was enjoying the song.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"This is for you... from me... Happy Birthday" said Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The surprise and the smile on her face was priceless. She opened the package and it was the flowy peacock blue churidar for her from her little brother. Even till date, Akka has that churidar that her little brother had given her. Old but kept safe as a priceless possession, and Kannan knows it too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan sat down to write his diary that night after cleaning the cupboard and giving it a new life as Amma said. He wrote:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Money saved remains as it is... but spent for loved ones gifts you memories to treasure worth a million times its value" and smiled, putting his pen down.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-92200230414871510052016-06-22T21:31:00.001+04:002016-06-22T21:31:23.705+04:00The First Stage ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was yet another event in Kannan's life and Narayan was on stage for the first time. Kannan had his usual set of butterflies in his stomach. The fear and the apprehension had kept him going all these years were there when his son was on stage. The stage always beckoned again and again since childhood. Kannan spent hours to write the speech for him on teacher’s day for Narayan. The pride he had when Narayan rehearsed his lines with style. He saw the smile on Narayan's face when he was rendering his lines to perfection. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan remembered the first time he was on stage when he was in his Upper Kindergarten. He was enacting a play as the King in "The Sleeping Beauty". Seema played his Queen, Roshini was a fairy and Sheena was the princess. Kids of the same class rehearsed the play over and over again and the day arrived when the play was to be staged. The orange cape, red silk dress and the shoes with the silver lining all gave Kannan a smile which was beyond compare. He went on stage and played his part to the fullest. For years he kept looking at the pictures with pride. Amma was there to see the play, but never expressed her joy thinking it would spoil him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The next time was when he was in his Class 1, when he was to give a speech on Teacher's day. The speech was written by Kottayam Thatha and he took pride when Kannan rendered those lines.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Dear Parents Teachers and my dear friends.... I would like to tell you about our teachers, who make us what we are...." Kannan had learnt those lines by rote and said as if he understood all that he was saying. Kottayam Thatha in his white shirt and dhoti was sitting eagerly to listen to his brother's grandson speak so well. Kannan saw the tears in his eyes when he completed the speech with those two magical words "Thank You"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Kottayam Thatha... did I say it right" Kannan asked</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Yes Kanna ... you did" He smiled, wiped the tears of joy with his hands and hugged him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The day when Kannan was to deliver his speech had arrived, but Kottayam Thatha had to leave. Kannan waved goodbye to Thatha the previous evening. As he was leaving, he asked Kannan to say those lines again and Kannan stood on the steps and said it with style to see Kottayam Thatha's eyes fill with joy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was teacher’s day and Kannan was at his best. The red and black chequered shorts and the red tie with the school badge, hair cut to perfection and groomed like an army officer at his best. Kannan looked at the mirror many times before he went to the dining table to have his breakfast quickly before rushing to school. Akka was already at the table with her cream top, blue skirt and hair braided well in two pigtails on the sides tied with black ribbon. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Amma... give me breakfast quick" said Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Coming" said Amma</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan held the piece of paper, which had the script, in his hand which Kottayam Thatha had given him. He was reading it over and over again with a smile. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"What is that" asked Akka</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For a second Kannan felt blank. and replied</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I had told you... I am giving a speech for Teachers Day today... are you not coming" Kannan asked eagerly</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"No we also have something in our class" replied Akka quickly finishing her breakfast.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Amma..." called out Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Yes Kanna..." was the reply from the kitchen</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Are you not coming to school today to listen to my speech" asked Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I don’t know... have loads of work, Appa also has given me a lot of work... I have heard you say the speech so many times" said Amma as she came to the fining table from the kitchen wiping her sweat from the forehead with the back of her hand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan felt sad and his face did show it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Now don’t sulk... be a good boy... I know you will do well" Amma said</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan folded the piece of paper and put it in his shirt pocket. He finished his breakfast and rushed to school. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The festivities added color to the same premises Kannan and his friends spent all the time. The steps of the school turned to be the place where the stage was put up and the back drop read "Teachers Day 81". All the students from different classes walked to the corridor which was the venue for the event. There were parents and other elders too, who were there to witness the festivities. Kannan looked at the stage and there were butterflies in his stomach, which was a new feeling for him. He wanted to do his best and there was the feeling "What if I go wrong..." Kannan prayed hard and was waiting for the name to be called...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Kannan ... One B" the speakers boomed as the crowd stood there listening. It had teachers, his classmates, his school mates, their parent and so many people. Kannan stepped on the stage with a smile. There was only one thing in mind when he was on stage. How happy Kottayam Thatha would be if he were there. He just thought of those eyes with tears of joy. Kannan walked to the mic, which was set to his height. He adjusted it with his little hands and started</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Dear Parents, Teachers and my dear friends...."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With a thumping heart Kannan finished his speech in a flow, not even stopping for a doubt, as Thatha had trained him so well with the lines. As he finished Kannan said</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Thank You"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The corridor of the school, overflowing with the sea of people, burst into applause seeing the little one finish the speech in confidence and style. The claps gave Kannan the sense of satisfaction and happiness. He was full of joy. His eyes searched for a familiar face among the crowd.... the eyes looked far ... kept looking for his loved ones.... kept looking for Amma, Akka or Appa.... no one was seen. He stood there by the side of the stage and each time a performance finished he saw the child’s parent come and lift him up with smiles galore and hug him. Kannan kept looking if someone would come and hug him too. His face dropped like a flower in the midday sun and his heart sank deep. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The event concluded with Victoria miss coming on stage and thanking everyone. Kannan stood there as everyone left, expecting someone to come to him too. But no one came. Kannan had the joy in his heart, about how well he did, but it was washed away by the waves of sadness which rose from the fact that there was no one to hug him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Hey Kannan... You were great on stage" Kannan heard a little voice call out to him</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With a smile Kannan turned to see Ajai standing there, waiting for him. Both of them smiled at each other and walked with hands over the shoulders. The friends smile and appreciation made Kannan smile again. They walked through the school gates back home, both being there for the other. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There were many gathering where Amma made Kannan deliver the speech before uncles and friends, but Kannan felt the lack every time he did. He had no one to lift him up in their arms and hug him. History was repeating itself with Narayan giving his first speech on Teachers day. But there was a difference this time, Kannan was there to see his son on stage and the eyes fill with a smile and take pride. He was there waiting to run up to him and hug him as soon as the speech finished.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-14514126640845163972016-06-12T20:00:00.003+04:002016-06-12T20:00:28.756+04:00Sleepless Night ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Travel was both fun and work for Kannan. There were days when weekdays were regular job and on weekends he would leave on his bike in the morning and return with a smile on the face along with the dirt of the dusty roads late in the night as a part of his second job, rather a passion. The smile would be from all the accomplishments for the day, having trained his team far and wide in the multilevel marketing. It was a Sunday and Kannan set out on his work early in the morning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Appa was out for his morning walk, Amma and Priya were sleeping. Sunday being a lazy day he knew they would wake up late. Kannan got himself ready in a pair of jeans and a jacket which carried the world for him. Each pocket was filled with something or the other for the day. The jacket was more of a pocket holder than a riding jacket. His choice of black for the ride was to hide the dirt and dust while he traveled far. He put his goggles on and got on the bike leaving a note on the dining table</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Will be late... off to work... Love Kannan"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As he drove into the morning roads the trees shaded his face from the morning sun, light enough to warm a smile, the streets were smiling with fragrant flowers, and morning had just started with its own set of activities. The bells of bicycles with newspaper rang a few bells; the milkman was also stopping by houses delivering milk at the doorstep. There were temple goers and the temples had their morning prayers on the worn out speakers. Kannan drove past the city and got on to the highway. The smell of freshly brewed tea and vadas lured Kannan as he passed every small tea shop. Hard to resist he stopped by for a tea and snack. He saw a small boy by the side of the tea shop in rags. His smile was fading off in hunger and seeing his eyes crave for a snack, Kannan got him a vada and a tea. The smile which blossomed gave him more energy to set out with double the vigour. The day was fruitful and he met his team in Tamil Nadu. Marthandam, Nagecoil, Kanyakumari, the list seemed endless. It was already half past nine when he wound up the last team meeting in Kanyakumari. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Sir... it was really interesting to see you handle your team" Said Vimal, one of his team members</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan smiled and was filled with joy to see his team active and revved up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Would you have dinner with us" Vimal asked</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"With Pleasure" said Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They went to Vimal's house, a small portion of a row house where the poverty had taken its toll. The happiness with which Vimal's sister served the hot idlis made it tastier. The sambhar which smelled more of love than coriander, the idlis which looked more like smiley. The dinner was over a series of discussions on when the next meeting would be and what the plans were for the same. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Deep in his heart, he was so happy and excited and with the smile started back home. Kannan checked his watch and it was well past 11. The day’s achievements, the small boy’s smiles, Vimal and his team mate’s love for him all kept him going and reached home by 1 in the night. He parked his bike and looked at the mirror on the bike. His eyes were sunk and the dirt had made them black as if he was returning from a boxing bout. But the sparkle in it was priceless. He was soaked in sweat but gave him the satisfaction of a successful day. He looked up to see the apartment lights were switched on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Who is awake at this hour" Kannan thought and punched the third floor button of the lift. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The lift came to a halt and the corridor was dark. The light from home was seeping through the gap of the slightly open door. Kannan opened the door to find Amma and Priya in the hall room.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oh you did not sleep" asked Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"What on earth do you think you are doing" asked Amma angrily</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan saw Priya's eyes wet with tears. He understood that the discussion between them would have been about him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"The meeting got late and had dinner ... so... I" Kannan tried to explain</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I don't want explanations" Priya said in an affirmative voice moist with worry and concern</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"How can you be careless like this... don't you know we are here.... couldn't you just call once from somewhere" Amma's </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">started her firing with an arsenal of questions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan remained silent and stood there at the line of fire like a fallen soldier. The questions died down and night settled in another couple of minutes of scoffs scorn and shouting. The night was not as comfortable as Kannan's heart wanted to share the success of the day but in return he went into the dumps mentally. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was Monday morning and as Kannan woke up, he saw a cup of coffee by the bedside. Priya was getting ready to go to the temple, from where she would go to her parents home and then to work. No exchange of byes or morning wishes were there for the day owing to the previous night. Kannan sipped the coffee and went to the hall room to check the headlines. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Amma... I am going... see you in the evening" said Priya to Amma and walked away.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan remained silent and was brushing through the news, when he felt a warm hand touch his arms. Kannan looked up and saw Amma. Fresh after a bath and prayers, but eyes revealed the sleepless night she had. She was smiling but still worried at heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Don't feel bad" said Amma</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I scolded you as Priya would feel left out if I don't share her worries and concerns... we were worried... But I saw the sense of achievement in the smile you had when you walked in"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan could not say anything seeing the care which kept her awake and rendered her sleepless. There are moments in life when we do certain things for others and get hurt ourselves, little did Kannan know how difficult it was for Amma. He saw Amma get back to the kitchen where the morning breakfast was keeping Amma busy. Kannan kept the coffee cup in the sink for washing and turned to Amma with a smile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I am sorry Amma... will try and avoid such situations" said Kannan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The smile on Amma's face said it all. The day began with love and all the happiness of the previous day’s accomplishments.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-69011846631120425972016-06-01T16:49:00.001+04:002016-06-01T16:49:42.701+04:00Smiles come back home ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Smile please" said Babu Uncle of Ensign Studio</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The studio was always a place of wonder for Kannan. He smiled at the amazing sights around him. Before the picture was clicked Kannan walked around the studio and the dressing room, he saw camera's of different kinds set to take pictures, the huge sheets of colored paper for the background. The red carpeted floor, the dressing room with a mirror and the smell of the orange and white tin of Cuticura powder kept on the dressing table by the mirror, the different combs and brushes, the coats and ties on the hanger on the wall, the huge reflectors and flashes of the studio floor, Kannan was lost in the world of photography. Kannan loved photography from a very young age and for the nine year old in his blue jeans which he got from Jean shack the previous day and well pressed white and blue chequered shirt, prim proper stood with Amma in her violet saree and Akka in her blue and white frock with hair tied up in two pig tails on the sides.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Click", The huge white umbrellas flashed a lightning and the photo was taken.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The picture was for Appa and that picture was very special with Amma and Akka. All that he understood then was that Appa has got a job in Nigeria and that he would be flying in an aero plane soon, with the smiling family picture. Appa was at the counter checking for the date when he would get his passport size photograph and the family photo. The evening was young and the next in line was dinner at Bharath Tourist Home, a restaurant which they went for celebrating special occasions or weekend eat outs. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the dinner started Kannan heard Appa talk to Amma. While having the dosa silently he heard his words</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"They say I will have to fly in two weeks" said Appa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"And how will you manage" Amma asked</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Will have to... and you three can come after two years" Appa replied</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The silence after that statement said it all. It was for the better prospects of the family, but the separation was painful. There were no many smiles during the dinner. The aroma of the food did not lure the heart, nor did it make a difference as it usually did. The silence followed them till all slept that night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan opened his eyes the next day to see Appa get ready to go to office. He got up from the bed and ran to Appa and hugged him, holding the leg as it was the pillar of his love that he would not leave even at the cost of his life. Appa smiled and gave a pat on his cheeks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Chandu.... Kanna.... Good morning" Appa said with love</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan smiled and asked</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Appa... are you going to foreign"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Yes Kanna ... and you will come too ... soon" said Appa.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The smile was slowly melting away to sad stares. The thought of being away from Appa was hurting Kannan for sure. The whole day at office Gopal, Kannan's Appa, found it difficult to forget the eyes which were looking at him in the morning when Kannan asked about his trip. Around 3pm he received a call</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Gopal Sir... call for you" said the receptionist and transferred the call.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Hello" said Appa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Mr. Gopal, you have to pay 30,000 for the visa and associated expenses"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Ok" said Appa and continued "When should I make the payment"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"A weeks time... thank you"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a matter of fact 30,000 was big money then, but it was not so difficult for him. The money was arranged in two days time. The list for purchase was made and home was more of silence than celebrations of the new avenue. Every day was mechanical as days nudged towards the day when the payment was to be made. More of sleepless nights for Appa and Amma. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Appa reached office and dialed the number of the agent who was making arrangement for the placement. All procedures of interviews and forms to be filled was done and it was the agent on the other end of the call</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I am not interested" said Appa to the Agent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He came back home that evening with a smile on his face. He hugged Kannan who ran to him as he came back home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"You are so happy... what happened" Amma asked</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Yes. I said "No" to the Agent, I am not going ...."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Smiles returned home that evening as the heart filled with hopes of being together and not being separated from the family. Appa's life was completely for the three most precious people in his life - His family. Kannan, Pachai will have their Appa close to them. Amma smiled with a sigh of relief that they need not think about being away from him. Life is a choice we make as we live each day. And the choice Appa made between more money and more love was obvious. He chose love .... That choice would forever remain a lesson for Kannan when he grows up, and the picture they took at Ensign Studio will remind him of the same.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-65710566942621154632016-05-31T12:28:00.001+04:002016-05-31T12:28:57.351+04:00Kannan breaks a record ....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Days in Bangalore are always fun. The walk through the brigade street or a visit to the cafe's on the sidewalks, the cool </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">breeze, the smell of roast corn on the cob, the street vendors selling cheap jewelry, fashion accessories, belts, jackets and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">purses and a lot more. Kannan loved Bangalore as there is a part of his infanthood associated to the city, which was much </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">more greener then. Since the time he remembered Bangalore winds had a special smell. The aroma of fun and frolic. Laid </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">back attitude of people who would live enjoying their lives with a smile on their face irrespective of the strata of the society </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">they belonged to. The streets would satisfy the low, the sidewalks for the middle and the cafes, pubs and restaurants for the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">high class. There was something for everyone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Though he does not remember much, the Kannada he heard from his mother, a few vacations and his personal visits had </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">made the city close to his heart. The banners and hoardings on both sides of the road, the shops, the cars, and the people </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">who loved living their life enjoying it were all sights worth a look more for Kannan. Bangalore was more of the Rio of India if </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mumbai (I would prefer to say Bombay) was the New York and Delhi was the London. Every evening most of the streets </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">would have the fervor of a carnival. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan's eyes were stuck on the first look on the sidewalk where he saw a man dressed in the usual vendor style with his </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Khaki pants, blue sweater and a strange brown monkey cap. The evening breeze was cool and he was trying to bear the cold </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and hang a few LP discs, the name popularized by the Long Play Vinyl discs, on the wall on to the hooks he had arranged on </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ropes. Old LP records for gramophone and record players. The age of the LP discs and the juke boxes are gone and the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">prospective clients the man was looking for were the ones who vouch the quality and the grains of the vinyl discs or those </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">who would like to have a part of the history on their walls as antiques. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kannan walked towards the guy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Namaskara Sir... enu bekku" He asked to ask what Kannan wanted</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By instinct the reply came out "idera LP disc bele Eshtu" with the eyes shining excitement.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Aivaththu rupya" was his reply </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">50 rupees per disc and was excited at the best bargain he could ever get. He started searching through the whole bundles of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">discs. Old ones, classics, devotional.... the collection was so huge, Kannan knew in his mind, that if he let his mind into </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">buying, it would cost him a fortune as all of them were so luring.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He saw a particular disc 45 rpm Short Play disc with red label in the middle. The black shellac disc had the name "SHOLAY" </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">written on it. He remembered the songs so well. He had the disc and started smiling to himself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It was a regular event at home when Venki mama used to come for vacations to dance to the tunes of the songs played on </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the record player. Appa always played MS Subbalakshmi classical and devotional songs, but Venki mama and the four year </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">old Kannan always chose film songs and the few English Discs of Usha Iyer, later who became popular as Usha Uthup. The </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">black Odeon Discs knew the time when they would be picked up by Venki mama and carefully placed on the turning disc on </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the record player. Then he would catch hold of the needle arm by its ears and place it on the shining black groove after </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">switching the rpm knob and started the player. The needle when it rests on the groove, it starts moving towards the inner </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">circles of the record and the song would be heard after the initial silent hiss of the player. Then it was dance time for Kannan </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and Venkimama. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was another vacation for Venkimama and the usual dance sessions where on when Amma was returning from her </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">tailoring classes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Venki... here is a disc of Sholay... I borrowed it from my teacher" said Amma</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The name of the teacher sent shivers down the spine of Kannan. He was scared of the tailoring teacher who used to come </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">home for tea sometimes. It was a big black mole on her face that scared Kannan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Great ...Kanna... time for a new dance" said Venki mama to Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He played the record and Kannan heard the Hindi song which even remains close to his heart till date</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"O0000 ....Mehbooba ... mehbooba ...."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They danced to the song over and over again till they dropped exhausted laughing and dancing. For the next two weeks the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">record found its top position at home for Venki and Kannan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That morning it was time for Venki to leave and bags were packed. Kannan stood there by the door with a sad drooping face </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that his playmate was leaving. He had tears in his eyes, when Venki came and hugged him tight. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Don’t worry, I will be back soon" said Venki to Kannan which brought a smile back to his face.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Venki mama left and Amma had her tailoring classes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Kanna... be a good boy, I will be back soon, if you want anything ask periyamma ... okay?" said Amma waving to him with </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">her black two fold umbrella and her brown floral pattern saree and black oval bakelite spectacles. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As Amma walked out of sight, Kannan ran to the cupboard where the records were kept. He pulled the Sholay Disc to play </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and it slipped from his hand. Kannan's heart started pounding seeing the edge of the disc break and a piece fall apart. The </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">face of the tailoring teacher came to his mind. Her anger was so evident in Kannan's thought, when she would come to know </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that her disc was broken. For the next hour, Kannan could not do anything. He kept running from room to room trying to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">find a place to hide. His heart was still beating fast</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oh what have I done ... Amma will scold me ... no she will be furious... no... She will beat me... what will Appa say... what </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">will the teacher say" thoughts ran wild in Kannan's mind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was then the sight doubled his fears. He saw Amma walking towards home with the tailoring teacher</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Why did she have to come today itself.... Oh she is coming to take her record back... now what to do?" Kannan started </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sweating. His throat went dry, heart beats were more like drum beats at its crescendo. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amma and her teacher walked into the home to find no one around and the door was open. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Kanna ...." called Amma</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan could hear the muffled calls but did not respond. Amma kept calling finding no response. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"May be he has gone to his periyappa's house" Kannan heard Amma telling the teacher</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amma seated the teacher in the hall and walked into the room to keep her bag. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Teacher I stitched the frock, you taught me.... please come inside... I want to show you"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan heard the footsteps and the heart was in a roll. Amma opened the cupboard to take the frock out and she screamed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She saw Kannan crouched among the clothes on the second shelf inside the cupboard with the broken record clenched in his </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">hands. Amma and teacher had a laugh when they realized what had happened. The record breaking attempt was successful </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and since then the memories of the dances and music also had a companion.... the record breaking attempt. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan thought about his antics in the childhood while he decided the LP discs he would buy. The man in his monkey cap </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">counted the discs and took money from Kannan. Kannan walked with the white plastic bag with the LP records with a smile </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">on his lips. He brushed his long hair with his fingers back which flew in the breeze and kept smiling. The cover had the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">record which brought back the sweet memories on the top and it read .... </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Sholay"</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-42773728528526977432016-05-24T15:10:00.002+04:002016-05-24T15:10:26.680+04:00Dining Out ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Good evening Sir" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Greeted the Restaurant Manager in crisp grey suit and white shirt. Well trimmed beard and a smile fixed on to his lips. Five star hospitality at its best, thought </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kannan seeing him. Kannan smiled back with a grace which was so much a part of his lifestyle.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Do you have a reservation" He asked</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Yes... I stay in Room 411" replied Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oh is it... Pleasure to welcome you sir and you are our privileged customer... please come this way" said the suave Manager and led Kannan to the table. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan was in his relaxed favorite attire, a long brush cotton beige colored Kurta and pure white pyjamas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The manager pulled the chair and smiled to offer the seat to Kannan. Waved out to the service waiter to attend to the special guest. The slim young gentleman </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in black and black came towards Kannan and greeted</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Good evening Sir, My name is Vaibhav and I would be happy to take care of your needs this evening" said the smiling young man.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Get me something light and special" said Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Sure Sir, I will take the privilege to place the order on your behalf" said Vaibhav and moved towards the Open kitchen counter in the huge restaurant. He </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">returned in a while with an exotic tropical refresher as the welcome drink</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Sir this is our special welcome drink for you with Fresh Orange juice, sliced banana, diced mangoes, watermelon, and pineapple over crushed ice... enjoy" said </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Vaibhav</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sipping the welcome drink Kannan was reminded of the weekly outings he had with his family. He was reminded of Appa who never bothered to get himself new clothes but would clothe Kannan and Pachai with the best possible. He was reminded of Amma who would be ready to give them all the food, even if it means to go hungry herself. He was reminded of the happy moments they shared, the trips, the Sunday morning breakfast which Appa used to bring home, the evening outings and the film and a treat at the restaurant. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sunday was the day when Appa would pick a movie to watch, and post the film, would be a dinner at a Restaurant. Nothing high flying but a fun outing for a </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">normal middle class family. During one such outing, after watching the film 15 year old Kannan walked out looking at others, with airs around him like the hero </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">of the film. Appa, Amma and Akka joined him in a while. They got into the car and everyone knew the destination "Arul Jyothi".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Car was parked and they reached the hotel, where the manager in white and white smiled seeing the regular weekly customers. His smile was so broad and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">bright like a tube light in its full power. The hotel had glass showcases with different varieties of sweets and savories. The smell of dosas and chutney filled the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">air with the smell of burning agarbathies in front of the Gods pictures. As they walked in Kannan saw the glass refrigerator with soft drinks with the glass </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">frosted with the moisture. They walked in and sat down to order. The smiling waiter raised his eye brows at Kannan as it was his way of greeting Kannan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Sir Soup" asked the waiter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"No... what do you have" Asked Appa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He listed out the dishes in his nonstop regular style</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Dosa, Nai roast, Rocket Masal, Masal Dosa, Idly, Borotta, Uthappam, chapaththi, Poori, Chola puri, koththu Porotta, upma, Pongal ..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hardly could Kannan understand the rest, but heard his favorite Chola Puri in between and quickly retorted out in excitement</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I want Chola Puri"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Appa smiled and placed the order asking Amma and Akka too</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Nai Roast" said Akka</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Poori" said Amma</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One plate chapatti kurma, one Nai roast, one set poori and one Chola Puri" said Appa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then it was the waiting time when the discussion was on about the film they had just watched, with topics from inside the family about someone getting </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">married, some function to be attended, someone coming in search of a job and so on till the food arrived. Then it would be silence except for the munching </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sounds around the table. The aroma of the fresh coconut chutney, the masala, the chole, the sliced onions, the raita, the crisp dosa roasted to perfection like </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">paper in ghee, and the aroma of the fluffy poori in full bloom like balloons. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The eating ends with the waiter coming to take the dessert order</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Sir ... kafi, tea, juice, rose milk"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"One masala milk for me" said Appa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I want Rose milk" said Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Akka smiled and said "Me too"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amma was silent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Appa asked her "Don’t you want anything"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Amma shrugged her shoulder and gestured that she did not want anything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Akka, Kannan and Appa finished the last course and waited for the bill. Amma went on talking about Venki Mama, Swami Mama and about a few others which </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">was not much of interest to Kannan. He walked to the sweet show case and stood there looking at them. Appa paid the bill and walked out and tapped Kannan's </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">shoulder and kept the hand on his back as they walked towards the car. As they slowly drove through the slowly sleeping town roads and reached home Kannan </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">noticed Amma's face. The car stopped in front of the house and Appa parked the car. As they walked out Kannan noticed again at Amma's face a strange silent </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">expression.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Amma... why are you silent... what happened... are you ok" asked Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Ya ... I am ok" said Amma</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"There is something... tell me"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"No ... it’s okay" she said</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"tell me what the matter is" Kannan insisted</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"No one asked me whether I wanted rose milk...." said Amma</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thinking of that moment, Kannan sipped the refresher he was having and coughed when a seed of the watermelon hit his throat in the last draw of the drink. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan called Vaibhav and asked for the main course and went on to think</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Mothers are like that, they never tell what they want. They hide their wishes for their children, even simple wishes. She could have asked that day, but didn’t. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I still don’t know the reason. She would be happy seeing a smile on her children's faces but would hide all her wants and needs"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan quickly put his hands to his pockets and took the mobile phone out. Dialed the number and waited till it was answered... in a few rings</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Hello" came the answer from Amma and Kannan could see the smile in his heart</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"How are you Amma... finished dinner... where is Appa?" Asked Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Ya... and Appa is watching his favorite serial on TV" replied Amma</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They talked for a few minutes and after the call was dropped the dinner was served before him, delicacies from far and wide a special combo designed for him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Whatever be the cuisine, the smile which comes to my face when I walked out of Arul Jyothi with Appa's hand on my shoulder and the sad face of Amma not </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">able to have the rose milk.... priceless" Kannan thought</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Quickly took the phone and typed a message to Amma on Whatsapp</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Amma... I'm coming home this Sunday... after the event. We will go for a movie and then a dinner at Arul Jyothi... and this time you should tell me what you want... and also a Rose </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">milk is pending from my side"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The phone buzzed a reply within a short while</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">" :) "</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-45180481455685692282016-05-23T13:38:00.000+04:002016-05-23T13:38:20.663+04:00Its Raining ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Kanna ... we will be back by 8.30, so take care and be a good boy" Amma gave Kannan the instructions with a smile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was for the first time, Kannan was alone at home late. Kannan smiled back and felt the pride in the fact that he is being given the responsibility to take care of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the house. A bit of studies, bit of sun, and all the time all alone at home. Though it was not a home alone story, Kannan waved a happy bye to Appa Amma and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Akka. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Don’t worry Amma.... I will take care" Kannan replied like a grown up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan went to the gate and saw them get into the car and drive away. Kannan ran back up home, locked the door and took the keys, started throwing and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">catching it in style and went straight to the TV room. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Will watch TV for some time and then study", Kannan thought</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As Appa drove towards Swaminathan Mama's house Amma started her usual doubts</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Did I turn the gas off?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Did I switch the heater off?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">... and so on</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Appa and Akka heard a half and left the rest for her to voice and not be heard, as they were used to her doubts wherever they went, be it a day at the movies or </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a long distance vacation. These were common doubts in every mother's mind for sure and Amma was not an exception.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Amma ... Kannan is there and he will take care of it... can you stop worrying" said Pachai from the back seat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"No... I think I left the gas main switch on"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Appa and Pachai remained silent. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Meanwhile, Kannan switched the TV on and sat back in the chair like the boss of the house. In his Black shorts and favorite Blue and Brown Full sleeve T shirt, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he went to the mirror and had a look at the boss of the house for the evening. Combed back his hair and smiled at himself. Went back to his chair and watched </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">TV for some time and then felt the hunger creep up in his tummy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The kitchen shelf was smiling at him with the yummy sweets Amma had made at home for Diwali. He ran to the kitchen shelf and took the whole big boxful of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">sweets. For a 12 year old boy, the whole house to his wish was more of a fun arena. He took a bottle of ice cold water and kept it near the chair. Sat on it with </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">folded legs and kept the box in his lap like a baby. Opened the lid and started helping himself. Yummy ladoos, Puran Poli and all the delicacies smiled at him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Each time he had a piece, he kept telling himself, "This is the last one" and had one more. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After a while, having had too much sweets Kannan felt a bit high in his head. Sweets can do it to you too... He switched the TV off and went to his study. He </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">opened the school bag and took out his note books and placed them in front of him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Homework", Kannan decided</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He started with Maths, and then went on to English, and then Geography... As he was writing he saw his handwriting turn to wavy lines and not words. They </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">made no sense to him; neither would it make any sense to the Arundhathi teacher, if she tries to read it the next day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After the visit to Swaminathan Mama's house for a function Appa was driving back home, when Amma continued expressing her concerns...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"What would Kannan be doing...hope he does not lock the house from inside"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"He would be fine... will you please stop worrying" said Appa in a stern voice, tired of the incessant questions for the past three hours.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They reached home and saw the study on the first floor and were relieved. Appa locked the car and Amma and Pachai moved ahead. As Appa reached the door </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Amma was ringing the bell and already looking worried.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Listen.... he is not opening the door...."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Appa looked slightly worried and rang the bell again. Akka's eyes started getting wet with tears, thinking what would have happened to her little brother. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Amma was panicked and started calling out to the neighbors. People started gathering and the knocks started getting louder and louder. No one had a clue what </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">was happening inside.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Call Unni" Appa told Amma "He can climb the wall and reach out to the sunshade and open the window"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amma ran to the next house to call Unni. Always ready to help, he was a darling of the colony, who would go any length to help others. Unni was having his </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">dinner when Amma went to call him. Amma voice shuddered as she called Unni</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Unni... something has happened to Kannan. He is not opening the door"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He washed his hands and ran out with Amma in his lungi and a vest. He reached the door where almost the half of those who were awake in the colony to find </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">out what had happened to the lovely little boy. Unni immediately jumped on the wall and climbed it. Swiftly he reached the sunshade. He tried to open the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">window and they were closed. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Someone get me a screwdriver" shouted Unni</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Padmanabhan uncle who stayed in the next house sent his driver home to get the screwdriver from the tool box. Tool box was brought and the screwdriver was </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">thrown to Unni, who was still on the sunshade near the window. He jagged the window open with a screwdriver and opened it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"The fan is on, lights are on ..." Unni's commentary started</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I can see the table and chair... no Kannan is not on the chair" he continued</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Check the floor... is Kannan ok" Appa asked Unni with concern</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"There he is... I think he is sleeping... he is on the books...." said Unni which sent waves of relief to all waiting there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Kannan... Kannan..."Unni called getting no response from him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Someone get me a hose and connect it to the tap in the garden pipe" instructed Unni.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A long green hose was reeled out in rescue. The hose was connected to the tap and the other end reached out to Unni. The tap was opened and there it was... an </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">artificial rain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan was in a dream world, when he felt drops of water falling on him. He couldn’t understand what was happening or where he was, when he woke up from </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the sweet slumber all the sweets had given him. He ran to the door and took the keys from his pocket and opened it. He saw a whole lot of people standing there </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in front of the door. The little boy with surprise in his eyes and seeing Appa, Amma and Akka standing with a whole lot of people he said</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"It's raining in the house ..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Everyone laughed. Amma with tears in her eyes started laughing too. Appa was angry, and his anger fizzled out with the comment from Kannan. Akka was </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">laughing out loud looking at the soaking wet Kannan. Kannan got a grip of what had happened. His head went down with a smile and the realization. For many </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">years to come Kannan was taunted in fun by all who were there</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"It's raining in the house ..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Some memories are sweet and others sweeter.... Every time water drops fell on Kannan's face, he would remember the episode at home when it was raining </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">inside the house.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-60199894686475456282016-05-22T17:47:00.001+04:002016-05-23T08:14:28.614+04:00The Bedtime Story ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Narayan" Kannan called out to his 16 year old sweetheart</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Son... it’s time for the bed time story" said Kannan</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I'm coming Appa..." said Narayan</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan, at 56 was all excited and was restless like a five-year-old. Dinner was over and Kannan walked towards the garden outside the house and to wait for his son Narayan. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I am here outside in the garden Narayana ..."</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The nightfall had a special feeling in the hill station. Kannan had been living there, with Narayan, for more than a year now. The stars were shining so close to the mountain, Kannan felt he was in the paradise. It was a full moon night and the moonlight was like a spot light on the Garden. The white full plate on the sky with heavenly mead porridge in it, waiting to feed the hungry shining stars around it. Kannan breathed in fresh air with the smell of pine cones and eucalyptus all around. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Appa .... Thatha used to tell you stories?" Narayan asked. The bright young eyes of Narayan were shining just like the stars when he asked the question. Tall, bright faced, with long hair like his Appa and in the loose white pyjama kurta, Narayan looked more angelic in the moonlight. </span><span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;">Kannan laughed at Narayan's question and started looking at his son, who looked the same as when he was in his teens, if not better. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I and Akka very well know that in Ramayana Dasarath had four children and they were Ram, Lakshman, Bharath and Shatrughna... Thanks to your Gopal Thatha"</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan sat down on the white cast iron garden chair with soft cushions on it, in the green lawn lit by the moon. He sipped the cup of coffee Narayan gave him with a smile. It has been a hard to break habit for Kannan since childhood that he could sleep well only if he had coffee. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Me and Akka used to pester your Gopal Thatha to tell us stories ...” said Kannan thinking about his childhood days.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The house used to be doldrums of activities at night. Amma settling with her daily chores of washing after dinner, Appa patting the bed to make it for all, Kannan and Pachai working on their bags for the next day at school and everyone would be busy bees after dinner. Once the sheets were on, the blankets in place and the last dish washed all would be at the gateway to the dream world, the bedroom. Amma would be tired and would be the first to hit the bed. Appa would be joined by Pachai and Kannan with their regular requests...</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Appa story ... Appa story ...."</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And Appa would start with a smile. Tired after a whole day's work in his eyes so red like an apple, he would make all the efforts to keep them open. Kannan would sit on his stomach and beat his chest to tell them a story. Each one of them would be in their respective positions, Amma on the left corner, then Kannan with his favorite black blanket, Appa next and then Pachai. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"In a far of land called Ayodhya, there was a king called Dasarath. He had four sons. Eldest was Ram, then Lakshman, then Bharat and then Shatrugna ... They grew up together and their upanayanam (Initiation) function was conducted ..."</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">By the time he reached the portion of the four sons being initiated spiritually Appa would have initiated his dream trip to sleep. His eyes would close with the days fatigue and his big nose and mouth start with a light snore. As soon as he dozed off, from both sides the attack would start</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Appa Appa ... then what happened???" Kannan and Pachai together.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Appa would startle and wake up with a jolt and start all over again</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"There was a very nice king in Ayodhya, and he was called Dasarath. He had four sons. Eldest was Ram, then Lakshman, then Bharat and then Shatrugna ... They grew up together and their upanayanam (Initiation) function was conducted ..."</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Again the sleep fairy would have put Appa to sleep again. The way the Ramayana start would differ but the content remained the same. For a very long time Kannan and Pachai only knew the initial part of Ramayana as Appa had only one story to tell them. The sleep fairy would finally put everyone to rest... gifting each one with dreams of their choice. Amma would dream of buying a new refrigerator or a new house or about her brothers, Appa would be dreaming about the account statements or balance sheets or profit and loss accounts, Kannan would be dreaming about the school drama or the cousins and friends, and Pachai obviously would be having dreams about writing exams and studies alone.</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"That’s what we knew about Ramayana from your Gopal Thatha" concluded Kannan with a chuckle</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Narayan laughed a hearty one and said</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Appa... it’s too cold outside ... I know you like cold, but it’s no fun to fall sick in this mountain... come ... come inside.... bedtime story time"</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">They both walked in a hug and went to the warm and cozy bedroom. Kannan removed his home shoes and kept it in the rack, Narayan followed. As Kannan tucked Narayan to bed and got himself inside a warm quilt, Narayan took a book out switched the bed light on and switched off the main lights of the bedroom. </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan hugged Narayan in a warm hug and looked at his son eagerly, when he started</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Once upon a time in a far off beach, it rained heavily and the sea got rough. The sea hit the land and lashed all its anger on him. The land smiled and held her in his arms. He said to her, </span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I will be there for you always...."</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The summer sun scorched the land and he was burning hot as if he had fever. The waves hit the sand gently and said</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"shhhhh ... everything will be all right" and washed away all his tears...."</span><br>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">By the time Narayan finished the line, Kannan was fast asleep in a hug. Since the time Narayan could read, every night was a bedtime story time and Narayan would read the very same story to his Appa to put him to sleep. Narayan smiled, carefully, without making any sounds folded the book written by his Appa for kids years back, switched the reading lamp off and tucked himself to the hug and slept, waiting for another day and another night, when he would read the story again find his Appa sleeping with a smile, hugging him.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-42401092350289273402016-05-22T15:28:00.000+04:002016-05-22T16:35:34.239+04:00One more candle ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The doorbell buzzed and Kannan opened the door to see a man standing there at the door with a package</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Sir ... courier for you .... Mr. Kannan Iyer?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Yes" Kannan replied</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He signed the document with a smile and asked the courier boy who was in his red and yellow uniform, sweating as if he just had a shower, as he had been out in </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the sun. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Would you like to have some water?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He smiled and his eyes thanked Kannan in return. There was no verbal communication but the gratitude was conveyed as Kannan handed him a cold bottle of </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">water. The boy, who should be in his 20's, took the signed paper back and walked away smiling with a relief.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan opened the grey pouch to see a gift pack in it. He opened the package and saw a purple colored aromatic lavender candle with a purple ribbon on it tied </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">in a bow. There was a card in it from the sender. Every time Kannan sees a candle there are a million thoughts that rush to his mind. Thoughts about the time </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">he spent in singing and fun with Akka during the power cuts at home, the candles that he lit in the Church, the candles which he blew to celebrate his birthday, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the candles which were lit to light the fire crackers for Diwali and the lamps for Karthika, the candle which lives for a few hours and finally burns out giving </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">memories to him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">During his teens, the power outage was very common and all family talks happen during that time of the evening. As usual, the very punctual electricity board </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">switched the power off in the area. Kannan happily jumped from his table as studies could wait another half an hour. He heard Amma call out to him</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Kanna .... the candle is on the fridge top ... careful..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan tiptoed in the darkness to fetch the candle and heard Akka start singing a classical song, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Paripalayamam .... sree padmanabha murarae ..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">which was a mode of the power cut entertainment schedules </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and a way to practise, when she is not busy with what she liked the most - studying. Kannan walked towards the dining room where Akka and Amma were </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">sitting and the light of the candle brightened to dark room to reveal the two blessings in his life - Amma and Akka. Akka was being trained in singing since </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">childhood. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was a special music instructor who trained Pachai in singing. Tall, dark and slim young man, with thick hair combed back, long black beard and stern eyes. His </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">forehead always had a white ash smeared in a thin line. The loose full sleeve shirt and white dhoti, on the back Hercules cycle with a green leather seat cover, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">made him look like a new age poor man's warrior. The sight of the music teacher, who looked more like dark complexioned Jesus with his long black beard and </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">slim body, sent shivers down Akka's spine. Most often the classes would end up in a scene worth a mention. There would be a loud shout from Chandrasekhar, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the music teacher</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Where is pa .... " when she misses a note in her singing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The music notes would be all over the place and the leaves of the book flying around as if it were the fall and the pages were autumn leaves. Akka would be </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">sitting near the harmonium which would have gone silent by then and Akka crying with her face covered after the thunderous shout. The chair would be empty </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and anyone could hardly see Chandrasekhar bang the door and fly out in lightning speed to his cycle and would pedal away in anger. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But for Kannan she was the best singer ever. Kannan would sit and admire her singing for a short while and try his luck in matching her in the song along with </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">her, for which she would shout back and the whole story would end up in a fight between the loving brother and sister. But power cuts helped Kannan learn </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">singing from one his best teachers his Akka - Pachai. It was with her he learnt about the ragas. She still remains the Kadanakoodoohala raga which is a rag in </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the Carnatic stream which can even make the sad person smile. It was her notes that Kannan tried to trace and mimic and learnt singing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Many years later, the power cuts were a common entertainment time at home, when both of them joined in singing classical and film songs, where in the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">darkness Amma would wipe her tears of joy listening to the two gems she had given birth to. But never tell them about her pride as she always believed they </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">might be arrogant, if she praises them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan was reminded of the candle Thatha always lit in front of Alphonsa Amma's picture in his pooja, transcending the faith. The candles he and Amma lit </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">before the St Antony's Church for Appa, when someone had suggested that lighting candles at the church will help Appa get well soon. He thought about the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">pack of candles he lit before Mother Mary and Immanuel’s church by the beach every night, till the morning he left for Dubai. There were no power cuts in </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Dubai, but still Kannan had a pack of candles always with him as they reminded him of his days, the memories and all the good things in life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan took the card from the box which held the candle and there was a note on it:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I was in Pondicherry and saw this candle .... I thought of you... Spread light and aroma like this candle Love Pachai"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan's eyes were moist with tears of joy. Again a candle which will rekindle the light of love and affection and spread the aroma of one of his first gurus, his </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Akka. Sure candles have a duty to spread the light and shed light on those happy memories </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and whenever Kannan lit a candle his heart heard him and Akka sing together the famous Swathithirunal Krithi </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"</span>paripalayalam<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> sree padmanabha murarae ..." the </span>carnatic<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> classical </span>keerthanam<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> in </span>Reethigowla<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">, </span>Akka's<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span>favorite<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> rag.</span></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-90859230659981204602016-05-19T15:44:00.000+04:002016-05-19T15:44:59.495+04:00Destination Home ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For many journey is for a destination, but for Kannan
journeys were destinations. If there was something that excited Kannan all his
life, one of them would be </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">travel. A time for himself to let himself loose in
imagination, fly with the wind that gets his hair flying, the people around
him, the new lands, new languages, new </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">people and each journey giving him something to remember.
The childhood was filled with the memories of the black steam engine with its
snout sneezing huge </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">clouds of smoke with the smell of charcoal. The railway
stations were a sight to remember. As a child Kannan was fascinated by how the
red shirt wearing uncles, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">porters, could carry so many trunks, bags and boxes all at
once, the smell of the roast hot vadas in the station and the small cups of hot
coffee.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The visit to the book store at the station, the fresh smell
of the books which always took Kannan to a different world. As soon as he got a
new book, the first </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">thing would be smelling the pages... something only those
who have tried it before could tell. The strange gadgets with red and blue
lights and a red and white </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">striped disc which would stop rotating indicating the time
to drop a coin when standing on it to get a small card with the weight on it
and the reverse to hold a </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">forecast to the day. Till his late teens the weighing
machine at the station was more of a ritual where he would need the small
shining silvery coin slipped into </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the slot to get the weight card. Kannan kept a whole lot of
such weight cards and railway tickets for a very long time, till he lost them
all in transit or misplaced it </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">except from his mind.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Trains where Kannan learnt a lot. They were moving institutions.
Debates with other passengers, sharing a cup of the murky waters called coffee,
the bread </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">omelette in the mornings, the packed lunches and the way to
adjust oneself to the tiny space called the berth in a position that looked
similar to the child before </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the childbirth, shrouded into the space for a nap. The fans
which never moved, springing to life with the edge of a comp tapping on the
leaf through the rusty </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">grills, the singers who would sing their own tunes to the
very famous numbers popular for that time. The later part of his teens, trains
and buses were more of</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">me time providers, the more he traveled he fell in love
with the journeys.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Many trips during childhood were the six hour long fun time
from Ernakulam to Trivandrum. Looking at old uncles and aunties sleeping while
sitting, young </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">uncles looking at the young girls without being seen, the
ones who tried to hide their face behind the newspaper as if their life
depended on what was on the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">newspapers, all were intriguing sights. The regular journey
towards Trivandrum always passed through Amma's college.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"This is the college where Amma studied" she would
point out to the red bricked building with white shades by the side of the
tracks as the train approached </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the station.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As soon as she would say that no matter if it is for the
100th time, Kannan and Akka who always fought for the window seat would stick
their heads to see the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">college as if it were a family monument. That became a
regular sight. Once during such a journey Amma missed saying the oft repeated
lines. There was silence </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and Kannan and Akka were busy in their comic, they had got
from the book store. A person sitting next to them quickly asked</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Are you not showing the college to the kids this
time"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Amma, Kannan and Akka had a hearty laugh the laughs remained
in Kannan's mind for a very long time and every time the train would pass the
college </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan would remember the funny incident.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was April of 2002 and a special assignment for Kannan ... to
emcee a mega event in Chennai. The tickets were booked by the organizers and
he had </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">everything packed in order. He reached the station and
boarded the ac coach. The attendant, in his dull blue uniform, smiled at him
and greeted, knowing that </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">he would get some tips from each person in the compartment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Welcome Sir... which seat" He asked with a smile
which would attract a toothpaste ad, as it needed cleaning badly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"AC3 24" Said Kannan and smiled back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He reached his seat and kept his bags on the upper berth for
the time being. He removed the sling bag and kept it along with the luggage.
Kannan remembered </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the ritualistic trip to the Book store and needed a bottle
of water. He instructed the attendant that he would back in a minute and rushed
to the book store. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Somehow he managed to pick a novel and a magazine and a
bottle of water from the convenience store next to the bookstore and rushed
back to the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">compartment. He sat on his seat and wanted to check the
printed material which was in the black sling bag which he had kept along with
the other bags. For his </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">shock surprise and all the wonder that bag was missing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Did anyone see a bag... I had kept it there"
Kannan asked everyone sitting in the nearby seats frantically</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Did you see my bag" He kept asking</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">By then the train had started moving. Kannan's heart sank,
as the bag had his passport, new shoes, more important as he wouldn't get his
size anywhere and </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">had got it made to order for the function, money, tickets
and all the important documents for the function.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He ran to the door and banged it open with his body and went
to the attendant</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Did you see my bag"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There was not even an answer from him, just a shake of his
hand gesturing an affirmative "NO"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He saw the Train Ticket Examiner with a dark face, darker
than the black Jacket he was wearing, with pan in his mouth and a shell frame
spectacles, who </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">walked out to Kannan and asked</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"What is the praablam" in a mix of Tamil and
English</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Sir someone stole my bag and all my documents were in
it... even the tickets"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I know ... people like you have all the excuses of the
world, I can’t do anything.... get down at the next station" said the TTE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"But sir you can check the list... my name is there AC3
24"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"That all I don’t know... you show the ticket or I put
fine... or you can get down at next station"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan searched his bags and pockets for all the money he
had and paid for the fine. Somehow with the worry in his head Kannan reached
Chennai. All his </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">documents and ID cards were gone. The next two days went in
worry and finished the show to the best possible. By then he had arranged the
tickets for the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">return as they were also in the lost sling bag. The event
got over and Kannan had to reach the railway station in an hour’s time. It was
peak traffic and Kannan </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">somehow reached the station exactly on time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kannan paid for the cab and rushed to the platform where he
had to board the train. He ran through all the rush of the Chennai central.
People where sleeping </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">on the floor with luggage, there were vendors moving around
the other trying to get to their trains. Kannan ran and jumped over people and
boxes to reach the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">platform, where all that he saw was the train move away and
the last compartment the signal staff was waving the green flag. He tried to
run, but all in vain.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The pleasure of the onward and the return journey went down
the drains. The success of the event did not give him enough happiness to cover
the failure to </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">catch the train.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With all the dismay in being late, he went to the
information counter and got the cancellation form, but got a meagre amount as
reimbursement as he missed the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">train and the train had already left. With all that remained
with him Kannan got a train to Alleppy instead of Trivandrum and the train was
full. With no </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">reservation and the compartment full with people, Kannan
experienced a new kind of journey, in an unreserved compartment by the side of
the door and the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">lavatory with the vendors. His destination was for the first
time - "Home" and forgot to enjoy the trip. But Kannan never forgot
the journey.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He saw the life of the underprivileged, with no air-condition
or fans, no seat or berth, all but a newspaper to sit on and spend the night
without a wink of the eye </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">by the smelly walkway till he reached Ernakulam. He opened
the door and stood holding the railings for support. Wind washed him with the night’s
cold. With </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">the wind in his hair, he ran his fingers through them and
took a deep breath. He saw the night sky and the houses far with lights
switched on, the night crickets </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">made the noise typical to the region. He was tired but
started coming to terms with the journey of a different kind. He kept thinking
about all the journeys he had </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">made and started loving this one too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He broke the journey and decided to continue his trip back
home at least after a few hours of sleep. Every journey is an experience, Good
or bad, it teaches you </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">something new. Kannan stretched himself to sleep in the
waiting room securely chaining with the baggage he had to the leg of the chair.
He woke up in a few </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">hours and got the tickets to board the afternoon train from
Ernakulam Junction to Trivandrum. As
usual he checked his weight and smiled at the fortune card </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">which said</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Life is a journey enjoy it... You will have new
experiences"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He went to the book store and got one of his favorite author, Robin
Cook's Novel, and boarded the train. There were uncles and aunties and teens and
girls with their </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">usual antics. By the evening the train was approaching
Trivandrum. As the train passed the college, where Amma studied, reminded of
the funny incident, he </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">laughed again and the smile remained till he reached home.</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-71557344787797140802016-05-17T18:48:00.001+04:002016-05-17T18:48:36.227+04:00A Wish came true ....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Love is not just a shoulder to cry... But for Kannan, his shoulders were the ones which got soaked in tears. The strong friendship which was built over a year of being together in class reached a moment so beautiful that Kannan realized that he liked Priya. He wanted to tell her how comfortable her presence made him. The smiles they shared, the moments they enjoyed despite the differences and fights they were used to as close friends. The studies were the second reason for Kannan to be on time to college. It was that his eyes kept searching for the one. A friend to whom he could talk to, share his thoughts and feel that the day was worth every moment it had in it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There were evening when the sccoter wouldn’t start until Kannan had not dragged it along walking with Priya till the bus stop as he would be better off talking to her till the time she boarded the bus or days when a full tank petrol would be called empty and he would lock the scooter and board the bus with her. There would be evenings when suddenly Kannan would have a realization that there is an assignment to be submitted and that would be the reason for him to quickly take a ride down to her house. To see her stand there at the door in her nightie with a smile. But he never thought whether it was Love until that evening. When he wanted to tell her. He sat all night writing a message on a card he made to express his love. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The clock chimed 12 and Kannan was still working on the card with sketch pens, scissors and all his creativity to create the best possible card which will carry the message of love. His eyes were turning red with strain, but he smiled to himself thinking that the color of love itself is red. He wrote a note on a piece of paper. Not satisfied, tore it into pieces. Wrote another one. Still not happy. The process went on and on. After two hours, he was happy with what he wrote and it was almost five past two. He packed the card with the message on it with a smile and sealed it with a kiss on it. It was his heart, the feeling he had. He was feeling loved and filled with love. Slept with the pack of love under his pillow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The morning sun invited him out to take a breath of fresh air. He went out and felt the morning breeze. Finished his prayers, morning chores and had a wash with a song in his heart. Shaved to look the best and a generous splash of his favorite musk after shave. Dressed in his best in his favorite denims and light full sleeve shirt. And thought about Priya telling him in a casual talk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I like full sleeve shirts... it has something special about it"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dabbed the perfume and wore an enviable smile on his face. Had his breakfast in a hurry and rushed out. He went to parking and there stood the green scooter, his ride. Like the pig tails of a school girl the mirrors were waiting for Kannan. He checked twice in the mirror how he looked. That’s when the thought flashed in his mind. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Oops... the card"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He ran back home, rushed to his room, when Amma saw him run and asked</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"What happened Kanna?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Nothing ma, my workshop record... I forgot it here"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He took the pack and hid it in the record, and pushed it into the bag and ran to the scooter back. He kicked the scooter and it sprung to life on the roads. He reached the classroom to find Priya sitting on the third bench with her regular mates. Smiled and lightly waved at her. The presence of the lecturer was of least importance. Waiting from hour to hour for the best moment. The time seemed to go slow with him that day. It was lunch break and still it was not the best moment. The regular chit chats about movies, classes, and casual jokes were gulping the time away and still it was not time for him to take the pack out from the record, where it was hiding with his heartbeats pacing for the moment. Before the classes resumed Priya came up to Kannan and said</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I need to talk to you... something special. Can you come home this evening" asked Priya</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan could not hide the smile in his heart. Smiled and said "With pleasure... I will be there before you reach"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The rest of the classes where just hours flying like seconds for Kannan. He was waiting to hear it from her. The last hour was over and Kannan ran to his scooter. Hung the bag in the clip, kick started the scooter and raised it to reach Priya who was as usual walking towards the bus stop. He braked his ride and smiled at her</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I will wait for you at your place... Should I take your bag too" asked Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Its okay... you go... I have told Amma that you would be coming home... Have a cup of coffee and have a chit chat" she smiled and replied. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Over the year Priya's Amma and Kannan shared a special bond. They were more friends than his other college mates. They discussed everything under the sun. Kannan drove towards the moment with wind in his hair and love in his heart. He reached home, parked his ride and rushed to the door. Rang the bell and waited with his black sling bag on his back. Tall, well groomed for the day, Kannan was more than confident what Priya was going to tell him. The door opened and Priya's Amma was at the door.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Come on in .... Priya had told me that you would be coming. You have a seat I will get you filter coffee"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The small guest room and a study on the ground floor and kitchen bedroom and living on the first floor, Priya's house was a remodeled old fashioned house partitioned to call it a separate home. Kannan picked the newspaper and was going through it. He seemed to read every line, but nothing made sense to him. He was still thinking about the time which is yet to come. He said to himself in his mind</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Well Priya... I... I think..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"No no... That’s not how I should start"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Priya... will you ..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Nah ..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I want you in my life... for..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"What the heck"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan kept searching for the lines and he thought, "Let her say what she has to... maybe then I just have to give her this pack"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He took out the record from inside the bag and kept it by his side. He kept looking at his watch and waited for Priya's coming home. Her mother came with the coffee and started talking to him</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"So... What’s special... something tell me that you are very happy today"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Yes ma...nothing... just like that I am happy"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She went on talking to him, but his eyes were only at the door. Half an hour passed and her father reached home</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Well Kannan... Priya is coming ... I saw her round the corner"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Good evening Uncle" Kannan greeted and his eyes went in search of her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And there she was, tired by the ride and the whole day at college. But the smile seemed to be fresh. She threw the bag on the sofa and plunged herself into the chair out of sheer exhaustion. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Amma ... coffee" said Priya in a tired voice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amma smiled and both her father and mother went upstairs. Uncle was talking about something at office to her Amma and the sounds faded. Priya jumped from the chair and grabbed Kannan by his arm and rushed to the study.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Come come..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan's heart was beating faster than ever; he even forgot to pick the record that was lying on the sofa. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Guess what.... Anwar proposed to me and I said yesssss ...." she said with all the excitement Kannan had ever seen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan stopped for a second and couldn’t believe his ears. His heart sank. He had no words. His throat went dry. His heart almost stopped beating. He felt choked. He felt as if he was freezing. Priya shook him hard and said again</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Yes yes yes... Anwar loves me"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan smiled and pulled himself back together again</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Congrats... so your Black Yamaha is yours now" referring to the joke which they cracked when Anwar a senior student, Always at his best, dark complexioned with a rectangular gold frame glasses, mostly with his black jeans and white full sleeve shirts with folded cuffs, and drove past Priya with a smile every now and then. "So... calls for a celebration" said Kannan with a heavy heart. He wanted to burst into tears, but couldn’t. He saw the happiness in her face and was happy for her. He smiled and said</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"So party at Lords Cafe tomorrow... call him too... lets meet"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Her eyes were shining, smiles so full and shy... unusually shy. Probably that’s what love does to a woman and to a man. Kannan was heartbroken but still wore a smile as he walked to the other room. Grabbed his record and pushed it into the bag and started leaving.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Have to go to the temple... tell Amma that I left" Kannan walked towards his scooter. As he was leaving he saw Priya at the door waving with a smile to her best friend, who still had the love hidden in his heart. Kannan rode waving back to her and before he reached home he parked he stopped by the side of the road. He opened his bag and took the hiding pack from the record. He opened it and read the lines he had written for her</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I want to see you smile ... I want to see the glow of love in you ... I want to see your happiness"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And yes, his wish came true. He threw the card in the dustbin by the side of the road. Kept the record back in the bag and rode home still hiding the love, which he had for her.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-6142380697114687572016-05-16T17:24:00.002+04:002016-05-16T17:25:16.647+04:00The man who met God ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Have you seen God?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A huge discourse was underway when the question was asked by the main speaker, Swami Brahmanand. Everyone was silent and swamiji with his saffron robes </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">long white hair and fluffy cotton like beard and the long strands of rudrakh beads around his neck gave him a typical saintly look, but he had a glow in his face, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">which was unique. The gentle smile while he spoke, the profound voice as if he was ordained to speak to all by Gods wish gave him an edge over the similar </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">looking others in many ways. His hands moved as if it were music while he spoke. They seemed to have the touch which might give you the peace you are looking </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">for. And the silence which ensued the question, was disturbing. He asked again</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Have you seen God?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The front row of VIPs looked at each other again as if they were confused. With all the faith a small boy stood up with his hands raised</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Yes" said the boy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"And may I know where" asked Swami Brahmanand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"In the temple, yesterday" was the innocent answer from him</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Swamiji smiled and slowly gestured the boy to sit down and asked again</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Anyone else"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"I have" came the answer from an elderly man, who was standing near the crowded sides of the hall. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Yes my son" said Swamiji "And where was it and when was it" he asked</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sreerenganathan, the elderly gentleman was a man with a strong faith. His life revolved around the faith he had in hid God. A simple question which many don’t </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">have an answer, pulled him from the crowd as a person who has seen God. Swamiji waved him to come towards the stage. There were many who wanted to get </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">a glimpse of the Swamiji for his fame was not limited to India but far and wide. Sreeranganathan was wearing a light blue half sleeve shirt and a white dhoti, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">simple as his ways of life. His grey hair was well combed and was sticking together as it were gelled. People looked at his face which stood out from the rest with </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">his long nose and bright grey eyes. The broad forehead had the crimson prasad. On his milky white smiling face, the prasad was speaking volumes about his </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">faith. He walked towards the stage where swamiji was behind the podium. The lamp on the side which had the five flames lit for the evening function, the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">agarbathi near its foot with the smell of flowers, the aura of the Swamiji gave a special temple like feel to the stage. Sreeranganathan removed his old leather </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">chappals near the steps which lead to the stage and climbed up. Swamiji ushered him to share the experience with just smiles and gestures. He stood with hands </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">folded like an obedient student ready to listen to the teacher, who was the teacher for the evening. Sreeranganathan walked towards the podium and the </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">microphone with a smile, which gave out the confidence and conviction he had.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Namaste... I am sreeranganathan ....And yes I have met God... ente amma (My mother)...my Chottanikkara amma.... in my life Swamiji" started Sreeranganathan to the jam packed audience. There was a slight shiver in his voice, but his faith was so strong and spoke from the heart. He narrated the incident starting with eyes closed as in a prayer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was a Friday, the makam day a few years back, and was on a pilgrimage to The famous Chottinakkara Temple. I had just enough money to get me the tickets for my journey. I thought no further as it was a golden chance for me to visit Amma again. I reached the temple at around 7.30 in the morning and was so delighted having reached Amma's abode. I was at the temple that stands out to be a testimonial for the vishwakarma sthapathis. Where amma is worshipped in three different forms, Saraswati in the morning, draped in white; as Lakshmi at noon, draped in red and as Durga in the evening, decked in blue. The temple where Guruthi pooja is performed for the betterment of the people. I was there to ask for Amma's help for my condition. To help me with my life. A help to bear the struggles of daily life. I am sure that she takes care of me still</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The morning summer sun was hot and I entered the temple and finished the darshan of melkkavu bhagavathy. The rush was more than usual and drained the energy out of me. But the moment I saw amma decked in the white saree... I forgot everything. I forgot that I had not had anything since the previous day’s lunch. I forgot hunger, tiredness, thirst, I forgot myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The people listening were on the edge of the seats, as it was about faith and there stood a man who claims to have met the Goddess. Questions crept into each one's minds ... where would have he seen amma. And Sreeranganathan continued.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With the happiness in my mind I walked out of the sanctum sanctorum. I was on my way to the keezhkkaavu. The premises of the temple were filled with people from far and wide. There were the possessed waiting for amma's blessings writhing in agony. Some were exhausted from the trance and had fainted and were on the floor on my way to the keezhkaavu. I walked out of the huge canopy on the huge pillars and walked on the hot stone path towards the steps which led to the keezhkkavu. I felt I was about to faint. It was the hunger which I had forgotten. I could not walk a step more. I was sure to fall on the pathway. I somehow held myself and sat down on the steps. My heart called out to amma "Amma.... I am so happy that I could see you again". </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I felt a cold hand on my sweating shoulders. I wiped my face with the shirt which was in my hand and looked to side where I felt the hand. There was a small girl wearing a dhoti. She should have been 4 years or so, not more. Her eyes were like precious black stones. Her smile was like the gleam of the sun’s rays on the still waters. He face was glowing and had something divine about her. She was wearing a thin gold chain which was barely visible on her sandal would like skin. She was as fragrant as fresh flowers in a garden.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Grandpa" she called me. I could barely see her anymore as I felt I was fainting and the sun was shining behind her head. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"Grandpa... you should be hungry... have this banana... you will be alright" the child said in the sweetest voice I have ever heard.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I took the two bananas in a plantain leaf with some prasad in it from the small hands of the child. I could feel the cool hands touch my palms when she gave me the prasad. I had the first banana and went on to have the second one too. The sweetness of the banana was never so ever before. I finished the second one and looked around to thank the little girl. She was nowhere to be seen. Where were her parents I thought? Why did she give me the prasad? I was feeling as if I was not tired at all. I was rejuvenated. I had all the energy in me. I quickly rushed towards the main temple with all the might I had. The child was nowhere to be seen. I saw the picture of amma framed on one of the pillars. It was Amma herself. She had come to give me food. She was there to give me the prasad. As he finished with a trembling voice, his grey eyes were full of tears and started flowing like a cascade of gratitude. Sreeranganathan closed his eyes and folded his hands in prayer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Swami Brahmananda's eyes were wet too. He was smiling with the moist eyes and spread his arms wide and hugged Sreeranganathan. Touched his head and blessed him and walked back to the podium. "God reaches out to you when you are in need.... need not be in the form we think we would see" Swamiji continued... For Sreeranganathan, he could hear no more and walked his way through the crowd, where everyone was looking at him in awe. He walked out of the hall and he could hear the discourse continue through the speakers. Words about faith and belief, about divinity and spirituality...He walked his way out of the premises where there were a lot of vehicles and walked his way to the dimly lit night road... And no one knew that there goes a man who had met God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Was it God, or was it the act of godliness which made him feel so. For believers the little girl was God and for others it was a kind hearted act of a child who saw an elderly man in distress and exhaustion. But yes.... God resides in each and every one of us, it depends how we realize it or see it. Next time you meet God, you will know for sure that it was Him who came to help you in person.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-19017716173990214282016-05-15T15:50:00.001+04:002016-05-15T15:50:12.477+04:00Eyes ...they speak<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Hello... Anandashram" the lady on the other side responded as Kannan called</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Madam, Kannan here... day after is Diwali and I would like to come with some crackers and have dinner with the children"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan could feel the smile on the face of the Matron as it was more of a regular affair whenever Kannan was in town.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Sure... how many of you would be there"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Three or four of us... and how about ice creams for the children... is it okay" replied Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Great... there would be around 40 of them" was the reply</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ok. then" Kannan smiled and hung up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Be it birthdays or cultural or religious, Kannan had a special way of celebrating those special days. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Festivals had a very special place in Kannan's heart.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Apart </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">from the celebrations with the family, Kannan found more happiness in donating blood for those who are in need, or celebrating it with those not so privileged, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">at Anandashram, to have a celebration. It was Diwali and Kannan's celebration would not be complete without celebrations at Anandasharam with the children </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">there. It was not an orphanage but a home for the underprivileged. Many children there, had both their parents alive but the economic conditions would not let </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">them live together. The trust was taking care of them with the help from the affluent in the society who would give donations or used clothes or any material </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">needs of the home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Arrangements were made for the ice creams to be delivered in the evening, ensuring Diwali to be special again. Kannan reached the home for the children when the sun was setting and giving a amber hue to the skies...before it would turn dark to enjoy the spectacle of fire crackers. The whole city was still in the celebration of Diwali, crackers went off here and there giving the city a misty happiness with smoke and the smell of firecrackers and the sounds of the crackers, which was so very peculiar for Diwali. With eyes closed anyone could say that it was Diwali. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But the doors of the Ashram lead to the silence, there were no celebrations inside the narrow corridors or the open area inside. The dim walkways had the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">benches ready for the dinner, where on the ring of the bell, children would come and sit as per the discipline of the ashram. The lights were on, but dim, hiding the excitement of Diwali. Kannan stood there with arms wide open and two huge bags in his hands full of crackers for them. With his salt and pepper beard and long hair, the golden evening sky cast the golden yellow shade on him and he looked more like a Santa Claus who has come in disguise to celebrate Diwali. He was a package of love in Long white kurta and Khakhi pants, soft canvas shoes and the smile on his face seeing the children washed with the fading sunlight. As soon as they saw Kannan, children of different ages ran to Kannan as they knew it’s time for celebrations. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The children did not have new dresses, as the privileged would have. They did not have the best of the best looks. But they had one thing in common. Their </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">smiles. Their love in their eyes. They rushed to Kannan like a swarm of bees towards a flower. They wanted just a hug and a smile. That was their celebration. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The feeling of being wanted, the feeling of being able to celebrate in their own simple ways. Kannan joined the children as one of them. The middle aged man </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">turned to be a kid with them, getting the crackers out of the bag, giving them boxes of sparkles to start off. Flower pots, rockets and all that could bring more </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">smiles to the faces of the children came out of the bags as if it was a Pandora’s box. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All but a little boy was standing away from the crowd. A light blue colored T shirt dulled and out of size, which would have been from the lot which people </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">donate once they feel it is not fresh enough to be worn, torn blue shorts which looked neatly washed but spoke its age, tanned skin but still shiny bright face, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">which had eyes that kept looking at Kannan with the other kids. His hair was well oiled and parted well, combed to perfection. The eyes seemed to be moist with tears but he was not crying. They had an element of sadness to them. The lips were wanting to say something but silent. Vishnu was standing near the benches </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">in the corridor. The hands were holding the pillar of the verandah in a reverse hug, as if someone had tied him to the pillar. There was a mole on his cheek which was more a beauty spot, for his charming young looks. He seemed to be better than the characters as in Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Come Vishnu... come" said Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He ran towards Kannan as if he was waiting to hear those words from him. Over the years, every celebration at Anandashram, Vishnu and Kannan shared a </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">special bond. A bond which has no name attached to it. Kannan took out a box of colored sparkles, took two and lit both. Handed one to Vishnu and lit the kept </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the other for himself. They both smiled with one hand hugging each other and the other holding the sparkle. The smile on Vishnu's face was brighter than </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the burning sparkle. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There was fun, dancing, singing and fireworks which changed the open spaces in the ashram to a festive ground. The sparkles had colors of joy bursting out with more life than it is when the same was at home. There was life inside the ashram with Diwali . The noise, smoke and the joyful screams of excitement settled in a while. It was dinner time and all sat down on the old wooden benches. Smiles added more flavor to the food. The sweets brought more smiles to the children. The ice-cream cups were cups of joy for them. The skies were being lit up by the crackers all around. Those were the colors of love as Kannan and Vishnu watched them together. Kannan was watching the skies when he felt a hand pat on his legs. Vishnu standing there, and it was his slender hands...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Can I sing a song for you uncle" asked Vishnu</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan went on his knees to the young boy and hugged him and said</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Will you sing for me?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He smiled and started singing a song from one of the recent movie...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Kanneer poovinte kavilil thalodi ...."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As he sang the small face with a smile was at its best. Vishnu's eyes.... Kannan could not stop looking at those eyes. Bright and wide open, had a spark of </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">happiness in it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"The best spectacle for Diwali..." Kannan thought for a second</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Finishing the song Vishnu stopped for a moment before everyone around him, all the children, the matron and every single soul applauded to appreciate the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">singing. The claps sounded like the best crackers for Diwali ever. Kannan still on his knees couldn’t stop himself from hugging Vishnu. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Uncle..." Vishnu called as Kannan was getting up</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Yes Vishnu" Kannan leaned down to the little boy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I don’t want to go home for holiday... will you tell the matron aunty" pleaded Vishnu</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Why ... why don’t you want to go home" asked Kannan caringly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"My acha (Malayalam for father) is bad... he beats my amma (Malayalam for mother)... He beats me too... he is bad..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The words after that pierced Kannan's heart, Vishnu's prayer wishing his father dead. Too much for a child like Vishnu to say. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The celebration was over and Kannan was leaving. He saw Vishnu stand away from everyone in a corner and smile at him. He waved with his hands but felt as </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">if his heart was bidding farewell to Kannan. His drive back home was with only one sight in mind. The eyes. Vishnu's bright eyes. The eyes which spoke volumes </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">than the words he spoke. The joy in simple things which gave a sparkle in the eyes. The eyes that spoke so much. Even after reaching home Kannan could only </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">hear Vishnu singing and see only those eyes. Kannan could never feel that the incident haunts him, but it never went away from his heart. After dinner at home </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">when everyone in the city was still celebrating Diwali with the fireworks that remained Kannan sat down on his desk with the table lamp on. He opened the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">diary where he used to jot down once in a while... a few lines that came from his heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I saw the eyes that spoke more than the lips. I saw the eyes which had tears but never let them out. I saw the eyes and learned something new ... that I never </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">gave a thought till date</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Eyes... they are with us throughout our lives, the mothers eyes that fill with tears of joy seeing you smile, seeing you walk, seeing you grow, seeing you achieve, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">they speak without words, they make you think. The eyes of a father looking at what needs to be done for his children, the eyes that strain themselves to give </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the little happiness for his family, the eyes that look for the best for them. They communicate without languages, they love without saying. The eyes make us </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">love, they express what is in the heart which the lips never reveal. The eyes of friends that always follow you to keep you safe. The eyes that never see what </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">they don’t want to see....The eyes have been a part of the world we see.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The moments when I wake up to see Amma smiling with a coffee for me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The moments on Sunday when my eyes see Appa coming back from walk</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The moments when Akka comes out of the airport and the eyes keep searching for me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The moments when Ammamma could see no more</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The moments when her eyes went emotionless... leaving memories behind</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The sparkle in the eyes of Thatha when he prays every morning and night</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The moments of naughtiness in the eyes during childhood</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The eyes that wait to see your loved ones</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The moments of love in the eyes....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thoughts kept taking Kannan to a different world, a world of vision with the eyes of the heart. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"See more... till you see no more" thus finished Kannan. The drop of tear which was gifted by Vishnu still rested on the corner of the eye. Kannan wiped it and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">closed his eyes for the night... wishing to see happiness in the sad world the next morning.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-16218101649002965022016-05-12T12:24:00.001+04:002016-05-12T12:24:39.553+04:00The Little Squirrel ... Kannan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan woke up to a lot of noise. He walked down the steps to get the voices more clear. It was Venki Mama, Swami Mama, and a few others who were with </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">them. They were walking in with luggage and the he heard Asokan, the assistant from the Hospital who was instructing a nurse.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Careful... careful... hold her still... let me close the door"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan saw Ammamma being helped to get out of the car. The house was full of people. Amma was busy taking care of them. There was an air of tension and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">concern everywhere. Venki mama was trying to get the medicines from the bag from those kept in the corner of the room, Swaminathan mama was trying to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">get the bed ready. He was getting the pillow to support, the sheets to change and the blanket to keep her warm. All that Kannan knew was that Amma was </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">taking care of Ammamma and she was home for treatment. She was not well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan peeped into the guest room where Amma helped Ammamma to bed. She was not looking as she used to. She was not laughing, smiling or singing as </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kannan had seen her all these days. The shining face with the radiant smile that Kannan knew was missing and instead he saw a pain stricken face. The smiles </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">were missing on the faces of Venki mama too. Kannan's heart was beating fast. Fast with concern... what he can do to make her smile again. Or what else needs </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to be done... He was running around like the squirrel who wanted to do his bit for Lord Ram when the Bridge across the ocean was being built by the monkey </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">brigade.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan heard Ammamma's frail voice. It did not have the energy as he knew she had. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I am feeling.... thirsty" said Ammamma</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Ok... I will get you water" said Amma</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But she was trying to get things organized in the room and also had to accommodate Venki Mama and Swami Mama. Little Kannan in his red stretch shorts </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and chequered shirt, had the sleepy morning face covered in concern... thinking what he can do for Ammamma to be alright. He rushed to the bedside. Held the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">lifeless arm of Ammamma. The hands that served so many with all the delicacies of the world remain motionless. There was a tear in his eye, which was waiting </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to flow off his eyes down the cheeks. His worry was so evident in the eyes. Ammamma saw Kannan and tried to smile. The smile hardly reached the lips when </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the tear rolled down the eyes of the grandmother and grandson.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"When will you be alright ammamma" Kannan asked innocently</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ammamma said nothing but smiled. Kannan saw her dry lips trying to say something. Dry as an arid land Ammamma said a few words which Kannan barely </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">could hear her words. But he understood that she wanted to ask how he was and talk to him to see him smile. Kannan saw her lips sticking to each other and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and felt her love in the unsaid words, thought for a moment and dropped the hand he was holding and ran to the kitchen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Where is Kannan" asked Amma to Venki Mama</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"He was here a minute ago"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan pulled the stool in the kitchen and opened the Kitchen cabinet after climbing on to the kitchen worktop. He searched for something and heard Amma </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ask Venki Mama. He took the white container and climbed down. Pulled the stool towards the gas stove and took the black vessel with a handle and switched </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the gas stove on. Clicked the lighter and was up to something.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amma was busy with her brothers, and suddenly heard a cry from the kitchen. A loud scream... and yes it was Kannan. Amma rushed along with Venki Mama </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and Swami Mama to the kitchen, where the scream came from. Ammamma wanted to get up and run as the scream seemed to pierce her ears and enter the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">heart, but could not. Amma saw Kannan on the floor writhing in pain with hands covering his eyes. He had not stopped crying. Venki Mama rushed forward and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">lifted the little boy in his arms and ran out of the house towards the clinic. He did not bother to wear his footwear nor was he concerned about what was </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">happening all round him. Amma ran behind Venki. Swami Mama was perplexed but rushed back to Ammamma's room and started pacifying her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"It's nothing, they have gone to the clinic... you don’t worry" said Swami Mama to Ammamma.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The tension in their face was evident as Dr. Varma, Ophthalmologist rushed into the room and started trying to pull the little hands which kept the eyes </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">covered. Somehow he managed to move the hand from the right eye, which was the one bleeding along with the tears. The nurse dabbed with cotton to wipe off </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the tears mixed with blood. The eyes had turned red and Kannan wouldn’t stop crying. The doctor took his black gadget and looked into the eye carefully when </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the crying was slowly ebbing away. The loud screams died down to tiny sobs. He took a tiny forceps and carefully pulled out a whole cumin seed from inside </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">the eye very next to the pupil. He took medicated drops and poured a drop into the eye. Kannan stopped crying, but the weeps were inside him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doctor turned to Amma and gave her the cumin seed from the forceps and smiled. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"It's okay. He is very lucky" said the doctor "Nothing to worry at all"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amma let out a sigh of relief. Venki Mama smiled at Kannan. Kannan smiled back, wiping his tears mixed with blood with his shoulder, on the shirt. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Don’t touch or rub your eyes ok?" said the doctor to Kannan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan smiled wiping his nose with the hand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As they walked back home, neither Amma nor Venki Mama asked him any question. Kannan was silent too. After walking a few steps he spread his arms wide </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and wanted Amma to pick him up. Amma lifted him with all the love and walked hugging him, with his head resting on his shoulders. Amma and Ammamma </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">had by then prayed with offerings to at least a dozen temples for his safety. Amma took Kannan to the bedroom, switched the fan on and carefully put Kannan </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to bed. The exhaustion put Kannan to sleep for some time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He woke up to Amma sitting next to him and Appa was looking at him from near the bed. Kannan smile</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"What were you doing in the kitchen" Appa asked softly and caringly. Kannan could sense the concern and love in his voice.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Ammamma wanted water to drink and I have heard from Periyamma that Water with cumin is good for thirst... and ... was trying to make some for </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ammamma... I roasted the cumin and blew it and don’t know how it went into my eyes" Kannan narrated his mistake with eyes wide open and the right one </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">still </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">red with the seed attack.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Appa ran his fingers through the hair and smiled. Amma was smiling at him too. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Did you give ammamma water... she was thirsty"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Amma smiled and shook her head in affirmation and said</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Little squirrel building the bridge for Lord Rama ..."</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2418149291623743514.post-3974986647428664992016-05-04T21:00:00.001+04:002016-05-04T21:00:05.354+04:00Obsessions ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Good evening" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">said Kannan and waved at the security of the building as he drove the car into his parking. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The exchange of smiles was friendly and warm. Every time Kannan saw him he would wave and smile. This was a practice which started after once Kannan saw Kevin, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the security guy a little grumpy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"What happened, you don’t smile" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan looked at the tall, think Kenyan with white well pressed shirt with the logo of the security company, trim blue </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">trousers and a black shining belt with a silver buckle. He seemed never to smile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"No... I am security... I have a serious job" was his reply in a typical African accent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan smiled back and said... "I understand your job is serious Kevin, but you can smile to me... I won’t tell anyone..." Kannan winked and added "It's our </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">secret ..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He gently smiled and as the car moved by him he waved his hand and said "Hakuna Matata"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And since then there were no worries, but smiles on his face. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Every time they pass by each other they would smile and greet with a smile.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The day was very long and started too early when the sky was being graded with brighter colors on one end of the horizon whereas the higher the sky went, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the darker it remained. The day went on erasing the night’s dark shades till dusk when Kannan was returning when the covers were up for the evening. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"You look tired..." asked Kevin, the smiling security man who greeted with a "Habariako Mazuri sana"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Jambo mambo Kevin" said Kannan as he got out of the car with his Camera bag..."Was out to shoot nature and the heat shot me throughout the day"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kevin ran to Kannan and took the bag from him and held his arm and took him towards the lift. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"You should drink a loth of wather" said Kevin and smiled.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With a smile on the tired face, Kannan waved Kevin Good night and went to his apartment. The cool home welcomed him with arms wide open. Kannan </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">carelessly threw his jacket on the sofa, removed his watch and placed it on the table and started removing the rings on his fingers....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That one is the navaratna ring... nine precious stones representing the nine planets</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That’s the snake ring he bought from Nepal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That one was Amma's gift and Kannan wanted a bigger snake ring than the previous one with the eyes of hessonite.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That one is a prayer ring... holy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That one was a gift from his friend... for good luck</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The rings were not for superstitions, but he loved wearing them. Not one but six of them. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That’s what obsession does for any man. Kannan was no different. There are a few things which have been Kannan's obsession since childhood. Like any young </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">boy, he also aspired initially to be a truck driver, then a train coach driver and once he started seeing aircrafts fly high, he also wanted to a pilot. But there were </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">not the three obsessions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He loved taking pictures and camera became his first love. Appa had a Click III camera, a company which has been closed long ago, the contemporaries of Agfa </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and Olympus. It was a 120 mm film, with manual forward clicks, without flash. It would need scorching sun to get a clear picture. Still Kannan was hooked on to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it till he got a Konica Pop 10 camera when he was 15. The passion has given him a collection of different cameras today and the love still remains. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He loved reading, and books became a world of his own and last but not the least he loved rings in his fingers. As a young boy Kannan was always fascinated by </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the red coral ring in Appa's ring finger. He never removed it, unless when Kannan would carefully remove while Appa is asleep on Sunday afternoons. The young </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">mind of Kannan always thought of that particular ring as a symbol of power or something that only Appa has. He would keep looking at the Gold ring with an </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">oval red Coral in the middle and small gold florets done around it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Appa was half asleep after the Sunday lunch and young Kannan was on the ring as usual</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Appa.... can I have this ring when I grow up"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Hmm..."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tell me Appa... can I have this ring when I grow big"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Hmm..." Appa responded in sleep</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Appa..." Kannan shook Appa for an answer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Okay you can have... I will get you one for your poonal (Upanayanam or the initiation thread ceremony)" said Appa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Then the relevant and incessant question for the next few weeks was obvious "Appa... when is my poonal"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And the day cam... nine years and the invites were printed for the upanayanam of Chiranjeevi, Chi: for short, Kannan Iyer on February 26th of 1984. Kannan </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">was not excited for the other reasons, neither social nor religious. He was excited that he would also have a coral ring like what Appa wears... the symbol of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">power. The functions were conducted in pomp and splendor like marriage as it is one of the very important functions in life for the community. As the name </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">signifies it is the upa nayanam or the opening of the mind’s eye towards divinity, though no one understands it, and dub it as the day when a thread is worn to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">show that he is a Brahmin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But the celebration in Young Kannan's mind was looking at the small shining Gold ring with a Coral in the centre and similar floral design around it... just like </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Appa's ring. Kannan kept looking at it till he went to sleep and would start admiring it when he would wake up. The novelty remained till the day he went to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Appa's Nephew’s wedding in Seergazhi in Tamil Nadu. The trip was long and tiring, but Kannan could not hold back the excitement in seeing all the sights all </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the way. By the time he reached the mandapam, everyone headed to the dining hall and wanted to quickly finish dinner and get some sleep before the next </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">day’s morning function. The dinner time had slow buzzes of talks between the elders and there were the florist working on the decoration, the catering people </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">cutting vegetables for the next day, there were a few serving dinner on one corner of the hall. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Viswanathan, Gopal, Lakshmi... the function will start at 5 in the morning so be ready" said Periathimbar, Appa's Sisters husband, whose son was getting </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">married the next day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan was walking back after washing his hands and shining the ring on his finger, saw Appa nod in the typical fashion which people say it’s the style of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Palakkad. He had his favorite Click II Camera dangling on his neck in a reddish brown leather bag which cased the black compact Camera. Both his loved </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">possessions with him, he was the happiest boy in the mandapam.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Appa... how is it" asked Kannan showing his ring</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Appa smiled and said "Good.... very good"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The travel had made everyone tired and were trying to get some sleep when in about an hour the whole mandapam was woken up by loud cries. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"That’s Kannan" "That’s Gopal's son", "Who is crying at this hour" those who heard started rushing towards the room.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There was already a crowd gathered inside the room. Kannan was soaked in tears and face had gone red. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"What happened" those who stood around kept asking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Did he wake up seeing a nightmare?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"It should be stomach ache"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Did he fall?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Questions started popping up. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Give him some air please... "Appa said who was sitting next to the crying Kannan. The screams were getting loud when Appa replied "His ring is stuck in his </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">finger... it’s swollen, and the ring is stuck in his finger"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The small ring finger was as fat as the thumb by then and was turning blue. Kannan was writing in pain and was shouting as loud as possible. Probably the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Guinness World Record Invigilators needed to be there so that he would have set a new record for shouting loud in the dead of the night. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">15 minutes passed when a goldsmith was woken up from sleep by someone and he walked into he mandapam, where the cries and screams welcomes him. He </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">sat down next to Kannan and opened his small silver box. He was wearing a white shirt and dhoti with a frame like think body and curly oil dripping hair. Even </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">at that hour of the night the red kumkum on his forehead remained as is. He took out a small plier like device and took it towards Kannan's ring. The thought </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that the ring would be cut made Kannan scream louder, both in pain and grief. The plier worked and the screaming stopped. The ring was cut and the finger </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">started turning pink again. For years, the marriage was referred to among relatives, as the one where Kannan's ring was cut in the night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kannan thought of that incident which he had heard from most of his relatives about how loud he screamed, and smiled. The obsession for rings still remains. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And so does clicking pictures. He quickly had a hot shower and came to bed and switched on the bed lights to be with his third obsession..... read till he slept for </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the night with all the sweet memories of the day and thought for a second....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Am I obsessed with my memories" but it made Kannan smile... So its okay.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11853230058369942303noreply@blogger.com0