The news that Nalini, the darling of Tellicherry was getting married to a rich man from Singapore was a sensation. It was also the talk of the town. The new American car, extremely broad and long, was an incredible thing, never seen in Tellicherry. Smaller cars were itself rare, traders knew every car and they monitored as to where they stopped to shop. But the American car made Tellicherry proud, our own Subhash was a common comment, they made with confidence and authority. Actually no one had a clue as to where he came from. Every family invited for the wedding were excited to have been honoured as such, those who missed expressed their displeasure in many ingenious ways, Tellicherry people had that capability.
Karnavar nominated Govindan and Meenakshi as the elder representative, the younger being Gopal and Parvathi. That decision was final.
Gopal declined stating that he had an important work pending at the Post Office, the Cash statement need to be sent to the Head Office. Younger boys aghast, who would refuse such a celebratory meal? The Aunts just rolled their eyes, they had the ability to talk in that fashion, and the kitchen demanded such capability. There were rumours that Nambissan the celebrated cook was given the contract for the food. There would be three types of Payasam, the sweet dish.
The girls were keen to see the Singapore man, they were also interested to see what sari, Nalini would wear, the jewellery and the gold. Moothamma delared that she would attend, if her Knee pain permits, Parvathy assured her that she could fix her knees for the day.
The Marriage was one of the best ever seen, there had been a talk that the entire Pandal was fixed by Subhash’s people. The ceremonial passage home after the Marriage used to be a simple affair in Tellicherry. The Bride and the Bridegroom, wearing the flower garland walk in a procession, it allowed the neighbourhood to watch the new couple, those who did not get a chance to attend the marriage. It is a simple procession lead by the Musicians playing the classical wedding music.
This time Nalini and Subhash were seated in the New American car, hood open, and fully decorated with exotic flowers, well dressed people wearing silk sari’s and some men in suits were walking ahead, the Uniform Band leading. It was a spectacular show, never seen before.
Nalini wore a full brocade sari, her chest full of jewellery. Her hands covered with gold bangles. Nalini head covered with fresh jasmine flowers. Subhash was wearing a Jodhpur dress, he had a large pearl necklace, and he looked majestic like a Prince. Subhash was a sensation. The crowds closed in, but Subhash had made arrangements for the Security guards. It was an event management thing.
The car turned at the Pilakool Post Office, Nalini looked up, and she was familiar with the masonry steps, the one she had often climbed with trepidation and joy. She will never forget those steps. Nalini looked up, she saw Gopal standing alone, desolate and solitary and his hair was in disarray; ’Sweet Gopal, how sad he looks?’ A tear descended down Nalini’s cheeks that no one saw. Gopal wiped his tears as the car turned. The car moved on, the crowd cheered.
Nalini wiped her tears, and she was looking beyond the crowd. What is there to look? Everything has been left behind. She knew there will never be a man like Gopal. Goodbye gopal.
She did not sob, but her heart did.
… xxx …
PARVATHI.
Parvathi was intelligent, she could see beyond the horizon, she could anticipate events and sometimes mould them in the direction she desired. It was like planning to dig the carnal before the rain, the water would then flow in the direction desired by Parvathi. The water itself would have no clue to the direction of the flow.
But sometimes it does flow relentlessly, inexorably in the direction that destiny choses. Parvathi herself could get caught in the rapidity of the events, she would then have no control and would float like a dead leaf inevitably to meet her destiny. Parvathi knew there were two power centres at Mangden house, Karnavar and Moothamma, both old with the problems that comes with age and senescence. In old age pain becomes a companion that refuses to part with you. It is a guest that keeps you company till death. It then looks for new customers.
Parvathi had acquired some knowledge in forest medicine from Mamathi, an Avadooth who has supernatural powers. Karnavar was sapped of energy, he was old but not senile, and his mind was still sharp. He had Arthritic problem, his mobility was constrained, and getting up from the chair itself was a problem.
Parvathi had a magic medicine, she mixed the droppings of blood sucking Bats found in the rock caves of Pandakkal, and they blended with Cannabis leaf taken together with tobacco and beetle leaf, and it was a perfect medicine for Karnavar. It provided magic relief.
Most old people have problem with bowel movements, the desire to eat persists, but the agony of pushing the residual haunts. Parvathi had a solution, the tail of the Monitor Lizard, dried and powered, mixed with fruits when taken at night, would make the motion smooth and painless. Moothie had a problem with her knees, most old ladies in Kerala have the problem with the knees.
Parvathy made a paste of Shark eggs, blended with Herbal roots. it gave relief to a large extent, although it cannot be a permanent cure. It does provide relief. Moothamma could walk without a stick.
… xxx …
Moothamma ‘Parvathi! You are a magic girl. What would I have done without you? I would have been bed ridden without you. Now I can walk.’
Parvathi hugged Moothamma, she called her Moothie affectionately.
Parvathi found the right momemt. Finding the right moment is a gift, very few had. Parvathi had it. Moothie ‘What can I do for you Parvathi?’ The right moment. Parvathi ‘Moothie! Keep me always in Mangaden house.’ Moothie ‘How can I keep you here? Soon you will get married, some proposals have come, Karnavar did not agree, he is waiting for the right boy. A respectable house like the Ambalavattom house.’ Parvathi seized the initiative ‘Moothie! Get me married to Gopal, he is not related to me, you told me that I was brought as an orphan to Mangaden house, you do not know my Father and Mother. I was brought from Vadakkara, when my mother died. I grew up here, I am not Mangaden.’ Parvathi gave her another succulent tobacco preparation.
Moothie liked the idea, keep her here, Gopal is a good boy, Parvathi can take care of her in old age. Moothie was ecstatic. It was a powerful incentive.
… xxx …
Parvathi does long term planning, Nalini getting married to Singapore man was not a part of her plan. It was a problem she had given to Mamathi. Parvathi had cleaned her hut meticulously, she lay prostate at the feet of Mamathi. Mamathi ‘I know your problem that girl will soon get married and she will go far away, very far.’
… xxx …
One morning on Ekadasi day, an auspicious day Moothamma and Parvathi went to Tiruvangad Temple. She prayed to Lord Rama. Moothamma came back with Prasadam and Sandalwood Paste, the offering after the Puja. Moothie applied the sacred sandalwood paste on Karnavar’s forehead. Moothie ‘Raghava! I have a request and do not refuse me.’ Karnavar ‘Have I refused you anything Moothie? You are the pillar of Mangaden house.’ Moothie ‘Now listen! The girl Parvathi has grown up, we need to think of her marriage’ Karnavar ‘I am trying Moothie! I have offered good money to leading Brokers’. Moothie ‘Why Brokers Raghava? I propose why not we get Parvathi married to our own Gopal?’
Karnavar exploded. He stood up and his face red, he was holding the Pillar with difficulty, as if he were having a Heart Attack. Karnavar ‘No! I will never permit such a marriage.’ His hands were trembling. He collapsed on the chair, his eyes bulged out and his voice hoarse. Karnavar ‘No Moothie No, I can never permit that’. Moothie ‘Why Raghava! Why? You have to tell me why? I carried you as a baby in my arms?’ Karnavar ‘Moothie! I cannot! They are my children! My blood! Understand my blood’. Karnavar slowly ‘Remember when I was an Estate Manager of Mangaden Rubber Estate in Vadakkara. A Namboodhari Girl fell in love with me. I told her that I am from a lower caste and that I cannot marry her. She told me that they were planning to marry her to her uncle who is old and a very bad man, if I did not marry her, she will commit suicide. Moothie she was pretty. I married her in a Forest Temple. We stayed in the forest house, she was happy, we had two kids, the labour were from Madras. We were safe and happy. One day her brothers came with a group of people with swords, they killed her, I escaped into the forest with the kids. I brought them here to Mangaden house. I never married again. They are my precious kids. They cannot marry! Moothie! Same blood!’
Moothie withdrew quietly, and she had nothing to say.
To be Continued…
Trance Series 