In Tamil: K.S.Suthahar
In
English: Kandiah Kumarasamy
(Nallaikumaran)
It is Melbourne .
Trees on the roadsides have lost their live-green hue and looked
withered in that cold evening. Shankar came back from work. He hurriedly went
to the dining table, as he was very hungry. Bharathy served takeaway hot food,
fried rice, brought from the Chinese restaurant. After eating two mouthfuls, he
regained his lost vigour and started his useless dialogue with the usual
arrogance.
“I will tell you one thing. Do
not come to fight with me.”
“Why do you want to start a topic
while eating?”- Bharathy asked him even though she is anxious to know what he
intended to say.
“My boss, Paul Nemington, says
that it is rather easy to bring up boys than girls in this country.”
“It all depends on how they are bringing up their
children.”
“What I feel is, it is easy to bring up girls in their
immature age, but bit hard after they reach teenage. Boys are just the
opposite.”
“Before your come to a decision
on this matter, please find out the numeral of his present wife.”
“I do not know about those
details. But his daughter has changed to her fourth boy friend. His boy is
still sticking on to his only girl friend.”
“Absurd stories.”
Bharathy did not care his talk.
She washed her hands and left.
It was very cold outside. After
heating the bedroom both of them plunged into the covering blanket.
Their only daughter Abi was
already sleeping in the adjacent room.
Shankar’s snoring sound
commenced. Sleep cradles Shankar no sooner he goes to bed. It is a gift.
Bharathy? Her body sweated within the carpet bed-cover. She tried to sleep….
She tried to control her emotions…But?
“Here! Hear! Are you sleeping?”
“ I must go for work tomorrow.”
“I know. But our daughter Abi is
now 8 years old”.
“Why do you say that now?”
“She is playing with children in
the adjacent houses irresponsibly. She should be brought up with strict
discipline.”
Snoring sound of Shankar started again.
Bharathy shook him holding on to his shoulders. He got out of the blanket immediately
and sat in front of the Television. An old Valentine program was going on.
Bharathy came and sat next to him
like an itching insect. She expected him to restart the process since he has no
escape.
“Abi is scared of whom?”- Shankar
asked Bharathy.
“No one.”
“No. She is scared of one female
ghost.”
“Is it Akila?”
“Yes. If she sees Akila, she will
urinate. I have seen it with my own eyes when Akila was here last time.”
“ How dare you call my sister as
a ghost?”
“Not only your sister…”
A strong kick on the back of
Shankar was a punishment; not for his remark but for his inability to
understand her sign language and arrogant attitude. She went without uttering a
word to Abi’s room, knowing well that harsh little words, and offensive looks
are feigned love-torn tricks.
* * *
It is
now two days after Ahila arrived with her father from Sri Lanka .
Ahila played with Abi and taught her Jaffna
sport for girls and lessons. She told her stories such as Ramayanam and Maha
Bharatham. She started to teach her to write Tamil alphabet letters and talking
in Tamil language. Ahila’s arrival
started to have a grip on Abi’s world. Abi was in the third Grade – Primary.
She used all methods except cane. In spite of that Abi would think of her
friends. She could not control herself during such times.
“Abi! All these years you have been playing with
whom?”
“ There is a red color gate in
front of our house. I go there and play.”
“Who and who are there?”
“Prem, a Tamil boy, his friends
Noorjin, Kung, John, Larry, Makariya will be there”.
“All are boys?”
“ Yes.”
“Don’t you feel shy to play with
boys?”
“No”
“Mummy! I want to go and play
with my friends.”- Abi tried to reach her mother, with tears.
“In future, you can go and play
only on Saturdays and Sundays. On all other days you have got to be with
Chithi, Ahila. Understand?” Bharathy told Abi. Abi was not satisfied with her
mother’s instructions.
Abi ran to her grandfather,
Krishnapillai, and plunged her face inside his laps and slept. His mind was
entreated. “Let us leave the children to
live in their dreams. What is there to shut them within homes when they can
enjoy fun at a tender age?”
Krishnapillai did not understand
the behavior patterns of this country. Though he was a full-fledged Saivaist,
he was unable to get a proper vegetarian meal.
He was fed up with the cold weather and hated mixing of non-vegetable
foods. These drawbacks have changed his course. But before returning to Sri Lanka , he
wanted to ease his burden and did a remarkable thing. He gave the astrological
chart of Ahila to his friend, Veluppilai to find a suitable partner for her.
* * *
Abi
can now talk in Tamil well. She plays by herself with her doll Barbie. She imitates life cycle of a Tamil girl with
her doll, except finding a partner. After that she started to rare pets but
disliked doll. Later she started to go to the red gatehouse again. After some
days some girls of her age visited her house.
“Where is Abi?”
“She is unwell”
“All these days?”
“Yes. She will not come to play
in future.”
“It seems she is having a long
sickness!” Abi’s friends have gone. Abi
came out and sat near the front door hesitatingly.
What wrong has she done? Who
could understand the wishes of an eight-year-old girl? What is the
pleasure these people derive in dismantling the nest built by this tiny bird?
On an early morning after two
weeks, the door of Shankar’s house was knocked. Shankar was busy getting ready
to go for his work. He was surprised and got angry over the disturbance.
“These people do not know that
there is a telephone service.”
Bharathy opened the door. Velupillai
was at the entrance wearing the Jaffna
national dress in spite of cold weather.
“Good morning! Sorry for calling
without an appointment. I have come with a purpose.”
“You are?”
“I am Velupillai, Krishnapillai’s
friend. I have brought a marriage
proposal for Ahila. Ahila is your sister. Isn’t it?”
“ Exactly. Please be seated. My
husband is getting ready to go for work. I will attend to him and come back
soon.”
Bharathy was busy. Velupillai had
a glance at the setting of house and he appreciated.
Shankar came out of his room
within a short time with folded hands.
“ I am about to go for work.
Please talk to my wife, Bharathy. I will meet you later.”
“Very glad.” Shankar vanished.
Bharathy hurriedly made Abi ready
to go to school and told her to watch T.V.
She went and handed over a cup of tea to Velupillai and sat in front of
him.
“Bharathy! I am coming direct to
the topic. It is a matrimonial matter. The real beauty of a girl can be
assessed only at the time she gets up from her bed in the morning. Then only I
will go ahead with my proposal. First of all I would like to see your sister.”
Bharathy smiled.
“Why are you laughing, Bharathy?”
“Well, Sir! Ahila had already
gone for work.”
“She had gone?”
“Of course. It is now not the
world you are looking for. Actually you may not be able to see the girls in
some homes even in the mid of nights. They would have gone for night shifts . I
can show you my sister’s photo if you so desire.”
“Leave aside the photo.
Krishnapillai told me that he has two daughters. This is a plus point. I also given to understand that the boy is
working with your husband. His name is Alahan.”
“Ahila – Alahan. It is a very
good combination of name. I will find out his details from my husband.”
“It is all right finding the
details. He is a promising boy of excellent disposition. He is very fair. You
could donate 10 lakhs for his lips alone.”
Photos and charts were
interchanged. Bharathy liked the proposal. She said that she would consult her
husband and her father and give a final decision. That was happy end of
Velupillai’s mission.
Astrologers gave a green light
for the marriage. The astrologers examined and ascertained the benign
influences of the bride and bridegroom and have given 87% marks, which include
total agreement in five utmost important life-factors.
Ahila and Alahan were given the
opportunity to see themselves face to face at the Murugan temple. The
bridegroom walked like a lady with the gait of a swan. It may be because he may
be feeling shy to see Ahila. His soft and sweet talk and winking cornered her.
Ahila had a lovely face with a black ‘spot’ worn on her forehead. Alahan had an
earring on his left ear. He painted his ten fingers in ten colors – cutex
showing no difference between male and female. He was born and bred in this
country and got assimilated to these customs.
At times his voice too changes.
Ahila was highly taken up by his
personality and got trapped. While returning home Ahila was in smiles within
the car.
“Why are you laughing?”- Bharathy
questioned Ahila.
“Nothing. Have you noticed the
lips of Velupillai uncle?”
“Oh! You are referring to that
remark?”
‘He is a blubber-lipped person.
If we are to donate 10 lakhs for Alahan’s lips, how much would Veluppillai
uncle have given for his deformed lips to his wife?”
Bharathy too started to laugh.
But Ahila continued her laughing. Bharathy thought that her sister’s laughing
may have some hidden meaning.
“Mum! Who is going to be my
bridegroom?”
“We have just seen a bridegroom.
He is the one.”- Shankar told his daughter.
“Daddy! You are kidding.”
Shankar
wanted to have the wedding of Ahila and Alahan during summer holidays. It would
be convenient for all to attend, as summer holidays are long. But Alahan had
requested them to have the wedding in February. He wanted to go on a world tour
during summer holidays.
“After the marriage, you can take
your wife also on the world tour?”
“You are not going to allow me to
enjoy in peace. It is not so. I have already made arrangements. That is
it.” That was Alahan’s blunt reply.
Wedding cards were printed very beautifully from India .
Invitations were sent all over. Krishnapillai had been going from house to
house in Colombo
distributing wedding invitation cards.
He had arranged for another trip to Melbourne .
Shankar obtained one-month leave. Abi had two-months
leave. Alahan had gone on world tour. Her job was such Ahila was fully occupied
with her work throughout the year. She goes by bus and comes back in car with a
Tamil boy working with her. Balan Francis …… with anyone whom she met first.
She was very clever. She too can drive car. She has the driving license. But
nowadays it is difficult to maintain two cars! Car needs a ‘medical check-up’
every six months! But people go for medical check-up only when they think about
it.
There
was one
more month for the wedding to take place. One day, it started to rain
unexpectedly. Ahila had not come home after work. Normally she gives a
telephone message if she is getting late. But so far no telephone call had been
received. Shankar went out to see the wedding hall arrangements, telling
Bharathy that he would be late to come back. Abi was doing mathematics problems
from sofa. Abi’s school had not yet started. Abi studies once in a way so as
not to forget what she had already learnt.
It was raining torrentially.
Bharathy went to the kitchen to cook something hot.
There was a call-bell.
“Abi! See who it is. It may be Ahila Chithi.”
Abi was surprised to see the
scene when she opened the door. Two rain-soaked ‘chicken’ were standing in
front of the door within an umbrella – smartly very close to each other –
cuddling him as if she is warming up for terrible cold and rain.
“Thanks. Michael. See you!”
Michael gave an affectionate
pinch on Ahila’s cheek before he left.
Ahila came inside the house fully
wet, but with an embarrassing look at Abi.
But Abi too had something
‘wetting’ in her mind.
“What is this Ahila? You are
soaked in rain. Go and take a shower bath and come and have a hot meal.”
“I had more work to do to cover
up several absentees to-day”
“You could have told a word over
the telephone”
Ahila kept silent and went direct
to the shower.
When Ahila was inside the
bathroom, Abi slowly came and peeped inside the kitchen.
“Why are you looking like a ‘
delivered cat’?”
“ Not a ‘delivered cat’ but a completely ‘wet-hen’”
“What are you talking?”
“Nothing.”
“Then go and study.”
“No mum! I have a doubt.”
“Tell me.”
“Can I play with boys after
growing up like Ahila Chithi?”
“What happened to you to-day? You
are talking above your age level.”
“No Mum. Today the uncle who
brought Chithi in his car to our home was pinching on her cheek before he left.
That is why I am asking.”
Bharathy got a shock of the worst
degree.
“Abi! With whom did Chithi come
to-day?”
“She addressed him as Michael”
“Is he an Australian?”
“I don’t know”
Bharathy was perturbed as to what
her sister was up to; and that also just one month before her marriage.
Bharathy looked at Ahila’s face penetratingly. She had a reddish mark on her
cheek. Abi sat in front of the T.V. with her dinner plate.
Abi kept silent for sometime
looking at Ahila.
No sooner Shankar arrived,
Bharathy started to question him.
“Has Alahan come back for work
after his world tour?”
“I do not know. We can give a
call and find out from his home.”
“It is not fair to give telephone
calls always. You had better check up at his work-place”
* * *
Shankar
used to go to Alahan’s department whenever he finds time. It was the same
factory but different departments. Shankar was one of four computer specialists. As it is he has to go to all departments and
attend to necessary checking and repairs, if any.
There was a large crowd near the
ladies’ toilet in the department where Alahan was working. There was clamour,
bustling, shouting and arguments. One lady got hold of a gent on his shirt
collar. Several people were just watching. That lady had been pouring filthy
words from her mouth. As she held him, another lady gave a thrashing to that
gent. News spread like wild fire in the factory. On inquiring what had happened,
it was brought to light that Alahan had entered the ladies toilet when the
outraged lady was in there.
Shankar got a sudden shock of his
lifetime.
“Was he drunk?”.
Shankar was aware that he does not drink.
Consumption of alcohol and smoking were prohibited in the
premises, according to the Factory regulations. Anyone found in breach of these
offences might lose his job.
The Manager was coming on hearing about the incident. He
took Alahan to his room for an inquiry.
Everyone in the house kept silent and avoided any
conversations. The same subject had been cruising in their minds.
Bharathy started the talk.
“Shankar Darling! Father
had already started his flight. The bridegroom’s party had not told about this
incident. There is only ten days more for the wedding date. Ahila had already
expressed her consent for the marriage. Why don’t you take a telephone call to
Alahan’s house?”
“How are we to take a call?
Velupillai uncle brought this marriage proposal and fixed it. Why can’t you to
talk to him?”
Veluppillai uncle was contacted by phone.
“Hallo! Hallo! Is Velupillai Uncle there?”
“Is it
Bharathy? I actually just thought
of taking a call to you. It appears that finding a male partner tantamount to
stepping inside a muddy pool. It is my turn to tell you something about the
bridegroom. But you should not take it for granted that I am complicating the
matter.”
“ Uncle! Why
are you telling like that?”
“Just a few minutes back he took a telephone call to me
and he has been talking…talking about some mad subject …for about an hour…. I
could not follow what he means.”
“Uncle! Why don’t you tell me
what Alahan had told you?”
“I can tell you if it can be
expressed. He is talking nonsense”
“ It is all right, uncle. Please
tell me.”
“He says that
he has now become a girl.”
“What are you
saying? Ahilan had become a girl?”
“Yes. Yes. He says that if he decides to
get married he would choose only a male. He had been very independent and now
he has become a girl completely.”
* * * * *
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