When Mukundan got up the next morning, he had a clear idea in his mind in terms of what he wanted to do. After a bath and breakfast, he went to the place where Sumithra used to sell fruits. She was there, he spoke to her and conveyed the previous day’s events. She was happy to hear that the two women were safe.
Mukundan then said that he was leaving for Chennai and would be back soon. He handed Sumithra some money and said. Let it be there, it will be helpful. Once I am back, there’s a lot to speak.
Mukundan took the passenger train to Coimbatore and from there boarded a bus. By 10 PM he was back to his house. He looked at the house its belongings, the framed photo of Alfred, the gramophone record player, the library, there were a lot of memories associated with this house.
The next morning he visited his school, the principal was surprised. Mukundan narrated a brief summary of all that had transpired, he said, “I would like to spend the rest of my life in Kerala with my stepmother and sister, I would like to be relieved from my role.” The principal understood Mukundan’s request and said, “We are losing a good teacher, but family comes first, submit the letter, I will handle the paper-work, good luck Mukundan!”
Mukundan then called up Rajesh. After the initial pleasantries, Mukundan said, “Rajesh, I am going to relocate to Kannur, can you get me the help of a house-broker and arrange a house for me in the town, if it is closer to Sheelu’s college, even better?” Rajesh replied, “Yes, will get it done, I will keep you informed.”
A week later
It was an independent house, spacious with a garden at the front, coconut and guava trees, and a bunch of flowering plants, there was a well and a dedicated washing area as well. Mukundan had transferred the advance amount and asked Rajesh to collect the house keys. Then he reached Kannur and facilitated the shifting of his mother and sister’s meagre belongings and set up the house. His mother and sister were immensely happy.
Mukundan then told his mother about Sumithra and Lekha. He explained to her that he wanted to marry Sumithra and secure her and Lekha’s future as well. His mother agreed wholeheartedly. A week later, there was a simple wedding at the Vilvadrinathan Temple in Thiruvilvamamla, Gangadharan, some neighbours of Sumithra, Rajesh, and Mukundan’s mother and sister were in attendance. When Mukundan had asked Sumithra to marry him, she had broken into tears, the tears gave way to relief, and she hugged him. It was young Lekha who was the cynosure of all eyes as she saw her mother getting married to the new uncle who had got her toys and dresses. She was also happy.
They all lived together in the new house in Kannur. Mukundan found a job as a teacher in a school run by the Franciscan brothers, his stellar academic records, and letter of recommendation from the principal of his previous school secured the job for him. Thus Mukundan, the boy who ran away, returned as a man, took control of his life, found his lost family-members, found the love of his life, and began to live life with happiness and joy!
Purpose and meaning in life are strange terms, one may find it by chance, one may already have found it and never know, or one may keep searching for it and never find it. Like Mukundan, your time may also come, find a reason to be happy, do good, it comes back to you manifold.
Image by Freepik
Let there be light and bloom where you are planted!
The Beginning…….
Teerthadanam 
A very pleasant and heartwarming story with a happy ending and with a promise of greater prosperity and boundless joy for Mukundan and his family. Thank you Mahesh!
Thank you for your constant encouragement and support sir. I originally had planned something darker and sinister but as I wrote, I felt, why spread negativity, let there be happiness, and wrote the tale as it is now. Thank you KP sir.