Mukundan Finds a Purpose to Live – Chapter-7

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…….

Amme—A Reunion – Chapter-6

The train took about four hours to reach Kannur from Palakkad. Mukundan decided to make Kannur his base and found a “Yatri Nivas” near the railway station. The simple, functional lodge had been running for over 50 years. Mukundan refreshed himself and ate a hearty lunch at the Kudumbashree Mess.

He then took a couple of buses to reach Thodeekulam.

Image – Kerala Tourism

It was about 5 PM by the time he reached there. He looked at the magnificent temple, the beautiful murals on the walls mesmerized him. After a satisfactory darshan he came out of the temple. The small eatery that Gangadharan had mentioned was not there. He asked the temple security guard, he said, that there was an eatery managed by an elderly lady and her daughter, but they had shut shop a few months ago.

Mukundan was disappointed, but he did not give up hope. As he was speaking with the security guard, another man walked up to them. He asked Mukundan, “Why are you inquiring about them? What do you want?” Mukundan replied that he was the lady’s stepson. The man said, “Come with me.” He then called for an auto from the auto-stand near the temple.

They got into it, the man introduced himself, “I am Rajesh, I run a small coaching center in the neighbouring village. Your stepmother and sister, they live in a room in the center, they clean the center and live there. Your sister is studying in college now.” The auto reached its destination, the board said, “Winners Coaching Center”. Mukundan paid the fare and stood in doubt for some time.

Rajesh gripped his hand and said, “Come let’s go.” He called out aloud “Chechi, nokku, oru aal vanutundu kaanan.” {Sister, look someone has come to see you.}

At first, the elderly lady could not recognize Mukundan and then there was a faint glimmer of recognition, her first emotion was anguish, then she slapped him hard on the cheeks. Then she broke into tears. Mukundan consoled her, “Amme…karaiyalle.. ellam sheri agghum..” {Mother, don’t cry, everything will be fine.}

Mother and son, just sat for a long time, looking at each other, the silence, the pain, the fears, the love that was lost and found again, the guilt, the helplessness; everything that was bottled, flowed in that resounding slap, and Mukundan’s efforts to console his mother. Rajesh looked at them in silence, he went into a smaller room serving as the kitchen and brought some water to drink. At that time, Mukundan’s sister came back from college. She had no recollection of Mukundan. Her mother explained slowly who he was, the young girl was shy and reserved, and smiled at the man who had come and was now introduced as her elder brother. Rajesh said, “You be here, discuss all that you want. I live in the house adjoining the compound wall. Take care.”

It was a long-awaited reunion. Mukundan said, “Amme, Sheelu, what do you wish to do? Will you come to Chennai with me? Or you wish to be here?” His mother replied, “Mone, did you not marry yet?” He replied, “No Amme, not yet!” Mukundan said, “Come let’s go to the town for dinner.” Sheela was excited, as was her mother. Mukundan said, I will wait outside on the verandah, both of you get ready.

The family had a nice, relaxed dinner, as usual here too, Gulf-money had pumped up development with fancy mini-shopping plazas and restaurants. They had ice cream after dinner then Mukundan took mother and daughter to a garments store and got a couple of new sarees for his mother and a selection of kurtis, salwar, and a set-mundu for his sister. There was lot of happiness all around. His mother said, “Sorry – I slapped you.” Mukundan just smiled. He was in a happy place. He dropped them at the coaching center and handed over some money to both of them. He collected his sister’s mobile number and gave them his number. He said, “I will be back in a couple of days Amme.” There was joy, a sense of fulfilment in his heart. From the town bus-stand, he got a direct bus to Kannur, and reached his room late in the night. He was exhausted. He changed into a pair of bermudas, drank some water, and fell deep asleep with a smile on his lips!

Mukundan Tries to Find His Mother and Sister – Chapter-5

Mukundan dropped Lekha and Sumithra at their home. As he was leaving, he saw an old black and white photo that had been framed and was on a table. It was a photo taken when the election campaign was on and the participating candidate had drunk a glass of tea that Sumithra’s mother had made. It was a big event that had been covered in the local newspapers at that time. What was unique about that photo was that it also had Mukundan’s stepmother and sister in the frame. He took Sumithra’s permission to click a photo of it using his smartphone. He bid the mother and daughter “Good night” and walked to the auto-stand.

At the auto-stand, he had another surprise, the auto that he boarded, the driver turned around and said “Mukundan alle?”. Mukundan tried to place the elderly man in his sixties, wondering who it was! The man smiled and said “Eda Gangadharan maaman aana!” This man had worked in the school that Mukundan had studied as a handyman doing tasks like electrical repairs and minor carpentry work.

As the auto went through the village, Gangadharan spoke of all that had transpired in the intervening years. He said, “I went to Kannur last year for a wedding. Your mother and sister are there. They are running a small eatery near the Thodeekulam Shiva Temple. Go meet them.” Mukundan had tears in his eyes. The years of anguish came out. Gangadharan hugged him and said “Mukunda, mone, nee raksahapattu, poi ninde Ammaiyem, anniyathiyem, kondu va da!” {You saved yourself and have reached a secure place, go bring your mother and sister.”}

Mukundan reached his room in the lodge. He drank a glass of water and then went into the attached bathroom. He splashed some water onto his face and looked at himself in the mirror. The reflection looked back at him and said “Alfred has gone Mukundan, go save your stepmother and sister, you owe that good turn. Go.”

Mukundan broke into a smile and wiped his face with a towel. He switched the ceiling fan on and lay down on the cot. He fell asleep thinking of this stepmother and sister. Tomorrow he would leave for Kannur, at first light!

A Lot Has Happened Mukund Etta – Chapter-4

Sumithra was overcome with emotions. Her friend from childhood had landed up in the most unexpected way possible. When he had run away that night, most people expected him to be back in a day or two. But as days turned into weeks and months elapsed, everyone lost hope, a police case also yielded no result.

Mukundan asked Sumithra if any of his family members were still there in the village? Sumithra replied, that his father died due to liver failure. After that his mother and the little sister had left the village one night as money-lenders threatened to take away their meagre possessions. No one had heard about them afterwards, someone from the village had said that he had seen mother and daughter in Kasargod once when they had gone to a temple there, may years ago. After that there was no other update.

Mukundan asked Sumithra if she had married? Sumithra’ s smile vanished “She replied, I did, but my good-for-nothing husband, he abandoned me. I have a daughter – Lekha, she is studying in the government school. It is a tough life Mukund etta! We manage somehow.”

She told him that she had to sell the fruits in her basket and would meet Mukundan in the evening at the Devi kshetram near the base of the hillock. He replied he would and told Sumithra to bring her daughter along as well.

In the evening Mukundan, was waiting with great expectations near the temple gate. Sumithra came along in a while with her daughter Lekha. Mukundan had bought a small doll for her. As soon as they met, he greeted her and gave the doll. The little girl was shy, but she smiled and accepted the thoughtful gift.

Photo by Tetyana Kovyrina: https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-sheep-plush-toy-12211/

They prayed in the temple and came out. He then told them, come let’s go and have food. He said – “Sumithra, don’t worry, I will drop both of you back home. Let’s spend some time together.” The little village had grown into a semi-town of sorts. There were some restaurants and a couple of super-markets, there were also some textile shops. Mukundan told Sumithra – “Sumithra, come let’s go into this shop and get some clothes for you and Lekha.” She hesitated, Mukund etta, but.. but…” Mukundan rebuked her, “No ifs and buts… I am getting it for my childhood friend and her daughter. No over-thinking.”

It was a pleasant evening, shopping was done with new dresses for Lekha and Sumithra. They then had dinner followed by ice cream which Lekha enjoyed. She said “Maaman – Dhanks” – It was her way of saying thanks to this new uncle who had generously got her new clothes and a doll. As he dropped them back home, Mukundan wondered, what if…!!!

Mission Melbourne – The Jackal – Chapter-1

Because Jason Bourne is hitting the screens and forget super-heroes who are either billionaires or aliens or mutants. Here’s one chap who is a human, a man whose past is a mystery to himself, a lone wolf. My tribute to Bourne – an old contest post from the past, replugged! Read on…

The instructions always came in a blue envelope. This time for a change it came in a yellow envelope and contained a photograph, an address, flight-tickets and a crisp message – “It is your time to visit Melbourne, NOW”.

There was a sudden tinge of joy and sorrow on knowing the location – Melbourne – where I found my one and only love and lost her as well. I wondered how Lisa would be now? 25 years is a long time.

Lisa and Me:
The Qantas flight departed right on time and I relaxed in the comfort of my Executive class seat. It was time to reminisce on my only love-story. Melbourne in the 80s was much different from the high-rise super-tech, honey-mooners destination that it has turned into today!

I had landed up at the University of Melbourne on a 1-year student-exchange programme. The summer of 83 – India had just won the Cricket World Cup and I was among the few college cricketers who got a chance to visit Australia as part of a sports programme that would involve the training of fast-bowlers in Australia. It’s funny when I think that now Chennai has the MRF Pace Academy and Glen McGrath an Aussie heads it now.

The University of Melbourne was a lovely place a perfect mix of old-world and new upcoming modernist architecture. The rigorous training that our physical fitness instructor Mr James Larwood would put us through would build and mould me into what I would become in my later years.

Lisa was the stuff dreams are made of – a cross between Diane Keaton and Meryl Streep she walked with a fluidity of a ballet dancer and was studying sociology. I met her at the ‘International Student Orientation Programme’ where she guided a bunch of us new students about life in Melbourne.

We saw ‘Terms of Endearment’ at the Astor Theatre and something clicked deep within – me the tall fast bowler and she the fair golden-haired sociology student. It was an affair that we knew might never last but it was a beautiful summer of visiting museums over the weekends. Going cycling exploring the hidden by-lanes discovering some quaint cafe and trying out wines and cheese. Being in love was such a beautiful feeling.

We moved in together and we were contemplating marriage and then I received an international telegram. – ‘come back immediately – Das’. Mr Das was our Man Friday and he looked after the needs of me and my elder brother. My elder brother was in the export business and exported handicraft products to the USA and UK. I showed the telegram to Lisa – she hugged me and told me ‘Come back soon Honey – someone’s joining us soon and smiled at me’. I was mad with joy and took her into my arms and kissed her. She playfully hit me and said ‘Hey Tiger go visit your brother and return’.

To Kill a Mockingbird:
Mr Das was at the airport to greet me and when I reached home I was shocked to see Dada’s body in an ice-box. I broke down and Mr Das comforted me. I said ‘Kaku what happened?’ Then the bitter truth came out. Dada was an assassin and he had been killed when a hit-job went horribly wrong as someone had double-crossed him. Universal Exports was a front and was headed by the elusive Mr. Ranganathan who sent in details to the group of ten assassins – now reduced to nine.

That’s when Mr. Ranganathan walked in – he walked straight up to me and said ‘Chottu, your brother did not deserve to go like this – I am giving you an opportunity to avenge his death and take his place!’

Thus started my journey from being a budding cricketer to one of the world’s most feared assassins!

I wrote a long letter to Lisa – apologizing for my inability to return to Melbourne! She sent me a reply with a photograph of us standing in front of the Astor! That was it…

Now so many years later when I had decided to retire this last job landed – Melbourne! Would I meet Lisa again? Had she left Melbourne?

To Kill or Not to Kill:
My assignment was to kill a chap named Peter Markham – 24 years old he had made the mistake of falling in love with Supriya Hirani – scion of India’s biggest oil company. The two were deeply in love but Mr. Hirani was looking at acquiring Patel Steels by marrying of Supriya to Bhavesh Patel. Who was I to deliberate on love I was just a professional who was paid to do his job.

It was a weird twist of fate that Supriya was majoring in Sociology and Peter was a research associate working on an alternative fuel source project at the University of Melbourne. I had Peter’s address and did a recon of the place an old two-storey apartment and that’s when my heart skipped a beat – could it be – was old age finally catching up with me – could it really be Lisa?

She had aged with grace those golden strands of hair that smile still intact! The biggest shock was when she unlocked the flat where Pete was supposed to reside – was Pete Lisa’s son? And then it hit me – no it could not be…

I walked out slowly and approached Pete’s flat and rang the door-bell; the door opened after a minute – and Lisa stood before me. She said –‘Oh! My God is it really you?’ and she started sobbing – she hugged me and I stood there bumbling not knowing what to do!

I comforted her and took her inside – ‘Lisa tell me who is Peter?’ – She wiped her tears away and smiled and said – ‘Guess!’

Then it hit me – Peter was my son our son!

How could I kill my own son?
At that moment I decided – enough was enough – I quickly asked Lisa to change and pack her belongings and take her valuables. She was flustered but I told her who I was and then said – ‘We need to reach Peter soon’ Call him and tell him to remain in the research lab and not to come out till we reach there.’

Universal Exports functioned on a back-up plan – always – if one assassin missed, there would be another assassin to finish the job. Now that I had deliberately missed my target, the wheels would already be in motion – who would be the back-up plan – Panther, Eagle or Cobra?

I asked her where Supriya was – Lisa said Supriya had gone to Sydney for a seminar and would only be back next week.

I took Lisa to my hotel room and asked her not to open the door till she heard either my voice or Peter’s voice.

She hugged me and said ‘Honey please come back safe and bring our son back safe!’

The Eagle and The Jackal:
I was code-named Jackal and I had to stalk the hunter who would bring down my son. The research-lab at the Faculty of Science and Engineering was on level-1 and I needed a either a student or a lecturer’s ID card to get into the research facility. I bumped into a middle-aged man and flicked his wallet. The wallet had the access and ID-card that gave me access to the research facility. I moved inside with ease and scanned the huge laboratory for any suspicious activity. Peter was busy sitting in front of his computer and playing ‘Angry Birds’ I smiled at my son – I wanted to go up to him ruffle his hair and say –‘Kiddo, I am your Dad!’

Then I noticed a red dot on my son’s white lab-coat a laser target for an accurate shot – I followed the trajectory and stared above to notice Eagle adjusting the sniper. I had one chance to redeem myself – I took out my customized K-7 fitted with a silencer and shot Eagle the bullet met its mark. Eagle fell down with a surprised look. No one noticed anything.

I walked up to my son and said – ‘Kiddo, I am your Dad, we have lots to talk, come lets pick up your Mom and go out for dinner!’

The Goddess to the Rescue

‘Brennen beginnen die Waffen'(Commence firing the guns) – Captain Karl von Müller’s voice was clear; the darkness of the night was suddenly illuminated with flames as the oil tanks exploded. The labourers in Madras Harbour were in deep sleep and it was absolute chaos. An alarm began ringing somewhere; the British officers lulled in a false sense of security never realised what hit the Madras Harbour.

As Captain Karl continued to oversee the attack – a strange apparition appeared before him. He was in absolute shock – it was an Indian lady with dark skin, long hair, deep red eyes and a red silk saree draped around her. From where had she come? Karl rubbed his eyes thinking it was a hallucination – but the lady stood before him – visible only to him.

She said nothing – all she indicated with a swift move of her arm was – ‘Leave at once’. Karl was a Christian and not necessarily a God-fearing man; but this vision was a bit too much for him as the lady vanished as suddenly as she had arrived.

‘Rückzug’ (retreat) – shouted Karl and the ship ‘Emden’ left as swiftly as it had entered the harbour.

The guarding spirit of the city of Madras had saved her! Was it Goddess Kali? We do not know!

All we know is that if Karl had wanted he could have inflicted maximum damage to the city of Madras but he chose not to and the city now known as Chennai marches proudly into its 375th year of existence.

Learn more about the Madras Day Competition organised by the British Council.

Dear Uncle Robbie

Dear Uncle Robbie,
You are no longer,
With us in person,
But you shall always,
Remain in our hearts,
In our minds and thoughts.

Be it a man dressing up,
As a middle-aged lady,
Trying to save his marriage,
From falling apart.

An English teacher inspiring,
A room full of students.
Inspiring a generation of kids,
To puruse Literature.

The radio jockey in Vietnam,
Cheering up soldiers,
With witty one-liners,
Ruffling up feathers,
And raising laughter.

So many roles,
So many characters,
So many smiles,
All reduced to tears!

Wherever you are now,
I am sure you are,
Safer and happier,
And are no longer,
A tormented soul.

Dear Uncle Robbie,
Our prayers are there,
In support and grace,
For your family and friends.

Finally you have been set FREE!
Take care my captain,
For I know,
Perhaps this too is a role,
That you are playing out.
Oh Captain! My dearest Captain!

Lines from “Dead Poets Society’
“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race, and the human race is filled with passion. Medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”

“No matter what anybody tells you, words and ideas can change the world.”

“We’re not laughing at you – we’re laughing near you.”

“There’s a time for daring and there’s a time for caution, and a wise man understands which is called for.”

A genius who was too talented, a manic energy that radiated from him, a life full of worries and battles with himself, his inner demons and alcohol. Finally the mind caved in and he chose to end his life. Wherever he is I hope he has found solace. R.I.P. Robin Williams!

The Christmas Gift

Solomon was a daily-wage earner working a wide variety of jobs, gardening, climbing the coconut trees, working as a mason’s assistant, a labourer; he straddled multiple jobs to take care of his Sarahma.

It was Christmas Eve; Solomon had hoped that Sarahma would be strong enough the next morning to attend Mass at the church. He had managed to buy a new saree for Sarahma; times were tough and with Sarahma’s towering medical expenses; the two of them somehow managed to make things run.

They lived in an old abandoned factory. The factory had been closed for over 10 years now because of labour-issues and the property was caught in an ugly legal battle among the sons of the founder of the company. The property overlooked the lagoon and during starry nights – husband and wife would look at the sky; holding their hands.

Sarahma and Solomon led a tough life in the unkind and harsh city of Kochi; everyone was busy, lost in their own worlds in a mad pursuit of money, power and fame. No one had time for a poor couple like Solomon and Sarahma. When Solomon entered the small enclosure of the old abandoned factory that he lovingly shared with Sarahma; he was in for a shock. Sarahma was lying down on the coir-mat. He dropped the paper-cover which had the saree and rushed to Sarahma. He touched her forehead it was cold. He turned around to look at the wood-fire oven. There was a vessel with some rice-gruel. He removed the vessel, lit fire and began boiling a vessel of water. He then began rubbing Sarahma’s feet, he recollected the camphor that was in the shelf next to Mother Mary’s painting. He quickly got some camphor and pressed it near Sarahma’s nostrils.

He continued to rub her feet and also applied a warm-press using a towel. Sarahma suddenly moaned, she said ‘Solomon, I am dying!’ He chided her with tears in his eyes – ‘Sarahmey, sarahmey, nothing will happen!’ He kept rubbing her feet vigourously. After a while Sarahma got up slowly with Solomon’s help. He supported her and helped her sit on the single wooden chair that they had.

Sarahma said – ‘Solomon I have only brought you suffering; let me die, so you can be in peace.’ Solomon scolded her – ‘Sarahmey, what is this? Be strong!’ He then boiled the milk left for next day’s tea and added it to the rice-gruel and fed Sarahma slowly. Sarahma ate with great difficulty, some of the gruel dribbled down her lips. Solomon wiped her cheeks gently and then gave her some warm water to drink. He then gave her the daily tablet and syrup. He lit a candle in front of Mother Mary’s painting, said a prayer and returned to Sarahma.

He held her hands and sat down on the floor; rubbing Sarahma’s feet vigorously. Sarahma fell asleep after a while. Over the course of the night Solomon fought fatigue, hunger and tiredness as he kept rubbing her feet. At some point in time he too fell asleep; holding her hands!

It was Christmas and the church bells rang with joy and fervour. The rays of the morning sun and the cawing of the crows woke Solomon up. He woke up with a sudden fit. Sarahma was in deep sleep, but the pale countenance of the previous night had gone and she was in a deep but peaceful drug-induced sleep.

He smiled, got up went to Mother Mary’s painting and said a prayer of thanks and lit a new candle. He then gently went about his tasks without disturbing Sarahma. He finished his morning ablutions and a bath in the lagoon and made some black tea to drink. He had bought some unniappams from the shop the previous night. He arranged the unniappams and the tea glass on a plate. He woke Sarahma up gently, she woke up slowly and smiled at Solomon. He said ‘Merry Christmas Sarahmey’ – she held Solomon’s hand gently and with a timid and shy smile said – ‘Merry Christmas Solomon’. Solomon then took out the white saree with the red border that he had purchased the previous evening and gave it to her.

Sarahma smiled and held Solomon’s hands; the two looked at each other; Mother Mary smiled at the two from the painting. Only she knew how close to death Sarahma had been the previous night!!!