W for Wounds Never Heal
Kannan was distraught. The last words that Saradha had said when she had regained consciousness for one brief moment were – “Take me home.” The doctors were honest in their assessment that she would never survive and at best could be placed on intubated support, which would then lead to a situation where her organs would shut down one-by-one. Already the multiple rounds of dialysis had put a huge strain on her body and in just over a week’s time she had reduced to a pale skeleton. Life was just hanging by a slender thread. Kannan knew that it was time to set his mother free. He said a prayer and then requested the doctor to discharge Saradha. The doctors followed their protocol and gave a document which said that the patient was being discharged against the medical advisory and that the hospital would take no responsibility.
There are moments when we just have to accept reality. No amount of wishful thinking, positive attitude, or prayers will help change the inevitable. The ride in the ambulance took about 45 minutes. Kannan just looked at his mother’s face that had taken on the pale pallor of death. There was a nasal food tube provided to ensure that nutrition could go in in a liquid form.
Kannan brought his mother home, one last time. The following afternoon she left this mortal world. Kannan did not even cry. There was a feeling of empty desolation and a deep wound had been created in his heart that would never heal. All his life he had lived for his mother. Now she was no more. He remembered the note that he had made in his diary. He had tried his best to be true to his words. Now all that was left was a big empty space in his heart.
The cremation ceremony took place in the electric crematorium. The next morning Kannan received his mother’s ashes in a mud pot. It was tied with a yellow cloth. Kannan then went to the seashore by a cab. Far away from the crowds that thronged the regular beach stretches, this was a quiet stretch. The sea was choppy and frothing. After saying a prayer and lighting camphor, Kannan deposited the pot of ashes to the sea and in one giant wave the sea took the ashes away.
Kannan stood for some time looking at the sea. So many memories this ocean and long beach had given him. He remembered the time when he had come to the seashore as a child with his uncle, mother, and sister. Then he remembered the time he had visited the beach with his mother, sister, and nephew. Their last visit had been a few months earlier when he had brought his mother and sister to a temple near the sea. The astrologer had advised a visit to the temple and making an offering the the all powerful Sarveshwaran. The priest at the temple had seen several elderly people over the years. Perhaps he knew her time was nearing and he had beckoned them for a darshan as close to the Lord as possible. So many memories, all wiped away in one moment.
Another chapter closed in Kannan’s Book of Life. He was now alone. Left to fend off for himself. Relatives could only offer comfort, guidance, love, and financial support. But the emptiness and the pain that the wound of the death of a loved one brings is something that can never heal.
W for Water Chestnuts Stir-Fried in Cheese Sauce
Water Chestnuts known locally as paani-phal are quite popular in Northern and Eastern India. Growing in freshwater bodies, the external shell is dark greenish brown and has a layer of thorns. The fruit inside is creamy white and has a wonderful texture and taste. This is pounded and made into a flour which is used during fasts and ceremonies to make rotis/flatbreads in Northern and Western India. I once had a chance to taste a remarkable dish in an upscale restaurant that featured stir-fried water chestnuts in a honey and spice sauce. It was really light on the palate and the concept fascinated me a lot. What I am listing below is a recipe that one can try if one is able to procure water chestnuts. Amazon shows tinned/canned water chestnuts that are preserved in brine.
Ingredients:
Water chestnuts.
Oil
Spice mix
Salt
Cheese Sauce
Garlic
Mix of fresh herbs – oregano, thyme, and basil.
Process:
Assuming that you are using canned water chestnuts, take the chestnuts from the can, drain out the excess brine, wash in lukewarm water and set aside. In a pan, add a generous amount of oil or if you prefer using butter, melt butter and cook the water chestnuts in them along with the spices and peeled garlic. Keep stirring the contents of the pan and allow the water chestnuts to be evenly cooked/fried. Please ensure that the chestnuts are adequately fried and that they are not over-cooked or burnt.
Cheese sauce is available ready made nowadays and it simplifies things. To the fried water chestnuts add the cheese sauce so that they are immersed and evenly coated by the sauce. Add a fresh mix of herbs like thyme, basil, and oregano to give a nice flavour to the dish.
Serve this dish as a starter. It can also be paired with naan or phulkas. Do try it out and let me know.
Teerthadanam 