Love as Tribute - Part 1

(Yet another story, from my 10 year old archive!!)

Mahi is an enticing, enthusiastic, happy-go-lucky girl. She is pretty and her smiling face attracts everybody. Her family is the most beautiful world for her. She has no restrictions. But, she has a defined freedom to enjoy. She is allowed for hang outs but not for dating. She has respect for ‘Love’, but has a strong gut feeling that only arranged marriages are successful and not love marriages. She had seen her friends both suffering and enjoying their love lines. She wants only happiness and so she never games with love.

She is an accountant in one of the MNCs. She had earned a good name in her office. She does not believe in hard work, but on smart work. With minimum input, she can get tremendous output. She has good managerial skills too. She prefers finishing off the day's work soon and relaxing rest of the day.

Things looked routine for Mahi. It was beginning of the year and recruitments were up. So many new buddies, both experienced and freshers joined the company. Her beloved Chief Accountant, Renu resigned her job to got married and to get settled in US. This annoyed Mahi a bit. But, she believes that ‘Life is to keep going’.

It was beginning of the week and freshers had come to the office. There was a little bit of restlessness in Mahi’s department. The post of Chief Accountant was filled. People were eager to know about their chief. There were few gossips, but they died soon. Mahi never worries for anything. So the talk about new Chief, did not bother her much.

A guy in jean and t-shirt came up to Mahi, who was standing near the water cooler, near the entrance of her floor. “Where is the Chief Accountant’s room?”, asked that guy. Mahi looked at him as if he is an E.T. “Pl go and ask the receptionist”, said Mahi. “Hey, she only told me it’s in this floor”. Mahi got bit irritated. She dislikes guys in informal outfits in office. She wants men to have good dressing sense as to wear which outfit where. “Better wait here, in this sofa”, said Mahi, who was about to leave the place.

“Just hold on ma’m,” continued the guy, “For your kind information, I am the Chief”. Mahi was shocked. “Oh my god! How come this idiot got the job?”, thought Mahi. Then she replied, ”It is the first room on your right”, and she flew to her seat.

Ajay is a very cool guy, cool headed than Mahi. He never gets tensed up for anything. He is the only child to his parents. His parents are living in his native village and this guy is in city. He loves music, so one can find him always with headphones plugged in his ears. He is very shrewd. He takes decisions quickly, sorts out issues and plans perfectly.

People were thrilled about their new Chief. He was neither boastful nor bossy. Besides, he is too young for the post too. So, he was able to mingle with people easily. Within a month, he came to know almost everybody under him. Everybody liked him for his nature. He is helpful and friendly. Mahi did not have any opinion for him. She just bothered her work.

Love as Tribute - Part 2

One fine day, Ajay rushed to Mahi with a big file in his hand. Mahi did not notice him. “Mahalakshmi. Excuse me!”, said Ajay. Mahi still did not bother. Ajay was standing behind Mahi. He moved to the front of Mahi and said “Hello, Mahalakshmi!”. She looked at him in surprise.

“Wassup?”, asked Ajay.

“Nothing. Nobody calls me ‘Mahalakshmi’”

“That’s your name rite?”

“But…”

“I can’t call you by your pet name unless you give me permission.”

Mahi smiled and continued, “That is not an issue. You can very well call me, ‘Mahi’.”

“Ok. Thank you and one more thing. Finalise this ‘Salary Revision’ file and get it back to me”, said Ajay and placed the file on her desk and left.

Mahi got irritated. She had planned for an outing with her parents on that day. And now he had dumped her with job. “He spoke as if he is the gentlest man on this world and at last dumped me with work. Nonsense fellow!”, scolded Mahi in her mind. She has already completed her day’s work and was about to leave. Suddenly, she got unexpected piece of work. She went through the file, but she couldn't concentrate and was only thinking about her parents. She was irritated and restless. She stood up and walked to Ajay.

“Ajay, I would like to leave for the day.”

“But, the file?”

“If you don’t mind, I shall take it home and finish it off.”

Mahi was sternly looking into Ajay’s eyes.

“Okie. No issues for me. Keep going”, said Ajay and turned towards his computer.

Mahi came to her place, rushed up with her bags and the file, down to the parking slot. She drove fastly to home. Her parents were dressed up and were desperately waiting for her. She quickly dressed herself and together they left for enjoying the evening.

Next day morning, Mahi seemed tensed and restless. She had not only completed the file, but had lost it too. She enquired the security people, searched on her desk and in parking space. But, she was unable to find it. She started weeping. She came very early to office. No one else has turned up yet. She was all alone and weeping.

“No crying Mahi. Here is your file”, said Ajay with a smile, holding the file in his hands. He was dressed up in formals. Mahi was totally surprised. She could hardly find a word to speak out. Mahi said,”Thank you!”, as a token of gratitude. She flipped through the pages of the file. The quoted rates were finalized. She was amazed. She grew respect for him. She understood his humbleness. “He had not even said any word about my carelessness. He is too good. How evil of me, to think bad of him. Unknowingly, I left the file in parking area, I guess. But, he is too good to save it and got the work completed too. He is really a wonderful person”, felt Mahi.

She took the file and went directly to him. “Ajay, Thank you so much for finalizing the rates too. I am really sorry for all that had happened”, said Mahi. Ajay seemed bit tensed up. “Are you sure that you went through the entire file?”, asked Ajay. “No. I went through only initial pages and I thought… Ok let me check the entire file and get back to you”, said Mahi and went off, not even waiting for Ajay’s reply. Ajay watched her leaving his room, with mounds of tension and restlessness.

Love as Tribute - Part 3

Mahi went through every page of the file. “Everything is perfect. What a genius?”, astonished Mahi. Before the last page of the file, she found a paper in which she read


Mahi,

I am not good in writing such letters and I have not tried this before. I admire you for what you are. I like your self esteem, confidence and intelligence. Besides you are beautiful too. I have never seen such a mixture, with any girl. And you are the one and only girl I have ever admired. All I want to say is I Love you and I would like to marry you. I won’t force you or trouble you. But, I believe that you too like me.

With Love

Ajay


Mahi was shocked. She had never expected such things from a person whom she respects a lot. She sat still for sometime, resonating the letter in her mind. “How can he be so cheap?... He is not cheap…just expressed his love… how can he have such an opinion about me?...it's good that at least he had expressed everything now…I like him…but I won't marry him… My family is more important”, Mahi kept racing her mind with so many questions and thoughts.

She finished scrutinizing the file and went back to Ajay. “Ajay, I finished reviewing the file”, said Mahi with a stern and steady face. Ajay just kept looking at her. “Also,” added Mahi, “There was one scrap paper in the file and I have dumped it in the dustbin” and she went away.

Ajay was depressed and restless. He was highly confident that Mahi will accept his love. But, things worked out the other way. He desperately wanted to know the reason for rejecting him. But, he did not possess the guts to face her. He kept himself composed for few days.

The soft love towards Mahi grew day by day and started pricking Ajay, for having rejected. One fine day, he went up to Mahi and called her for coffee in the office pantry. Mahi initially felt uninterested, but then she made up her mind to go with him. She decided to clarify her stand, if Ajay happens to discuss about his proposal.

“Heard Mythili gonna quit the Job”, said Ajay, breaking the silence between them. He sat opposite to Mahi, kept smiling and remained composed.

“Ya. I too came to know that”, answered Mahi.

“Why suddenly?”

“Heard she is going to get married”.

“What about you?”

“What?”, exclaimed Mahi.

“No. Just asked when are you going to get married?”, said Ajay in a normal tone.

“I donno. My parents need to decide”, said Mahi. She avoided looking at Ajay.

“So, you are not gonna decide your marriage right? You gonna blindly believe and accept your parents’ decision?”

“Stop it Ajay. My parents had been providing me with best things. I get, all that I desire. Never had they said ‘No’”

“So why don’t you talk about our marriage? I mean…”

“It's enough Ajay. Look, I strongly believe in arranged marriage and prefer opting my parent’s choice rather mine”

“So you mean to say that…”, interrupted Ajay

“I just mean to say that you please don’t disturb me here after. I don’t have any opinion or liking for you. All I knew is my family and my parents”, said Mahi sternly and left the place.

Ajay looked at her leaving the place with a smile and felt a sense of victory.

Love as Tribute - Part 4 (Final)

A month passed by. It was Thursday morning and Mahi was getting ready for the office. She noticed her dad talking over the phone without realising that he is getting late for his office. She knew her dad as the most punctual person. When he finished talking, she went to him and asked, “Dad is that your girlfriend?”.

“No, your boyfriend”

“Dad…”

Her dad laughed loudly and said, “Dear it was groom’s father. They have decided to visit us on Sunday”.

Mahi did not expect this. “Dad never you told me anything. I don’t want to get married now”

“Dear, the guy is too good. You will like him”.

“Please dad…”

“Please dear. This is my only wish. Can’t you make it come true?”

Mahi loves her dad so much and never likes him to pacify her. She always agrees to his decisions.

She smiled at him and said, “C’mon dad. I am ok with it. Go ahead!”.

Her parents were too happy to hear this.

Mahi was highly excited about meeting her groom. She went to beautician and took beauty treatments. She purchased a new saree. She bought makeup kits too, which she had never tried before. Her parents were happy to see her interest in the proposal, though she is unaware of anything about the groom.

The highly expected Sunday came. Mahi was dressed up beautifully like a 'South Indian’ angel. Her mom prepared the delicious recipes. Everybody was set to welcome the groom’s family.

Late in the evening, the groom’s family reached Mahi’s house. They took their seats in drawing hall. The groom appeared young and charming. They beckoned Mahi. She came out of her room and sat in front of the groom, next to groom’s mother. She dared not to look at the groom. But, the groom stuck his eyes only on her. She was gorgeous. Groom’s parents were happy about this proposal and they started to discuss about engagement and marriage. Mahi’s eagerness to look at the groom provoked her. She had a quick glance of the groom. The groom smiled at her. She froze in astonishment and could not remove her eyes from him, because it was Ajay!

The discussion slowed down and a sudden silence bloomed. Mahi composed herself and looked at her dad.

“I know about you dear. You have suppressed your desire for your parents. But, your happiness is more important. So I was very much careful in making the decision and I believe that I have made the best decision”, said Mahi’s dad with overwhelming love and happiness.

Mahi was touched by her father’s decision. She stood up, ran to her father and hugged him. She was crying and only crying on his shoulders, out of happiness!


** THE END **

Senyorita - Part 1

(One of the stories, that I wrote nearly 10 years back. Nostalgic!!!)

Modland is a lovely small town at the borderline of the city, Mengelin. River Menice wipes through the green town. Agriculture is the main occupation. The town owns a small shopping area at its heart. It bores very few houses, quite far from each other. People in the town do not own million pounds. But, they own tons of happiness.

Hatkin Werger is a farmer, who lives in a small hut near the banks of Menice. He has three daughters, Mary, Golda and Senyorita. His three daughters are his only wealth. His wife died on giving birth to Senyorita. He took very good care of all his three daughters. For him, his daughters are the only asset, life, world and everything.

Hatkin is a hard worker and he owned a small land behind his hut. He was unable to provide education to his daughters, but had never made his little daughters suffer out of hunger.

Mary is a rotund girl and always wishes to eat a lot. She is innocent but lazy. She seldom does any household work. Golda is a beautiful angel. But, she is not beautiful in her heart. She always prefers expensive outfits and ornaments. She never cares about anybody. She is a day dreamer and dreams of an unknown Prince charm, to take her away with him. Senyorita is the poor little girl at home. She is pretty and kind hearted. She takes care of all the household activities. She loves her family more, though her sisters criticize her saying that she is the reason for their mom’s death. But, Hatkin was always there to console and comfort her.

One fine day, Hatkin found £15 missing. He had preserved the money for the groceries. He was tensed and disturbed. He beckoned all his daughters. The girls summoned in front of him. To his astonishment, he found Golda with new pair of earrings and a new outfit. Hatkin turned red. But, Golda does not seem to be bothered. She came closer to Hatkin, stretched his hands, placed a small bag on his palm and said, “Dad, I spent only seven pounds and remaining are there in the bag”. Then she went away to meet her friends.

Similar scatterbrained behaviours of Golda made Hatkin highly worried. His only solace was Senyorita. He set on his boat and started sailing down the river Menice. His tangled mind did not allow him to concentrate on the direction towards which he was proceeding. He was suddenly awakened from his thoughts, when his boat got struck in between the roots of a huge tree, that looked scary. Hatkin was frightened of this unexpected, uninvited trouble.

The boat remained silent. Hatkin then noticed that the place is the restricted zone in the river. The colour of the water in this zone, will be either dark green or dark blood red. There is a belief in Modland that a ghost lives in this place. No one dared to come to this region. Hatkin prayed, “Oh god! What have I done? Please save me. My three little daughters will be orphaned. God rescue me!”. With his full strength, Hatkin tried to force the boat away from the clutches of the tree. Suddenly, there was heavy ramble in the water, mysterious noise and thousands of bubbles on the water. A witchy face emerged on the tree and shouted in a horror voice, “You are finished”. The boat shook, Hatkin lost his control and became partially conscious. He was unable to help himself from falling into the river. He got drowned and completely lost his consciousness.

He was woken up by a terrifying laugh. It was a witch. She appeared pale, puny and wrinkled. She wore a torn hat and a black, long gown. It was obvious that she did not bath or at least brush for a very long time. Her voice was terrifying. Hatkin felt his heart racing fast. He was perplexed and found clutched by long heavy chains, tied up with the tree. There was no water around him, but all the waters were floating just above his head. The witch’s place was a hollow space, just under the river. Hatkin couldn't believe his eyes.

Hatkin got frightened, started crying and begged her to leave him. But, the witch does not seem to hear his cry. Instead, she laughed loudly. But this time, she was accompanied by frightening laughter of the tree to which Hatkin was tied.

“You want me to leave you, huh?”, questioned witch with blood red eyes wide open.

“Yes Ma’m…please…”

“Do you think I will leave you as such, huh? How dare you come to my place damn it? I can never spare you”

Hatkin kept crying.

“Don’t spare him”, shouted the tree.

“I won’t darling”, said the witch to the tree, with a smile.

She moved closer to Hatkin and with a scary look she said,”Look! I have a job for you. Take this Huberla with you. I will spare you to reach your land. You have to give this Huberla to girls who are unmarried. When the Huberla turns blue on the touch of a girl, then that girl is the one we are searching for. Then, immediately you have to bring her here. You have only 30 days time. Now you go”, said the witch.

She then waved her witch band, which spilt few glittering stars. In a fraction of second, Hatkin was sailing in his boat towards the land, with Huberla in his hand.

Senyorita - Part 2

Carronea, is one of the huge oceans. It is the living place for witch kingdom. Down 15 feet deep, the witch king Hesley established his kingdom. He evacuated the water and constructed his empire. There were 150 witch families. The empire had witch schools, with well trained witch teachers. There were no hospitals and shops, as every witch family owned a magic wand given by Hesley. The wand can cure the sick and get anything they wish for. But, Hesley is a super magical king, whose insight notifies him, when anybody uses their wand. So, the usage of wand was constrained. People being unaware of their king’s power, have received punishments when wand is misused.

Hesley’s personal witch is Huber. Huber was highly loyal to Hesley. Except Huber, no one else has seen Hesley’s super natural talking wand. The wand is 1 feet tall and has been preserved by Hesley in a separate room, in his castle. The wand is capable of doing anything in the world. All it needs is an oral instruction. Huber wished to own the wand or use it at least once.

One fine day, the king had severe stomach pain and was resting in his room. He beckoned Huber and asked him to bring the wand. Huber went to the wand’s room and took it from its stand. The wand throwed sparkling stars. It is it's way of expressing happiness. Huber wished to use it once. He thought this is the right chance and ordered the wand to place two mounds of gold in his room, back at home.

King Hesley was alerted about this. He became too terrific. He wanted to punish Huber severely than anybody else. Being a close associate of the King, he dared to miss his privilege. So, the King cursed him to turn up into a deeply rooted tree in the river that mixes with Carronea Sea at north. Huber pleaded his King. But it was of no use. He explained his king that all he wished for is Gold and not about destruction. He pleaded and cried to his King. King Hesley calmed down, gave him a Huberla, which is a white ball, made of crystal and told him the salvation for his curse.

It has been 1000 years, since Huber’s execution of curse. Now, it is time for Huber to get salvation. Nandy, the witch wife of Huber is trying to relieve her husband from the curse.

According to the Salvation, she needs the beak of Zentel bird, which lives in the high mountains of Marcedona, at the south of Carronea, the Mittle grasses in Volvola plain at far east of Carronea, Jingel fruits from the tree Jelsy, at south – west of Carronea. All the three items are very rare species of its kinds. They possess camouflaging effects and tend to dissolve in water. So finding the correct elements is itself a bigger task on earth.

According to the salvation, the three elements need to be mixed and preserved in jar which is kept inside another big jar, filled with Carronea’s water. The mixture should be preserved for 250 years. The mixture and another important element need to be mixed and swallowed by Huber to attain salvation.

Senyorita - Part 3 (Final)

Hatkin was highly restless. The threatening words of the witch kept resonating in his mind. He did not dare to try the test with Huberla, with his three daughters. So, he decided to go on a trip to visit his friends and relatives in and around Modland. Senyorita was worried by her father’s behaviour. She packed sufficient dresses and money for her dad. She was reluctant to pose a question to her father about this trip. But, she did not dare to ask him.

All three girls waved bye to their father, thinking he is going to bring back lots of money and Prince Charm for wedding. It was Senyorita who had an inner voice saying something is wrong! Also, only she noticed a new bag with Hatkin, which she had not packed for him. All she can do is to pray to the lord.

Hatkin went in search of the girl whom the witch wants. He managed to give the ball to unmarried girls to test it. He said various reasons such as the ball is a holy ball, magical ball, a valuable crystal article and on. But, Huberla remained same. It has been 15 days since Hatkin started on his Journey. He happened to meet hundreds of girls. But, Huberla failed to work. He was totally upset and planned to get back to his house.

Hatkin was in his extreme anger, hatred, fear, sorrow and restlessness. He was unable to find the girl. By the time he reached his home, already 20 days had gone by. He preserved the ball in his wardrobe. He had a strong gut saying none of his daughters is the victim. He tried testing the Huberla with neighbors, but he made sure that his girls are not aware of it.

As days passed by, Hatkin become more tensed. He kept away from work at farm for longer days. The family ran short of provisions. Mary and Golda were irritated. They started blaming Hatkin. But, he doesn’t seem to bother them. He even ignored talking much with Senyorita, fearing that he might reveal the truth.

It was 29th day. Hatkin became weak and numb. He closed himself in the prayer room and kept praying. Senyorita was preparing dinner. Golda and Mary were quarreling over a pound they found in their dad’s shirt pocket, in his room. They quarrel turned into an altercation and these girls started throwing the articles they got hold of, on each other. Suddenly, Mary started throwing things from her dad’s wardrobe. Huberla lied in one corner!

Mary got hold of Huberla too and threw it on Golda, before noticing what on earth it is. Simultaneously, Senyorita rushed into their room and accidentally happen to be hit by the Huberla. She fell down by her back, clutching the ball to her chest with both the hands.

Suddenly the ball started to turn blue with a hissing sound. The room got filled with blue light. Senyorita was too scared. Mary and Golda got frightened and ran to their dad and told him what happened. He froze in shock!

He rushed to the room and was terrified to see his young girl as the victim. He knelt down and started crying loudly and heavily. None of them could infer what  was happening. They were all puzzled!

Senyorita was numb and did not even think about keeping the ball aside. She kept it to herself and continued gazing at it. Hatkin got himself composed. Mary and Golda looked at him with all questions in their mind. They were appalled and waited patiently for Hatkin to speak up. Then after few minutes, he soothed himself and narrated all that had happened, to his little daughters. Mary and Golda become perplexed and looked at Senyorita with sympathy. Senyorita looked at her dad with watery eyes.

After couple of minutes, she went closer to her dad, let the ball stay on floor and took his hands into her. She then said,” Papa! Don’t worry. I am ready to go there. Let us not waste time. I am afraid whether delaying might affect you or my sisters. So, please take me there papa”, pleaded Senyorita in her soft low husky voice.

Hatkin was unable to help himself. He kept crying and crying. The house got swallowed by sorrow.

Next day, Hatkin and Senyorita set on their boat towards the isolated region in the river Menice. They did not speak with each other. They both kept weeping and Senyorita felt that it is her last day on earth and she is going to be dead soon.

The boat slowly reached the tree. For the first time, the tree smiled at them and in a fraction of second, they were down in the doorstep of the witch’s house.

Senyorita was astounded to see waterless region under a huge river. The witch appeared in front of them. She looked at the small girl from tip to toe. Then she laughed very loudly. Everything perplexed Senyorita and she got highly scared.

The witch suddenly pulled Senyorita and flew away with her, in her broomstick. Hatkin was clueless. He stood still for a couple of minutes and started shouting crazily. He ran around the place but was unable to figure out anything.

He ran around crazily crying and shouting. But, he got no response. After thirty minutes, Senyorita appeared before him. He was overwhelmed by joy and hugged her. He noticed a man standing by the side of the witch. He looked exclaimed. The witch came up to Hatkin and appreciated him for his work. But, Hatkin was curious to know what had happened. The witch did not accept to reveal the truth and in a wave of her wand, Hatkin and Senyorita were sailing back to the land. Everything looked like a dream and added to it, there were two heavy gunny bags full of gold in their boat. Hatkin kept asking her what had happened. But Senyorita was unable to recollect anything. All she remembers is the time, the witch pulled her away from her father and the time she came back to her father.

The salvation for Huber is to mix 5 drops of the girl’s blood from her right hand pointing finger, with the preserved mixture. The witch took Senyorita to her invisible room and prepared the final mixture. Then, she fed it to Huber, who stood high as a tree. With million of sparkling stars and heavy beam of light, the tree changed into Huber. The witch Nandy and Huber were very happy that they have attained the salvation. The witch gave back Senyorita to her dad and gave them the mounds of gold too. Thus, Huber and Nandy were accepted to live in the witch kingdom in the sea Carronea, by King Hesley.

Hatkin was happy with the gold and brought astounding grooms to his daughters and got them married. Mary and Golda showed respect towards their sister Senyorita. Senyorita was blessed by an enticing groom who loved her more than anything. To her, his love is more valuable than the mounds of gold she got!

** THE END **

தவறவிட்ட உறவு

‘அம்மா’ - ஆயிரம் அர்த்தம் உள்ள, அழகான மந்திரச் சொல். நாம் வளரும்போது ஆலமரமாய், வளர்ந்தபின்பு ஆலயமாய், வாழும்காலம் முழுதும் அஸ்திவாரமாய் இருப்பவள் - அம்மா!

பேருந்தில் பயணக்கின்றேன். என் அம்மா மரணப்படுக்கையின் இறுதி நொடிகளை எண்ணிக்கொண்டிருக்கிறாள். நெஞ்சுக்கூட்டில் கசியும் உயிரின் எச்சத்தைக் கண்களில் தேக்கிவைத்துக்  காத்துக்கொண்டிருக்கிறாள். நான் வந்திடுவேன், அவளை ‘அம்மா’ என்று அழைத்திடுவேன் என்று நம்பிக்கொண்டிருக்கிறாள்.

இருபது ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன், நான் ஐந்து வயது பிள்ளையாய் இருந்தபொழுது, இவளை என் அப்பாவிற்கு மணமுடித்துவிட்டு, காலஞ்சென்றாள், என் பாட்டி. பிறந்தபொழுதே, என்னைப் பெற்றவளைத் தொலைத்தவன் நான். என்னை வளர்த்த பாட்டி, எமதர்மன் வருவதை முன்னமே அறிந்தவள் போல், என் அப்பாவைக் கட்டாயப்படுத்தி மறுமணம் செய்துவைத்தாள்.

என் அப்பா! மிகவும் உன்னதமான உத்தமர். அவரை எண்ணும்போது, என் மேனி சிலிர்க்கும். வயதின் வேகத்தில், சுரப்பிகளின் தூண்டலில், காதலெனும் மாயையில் தன் வாழ்வைத் தொலைத்தவளை, மானத்தை இழந்தவளை ரட்சித்து, மறுவாழ்வு கொடுத்தவர், என் அப்பா. இருளடைந்த வாழ்வில், நம்பிக்கை ஒளியாய் என் அப்பா அவளுக்குத் தோன்றினார்.

அவள், என் அப்பா மீது கடல் போல் பாசம் கொண்டிருந்தாள். அது காதல் இல்லை. ஒரு விதமான பக்தி. எனக்குத் தெரிந்தவரை, ஒரு நாள் கூட, ஒரு நொடி கூட, அந்த பக்தி கடுகளவும் குறைந்ததில்லை. என் அப்பாவும்  கண்ணியம் குறையாமல், மரியாதை தேயாமல் அவளை நடத்துவார்.

அவளுக்கு நான்தான் உயிர். தன் சொந்தப்பிள்ளை போல் அவ்வளவு அன்பு வைத்திருந்தாள். அவளுக்குப் பிள்ளை இல்லை என்பதால் அல்ல. பிள்ளை இருந்திருந்தாலும், நானே செல்லப்பிள்ளையாய் இருந்திருப்பேன். ஆனால் நானோ, கொடூரமான மனம் கொண்டிருந்தேன். ‘சித்தி’ என்றாலே, ‘அரக்கி’ என்று முடிவு செய்திருந்தேன். அவளைக் கண்டபோதெல்லாம், ஏதோ ஒருவித வெறுப்பு என்னுள்ளே பற்றியெறியும். அவள் பாசத்தைப் பொழிவாள், நான் விஷத்தைக் கக்குவேன். காரணமே இல்லாமல் கோபித்துக்கொள்வேன். அவள் வயதுக்குக் கூட மரியாதை தந்ததில்லை. பலரும் பலவழிகளில் என்னைத் திருத்திட எத்தனித்தும், பலனில்லை. இன்று வரை, ஒரு முறை கூட ‘அம்மா’ என்று அவளை அழைத்ததில்லை. ‘ஏய்’, என்று தான் அழைப்பேன்.

நான் ‘அம்மா’ என்று அழைக்கவில்லை என்கிற ஏக்கம் அவள் முகத்தில் எப்பொழுதும் படர்ந்திருக்கும். ஒரு முறை என்னிடம் கேட்டாள், “அம்மா என்று சொல்லேண்டா!”. வந்ததே பிரளயம் போல் ஒரு கோபம், பூகம்பம் போல் ஒரு அகம்பாவம். சாப்பிட்டுக்கொண்டிருந்த வெள்ளித் தட்டை, வீசி எறிந்தேன். சுவரெல்லாம் சோற்றுப்பருக்கை வழிந்தது. அவள் கண்களில் கண்ணீர் வழிந்தது. வெள்ளித்தட்டு, ஒரு புறம் நசுங்கியது. அன்று மாலை, எதுவுமே நடக்காததுபோல் இருந்தாள். என் அப்பாவிடம், தான் தெரியாமல் வெள்ளித்தட்டை நசுக்கிவிட்டதாகப் பொய்யுரைத்தாள். என் அப்பாவும் நெளிவு எடுக்க, ஆசாரியிடம் சென்றார். ஆனால், இவை யாவும் எனக்கு ஒரு துளி குற்ற உணர்வு கூட தரவில்லை. இன்று எண்ணிப்பார்க்கையிலே, நூறு முறை தூக்கில் தொங்கிடத் தோன்றுகிறது. இப்படி ஆயிரம் ஆயிரம் கதைகள் உண்டு.

பள்ளிப்படிப்பு முடிந்த கையோடு நகரம் வந்தேன், கல்லூரிப்படிப்பு தொடர. பெரிதாய்ப் படித்து, பட்டம் பெற்று, உலகாளும் எண்ணமெல்லாம் இல்லை. அவளை விட்டொழிந்தால் போதுமென்ற ஒரே தேவை மட்டும் தான். முதலில் மிகவும் குதூகலமாக இருந்த உள்ளம், மெல்ல மெல்ல வெறுமையாய்ப் போனது. ஏதோ ஒரு முகத்தை மட்டும் தேடியது. உற்றார், உறவினர், நண்பர், ஏன், என் அப்பாவைக் கூடத் தேடவில்லை. இவள் முகம் காண ஏங்கியது உள்ளம். ஆனால், என் தலையின் உச்சியில் வழிந்த திமிரு, அவ்வப்போது என் இதயத்தை அடக்கி ஆண்டது.

படிப்பு முடித்து பணியில் அமர்ந்தபின், முதல் முறையாக, அவளை எண்ணும்போதெல்லாம் ஒரு குட்டி குற்றவுணர்வு பிறந்தது. ஆனால், அதை ஒதுக்கிவைக்கப் பழகிக்கொண்டேன். அவளை விட்டு விலகி ஓட நினைத்தேன். இன்று, அவள் என்னைவிட்டுப் பறந்துபோகப்போகிறாள்.

படுக்கையில், வாடிய முகத்தோடு, வதங்கிய தேகத்தோடு, நொந்த மனதோடு கிடக்கிறாள். ஒளிக்குறைந்த கண்களைத் திறந்து என்னைப் பார்த்தாள். உடனே, முகத்தில் ஒரு தெளிவு பிறக்க, ஒரு புன்னகைப் பூத்தாள். என் இதயம் இரண்டாகப் பிளந்தது. கண்கள் ஈரமானது. “அம்மா!” என்று அழைத்தேன். அவள் கண்களில் பெரிய நீர்பெருக்கு. அவளது புன்னகை விசாலமானது. அசைவுகள் ஓய்ந்துபோனது. அவள் உயிர் விலகிப்போனது. இவ்வுலகில், எனக்கென்றிருந்த ‘அம்மா’ என்ற உறவு, முடிந்துபோனது. இனி ஆயிரம் முறை நான் அழைத்தாலும், என் அம்மாவின் காதுகளுக்கு அது கேட்கப்போவதில்லை!

நான் பிணம் பேசுகிறேன்

இங்கே ஒரு மனிதன் மரணித்து,

ஒரு மணிநேரம் சென்றுவிட்டது!

என்ன செய்கின்றனர்

என் அருமை குடும்பத்தினர்?

எங்கே போனாள்

என் தர்மபத்தினி லட்சுமி?!

எங்கே போனான்

என் தவப்புதல்வன் குமரன்?!

இதோ வந்துவிட்டாளே,

என் அருமை காமாட்சி!

அய்யோ! இல்லை இல்லை!

என் அருமை லட்சுமி!

நல்லவேளை,

அவளுக்குக் கேட்கவில்லை!!!

என்னை இந்த உலுக்கு

உலுக்குகிறாள்!?

பேயறைந்தவள் போல்

நிற்கிறாள்

நான் ஒன்றுமே இவளைச்

செய்யவில்லையே!

செத்த பின்னும் அந்த வீரம்

எனக்கில்லையே!!

என் செல்லமகன்,

கணினி குமாரும் வந்துவிட்டான்

தனக்குத் தெரிந்த

மருத்துவப் பரிசோதனை முடித்துவிட்டான்

ஏதோ யோசித்தபடி,

வேகமாய் வெளியே சென்றவன்

உண்மையான மருத்துவரை

அழைத்துக்கொண்டு வந்துவிட்டான்

பலே! பலே!

ஒரு மணி நேரத்திற்குள்

ஏற்பாடுகள் ஆகிவிட்டது

உறவுக் கூட்டமும்

வரத் தொடங்கிவிட்டது

அழாதே காமாட்சி!

அய்யோ!

ஆவியாகியும்,

அறிவு வரவில்லை!!

அழாதே லட்சுமி!!

தலைவலி வந்துவிடும்

அதுசரி,

உன் தலைவலியின் உருவம் நான்

இனி உனக்குத் தலைவலி வருவானேன்?

அன்பு மகனே,

கணினி குமாரு!

அழுதுவிடடா!

உணர்வுகளை அமுக்காதே அழுகிப்போகும் மனம்

வேதனையைக் கொட்டிவிடு

அமைதியாகும் நிதம்

என் அன்பு மகள் வந்துவிட்டாள்

பதறி அடித்துக்கொண்டு

என் பேரப்பிள்ளையோடு

என் அழகு மகள் வந்துவிட்டாள்

உன் கண்ணின் நீர்த்துளி

கன்னம் தாண்டும் முன்னே

கைநீட்டித் துடைப்பேனே!

இன்று தாரைத் தாரையாய்

வழியும் நீரைக்கண்டு

மனம் நொந்து நின்றேனே!

கடவுள் எனக்கு வரம் கொடுத்தால்,

உனக்குப் பிள்ளையாய்ப் பிறப்பேனம்மா

எப்பொழுதும்போல் ‘அம்மா’ எனக்கூவி,

உன் நிழலிலேயே கிடப்பேனம்மா!!

இதோ வந்துவிட்டார், மாப்பிள்ளை!!!

திமிரு கொண்ட இளங்காளை,

இன்று தன்மையாய்ப் போனதென்ன?!

மாப்பிள்ளை முறுக்கெல்லாம்

அவர் சட்டைப்பையில் முடங்கியதென்ன?!

இத்தனை நாள்

என்னை வறுத்தெடுத்ததற்காக வாட்டமா?

இல்லை

இனி வறுக்கமுடியாதென்கிற ஏக்கமா?

பரவாயில்லை,

அனைவரையும் மன்னித்த நான்,

உங்களை மன்னிக்கமாட்டேனா,

என் மகளுக்காக?

வந்துவிட்டான்,

என் பங்காளி வந்துவிட்டான்!!!

என்னடா இது!

ஐந்து ரூபாய்க்குப் பக்கோடா பொட்டலம் வாங்கிவராதவன்

இன்று,

ஐநூறு ரூபாய்க்குப் பூமாலை வாங்கிவந்துள்ளான்

ஊருக்கு முன் வேஷம்

உள்ளுக்குள்ளே துவேஷம்

அதென்ன, காற்றிலே ஏதோ காதல் ராகம்?!

ஓ! கதவோரம் காதல் கிளிகள்

அடேய்! இழவு வீட்டிலும்

உங்கள் இம்சை தாங்கமுடியலையே

அட!

இந்த ‘ஒப்பாரி’க் கிழவி வந்துவிட்டாளா?

ஒவ்வொரு துக்க வீட்டிலும்,

அடுத்த சங்கு உனக்கென்றிருந்தேன்

இன்று எனக்கு சங்கு ஊதயிலே,

அழுவாச்சி பாட்டெடுக்க வந்துவிட்டாய்!

எல்லோரையும் வழியனுப்பிவிட்டு

இறுதியாய் மெல்ல வா!!

ஒருமுறை இவ்வுடலுள் செல்வோமா?

கண்களைத் திறந்து பார்ப்போமா?

வேண்டாம்! வேண்டாம்!

அதிர்ச்சியில் அனைவரது

நாடி நரம்பெல்லாம் உறைந்துபோகும்

என்னோடு துணைவர

சில பிணங்கள்கூட விழுந்துபோகும்

ஹாஹாஹா… ஹாஹாஹா

அப்படி ஒன்று அரங்கேறினால்

சிரித்தே மீண்டும் செத்திடுவேன்

இறுதி ஊர்வல நேரமானது

சிறப்பாய் என் அலங்காரமும் முடிந்தது

கொல்லிச் சட்டியைத் தொட்டவுடனே

குமுறிக் குமுறி அழுகிறானே,

என் செல்லக்குக்குட்டி

கணினி குமாரு!!

இறுதியாய்ப் பார்க்கிறேன்...

நான் வாழ்ந்த வீடு,

என் மனைவி, மக்கள்,

உறவுகள், நட்புகள்,

ஆசையாய் வளர்த்த நாய்க்குட்டி

என் தவறுகளை அனைவரும்

மன்னிக்க வேண்டும்

உங்கள் யார்மீதும் எனக்கு

வருத்தம் இல்லை

முழுமையான வாழ்க்கை

அமைதியான முடிவு

நிம்மதியான நித்திரை

ஆனால்,

ஒரே ஒரு குறை,

காமாட்சி மட்டும் வரவே இல்லை!!!

காணாமல் போன உள்ளம்

கண்ணாடி முன் நிற்கின்றேன்

என் செருக்கு சிலிர்க்கப் பார்க்கின்றேன்

மூர்த்தி சிரிதாயினும்

கீர்த்தி மிகையான ஆண்மகன்!

பளீரென்ற முகம்

படர்ந்த தோள்கள்

அய்யோ!

இதென்ன நெஞ்சிலே பெரும் பள்ளம்?

என்ன இழந்துவிட்டேன்??

எங்கே தொலைத்துவிட்டேன்??

அடடே!

என் உள்ளத்தைக் காணவில்லை!

எவ்விடம் விழுந்ததோ?!

எங்கே உருண்டோடியதோ?!

வந்த வழியெல்லாம் தேடிச்செல்வோம்

நிச்சயம் கண்டெடுத்து வீடு வருவோம்

இந்த சாலையில் முதலில்

தேடுதல் வேட்டை தொடங்கிடுவோம்

இங்கு இல்லை!

அந்த ஏரிக்கரையினிலே….

அங்கும் இல்லை!

ஒற்றைவழிப்பாதையிலே…

அங்கும் இல்லை!

தடாகச் செடியிடையே…

இல்லவே இல்லை!

தென்னைமரத் தோப்பினிலே…

ம்ஹும் இல்லை!

கோயிலின் மதிலருகே…

இல்லையே!

குலத்தங்கரையினிலே…

இல்லை! இல்லை!

மலையடி குகையினிலே…

மலையின் உச்சியிலே…

வரப்பின் மத்தியிலே…

வாய்க்காலின் வழியினிலே…

அடக்கடவுளே!

எங்குமே இல்லையே!

எங்குதான் சென்றதோ,

பொல்லாத உள்ளம்

பார்க்கப் பிடிக்கலையே

நெஞ்சின் பள்ளம்

ஓய்ந்துபோன கால்கள்

ஓய்வெடுக்க முடிவெடுத்தேன்

ஆலமர மேடையின்மேல்

ஆசுவாசமாய் அமர்ந்துவிட்டேன்

மூளை தளராமல்

கசக்கிப்பிழிந்து யோசிக்க

ரத்தம் வடிந்த நெஞ்சை

மெல்ல மெல்ல நீவிவிட்டேன்

என்ன ஏதோ ஒளிப்பிழம்பு!!

யாரங்கே காத்திருப்பது??

அருகில் சென்று பார்த்தால்

அழகாய் ஒரு தேவதை!

அவள் உள்ளங்கையில் என் உள்ளம்

பறந்துபோனது என் வேதனை

ஓ!

இவள் என் காதல் தேவதையல்லவா?!

காதல் நோயுண்ட உள்ளம்

தானே தன் வழித்தேடி

இவளிடம் கொண்டது தஞ்சம்

அடி பெண்ணே!

உன்னிடமே வைத்துக்கொள்

இந்த பாழாய்ப்போன உள்ளத்தை

என் நெஞ்சுக்குழி போதும்

அது அள்ளித்தரும் உன் நினைவை!!