Girl in a million

by Anitha Padanattil

  For the dinner prior to the sleep over, I went over the menu excitedly with my family. They suggested a simple meal as it would be easy on my hands and so it would be; vegetable semolina upma with stir fried baby potatoes, tiny sweet sesame flatcakes coated with jaggery and coconut stuffed dumplings that we would carry upstairs to savor while watching the star studded sky. Lying on our reed mats surrounded by whining mosquitoes and squinting through clouds of smoke let out by mosquito coils (there were eight of them) around us, we lay replete, our stomachs close to bursting. I was content since the unabashed admiration of the girls had made me glow with pride. Sagu had surprised us with a ready game of her own making. Calling it ‘Remake at Random’ we were to come out with a question that was the opposite of logic and reply along the same lines. The game would be developed as we progressed. Sagu would begin she said, just to make us understand.

  Pointing to the sky she asked, “What if there were no shooting stars? Think of a star going back to wherever it came from.”

  There was a silence…of puzzlement. We were trying to figure out what that meant.

  “Did anyone get it?” enquired Ratna awkwardly.

  “Nope,” countered Marge. “She comes up with bizarre ideas anyway.”

  “What I meant was, to think of something that is not regular. My answer to the question would be– to grant a wish instead of asking for one when we view a star-that-is-returning,” concluded Sagu matter-of-factly.

  “OK then, my turn. What would Deenanna do when not flexing his knuckles,” asked Ratna amidst titters to which the sister promptly replied, “Not ride Daddy’s Bullet?” There were hoots and barks of delight and the game caught on. We whispered into the night until slumber crept up on us. Sagu’s intelligent one-liner runs through my mind every now and then.

  ‘To grant a wish instead of asking for one.’

  How very prophetic – and poetic! This was our girl doing exactly what she said, in the classic ‘Sagu’ way. She was fulfilling the wishes of several that came her way.

  *

  Coming back to the present, there is nothing much I can think of beyond my time-bound schedule that require my services apart from my home and family. Perhaps after my daughter is married and son settled in his career, I could think of broadening my horizons with respect to my ‘famed’ culinary skills. We might not have the necessary infrastructure or investment to begin something in a gigantic way but perhaps with Sri Ram’s pension to help get by I could work on something from home. What do you think of the name Shruthi’s Savories? I could prepare and deliver murukkus27, athirasam, thokkus88, gongura chutney29, appalams and vadagams30 from home. Sounds good doesn’t it? Sagu and Margie could give me a tip or two on how to run my little outfit. I feel emboldened with them around; my wonderful friends who have achieved so much, despite the highs and lows. Core Z reloaded- with Dr. Sagarika Murthy Yadav, Lakshmi, Marge ‘Bullet’ Packiam and, yours truly a.k.a. Shruthi mami, do we pack quite the punch!

  For now though, I am content.

  I am fine.

  *

  EPILOGUE

  The Palliative Ward (VIP Room #1)

  I hate glum faces. When you are active and far busier than can ever be imagined, you generally tend to forget the feeling of what is happening inside of you. But having to watch ‘that’ look on others is something I tend to avoid. It disturbs and acts as a constant reminder. Acceptance is something one must cultivate. That imparts a serene feel.

  Life has been kind to me. My temple is intact and running and I am in its precincts today, to test its merits. Ha Ha. So far… so good.

  Murugan though, is one feisty soul. I did not ask for him to be here. But the steely look of determination on his face… that, I recognize.

  Manu had left in a huff. I know his heart through and through. Never mind, achy heart. Doremi will see you in your revitalized avatar. Don’t be too long though.

  There are a few loose ends to be knotted and certain instructions that must be followed to the letter. I shall strive to keep up the perfection. Tiredness be damned! Need to keep the light shining for just a little while.

  Of the lives I have touched and seen at close quarters, several wait outside to wish and bless me. Their numbers are increasing by the hour, I am told. Although forbidden, I gesticulate for the wheelchair. It is time for their Periyamma to return the love. With the sunshine on my face and a trembling Murugan by my side, I face the rousing cries of the crowd. Palpable emotions surround me as I fold my palms together and bow my head. I am calm and at peace. My heart flutters like a little bird heaving within its web of contentment. I thank nature for the wondrous life I’ve had. This life.

  A smiling image flash before my eyes. It was of the Wise One. I smile back at him and murmur, “I had it figured, O blissful Guru. You were right.”

  *

  An excerpt from the red autograph book (year 1986) preceded by a brief foreword from Dr. Sagarika (Murthy) Yadav.

  I chanced upon this worn treasure among the assorted collection of books that are now being compiled and boxed into cartons for donation to various libraries across the city. The childish scrawls within amused me. One, in particular caught my fancy.

  Roses are red and violets are blue,

  But my heart will always be with you

  - Joyonto/Grade VI

  Cheesy but sweet. Another gem went this way:

  Shining star, do be brave

  For you, this friend shall always pray

  - Manjari (Monjudi), best friend & neighbor

  We were leaving Assam and notes of dejection had occupied most of the little pages. I had felt ragged with misery on the last day of school. Little was I to know that soon, lasting bonds of comradeship would chance upon me and offer comfort; embracing me within their soothing folds.

  As I flipped through, it was evident that the Marvel heroes and associated characters that I was obsessed with, had lent my imagination wings. These took the form of tightly squeezed, sometimes illegible notes that were penned in the final pages of the book. Making sense of the misspelt words and grammatical errors, I have attempted to recreate the same in as comprehensible a manner as possible. I wish I had remembered the outline of the plot to enrapture Chandru during the few bedtime sessions we had shared during his childhood. The narrative would have kept him engrossed for sure.

  I hope that you (dear reader) do not look at this offering with a jaundiced eye rather, think of the girl who had dreams of being at one with the clouds.

  This one is for Sagarika - the girl who laughed, dreamed and, lived. Now, read on.

  *

  The Unlikely Saviour

  By Sagarika

  The Characters:

   Momma

   Alicia – The 1st daughter

   Pinky – The 2nd daughter

   Q, short for cutie – The baby

   Ark (‘B’ silent as per Q) – The dog

   Rambo Remo – The jaywalker

  Alien Forcethinkers from the Freecreateworld:

   The Eldest Forcethinker

   The Elder Forcethinker

   The Sujjestor

   Bounce

   Other Forcethinkers

   The Dark Cloud

  

  A faraway world shows luminescent beings. They have no forms and lead a perfect existence. Their thought waves enable them to understand situations. Slowly they begin to detect disturbances around them, very close to their world that could surround and destroy their existence.

  Recognizing the danger, they begin to collectively search for a being (of high intelligence in combination with critical tactical abilities) that would help rescue them by offering an enterprising solution. Their search leads them to planet Earth.

  Life on Freecreateworld contrasts sharply with life on Earth. Its noise, smells, differently abled beings, their thoughts etc. terrify and disturb the peaceful Forcethinkers. They are upset at the mannerisms and attitude of the humans, the continual
damage inflicted on the fragile ecosystem.

  Watching people interact in social as well as societal situations amuse them. Thus, coming to recognize the capabilities of the earthly beings through careful observations, they focus on several potential candidates. During this process, they are puzzled by the needs of people for all things mechanical.

  Enter Rambo Remo, the jaywalker. This character draws their attention to his goofy ways and they mistakenly assume that this is the savior they have been looking for.

  By relating to his needs, they convey their wish. In exchange, they would give him everything that he desires. All this is done via the thought process and during his sleep. Rambo perceives the idea in flashes and initially seems befuddled. The random flashes now begin to accelerate once he begins to selectively piece together the real from the not normal.

  NOTE: The beings do not come to Earth at any point of time. Everything is conveyed via Energized Wave Patterns.

  Finally when danger seems imminent, the youth is asked to retain awareness towards the shift into their world. An energy field is seen moving as a vortex, gaining in strength until BOOM….

  The wrong person is transported to Freecreateworld!

  It’s a woman in her late thirties. Definitely not Rambo Remo.

  Both groups are shocked. Eldest Forcethinker and Elder Forcethinker desperately try to reverse the vortex but the gap in the time lapse converge and changes are now irreversible. The Sujjestor who helped pick Rambo Remo is paralyzed with fear. The woman is nonplussed and dazedly looks around after which, she begins to cry. She rants, shrieks and screams abuse at the silent three. Stamping her feet and wailing as though hurt, the woman vents out her shock. The outcry brings all the Forcethinkers into a huddle. Most flinch from the sonic assault on their senses.

  Momma (as she is called at home) misses her 3 young ones especially the youngest—lovingly called ‘Q’.

  The Forcethinkers try to reach out to the mother in a bid to pacify her. To their surprise, they face a blank wall. After several tries, the mother reverses their thoughts back at them, leaving them confounded. They reach out and tentatively share thoughts. Slowly normalcy is achieved. The Eldest Forcethinker and Elder Forcethinker quickly convey the grim situation to the mother who understands their terrible fate but is clueless on how to help. As Momma was not the Forcethinkers’ choice, they do not think that she has the potential for devising their escape either. Both parties lose hope and fall silent.

  Meanwhile, the Forcethinkers transform themselves into items that they had watched on earth just to make Momma happy. Through their mutual thought pattern, Bounce, a cheerful transformer Forcethinker forms a beautiful flower at first, then, a bright bird, etc. Slowly, Momma’s visual clarity attains physical perfection and she enjoys an actual representation of her world. Later, they begin to take on the manifestation of her children and lovable Ark. This makes her happy.

  When the black cloud arrives, it envelops the beings and they are converted into frozen luminescent blocks with glowing orbs of light within them. Once it passes them, they are squeezed into nothingness.

  As it nears Momma, her infant (one of the Forcethinkers) precedes her as if in defense but the motherly instinct in Momma comes to the fore and she moves quickly to push Q behind her and face the cloud in defiance. The force displays astonishment at first and conveys amusement at the woman’s effrontery. Momma is trembling with fear but tells the force fiercely that it should not touch her child or her home.

  The air around Momma trembles. The dark cloud senses her desperation and pulls back for the final assault. Momma is now on autopilot mode and allows her instinct to guide her. She reaches out for a volunteer Forcethinker. The one mimicking Ark (Bounce) rushes forward with a happy grin. The tail wagger looks at her trustingly and transforms in an instant into a vacuum ingestor. Both Momma and Bounce understand what is about to happen. A sacrifice has to be made for the common good. Momma requests the injestor to increase itself in size and power. Her heart is heavy yet, she is determined. The machine becomes huge...bigger… giant-sized until the Dark cloud is sucked in!

  The Eldest and the Elder Forcethinker along with all other Forcethinkers use their Vortex transporter to shift it to the darkest-place-of-all in the galaxy where it shatters into a million pieces.

  The sonic boom and light effect temporarily stuns all. Everyone collapses under the strain. When Momma recovers, she is concerned that her hair is singed.

  Momma later indicates her preference to leave, even though she has been offered all the riches of the universe. Her singular thought, is to be back with her family. The Forcethinkers create her image on the planet (in her honor) and help Momma reach home.

  The Forcethinkers watch the happy scenes of Momma reuniting with her family. Alicia has taken care of the two younger ones. In reality, only a few hours have passed and the kids are under the assumption that Momma was at the hairdresser’s. On entering her room, the flower that the beings created for her the very first time, is seen on her dressing table. Momma touches it and smiles sweetly. She knows that her friends are watching.

  Endnotes

  Remember the time when danger had closed in and the beings were being sucked away into nothingness? Freecreateworld and Momma’s visual field had begun to diminish and she had to finally face the harsh truth-to understand that the Forcethinkers were giving her happiness in spite of facing imminent destruction without expecting anything in return. Momma understood then and there that THIS was her family as well and that they all loved each other.

  This was when she cleared her mind and requested her few remaining friends to create the visual illusion that contained her home and loved ones. Bounce was to be sacrificed once her plan was put into action but they had to win at any cost. This was her family the dark force was attempting to touch.

  ‘Want war? You got it. This is MY TURF, sweetie. And don’t you dare step into it.’ The dark cloud took Momma’s threat lightly. It did not understand or realize the fact that when a mother faces a crisis that jeopardizes the safety of her family, she goes all out to protect them. And this, she does better than any hero!!

  Cheers.

  *

  Glossary

  Gramayur, Oothukudi, Koottupuram, Kanhaganj, Ravirajapuram – These are fictitious places created with a view to suit the narrative.

  Neem – A tree in the mahogony family widely seen in India.

  Mangifera Indica – Botanical name for the Mango tree.

  Neelam – A native variety of the Mango fruit commonly available in the South of India.

  Krithi – A classical composition from the Carnatic school of music.

  Dakshina – The ancient practice of offering a gift or donation to a Spiritual head or teacher before formal commencement of classes.

  Kurti – A traditional upper garment worn by Indian women.

  Veshti – A traditional wraparound garment (for the lower segment) worn by Indian men.

  Sagu paapaa – Sagu, the little one.

  Saguma – An affectionate (shortened) version of the name as used by the family members.

  The Reader’s Review – A fictional tabloid.

  Sabzi – A vegetable dish normally without gravy.

  Kurinji – Purplish blue flowers that bloom once in twelve years.

  Zamindar – The Hindi word for landlord.

  Pannayar – The Thamizh word for Zamindar.

  Periyaaiyya – Elder + master; the Thamizh word used to respectfully address Sagarika’s father.

  Manaiyya – Manav + aiyya

  Periyamma – Elder/Senior + madam/mother

  Doctoramma – Doctor + madam/mother

  Maariyamman, Vaishno Devi – Different names of the female Godhead as referred to in the South and North of India.

  Manavlalji – In Hindi, the suffix ‘ji’ is added to a name to convey respect to the person/hierarchy.

  Amma – Mother

  Appa – Father

  Bindi – A red dot placed
between the eyebrows or forehead of Hindu girls and women. It is understood to shelter and protect the third (inner) eye from evil influences.

  Anjaneya – also known as Hanuman, supreme devotee of Lord Rama.

  Bhojanalaya – A place where food is served, in other words, a restaurant.

  Idli – A popular South Indian food item made out of lentils and rice that is ground, fermented and steamed.

  Rasam – A thin, spicy South Indian soup often mixed and eaten with cooked rice.

  Athirasam – A delicacy that is made out of jiggery and coarse rice flour, with the added flavor of cardamom.

  Murukkus – A savory, crunchy snack made out of rice and black gram flour.

  Thokku – A semi-dry appetizer typically used as a flavor enhancer in South Indian meals.

  Gongura chutney – A semi-dry appetizer made using the leaves of the red-sorrel.

  Appalam and Vadagam – Thin, crisp, disc-shaped lentil crackers that are baked or fried and served with Indian meals. Appalams are bigger in size than vadagams. The latter is normally prepared and sun dried at home.