Indulekha

by O. Chandu Menon

"What is your opinion in the matter, Cherusheri?"

  "I do not look upon it in that light."

  "Then you think that women’s favours are worthless."

  "I don’t say that," replied Cherusheri. "All I mean is that I do not think there is no greater happiness."

  "Then why should so many people lose their heads and distress themselves in the pursuit of women?".

  "I would say that they do so just because of stupidity"

  "It seems to me, Cherusheri, that in this matter you’re quite a philosopher. As for me I dote on women."

  "Just as the women dote on you," suggested Cherusheri.

  "Ah, perhaps that is really the reason why I dote on them," said the Nambudiripad.

  "Exactly so: there can be no question about it," confirmed Cherusheri. "That must be the only reason."

  "I had great fun lately," said the Nambudiripad, "and if you would like to hear it, I will tell you: - I went the other day to see Mr. McSharman and talk over this case, the matter of the cardamom hills. When I went there his wife, whose name Govindan told, me was Madam, was sitting on a chair at a little distance from him reading a paper, and from the time I took my seat near her husband until it was time for me to go away, she kept glancing at me out of the corner of her eye."

  "No doubt she was fascinated by you," interposed Cherusheri Nambudiri. "The sheep’s eyes she cast at you showed clearly that she was infatuated, and could not help herself. "

  "Wait a bit," continued the Nambudiripad. "I don’t know whether McSharman at last saw her looking at me or not but he said something to her in English and laughed, and Madam answered him and laughed too. Then that simpleton McSharaman, without understanding how matters stood, said, ‘I want to introduce my wife to you. I hope you will allow me the pleasure’. I felt much inclined to smile, but I didn’t, and restraining myself said, I should be delighted. Then McSharman got up hastily and brought his wife near me. I didn’t get up, so she sat down by my side. Then she stretched out her hand towards me as the gentleman had done, and I stretched out mine, and Madam caught hold of my hands,-Oh! I felt thrilled all over."

  "She must have felt it more," interrupted Cherusheri Nambudiri.

  "Wait a bit," said the Nambudiripad. I held her hand in mine for some time, and I thought her very fascinating. That fool McSharman stood by looking on at all this and grinning. Then I drew a diamond ring off my little finger and held it in my hand. I was not sure if McSharman would be pleased, so I looked at his face. All at once the idiot said, ‘Oh! I see you want to give my wife a present. I’ve no objection: you may give it.’ Then I felt cocksure of everything, and placed the ring in Madam’s hand. She took it and, looking in my face, laughed and said in English that it was a lovely ring. McSharman translated this, and then I can’t tell you, Cherusheri, how I tingled all over."

  "She must have tingled much more," said Cherusheri Nambudiri.

  "Wait a bit," replied the Nambudiripad. "Madam rose from her place, and again stretched out her hand to me."

  "That was a definite sign that she was smitten with you," said Cherusheri Nambudiri. "She couldn’t bear to sit still and look at you. She immediately got up and went away, didn’t she?"

  "Yes," said the Nambudiripad. "She went away after taking my hand once again."

  "And you didn’t see her again, did you?"

  "No."

  "She must have felt infatuated," said Cherusheri. "The gentleman was with you all the time, wasn’t he? That’s why she was at her wit’s end, and left you so hurriedly, or she would have had some sweet dalliances with you."

  "You are really a clever man, Cherusheri," said the Nambudiripad, "and this is the bond of friendship between us. What you say is quite right. That lady and I were greatly smitten with each other. As for not following up my advantage, we are forbidden by the Shastras to form connections with women of that race. There was no other difficulty in my way."

  "Don’t do anything forbidden by the Shastras," said Cherusheri. "My admiration is beyond all bounds when I think of your good sense. Although you had taken such a fancy to her, you gave it up because it was forbidden by the Shastras, and this shows your moral courage."

  "Sometimes I can show great moral courage in all such matters," said the Nambudiripad. "I bamboozled Koppattu Kummini once rather nicely. Shall I tell you the story?"

  "I heard it the other day, and I remember it well," said Cherusheri. "It was from that time that I had such faith in your great moral courage."

  "Ah, but the colour of these English women is very fine," said the Nambudiripad. "What is Indulekha's colour ?"

  "Like pure gold."

  "Is it better than mine?"

  "Why do you ask such a nonsensical question ? Your colour, Nambudiri, is quite unique."

  "My dear Cherusheri; you must be laughing at me. Now tell me, is my colour better than Indulekha’s?"

  "I am surprised at your putting such a question," said Cherusheri; "fancy asking about a thing of which there is no doubt !"

  "Well, it may be so," said the Nambudiripad, "but Cherusheri, you have seen both myself and Indulekha and you know enough of our seductive qualities and powers of mind. Now tell me, are you sure that the girl will be pleased with me? Whatever you are sure of, I am sure of too."

  "Why on earth do you ask these questions?" replied Cherusheri. "Good gracious!. Isn’t this a matter which I have already set at rest? I think that if the girl once sees you, Nambudiri, she won’t be able to hold out for a minute. She is so clever that I have no doubt she will take in all your qualities at a glance, and need I say what will be the result? The idea of your asking whether she will be pleased with you! A fine question, indeed! When do you mean to start?"

  "Tomorrow morning," said the Nambudiripad. "I shall be so glad if you will come with me, Cherusheri. Then it will be enough if we take two Brahman attendants and Narayanan, the manager, and some half-a-dozen servants and Govindan. You must come in your litter along with my palanquin, Cherusheri, and I must take another fine palanquin and eight bearers to bring Indulekha here."

  "Let it follow," said Cherusheri. "But there is no use in taking it at all. There are five or six palanquins at Indulekha’s house already."

  "All right, then, we won’t take one." "Go and let my uncle know all about this, Cherusheri."

  "But how can you go tomorrow? " asked Cherusheri. "You have engaged

  Rama Panikar for Kathakali performance here."

  "Is it tomorrow?" said the Nambudiripad. "So it is. Well, let him give the performance; we must go, but the youngsters can see the play. I will have two or three scenes acted after we come back, and Indulekha can see them then, can’t she?"

  "But they say that Rama Panikar has arranged to leave the day after tomorrow," said Cherusheri.

  "Then what if we put off our trip till the day after, tomorrow?"

  "I think that would be the best thing to do," replied Cherusheri.

  "No, no!" cried the Nambudiripad. "The players will come next year."

  "Just as you like," said Cherusheri. "I will tell them."

  Thus distracted by the rival attractions of the play on the one hand, and of Indulekha on the other, Suri Nambudiripad was greatly tormented and perturbed in mind for some time. At last, after considerable cogitation, he said, "But I have already sent a letter to say that I would be there tomorrow."

  "When did you send it?" asked Cherusheri.

  "I sent my answer to Karuthedam immediately after I had sent a man from the bathing place to fetch you," answered the Nambudiripad.

  "Well, what harm is that ? You can send another letter now to say that you will come only the day after tomorrow."

  "But," rejoined the Nambudiripad, "would it be fair to disappoint lndulekha and make her sad, just as if she had bit a stone in her first mouthful of new rice? She will be anxiously expecting me tomorrow."

  "I will answer for it that she will not be disappointed or sad." said Cherusheri. "What great harm is there in putting off tomorrow�
�s journey till next day? Besides, Nambudiripad, you are a very busy man, and so it is not possible to manage everything precisely on the day fixed."

  "That is very true," said the Nambudiripad. "I will go after I see Raman’s role on the stage. That’s settled. Now Cherusheri, go and tell my uncle and let me know what he says."

  Cherusheri Nambudiri concurred, and going inside the house proceeded to the southern hall. There he found his friend, Narayanan Nambudiri, standing and both laughed as they looked at each other. Narayanan Nambudiri understood exactly how matters stood, because Cherusheri Nambudiri had told him of Indulekha’s beauty, excellence, independence and learning, and had also told him of the position which her counter part Madhavan occupied. Hence the commotion which his elder brother was creating amused him.

  "Well," he said, "are you off tomorrow?"

  "Kathakali tomorrow and Indulekha’s wedding the day after," said Cherusheri.

  "But Cherusheri," said Narayanan Nambudiri, "I have some doubts about what you told me. It seems to me from these pompous preparations that there is some chance, through the pressure put on by Karuthedam of Suri bringing Indulekha here."

  "That’s because you have never seen the girl and Madhavan. In an ordinary case this would appear reasonable enough, but I have never seen a girl like Indulekha in Malabar. I have not the least doubt about that. My only doubt is as to how far the Nambudiripad will be made an exhibition of."

  "How can you say this?" rejoined Narayanan Nambudiripad. "Karuthedam wrote most definitely, and would he have done so without proper thought?"

  "Well," answered Cherusheri, "there is no use in our arguing over a matter which will be settled in two or three days. I want to see your uncle. Where is he?"

  "He is resting upstairs. Why do you want to see him? Is it to tell him about this?"

  "Yes" said Cherusheri as he went upstairs. After he had informed the senior Nambudiripad he returned, and found Suri Nambudiripad in the room over the granary.

  "Ah, Cherusheri!" cried the Nambudiripad, "it is you that have put all these obstacles in my way. The Kathakali does not matter. Why should I not go tomorrow?"

  "I have just told your uncle and got his permission for you to start the day after tomorrow," said Cherusheri. "Would it now be proper for you to go tomorrow?"

  "I’m longing to see Indulekha, but there’s no use in talking. I shall have to wait as best I can until the day after tomorrow evening."

  "But you can relieve your mind for the present by thinking of the raciness of the play from now until it is acted tomorrow," replied Cherusheri, "and then you are going to start as soon as the play is over. Then you can devote your thoughts to Indulekha, and while your mind is still full of her you will see her; Besides, once a decision is made don’t brood ever it."

  "Well, Cherusheri," said the Nambudiripad, "stay to supper here. Now I’ll go and lie down for a while," and with these words the Nambudiripad went to his room to sleep, while Cherusheri Nambudiri made his way to Narayanan Nambudiripad’s room upstairs.

  Chapter 8

  Early on the morning of the day following the events narrated in the sixth chapter, Panchu Menon, Kesavan Nambudiri, and the house hold managers were assembled in the verandah of Puvarangu house awaiting the arrival of Suri Nambudiripad of the Murkillatha house, and, in the refectory, exquisite delicacies had been prepared for his breakfast. The messengers who had been despatched the previous evening with the second letter, intimating that circumstances had delayed the departure of the Nambudiripad, and that he could only arrive the next day in time for breakfast, had loitered by the way. Thus it was that Panchu Menon and the others were looking out for the august advent of their guest. As soon as the letter had been received and read, the patriarch went into the family house, the Nambudiri for his bath, and the rest to their several occupations. After a while Indulekha came to the verandah on her way to the bath house and there she encountered her mother, who said, "Well my daughter! why do you rob yourself of sleep at night burning that kerosene lamp? How long did you read last night after your grandfather left?"

  "Not long, mother," said Indulekha, "I went to bed very soon. But, mother, how is it uncle Govindan has not come yet? He wrote that he would come yesterday."

  "Yes, he did, my dear," replied mother Lakshmi Kutty, "but perhaps he will come today. You see, Madhavan may have kept him in Madras, but I don’t know."

  While they were talking thus, they saw Govindan Kutty Menon coming up and some servants carrying his luggage. He had alighted from the train on the previous day and halted on the road at the Puvalli rest-house, whence starting early in the morning he now reached home.

  "See, there’s uncle Govindan," exclaimed Indulekha, and went, laughing, down into the courtyard, accompanied by her mother, to meet him.

  "Well, Indulekha, is all well with you?" asked Govindan Kutty Menon.

  "Yes, uncle, all is well now," said Indulekha, "but you wrote that you would be here yesterday, and we were sadly disappointed. "

  Then all the three entered the house, and after he had a bath and breakfast, Govindan Kutti menon went and paid his respects to his father. He next went to his mother’s room and greeted her and his sister, and finally proceeded to Indulekha’s rooms upstairs.

  I must present Govindan Kutti Menon to my readers, but a few word will suffice for the purpose. He was a man of keen intellect, but it may be doubted whether he was not in some degree naturally devoid of discretion. This does not mean that he was unstable in character; on the contrary he was respected by all who knew him. In person he was handsome and, like his deceased elder brother, the worthy Krishna Menon, his love was centered on Indulekha above all living creatures.

  As soon as Indulekha saw her uncle, she rose and, arranging the coverlet of the sofa, invited him to sit there.

  Govindan Kutti Menon seated himself, and Indulekha, full of loving attention, drew near him a small table with some cakes on a silver tray and tea which she had made with her own hands in a silver teapot. Then at her uncle’s bidding, she took her seat on a chair beside him.

  "Madhavan reached Madras safely," said Govinda Kutti Menon, "and he is likely to get a post in the Secretariat on Rs. 150 a month. Have you finished the novel I gave you when I left, Indulekha? Do you understand it all?"

  The emotion caused by the very mention of Madhavan’s name, followed by the announcement that he was likely to obtain service under the Government, dyed Indulekha’s cheeks with the crimson of the lotus. Govindan Kutti menon had wisely foreseen this, and knew that, although no other words could be so sweet to her ear, any conversation about Madhavan would cover Indulekha with maidenly confusion. Hence he told her all that was necessary in the fewest possible words, and immediately passed on to another subject, thus giving her time to regain her composure and to reply.

  "That novel is very interesting, and I have read it all."

  "Your mother said you read rather too late at night," said Govindan Kutti Menon. "Don’t tire yourself too much with reading."

  "I never tire myself too much" answered Indulekha. "I don’t read every night, but the other night I chanced to be reading Sakuntalam when my grandfather and Kesavan Nambudiri happened to come here. My mother has only repeated what they said, but I don’t make a habit of reading at night."

  Govindan Kutti Menon had, of course, heard from Madhavan himself of the oath taken by Panchu Menon, and had also seen a letter which Govinda Panikkar had, on the second day after his interview with Panchu Menon, written to Madhavan at Madras, and in which he mentioned the violent efforts Panchu Menon was making to bring about Indulekha’s union with the Nambudiripad. When, therefore, he heard what Indulekha said, he asked her, with an ironical laugh, what had brought Panchu Menon and Kesavan Nambudiri to her room, and forthwith her glorious eyes were filled with tears.

  "What is this?" said Govindan Kutti menon, "Why are you so silly? If some people behave like clowns you should laugh. What are you making such faces for?"

  "You weren
’t here on that day, uncle," sobbed Indulekha, "I can’t help crying when I think of it."

  "But I am with you now,’ said Govindan Kutti menon.

  "Yes, you are," replied Indulekha, "and it is great comfort I have now."

  "If you mean to cry any more, I won’t ask you anything about this," said Govindan Kutti Menon.

  "I won’t cry any more, uncle, indeed I wont," said Indulekha, and with these words she told him all about the conversation that had taken place on that night,

  Govinda Kutti Menon went into roars of laughter, and thought very highly of his niece for the strength of mind she had displayed.

  "That Nambudiripad is coming tomorrow," said Indulekha.

  Govindan Kutti Menon laughed heartily again and said, "Let him come tomorrow. My father told me about this business."

  "And what did you say, uncle dear?" asked Indulekha.

  "I said nothing," replied Govindan Kutti Menon. "I stood listening as if the whole thing didn’t matter to me in the least. But I haven’t seen Madhavan’s father yet. I must step over and see him," and so saying he got up.

  "I am afraid of all the teasing I shall have to go through tomorrow," said lndulekha.

  "There is nothing to be afraid of," answered Govindan Kutti Menon and with this he laughed and started for Govinda Panikar’s house.

  Chapter 9

  The play was only half over when Suri Nambudiripad jumping up from his sofa, called Govindan.

  "Govindan!" he cried, "I must start at once. All the bearers are sleeping here, aren’t they? Call them all, come, hurry up. Where’s Cherusheri? I saw him only just now sitting on a chair by the stage. Go and find him; ask him to come here sharp."

  Govindan set off in search of Cherusheri Nambudiri, and, hearing that he had gone upstairs to bed, followed him there. He found the Nambudiri lying down, but not asleep.

  "Master has sent for your honour," he said. "He says, he must go this very moment to Chembhazhiyot, and has ordered the bearers and everything to be got ready at once. Please come quick."

  "Good heavens!" said Cherusheri. "How can we go in the middle of the night over a villainous road? It is utterly impossible."