Indulekha

by O. Chandu Menon

  Cherusheri Nambudiri laughed and quoted the following lines :

  How now, vain moon? canst boldly dare,

  Dost feel no shame, to show thy face,

  When she, my Love, Earth’s Fairest Fair

  Unveils her features, full of grace?

  Alas, the error with me lies,

  Another claims this peerless prize;

  My lot, vain moon, is worse than thine,

  I ne’er can hope to call her mine.

  "That’s it, that’s the very verse," exclaimed the Nambudiripad. "Do you know Sanskrit, Lakshmi Kutty?"

  "I read two or three short poems when I was a girl," replied Lakshmi Kutty.

  "Cherusheri knows a tremendous lot," said the Nambudiripad. "He is a most interesting man. But Karuthedam, there hasn’t got a smatter of Sanskrit in him at all. I found out that just now. All the same he is a very lucky fellow, though he can’t repeat a single Sanskrit verse."

  "No, I don’t know any Sanskrit," admitted Kesavan Nambudiri, "but it’s late, very late for evening prayer."

  "Let’s go, then," said the Nambudiripad. "We’ll come this way at nine o’clock to hear your daughter sing, and I’ll see you then, Lakshmi Kutty, shan’t I?" And so saying he left the room, leering longingly into Lakshmi Kutty’s face as he went. The two Nambudiris followed him, and passing on by the tank, saw Panchu Menon in the vestibule as they entered it from the hall.

  "Hallo, Panchu!" said the Nambudiripad, "you are a wonderfully lucky man. I’ve seen Indulekha and your daughter Lakshmi Kutty, and it’s devilish hard to say which is the more handsome. What luck for Karuthedam! They are both uncommonly fine women."

  Panchu Menon found these remarks exceedingly offensive, but, gulping down his wrath, he replied, " Your honor seems to be on the way to evening prayer."

  "That’s it," said the Nambudiripad. "We’ll finish our prayers and get down our food as quick as we can and come back," and as he spoke, he and the two Nambudiris went down into the courtyard. But Panchu Menon beckoned to Kesavan Nambudiri to come back, and asked him whether Indulekha had fallen for the Nambudiripad.

  "She must fall in love with him: she can’t help herself," was the reply.

  "We’ll talk about that after the event," said Panchu Menon. "What I want to know is if she has already fallen in love with him now?"

  "I really can’t say for certain now," said Kesavan Nambudiri, "but I haven’t any doubt that she will."

  "I’m afraid I can’t take your reverence’s word for it implicitly," replied Panchu Menon. "I thought a great deal of the man when I saw him arrive, but I’m afraid I was wrong. He seems to me to be an unmitigated fool."

  "But he’s enormously rich! just think of that," urged Kesavan Nambudiri.

  "Indulekha’s not the girl to think of it, and it seems to me this pet scheme of ours is just a mad waste of time. The man has nothing to say for himself worth listening to, but simply jabbers away at random. What the devil does he mean by prating to me about both Indulekha and Lakshmi Kutty being so pretty?"

  "But remember he’s a great man, and may say anything he likes."

  "If he may say anything he likes, then he may hear something he doesn’t like, that’s all. I’m sick of the whole business. What did Indulekha say to him?"

  "Oh, nothing particular."

  "Then what did he do when he went upstairs?"

  "Oh, nothing particular, but I really must go now for evening prayers. I’ll tell you everything after supper."

  "There can’t be anything to tell. This affair will never come off, so what’s the good of our playing the fool over it any more?" said Panchu Menon as he withdrew to the house, while Kesavan Nambudiri went to the bath-house.

  During this conversation, the Nambudiripad and Cherusheri had also been talking to each other on their way to the bath-house."Really now, Cherusheri," began the Nambudiripad, "Do you know Indulekha’s mother takes my fancy a great deal more than Indulekha. All she says is so witty. You’ve seen her,. I suppose, haven’t you, Cherusheri !"

  "Yes," replied Cherusheri, "She is very good-looking, and much more suited to you in age."

  "What do you mean? Do you mean I’m too old for Indulekha," asked the Nambudiripad, somewhat hurt.

  "Not at all, my dear friend, not at all," said Cherusheri reassuringly. "Far be it from me to say so:of course, you have got everything in your own hands and made a conquest of Indulekha; so what’s the good of trying to find out now whether she suits you, or not?"

  "Oho, then you think that the matter is settled with Indulekha, do you? Did Panchu speak to you about it?"

  "Why should Panchu Menon talk about it? It was a foregone conclusion, and couldn’t be otherwise."

  "Of course not, of course not; but I have some doubtno, no, I don’t mean I have any doubt."

  "Why should you?"

  "I’m a bit puzzled, that’s all, but I haven’t any doubt."

  "That’s all right then. fancy your being puzzled; that’s only empty talk when you say you are puzzled over a thing which is as clear as daylight."

  "Never mind about Indulekha. Just think of Lakshmi Kutty and what a lucky fellow that Karuthedam is."

  "That’s just what I was going to say. He is a most wonderfully lucky man."

  "He hasn’t married in his own community, has he?"

  "No."

  "What a scamp; he ought to be made to marry."

  "I don’t think the scamp intends to do anything of the kind."

  "Then he simply pins himself on Lakshmi Kutty."

  "That’s all."

  "And she doesn’t care a rap about him. I saw that with half an eye."

  "You need not tell me all that, when I know your powers of comprehension so well. I saw through it all at the time. I am very sure that no woman, who had your form before her eyes, could look on another man, fond as he might be of her, and show any sign of affection."

  "Lakshmi Kutty got rather love-sick when she saw me."

  "I haven’t any doubt about it."

  "Then what’s to be done?" asked the Nambudiripad.

  "How do you mean?"

  "Why, to relieve her suffering, to be sure."

  "There’s not much choice in the matter," replied Cherusheri, "you can only make up your mind not to see her again, that’s all."

  "That’s all rubbish, Cherusheri. If that cured love, what’s the use of our coming here?"

  "But you were in love with Indulekha when you came here."

  "Yes, but now I’m spoony over Lakshmi Kutty."

  "Well, you can hardly make a match of it with both mother and daughter too. That wouldn’t be quite the thing, would it ?"

  "It’s Indulekha with whom I’ll make a match," said the Nambudiripad, "but-" and here he was interrupted by the arrival of Kesavan Nambudiri, who entered the bath-house and came down near him. The Nambudiripad said nothing more on the subject, and, after pouring the evening libation, went out into the sacred court yard of the temple, which was illuminated by the moon. Abandoning all thought of Lakshmi Kutty, his mind instinctively reverted to the one idea which had engrossed it. He had never seen a woman like Indulekha. Libertine as he was, and enamoured for the time being with every woman he met, still it was the memory of her tender charms that filled his brain as he stood musing in the moonlight. Then, starting from his reverie, he called Govindan and, handing him the palm leaf on which were written the verses which described the rapture of the Titan Ravana on seeing Rambha, he said, "Take this leaf and go and give it into Indulekha’s hand, and tell her I gave it to you."

  Govindan went accordingly to see Indulekha, and arrived there just as she was ascending the stairs after supper. "Here Miss," he said, "here’s a letter which my lord told me to give you."

  Indulekha at once saw what was meant, and her anger waxed high as she demanded, "What lord? what letter?"

  Anyone who saw her face glowing with indignation while she spoke would have acknowledged that she looked superb in her wrath. Govindan, however, mer
ely replied, "The letter is from the gracious hand of the lord of the Moorkkillatha house."

  "From him," exclaimed Indulekha. "How dare he write to me? I will receive no letter from him." And as she spoke she retired to her own private apartment.

  Govindan pocketed the letter, feeling remarkably small, and returned to the Nambudiripad, whom he found standing in the temple court and surrounded by a crowd. As soon as the Nambudiripad caught sight of Govindan, he bawled out, "Hi, Govindan, did you give that letter to lndulekha!"

  At first Govindan felt himself completely at a loss for an answer, but after some hesitation the replied, "Yes, Sir," and beat a hasty retreat to avoid any further question. But when the Nambudiripad, thinking it must be near nine o’clock, went to the bath-house for his oil-bath, Govindan accompained him and, taking the letter out of his pocket, whispered, "My lord, my lord, I told a lie just now when I said I had given the letter. Here it is. Indulekha refused to take it. She said my lord had no business to write to her, and she wouldn’t have it. When your lordship asked me about it just now, there were a lot of people by and so I told a lie and said I had given it."

  "What an infernal fool you are!" was the Nambudiripad’s response. "It wasn’t Kundulekha at all. lndulekha is her name. But that lie you told was first rate. Always keep up appearances, you know. That’s just why I patronize you, Govindan."

  "That Kundulekha"-resumed Govindan.

  "Fool!" interrupted the Nambudiripad, "what do you mean by blundering on about Kundalekha. Inidulekha, In-du-lekha; now say that."

  "Beg pardon, my lord, I’m sure," rejoined Govindan, "I made a mistake over Indralekha-"

  "You stupid lout! you blockad," broke in the Nambudiripad, "It’s not Indralekha. Her name is Indulekha."

  "Beg pardon again, my lord," said Govindan, "but that Indulekha seemed to me to be an uncommonly cheeky young party. "

  "Never mind about her," replied the Nambudiripad. "Did you see her mother, a very handsome woman with a delicate face. I’m awfully gone on her. She’s Karuthedam’s wife."

  "Then Indulekha has not taken your sacred fancy?"

  "Well, you see Indulekha has learnt English and a lot besides, and seems a contrary young woman all round, but her mother is quite a different sort. She’s very witty. Haven’t you brought back that silver betel-case?"

  "Yes, my lord; I brought it back at once, and have put it away in the Brahmin quarters."

  "Ah, clever boy, Govindan, sharp lad. That’s why I’m so fond of you. Well, I told Lakshmi Kutty that she might take the case, and she said she never thought I’d object. I was rather anxious, thinking she might perhaps annex it if you left it there."

  "I have eaten your lordship’s rice some time now, and I know exactly what to do," answered Govindan.

  The Nambudiripad then began his oil-bath, continuing his exchange of sentiments with Govindan, and while he was thus engaged, Kesavan Nambudiri and Cherusheri were carrying on a conversation in the verandah of the Brahmin quarters. For many and various reasons the former was in very low spirits. It was a most unlucky circumstance that the Nambudiripad had caught sight of his wife; there was no doubt that his wife was exceedingly handsome, and, in his eyes, the Nambudiripad also was handsome, besides being a man of high rank and immense wealth. Then supposing Lakshmi Kutty fell in love with him? "If she does," he thought, "Panchu Menon will readily consent. He’s sure to say, ‘Look here, you know. The Nambudiripad wants to marry her; he’s rich and powerful, and of course you can’t possibly object.’ If he calls me and tells me this, what on earth am I to do? Heaven help me! It won’t make any difference if I consent, or if I don’t; the thing will go on all the same, and I’ll have to go to my own family house. It’s always a risky thing to form a connection with a Sudra woman."

  The wiseacre ruminated in this strain for some time, until he recalled to his mind’s eye the form and features of Lakshmi Kutty. "A plague upon it," he ejaculated mentally, "I can’t come to any harm. It’s out of the question. When he came here to make a match with Indulekha, it’s impossible that he should carry of Indulekha’s mother. It’s quite impossible," and with this, his courage revived. Revolving these thoughts in his mind, and alternating between hope and despair, he suddenly found new ground for alarm. "Good gracious!" he thought, "I told the Nambudiripad there would be music at nine. Supposing Indulekha refuses to play or sing? There’ll be the deuce to pay if she does refuse, that’s all."

  Distracted with his difficulties, he was gazing blankly upwards in search of inspiration when Cherusheri came and, sitting down near him, said, "What’s the matter, Karuthedam ? You seem terribly depressed."

  "Not at all, not at all," replied Kesavan Nambudiri, making a ghastly attempt at a smile. "Why should I be depressed? There is no reason at all why I should be depressed" .

  "Why such a very deep brown study then?"

  "Oh, nothing at all. I was only thinking about the music we are to have today. It’s later than half-past eight already. "

  "But there’s nothing to prevent the music, is there?"

  "Oh, no; certainly not, nothing at all," answered Kesavan Nambudiri. "We shall have music at nine, and you must come upstairs, too, Cherusheri. Indulekha generally sings every night, and sometimes she plays the piano. It’s very seldom that she passes a day without music. There is no chance of our not having music today, and we can all go and listen. Indulekha won’t mind that a bit. We are sure to have some music; the Nambudiri and the rest of us are here, you see."

  "Then in that case, I’ll come too," said Cherusheri.

  "I tell you we are sure to have music," repeated Kesavan Nambudiri, but in spite of his protestation, he felt in truth extremely dubious on the point, although with characteristic simplicity he occasionally took refuge in the idea that the usual routine would be observed. As for facing Indulekha and questioning her on the subject, he felt his courage wholly unequal to the task, and found himself fairly on the horns of a dilemma. After considering the matter first in one light and then in another, he said at last:

  "There will be music to-night. Of course there must be, with the Nambudiri and the rest of us here."

  "Why worry yourself about it so much, Karuthedam?" asked Cherusheri. "There will surely be music, and we have arranged to listen to it, haven’t we?"

  "Have you any doubts about it, Cherusheri?"

  "Bless my soul, no. Why should I have any doubt when you have arranged it?"

  "Oh dear, oh dear! I never arranged anything: who am I to arrange anything! I supposed Indulekha would play the piano tonight as usual, and I only told the Nambudiripad that we could listen to her."

  "It’ll be all right, so you need not worry yourself any more, Karuthedam."

  "I’m not worrying myself at all," replied Kesavan Nambudiri. "But supposing the Nambudiri finds I have made a mistake? That’s what I’m puzzling over. But it can’t be that we shan’t have music, so I needn’t bother my head any more. I for one am quite sure there’s no room for doubt."

  "That’s settled then," said Cherusheri. "But tell me did Indulekha fall in love with the Nambudiripad at first sight ?"

  "Eh? Indulekha?"

  "Yes, Indulekha."

  Kesavan Nambudiripad’s face was now a study, and if a dagger had been thrust into it no blood would have been drawn. He was silent for some time, and at last exclaimed:

  "Indulekha in love! If there was any love in her, I didn’t see any symptoms of it. I’m convinced now that women who have learned English are beyond our comprehension altogether. There’s Panchu Menon, who isn’t afraid of anyone in the wide world, but he shivers and shakes before this chit of a granddaughter of his. You know what a great man the Nambudiri is; yet it didn’t strike me that she was a bit nervous even when she saw him. I begin to think now that perhaps I must have been mistaken, but I can’t make up my mind any way. I know nothing about English ways, Cherusheri. The only one of the ruling race I have seen was the gentleman who makes the Thread Company turn round."

&n
bsp; At this speech Cherusheri laughed until his sides ached, and it was some minutes before he recovered himself. Then he said, "Now tell me, will the Nambudiripad get lndulekha, or not?"

  "It’s impossible to say," replied Kesavan Nambudiripad.

  "I’ll tell you after tonight. I didn’t know the girl was so full of tantrums, Cherusheri."

  ‘Tantrums !" echoed Cherusheri, "she hasn’t got any tantrums," and at this juncture the Nambudiripad arrived after his bath. Even he had felt to some extent the rebuff implied in the rejection of the stanzas he had sent Indulekha, but nevertheless her image retained possession of his mind. "If she is annoyed, well, let her be," he thought. "I shall see her at nine o’clock, and will make it all right then. I don’t care even if she won’t speak to me." Reassuring himself in this fashion, he despatched his supper and then, with the others, proceeded to Puvarangu.

  "I say, Cherusheri," he remarked, "I needn’t put on a coat now. A shawl will be enough, won’t it?"

  "Quite," replied Cherusheri.

  "Here, Govindan," said the Nambudiripad, "get out that silver betel-case inlaid with gold, and the gold rosewater spray, and place them before us at the music performance."

  "She plays on a piano," interposed Kesavan Nambudiri. "She sits on a chair and plays with her hands. You never see a mat spread here as a rule."

  "That’s sheer impudence," said the Nambudiripad. It all comes from having women taught English. "IThe idea of her sitting on a chair to play! It’s really too much. Go and tell Panchu, Karuthedam, that Indulekha must sit down on a grass-mat to play today."

  "Very good," replied Kesavan Nambudiri, and by this time the party had reached the central hall at Puvarangu, where the Nambudiripad ensconced himself in a chair. Kesavan Nambudiri stole softly up to Indulekha’s boudoir, and knocking at the outer door found, to his unspeakable despair and consternation, that it was bolted. At first he thought of calling out aloud, but, pusillanimous Brahmin as he was, his courage failed him and he retreated to his wife’s room. His wife had retired to rest, and was almost asleep when he said, "Lakshmi, Lakshmi, I’m disgraced for ever." "What do you mean? what disgrace?" cried Lakshmi Kutty Amma, starting up.