HYGNES JOY PAVANA'S English Story ATHIRUKAL (Mile Stone)

STORY

ATHIRUKAL (MILESTONE)

HYGNES JOY PAVANA

{NORBERT PAVANA (f\o HYGNES JOY PAVANA) who had been a Malayalam well known DRAMATIST, CINE STORY & SCRIPT WRITER (28-03-1918 to 28-06-1981). HYGNES JOY PAVANA has been written 27 One Act Plays, 25 Malayalam Stories, 3 English Stories (Boundaries, Room Boy and God’s Grace) and 2 Malayalam Cine Stories & Scripts.) }

In middle of March, I was very happy to reach home from Abu-Dhabi. While I was speaking with my wife Mary, Salim entered the room with pleasure to see me. Suddenly Mary disappeared from there.

I have had welcome Salim and arrange seat for him. His face became tears of joy. I sat near to him.

“I had come to your home in the morning itself.”

“Mom told me that’s why I ran to you. What about your headache and all?”

“No problem. Sometimes it makes hurt me”

“Did you see our Babu Thomas?”

“He had in the airport, he told about his new project needs to be launched first week of coming month. He has engaged fully for the same.”

“He is a lucky guy. Then, what about his family?”

“It’s ok. Then when you have to fly?”

“Most probably, end of coming August. I would like to do some other project in my mind which needs to be furnishing soon.”

“Then we can go together, ok?”

“Try to finish my domestic work in my home that has to do first.”

Ranimol, my daughter nearly 5 years, was being playing with her doll and run over us, sees Salim, she turn off speedily.

As Salim call her back, she ignores it. His faces become gloomy and get up to go. I caught his hands and to put him down. I am pleased to look him:

“Yours favorite dish is ready, Banana roast!”

“I can come back soon.”  He has made a sad smile and steps to the door and walk towards. I have accompanied him up to the gate.

What’s actually happened?  Mary also keeps distance from me. Always talkie had nothing to say. Ranimol also makes shadow somewhere. In her outstanding part, Salim

Uncle has the weakness of her, always has round him and trouble shoot to him.

From where has the problem occurred?  Who will be the main hero of this part? Anything has been done unavoidable? Never will it be happen? I am sure that Salims end, no chance to be created. Then, what should have?

Sat on the easy-chair on the corridor, I look forward my fast memories.  Through my mind several unseen figures captured that was in 1980s. Last eight years, out side life in Abu Dhabi, my childhood, school and college life, remembering all seems to be instant and peerless.

In the river Periyar, we are pleased to calling Aluva Puzha, Thuruth rounded by water where there have two small houses. One is mine and another is Salim’s.  The innocent farmers of Mustaffa, Chandru, Thomas and Raman were work hardly for the small island and gain many products for their paddy fields and their compounds. We could see everywhere in the headed coconut firms, Mango and big Jackfruit trees. Nearly 400 farmers of Thuruth are proud of it. When the flood has come, the land becomes fully watered and fertile soil flows through it. It’s very good for the trees and plants. But at the same time, it has ordinary persons made very hurt to the huts and animals had a lot of pains too.

Making sound, Ranimol has come and ran away and followed her by Mary. She could not catch her. Ranimol has making foul game against her mother. Mary looks at her cruelly and worn her get soon.  

Again the plash back is being wiring me. While on the flood, road traffic had becomes vanished. Villagers had been depending upon country boats of Kareem Bhai who was the helpful persons to the Thuruth villagers. No other possible way to go other ends. Even though the heavy rain flashes and blowing strong wind had been making trouble to others, Kareem Bhai took his country boat without any safety measures. He had enough courage and good will power to do such occasions. There had only one way to the town city that had through the railway bridge which had a small width of metal sheet for a long distance. While trains had come along the bridge, there had five small pockets to get in. There had a lot of persons were injured and died in the train crashing and fear of shocking? Kareem Bhai had saved many persons those who fallen from the rail bridge to the river Periyar and he got reward from the government.

Dog is barking well, I look at the gate, one beggar come for help. Ranimol has giving him something, he smiled at her and went off.

As Thuruth had become cherish after the rain and clouds, with the help of God’s grace and blessings. Farmers had fully engaged with their plough and buffalos to the field along with their sweet country songs. Floods had vanishes the dirt land with clean and neat.

Every Christmas, Onam and Bakrid holidays we had been celebrated the function in a joyful and lovely atmosphere. Elder boys had gathered the river side ground and start to play football match. Most probably our captain had become Salim who has some ideas and simplicity in all.  Normally Salim’s team had been winning in the game and getting the presentation of one big banana bunch that had sponsored by Salim’s Dad, Kareem Bhai. It’s only for him; he could never give the same to anybody. He had been making the money through his country boat and has ordered before time to the Banana cultivation parties. The runner up team has got the big number of bananas first. Winning party has provided always small ones.  The theory of Salim’s that he has the right to say ‘Game spirit is good, but first of all we should have essentially needed the love and affection.’ This is our Salim! Kareem bhai’s slogan was also  very famous to us ‘Any way we have to do things at right time, with a smiling face it might be doubling the worth of  it’s spirit.’

Carrying a tray with a coffee and Banana roasts Mary has come to me and take off. The same time Ranimol has come as a bird, took the roast and flew away. I am being laughing at her and looks at her a while. I call her to me.

“Mom doesn’t making anything here for you evening?”

“After Dad had gone, Mom didn’t cook Banna Roast so far.”

“Why?”

“Salim Uncle has had to come here.”

“What’s the reason?”

She had no response and ran off.

Got up from the Easy-chair and I reached near the river side. Some old incidents strike my minds soon. On a heavy rainy day, Salim and I were coming from the library very late. Thunder and flashes had made a fearful situation.  How could we reach home, only one small umbrella along with Salim. Wind had flown fast. On the way we had reach the rail-bridge and had a good speed walk to Thuruth. Suddenly I heard a loud sound nearby. I was almost frightened. In the dark I saw a Coal Train Engine approaching to us. Speedily I push salim to the track pocket. Train went off past. If just a moment lost, our body might be in the river by pieces. Salim rounded his hands to me for a while with fear. Our eyes have become red and tearful. No one could say anything. ‘Allah saved us!’ At last from Salims mouth spell out. It was actually a miracle. Unseen hands had been saved from that tragedy. That’s the truth. For a while we sat down in that pocket. We have got a rebirth to the life. He promised me that he should have ready to leave his soul for me.

Dog is barking again. Neighboring cows are going for their evening bath to the river. It’s time for the Black too.

After the death of Salims Dad, all Burdon had fallen to Moms shoulder. He had been just completed his B.A. Degree course. Dad had been much ambition about Salims education and that he had been fulfilled. Sister Suhra had studying in the High School level. Normally Salim had leaved the home early morning itself to the nearby cities to the unknown door to knock for a job.

Poverty had made the family abasement and the poor Mom had gone for other families for work in the paddy fields and land compounds as a labor worker with out notice from Salim. Other family members could not mind them from both sides of Mom and Dad. But Salim had enough courage to face the problem with a smile. Don’t show his hands before any body for gift.

Black is making sound loudly; the milkman appeared the gate for the empty bottle. That guy is being trouble to the Black and it looks cruel to him. Mary gave him bottle and had said something that I can’t hear it well.  

Black is being remembering that unbelievable seen occurred to the Salims Mom. Mom was very helpful to the families where she had gone for work. One theft had been occurred on a Sunday where a marriage function would be held on soon. Bride’s six sovereign gold necklaces had lost. Police and the dogs had come and the dog was jumping towards Salims Moms shoulders. Everybody had upset due to the seen made by the dog. Mom was fallen down with fear. Crowds were looking at her with suspect fully.

While I had heard the news, ran to her and how I could help her in this worst situation. I had no doubt in that matter, she fully innocent. I had approached the Police officer and said it was theft by me and not that poor lady. Everybody was looking at me, what a polish talking had this gentle man doing. Nobody had any doubt about me. But I had been convincing the Police officer that I could present the theft item soon. I didn’t know from where I got this inspiration to adopt this so fast. Police took at me to station and made necessary steps to get the theft item. How I could present it to them. They had made me heavy hurt and unconsciously I had fallen down.  After a while, Salim rushed the station and he also argued that the theft made by him himself. He had also got much as a part of police investigation.

Next day noon time, Salims Mom ran towards the Police station and shivery she said: “Got the lost Golden necklace from the brides hand bag.”

After released from there, Salims hand covered me and took up as a Victorian hero. His eyes had come full of tears with joy. He had praised me that the idea should not implement at that stage; Moms might be seen as a mad woman. Salims Mom was very happy to receive us and pat us.

“What do the attachments with Mom and the Police dog?” It was repeatedly had questioned in my mind.

“Dog had not failed. It does it correctly.”

“Why?”

“Do you know that naughty bride loves my Mom very much? She had put here necklace on Moms neck and she was dancing as Oppana. In this time, car has come and called her to go for taking new ornaments for wedding purpose from Coimbatore. The Ferryman had calling her for a long time to cross the river to the car. Suddenly she had disappeared from there and had gone to Coimbatore. She was staying there with her uncle and morning she had reached home and heard the news of necklace. Soon she was approaching Salims Mom and pardon for the trouble occurred from her end. Actually what do happen there? That noon Brides Mom had reached the room and saw the necklace cover had placed simply on the table, she made sound, and family members gathered and had to call the Police.”

After that incident our friendship has been wiring together a lot. That Building Owner was sending Salim to Dubai and he made a concrete steps together. Salims visions have been blessed through his Mom and Sister Suhra whose marriage had been a history to Thuruth farmers. And Salim also married from a reputed family from nearby place.  Salim’s wife Jasmine is an intimate friend of my wife Mary.  She has been selected Mary for me. Our marriage used to be arranged in the same day by Salim.

Then what is the actual problem from the side of Salim? I don’t have any idea about it. I called Mary to bedroom.

Mary does not know anything. I really approached my daughter who is playing with the dog.

Ranimols answer comes out soon. I have frightened the same.

“Salim Uncle is going to marry one other lady!”

Mary is being looking towards me.  No. He can not marry any other lady who he loved so much to Jasmine.

I ran directly to Salim and ask him I had been heard. He slipped me and keeps silent.

“Mom told me to have a child soon from my end. Doctors have advised me that she could not have birth to a baby. But Jasmines ambition is to have a baby from my own.”

Salim is being between in the devil and the sea. He advised me to make a solution for the same. Salims Mom is rounded me as a fly to do some suitable steps.

“Salim didn’t agree to tell you anything about this matter. That’s why we were keeping silent from you.  Tell me what I should be done for the same. He is very charm to Jasmine and she can’t live without him. One day I was telling to Mary, Ranimol was unfortunately heard that news and began to cry.”

“So far Mary didn’t tell to me and Ranimol gave me light to here.”

“Salim has ordered that this news never go ahead. Mary has promised me never to tell anybody.”

I approached Salim and close to tell: “Can we take a baby from outside?”

Salim spell out: “Jasmine will not allow taking baby from out side. She only needs from my blood itself”

“Then what we have to do? You have any idea?”

“An orphanage lady …..”

Suddenly Salims face has been fade out and the same time Moms face has become blossomed.

“Please agree my dearest Son. Mom has been fully blessed if you decide to select any lady from the same order. Please agree Salim.”

“What about Jasmine?”

“She does fully agree. She will be highly interested the same and she had told me.”

Salims eyes have become tears and go towards the window to look through. I closed to him and took the hand: “All are God’s gift. Better to go tomorrow morning itself. Our friend Mohammed Raffi has married a lady from the orphanage last year.  First of all we can go there and search a suitable lady for you. I hope definitely you can have a good lady from there”

Salim Mom is being coming to us: “We need only a poor lady and not want any dowry. We should have enough rich.”

“Then ok, I will be here in the morning.”

Salims Mom face has faded and brighten soon: “Not for tomorrow, you have to go now it and accompany Jasmine also.”

Salim is laughing loudly and looks at me. “What does hurry my dearest Mom?”

I am being closing my body to Salim with cheers.

HYGNES JOY PAVANA