Amazon Best Selling Novel “Malabar A Flame” in Lima World Library
18. The love birds
Entering the room Sara saw Rajasekharan sitting across
her father on the sofa. She was a little shaken but regained
her composure and asked him sweetly, “Welcome doctor
to our humble home!”. He also smiled at her while rising in
respect of Mary.
Antony, with the signs of aging in his face, wore spectacles
over a thick moustache sprinkled with white strands thrown
here and there. Smiling, he introduced the visitor to Mary,
“Dr. Rajan works in the hospital along with Sara!”
“Not seen, but heard from Sara that a Malayali was there”,
Mary said smilingly.
“Rajan came not only to introduce himself but seeking a
relationship, ’’Antony added.
Sara’s mind was in a frenzy. She did not expect him to
be in their midst so soon. Sara whispered to Mary. She did
not like to stay back but wanted to go to her room. Mary
pulled her back. “Stray here, is this how you treat a guest? Sit,
mole’’he said.
Antony also felt so. She willy-nilly sat there face down.
Rajan tried to gauge how she felt. If she is still opposed to the
idea, there is no point in pursuing. He should leave. “Please
be seated. Since coming here if you go without a tea we willbe feel uneasy,” Antony intervened. Mary went to the kitchen
to prepare tea.
Rajan was confused. Should not have rushed to her house.
He wanted to apologize and go. Sara was equally confused.
Why is he so impatient?. Should not rush these things. It
should have its own logical course. She needs time to think
and make an assessment of him.
Mary returned with tea and snacks.
Antony asked:` No tea for you?”
“We had tea at Aiysha’s. She is a friend of ours, “ Mary
said partly in reply and partly to Rajan. “
She then tuned to Rajan. “Where are you from in Kerala?”
“Chunakkara, Near Mavelikara.’’
Mary was pleased. “I come from Kattanam, somewhere
around. Parents are still there”.
“I was born and brought up in Singapore. Came here to
study medicine. Then got a job.. Father died last year. Amma
has retired as a college teacher. As father is no more, amma
returned to our native place. Lone sister is at our place.
Married, with a child.’’.
“You also want to return to your home country?” Mary
asked.
“Not immediately. For the time being, I love to be here.
A number of my Singapore buddies are here. But mummy
wants me to go back, to be with her. In fact there is a cold war
between us, “ he explained.
“What happened to you mole. You haven’t spoken a word
to the visitor,” Antony looked at Sara..
“That is probably because we are sitting here. They might
better get some privacy, “ said Mary by taking Antony along
with her to their anteroom.
“In hospital also she is not used to much talk. I find her
reading some book,” Rajan said while Sara sat coyly. “Books
are her friends, “ Antony endorsed while withdrawing from
there.
Rajan watched her eyes. She is more beautiful now than
ever before. Best in her casual wear.But she is glum and
unwilling to talk, it seems. I have told her parents what I like.
Let them take their own time to decide.
Rajan got up to go. She could not say a word. Instead
she simply said “Thanks’ and rushed to her room. “Was it a
goodbye and come again” sign or a “good bye for ever”? he
had no idea.
If it were in Singapore, he could have gone to the Hindu
temple in Little India and offered a ‘Thulabharaom’ of
himself to propitiate her. If he was back in Kerala, he would
rather go to a church and light candles. Which ever church
she prefers. But he did not know.
He was furiously driving back to his hospital. A car
horned from behind. He swerved from the high speed to
the low speed. Hurling abuses the rear ones sped away like
lightning. Rajan tried to look back if he had taken any wrong
steps. Should not he have given Sara ample time to make an
assessment of him as a gentle colleague or a rational human being. Time is a great healer. If she had some prejudice, let
time takeover to heal the would. Better not to put his case
into an emergency ICU or a ventilator.
He was little distraught too. Was she not one of the so
called most eligible bachelor on earth? He had the same roots
in her place of birth, in Kerala. In SDouth India. Brought up
in the same eastern culture. Tried to imbibe the best of both
eastern and western cultures. And shedid not understand
him. Not a word in empathy? He felt angry. Swerved car back
to the fast lane.
After bath Sara stood facing the mirror combing the
hair. She did not feel any bit of a remorse. But he could have
been sincere in calling on her parents as she told him during
the last encounter in her hospital room? Or more tactical
in soliciting at a steady pace. What is the hurry? I am not a
person torn between two equal suitors. No one has attracted
me so much to find a place in my secret chamber of mind. He
was curious what her app thought of the matter. Heard they
were having a debate on the pros and cons of the proposal.
Suddenly the reverie was broken by the ring of the phone.
Antony picked it up. “Oh, what? An accident. Is he okay” he
asked. Dr. Rajan’s car with an accident while he was driving
back, he told Mary.
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