The Recognition
Sister Carmel got down from the car in front of the Care Home. She found Sister Norin in conversation with two lady constables. One of the two was black and the other white. The black woman was scrutinizing everyone present. Her black hair had been twisted like rope. Sister Carmel was not at all perplexed. Fatima explained to her the purpose of their visit.
“A Muslim girl, born and brought up in London, has some connection with a terrorist group in Arabia. They are looking for her. They entered the Home and examined everywhere.”
The Sister said “We do not give shelter to criminals and traitors. The inmates of this home are women who pledge in the name of God and lead a pure life. They are all transformed people. We give them care, support, prayer, meditation and sacrifice so that they do not fall back into the wrong path.”
Sister Norin added. “There is no one of the type for whom you search. You have to believe us.”
The black police lady talked with somebody on the phone. “Here they give shelter to prostitutes picked up from the streets. They do not allow anyone to behave like stray dogs. The mad dogs should be shot to death…”
The police constables who had gone in search of the lost girl came back disappointed. They left after apologizing to the two sisters.
Sister Carmel said. “There is peace in the cities where the children of God, the wise and learned people live. God’s eyes are always on the just and pure. If people give up hatred and enmity, they will be able to find peace.”
They went to Sister Carmel’s room and began to talk about Jessica in detail.
“We should go forward to help Jessica. We cannot avoid that. Women are being tortured in so many countries. We should establish sister institutions of the Care Home to whichever country we happen to go. Women should not be allowed to live in sin.” “I will get the Holy Father’s permission from Rome today itself. You may proceed boldly, Sister!”
Sister Norin said.
“Jessica had a change of heart. She chose the path of goodness. She wishes to do as much good as she can to make amends for the wrongs she had done. Then only she can die peacefully. Even the rulers there are afraid of her.”
“If she opens her heart and reveals the secrets, many eminent persons will lose their status and positions. That is a favourable situation for us.” Sister Carmel said.
“The matter of the care home should be included in the agenda of the directors meeting of next month. In the countries where the number of prostitutes increase our care home is indispensable.”
Sister Carmel agreed to what Sister Norin said. She enquired: “Sister, what about the two sisters we asked for? Will we get them?
“Sister, you know my relation with the Holy Father. He will never reject my request. He told me over the phone that the search for two good sisters has already commenced. Let us pray for that.”
Then Fatima rushed in with a hot piece of news.
“Sister, Police has arrested a Pakistani girl who is related to the Arabian terrorist group. The news was shown in the TV. She was arrested in front of a mosque in East London. She was not alone. There was a woman from Somalia too”.
This statement relaxed both the sisters. This was Sister Carmel’s response. “If man commits even an atom of evil, God will find it out. Isn’t that clear now? Fatima, you have to help us to prepare some papers for the next meeting.” All three of them soon got engrossed in papers and reports.
The season changed. Rain, snow and flowers began to fall down everywhere in Britain. Then New Year came. In Mexico and Brazil Care Homes were opened under the leadership of Jessica. Sister Norin, Sister Carmel and the Bishops of both countries participated in both the inaugural functions.
Two nuns who had attained high degrees in the field of Medical service were given the charge of the two institutions. There were also prostitutes who had lost the attire of a nun. The stories of their molestation had begun from nunneries themselves. Even those in power were surprised to see the skill and efficiency that Jessica displayed in her charity works. They could not believe that this woman who had procured beautiful women to them earlier had now started virtuous and charitable activities. Did Jesus Christ appear before her? It was the doubt of some people. Sister Norin and Sister Carmel frequently visited the two new Care Homes and evaluated their activities.
All preparations had been made for Sister Carmel’s visit to India. Her heart was throbbing with the eagerness to see her brother and her country. A nun arrived in the London Care Home replacing Sister Carmel. She would be there till Carmel would return. That was a great relief to old Sister Norin.
This was the first Indian journey of Sister Carmel in the last forty-five years. She would be able to meet her brother for the first time and also to talk with him. When she went to Bahrain some years ago she had drink the holy water ‘Sum-sum’. During this Indian journey she wished to drunk the holy water of Ganga. Both these waters can be kept pure for a long time. The water of the Ganga flows down from the great Himalayas. Fifty years is a long period. By this time villages might have grown into towns and towns into cities. Visiting her father’s tomb and praying there for the peace of his soul had been Sister Carmel’s fond wish.
When Sister Carmel was about to leave for the Heathrow airport, Jessica’s phone came. The sister told her about her imminent journey and gave her the encouragement to move forward successfully. Jessica expressed her desire to see the beautiful state of Kerala and India. She too intended to visit India before the sister’s return. Sister Carmel was very happy to hear that. She welcomed Jessica to ‘Gods own country’ Jessica said that she wanted to see Calcutta, the first capital of British India and also to visit the charity home and hospital of Mother Theresa. Sister Carmel answered her that she had to wait till the sister herself visited these places.
Before leaving the Care Home, Sister Carmel said good bye to the inmates and waved her hand with love. She hugged and kissed sister Norin. Merlin and Fatima accompanied her to the airport. When they embraced and said good-bye to her both the girls were very much dejected. They had to wait for months to see the Sister again. They waited there till she disappeared from sight. Both of them felt that they had lost something very precious. They remembered how many women had been lifted up from the gutter and brought to the Care Home by Sister Carmel! She had cared for them and looked after them as carefully and as lovingly as she would have treated little homeless children in an orphanage. How many people in this world are willing to dedicate their life for the helpless, like Sister Carmel?
The plane flew below the Milky Way. It danced in the light.
Look! It reached the Trivandrum airport. Sister Carmel looked out with glittering eyes. How beautiful her birth place is! Sweet and beloved mother land!
Sister Carmel alighted from the plane. She stepped into God’s own Land’ with a smile. Changes were visible everywhere. She underwent the usual examinations and came out with her luggage.
In the lobby she looked around with happy tears in her eyes. Is Koshy here? She asked herself and searched in the crowd of relatives eagerly waiting for the arrival of their dear and near ones. Soon her eyes caught hold of a pair of eyes staring at her. Yes, that is Koshy! Blood had recognized blood! Yes, that is my brother Koshy! The sweet girl who stands beside him is Sharon. Yes, I know her name!
‘Yes. They are waving their hands. They have recognized me. The holy attire is a mark that distinguishes us. Even though there are many temptations in this field too I have never fallen a prey to them. I have lived as the bridge of Christ, overcoming all vices and enticements. Now I have come back to my mother land.’
Sister Carmel’s heart was filled with self-satisfaction and also with the warmth of love. Her journey had become fruitful.
Look! Koshy is also coming forward. A call mingled with brotherly affection and anguish reached her. ‘Pengale…’
His lips were trembling. There were tears in the eyes of both siblings.
Koshy! Sister Carmel returned the call.
Forgetting the place and people around them they embraced each other. The depth of their relationship and affection for each other was apparent.
The Sister walked forward and hugged Sharon. She kissed her on the forehead and held her hands.
‘Pengale….. Pengale….. I am happy. ‘I am very happy’ Tears began to flow down his cheeks. Seeing that the Sister reproached him
“Koshy, Koshy, What is this?”
She knew that it was the tears of joy. Her eyes were also full. Sharon was seeing her Pappa crying for the first time. How long have they hidden the secret of their relationship and kept quiet! Those tears are full of love and purity. There is peace and happiness only where there is love. Let them be happy for the rest of their lives!
“Sharon, do you know me, dear one?
Sister Carmel asked with tenderness. The reply came very soon.
“Yes… I know… I know Aunty!
It was the esteemed Sister Carmel of the Christian church who was shocked this time. She stared pitiably at Koshy.
Koshy closed his eyes as if meditating and bent his head. The meaning of that gesture was ‘Yes’. “Yes Pengale! My daughter knows that secret. Aleyamma, my wife, also knows it. When I heard that you are coming to see us, I forgot everything…. Even my promise to my father…. I was so happy that I wanted to share my joy. So I could not hide that secret.
No, No…. It is not a disgrace….. It is only my delight… my pride… You are my own blood. How can I hide it Pengale….”
Koshy held Sharon close to him and said. “This girl was the happiest on hearing the truth.”
Koshy looked at Sister Carmel’s face with great elation and continued.
“I am very proud, Pengale. I am proud and happy to declare that you are my sister. You, who have a very eminent position in the world church congress. You who are the savior of sinners, you, Sister Carmel, are my own sister!
Koshy’s eyes overflowed once again. The Sister hugged Sharon and said.
“Daughter, sister aunty is happy… satisfied…”
The tears that she had held back till now rushed out. Sister Carmel burst into tears. Then she controlled herself and took Sharon’s hands and said.
“My sweet girl! God! Oh God… God heard my prayer… He has shown me Jacky because of whom I could find you out. Whose features has she inherited, Koshy?”
“She has the features of Aleyamma.”
“I am eager to see her too. Come… Let us go… quickly. Please bring the car.”
All three of them walked quickly to the car park, like a puzzle, not properly explained.
The car entered the huge compound of Kottaram house.
At the entrance Aleyamma stood with a smile and the humility of an ordinary housewife. She was actually a high government official. Santha, the maid stood behind the door.
Sister Carmel and Aleyamma stood face to face for a few minutes as if tongue tied. Then the Sister called. “Aleyamma…”
They hugged each other and stood for minutes like that. Then they walked into the house, hand in hand. Sharon followed them with the Sister’s luggage.
Sister Carmel stood in front of her father’s photograph hung on the wall of the main room. She was talking to him silently with tear-filled eyes. Koshy regretted that he had concealed their relationship form everybody till now. It was to keep the word he had given to his father. Now he felt like shouting to the whole world that Sister Carmel was his sister.
Sharon led the sister to her room. Aleyamma brought coffee and said. “Please drink the coffee and take bath. I will arrange the breakfast on the table by that time.”
The other members of the family were waiting for the Sister at the dining table when she came. Putt and Pappad, Dosa and chutney etc. were served. Sister Carmel had a hearty breakfast.
They could hear people shouting slogans in the street outside. The Sister looked questioningly at Koshy. The slogans were like this.
“Arrest the murderers of Nisha! The Police should keep justice! Arrest the minister’s son!”
The procession had started form Thamarakulam. It was proceeding to Charummoodu. A middle aged couple broke from the procession and came to the Kottaram house. The dog Kittu barked at them.
The couple stood before Koshy with hands held together in supplication. They requested.
“Sir, please help us. The criminals who had raped and killed our daughter have not been arrested till now.”
Nisha’s mother cried.
“We are poor people. We know that this family always protects the poor. Please help us. The criminals should be punished.”
Sharon explained the details of the case to her sister Aunty. Nisha was a teenager studying in the twelfth class. Her parents had gone out to work. She was sitting alone in the house studying. Then some cruel men entered the house raped her and killed her.
Sister Carmel could not believe her ears. She had never before heard such an incident reported in any country. Such in-human actions take place only in a country where democracy and justice are mercilessly slaughtered. She had heard that her brother used to argue cases in favour of poor people. Sharon and Aleyamma watched the scene sadly.
The Sister commented. “What a cruelty! How do the people here tolerate this?”
Advocate Koshy answered quickly.
“I will plead this case. You need not worry.” The pale eyes of the parents of the girl became bright once again.
(Cont’d)
