Nurungukal...contd....

                                On 14^th March 1951 my sister delivered a male child, in our house in Ponani. From morning onwards a sort of tension prevailed and we guessed the reason. The midwife was summoned and two of mother’s trusted servants, Devaki and Kunhamma were already there to assist the midwife. Both of them were experienced hands and were capable of handling any emergency. One of the rooms on the ground floor {theke ara } was converted into a labour room. As usual father remained in his easy chair with out much anxiety. We were asked to take care of ourselves until required.  We were often disturbed by the screams and subdued talks from the room. At that point of time we never knew the pain and agony of an emerging new life on earth . All other activity in the house was kept in abeyance, even serving of food. Once or twice mother came out and made prayers before the God and made some offerings. She was not the one we used to know. She was subdued and  choked. The whole house was in the grip of anxiety. Yet we were joyfully waiting for the first out burst announcing the birth. Yes it was the first call that we heard no doubt from the room followed by a laughter from our mother. First Devaki came out and announced that it was a male child, healthy and fair. Father received it with a sigh and we hugged each other in extreme joy. Then came mother sweating and struggling to contain her joy for a moment then all on a sudden bursting into a loud laughter with a satisfaction of a successful mission. It took another hour or so to take a look at the new born. It was a new experience and excitement .  It took many more days to allow us to touch him . Then as days passed we watched in wonder every milestones he covered as a normal baby, boy , man and now an old young man .!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!