Nurungukal....contd...

    She was living in a dilapidated hut near to my quarters. But our first meeting was when I was on duty. As I was issuing tickets one day I heard a giggle from behind. She was there in a red pavadai smiling at me. She was beautiful,sprightly with curly hair, a little dark in colour. She remained there for a while looking fascinatingly the way I was punching the tickets and then vanished. I was curious and soon collected details about her. She was my neighbour. Deserted by her parents she lived with her grandmother who was a widow. The old lady found a living by selling mainly ground nuts, vegetables etc. From morning to late evening.She would sit under the shadow of a Neem tree, near to the station selling her merchandise. Many purchased her goods out of sympathy or considering her fight against destiny. I have seen many others of similar fate in the streets crying for alms. The girl’s name was Kanmani. She will be around this old woman,either playing or slumbering under the shadow, enjoying a cool breeze. There was no question of her attending an school as there was none nearby.

  As the old woman was not having any teeth she used to pound the tobacco in a small oral of the size of a small udukku before chewing. The movement of her lips going up and down on a wrinkled face was incessant and stops only while eating or drinking. The food she and her granddaughter  shared was a preparation of ragi known as kuzhu  in that area. After the lunch both enjoyed a siesta huddling together. A scene which can be depicted as a symbol of caring each other.

   I made friendship with this pair. Once in a way purchased a few items from them. Got in conversation with Kanmani. She was intelligent and gave her some books or presents. Some times Mamy would open her heart and one or two drops of tears would roll down through the wrinkles. Immediately she would get composed as if one should not be succumbed to fate. She lost her sun in a liquor tragedy and his wife put an end to her life out of desperation. She used to tell me both incidents were actions against nature. She believed in an invincible power and not in blind worship.

    I do not know where Kanmani is now. But in me a picture still persists, a giggling  girl leaning on the Neem tree with her hands behind showing her little teeth. She was just six years at that time.....contd