Nurungukal...contd...

   Before taking leave I touched the feet of my mother to receive her blessings, because  I am supposed to take an important decision in my life. I was on my way to see a girl  who may be selected as my life partner. Although I had  made some mental preparation, an element of tension prevailed. My eldest brother was supposed to join me at Calicut. We had not informed the girl’s family about our visit.

      Mother’s trusted servant Chathu was ready early in the morning to carry my bag to the bus stand. Mother asked me to report the result at the earliest.

     In the train I met a few of the hawkers and physically challenged persons making their living as best as they can. A blind man singing some old Malayalam hit songs attracted my attention. He had lost his eye sight after an attack of small pox and its marks were still left on his face. He was an expert in beating two small wooden pieces holding them in between his fingers producing a typical sound which can pierce into the bottom of your heart. I have watched him growing in age ever since my college days, but after a few years during  the journey between Tirur and Kuttipuram , I used to eagerly train my ears to hear the beatings of the chips but in vain. Although many others had taken his roll failed to touch my feelings.

        I went straight to meet my brother who was waiting in the office of the Co op. Milk union at Palayam. As he was an officer in the co-op. Dept.he had maintained good liaison with Milk societies. More over the secretary of the society was his best friend, one Mr. Kidavu. On my arrival he made contacts with the brother of the girl and informed about our visit.It was a surprise to them, yet agreed to oblige. The photo was with me and I showed it to my brother. He just glanced at it and returned with a smile and I took it as a silent consent. He knew the family very well, especially her uncle who was an advocate and used to visit my uncle a senior lawyer in the Calicut bar. So he said the back ground is OK. And it was my consent that mattered. Such moments, to take delicate decisions  appear very rarely in our life. It tightened my nerves. As in many such situations my inner self started evaluating the issue ,and before long I was able to decide.....contd....

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