Nurungukal...contd...

      When we reached Anoth Hall in a vehicle provided by the milk society, there were already one or two cars. I do not remember their make, but one was definitely a FIAT. There was no trace of KLD 4400 there. But the old driver was standing near the shed like a squirrel which had slipped the mango from the hand. He gave me a smile which was more like a blessing. We climbed the steps and entered the compound. On our left a small white dog with satin white fur was announcing our intrusion at the top of its voice and going round and round in its shelter. It was a beautiful animal receiving the loving attention of its master. We had one in Ponani which had no pedigree to claim, when I was a boy. It was black in colour and very ferocious. But one day it disappeared and never came back. Near to the dog room there was an empty cow shed. A tall coconut tree stood towering in the middle and on the other side a mango tree with wide canopy.

      Two gentle men lead us to a side room, which I think was an addition made for a definite purpose. There were one or two glassed wooden shelves in which old law journals were stacked neatly. As usual the books were leather bound and etched with golden letters. They seemed to be remaining in the chests for the last many years, may be since the lawyer uncle withdrew from practising. My attention was drawn to a pair of ivory tusks, skins of ferocious tiger and leopard,a mountain squirrel and a big skull of a dear with its long and branched horns. All these denoted the legacy of the family. In olden days those were supposed to be the trophies claimed by hunters as their marks of adventures.

   Only men were present in the room. We were mutually introduced. My brother asked about her eldest brother as he was not in the crowd. He had left for a sojourn with his wife and I presumed that would have been the reason for the absence of KLD 4400!!. A tall and fair gentle man, introduced as an ex. civilian officer was keeping me engaged on service matters.  Her brothers-in –law comparatively spoke less. One of her brothers was moving around restlessly and I could guess the reason. The tea and snacks came. We almost finished them, yet there was no sign of the girl. My brother who was by nature impatient on such issues pressed diligently to usher the interview. The room was cut off from any sign of the activities going out side. I went to the extend of thinking that perhaps that was their way for saying no. The cloud was cleared when the brother announced that the girl is ready for audience. We were lead to another room. Her eldest brother-in-law accompanied us.

   I was slowly unfolding my mind to manage the event. The room was another place of revealing their proud background. On the walls there were the paintings of a gracious lady, and two gentle men . We were told who they were and also whose work it was. In one corner an office table untouched for years remained as a souvenir of the person who was using it.

      Then slowly they moved into the room like a flock of hesitant birds and positioned behind a table. I was sitting on a canopied coach which was a solid piece of art.  She was diligently dressed, so was her mother and sister. She was sandwiched between them and it looked as if a morning dew was resting delicately on two petals of rose.My mental preparations were of no use but the silence was vociferous. Our eyes spoke and then the future flowed into our life unknowingly offering many moments of ecstasies.......contd