Nurungukal…2..contd..

When the telephone ring awoke me at 2am today, several thoughts passed through me, as usual. The voice on the other side had a shiver, which intensified my apprehension all the more. It was sad and cracking, and conveyed the message that my sister-in-law Padminieduthy is no more. I gasped and ventured to get in the details. It took me a little more time than usual to become normal.

  She had stepped into our family first time as a sprightly young teenager, as result of my sister marrying her uncle. Then as a bride to my elder brother and later on as a scholarly sanskrit teacher and mentor.

   Children of both our families had enjoyed many a vacation exchanging our visits, frolicking in the village arena, either swinging on a rope sling, licking mangoes or a swimming competition in a pond etc. etc. And as time passed she proved her supremacy in competitions like andakshini, akshara slokams , among us. When ever we met during family get together it was laughter and fun.

  Today we have lost a link connecting a glorious past and in me she will remain always as a beacon, rendering a bunch of rays , leading and blessing………