Malathi charitham (The history of Malathi) (Kalarikkal series - 2)

3. Meet again

"Malu, come here" Appukuttan said. The tall, thin girl with long plaits came into the verandah dressed in a paavada (long skirt) and long blouse. Malathi was taking a break from studying by building a diorama of a skyscraper from a book gifted by her father. She was in 12th and would soon be writing her board exams and entrance.

"What is it Appupa?" she asked.

"Come with me, we have to go to Aanjili house", said Appukuttan. Two years back, Appukuttan had bought the house which was at the end of his grove. If they cross through the grove behind their house, they could reach it faster than through the tarred road. The name of the house came from a magnificent Aanjili tree (Wild jackfruit) that was very close to the house. Malathi dutifully followed him, she knew that the new tenant had come to the house and Appukuttan wanted to see how he had settled. She only knew that he was an engineer in the State Electricity Board and they were working on a new substation a few kilometers away.

They reached the front of the house and Appukuttan knocked on the door it was opened by a handsome young man and Malathi's heart almost stopped; it was Vishnu. She took a deep breath and calmed herself. Vishnu gave both of them a cursory smile and invited them inside. The one bedroom house was almost bare, her grandfather had arranged for a cot, a table, and two chairs. Vishnu's books and clothes were still in the bags on the floor. He gave the only spare seat to Appukuttan to sit.

"I just came to see how you have settled. It's a small, old house, there are not many modern facilities", said Appukuttan.

"It's fine", replied Vishnu, his face had lost its boyish charm and was replaced with a dour expression that he tried very hard to mask.

"You are an engineer, right? My granddaughter Malu, Malathi, also wants to be one. If she has any doubts, please help her to resolve it", said Appukuttan.

Vishnu's eyes fluttered in the direction of the girl who was standing next to her grandfather. The girl was wiry, with straight dark hair and dark skin. But what caught his attention was her deep, piercing eyes which forced him to look into them, but he tore his eyes away from her.

"Of course", he replied, the insincerity only noticed by Malathi.

"Don't you get government quarters to live in, why are you staying here?" Appukuttan asked.

"I want to separate my work from my personal life", he replied simply.

"Oh", replied Appukuttan, he did not understand it but nodded his head. He was a farmer and his days were so centered around his work, he did not know how to separate it from his personal life.

"What did you learn to be an engineer in the Electricity Board?" Malathi asked.

"I studied Civil engineering and I am helping to build the substation nearby", he replied to her.

So he achieved his dream, but why isn't he looking happy? thought Malathi.

Appukuttan chatted with him for some time and then said goodbye to him and they both left.

A few weeks later, the entrance test for engineering was announced. Malathi's uncle had got her an application form and sent it to her by post. Her brother Karthikeyan was living with her uncle doing his schooling since it would have been difficult for Appukuttan and Thanka to manage two children at their home.

"Appupa, I don't know how to fill out this form, could you help me? What if I make a mistake?" Malathi asked Appukuttan.

Appukuttan looked over the form, his education until 6th standard was nowhere enough for filling it.

"Shall we ask Gangadharan master's help?" she asked him.

"Master is in hospital, he got admitted due to a leg injury", said Appukuttan. "Wait a minute, we can ask our tenant for help".