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

4. The storm

Vishnu did not see her for the next few days and thought that even she would be avoiding him after what was said. One morning as he was washing off the dishes after breakfast, he saw her through the kitchen window, walking across the grove. He abandoned the washing, wiped his hands, and ran out.

"Malathi", he called her, but she did not stop. He ran and caught her arm and let go immediately. Looking at the stunned expression of the girl, he said, "I am sorry for surprising you. But I called your name".

She stood in silence and her piercing look blanked his mind. He looked around the grove, at the rain-soaked trees and bushes that glistened in the early morning sunlight, collecting his thoughts, he finally asked, "You heard what I said to Siddharth that day?"

"Yes", she replied.

"I am sorry for saying that. I now realize that I come across as a judgemental person, which is true. I did judge you based on everything except your abilities and I am extremely sorry for doing that" he said.

She nodded in reply.

"Could you please forgive me?" he asked her.

She nodded her head again.

"Then will you accept the gift I got for you?" he asked again.

She nodded her head again.

Vishnu smiled and said, "Then wait for a minute I will get it" and he ran back to his house to get the packet and gave it to her. "Do you have enough dresses for college? Other students will judge you for the clothes you wear". His own sister was made fun of by her classmates for the conservative clothes she wore to college.

"Yes, I have. My father got me new ones from Pune and so did my uncle and aunt", she replied.

"Good. When will you leave for college?" he asked her.

"Next week", she replied.

"All the best then", he said to her. That was the last time they met before she left for college.

They saw each other rarely for the next two years. She came on some weekends to home and on long leaves, the times that he himself left for his home. One summer, during her second year in college, Appukuttan had gone to his son's house and only Thanka and Malathi were home. A warning for a massive thunderstorm was issued by the meteorological department through the radio. Malathi, who was scared of thunder went to sleep in her grandparents' room. While Vishnu who had a bike had narrowly escaped getting drenched in the rain. It was nearly 11 o'clock at night when another round of thunderstorms began and it was worse than the previous one. Trees were swaying like grass in the wind, rain was seeping into houses from whichever direction possible. Electricity was already gone and they had lighted candles, the flames of which were dancing all around. A loud thunder struck close to Thoppil house.

"Ammumme..." Malathi whimpered uncharacteristically, as she clutched Thanka's hand in fear.

"Do not be afraid, dear. It will pass", said Thanka gently patting the top of Malathi's head. The sudden claps of thunder and the wailing winds scared Malathi enough to press her hands over her ears and shut her eyes tightly. Suddenly in the howling wind, they heard a crack from a distance, it wasn't the sound of thunder, but rather of wood cracking.

"What is it", Thanka asked in alarm. They both got out of bed and opened the door and peeped out.

Malathi traced the skyline and in shock pointed in the direction of Aanjili house, "Ammumma, that aanjili tree is not there!"

Thanka looked in shock in the direction, that majestic tree that pushed against the sky more than any other in the vicinity was gone. "If it had fallen, it could only fall on the house. What to do Malathi?", said Thanka with fear.