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

6. Falling

A year had passed since Vishnu had left Prayikkal village. Malathi got a job in the Public Works Department (PWD) and was posted in Idukki high range (Western Ghats) where she was supposed to supervise the building of a new road. Staying in the PWD guest house on a mountain was a new experience for her. Though she felt lonely in the guest house, the surroundings were beautiful. Large stretches of granite mountains and lush forests were all around her. Thin roads winded around rich mountains and there was a settlement uphill to the guest house near which the road was being built. One day, Lalu, the PWD driver, was dropping her at the guest house. On the porch was another jeep and leaning against it smoking a cigarette was; Vishnu. He hadn't even bothered to see who had come and was too lost in his thoughts. His appearance there was surprising and she had to pacify her thudding heart and then approach him.

"Vishnuetta, what are you doing here?" she asked him.

Hearing his name he turned around and was baffled to see Malathi. She was standing in front of him, wearing a beautiful saree, a handbag slung over her shoulder and a few files in her hand. She looked pretty and was taller than he could remember, her cheeks and bosom had filled out and she had the curves that he had to stop himself from admiring.

"Malathi, what are you doing here?" he asked.

"I work in the PWD now, there is road construction going on nearby. But why are you here?", she asked.

"I decided to take a break before resigning from the board. I wanted to roam around in the mountains here for a few days. Sorry, I smoke. I hope it is not bothering you", he said.

"I know you smoke, I have seen cigarette butts in your kitchen when I went there once. But why are you resigning" she asked.

"My family wants me to join the business", he replied.

"Come, let's go inside and talk, the caretaker Shivanandan chettan must have made tea", she said.

"Lead the way", he said stomping the cigarette out. He took the opportunity of walking behind her to admire her figure until Aniruddhan came around. He was looking at Vishnu with a curious though naughty expression, and that was when Vishnu realized how perverted his own behaviour was.

"You remember Aniruddhan chettan?" asked Vishnu.

"I only met him once, but I do remember", she said pleasantly.

"Oh you are the one who saved Vishnukunju", said Aniruddhan and he gave a warning look to Vishnu to not be disrespectful.

While they were having tea, they talked about her job and how everyone was at home. Kartikeyan had come to live with Appukuttan and Thanka since she got the job. He was going to her school and was doing well in his class. After talking Vishnu went to the room assigned to him, it was on the opposite side of the dining room from hers. He came out with a rifle.

"I am going hunting," he said to her.

"But isn't it dangerous to go into the forest at night?" she asked.

"I am used to it", he said and he and Aniruddhan left in the jeep. Malathi went to her room and had a shower and settled down to read. Close to dinner time, they came back with some wild rabbits. She could hear them working loudly in the kitchen with Shivanandan to prepare the rabbits and they were drinking alcohol. When they finished preparing, they made a bonfire in the front yard where they roasted the rabbits. She quietly had her dinner and went to her room as she did not want to ruin their vibe, but Vishnu's mind was with the girl who was in the room and he could not wait to see her again.

****

The shot rang like an explosion in the concrete building, Malathi jumped out of her bed wrapped in a shawl and ran out of the room. It was close to midnight, but Aniruddhan and Sivanandan were standing outside Vishnu's room.