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

5. Again

In a month's time, Vishnu returned back to the reconstructed Aanjili house. Though many had said to him not to, he replied that since the only tree that could fall on the house had already fallen, he could sleep there without any fear.

Time went by slowly and in Malathi's third year, Vishnu had some work in the government department in Thiruvananthapuram. When he informed Appukuttan that he will give the keys to him for two days, Appukuttan and Thanka asked him to take some pickles and snacks for her.

Vishnu went to his old college, the memories of his happy years refreshed in his mind. It was a Saturday and there was no class and so he went to the Ladies hostel and requested to meet Malathi. There were a lot of girls in the foyer and Vishnu realized that he had completely forgotten how girls behaved. They were loud and cheerful, and talking over each other. He fondly remembered his own friends who were like that, then Malathi entered the foyer and he realized that, she wasn't normal. She came dressed in a salwar kameez, a dressing style he had never seen on her. And she looked serene and mature, a surprised smile was on her face, a rare smile he had ever seen. In the sea of hyperactive girls, she looked like a ship firmly anchored, swaying to the waves, but holding its place gracefully.

"Vishnuetta, I did not expect to see you here", she said to him.

Her calling him Vishnuetta pleasantly surprised him and he wanted her to call his name again. He took a second to answer, "Your grandparents sent you this, why don't you keep this in your room and come back".

She nodded and took it and went to her room. Vishnu understood why she called him Vishnuetta, it will look odd if she addressed him as sir or by his name in front of the staff and other students, besides he had already told her not to call him sir. But it somehow still made him happy.

When she came back he asked, "Your semester exams are round the corner?"

"Yes, I was revising for it", she replied.

"Would you like to take a break and go out?" he asked her.

"Where to?" she asked.

"Have you seen Shankumugham beach?" he asked her.

"No, I haven't! My friends always plan a trip to there but on those days I will be either going home or going to my uncle's home" she replied.

"So lets go then" he replied.

They took permission from the hostel and left. The ride across the city in a bus on a Saturday morning was fun. Vishnu pointed out the spots that he frequented as a student while she did the same. He liked sitting besides her and listening to her talk, since he wasn't used to her talking much. After taking two buses, they finally reached the beach. The yellow sands looked inviting and there were a few families on outings around the beach. The buildings built by the erstwhile kings of Travancore spotted the place. He showed her the airport right next to the beach, the well and the Kalmandapam (pillared granite structures with roof to shield from heat) and they came to stop in front of the statue of Jalakanyaka (mermaid). It was a large statue of a nude, sunbathing mermaid who was lying on a seashell. Vishnu felt embarrassed, he had completely forgotten how sensual the statue was, his own classmates were giggling and commenting on it when they came to the beach several years ago.

"I have never seen a more beautiful statue" said Malathi, she was taking in its form. She wasn't laughing or giggling, but her eyes were marveling at the figure in front.

"She is beautiful" said Vishnu.

They walked to the beach and looked at the waves for a few minutes and then went and sat in the Kalmandapam. They chatted for sometime about his job and her studies and future prospects.