Sakhee..

01| Agastya

The fragrance of the petrichor embraced the region of Malenadu, as it welcomed the first rain of the year. The dry forests came back to life, their vibrant greens sparkling under the gentle raindrops. Shivamogga, the lovely gateway of Malenadu, shone with a special beauty.

The cheerful chirping of birds enveloped the air, singing glories to Devi Sarasvati, while the green trees obstructed the sun-rays, casting shadows on the ground appearing as if holding the goddess of beauty in captivity. Likewise one of the villages of this beautiful Shivamogga also welcomed another beautiful misty morning. It is Agumbe, a magnificent piece of land which is often called the "Cherrapunji of the south " fondly.

As the villagers began their day, they felt a sense of calm. For them, the real day starts only when Chinnappa, the shopkeeper, plays the peaceful "Gayatri Mantra" from his loudspeaker. Its soothing melody floats through Agumbe, waking hearts and bringing everyone together.

Dressed neatly in a brown shirt and blue bell-bottom pants, Chinnappa arrived at his beloved shop, "Shri Siddivinayaka Stationery." He parked his bicycle with care and, with a heart full of gratitude, performed the shirasashtanga namaskara-a traditional bow that honored not just his shop, but the dreams it supported. This very shop was the sole lifeline for his family. It was the only place where every cassette and stationary were available around the 12 villages around. By this, Chinnappa was well known for everybody of the village.

He then opened his shop and firstly lighted few incense sticks infront of the framed photo of Lakshmi, Sarasvati and Ganesha after tugging a strand of jasmine flowers on two small nails situated at either side of the photo. He played the regular cassette that housed many melodious mantras starting with Gayatri mantra. His profound devotion towards the almighty was rooted inside the hearts of Agumbe's citizens through his cassette too.

"Om bhur Bhuva svaha" the melodious voice of the singer floated around Agumbe spreading peace.

Neelambari smiled as soon as the music caressed her ears. She paused her work if chopping the wood for a while and placed the sharp sickle down to greet the divine aura by joining her hands in namaste.

She then rolled her eyes towards her son Agastya, who sat on the steps on their house entrance and carefully seperate the tamarind pulp from the seeds by gently tapping the rice fruit by small hammer.

" Hey Jagannatha, shower happiness on my son forever" She prayed silently.

Their house was situated at the extreme corner of the street, which was almost overshadowed by the much bigger house next to them. It belonged to Venkatapathi, elder brother of Late Shivaram.

Twenty one years ago, Shivaram worked as a police constable in Bengaluru and lived there with his wife Neelambari away from his ancestral village Agumbe. In his brother's absence the property gradually came under the control of Venkatapathi, who is the headmaster of village highschool. By the play of destiny Shivaram lost his life while working with his team to control a angry mob in Bengaluru leaving behind his wife and new born son.

Left with no idea about future, Neelambari arrived at Agumbe carrying her infant Agastya expecting a helping hand from Venkatapathi. Considering his love for his late brother, he allowed them to occupy the small house next to his renovated big one. Neelambari did not protested for the rights instead she occupied the house turning on the peace back to her life.

Venkatapathi stood watching the present scenario of Neelambari's house while chewing the neem twig to clean his teeth. The old mother who's hand shivers now and then to hold the sickle is chopping the wood, while the young and handsome son struggles to crush a mere tamarind with small hammer. He was amused.

" What sort of useless creature you are feeding Neela? Look at you, you can barely lift the sickle. Do you really need this useless son in life?" He taunted directly.

Venkatapathi's words pierced straight into Agastya's heart. Though it was a routine taunt, it hurted him everytime. He moved his beautiful life less eyes, which didn't not supported him to see the beautiful nature and sighed. His youthfulness and strength in his arms were restricted from flowing out by this blindness by birth.

" Bhavaji, please. Do not use your harsh words everytime" Neelambari retreated his words defending her son.

Venkatapathi payed no heed to her words.

" What's wrong in my words? Which idiot would marry him to say you will be relieved after the arrival of daughter in law? You should die serving him and he will die without out you " He continued.

Agastya's eyes filled now as he sensed Venkatapathi reducing him to an useless entity that works only if Neelambari assists. And it was even true to some extent.

Venkatapathi continued to converse with Agastya directly.

" Aye Agastya, get up " he said strictly.

Agastya, obeying his words as his mother taught him childhood stood up after grabbing his stick.

" Go to Chinnappa's shop and fetch today's newspaper, English newspaper okay? Make sure it's English only he might cheat you because of your blind eyes. Go " He ordered tossing a coin on twenty five paisa towards him.

Sarasvati's anger for her husband's actions halted in her throat itself having no courage to speak up whereas Neelambari stood helpless.

Agastya only heard the sound caused by the coin by crashing with the cemented floor where he stood. He gently kneeled down and ran his palm over the coarse flooring in order to get hold of the coin.

" Anna! " Jayanti, Venkatapathi's younger daughter crossed the compound that seperated both houses and hurried towards Agastya.

She held his hands and grabbed the coin from the ground.

" I will fetch it for him. You don't go" She said caressing his hands.

Agastya smiled and reached her shoulder. He gently patted her head and cupped her cheek affectionately.

" You will be late for school then. I shall bring the newspaper and also latest comic in Chinnappa's shop for you. Okay?" He grinned.

" No need, Appa scolded you again. Don't get anything for us " Jayanti was clearly ashamed of her father's words.

" He is my uncle. His words won't hurt me Jayu" he pulled her cheek and took the coin from her palm.

" Amma, I will be back soon " He informed Neelambari.

" Ha" Neelambari replied curtly and rushed inside to get his bag.

She quickly grabbed a cloth bag and filled it with a new tape recorder she brought for him on his previous birthday and handed it to Agastya.

That tape recorder was the only companion of Agastya.

Agastya took leave from his mother and cousin sister, and went out the house tapping his stick around inorder to detect any obstacles in his way.

Venkatapathi's words haunted him yet. He just walked heedlessly, ignoring the surroundings too. He didn't even realised that he arrived at Shri Siddhivinayka Stationary of Chinnappa.

" Agastya!" The friendly voice of Chinnappa brought him back to senses.

He himself stepped out and led Agastya to his shop as he was the regular customer of his cassette business.

Agastya smiled concealing his thoughts inside himself once again.

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Vatsu❤❤❤