One by seven series _ THE FALL

Another summer vacation comes by. The cousins are together once again in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Grandma is busy making muruku, cookies again. Mom and aunties are fully time busy in kitchen, feeding the always hungry seven kids, and a houseful of 23-people. The house is full of chaos, all the elders have drained out of their energy, but the seven will always be in high spirits, Turning the already upside down home to another realm.

THE SEVEN

Playing hide and seek inside the home, hitting and shouting at each other, the elders will push them out to play, so in street will begin the cricket match which will end in the neighbours complaining about the ball hitting their doors or windows. Then football game will begin with the same story, but the targets being the neighbours and vendors on the road. Then “palace-palace”, “seven stones” will come through with neighbours complaining they can’t sleep in the afternoon, with the kid shouting so much. Then hiring 7-bicycles and riding through the street will start, progressing into main roads and footpath, till some one notices and rings our parents! Every day passes with more merriment for the kids and piling headache for parents.

On one fine Sunday morning, Raghu mama took all the seven kids to karamana-river, just 5-minutes down the lane from home. The intention was to give all of them a learning session of swimming. As it turned out every time, none succeeded in making the seven cousins learn anything. In river water instead of swimming they all will duck under water and pull each other’s legs. This game was called “the crocodile”.  All was well, no complaints so far, so the swimming routine continued every other day.  Now the seven assumed they mastered swimming and they would spread to different corners and then duck inside water to pull each other. Raghu-mama too joined the game as the child inside him was also enjoying it.  Alas, this time the leg pulled by the kids was of a lady bathing in the river!

She didn’t know what to do, struck by surprise and shock she got drowned in the river! The nearby localities saved her life. No need to describe the shame gulping on Raghu-mama. And the final straw of nerve too pulled out back home, when the seven all giggled at the scoldings.

Nothing is perfect, in stable state, as the seven cousins never lose their energy and creative games. Any new idea is like a thrill to all of them, they all wait to execute it just to have fun, and experience a new realm of excitement. Their intention was never to harm or trouble others. There is nothing like wrong or bad for them, it’s just a try once, if it didn’t go correctly; then try once more till it is perfect and joyful. That’s how their brain worked.

But What to do? In their world only they existed, there is no place for others, especially what others will think, what the parents would say, is it safe? Nothing. Only 2 things they know- Have an idea-play it along.

The punishment was finalised and they all were on house arrest, they endured the punishment happily by playing indoor board games. Hardly a day went by, seeing the children ideally sitting and not content, Grandma played the rescue role.

Grandma “Raghu, the kids are feeling bored, let them go out and play for some time today.”

Raghu mama “Amma you don’t come for supporting them, let them suffer a little more then-only they will learn obedience”.

Grandma “oh! Kids are like that only. You too were like that”.

Raghu mama “Amma I was responsible, not troubling or getting into trouble”.

Grandma “ok, let them at-least play in our terrace. I too will go with them and supervise and then there won’t be any trouble for anyone.”

The kids were so happy, along with Grandma they all went out finally and started playing in terrace. The game was hide and seek, because of the limitation of space, one will wrap a cloth around their eyes “blind-folded” and will catch the rest.

Rajiv the eldest one was the catcher and the rest of them were running along. Rajiv spread his legs and hands so randomly that it was difficult not to get out. So all of them ran to corners, sensing that, he rushed to one of the corners. And Bhu, the smallest built of all climbed the wall. Akshy the youngest of all followed her. Sensing the noise and unaware of the danger, Rajiv advanced and Bhu fell down to the other side of the wall….

 It was joint terrace wall of other house. One common wall for two adjacent houses. So Bhu did not fall on the ground. She was ducking behind the wall. So no harm or panic...…

But Akshy screamed “aiyooo Bhuvanaaaa…...!” didn't make any sense. 

All of us rushed to him, before that we scanned the area for Grandma’s presence, she is gone! Not to be seen!

Slowly the reality drawed in, panic and fear in all our eyes. What to do? Call Grandma? Call for help?

The most sensible (sensible to the consequence of scolding) Rajiv reacted first.

Rajiv shouted very slowly “BHU are u ok? Tell something?”  We all would hear her whisper “uhmmm” followed by a small whipping sound.

Bhuvana, while falling hit the glass roof-top sunshade of the neighbour’s house and broke the glass and landed in their bed. There used to be frequent power-cut, so in Kerala they build house, with a glass panel for sunlit/moonlit room.

Kripa “Bhu are you fine? Why are you crying?”

Ranjitha “Is there any glass pieces in your body?”

Bhu weeping “no, I am fine. I just landed in the bed. I am not hurt. But I am scared, it’s dark here.”

Akshy “loosu, switch on the light”.

Kailash “Akshy are you insane, the neighbour aunty will come to know, that she is there”.

Viki “any how they all will come to know. Don’t you think so?”

Kripa “That aunty is not here she has taken her kids to zoo today, so nobody is there, and they left the keys with Banu-amma back home.

Ideas sparked all their minds, Excitement ran through, thoughts visualized. The one and only one instruction was given to Bhu, switch on the light and fans and keep quiet and we are coming to get her!

Kailash and Ranjitha held the attention of all the elders saying, Ranjitha had her ankle twisted. Akshy kept open the house lock for Kripa and Rajiv to escape out. Viki took care of the neighbourhood house keys and pocketed it and sneaked out.

But on the way got he was caught by Grandma, “where are you going? Come inside, one sprained ankle is enough for the day, go take rest.”

He was forced go inside, but soon Kripa and Rajiv would hear the sound “CLING” hit the floor. Viki had managed to throw the keys outside from the front room window.

So far no flaws, the tide in in their way. Rajiv kept the watch over the street, it was late afternoon, none of the friendly neighbours nor their kids were out. So it was a piece of cake, Kripa had to just unlock the door, switch-off the light of the room and rescue Bhu.

All neatly done, Rajiv, Kripa, Bhu were back home safe and uncaught. Ranjitha sprained ankle vanished soon. But all waited for the storm to hit. By seven O’clock in the evening the neighbour returned from the zoo trip. Granny offered them cookies and tea.

Grandma “why are you kids so quiet, your friends have come, take them along and play.”

Rajiv “oh, they will be tired walking all the day in zoo. We will play tomorrow.”

Akshy “they will not play with us, their parents won’t allow”.

All the 6-pairs of eyes glared at Akshy.

Kailash covered it up “What he meant is, Aunty will not allow them to play now, because they will be tired after the trip, isn’t it aunty?”

Neighbour waved bye, and left. The seven waved back hoping this is the last goodbye.

Within minutes Neighbour aunty came running, she reported a house burglary. Her version of story was; thieves have broken into her home through terrace glass-roof panel. All the elders rushed to her home. They survived the scene.  Aunty reported no theft. Police came by too and asked few questions. Since it happened in day time, Police checked with all if they saw any unknown person spotted in the area. Police didn't take it seriously as there was no theft reported and the neighbour uncle refused to commission them, hence there was no case filed.

So we all breathed. All is well. The mischief well covered. And were proud of ourselves.

The next day the washing machine made so much of noise and stopped working. Banu amma went to investigate. There were pieces of glass all over the kids dress and she identified it came from Bhu jean-pant pocket!

On further questioning Bhu blabbered, she was bored waiting for Rajiv to come to her rescue, so she was playing with the broken glass! And kept it in her pocket thinking they all can play later…….  The mystery of broken roof-glass was solved.

ONE BY SEVEN SERIES - Sophistic Hawkshaws

                                                       

Eve of Christmas vacation went in Kerala, at Raghu mama’s place. It was a big quarters with eight rooms, big lawn, with huge backward garden and front driveway space. All the seven cousins had limited energy to sheer his vacation, because of flu, one after other were falling sick. The wolf pack physical strength was mellow down. Only a week was away for their departure, so to enjoy within the limited time they all gathered in guest room and played cards, monopoly etc till late night.

Second night when they were playing …

Bhuvana, “Guys be silent, I can hear strange noise from outside, listen please”.

Rajiv “1’O’clock in the night who else it would be, sure it is Mohini-pesasu (devil)”.

Kailash “hey, I think Bhubs is serious, even I am hearing noises”.

They all listened very carefully, but nothing was there, so they went near the window to observe very keenly, on hearing a faint noise they opened the window and found that it was drizzling outside, hence the noise was from rain drops falling on the window shield. Relived by the fact, they resumed the game.

Vikram “I have a doubt, why do these ghost hunt at night?”

Rajiv “Good one, intelligent question”.

Akshy “it’s simple logic, ghost are in white colors, only in the dark that fluorescence is visible, and haunting fear peaks up so, ghost chooses that time.”

Kripa “that’s not true, long back I heard a story, in that my great- great grandpa had an encounter with a ghost early in the morning by 4’ O’clock”.

Kailash “what is that story?”

Varagur temple- sri venkatesa perumal

Kripa “its not story, this really happened and still now the family follow those rituals. Our mother’s great-great grandpa had acres of land for cultivation, early morning grandpa raised to irrigate their field, along with the company of his servant Karupu-kuppu. After reaching the well, grandpa instructed his servant to pull the water, from the well with a pulley and a bucket. As the servant was pouring in water garandpa turned around to open the irrigation cannels. All of a sudden there was a rush of water, when grandpa turned to see the cause; he noticed servant Kuppu was drawing water from the well in an extra-ordinary pace. Stunned he went near him, and heard a strange grudging sound – ghrrr-ghrr-ghrr, and turned his head 180-degree. On seeing his face grandpa panicked and ran home. Next day kuppu was laying un-conscious near the well and passed away next day. This incidence repeated twice again and two more were victims. So an astrologer was called for the solution. He suggested it was a work of MOHINI (lady demon), to escape from her wrath, the family have to do a special ritual called Mandapudi at Varagur temple near Tanjore, Tamil Nadu. Even to this day our uncle’s family follows this tradition.”

Vikram “yes, what kripa said was true; even I attended that festival last year”.

Kailash “so the conclusion is that ghost haunt in morning too”.

Ranjitha “nops, it’s not only the ghost, that haunts, even goddess do that”.

Bhuvana “that is rubbish, god protect us”.

Ranjitha “true, remember God punishes the evil”

Akshy “come to the point Rans”

 Ranjitha “In Gods too there are hierarchy, in the last ladder comes the village guarding Gods and   Goddess. The villagers fears those guardians punishes if they put their toes out of the line, or disobey the rules of the village. Last year when I came here I overheard this story from temple priest.

The priest was telling this to Banu-aunty. There is a place for goddess YAKSHI-AMMA, in the North West corner of the temple, the idol is just a rock stone with a red cloth tied over it. It said that this Yakshi amman is the guardian of this area, she is very much found of jasmine flowers, once she used to reside in the jasmine flower garden, and people used to hear her anklet sounds in the morning when jasmine blooms. Because of the encroachment of the houses, those gardens were destroyed.  And now people are seeing her near the jasmine bush in our house compound; hence it’s not advisable for men to go near that jasmine bush in the late night and early morning. So to please her, offer her jasmine flower on every Friday, praying that, Amma please visit our jasmine bush and play there heart contently and bless my family. The priest warned our aunty if she offers flowers without fail, Yakshi would protect our family”.

Kripa “oh, that’s the reason amma goes to temple or sends dad to offer flowers on Fridays without fail, we didn’t know the real story”.

Vikram “mom have lied to that I shouldn’t go near the jasmine bush because there is a serpent, even I was not aware of the true reasons”.

Bhuvana “Is it Friday today?”

Kailash “yes its FRIDAY….YASHI-DAY….ohhhh”.

Akshy “one have to think logically, its nearly 2’O’Clock in the night, so its really sarturday, so don’t worry, Bhuvana, Yashi wont hunt”.

Rajiv “ghost and gods don’t follow rules, even they act like our bollywood heroines, they follow their heart, dil-logical type”.

Ranjitha “I think, we can stop this topic and go to sleep”.

Bhuvana “even I am getting scared, let’s go to sleep”.

Akshy “why are you scared, be brave, if you are scared, then how can you sleep, so I suggest we all keep talking, and fall asleep as such”.

Kailash “good idea, if the girls are scared, lets the lights be on”.

Kripa “guys be frank, and say you are also frighten, don’t act smart”.

Rajiv “we are not scared, at least not me”.

Kailash and Vikram stared at Rajiv “Even we are not”.

Akshy “hey I even don’t know the meaning of scariness’”.

Bhuvana “then prove it”

Kailash “how?”

Akshy and Rajiv “we are ready.”

Kripa “ok, guys then do one thing, go and fetch water for all of us from the kitchen, without using lights.”

Vikram “that’s all!”

Ranjitha “it’s just for Akshy.”

Bhuvana “Rajiv should go out of the house, to the main door, open it and then peep through our room window.”

Bhuvana “Kailash and Vikram can go to near by bush and plug a flower and come back”.

Kailash “not that jasmine bush, please.”

Kripa “but in these task, whoever comes late will win, there is no hurry brave guys”.

Ranjitha “its very cold out there, u better wrap yourself, and take a torch, no need to light it, but use it in emergency”.

Akshy went to kitchen, and rest went to unbolt the main door, and the girls opened the window in expectation to see the boys coming. But after a while all they could hear is…..a scream!!!

The lights in house glowed and everybody rushed to main entrance drive way. To their dismay they saw their Raghu mam, was dashed to the ground, his left hand bleeding, lying badly hurt.

From the back entrance again there was a scream!

This time it was grandma standing with a stick, along the kitchen door.

“What is it Amma?” asked the wounded Raghu mama.

Grandma “I was shouting, thief-thief, and nobody heard me, so I myself came and locked him in the kitchen”.

Rahu mama “Amma, I heard your shouting, that is how I got up from the bed and saw the shadows moving around the house, I went to catch them, and got blown up by these stupid boys.”

Kripa “Grandpa, Akshy is inside the kitchen, please open the door, and let him out.”

 Banu-anunty “what is happening here, tell us the truth?”

Raghu mama opened the kitchen door, to their shock found a man unlocking the second door of kitchen and jumping out. Everyone was panicked.

“Where is Akshy then?” asked worried Ranjitha.

“Did the theif harm him?” panicked Bhuvana

“I am right here”. Appeared Akshy.  “I was frightened, to complete the task, so thought to go and sleep near grandma, I didn’t enter into the kitchen.”

Raghu mam “All of you, better spill out the truth, what was the task, that is happening in my house? Let it be better.”

Rajiv and Kripa looked at each other, trusting the other would have a better narration.

One by Seven Series

Diwali Dhamaka

Rajiv, Ranjitha and Akshy came down to Chennai, to celebrate Diwali  with Kripa, Vikram, Kailash and Bhuvana. Seven of them were cousins who used to visit each other’s place during vacations. Those were the golden, mischievous and happy days in their childhood days.

On a November morning around 8.30 am, the cousins woke up and were having coffee, Raghunathan, Kripa's dad was having his breakfast.

Raghu “What’s up, it is a strange sight to see all of you, waking up by 8.00 am, and that too silently sitting in the hall?”

Banu “Even I was wondering the same, anything wrong children, missing your mom?”

Rajiv “Mom! What aunty, we all are grown ups, we are fine here?”

Grandma “Raghu, I hear them talking about crackers often, why don't you buy some today evening?”

Kripa “Please papa, just a week for Diwali, and all of us want to crack fire-crackers and have fun.”

Rajiv “Raghu-mama, in our place, Diwali celebration would have started by now.”

Viki “Papa it will be nice if we start cracking them, because next Monday our Chennai-schools will reopen”.

Akshy “I don't understand the school management, all over India they follow same syllabus for us, but our vacation times are different, home-works are different, which is spoiling all the fun, I don't know when these Teachers will realize this”.

Raghu-mama “I am busy with office work for next three-days, so may be Banu can take the children to shop”.

Rajiv “Mama we are grown up, and we know the routes around Chennai, we ourselves can go and shop. I have confidence”.

Kailash “I know all the routes in Chennai, even bus routes”.

Vikram “Please Appa, it will be fun to shop by ourselves, moreover Banu-amma and granny have to prepare lots of sweets for Diwali”.

Raghu uncle and Banu aunty smiled at each other and granted their wish to shop by themselves, with a condition.

Raghu “Ok, you all can go and buy crackers by yourself, I will arrange a known auto-man to take you and bring you back, by tomorrow afternoon”.

Seven of them sat together and made a big list of crackers to be brought and showed it to Banu aunty, and got it approved, with few changes. They ate lunch early and waited for the auto to arrive.

Auto arrived, with Rajiv’s purse loaded with 2000 bucks, they departed happily.

Let alone, mischievous mind worked without boundaries. Bundle of thoughts were pouring from all of them.

Rajiv “Guys I have 2000 bucks to spend, in that we have to give 200 bucks for auto, so we have 1800  for ourselves”.

Kripa “Hey why to waste that money for auto, we can take a bus, and save at-least 150 bucks for ourselves, what do you say?”

Ranjitha “This auto-man is known to Raghu mama, we will get caught”.

Bhuvana “100% right, we should not cheat”.

Vikram “We will cut the auto saying that we forgot something and get dropped back home, from there we can take a bus”.

Kailash “Good idea, I know the bus route, and from our home only bus starts and its afternoon time, so no rush will be there, we can go comfortably”.

Ranjitha “Rajiv this is wrong, please don't listen to them”.

Rajiv “I, know, I am not going to silent them,”

Kripa, Kailash, Viki “RAJIV..”

Rajiv “Yes I am not going to listen to you guys, but I myself thought of this!” and smiled crookedly.

Auto was cut saying they forgot the shopping list and bags. Thrilled and over-joyed all of them climbed the bus and found seven window seats in row and reached the designation, with Kailsh boasting the names of roads and places around Chennai City. In standard crackers shop where discount was advertised they brought crackers to their heart’s content, even those which were ruled out by their aunty.

Akshy “Rajiv, I am hungry, can we have something to eat”.

Bhuvana “I am thirsty too, what about ice cream?”

Kailash “Guys we don't have enough money, we should return home, remember”.

Vikram “We should have left these younger ones back home”.

Rajiv “ Hey, relax, I have planned everything, we still have 100 bucks left, in that let us reserve 50 for bus ticket, with the rest we will eat something”.

Kailsah “Bus fare is 2 bucks per head, then why to reserve 50 for it”.

Ranjitha “No, let 50 rupees be there, in case of some emergency”.

The gang marched to a chat corner and had snacks and drinks to their taste buds content. By 5 pm they all reached bus stop and waited for the bus.

Rajiv “I think, it is not legal to carry fire crackers in bus”.

Kripa “I think, it is applicable only in train, not in bus”.

Akshy “Why to take risk, shall we go by auto”.

Kailash “You should have thought about it, while having second helping of vada-pav, we have only 30 rupees left dear”.

Vikram “Ok, we will wrap the bags with polythene sheets so that crackers are not visible”

Kailash “Give the bags to girls, so that no one will pay attention, even if they get caught, no one will scold them”.

Rajiv “Hey, you are right; Kripa and Ranjitha can carry the bags”.

Kailash “Guys bus is coming, but it is very crowded, what to do”.

Kripa “Crowded bus is advantage for us, as no one will notice our baggage, come on we will climb inside somehow”.

With great struggle, pulling others down and tactfully blocking the footstep they all boarded the bus.

After few stops all of them managed to ground their feet together.

Bhuvana “Kripa, is the bag covered, be careful”.

Ranjitha “I am holding it tightly and covering it with my hands too, no one will see it”.

Akshy “Where are the guys? I can’t see them anywhere in the bus”.

Kripa “They will be tucking themselves somewhere, we will find out”.

Bhuvana screamed “Rajiv..Rajiv..Kailash...VIKRAM...GUYS where you are?”

Akshy “you wait here; I will move around and try to locate them”.

Akshy returned after few minutes, with a worried face, shaking his head from right to left.

Bhuvana was in tears. To their agony the heard a distant voice screaming “Tickets....TICKETS...”

All of them were silently staring at each others, with panic.

 Ranjitha truned-off the mute mode and asked “what to do now?”

Kripa “No other go, we will get down in the next stop, from there we will take an auto to home”.

Bhuvana “What if ticket-checker gets in the next stop”.

Akshy “I know such troubles will shoot up, that is why I suggested auto, nobody listens to me, now we suffer”.

Kripa “Stop, just shut-up! Nothing will happen; we will get down in the next stop and will reach home safely”

Bhuvana “If at all ticket checking happens, just tell the checker it with my mom and show somebody inside the bus and run away from the stop ok.”

A male Co- passenger who was standing with them, and probably over heard their conversation and interrupted. “Girls, what happened, you lost some one, are you alone? Do you need help, what’s in the bag?”.

Iin the bus stop.

Rajiv “Hey kripa, Ranjitha, Bhuvana, Akshy...”

Kailash “I think they all boarded the bus through front door”.

Vikram “Guys bus is moving and they are all inside, run...”

Rajiv “Wait, Vicky it is of no use”.

Kailash “They neither have money, nor they know the route”

Rajiv “We will take an auto and chase the bus”.

Kailsh “See there next bus is coming, we will take this bus and get down in the next stop and join them”.

Vikram “Come, that bus is moving too”.

They boarded the bus and traveled in foot step, having a watch of the previous bus in front. Alas! To their dismay, the previous bus boarded by the girls, went up the  bridge and theirs went underneath the bridge.

Inside the bus boarded by girls, the co-passenger was bombarding them with questions, and they were worried and afraid to reply back.

Ranjith “I don't like this man, he looks evil”.

Akshy “I have strong feeling that, He is going to loot us, please do listen to me at least now”.

Kripa “Guys, don't panic and, fear unnecessarily, it a public place, He can’t harm us, be sensible”.

Bhuavana “I am afraid, I want to go home, when will I see my mom”.

Kripa “Oh, enough, let’s move from this place and stand near the door, come on”.

To strength their fright, the man followed them, he came close to Ranjitha and graped her bag, with a cunning slime, threatened “ Look down, I have knife, if you shout I have to hurt you, so be nice kid, don't act smart, I know, you all got lost, no adults with you and you all are traveling ticket-less”.

Thus the second bag was also handed over successfully, to the thief.  Their eyes were watering; all of a sudden they heard Kripa shouting “OH, help, stop the bus, my sister is ill, she is vomiting, STOP, HELP....”

Bus slowed down and all of them jumped down at a time and landed on the road safely. Four of them where running, they could hear the passengers in the bus shouting at their behavior and the risk of jumping from the running bus. The chaos passed away as the approached the nearby auto stand.

Kripa “Will Auto come to Vadapalni?”

Auto man “ Yes, but do u kids have money to pay?”

They looked at each other, as if what more to come.

Akshy to auto driver “I have my purse in the jeans pocket, can you take us or not”.

Auto- man “ok, Boss, come”.

After 15- 20 minutes of silence Ranjitha spoke “Don't mistake me, since we are having a very bad time, I couldn't control this thought”.

Kripa “What-ever it is spill it out, don't increase the tension”.

Bhuvana “What?”

Ranjitha “What if the auto breaks down on the way, and the driver demands for money?”

Kripa “Why this kolaveri?”

Akshy “Excellent! Good thinking”.

Bhuvana “God, is there, he won’t let us down, let us chant RAM, RAM, nothing will happen”.

Ranjitha “I chant JAI BAJARANJ BALI, whenever I forget answers, during exam, believe me it helps”.

They all laughed uncontrollably. And started chanting silently in their heart, after one minute the heard a deafening noise of tyres puncture.

Auto man “I think auto tyre got puncture, I will get another auto for you, you can pay the meter money to me and leave”.

Along with tyre-burst, four hearts also burst, with a difference, nobody heard the later.

Akshy burst-out crying “Uncle we dont have money, we were thinking of getting down at home, and paying you, but the situation turned out like this...ahu..ahu...”

Auto man “How far is your home from here?”

Kripa “Uncle 2-3 kilometers”.

Auto man “Get down from the auto, and wait here”.

Auto-man moved his vehicle aside, and caught another auto and dropped us home. He gave free advice to Banu anuty and Granny regarding child rearing and charged thrice the fare, for bring us home safely.

Followed by this Rajiv, Viki and Kailash entered. Before even sharing what happened between them hundred rounds of scolding was fired. But this time it didn't hurt any of them, in turn it was a big relief. It was a strange thought of maturity, to accept the scolding and they giggled at their adventure.

Diwali day came, no crackers to burst, they too didn't ask for crackers, again. All of them were watching television program, then Raghu mama spoke “Why are you guys not playing with crackers, at least during festive time you should not sit before television, go and crack crackers”.

Seven of them looked at Banu aunty as dumps.

Banu aunty “Go and see in your rooms”.

They all ran to the room and was astonished to see seven gift pack of fire-crackers lying.

Rajiv “Thank you mama”.

Kripa “Sorry papa”.

Raghu mama, Banu aunty and Granny wished them “HAPPY DIWALI”.

One by Seven Series

Crescent Moon Teeth

Annual exams just passed by, summer vacation had started for Rajiv, Ranjitha, Kripa, Vikram, Kailash, Bhuvana and Akshay. Seven cousins who used to visit each others’ place, for every summer vacation. Those were the golden, mischievous and happy days of their childhood.  Even though they quarrel all of them liked and loved each-other dearly, that was the uniqueness of their relation. Their childish-quarrel never lasted more than an hour or so.

Rajiv the eldest of all of them was the gang leader and the creator of all wired ideas (which was innovative and thrilling to the rest). They used to play from sunrise to next day sunrise! Apart from normal hide and seek, running and caching, cricket, shuttle, and various indoor games, they had their own innovative games; Water-filter (ghost hunting), Whale (catching and pulling down under water), corner-shoppe (selling), 7c Bus (running and climbing an imaginary bus), Military Academy (fighting-hitting). Favorite of all of them is re-enacting of action movies. Every vacation had a memorable story.

One afternoon in Rajiv's and Ranjitha's home Allahabad:

 Rajiv “hey since all of you have come to north India, today we will try to play famous kite fight, what to you say?”

Kripa “not a good idea, because none of us know how to fly a kite.”

Rajiv “I will teach you all, it’s not a big deal.”

Kailash “but will there be sufficient space in the terrace for all seven of us, to fly the kite.”

Ranjitha “I am not interested, it’s very hot.”

Bhuvana “even I am afraid to handle that kite thread, it may cut my fingers.”

Vikram “Another problem will be pooling the money for seven kites; I don't think it will easy to persuade   our parents.”

Kripa “Akshay, what do you say?” Akshay “since I am the youngest I will not get a kite for my own, so what the big deal about my opinion.”

Rajiv “cha, I have never seen a spoil-sport like you guys. Chalo I have an idea! We will divide into 2 groups and have kite fight, so we have to purchase just two kites, and can over come the constraint of the space in terrace. What do you guys say?”      

Kripa and Kailash “uhmm ok.”

Some how the money for two kites (Rs 2, each) was conquered and two medium size, pretty kite were ready to fly. Wind and Rajiv’s teaching techniques were helping, and the kites started to rise up! All of them were surprised by their kite-flying art, and slowly the kite fight started, competition geared up. All of them were involved and trying to fly their group higher and higher, Rajiv's group was about to be out-beaten by the other, which would be a humiliation to him. So Rajiv was trying to elevate the kite.

Bhuvana 'hey Rajiv, you better climb-up over the water tank, so we can beat them”'.

Rajiv 'Cool bhubs'

Ranjitha 'Rajiv! Be careful, it’s just a game, if next door uncle sees you, we will land in big trouble'

Rajiv climbed up and the kite took a great elevation, they there applauding and Rajiv to prove his might further stepped behind for stabilizing the kite.

Alas! Rajivvvvvv

Rajiv was falling down from the water tank.

Rest of them ran for his rescue, without any success Rajiv hit the ground facing down. To their surprise he was conscious and moaning with pain.

Ranjitha 'Rajiv...blood'

Rajiv was like a Dracula with blood pouring form this mouth. His Tee was soaked in blood.

Bhuvana 'Patti, amma, mani.....rajivku.....”

Kripa, Vikram and Kailash rushed to shut her mouth and in the attempt fell on Ranjitha and who in turn banged on Rajiv.

Rajiv ' hey stupid people keep quite, if you shout like this our parents will come to know. Be silent. First any one of you get some water for me, then we will decide what to do.'

Akshay went to get water for all. In the mean time the strategy plan was unfolded.

Ranjitha ' you are losing lot of blood, do something soon'

Kripa ' we can’t hide this from our parents, wound is visible'

Kailash 'no plan, no thinking, come we will go to doctor first'

Rajiv ' guys please understand the situation, after this do you think they will give us this much of freedom to play?'

Vikram ' I agree Rajiv,…..I think this is the first time I agree with you.'

Dup-DUP-DUPPP..GHRRR

All of them turned back to see five big monkeys, landing next to them from near by tree. They now knew what to do next, RUN.

Rajiv was the one to lead followed by Kailash, Bhuvana, Vikram, Kripa and Ranjitha...all were running downstairs yelling at their might...”aiyo monkey...aiyo monkey varudhu..”

In the second flight of stairs Rajiv fainted and the rest of them stumbled over him.

Patti 'Oh GOD! Look out you all are falling over each other. Don't worry, monkeys will not harm you. Don’t panic, Rajiv, Rajiv...'

Two servants came with a stick and chased the monkeys out. Rajiv was rushed to hospital.

Evening when all of them went to visit Rajiv, in his room, he smiled and greeted them with a crescent- blue moon shaped teeth!

Rajiv’s Mom ' I don’t know what will happen to you kids, whenever you all are together all of you act strangely. What was the need to panic so much when monkey was chasing you? At least for Rajiv and Ranjitha it is a common episode, how many times Rajiv himself have chased those monkeys away? But I don’t know why, today he was the first person to run downstairs? What was the need? See because of panic he fall down from the stairs and broke his tooth. Please kids from next time act wisely'

All of them were nodding their head vigorously to their aunt and were hiding their smile.

During dinner Patti was narrating the monkey chasing the kids and how Rajiv broke his teeth because of that, to Rajiv's father.

Akshay 'What? Monkey chased and broke Rajiv's tooth...?'

Vikram and Kailash ' Yes Uncle'

Kripa and Bhuvana 'dai Akshay'

Akshay ' Oh, yes I remember, I came down to fetch water, because Rajiv was bleeding. I was not there when monkey chased them'

Rajiv grinned at his father with crescent-blue moon teeth...

Rukmini's Love

Oh! He is the handsome boy I have ever seen;

He is the world most adorable boy;

His vivacious, expressive black eyes will behold our senses,

His innocent smile will make one insane,

These were the comments Rukmini heard about Nandha.  His complexion was dark, with dove-like eyes, chubby checks with dimple, rosy lips-which arouse senses of his admirers. Hearing Nandha's virtues, which on entering through her ears, generated bliss in her whole being. Rukmini fell in love with this dynamic personality. Her love was true. 

Nandha was her distant relative, whom she had never met in person, she had heard of him through her relatives, so who ever visits her home, she used to enquire about every detail of Nandha.  If they happen to tell Nandha is learning music, immediately she will start learning music, like this she mastered in music, dance, literature, and various skills. She wanted to copy and match Nandha in all the ways, so when time comes she can present herself to him as an equal match. But there was a problem!

Rukmini was far more beautiful and kind hearted than Nandha. She had a milky white complexion!

How much ever she tried she was not succeeding in loosing her color!

Years went by, but Rukmini didn't reveal her interest on Nandha to anyone. Rukmini's father had matched an alliance for her and to her dismay fixed the date of engagement.

Rukmini built up her courage and told her father the truth. But he was not interested in his daughter’s wish.  How can she love a person without even seeing or speaking or being with? It was a mystery for him. Only Rukmini understood this phenomenon; for her it just happened!  She couldn't explain to her father's questions of when? Why? And how?

Her love towards Nandha was like a breath, it existed, and it was in-born. She was not able to identify herself without this emotion. She was that love - her personality, her outlook, her in and out was governed by her love towards Nandha. When people pointed out her mistake/ foolishness, she was unable to understand that. No one understood Rukmini and neglected her interests saying it was childishness, and not practical. Rukmini was left alone with her pain. She doesn't know how to make her parents and relative understand her love and devotion. Slowly she lost herself in misery and pain. The marriage was scheduled next week and she thought of committing suicide. But her wisdom and love prohibited her and gave her courage to find a solution to the problem

She taught first she should know what Nandha thought about her that is what it all matters. But, how to inform him about her love? This was a big question. Even after informing, will he accept her? This was another question. The question of acceptance was immediately ruled out by her, because she had confidence that her true and unconditional love will win Nandha's kind heart.

Rukmini's friend came out with a plan that she can send Nandha a letter addressing her love and explaining the situation, and then they can pin it along with her wedding invitation and send to him, by this they can escape Rukmini's  parents’ screening.

The next immediate problem of Rukmini was drafting the letter to Nandha. She taught and taught, ruled and scratched, tore and re-wrote again and again. She didn't want to address Nandha as 'Dear', because it was so common, and their relationship was not beyond that. She ruled out addressing him by name, because it was against culture! 'Hi' was not that respectful. Beloved seems to be misgiving, because he doesn’t know anything about her. 'Sir' was formal, 'Dear love' was normal.

Finally she drafted as;

BHUVANASUNDHARA,

(It means most handsome person on this world, which was true to her)

I am Rukmini, born for marring you, as a daughter to Bhishmaka in the province of Vidharabha desam. M y love towards you is unexplainable, I have not seen you, nor talked to you, but I fell in love with you by hearing about you through our relatives.  I am not even sure whether you are aware of my existence, but my destiny is our union. You have entered into my whole being, over- coming my bashfulness, I am asking you to come and accept me. I am in deep love with you with you and will not breathe if my marriage happens with anybody else other than you. I tried hard to convince my parents by expressing my interest on you, but they don't understand the reality and fantasy.

 My marriage is scheduled on Monday. On Friday, along with my family and friends I will be visiting MA-Gowri temple for Gowri puja in the city. I find it as an appropriate place to me you. Please do come to my rescue and accept me as your bride.

Yours

Rukmini

 Wednesday...

            Thursday...

                        Friday...

                                    No response from Nandha, Rukmini was doubtful whether her letter reached him or not! She was angry on herself for foolishly accepting the idea of her dumb friend. And now she is running short of time, and there is nothing to do much. But her heart which was Nandha's told her “He will come”.  Friday evening Gowri puja too got over, but there was no shadow of Nandha, Rukmini planned and equipped her self for suicide.

Then like a thunderstorm a vehicle came, the person riding was as beautiful as Nandha, but Rukmini knew it was not her Nandha!  When she raised her head to see who is behind the driver, her purpose of birth was attained; at last she had the vision of her bhuvanasundhara. She fainted!

Even though she had faith in her love, she was a girl, when she met the reality, she couldn't stand, to digest the truth, she was overwhelmed by Nandha's love towards her.

His vision and the thought, that he had come for her, was more than enough. All her wishes were fulfilled; she couldn't stand the ecstasy and fainted!

Nandha had come all the way to acknowledge her love. She couldn't stand the reciprocation of love, so she fainted!

Why Nandha had come all the way to acknowledge her love? What was she for him? For this dynamic personality, wealth and fame, he could have married any one, why me? At least I have heard about him from his childhood to youth, what does he know about me? Has he come all the way just by reading my letter?  All these puzzles and the anxiousness to know what Nandha thought about her brought her back to consciousness.  When she opened her eyes, she was in Nandha's lap, resting in his bed at his home!

 Rukmini wanted to capture this moment for eternity and stared at Nandha without even blinking her eyes. She couldn’t succeed, because he smiled at her.  They got married and happily lived for each other.

But still now Rukmini ponders over the fact, how Nandha came for her? May be like Rukmini, Nandha is born for her. He need not want the letter to understand her. Their hearts belong to each other, it knows!

Grandpa

Every other person is blessed with grandparents, there is always something special about them. The way grandparents care and pamper is quite different.  One will have to live with them to experience it; Kirthi was one such fortunate girl.

Kirthi’s grandpa- Krishnan was a retired Indian army officer and had a personality of Albus Dumbledore as in Harry Potter novels. He was well built, with a clam face, long nose and broad lips. Kirthi had always seen her grandpa with a well combed hair and he always presented him neatly dressed.

Kirthi (Ki) was the first grandchild of his family tree, so he address her always 'kutti amma', as he believed that his beloved mother had reborn. Naturally Ki was pampered, and nobody dared to raise their voice against her in the vicinity of her grandpa. Ki's actions were always correct and her words were laws.

Ki's and Krishnan’s daily routine would start with a small walk around the park. The reason being Ki's mother would have to attend to Ki’s 6-months old younger brother. Krishnan did not want his granddaughter to feel bad for the lack of care from her mom even for a brief time, so he took her for a walk.  By the time both of them would come back Ki's brother would have slept in the cradle and her mom will be able to attend to Ki.  Such was his care.

Ki's dad would drop her at the school in his bi-cycle, and in the afternoon Krishnan would come to pick her up.  At times when her dad was busy, Ki's grandpa used to drop her at school. Those days were special for Ki and her friends.  Krishnan never leaves his granddaughter at school gate, unlike her dad. He goes all the way into her K.G class and helps her to find a good wooden chair (Ki's preference was wooden chair, than the metal one, because the rust would spoil her white uniform). After making her sit in her favorite chair, he wipes off her sweat with his hankie and said good-bye only when Ki's dearest “Padma-miss” arrives to the class. In case he finds out that her teacher was on leave, he takes her to the next K.G section where her second dearest “Sheela-miss” takes the class.

In the afternoon Ki's teacher would  say “Un Thatha Vandhachu”  (Your Grandpa has come) and  Ki used peep out to see his big umbrella and always ran happily to him. Grandpa and grand-daughter used to walk till the bus-stop holding each other’s hand.  At the bus-stop stall, Krishnan used buy a chocolate and two bananas. Chocolate was Ki's choice and bananas were his choice. And he used to feed her one banana while waiting for the bus. Their stop was just 6 stops away, but in that short duration too Krishnan used to speak well with other passenger and their conversation never stops, that was the magic of Krishnan; He was the Babuji of the locality he lived-in.

After getting down at their stop, both of them used to walk another 2 Km. As soon as they cross the main road, Krishnan would open his big umbrella and instruct Ki to walk under its shade. It was a game for Ki, she used run in and out of the shade. Then after few minutes, under a big pupil tree on the way home they used to stop and Krishnan used to feed her the second banana (which she often refuses) and some water.

Then after having meals Ki used to sleep with her grandpa hearing Tenali Rama stories, Panchatantra stories, Ramayana and Krishna leelas. Ki would play with his scaly, fleshly and strong fingers until she falls asleep. It was a daily routine for Krishnan and Ki.

Evening again they both would go for a walk, this time it is through the railway lines to see the trains and the engines. They would walk in the rails chatting and singing holding each other tightly. Krishnan used to explain how trains work and how it helps people. It used to be an electric train lane and so there would be big stacks of round tiffin-box like structures hanging from the pole, which Ki used to imagine as food for engine drivers. And always her grandpa corrects by saying that they were power-battery boxes. (But even till now Ki is fascinated by her child-hood fantasy, and taught her daughter the same).

Years passed happily. Ki's grandparents went to Mumbai to take care of their youngest grandson. Ki's family too moved to Kerala.

In 1996 Krishnan passed away because of massive heart attack. Ki was in her eighth standard and during the funeral she came to know a truth from her mom.

Ki’s grandpa had a paralytic attack in his early 50's. But still he never took a bus to her school, he used to walk all the 9-km just to save his bus fair and buy Ki her favorite chocolate and banana. The depth of her grandpa's love sunk deep into her heart and she cried and cried...

Krishnan might be gone from this world, but his memories are always with Ki. The passion and moral taught by him would never vanish from Ki's heart. Ki still has the tradition followed in her place, where her daughter is brought back from school by her grandpa and groomed under the shades of grandparents. The family morals and values were not taught to Ki, but were shown to her and they are rooted deep in her heart. Ki missed the chance of saying “I love u grandpa”, she missed to hug him but, she made a promise to her grandpa, that she will never turn her back for her kids when it comes to family values and their grandparents love.