26 Mar 2013

THE SOUND OF WAVES




DR[MAJOR]NALINI JANARDHANAN
          “I am so tired. I can’t walk any more. Let us go back to our home” – Indu told Mohan. Mohan held her close to his body. She is pale and weak. It is as if her fragile body is like a feather drifting along the wind. He felt very sad to see his wife. Indu is in the advanced stage of Cancer. The doctor told him that Indu has only few days to live. A very thin and weak thread is holding her to this world. Any day, any time she would die! Tears flowed down the cheeks of Mohan. They were in love in college days. It was a love marriage arranged with full consent of their parents. They have two children well settled down with their own families abroad. Only Indu and Mohan are here in the huge house to share their intimate moments. Nowadays Indu is more sentimental, Mohan thought. She breaks down like a small child. Even for small things she gets irritated and later apologizes for the same. It is as if she is clinging to the thin thread of her life with an intense desire to live.

          “Mohan, I have one last desire in life.  Could you ….. could you take me to Kanyakumari? I want to see the sunset along with you”. – Mohan felt a sudden pain engulfing his heart.

          ‘I must take her to Kanyakumari. It is her last wish. I don’t know how many days are left for her in this world. She should not die with unfulfilled desires’ – Mohan thought and made plans to go
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to Kanyakumari.

          “Oh Mohan, see the waves lashing against the seashore – How beautiful! Just like the hide and seek game played by children, the tiny waves are coming to touch the seashore and going back. And just see the sunset! The sun is looking so beautiful. The evening sky is blushing like a bride, isn’t it? See, crimson, pink, orange, red – so many colours – This sunset is so lovely. I can’t forget this” – Indu kept on talking like a child. She was so happy to watch the sunset at Kanyakumari.

          A sweet smile was glimpsed on her pretty face. That joyful moment must have reminded her of our honeymoon days at Kanyakumari. He remembered how they lost themselves in each other’s company. This beautiful sunset once again rekindled fond memories. Memories of love, passion and devotion for each other. Memories lingering in the mind with nostalgia. Fond memories gathered years after years like sands on the seashore, fighting the test of time. It is true …. Time flies but memories remain…

          “Mohan, I am feeling giddy – please take me to the room” – suddenly Indu’s voice brought him back from the past. He tenderly took her hands and led her to the hotel room.

          Indu felt so weak and her breathing increased. Cold sweat started forming on her  forehead.  She   felt   as if   her  legs  are  not
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existing. Suddenly she felt dizzy. Mohan carried her and made her lie on the bed. He placed her gently but firmly on the bed.

          Indu shut her eyes and smiled. Her eyelids were trembling softly. But there was an enigmatic smile on her lips.

          ‘Are you feeling any pain?’ Mohan asked

          “No Mohan, I’m all right ……. I am so happy, you know? I am so happy …….” Her words revived his feelings for her – those feelings so pleasantly warm and dear…. He put his head down and kissed her lightly on the closed eye lids. They were warm and slightly wet.

          “Now please take rest Indu, you are so tired. Try to sleep now… I am sitting here near you. Don’t worry…. Relax and go to sleep” – Mohan whispered in her ears.  He caressed her hairs with his fingers.

          Slowly Indu fell asleep. Mohan watched her sleeping peacefully. When she sleeps her face becomes so gentle and graceful like a small child – He thought. A tear or two were left on her closed eyelids. But her lips were adorned with a lovely smile. From somewhere far off came the sound of waves beating against the shore.

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Mohan looked out through the window. The night was dark with no stars in the sky. So dull and monotonous like my life without Indu – How can I live without Indu? Mohan shuddered at the thought.

          ‘No, God is not so cruel. My Indu will recover. Once again we will share our fond memories and live happily in our home’ – Mohan reassured himself. But somewhere inside his mind he could see a glimpse of fear – Fear of  separation  - Fear of death!

          He turned away from the window and looked at Indu’s face. Love is a pleasant feeling. He realized when he touched her lips softly with his lips. Suddenly he noticed that those lips were cold – Her face is cold . He frantically searched for pulse in her hands  . ‘No, please don’t leave me, Indu!’ He sobbed like a child.

          He could hear the sound of waves beating against the seashore- The sound that held both past and future! – The sound of waves engraved in his heart like the bitter truth   of death!

എം കെ ഹരികുമാർ ഓണപ്പതിപ്പ്‌ 2020

ഗസ്റ്റ് എഡിറ്റോറിയൽ ഇരവി       എം.കെ.ഹരികുമാറിൻ്റെ കവിതകൾ കാവ്യഭാരതം വിഷണ്ണരാവുന്നത് അവരവരുടെ വഴിയിൽ കൊറോണയുടെ മാന്ത്രിക യാഥാർത്ഥ്യം. എന്റെ ...