From & To Sathish #5 - Page 70

Avan, Aval Adhu 233

The sun rises. The sun sets. Day and night. Time to awake and time to rest and........

All life on this planet is subjected to the laws of the time spent in light and time spent at night and all our life cycles have been conditioned and evolved based on that singular factor. The sun. Our glorious single- parent star that has been burning its nuclear furnaces for billions of years and baking, bathing us in its heat and light.

Even in the deepest parts of the oceans where sunlight cannot reach, there is the light that is created by marine animals and that phenomenon is called Bioluminescence. On land, we see that exhibited by fireflies and other tiny species such as worms and beetles.

But, there is another light that shines brighter than visible light. It is called the wisdom of thought and clarity of the mind.

Yet, wisdom and clarity, pale in comparison and lose out when confronted by the one that governs it and life and that is time.

I don't know how to speak, read or write in Latin but I have over the years been mesmerized by a few famous Latin sayings that lay bare life and its losses and tell us the importance and significance of time.

Carpe diem is a saying usually translated as "seize the day", from The Odes a collection of lyrical poems written by Horace between 23 bc to 13 bc.

carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero, which is often translated as "Seize the day, put very little trust in tomorrow (the future)

Tempus fugit is a Latin phrase, usually translated into English as "time flies".

Ars longa, vita brevis is a Latin translation of an aphorism coming originally from Greek, roughly meaning, "skilfulness takes time and life is short".

Partha looked at his friend and with one glance knew that Ravi had cast away the mantle of friend and had donned the cloak and look of a teacher. He asked nervously, ' dei, what is bothering you? I have been wanting to ask it but could not. Is everything all right?'

Ravi shook his head and with that answered Partha and without any further word or sign entered the cottage. Gayatri and Daksha fell silent in a hurry and tried to do their best to act normal and then Daksha seeing Ravi's face knew immediately that something was going on.

' Partha, baby, is everything okay? Did you see anything suspicious outside for Ravi's face and demeanour somehow looks different from what it was earlier?'

Ravi nodded, ' Your observation is correct and I will talk about it after we have finished our preparation for the night.'

His tone and eyes conveyed more than the sentence he spoke and had the desired effect on Daksha and Gayatri and they looked at him and gave him their complete attention.

Ravi folded his hands across his broad chest and began to speak his mind.

' I as a rule don't believe in stuff such as astrology, predictions and soothsayers but I believe my instincts and yes, I trust the instincts of others if I deem them sane and credible. So, no matter what Devathoothan comes across as, my instincts tell me he is a very smart and highly intelligent man and that is something that cannot be ignored or taken lightly.

Then we have that bombing of a residential house in Chennai earlier today that appears to have killed most of its occupants and that is a clue that cannot be ignored.'

' But Ravi, we know that already ' Gayatri stated and Ravi nodding, raised a hand, ' Correct, but what we don't know for sure is what is coming up the hills for us or how many criminals have been sent after you?'

Resting his hands on the table, Ravi looked directly at all three of them and said, ' what if these powers, these people who are after Gayatri have already moved and are on their way up to us right now? What if the bombing in Chennai was planned along with an attack on all of us?'

Daksha pointed to the windows, ' But that landslide down below us must have surely destroyed the way up and that means it buys us time for whoever is coming for us must be stuck in all that traffic down there.'

' No, ducks. My instincts are warning me about another factor.'

' You mean, Meenakshi? But, Ravi that is a totally different story and something that is between you and your cousin and has nothing to do with Gayatri and the criminals behind the temple thefts and the bomb attack in Chennai?'

' Yes, I agree. But, who is the common target in both of the threats? ' Ravi said and all of them looked at Gayatri.

' It is obvious to all of us that you have a plan ready so out with it ' Partha observed loudly and Ravi sat down and began to lay out his plan.

' We cannot defend or protect ourselves in this cottage for there are too many entrances and the kitchen area is wide open and easily accessible. We need a smaller place and an escape route in case things get a bit too hot to handle. So, I think it is better that we shift to my cottage immediately.'

Daksha looked at him in confusion and asked, ' why that particular cottage? Why not any other of the other cottages?'

' Because, we have the Wailing Rocks right behind my cottage' Ravi said and Partha added, ' and to my knowledge, Ravi knows that place like the back of his hand.'

Daksha's voice and face quivered, ' But, that place will be bitterly cold and if that is not an issue, that place is downright creepy and scary, man.'

Gayatri's face lit up with a bright and huge smile and she growled happily, ' This sounds like an adventure and even if nothing happens I am sure I am going to enjoy every moment of it. I am all in ' and throwing her arm around Daksha, ' babe, if any ghosts or creepy stuff should approach us, please kill them with your sharp legal skills and by asking all the wrong questions.'

Daksha squeezed her eyes and making it small, sniggered angrily, ' now who is being a bitch and showing her claws?'

Gayatri smiled an angelic smile and sniggered back, ' Like that old saying snakes recognize the paths taken by other snakes, bitches recognize other bitches.'

Daksha looked imploringly at Ravi and said, ' Please, don't you think you are overreacting to all of this? Look at us ' and pointing to all of them and then tapping her chest, ' we are four of us and I am armed. That should be more than enough to handle anyone who comes looking for us. The best and funniest part is that all this might come to nought. So, I don't understand why we have to shift cottages and have that forsaken caves as a backup plan.

' Daksha ' Ravi said her name with deliberate force and it stilled all of them into attention and submerged them into silence.

' Daksha, I get what you and the others are thinking but I want you all to set aside all of that along with your doubts and importantly the need to understand everything.'

' There is nothing wrong in wanting to know and understand the trouble that we are in ' Gayatri said and Ravi raised his hand in acceptance, ' true but there is a time for that and that time is not now.'

He looked at all of them his eyes burning with intensity, ' Just imagine that you know you are going to die shortly. Maybe in a day or worse in a few hours. Will you spend those final moments weeping and wailing and trying to make sense of your own fate to which there are no answers? Will you spend those precious few hours, blaming others and trying to understand the motives behind the cruel fate that has come to you? Or will you try to and make the most of it by being happy and also making others happy and try to leave in peace?'

None of them spoke and then all of them spoke in one voice, ' what do you want us to do?'

Ravi quickly told Daksha and Gayatri what to do and then he asked Partha if they had any sleeping bags.

' I think so. Maybe two or three of them.'

' Get them da and do it right now ' Ravi told him and then placing a hand on Partha's shoulder, ' get some thick rugs too.'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZ0pTp5Vt-Q&t=2s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOPliKfxk8Y&t=1s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPUF40j47-o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dG7gOGhEj0o

Avan, Aval Adhu 234

Inspector Sargunam took the call on its very first ring and greeted his superior officer IG Asra Garg who only had more bad news to deliver and it did nothing to improve the situation.

' Mr Sargunam, I personally spoke to the DGP of Kerala who I must say was only too willing to help but the sad part is that the whole of Kodai is covered right now with an unusually thick fog and nothing can fly there due to poor visibility. DGP Anil Kant has promised me that two choppers will be sent to Palani where our men can board it and fly to Kodai Kanal in 20 to 30 minutes or so.'

' He is right sir for the fog situation has been getting worse and there is just no saying when it might clear up.'

IG Garg's voice was full of worry and the strain showed in his voice, ' I don't know what my answer is going to be when DGP sir calls me from Chennai?'

' Just speak the truth, sir ' Guna said and instantly regretted his words and apologized, ' I am extremely sorry sir. Please trust me when I tell you that it was not impertinence on my part to advise you but more out of concern.'

' Relax, Mr Guna. I have been a cop for many a year now and an adult for a longer time than that. So, I know when a person is being genuine in his thoughts or being impertinent in his arrogance.'

Guna thanked him in a humble voice and asked what the IG had in mind.

' Inspector, I am all blank for I feel blanked out by all these overwhelming situations that seem to have all arrived at the same time. Frankly speaking, my head is spinning in confusion. On one hand, we have this massive landslide situation that seems to have taken a huge toll on human life. To top that we have night and darkness approaching along with this nasty fog that will soon make recovery work nearly impossible. Then you have the traffic situation that seems to have stretched and jammed both up and down the hills and I just got a report stating that traffic is piling up on the Palani to Kodai road too.'

Guna cleared his throat and asked softly, ' Sir, permission to speak freely and openly.'

' Speak, man. You know I appreciate that. So speak up for I sense you have a plan or something of that sort.'

' I do sir. Sir, the first priority would be the landslide victims. So, It would be nice if you could immediately issue an order to all the barracks to send as many personnel as possible to the site to help. At the same time, it would be great if we could mobilize all the traffic personnel and fire department personnel to come there so that we can tackle this on a war footing. Sir, one more thing.'

' Say it, Inspector.'

' Sir, please talk to the Kerala DGP and ask them to send the choppers with armed commandos to Palani right now for if they are there, then we can move in a moment's notice and maybe it might finally come down to a few vital moments that might just mean life and death.

' Done, Inspector Guna and I am also going to do another thing and that is to place you in command of this entire operation.'

' Thank you, sir.'

IG Garg's voice became sombre as he nervously enquired, ' But, Inspector, what do we do about this lady Gayatri who is in trouble?'

' Sir, if this situation with nature is going against us, then it stands to reason that it is going against those who are after her. There is no way anyone can go up the hills today or for that matter for the next few days. Then, there is that one factor that gives me comfort when I think of it.'

' What is it Inspector Guna? What comfort can we draw in this f..ked up mess?'

' My master, sir.'

' Your master. How young man?'

' Sir, if there is anyone on this planet who can take on any situation and triumph then it has to be my master. For, I have seen it many a time when I was his student.'

Feeling a bit confused by Inspector Guna's words, IG Asra Garg asked, ' Your master is just that. A good teacher. What can he do out there and that too when facing a dangerous situation and when going up against overwhelming forces?'

Sargunam smiled to himself, ' sir, my master is not just that for he is more than that. He is a master in everything and he is a real Hero.'

' Hero! ' IG Garg exclaimed and totally intrigued, ' tell me more, but briefly before you go.'

Inspector Sargunam began talking about a normal person, a common man and a man who was both his school teacher and headmaster.

' Sir, I say it again. I repeat it once more. My master is a genuine hero.'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nno0NaCTApQ

I woke up in the dark.

still was the light for night still held sway

and would until dawn would push it away

I rose as always in the dark feeling lighter and heard

a familiar voice whisper, " Come back, lay and slumber in the sty"

it's for birds and creatures of wings to be up in a new sky

I turned and saw my dusty, crumbly ghost,

from yesterday, yesteryears to whom I play host

dead skin cells, fallen hair, all left behind for a reason and

in the first rays of a new dawn I saw stragglers of an old dawn

Dead cells don't maketh a new body but an empty shell

I stood watching with fascination as the light shone

like tunnels, like tubes of rainbows through the pane

and through the curtains

My eyes lifted up to meet the light that shot through the trees and leaves

and my lips whispered, ' It would be nice if I could shed the cells of my brains too

Old memories, painful memories and that which haunt my soul and my thoughts'

Later, hours later, I sat in the white fires of the sun burning my old self away

and wished and willed a new self, selfishly

The light whispered its rage, ' I will heal but you will scar

for in them scars are your lessons for morrow and the future years'

I raised my eyes into the blinding light and got blinded

for I realised foresight is better than hindsight

Avan, Aval Adhu 235

It took them an hour and it was nearly 6.30 pm when they left the main cottage and walked towards cottage no.7. Ravi walked quietly but his senses were in full alert mode and his ears were straining hard to take in every little noise that came towards them.

Partha turned and looked back at their own cottage that served as their living quarters and also doubled up as their working space and he asked Ravi why he had wanted some of the lights to remain switched on in that particular cottage and at the same time had told him to switch off all other lights inside the compound of Whispering Rocks.

' We have lights, we have lots of power and yet here we are following you and that feeble light from that torch that you are holding ' Partha observed and then enquired as to why he had asked for sleeping bags and thick blankets.

' Those are already in place down in the wailing rocks ' Ravi said and pointed down If things get a bit too hot to handle, then we will evacuate into the caves for we can make a better stand there than out here in the open.'

Daksha threw her arms up in the air in exasperation and groaned loudly, ' All this land and trees to hide or make our getaway and yet sir, you choose a cave to make a stand.'

Ravi nodded and said purposefully, ' It will make sense to you when you hear me out.'

Pointing all around, ' All this land and just four of us. What if there are four or more people who are coming for us and what happens when they chase us? What if each one of us is cornered and at the same time what if me and Partha are wounded badly or taken down? What will you do, then Daksha? Stand out here in the open and that too in pitch darkness and fight on?'

Pointing towards the drop that led down to the caves, ' Down there, two or three of us can make a stand even if it means dozen or more opponents.'

Daksha's eyes opened wide, ' you mean like in the film " 300 " where a handful of Greek warriors called the Spartans fought the mighty Persian King Xerxes army that numbered nearly a million soldiers.'

' Exactly. A, narrow pass with a single entry can be easily defended by two or more people for a long time. Provided, they are smart in their thinking and in the execution of their plans.'

Partha whistled the moment he entered cottage no.7 which was always allocated for Ravi and looked at him and said, ' Sir, you are not human. For, no room that is occupied by a human can be so clean. No way.'

Both the women joined his whistling with their own murmurs of appreciation and chorused, ' forget clean, this room smells better than any room occupied by even a woman.'

Ravi blushing furiously, cursed, ' what's up with you creatures? If a room is dirty, you brand the man a pig in his sty. If a room is clean and tidy then you work him over for that too' and shaking his head, ' You guys know very well that I am not majorly into perfumes and fragrances. All I use is a deo for my armpits and a bit of deo spray on my clothes.'

Gayatri mumbled to Daksha secretly, ' That is my man's smell. His musky smell and his body fragrance.'

Daksha cursed and whispered, ' babe, promise me that you will confide in me when you do find a chink in his armour? It is getting a bit too much with this blessed creation. Good looks, awesome brains, discipline, courage and to boot gentle and kind.'

Gayatri whispered back, ' I think Partha is just as good as Ravi. So, stop it, ducks.'

' That I know, sweetie but come now and agree when I state that Ravi is special.'

Gayatri looked at Ravi who was taking out a couple of heavy-looking sticks from the cupboard and showing it to Partha and answered, ' Yes. I totally agree. He is special and right now he is all mine.'

Both of them looked at the men and Daksha observed, ' Middle-aged guys and they are acting out Twain's famous boys. Tom sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Look at them and see their excitement and that too over two sticks that are but a few feet long.'

Gayatri called out to the guys, ' Hey, men folk, what's all the noise about those two short sticks.'

Partha answered, ' That will be answered it at all when the question arises.'

Daksha sarcastically, ' what question and when will that come about?'

' Tonight or tomorrow ' ladies Ravi answered cryptically and then opened the only window that was built in the rear portion of the cottage and pointed to Partha who nodded approvingly.

Gayatri and Daksha joined the men and pushing them aside, shone their torches outside the window and saw that the ground outside had been swept clean and then both of them turned their torches on their men and Daksha asked ' Okay, I will bite. Master sir, looks like you have done a great job with the ground. Not a leaf or a pebble lying around. What's going on here? Are you looking for a new job as a janitor?'

Partha repeated his earlier words, ' That too will be answered if and when the question arises. But for now, please switch off your headlights and let's sit and hear out what Ravi has to say for I along with you know for sure that something has been eating him up.'

The torches were switched off and all three turned and looked at Ravi who told them to sit down and make themselves comfortable.

' No point in wasting our energy. Better to rest and save up so that we can call on it when we need it.'

Avan, Aval Adhu 236

For a change it was Gayatri who started the conversation rather than Daksha and even though she was more polite in her enquiry, they still narrowed down to form questions that were shot off towards Ravi.

Daksha's tittering was slight in volume but heavy in its sarcasm. Gayatri smiled and turned to her, ' Babe, at least I am being polite about my doubts and questions unlike you who are rather rude and brutal in your executions.'

Partha's face took on a bitter look that ensues when a tablet is swallowed wrong and you hurriedly gulp water to chase it down and to banish the foul and foreign taste as he said, ' She is not like this with others but reserves this treatment for Ravi and even though she professes her undying love and respect for him.'

' That's because she knows I can handle it and more importantly she knows that I understand it and am cool with it ' Ravi said and going to the bed began removing the thick quilt that covered it.

Then much to all their amazement, he went out through the window lugging the quilt and disappeared. All three ran to the window to see what he was up to and after seeing him and his actions, Daksha squealed, ' Dei, master, we have a carpeted room with a large bed and yet you are laying out that expensive quilt on the ground and that too right outside the window?'

Throwing her arm around Gayatri, ' Master are you just going to stop with laying the quilt or are you going to lay...'

' Ducks, you incorrigible woman? ' Gayatri yelled and Daksha looked at her funnily, ' I meant to say are you going to lay there and take classes.

Both Partha and Gayatri groaned loudly but Ravi stepping back inside the room smiled and said, ' Great going Ducks. Looks like you are in fine form today.'

Bowing down, Daksha touched her forehead with her fingers and said, ' Thank you, master. I remain your bestie and bestest student.'

Then all three watched quietly as Ravi went around moving furniture away and keeping them tucked away near the wall. Then he proceeded to move the heavy cot too and pushed it against the wall and looked at his friends and said, ' One more thing left and then we can chat without any interruptions from me.'

They watched as he meticulously oiled the hinges of the door and then did the same with the hinges on the window and placing the oil can in the cupboard, washed his hands and came back and joined them by sitting on the carpet.

The four of them sat in the darkness of Cottage 7 and Gayatri innocently asked Partha, ' Bro, what's with this cottage no and why 7?'

Daksha smiled and said, ' Because that is the sum of our master's birthdate.'

Gayatri looked at Ravi excitedly and yelled, ' 7. Really. You were born on the 7th ' and then realizing that she might have goofed, made a funny face and corrected herself, ' Not 7 for Daksha said sum and that means it must be either the 16th or the 25th? Right.'

Partha waving his hand interrupted by saying, ' Gayatri, you are wasting your time on this moron by talking to him about stuff such as Birthdays and festivals. Talk to him about the world, the universe and nature and ask him a trillion questions concerning them and you will find him patiently answering all of them. If you don't stop him from answering then it will go on until eventually you expire due to old age or he runs out of answers. Although, I am certain that the listener will expire first.'

Gayatri looked at Ravi with great curiosity and asked, ' Why, is that Ravi?

Finding himself the subject of all their speculation and supposition left Ravi fuming and he looked at all of them and in a slow, cold and deliberate manner made his observations vocal.

' You guys are still not getting it, are you? None of you seems to be able to understand the seriousness of the situation that we might be in.'

Partha, Daksha and Gayatri all looked at him each wondering about the same thing that they had heard from Ravi. It was not the situation that he was talking about that they wondered and worried about but the tone of his voice. It was new to them, and strangely so even for Partha who had known him since they were kids.

Avan, Aval Adhu 237

Partha knew Ravi was upset with them and even though it filled him with a slight discomfiture he nevertheless drew small comfort from it for he knew very well what lay between his friend being upset and being angry. Partha had seen it a very few times and knew very well that, this Ravi before him was not that same Ravi from those scary encounters.

Gayatri spoke to Ravi in a calming tone and cajoled him boldly. ' Ravi, please, don't get upset with us. We were just having a bit of harmless fun ' and turning to Daksha, ' Say, something woman. You speak, talk and spout like a leaky tap and that too when not wanted and here you are saying nothing when you should be saying something.'

Daksha looked at Partha worriedly and used her eyes to question him silently and exhaled slowly when he smiled back shaking his head and confirming through his own eyes that no, Ravi was not angry but slightly upset with all of them.

' Ravi, Ravi, hey sweetie, look at me ' she said and when Ravi raised his head and looked at her, ' Master, we were just having fun and honestly, we did not mean to upset you. But, look at it from our point of view and you will understand why we are still taking all this very lightly.'

Gayatri placed her hand on Ravi and softly requested him to speak freely and more openly. ' It is time you told us everything. It is time to trust us totally and let us in into your head and into your memories.'

Partha looked at his friend and said, ' You know that I know that you have not let me in on all that has taken place in your life. I am okay with that. But now, the

situation has changed and if indeed it is as bad as you feel it is then don't you think you owe it to us to really confide everything. I mean everything and that includes your worst fears.'

Ravi glared at Partha and then his eyes softened a bit. That bit was misunderstood and mistaken by all of them but they did not know that it was curiosity on Ravi's part that softened his eyes and made him question Partha with one word, ' Why?'

' Why meaning what, da?'

' Why do you need to know everything that is in my head?'

' So, I can understand you better and this situation better.'

Ravi smiled and asked, ' That means all these years you did not understand me which automatically infers to you having misunderstood me. Right.'

Partha groaned his defeat loudly and knowing fully well that he was no match for his friend's candour, looked to his wife Daksha for help. But help came in the form of Gayatri whose natural aggression asserted itself over her present calm demeanour and she boldly stated, ' Being right does not mean that you have to be all self-righteous and pompous in your views, Master sir. Please, remember that the questions that are being asked are pertinent and in the context of the situation. Just because you know the answers do not give you the power to be rude and to be hurtful and that too to us, your friends who love you and are willing to do anything for you.'

Her words sounded like the biggest and loudest Diwali cracker exploding when you were least expecting it to and the din of her words left all their ears and souls ringing.

Ravi glared at Gayatri and Gayatri glared back at him with a challenging and aggressive look and with her chin raised. Partha and Daksha took turns staring at both of them and then they saw the light twinkle in his eyes and saw the smile spread quickly all over his lips and face.

Ravi whispered, ' Bravo. Wow! I deserved that and you all deserve my now and since we are going nowhere and have nothing else to do but wait, I will talk and I will share my memories and fears and I will let you be the judge of everything.'

Turning to Gayatri, ' I have something that I need to tell you before I continue which is " Sometimes carrying the burden of an upsetting truth, and hiding it, is actually a gift you give to someone else. You bear that burden, so they don’t have to." One does that so that the other, others can live on in peace and joy.'

He looked at all of them, ' There is a dialogue that is repeated several times in the film " Nayagan " and it goes like this. Naalu peru nalla irukkanumna oruthar kashta padrathu thappe illa. It means that there is nothing wrong in one person suffering if it means the peace and welfare of several others.'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZXsvhqDs9M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEhJGR2dKIY