The Taste of Love

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https://www.amazon.in/Tribute-Vineeth-Ajith-ebook/dp/B08BJW5QNQ

Taste of Love

I love Sundays. But for me it is not a day to sleep and remain on the couch. Once we get up early on Sundays, it is like a different world. There are no people anywhere and the roads are empty. This was something I was looking forward to when I got a job away from my home. I knew that Tamil culture is going to be new for me, but I was ready to embrace it somehow. When it is a rural area, we cannot even have an idea how it is going to be. City lives are almost same. The only interesting is meeting people there. But in villages, the greenery, streams, cattle, butterflies, and of course people- life is different. And it is a paradise for people like me who loves to roam around alone. South Indian villages are a fantastic example for sits like these. Wherever I went, the early morning walks have been quite eventful.

I remember this day particularly and I have written this in my diary. Once I was in Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh. It was a place I had no idea about and no one familiar. To visit the place was a random plan and I just followed my instinct and stayed here for a day. As usual I went for a morning walk. The place is usually very dry but since it was an early morning in the month of November, there was cool breeze all around. I decided to wind up the walk by having a tea from a small tea-shop. I took the tea and sat on a bench facing a field. There was a small stream which had very little amount of water. I was just looking around at everything as I don’t know the basics of Telegu to interact with anyone.

Suddenly I saw a small worm on my left hand. It was green in color and was trying to crawl up from my wrist. It didn’t look harmful and hence I allowed its trekking to continue. I made my hand dead still and was observing its sedate movement. As I was fully occupied with this, a parrot appeared. It slowly came closer. It was quite clear that the new visitor was aiming the worm.

I didn’t move. I didn’t want to save or feed anyone. I thought of being there unmoved, just like a branch of a tree. The bird moved so close and took the insect, without even touching my skin! I was shocked. Such accuracy! Never before I had such an experience with nature since my toddler days! This made me think that may be the key to experiences is to just observe and not indulge in anything.

I wrote this in my diary that day. And this incident was reverberating again. These small things were more adventurous and thrilling for me than a Y scream or Sky Roller. I took early shower, had a light dinner and made sure that my favorite white Tee and jogger is ready for the next day’s action. Plus I had my cycle parceled from home. It means I can cover more distance.

On all the Sundays I used to go for a jog. This made me at least understand the language which I was completely new to. This is a land of devotion and devotees. If we are walking around, we can see either a temple or Shiva idol in every 10 minutes. When one is devoted, even their tiny movements are an art to watch. This is a culture I have never seen anywhere else. And when we are in the villages, there is a calmness which is rejuvenating. Above all this is the kind of place I would love to be in and roam around. Where people are devoted and calm, life sprouts in an entirely different way.

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I started early morning by 6. it was drizzling. I slowly started cycling as there was no hurry. It was the beginning of January and it was cold. But I knew that this chill will go away as soon as I gain some speed. It was Sunday and it was a very remote area, so there was no question of any vehicles crossing apart from milkmen and newspaper boys. I saw at least five or six small temples within the first 45 minutes. There was Trishul kept outside or a Nandi statue which makes it clear that the deity was Shiva. By time it was 8, I got super tired and famished. And I had covered fifteen to twenty kilometers so far.

I couldn’t find any one on my way. It was something beautiful as the green fields and cows filled up the entire frame. There were small huts. Rarely could I find people who are walking. These village people, they walk with a purpose. None of their movements, even a single one is without intent, it seems. Their arms and feets moved swiftly, as if all are high priority works. But the refreshing sight was to see them doing all this with a bright face. May be devotion, it is, that works here.

But me, I was not able anymore to move forward. I was dripping as I have lost all the water in my body. I was looking for a well or pond to freshen up and a tea-shop to get nourished. Such shops which are run by old folks offer tasty snacks. I was already transported to the hungry mode and not looking around to see the nature. At such a point it is best to stop and to look for food. ‘I should have carried some bread or biscuits’, little frustrated, I thought to myself.

It was a very remote area and I had no place to freshen up or eat. So I decided to seek help in a household. I stopped near a hut. There was a cow in front and an old lady feeding it. She looked clearly over seventy by the wrinkles. But the lean body and quick movements to pick up straw was impressive. She resembled the grandmothers of Kerala, at least up to the previous generations. They were lean of extreme hard works they have done and yet smiling and full of stories.

I smiled and said 'Namaskaram' a bit loud, expecting her to hear. She got scared and turned around. Well, the lady can hear clearly. I felt bad but managed to put up a smile. She smiled back and greeted me back with folded hands. "I'm hungry. Can I get some bananas?" I didn't have high hopes. She told me to come in. I was relieved about many things- first that she understood my broken Tamil and she had at least banana to give me. I was so tired that I first went to the pipe and washed my hair and face. The cold climate was nowhere felt. I washed my dirty feet before entering the house. The frontal wall of house had three vibhuti mark and in the center the red kumkum. It denoted Shiva. I looked around. The house was just built with red stones and mud. There was a lamp lit inside and no fans or whatsoever,

The only thing that mattered to me was my food then. She guided me to sit on the floor. I smiled and obeyed. There was no photo of any family member on the walls. This is not something which I was familiar with. In kerala, people put everything on the wall- the family portrait, calendars, kids photos, pre-school competition medals, 4^th standard class topper certificates. And amidst all of these those who are dead and the gods will have to find a place. So it was refreshing for me. And I was not curious to see any of her relatives.

She was not coming out as I was waiting, a little out of patience. I started picturing couple of bananas and was trying to feel the taste. Strange things, hunger is been doing with us. There were two or three old notebooks and a pencil kept there. I just turned the pages. The initial pages were used by some kids for some school works and later same word was being repeated. It was written all over the book. From this I deducted that she used to live here with her children and grandchildren. They have left and she is now writing the sacred chants all over the book. She was lonely but for me she didn’t exhibit that alone and helpless feel. There was no TV, newspaper and neighbors anywhere to be seen. May be that’s why she doesn’t know misery.

The old lady came out slowly. I was surprised to see a palm leaf plate with her. There was steam as she was carrying something hot. She smiled at me. May be I was showing too much craving on my face. It was Pongal and Sambar. She gave me the plate and told me to eat. I took a little bit and tasted. Is it my hunger or the food- I felt like lost! It tasted like nothing I had before in my entire life. It was something beyond the food. I could feel the food touching my tongue, going in, passing through the food pipe and reaching the stomach. And it didn’t taste like any Pongal and Sambar I had. I couldn’t even open my mouth and say thanks to the lady. At that moment, this poor boy was fully absorbed in the plate and the emotion with which it was served. I slowly realized I was eating with my eyes closed and there are some tears coming. Slowly, regaining my senses, I felt little ashamed and looked around. She was nowhere to be seen.

I finished the meal and got up. My stomach felt full and I was heavily satisfied with whatever she offered. I sat down after washing hands. She came back with a glass of milk. It was hot. I was glad that I have some more time to talk. I tried to bring on my Tamil skills to know her.

The lady’s name was Rukmini. It was a common name in Kerala. She was living here for past 40 years. Neither I asked about her relatives nor did she mention a word. She went on talking about her cow, farming, the nearby Shiva temple. I noticed at least once in every sentence she is using the word Shambho ( a way of denoting lord Shiva) and touching her heart. I think whatever she has served is from heart and it touched mine.

When it was time to leave I bowed down and touched her feet. I didn't know why I did that! I haven't done this even to my parents.

"Thank you for the Pongal. It was the best one I had."

She said “You were so hungry. That's why."

"Why did you take me in and served this. I know this was your meal for the whole day. I'm a stranger and why did you do this?” I finally asked this, since it was haunting.

"I'm living alone for many years. Whoever comes here is being sent by the lord or he himself. So you made my day. “She spoke as I was like listening to a heavenly voice. I could see her eyes had tears while saying this.

I slowly pedaled back with, may be one of the happiest experiences.

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After three months, I decided to go to the same place again. I also packed a small bundle of oranges and pomegranates for the woman. During these periods, I was seeing her in many people, whenever there was some outpouring of sweet emotions. Even little children kids laughing reminded me of her innocence. As they say, some connections are bound to happen. So this time I decided to give something in return. I started by 6 AM, trying in every possible way to recreate the old episode. I was less tired as there was a destination and there was a goal to my journey. It took more time for me to find the place as houses in rural areas look almost the same.

Finally I reached the house.

The cow was nowhere to be seen and the place looked as if there is no on there. I felt little suspicious but decided to go in. I went to the door and knocked. No one answered. But I think what it was trying to say. I looked around, there were one or two people looking at me from the field nearby. I sat on the steps. There was a sense of shock and brokenness inside. I felt as if I’m all alone..

‘Wait! It can be so that her children and grandchildren might have come to take her. May she is living with them in better conditions. Yes, that is the possibility. She might have moved with them and probably is well of now.” The inner voice suggested this and I firmly wished, rather believed this is to be true.

I stood up. I decided not to ask any of the local people. On my way back, I saw a boy playing in front of a temple. I gave all the fruits to him. Seeing the sparkle in his eyes, I smiled and slowly pedaled back.

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