Day Three

      Day three. Holding the pen still in between writing her diary, she slipped into a reverie. Is this going to be a ‘Kathakali’ performance to be spread over several days? Nancy has become an ‘expert’ on Kathakali by reading the contents of the brochures which the volunteers of the local ‘Kathakali’ club used to bring for type setting. ‘Nalacharitham’ - second day or third day. The man who brought the matter for type setting had a childlike face with a dark shade around his large eyes. Nancy, at the first encounter itself and without any sense of regret or sacrifice had ceded him to Malathy. While she was typing the notice, the artist was talking to Malathy. Listening to their conversation, Nancy got some basic information about the forms of ‘Kathakali’ characters like ‘Kathi’ and ‘Thadi’. Once he leaves Nancy would say mockingly, ‘Let him sit near me for five minutes, milk will start oozing from my nipples!’

     Nancy returned from her reverie. Her intention was to write the day's diary. Avoiding the foot over bridge and walking confidently towards the end of the platform in the morning, it happened. He was gesticulating from the engine room- ‘Mudras’* with his fingers and ‘Bhavas’** on his face. As she was not proficient in the sign language used in ‘Kathakali’, she had to consult Malathy after reaching the shop.

He had first touched his wrist watch. Then spread five fingers at her. After that pointed one finger to the first platform. This was followed by his facial expression connecting him and Nancy. Not knowing what was happening, she stood on the platform dumbfounded. Maybe he was trying to convey something important, but how can one understand? Realizing that she is standing on the platform astounded with hundreds of passengers rushing by, she regained composure, adjusted her shawl which was about to drop from her shoulder and walked on.    

     Malathy thought for a while listening to Nancy’s narration of the incident. Continuous interactions with the Kathakali artist came to her help. ‘By all probability, touching the watch could be to convey the time, she said. The five fingers spread out immediately after, could therefore indicate five o' clock’. Nancy looked at Malathy with adoration and appreciation. She encouraged her to decode the remaining ‘mudras’. Malathy continued her analysis.

     ‘It maybe to indicate the platform that he pointed one finger to platform number one. But what could be the interpretation of the ‘bhava’ on his face connecting both of you?’

     ‘Ah, who knows?’

     ‘Did he touch his eyes?’

     ‘No, he didn’t.’

     ‘If he had touched his eyes, that could be the sign to let you know that he wants to meet you.’

     ‘Jesus!’ it was only then that Nancy saw Bhaskaran Nair, standing right behind Malathy. He had come out of the chamber.  

     It appeared that for quite some time he had been standing there. In her effort to get the mudras translated, Nancy failed to notice him behind Malathy. Suddenly Nancy returned to her keyboard and started typing. As Malathy had not seen the threat personified standing behind, she continued.

     ‘You do one thing. Just go there at five o clock. Anyway, it is the time of your train. Let us see what he has to say.’

     Nancy was typing hurriedly as never before. It appeared to Malathy that Nancy has lost interest in the topic. It was then that Malathy saw Bhaskaran Nair.

     Oh ‘God!’

     Bhaskaran Nair has been talking for the past half an hour. Nancy estimated the time. He has literally wasted half an hour. From quarter past four to quarter to five. His speech was about human character formation. ‘Never ever fall in love with an engine driver’, he said. ‘Their lives are on wheels. Rolling wheels cannot stick to any place for long. Bit by bit, people travelling on wheels also get those characteristics’, he said. ‘The rolling wheel slowly finds its place in their blood and marrow. Another issue is that they travel on straight and long rails. That prompts them to think in a single track. Means their own affairs. You will be sorry later’.  

 

*In Indian dance, every hand gesture has a symbolic value and a precise meaning. These gestures are called 'mudra'. 

** Bhava indicates the emotional condition displayed by a  character in the dance form.

 

     By the time the speech was over, it was quarter to five. She thanked him and went to the wash room to get ready. After those critical five minutes she came out a beauty and proceeded towards the railway station. There at the entrance of platform number one she saw him standing. The engine driver!