Ninth Day

Who betrayed me for six silver coins to my dad? Is it chechi? Sir? Or Father Valiyedath? Don’t know. Things started moving at lightning speed. Sister told her that they would be coming to ‘see’ her as a prospective bride on Sunday. The would-be groom is from Alwaye.  He is running a stationery shop there.   

‘If it were some bakery or ice-cream parlor, I would have readily agreed.’ She said to her sister.

‘I want ice-cream!’ Nelson demanded.

‘Let your aunt marry an ice-cream parlor owner. Then I will bring ice-cream for my darling every day.’ She consoled the boy.

Nancy was in high spirits. It is the first time that someone is coming to ‘see’ her. Till now, she used to go after boys; but the thought that a man is coming exclusively to see her was thrilling.  

She told Rajan, ‘Tomorrow a man is coming to ‘see’ me.’

‘Who is that brave man?’ He was talking from the engine room.

‘A young man of twenty-six. And handsome too.’

‘Have you seen him before?’

‘No.’

‘Must have seen a photo, haven’t you?’

‘No...’

‘Then how do you know that he is handsome and gentle?’

‘Why limit imagination till I meet him?’

‘What is he?’

‘Running a stationery shop in Alwaye.’

‘All the best!’

 ‘Say so once the meeting is over.’ She walked away.

She suspected a shade of a smile on Bhaskaran Nair’s face when she shared the news of the marriage proposal. How to find out whether sir was the villain? She told a lie.

‘Dad has written that he received your letter.’

‘My letter? How does he receive an unsent letter?’

She was confused. So, it is not Bhaskaran Nair sir who betrayed her. It must be either chechi or Father Valiyedath. Whoever it is, her decision was to kill her or him, immediately on finding out the truth.

     ‘May I leave a bit early today?’ Nancy asked.

‘Why?’

‘Have to go to the Convent Junction. Needs to buy some cosmetics. If the boy visiting me is handsome, let him not disapprove of me.’

‘You will have to spend a lot.’

‘Why?’

‘You are trying to create something nonexistent, isn’t it?’

‘I will not be in your company any longer, sir.’

She knew that Bhaskaran Nair was teasing her. She was above average. Complexion was fair, verging on white. Her vital statistics must be the envy of Miss India. Cute long nails on her long slender fingers. Dreamy, large eyes. She used to say that, if she was fair like her sister, none could have stopped her. She has noted this in mind as an issue to be settled with God, directly.

Trip to the Convent Junction was a disaster. Salesmen with familiar faces had disappeared. All are new faces. She roamed around shops in search of a likeable face, at least one. Where have they all gone?

By the time she reached the station, she was tired.

‘What happened to you?’ Rajan asked.

‘I have decided to commit suicide.’

Rajan gave an appreciative glance as if it was a good idea.

‘What do you want from me so that you will spare this station premises?’

‘Ice-cream.’

‘Only that?’ they walked towards the counter in the platform.

While taking ice-cream, Rajan said.

‘I will be on leave for two days.’

‘Why?’

‘My mother is not well. Need to consult doctor. Maybe she will have to spend a couple of days in the hospital.’

‘Ice-cream wasted.’

‘Why?’

‘I will commit suicide at this very moment.’

Before going to bed that night, she asked Mary.

‘Who introduced this marriage?’

‘Dad wrote to uncle. Uncle brought this proposal. Why?’

‘Nothing. Great indeed!’

The page in the diary for the day remained blank. Looks like its fate is to remain like that for the next couple of days.