Romance in the Rain
By RAJAN V KOKKURI
Author of BORN TO DREAM and other BOOKS.
More slowly than usual, the Nagercoil Express departed from Bangalore. Due to the heavy rain and wind, the climate was cold and chilly. Emma took her seat well in advance and felt cosy in her seat. Emma was on her way to her native hamlet in Kerala to take up the postmaster’s position after enjoying her employment in a smaller town on the outskirts of Bangalore.
The train reached Bangalore Cantonment Station. Emma was returning to her seat after refreshing herself, she noticed a senior woman was having trouble entering the compartment. Emma didn’t hesitate and reached out to help her.
Emma assisted her in carrying her large bag to the seat reserved as per the ticket. Emma's seat was directly across this one. Emma made her sit near the window and helped her keep her belongings on the upper berth. Emma thought she had previously encountered this woman, but she was unable to recall the circumstances.
There was a light drizzle outside, and it was cold, so Emma tried to cover my hands with the hand towel, glancing at my state the lady offered me her jacket. Emma expressed her gratitude and was putting on the jacket when she saw the initial on the jacket's sleeve while wearing it. The initial 'DJ' was made on it, seeing the initials Emma felt quite ecstatic as if she got something she was waiting for; She was wondering how this lady had got this jacket and why did it make Emma so hopeful?
The sudden breeze that came through the window caused Emma's hair to blow softly. The wind and rain made Emma walk down the memory lane, back in her youth. She remembered her lost love. Daniel was Emma's classmate. They used to go to school together walking 4 Kilometres each day, crossing the rice fields and mud roads. One day while returning from school it rained. They took sheltered under a tree to avoid getting wet. Daniel's gave his jacket to Emma for keeping warm. Emma noticed the initial 'DJ' on the sleeve. They were both soaked as the flow of water drops increased due to continuous rain. After a while, they hurried towards home. Emma’s aunty was standing at the threshold. Aunty thanked Daniel and took Emma inside to dry her hair.
Days passed, during the annual holidays Emma didn't see Daniel. Following the summer break, school started. On the first day of the reopening, Emma couldn't find Daniel in the school. On enquiring Emma learned that Daniel's father had been moved from the tiny post office to another isolated hamlet in Kerala. After that, Emma heard nothing more about Daniel. She was at a loss feeling desperate to have missed an opportunity to reveal her secret adoration for Daniel. Emma pondered on how to connect with Daniel. She wished when they were standing so close to each other on that rainy day, she should have told him that she loved him immensely. Emma remained silent out of fear for the consequence as she wasn't aware of Daniels feelings towards her.
The strong jerk and sound of train awoke Emma. It was the middle of the night, unable to sleep, she was turning and tossing on the berth. Emma waited for the break of the dawn. She wanted to inquire about Daniel with the elderly lady. The train arrived at Palghat station. The elderly lady descended from her berth and asked Emma.
'Which station is this?' 'I need to get to Shoranur.' Emma was certain that this lady knew something about Daniel. She replied, “Aunty, the next station is Palghat Junction. The train will take one more hour to reach Shoranur, and I'm getting down there”. The elderly lady responded. 'Oh, that's wonderful, my dear.
Emma was curious and restless she couldn't wait to inquire about the Jacket any longer. As there was less time to depart, Emma asked the lady, “Aunty do you happen to know Daniel? The elderly woman's face became red with emotions. Daniel is my son. He lost a leg because of a land mine explosion while he was serving in the Indian Army at Sri Lanka. Emma's felt sad and happy at the same time to know about Daniel and sad hearing about his situation now.
You might be startled to learn that Daniel, who works at an old age home, and I are planning to meet. Looking at Emma’s face she asked, do you know Daniel?
She asked, “Do you remember his classmate Emma from Cheruthuruthy?
The woman reminisced, "I remember the cute girl who used to walk to school with Daniel."
She ran to the woman and gave her a hug. My name is Emma. You didn’t remember me aunty? The woman was pleased and emotional.
"Aunty, it's great to see you again after so many years." The old woman started caressing Emma's head and cheeks. You are so pretty and alluring, my little darling, I just love you. Emma smiled warmly. The elderly woman quickly grabbed Emma's hand and exclaimed. Are you married? Emma wiped her tears and replied. "Yes, aunty, but he's not with me anymore; I'm all by myself now."
She grabbed Emma's hand and murmured in her ear. 'Please come with me if you have no objections.' 'Yes aunty, I want to see Daniel,' Emma answered.
Emma and her aunt took and an and arrived at Daniel's place. On the entrance steps, a middle-aged man with a lengthy beard was sitting. When he saw them, he stood up with the help of a walking stick.
Daniel gave her a friendly grin and took his mother’s hand in his. 'Mom, who is this?' Daniel inquired. Aunty stood smiling. Daniel began staring at Emma without even flinching and recognised her.
'Emma?'.
Daniel can still remember her even after twenty years.
After telling Emma what had transpired, Daniel took her hand in his. "When we were together in our school, I didn't have the courage to tell you that I loved you."
She confessed. "On that cloudy rainy day, I wanted to tell you how much I loved you but hesitated not knowing if you liked me.
Daniel took her hand in his and gave her a kiss, seemingly reading her mind. Daniel gently huffed in her ear. "I'm a disabled man who needs help all the time. Would you like to be my life partner?"
Emma was stunned for a little while hearing Daniel’s voice. Daniel continued, “Do not feel bad, I do not want miss you once again.’. Emma admired Daniel, just like her friends did, and longed to be in his arms forever. Daniel's hold on Emma's hand was gently released, and she kissed him on the cheek.
'Sure, sweetie, I've been waiting for these words for years.' Emma hugged Daniel and whispered in his ears.
“Let your love bloom every day and fill my world with the fragrance.”
-Rajan V Kokkuri
Comments
Post a Comment