Mango jam
The boys pulled up on a rather unimpressive looking driveway…Manu got the door for Raghav. The two got off and Manu led the way. Raghav could hear a low hum, and as they got closer to what Manu would describe as a large, old, yellow bungalow he realized the hum was actually the sound of a group of people reciting something.
He could hear the sound of water falling, ever so gently, the sound of bubbles and the smell of fresh grass and wet earth. It immediately put them at ease. Simple things have a way of disarming people in a way that nothing complicated or forced can!
Manu led the way through the front yard, to a few stone steps that led to a small corridor surrounding a large open courtyard. The sun streamed in through the trees high above the house, and the shadows of the leaves on the clean clay floor created a pattern as though it had been drawn on. There was the smell of fresh fruits somewhere, and Manu was thankful he had left Monkey behind… the sort of havoc he would have caused would send this peaceful haven into a state of frenzy.
“My friend Kanika runs this place. She started this as a home for poor families in the town nearby. You must know that Kanika is blind as well. Not that it should mean something…” Manu said with a smile.
Kanika was sitting with a group of ladies in the backyard. They were cutting up fruits and vegetables as a part of a small cottage industry – to make jams and pickles to sell at tourist destinations and some retail outlets in the state. Kanika was in the process of expanding this business… it was proving harder than she expected.
“There she is… Kanika, we’re here!” said Manu, his usual dramatic side kicked in, he literally swooped in for a hug. Kanika looked like she meant business, her attire was practical and simple and she spoke a few words to the ladies and marched the boys out of the yard.
Manu introduced Raghav and Raghav spoke to Kanika freely. The atmosphere was very simply conducive to behaving with ease and simplicity. “ So it turns out our young Raghav here is going through something you did not too long ago Kanika”
Kanika had started this home at the peak of a very frustrating time in her life. Her parents were orthodox, concerned about getting their daughter, graduated and married off… and were always talking about her blindness as some sort of negotiation point with potential suitors. They meant well, they were just old fashioned. One reason why Kanika would never tell them about the relationships she was in…and when it fell apart. She figured she had two options, submit herself to her parents ‘vision’ for her…or follow her own path and in the process find a way to live and make peace with her circumstances. Kanika had a sharp mind and an eye for business, as one might say…but she refused to succumb to some corporate machine (as she liked to say). She was way too young and inexperienced to make such a head strong decision, but she did and it paid off, and that is how this home she ran, along with all its little ventures came to be.
She was always in need of some help though and Manu thought it a great idea to introduce the two (obvious though it might be) to each other and see if either could be of use to the other.
It turned out to be a fairly good assessment on his part as the budding psychologist in Raghav began to dig deeper into how the people living in this home, were doing with a new place to live and a steady source of income, everything they were unused to and knew not to trust for too long. Raghav spent a good hour talking to Kanika. This was going to be where he started his research, both for his study and for himself.
Manu decided to take this time to look around the large estate. It was kept well with some help from all of Kanika’s friends and well wishers. She had two successful friends, meaning to say they had stuck to the beaten path and beat it! They were always finding ways to invest their company’s designated charity funds in Kanika, so it worked out well, and was possibly the reason she had survived in this ‘business’, apart from the kindness of her heart.
Manu had met her through her once strange boyfriend. The guy had been in a drama club with Manu and was heavily into women like Kanika, strong minded, until of course she stopped doing what he told her. Long story short, she left him twitching on the ground, doubling up in pain (it’s amazing how a little knee action can go such a long way) right in the middle of that aforementioned drama club (much to amusement and delight of many women in the group). And that was the end.
Now Kanika was married, happily so, to a sweet and gentle man, a software engineer, whom she had met on a train once while journeying with a friend to Pondicherry. He was a sweet man, a kind soul and a quiet person, but he felt a strong connection with this fiery Kanika and sparks flew like it was Diwali!
Manu kept in touch with Kanika, as their paths crossed many many times and had even attended their lovely wedding (incidentally in this very house).
His jog down memory lane, led him to a thought that was visiting his head increasingly these days… what would Manu do to fill that little tiny void in his heart that play writing, and wandering and Monkey could not fill.. he sighed heavily, picked up a guava (Monkey was rubbing off on him) and thought a bit more about his play, he would be casting soon. And Nisha and Mira were his music team, he was hoping they would share his vision on the story!
Raghav called out to Manu, and that was his cue… to go back into the house.
Meanwhile…back in the city… Maliha and Kirtana had bonded over what had happened the last few weeks. There are two things guaranteed to bring people closer together, absolute silliness, READ : completely letting your guard down with someone or a tragedy or dilemma where you can derive strength and care from one another. Both are unconditional and whole hearted and usually situations where no one is judged, making the effects and resultant changes in the those involved ,the way they see each other permanently.
The painting Mali had been working on was half way done. Kirtana had finished her relaxing rituals of the weekend, and popped into Mali’s room to see what she was up to. Mali had made the room a total mess…and in that mess she functioned her best! What was it? how was it that eccentricity and artistic tendencies always went hand in hand with such behavioral aspects…Kirtana felt better looking at the rest of her house in comparison, Mali had cleaned up.
“Hey Mali…what’s been happening? How’s your head?” said Kirtana, all big sister like. “I’m fine Kit, not to worry. Come see what I am painting!” said Maliha.
Kirtana walked over to Mali, now directly in front of the canvas…She bent her head sideways and the straight up again…”Well its beautiful…but ummm…what am I looking at Mali?”
“it really isn’t anything yet…” she said with a laugh! “I’m distracted and painting with my eyes closed actually..serious..”
She went on..“Kirtana…I’ve been thinking… I was not sure how to bring this up..but I am thinking of staying with you longer than the time we had discussed, do you think that would be okay?” Maliha continued.
“Sure! That’s probably the best news I’ve heard in a while… I can’t imagine you leaving now! Please stay as long as you want, even if you say you will never leave that will be okay!” said Kirtana…she was completely sincere with her words..”But if you would not mind me asking, why the change of heart?”
“well its everything that has gone on so far! I told you about the reasons behind my slightly psychotic incident and it has got me thinking about finally putting my vagabond life to rest…you know? I want to make a life somewhere, maybe even with someone, and if I don’t start now…when will I?” she said…
Kirtana listened… this was good and bad. Would Mali start being too safe now? Time would tell…
“Well whatever you need to do, you should Mali, just know you can stay here as long as you like!” Kirtana smiled… she meant every word.
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