Kicked into light

What a miracle she was!! Waking up at the crack of dawn, before the first ray could find its way among the dense blanket of darkness.  Splashing some cold water on her comely but tired face, she lighted the firewood to facilitate a warm bath for both of us. This firewood was a stellar luxury, for the zamindar granted us the comfort only on special occasions. And today was Diwali- light after a dark, moonless sky! 


As she washed her long locks which were generally tied in a taut bun, Chutki my elder sister demanded to be taken in arms. Amma quickly winded up the bathing ritual and rushed to attend to Chutki. The first light that dispeled the darkness of the hut,  shuddered Chutki. It had become a rountine for her to wake up crying as the demons of the past brought out their ugly heads in her dreams. 


" Kuruvi" Amma's little birdie that she was, "we are far far away from the torments. The ghosts of animosity have left for their graveyards." Amma clemently brushed aside the dry strands of Chutki's light brown hair. The dryness was an integral part of their living. From dry chalky rice served in grotesque thalis to labouring on dry land, Amma and Chutki braved all of it. But Chutki was unable to forget the torch light that shone ruthlessly on the face when her tears had gone dry. 


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"Apaaa... Spare me... For the sake of Divine light just kill me! Throw me. Bang me. But don't let those devils pierce me." She could never see the mortal face of evil who protruded her sancity. The blind cellars could also not witness her apathy for even a wave of light feared to enter this dark spectrum. Amma and me could never see her full when the door was opened to slid a plate of rice with some tapioca. Amma prayed to her Goddess Bhagvathi that she may never see the stark naked body of her only surviving daughter. She feared the bruises might inflict pain on my survival. 


" Mahadeva, Parvati is again feeling the morning sickness!" An escalated Muthashi had announced to my Appa. " This time it has to be the light of the family. A torchbearer who will take your name ahead!" Old Muthashi had enough energy to rock a manly craddle for my mother. 


" Chettan" anxiously weaving her irkal pallu, Amma questioned, "What if this time also its a girl, will we.... " Thud!! A tight muscular slap reverberated in her ears. The word girl made an abnoxious monster out of a drank Appa. The one he had was traded and battered on occasions of sublime poverty. Chutki was his source of income. She brought home the oil to light the lantern. She feed hungry bellies and greedy desires. 


The normally docile Amma felt a kick within much before time. She felt the desire to kick aside the lousy circumstances laying drugged infront of her. She felt the kick again and this time she did kick the drunkard stigma called Appa of her children, to walk out in the darkness of the night. She kicked open the blind cellar doors to gently wake up Chutki and clothed her with dignity. A moonless night of Vararoor saw firm receding figures moving towards daylight. 


-------/////----------


"Today is Diwali Kuruvi! Wake up,  my birdie for the sky is beaming with bright light. Don't you want to have the coconut chandrakala send by the zamindar?" Such sweet moments of happiness lightened up the creases on Chutki's soul. Quickly she hopped to the enchanting warm bath. 


" Ouch...." I naughtily and now really kicked Amma. " Yes my love you too will get the chandrakala but not before Akka comes and divides it into two." Amma assured me by carassing her swollen belly. I snuggled quietly in the dark. But its no more scary. It was a dark that soon would  see light. 


For Amma had promised her unborn Devi, the light of education and light of dignity. No one will ever take away the right of birth from her womb. Single handedly, she had taken the oath with all her might to fight the dark. The power of enlightenment had changed her plight which now worked towards empowering her sight. 


Though today I cannot see her serene face but I'm sure she has protrayed a happy me. With all this fetal philosophy, I now long for that coconut delight which will bloom my taste buds with Amma's crunchy  bite. 


" Kuruvi, what's taking you so long? The baby has once again kicked me tight!"

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