Amballore House by Jose Thekkumthala Read Free Book Online Page A

would wet themselves.
    The flame of the kerosene lamp sputtered and danced. It cast a huge shadow of Thoma with a letter in his hand onto the whitewashed wall, as if it were a huge TV screen broadcasting Kareena’s message as part of the nightly news. Thoma’s family did not have a TV at that time and this partly explained how Ann gave birth ten times.
    “I was looking at the coconut palm trees that swayed in the glorious breeze at an arm’s length from the rail track and was captivated by the divine beauty of those trees. However, my heart was paining at the knowledge that I will not be seeing those trees for a long time to come. My memories of Kerala will always be linked to those trees, tall, happy, and swaying in the ever-present gentle wind.
    “I knew I was getting away from you all with every moment in the train, which was heading to Rajasthan with breakneck speed. That moment’s allure was irresistible spiced as it was by the bittersweet feelings of departing from Kerala and embarking upon a dream career in Rajasthan. I was watching the raindrops that hung in the distance from the plantain trees, refusing to fall and yet ordained to do so. Suddenly I felt very melancholic, because I was like that raindrop, departing from my motherland to unknown territories. The train was taking me away from a feast of natural beauty that Kerala always was, always is, and always will be!”
    The poetic description of her passage to a strange land from the Kerala that she loved held the family spellbound. They were all missing her and loving her far more now than when she was with them. It takes distance to feel real love.
    “The sunset I saw from the train was spectacular. Those crimson-red rays that lavishly painted the landscape were enchanting. In thedistance, I could see cows grazing in the emerald-green meadows and wished I was as free as them, not having to toil for my daily bread. A feeling of sadness descended on me as twilight gave way to nightfall, and I was all alone, staring at a different future in a strange land, far away from Kerala.
    “It was as if the sunset resembled my closing chapter in Kerala, a prelude to an unknown yet fascinating new morning in Rajasthan. However, I am aware that this sailing marked the beginning of a hard life for me, with the headache of supporting a large family.”
    Kareena sent her salary regularly to Thoma. She also took with her one younger brother, Number-Six, to feed and provide education to. This gesture was a tremendous relief for the family.
    “I cannot help going back to my feelings when I was traveling to Rajasthan. I crossed Kerala’s border when a full moon appeared in the sky, with a multitude of glimmering stars anxiously watching me moving forward. The night was not still, with raindrops still falling on the speeding train. I remembered many nights that I was sleeping at our home, listening to endless rain. I wished I was back at home to sleep on the mat next to you all. I was missing the rain that seeped through the roof and drenched every one of us.
    “Those memories took me down a slippery slope of many more memories that I have of my home in Mannuthy. Most of these memories are sad because of the hard life I had and because of the lack of moral support required to withstand them.
    “I have always felt that I am born from none, cared for by none, and cast away before I could become a burden to everyone else. God should have stepped in; he should have supported me. Did he not wish that I go through a horribly hard life? Was it not his wish that I go through this inhuman plight? Why did he do that?”
    Thoma’s voice became soft and was breaking as he was reading those words. He was no longer reading loudly and proudly. He knew that he stood accused by his own daughter. He stopped reading and handed over the letter to Ann. She continued.
    “I wish none in the world will have to endure the miserable plight that we inherited. If our own parents and God himself fail