Lakshmi

Chapter 12 They became one life

While Karuppiah and Lakshmi began their conversations, they both saw the priest coming towards the temple. Devi was with him. Both Karuppiah and Lakshmi stood up to pay  respect to their elders. The priest came near to Karuppiah and patted him. Devi was in her smile. 

The priest said " Children, I have been informed by the king, that you both have been chosen as a special couple for a noble act that saves our territory. Please go ahead. But be always in your modest relationship. I know very well of Lakshmi, her determination and sincerity".

Devi added, jovially saying  "Hence do not use the temple premises for your intimate talk. Go into the stable, until the twilight time, and then both come home for dinner before the dimness blackens the environment. I wish Karuppiah can have a small ride in his horse officially. And that would place my jealous neighbours sometimes off from their backbiting if any", said Devi in an advising mood. She further turned towards Karuppiah, and said," Karuppiah, my beloved, I know you are extremely a gentleman, and you would be more comfortable in the hands of my daughter". Devi further added that she would make ghee dosa for all of them for dinner. 

Having said these advices, both the priest and Devi went inside the temple to organize things for the festive days, as well to discuss the marriage between Karuppiah and Lakshmi. They knew that the king was wanting this marriage once the political crisis had stopped. More over, the king was engaging both the children in a political event, perhaps relating to the treasury of the kingdom.

 They were certainly happy because they found in Lakshmi  an exceeding intelligence, and a strong quality for administration. They felt that the combination of Lakshmi with Karuppiah would build a closer everlasting relationship with the kingdom.

Karuppiah was in a thoughtful mood, while walking side with Lakshmi towards the stable.

Lakshmi was wondering at Karuppiah, and on his sudden silence. Yet she felt ecstatically aroused in a most extreme delight. Her right hand was held in a firm grip by Karuppiah's left hand fingers. She was indulging herself now in an immense joy at this opportunity of walking with her man, shoulder to shoulder. She was desiring upon this man for a long time, even before she met him. She felt  the need to opening up of  her heart to Karuppiah, upon  the varied impressions that led her to love Karuppiah deeply.

On reaching the stable, he introduced Lakshmi to the horses. Ron rubbed her with his nose, and  Seeta prodded Lakshmi to seek  her attention, nuzzling her. Then both of the horses began to wigwag their tails,  jerking their bodies in slight oscillation indicating  their approval. Karuppiah ensured feed and water to the horses.

By that time, Lakshmi was getting familiarity with the horses, Karuppiah had finished mucking out the wastes, and made fresh hay beds for the horses. He organized  another bed   for Lakshmi and himself to sit and chat with. Karuppiah,  a man who had  developed a sense of modesty for women, controlled his carnal pleasure not to dominate him or Lakshmi at any cost. His grandfather had told him, that in the life, the priority of the wife is more important.

 Lakshmi knew his honesty, and she was now happily leaning her body on his right shoulder. Both Karuppiah and Lakshmi had made for themselves a comfortable hay bed.  They both sat on it in a  cross legged posture. They both relaxed their minds, by  leaning their backs on the stable wall. They smelled the musky fragrance of marigold, together with the enchanting scent from jasmine. Flowers were on Lakshmi's head. She was often bending her head, so that Karuppiah would inhale the fragrance from her.

While Karuppiah and Lakshmi were in a world of bliss, three more people were observing them. Ron the horse, and Seeta the horse. And of course our invisible kitten. She also sat before the couple in a cross legged posture. But she was not visible to none at the fort now. Her mouth was eating a blade of a hay.

Lakshmi now opened up a packet wrapped up in  banana leaves. There were four vadas inside the pack. They were like donots. But spicy and bit oily. Devi was able to prepare the vadas for the couple.

" How do I call you? As Karuppiah? No I can't. I feel too shy as a Tamil girl, and my modesty prevent me to call my husband by his name! Can I call you  as my mother in law's son? Or can I call you as Kala?" questioned Lakshmi at Karuppiah, while her right hand fingers started to explore the short stubble on his chin. Her left hand was crawling upon his back neck.

" What is Kala? ", retorted Karuppiah. He  broke a piece of the vada. He inserted the  piece  into Lakshmi's opened mouth.

" Kala means Black. You know there was a Tamil poet by name Kalamegam? Meaning black cloud. A cloud that brings life on earth by its showers!" said Lakshmi. 

" Who else are your favorite poets? " asked Karuppiah. Lakshmi responded. "Kambar most importantly!". 

" Why Kambar?" sought Karuppiah. " Because he was a love poet", replied Lakshmi.

She continued….

" Do you know his writing... 

Kambar describes a love scene between the lovers Rama and Seeta from the epic Ramayana" 

She was in the narrative: 

" Rama the hero enters the palace of Janaga king, the father of his future wife Seeta. Seeta was watching the entry of Rama into the fort from her balcony. She saw Rama, her future. Rama was now walking bravely on the king street. His eyes were seeking Seeta, whom he would gain by breaking into pieces a powerful bow. Seeta's eyes were absolutely eating Rama from her balcony". 

 Lakshmi described the scene more finely, and vividly, while laughing inwardly. A surge of blood seeped into her. Her body suddenly got a shivering. Her both hands sought Karuppiah's right hand, and were attempting to break his fingers.

Lakshmi continued:

" Kambar write like this. 

'The woman in her good nature,

 Young one,

 She stood with her kajal painted eyes.

 Intruding into the eyes of Rama with her eyes,

 Trying to eat his..

 She was feeling so ecstatic.. 

 He looked at her…

 She looked at him..

 Trying to eat each other..

 They became one life".

 Lakshmi completed the poem. And smiled at him saying," Both their eyes were eating one another!"

She further said," And you know kajal? It is a paste of cosmetic black powder, mixed with castor oil,  and we apply it on our eyes, especially on our eye brows, and eye lids. It cools our eyes".

" Yes, Kambar was a profound writer, indeed", acknowledged Karuppiah. He said, "The name Kambar begins with the consonant 'Ka', while Karuppiah, my name also carries the consonant as 'Ka' ". Lakshmi out of her discreet love gave him a slap on his back. She retorted," Bad boy". 

Karuppiah  asked Lakshmi, " I know you have applied kajal in your eyes. Does it cool you?", smiled Karuppiah. Lakshmi with out waiting for his answer, hugged his shoulder with both of her hands, while planting a strong kiss on his chin in stubble.

" So you also Love Kambar?", questioned Lakshmi.

Karuppiah replied. " Of course, I love all those who love the love", taking her hands in his both hands, and kissed Lakshmi on her right hand palm. As if something had disturbed him, he at once jumped on to his feet. Smiling sweetly at Lakshmi, he immediately left the stable. Lakshmi could not understand the meaning behind his sudden swift action. 

She found now Karuppiah was  back in the stable in his broader laugh, with his eyes winking at her. He pulled her both hands, and made her to stand. Kitten was clasping her hands. Karuppiah's actions were perceived in innocence not only by Lakshmi, but by the horses as well. Karuppiah now retrieved the pearl pendant, which had been  looped into the slim golden chain, from his pocket. Lakshmi's heart breathed with  astonishment and gasp. 

Karuppiah bent his knees before Lakshmi. His extended right hand palm was showing the pendant chain towards Lakshmi. Firmly and politely,with a most affectionate loving words at her, he proposed " Will you marry me?".

Lakshmi was in another world. Her entire body suddenly became breathless. She was trying to speak. But no words were coming out. She could only nod her head in affirming an yes.

Karuppiah put the pendant with the chain on the pearl neck of Lakshmi. He kissed her on her cheek mildly. Lakshmi was overwhelmed. She actually jumped on him, and kissed him on both of his cheeks and on his lips, making her both hands as a garland over his neck. Time flew. The evening twilight started to vanish. Came in a dimmed darkness. 

Lakshmi in fact was reeling under  a  sudden excitement, and  with an incessant wonderous bliss. Lakshmi, leaving behind Karuppiah at the stable, immediately ran towards her house, while pushing aside the oleander plants on her way,  to sharing the  'the  good news' with her mother. She was in her pride at the pearl beaded pendant in an eighteen inches gold slim chain, now hanging between her breasts more proudly. 

She saw Karuppiah in her eyes. He knew what was best to her. She was in laughter. And her laughter echoed in the veranda  of her house kitchen. The veranda  had a link with the main hall of her house through the kitchen. As she entered the hall, her mouth got  opened wide in awe, in a sudden excitement. She saw the king sitting on a chair, while several others, men and women had been standing,  surrounding the king. She heard bursts of laughter, and chuckles. An immense joy engulfed her as a gigantic wave. Her eyes demanded the presence of Karuppiah.

Karuppiah saw the house of the priest was  illuminating with more flame lights. There was more brightness inside the house since Lakshmi was present in it. He found from the cracks of voices that there were so many people inside the house of Lakshmi. He could understand a jubilant mood. He got alighted from Seeta. He tied the horse at the almond tree that was standing outside of her house. He stepped into the house quietly.

 The people who were standing, and  surrounding some one, at once gave way for his entry. He saw the sitting person, the  king in a big nice wooden chair. Besides the king,  were standing his escort, and yet another young man,  could be three more years older than him. And Karuppiah to his surprise found his mother, sister, Sarasu,his friend Krishna Achari, the head priest of the Shiva temple, the assistant to the father of Lakshmi, and few others. He saw another person along with his escort.He also saw Devi in an exuberant joy, and Lakshmi in a stunned pose standing and watching at him with a wide grin. Devi's eyes watched the pearl pendant hanging on the chest of Lakshmi. She was instantly happy to know of it. 

Karuppiah noticed at the  platters kept on the floor. One was with fruits, banana, jamin, and mangoes. Another one was  having turmeric applied coconuts. And the  small platter was full of  gold coins and few gold necklaces. Yet another platter with two large sized marigold garlands. Karuppiah was wondering at all these, while his eyes were seeking the eyes of Lakshmi.He said to Lakshmi through a sign language," What are these?". Lakshmi locked her eyes on his, and placed her right hand indicator finger on her mouth, which meant please wait. He heard the chanting of mantras by the priest in their puja room.

Now the king spoke." My dear friends. Today is an auspicious day. The festival of the lord Perumal is in another two days. I decided this noon, that  I needed to fulfill a greater responsibility. Hence I have summoned you all. Me and Kattayya had taken certain political irresistible decisions. One is an immediate transfer of all those who were in charge of this  fort management.  From  this noon, they are at the Thondi port. They have already left for Thondi. The fort managing team  of Kamuthi fort has already assumed charges  here, the Thirumayam fort,   while a new security team had been formed to take over the management at Kamuthi.  With these words, I wish Kattayya, my son, who served as an escort to Karuppiah for a few days, would be becoming  the next king, after me. Do not worry about me. I live long. He would explain to you about all the other things".

When the king had completed his utterance, every one who had assembled inside the hall started to weep. Kattayya requested all of them to temporarily stop their grief, as they are into another jubilant areas to decide.

Kattayya now coughed a little and explained, saying "  Friends, the king has said that I have been designated as the king, next to my father. I am always with my father. Nothing accidental would happen to him, you can believe. More than that I look forward for more friendship with all of you. From that of the street cleaner to the people immediately next to me. The king and me had behaved so far as friends. And here is the young man,  my friend Sasivarnam,  the future king of Sivaganga after the  bifurcation of Ramanathapuram territory into two. He is assigned to marry my sister, his lover, Ahilandam in a couple of years".

" I am aware that Karuppiah would find me in shock. Many in the fort know me as the future king. But none of the people inside the fort had revealed to him that I am Kattayya, as the next king. To Karuppiah, I am still his escort. I am sure  Lakshmi had never told Karuppiah about me". Having said these, Kattayya jokingly looked at Lakshmi and Karuppiah. Lakshmi got blushed. Her head bent down. Her eyes had started to seek an unknown things from the floor carpet. Karuppiah was infact blinking in sudden excitement.

Kattayya further added: " Both my father and me reviewed the political situation, with Sasivarnam. We wanted some one as our future  treasurer of the Kingdom. Now we have found out, not only one treasurer, but infact a couple. We confer the treasurership upon Lakshmi, and she would be assisted by Karuppiah. From today they will oversee this fort administration as well. We are aware that leaving a leadership into a women's hand is not a new agenda to Tamilnadu. Queen Mangammal  already had exempled herself  in reigning Madurai. Unfortunately our historians, and including many of us are people who only cherishmale dominance".

" The king, myself, Devi, the priest and many others were already aware of the modest love between Karuppiah and Lakshmi. The grandfather of Karuppiah was wishing this marriage since three years ago. He knew what was happening in the territory by the acts of evil claimers for the throne. We saw the current treasurer is pretty old, and his senses of eye sight and hearing are faltering. Hence we decided to appoint Lakshmi as the chief treasurer and Karuppiah as her immediate assistant, as a care taker of Lakshmi and the kingdom in the finance management of the territory. They would serve the entire territory now. And after bifurcation, Karuppiah would concentrate on Ramanathapuram, while Lakshmi on Sivaganga. They are given royal power from this day".

"More over", Kattayya added, saying, " Our presence here will add merries at this moment, as both Karuppiah and Lakshmi would be getting married now, in the presence of lord Perumal, his consort Lakshmi, and in the reverential presence of my father the king, and in the presence of elders and family members of Lakshmi and Karuppiah".

Kattayya continued, " We know Devi was worrying about the backbiting already had begun in this fort campus. We had  decided to put a full stop to such baseful rumours.  We know Lakshmi and Karuppiah. We know love is not new to Tamils. Hence I request the honorable priest of the Shiva temple, to proceed with the formalities of conducting the marriage in this hall now. The king will then hand over the Mangal Sutra, the symbol of the holy union, to Karuppiah at the appropriate time. We are delighted to see  Karuppiah  tieing the knot of the turmeric pasted white thread on the neck of Lakshmi. Thus the marriage will be solemnized". 

Sarasu was in shock as well in joy. His beloved had been getting married with her beloved Lakshmi. Sarasu now knew how big the posts of treasurership ought to be. She was pleased to see such a big responsibility was getting conferred upon Lakshmi and Karuppiah. She knew she was a girl from the hamlet. She had now understood that more than the hamlet life, ruling a territory was more risky with more sleepless nights. She went and hugged Lakshmi in reverential mood but in deep love. She kissed the lips of Lakshmi.