By Caroline Sabitha
Good bye to the city where you can be given pollution, any kind but pollution. say it is a smart city, but smart my ass. A great graduation from my college, that means no more hostel food. A food without or with nacl which made my tongue a living dead. “Hey, can I replace my tongue? A tongue with perfect working of taste buds?” I wanted to ask my professor who teaches ENT. Free from the hostel workers' terrible logic, “Let’s give future doctors some disease through food. ” Yes!!! I finished my medical course and hung a photo, a proof saying that I am a doctor and I am free to kill anyone saying it to be an accident or any other reasons.
Me and my foul mouth!!! I always wanted to become a doctor and to serve others. That’s why I am at my first destination to do my job also my service. “Vaanampaadi Rasithapuram.” I had to spend some minutes to read that name board. But I kinda liked it. I had to take long hour train to reach that town. The train master, who must be in his late 50s came limping towards me. Just by looking at him I had a very urge to ask him why he is limping? What happened? At the end starting the treatment. But I just gave my pro smile at him. “Vanakkam doctor Mr. Seelan.” He shook my hand in firm. His hard work was evident in his scarchy and rough like rock hands.
Then the son of Sarpanch named ‘Anbuselvan' no ‘Morattuselvan' he should have named with his insolent tone and sharp attitude. He came to escort me to my house which was somewhere deep inside the village.
Ohh! What is that! Oh my fortune! A jackpot for a city folk, a compact house beside a big tamarind tree with a panoramic view of lush grass field with fully ripened grains. Green! Fresh air! No pollution! That’s the main reason why I just raised my hand when our chief Dr. Muralidharan asked for doctor for this village.
The auromatic blend of rust and must invaded my nostril the moment I opened the door. Closing my eyelids I took a deep drag of it. I heard my fellow mates complain about such foul odour whenever we returned to our hostel room from semester holidays. But I kind of got addicted to it.
Since it to be the break of dawn I could hear the luscious medley of cuckoo, parrot and crow. The cool breeze kissed my hair when I unhooked the window. Daring me Sun started to rise from its deep 12 hours of slumber. The paddy grains clashed with each other making the rustling sound which became a permanent sound of that house. My ears perked in joy for getting replaced with pleasing sounds instead of tormenting traffic one. Selecting this village for my training is the best decision I ever made.
I planned to join the work after one day complete rest. 6 hours of travel literally tore my muscles into minuscule. Amidst of my deep sleep I woke up suddenly and realised next day to be my birthday. Wishing me an advance I went back to sleep. I woke up again when someone knocked my door and it turned out to be the Sarpanch’s house maid. She brought a bag full of food. At first I thought since the bag is weight she is limping, but no even with the empty bag she limped; Same as the train master.
My chief Dr. Muralidharan called to ask about my well beings. He was like my father, he always tried to fill the gap left by my family leaving me behind as an orphan. After finishing my food I decided to take a walk around the village. It was a small village filled with green ambience. The thick odour of cow dung filled the environment. I decided to invite everyone to my house for my birthday, to get to know them. So I did it house by house, but I found some thing really strange and however I dare not to admit; scaring. Each had some sort of injuries in their body. Some got limping leg, some had hand injuries, some broken lip, torn ear, pulled out teeth, missing fingers. Even burnt scalp with hair stick in here and there.
I was thinking for a convincing reason behind when I saw a group of children playing with each other. Cricket with coconut and small ball which made me take the best memory lane of my life, my childhood. My smile got replaced when I observed them closely, no one could be more healthy and in the best state than them. That screamed out one thing, violence in the village between the adults. “I guess I had to do the counselling along with the surgeries.” I murmured. Maybe that joints the dot of why Dr. Chezhiyan was so keen about sending me here. I always acted as a human dove for all the college issues and hostel conflicts, I had in me the power of words from the birth.
I unpacked my suitcase arranging my things. I hung the holy family of Jesus and prayed for a second and finished my brunch. Again I went back to sleep.
Evening came too fast that I was already in my new pair of shirt and pant awaiting everyone. The time was sharp 6. I went to fetch myself a glass of water from kitchen. Suddenly I heard some murmurings from the living room. When I came to the main hall I almost left my glass. I felt a shiver run my spine and rang in my head. Everyone was in black dress, as if in a funeral house.
contrast of which they were so caring about my well being. Suddenly I remembered I saw Periyar’s photo when I roamed the village. So that might be a reason behind their black outfits. Some children even arranged a surprise cake for me. I got blemished when I got same orphanage vibe there amidst them.
“Happy close to death day.” I got startled when I heard a hoarse voice. He was smiling and something was so off with that smile. I gave him a confused look. He cleared his throat, “I mean today is your birthday that means you have become one year older, so indirectly close to death, right?” he questioned with the same peculiar smile.
“Y-yeah.” I stuttered with a nervous chuckle.
After eating the cake children went out to play. “Let’s play a game.” a man of mid twenties spoke. Seeing him I automatically searched for Anbuselvan who was in the same age but he was no where to be found. Everyone cheered for his suggestion. They started to write something on a piece of paper and dropped in a bowl. “Pick one.” He demanded. I took my time to pick one and opened it with great anticipation.
My fingers started to shake as I spelled those words, “Breaking the knuckle.” I gulped down my saliva when fear seeped into my self. Opposite to me they all cheered. One person opened his gift in which he packed an hammer with blood at the tip. He came near me with the most innocent smile in his face.
“Let’s rehearse your death on your close to death day.” Suddenly I heard some song, a familiar song, too familiar yes my alarm. I woke up with thudding heart and half gone soul. Worst nightmare ever!!!
The clock struck 6, the same time, I inhaled and exhaled to calm my nervous system. I really in need of water so giving a short and deep prayer to God I went to the kitchen. Same murmurings, the exact scenario; sweat started to drip off me when I came out. And I heaved a sigh. Everyone was in colourful dresses.
And they had a surprise cake prepared and gave me lots of gifts, mostly they were plant samplings for my courtyard. I gave them their drink when I heard my phone ringing. I saw it was from Dr. Muralidharan. He wished me a very long life. He told he was planning to visit me and asks about the time taken to reach the village. “6 hours, appa.” I told. Dead silence from other side.
“6 hours? Are you sure?” he asked.
“Of course. I didn’t even sleep during my travel, I was damn sure.“ I responded.
“But when I searched Google Map it shows 12 hours, Seelan.” As he said my breath hitched, google can be wrong about the way but never about the time and distance. “Are you sure that you are in correct village, Seelan?” Am I sure? With fear I turned to look at them. They were no longer chatting among them instead was looking at me.
“Shall we play a game?” same man from my dream asked. The lights started to flicker when the call line got dead. Before the lights go off completely I saw everyone gave me a sinister smile.
By Caroline Sabitha
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