I was waiting for my bus. Since destiny is written in Malayalam, I couldn’t read it.

Could you tell me which bus goes to Kavalapara? I asked a young woman who seemed polite in her dress and demeanor.

Oh! With pleasure; in fact, I go to that place.

I am very relieved. I am going to study ancient records written on palm fronds. I work for the University of Allahabad.

During our trip, she told me all about her, as if she were a close friend. She works in a bank and goes home to see her elderly parents who have to handle themselves. Of course there is a maid to help you. She asked me: why don’t you stay with me? My house is near Kavalapara. It is a distant town with no accommodation available. Otherwise, you can stay in Ottapalam.

So I accepted his offer.

We had to walk down a narrow path until it opened up to a panorama of green landscape, with rice paddies and a river running through the fields. We walked along narrow embankments, made to prevent the water from flowing into the river. I had to be careful.

We entered a plot with many coconut trees, arecas and all kinds of trees that I had never seen before. It was a treat for the eyes!

She escorted me to her room. He said he would sleep with his parents.

I put my little bag on the stool next to the bed and relaxed. At that time, he brought hot tea and cookies. She said: you can bathe in the pond. I will tell the others not to go near the pond. It can be quite comfortable. I have a friend who belongs to the Kavalapara family. We will know it. You can locate the old palm leaf books.

Before British rule, Kavalapara was something of a “principality”. The Nair had the power to sentence to death; One can still see a beam supported by two pillars, from which the hangman’s noose hangs pitifully, on the spacious floor of the old “palace”, whose vestiges instill a feeling of melancholy in the viewer. All members of the family are now scattered. Only Sushma, her friend is staying there now. All this was told to me by my friend and hostess, Kumari, on the way to the Kavalapara Palace.

Sushma is a very young girl, with a somewhat dark complexion, with bright and earthy eyes. He quickly led us to the attic.

There were all kinds of documents, in Malayalam, English, and of course palm leaf granths at Samskrutham. The girls dusted them all off and lowered them down.

I asked Kumari: can I take you all to Sushma’s room where I am staying?

Of course, he screamed. He knew English well and was very helpful in tabulating the documents. I liked. I said jokingly: if I was young, I could have married you.

She screamed: I’m ready to marry you now.

how old are you?

Forty.

Are you not married?

No.

I’ve never seen the north. Will you take me there?

Oh! Safe.

The following week Sushma came. I told him that I had sent a report to the University about the treasure I obtained in Kavalapara and asked for help in the form of a grant for my research. I proposed that I would appoint Kumari as my assistant, hearing what she jumped for joy.

One Sunday we all went to see. After a half hour of walking, we come close to a hill.

Shall we upload it? I asked.

Sushma was cautious. Kumari started walking towards him. Let us see; if it is not feasible, we will abandon the idea, I told Sushma.

The top of the hill was covered with thorny bushes. We turned around and some opening came to light. But it was a huge rock, like the back of an elephant. The girls managed to climb it and began to describe the surrounding countryside. I tried desperately, without success.

Then they gave me their dupattas. With one end in my hands and the other with them, they pulled hard and I made it to the top too.

Wah! This is our EVEREST! We all shout.

We had a great time and my thesis was ready. I sent a copy to the University of Calicut. I was assigned a special position at the university to study documents obtained from the Samoothiri Palace.

One day Kumari said: Sushma has a love story. Due to the caste difference, her parents are against it. After you came to stay with her, her man got into a fight with her. He even doubts his chastity.

I was really sorry for that. And guilty too. She used to tell me everything. Why did you hide this?

I accepted my assignment at Calicut University and moved to Kozhikode. Kumari came with me as my assistant.

We later heard the sad news of his death under mysterious circumstances.

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