Sruthi Art Studios

Gopalan Nair was standing facing the vast paddy fields he owned and appeared to be admiring it. His place was about a mile from Shekhar Menon’s. That morning Nair was not at all admiring his property – his thoughts were very confused and he was not observing what he was looking at. He had so much on his mind and he was very worried.

Gopalan Nair had worked for several years with a giant oil company in Persia. After retirement he had come back to settle down with substantial earnings and a monthly pension from the company. He had built a mansion close to the paddy fields.

He had married late. On one of his leave periods his parents had found a suitable girl for him. She was good looking, very homely and a fine companion for Nair. Nair had a very happy wedded life. But as the Oil companies did not provide family accommodation in the oil fields, he was unable to take his wife abroad. She gave birth to a son.

After a couple of years, his wife used to have health problems often. Nair took her to the best hospitals and the problem was diagnosed as tuberculosis of a virulent type. There were hardly any of the modern medicines available those days – only admit in a sanatorium and follow their treatment and hope for the best. The malady aggravated and after a very painful period – she passed away. It was a shock to Gopalan Nair.

After his wife’s death, he needed someone totally trustworthy and honest to look after his son. On someone’s recommendation, when he got Vikraman, he was glad that he had found such a person. But sometimes things are utterly wrong without our knowing it.

That day Gopalan Nair was very worried. The previous day, in spite of having no belief in Astrology, he had requested a local astrologer to come to his house, at his convenience just for a discussion. Although very busy, the astrologer came and it was the first time Nair had requested him to come.

During the discussion, the astrologer suggested that if Nair had the horoscopes, to show them so that it would help him to predict. Nair had the horoscopes because his father had got them prepared.

The astrologer’s predictions of their past, their character etc. were very accurate. As for their future, he gave a detailed account of Nair’s. But as regards his son Sukumar, he was reluctant to talk. But on Nair’s insistence, he predicted the boy’s future which was very highly disturbing. Nair just couldn’t believe what he heard.

When the astrologer was brought, Nair had instructed Vikraman that nobody should enter the room or disturb them. Vikraman strictly saw to that – but he himself did not miss a word of the conversation inside.

Life went on. The son Sukumar was very good in studies. He was very well liked and had a sweet nature. Nair was happy.

When he reached 20, Nair decided to find a bride for him. Sukumar was too young to get married – but it was Nair’s wish. The girl was found from a neighbouring wealthy family.

After a brief illness, Gopalan Nair suddenly passed away. He left this mundane world, very sad and worried about Sukumar. Despite his disbelief in astrology, the predictions of his son’s future had really got in to his mind. His parting words to Vikraman were – “Never neglect my son. Look after him very well. I leave him in your total care.”

This is chapter two of a short story written by my father – The Baba who came to stay

Artwork done in black inks.