Chickenpox or chicken pox is a highly contagious illness caused by primary infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV).[1] It usually starts with vesicular skin rash mainly on the body and head rather than at the periphery and becomes itchy, raw pockmarks, which mostly heal without scarring.
A story dedicated to Kesav Easwaran
STIGMATA OF LOVE (SHORT STORY)
I had been conducting practical examinations for Automobile Engineering Diploma students at Gov. Polytechnic College, Vennikkulam near Sabarimala, a noted Pilgrim center in Kerala.
Morning 10 AM.
6th May 2011.
'A student has come with Chicken Pox. Will you allow him to attend the examination?', suddenly Kishore, a demonstrator rushed in and told me.
'No.. No... He cannot be allowed to attend the examination... See, Chicken pox is a contagious disease. It is against the rules', internal examiner Saji told loudly.
Kishore went back. The boy walked in. Very childish face he had, tears about to roll.
'Please allow me Sir... This is my last chance...', he started begging openly.
'See, Premji is the external examiner... If he allows, I have no objection', Saji told him.
He was acting like a lamb staring at a butcher.
'What is your name?'
'Robin Roy'
'How many back-papers do you have?'
'A.C... All clear Sir'
'How many more practical exams?'
'Two Sir, today's exam and one improvement. All theory papers are over'
'How is your family?'
'Very poor family... Sir... I don't know how to find money for treatment'
'What is your % ?'
'69%'
'Kishore, give him two answer books.... Now Robin you do one thing... write the procedures for both experiments. Write results and the missing parts... Sign on both the registers of attendance... Your next exam is on 12th, isn't it? I am going to conduct both of your exams today....'
'Yes Sir... Thank you... Sir'
'Just write... and push off... Don't even touch a machine part'
Contended, he moved away with two answer scripts.
'I didn't expect this from you Sir... This is totally against rules... What happens if he dies before 12th? All the registers will say that his exams are conducted... Then this Right to information and other craps... you make me crazy', Saji got angry.
'Nothing will happen my friend...'
'You broke the laws... basic rules of academics...'
'My Guru G.Ramachandran said these lines long back... There are three kinds of laws. 1. Man made law 2. Social law 3. God's law.... A Man made law can be broken social cause... A social law can be broken God's law. I have broken a man made for God's law... Otherwise he might have lost one year and a distinction... And one more thing, we are going to give him 80% for both the exams...'
'O.K Sir, your decision is right, now write and give me 6 songs about Lord Shivji.... of Srikalahasti....I have to give music for them during free time', the Music Director in Saji told.
We both forgot the same incident... I went back on 12th May.
31st May
Two of my friends from UK were about to visit me and I was busy preparing for that. But, one of them was not awarded with VISA to India. Out of frustration, I slept up to 11.30AM. Got up and had a quick shave... God... excessive burning on my face...
'Daddy, please take me to Karikkakom Temple... I like to throw 'Pori' (rice grains made like pop-corn) to temple fishes... and those green turtles... please...'
'O.K. let's all go in the evening....'
'That's a nice decision.. he has been telling this from the past two weeks...',
my wife told. My sons ran off with extreme happiness...
We were at the temple by 4.20 PM... The temple has a colossal gopuram.. with lot of intricate cement work.... We all had darshan and I quickly came out... Fishes were busy waiting for 'Pori'... The reason was quite simple: Pori was out of stock in the temple store... I purchased some six big packets from another local shop, little far away, and waited near the pond for my sons come out. But the fishes and turtle saw me having Pori started moving violently... I tore open a packet and dropped half into the green water....
'Accha...(Papa)', my sons shouted from the back.... 'Give it to me'...'Give it to me'....
'Don't fight... at least in the temple', I told while handing over the other five packets to them.
'They know their voice... See how exhilarated the fishes...', my wife told...
'They are also innocent like them...', My mother-in-law told...
'Where is the fifth packet?'
'It's here Dad... That's for the green turtles... let the fishes fill their bellies.. these turtles are lazy fellows... see how much time they take to eat a small grain...', my younger son told...
Pori distribution was over and we were about to leave... Small scoundrels were not ready to get into the Car...
'We want toys...' 'We want toys...'
'Idiots... are you conducting strike against your own Dad just for some toys? Mere Chinese hospital waste... It creates diseases... Do you know that?', my brother-in-law scolded them.
It was about to rain... and the boys ran towards the shop... I ran behind them... At last I got them two Chinese fighter jets...We were trapped in the store cause of rain. My brother-in-law stopped the car near to us and the boys rushed inside.
'Dad would have purchased something more... That shop owner doesn't have manners...', my little son's comment, 'If I am the shop owner, I will throw him away' comment of the elder...
'In business, there is no value for sentiments... ', my wife laughed loudly... we all followed her...
'This time we have to visit the 'Moolaswaroopam' (Temple power-base), my mother-in-law opined and my brother-in-law stopped the car before that building nearly 200 meters away. That compound was locked as renovation was going on. I sat in the car alone. They all came back after five minutes. The boys started playing with the planes. A round disc started rotating when they pulled and left the plastic twain. There was a wonderful glow on the disc of my elder son's plane... My younger one kept on pulling and leaving the twain... No glow... Nothing... He started crying.
'You created this and you must settle it', my wife handed over the war plane to me. I just rearranged the button cells. Thanks Karikkakathamma. The reddish glow appeared... All were very happy...
Our car was about to pass a famous vegetarian restaurant... 'We want Battoora and Vada...', the boys started shouting again. 'Half dozen mango juice tetra packs too...', elder guy shouts aloud his knowledge in Mathematics!
Back home, I removed my shirt. My mother-in-law spotted a red boil on my stomach area.
'Son, this is not a right symbol... You didn't visit Holy Mother's abode. It is here gift, I think... Chicken Pox... Mother... I offer a piece of Red Silk... Please protect him'
We went to a Doctor nearby.
'Premji, this is Chicken Pox', the Doctor told. 'Take anti-biotic... no fried items... have plenty of tender Coconut water... plenty of rest'...
We were about to go back...
'Let's meet one more Doctor... I think this is Tomato fever', my wife told.
My life was becoming a ripe Tomato...
'Her assumption is correct... I will give you some simple medicines... later you take some Homeopathic Medicines...', that experienced old man told.
'Sir, I have to travel 300 Km tomorrow, to join my new college', I told
'Transfers are the worst enemies of Gov. employees... ', he laughed.
I joined here on the very next day and took long leave for rest... 14 days in isolation... no TV... no Computer... no internet... only one book to read: 'Mritynjaya' by Shivaji Sawant... I couldn't even see my children... this is absolute madness...
And today, 17 th June I am back here on duty... my wife is 200 km away... children 200 km away... a family splintered into three... what kind of life is this?
We were sitting in the staff room... Being the most senior man, I have the charge of Head of Department. Two boys entered into the dept to collect their Certificates. One of them stared on the scars on my face..
'Sir, he is the guy who gave you Chicken Pox', Kishore told loudly.
'I am sorry, Sir...', the boy was about to worry...'Sir, any other member of your family is caught with it?'
'So far no... see I have saved one year... You got first class... Job... everything... but, what have you given me? All these scars... two weeks leave... five thousand rupees for medicines... What is this man?'
'Sir, it is your fault', my friend Saji, internal examiner, interrupted. 'I told you then... do not break the laws... basic rules... so enjoy...'
'Sir, everyone in my family were affected with Chicken Pox. My brother had boils even in his eyes... I am so sorry, Sir...' the boy Robin Roy told... 'Please issue my mark list'.
'Bring your Dad tomorrow and pay me Rs. 10000 as compensation... Then only I will think of whether to issue it or not... What do you say?', I teased him.
'Sir, I won't be able to pay any compensation... already this disease killed my family budget for several months... Sir, my family will pray for you and your family everyday... Don't worry Sir... Nobody from your family will be affected...', tears were about to roll from his eyes... Mine too...
We both started smiling... I saw Jesus in his eyes... Eternal happiness is the result of supreme sacrifice... He smiled... I saw his bleeding wounds transfer to fragrant flowers...
'Premji, there are only two Universes ... inner and outer... your inner- universe is your mind... that is my kingdom... When you fill it with eternal happiness, it becomes heaven!' Jesus smiled... I too...'Prem, these pockmarks on your face and body... what are they?' He asked jovially...
'My Lord, they are the Stigmata of love!'..... He hugged my soul...
Your love stigmata is wonderfully expressed as well as feelings conveyed most divinely.
Prem, your pen must have poured with deepest crimson ink,as it thrusted onto the paper....as well, Stigmata has been known to discharge a many sacredly surreal eventsupon people & objects assosiated with them...This stunning, heart-warmstory is just another example of what i have been saying all along to you about short story writing....A Poet you may be as well...but as you can see ...your recent sstring of short story postings have garnered you quite a bit of due attention,as i had a strong feeling they would....~FjR~ P.S...Hows that book of assorted poetic works coming along?
Prem, your pen must have poured with deepest crimson ink,as it thrusted onto the paper....as well, Stigmata has been known to discharge a many sacredly surreal eventsupon people & objects assosiated with them...This stunning, heart-warmstory is just another example of what i have been saying all along to you about short story writing....A Poet you may be as well...but as you can see ...your recent sstring of short story postings have garnered you quite a bit of due attention,as i had a strong feeling they would....~FjR~ P.S...Hows that book of assorted poetic works coming along?
good story.yes empathy and love do not come easy but they fill your life with happiness.thanks 4sharing
I reallly enjoyed reading this story about the rights and wrongs of life. It was a truly wonderful story.
Very interesting story.
Wonderful story to read and ponder!
Each person plays a part each person provokes a thought, prem, You turn the incidents of your life into the core of your story but, they gain life through the way you tell it to us and enrich us too. Classic concluding line from your heart.
a real life encounter with conscience; you learnt valuable lessons and I discovered a Divine spark in you.
nice narration Premji...a touch of our famous RK Narayan style...i am proud i could find out the story-teller in you...and what a pleasant finding it now proves out to be!
The Human God Lord Jesus touched Lepers too!
A wondrous account of love at work Prem. The young boy was made succesful and the stigmata showed your inner universe was filled with happiness of sacrifice. Hope though by now all those outer signs have healed.
Well Prem you should also have felt, how we student community in our college days in Mandya went thru in our Engineering college days, with our Jaishankar and Prof Nagaraj.I am happy that you helped ROBIN ROY.Dont worry about your health you should be fine.
woww...a very humane story :) or maybe fact :)
mind blowing sir.
A bit too long maybe, came a bit confused at a time, but I really loved it. Inner universe filled with (love) eternal happiness becomes heaven! What a beautiful thought, it was worth reading whole poem more than once , thank you for share, dear friend.