Dancing Under A Waterfall

Rajendran glanced at his son who was seated on the floor and sewing the buttons on the newly tailored shirt. The only sound that could be heard around was the rhythmic turn of the wheels and the clicking of the needle. 

The boy was unusually quiet, he thought. He looked at his son with all the love in his heart. Appu, his son was studying in the tenth standard. He was very good in his studies. That was what all the teachers, why, even the Head Master Sreenivasa Iyer was saying. The Head Master was such a great soul. He had personally assured Rajendran that the boy’s education would be taken care of by him. The old man was so good, he even took care of the expenditure for the books and the uniform. And Appu studied so well, there were no complaints about him from any quarter.

Rajendran’s wife Pachaiamma worked as a maid in the Head Master’s house. She was a very good servant and an honest one. This was enough for her to win the hearts of everyone in the household. The old lady, Head Master’s wife, admired the sheen she brought to the brass pooja vessels; and the thick garlands she strung with the flowers from the garden; and of course the lovely kolams she drew on the space outside the gate.

The Head Master’s son respected her as she was not loud and kept to her work. The daughter in law adored her too; for, Pachaiamma would dice all the vegetables beautifully and grate the coconuts and even clean the grinder. And the way she hung the clothes to dry was an art. The grandchildren adored her, as she would relate lovely village tales and teach them folk songs. She was paid well and the family gave her food and coffee too. 

During festivals, the family would give them a large spread of sweets and savouries. And Rajendran took care of the complete tailoring needs of the house. 

Appu was their only son and the family had great dreams of the boy making it big in the world.

Sreenivasa Iyer would tell Rajendran, 

“Don’t worry about Appu, Rajendra. He is going to be School first this year. I shall arrange for a Trust to look after his studies. He is a genius. And over and above all this Sri Venkatachalapathy is there to take care.” 

The boy was the apple of his eye. He was a very honest boy and sincere in his studies. He would be at the Head Master’s house for an hour every evening, watching Television. It was God’s grace that the programmes they watched were decent ones. No violent movies or vulgar dances. And mercifully the boy was not crazy about movies or movie stars. Every evening he would relate to Rajendran, the programmes he had watched. It may be about people who made it in life after hard work: people who by sheer intelligence, invented some things: places in the state or outside, the specialty about the place: certain festivals and their significance. In short, Rajendran and Pachaiamma learnt a lot through him. 

Today, he is silent. What could be ailing him, Rajendran wondered. As he was about to question the boy, Appu asked him, 

“Appa, how much does it cost to go to Kutralam or Kodaikkanal ?” 

Rajendran looked at him. 

“I really don’t know, Son. It must be expensive unless we have any relative staying there.” 

“They were showing a programme on TV, Appa. Summer vacation is approaching and they were showing all the tourist spots. The waterfalls look great.” 

There was a fire in his eyes and joy as he recalled the scenes. Rajendran stared at the boy. 

So…this is what it is! 

“Appa, how many families were there! All of them bathing under the water, falling from the top.” 

Appu was holding his hands above his head. There was a huge smile adorning his innocent face. It wrenched Rajendran’s heart. 

“Must be really very nice, Appa, isn't it? Standing underwater and dancing? Probably, after my studies, when I get a good job, we can all go there for two days. You and Amma need a break too, right? As of now, we go only to the village and that too for deaths. Not even weddings because we can’t afford to give gifts.” 

This was the first time the boy was speaking so much. The speed of the wheels assumed a slow beat. 

“Yes, Appu. Just a few years to go and after that, we shall certainly go and spend a couple of days there. It is our fate that we are from the plains and a drought - bitten village, where drinking water itself is a big problem. Maybe if we do get some more orders during Diwali or Pongal next year, we can save some money and go for a day. The Government bus may not cost much.” 

The boy had taken the shirt in his hand and continued sewing the buttons. He seems satisfied with his father's words and there was a smile on his face. 

* * * *

Rajendran heard the sound of rain early in the morning. The windows in that two-room- house were rattling. The Head Master had allowed the family to stay here, right at the backyard of the compound. Rajendran’s father had worked as a watchman in the school. 

Rajendran got up. The front door was open and he could see the trees swaying. It was raining heavily! Oh! My Goodness!! Such heavy rain at this time! Summer showers, yes. But Summer Monsoon? Funny!! 

A glance on the floor revealed that Appu was not in his bed. Rajendran was a bit worried. Where has the boy gone? Did he leave the door open? 

He came near the door. 

The kitchen of that big house was to the right of their little house. 

The boy was standing near the kitchen wall. Not standing. But dancing away and singing. From the terrace of the kitchen, water was cascading with force and fury. 

Pachaiamma had woken up too and seeing Rajendran standing there, rushed towards him. Rajendran looked at her and signaled her to be quiet, fingers on his lips. 

“Don’t disturb the boy. He’s enjoying his very own waterfall.” There was a quiver in his voice as he said this.

****