STIGMATA OF LOVE (Short story)

STIGMATA OF LOVE

First week of May 2011

I was sitting inside the laboratory block of that polytechnic college. I had been there, that too for the first time in my life, as an external examiner for conducting practical examinations for final year Automobile Engineering Diploma students.

“A student has come with Chicken Pox. Will you allow him to attend the examination?” 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 Sajikumar told loudly.

Kishore went back and the boy walked in. His face seemed very childish and his pale eyes were about to rain.

“Please allow me Sir... This is my last chance,” he started begging openly to Sajikumar.

“See, Premji is the external examiner... If he allows, I have no objection,” Saji told him without any mercy.

He stood before me 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 do you have?”

“Two more Sir… today’s lab exam and another one for improvement.”

“All the theory papers are already over. How is your family?”

“I come from very poor background Sir… I do not know how to find money for my treatment.”

“'What is your aggregate so far?”

“69%”

“Kishore, give him two answer books,” I told the demonstrator. “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 itself.”

“Thank you... Sir”

“Just write the procedure and push off... Don't even try to touch a machine part,” I told him. Contended, he walked 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 was getting angry.

“Nothing will happen, my friend.”

“You broke the laws... basic rules of academics,” Saji was not ready to leave, as he too had equal responsibility as that of me.

“My Guru G Ramachandran said these lines long back... There are three kinds of laws. 1. Manmade 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 3 songs for my music album. I have to compose music for them during my free time,” the Music Director in Saji told.

“Art makes a life worth living!”

We both forgot the same incident and I back after six or seven days.

♠

31st May

I got up quite late in the morning and had a quick shave. Quite unusually, my face had excessive burning sensation. 

'Daddy, please take me to Karikkakom Temple... I like to throw 'Pori' (rice grains made like pop-corn) to the fishes and those green turtles living in the temple pond.”'

'We shall go in the evening....' I promised him.

♠

As promised, my boys had a wonderful time in the temple during the evening.

Back home, I removed my shirt. My mother-in-law spotted a red boil on my stomach area. 'Son, this is not a good symbol... It is the holy mother’s gift!”

“What kind of gift?” I was getting confused.

“I think… Chicken Pox”

We headed to the Doctor nearby.

♠

'Premji, this is Chicken Pox', the Doctor confirmed. 'Now, take anti-biotic... no fried items... have plenty of tender Coconut water... and take 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 like a ripe Tomato!

'Her assumption is correct... I will give you some simple medicines... later you can take some Homeopathic Medicines...', the quite experienced new doctor told me.

“Sir, I have to travel 300 kilometers tomorrow, to join my new college', I told

'Transfers are the worst enemies of every government employee,” he laughed while accepting the fees.

♠

June 1^st

I joined the same college, from where I picked up Chicken Pox, on the very next day.  I ran away from there after applying for 14 days leave to live in isolation… No TV... no Computer... no internet... No night games…

I couldn't even see my children... It was absolute madness...

♠

June 23^rd

And today, after three weeks of leave, I am back on duty... My wife and children were 200 kilometers away from my working place, and from now on I could meet them once in a week! A family is splintered into two!

We were sitting in the staff room... Being the most senior man, I am in charge of the Head of Department. Two boys entered into the department to collect their Certificates. One of them stared on the pockmarks on my face…

“Sir, he is the one who gave you Chicken Pox', Kishore told loudly.

'I am sorry, Sir,' the boy was about to worry...”Sir, has any other member of your family contacted with it?'

'So far no by God’s grace! See I have saved your ‘one year’... You have secured a first class diploma... You have got a job... You have got everything you desired! But, what have you given to me? All these scars... three weeks half-pay leave... five thousand rupees for medicines... What is this man?'

“Sir, it is your fault', my friend Saji, former internal examiner, interrupted. 'I warned you then: ‘please do not break the laws’… not to avoid basic rules... But, you didn’t care my words… So enjoy...'

“Sir, everyone in my family was 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. I have to produce it before my employer within two or three days.'

'Bring your Dad tomorrow and pay me Rs. 10000 as compensation... Then only I will think of whether to issue it or not in time... What do you say?”  I teased him.

“Sir, I won't be able to pay any compensation... already Chicken Pox my family budget for several months... Sir, my family will pray for you and your family everyday... Please don't worry Sir... None from your family would be touched by it,” 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,” Jesus smiled...

I saw his bleeding wounds transform to fragrant flowers...

'Premji, there are only two Universes ... inner and the 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!'.....

Jesus kissed my soul...                                                                                                           

♠

Premji