Amidst a terrible desert..... Episode 2

"Let me think about it, Ma !!", Ravi said in a thoughtful tone. Kavitha climbed the stairs with a grim look on her face and in deep contemplation, stepped inside her room. Uma returned to her solace, the one and only kitchen and started preparing coffee. Without uttering any word to her husband, she took a tumbler of coffee and an ocean of positive words for her daughter.

Uma looked at Kavi's moist eyes and lips from which thousands of words are ready to explode. "Why granny wants to preclude me from achieving my dreams? Why does she always try to obtrude her non-sense beliefs on me? Will she ever come out of her benighted age of superstitions?". Uma listened to Kavi's strong words calmly and waited for the moment to talk. "Kavi, what are your dreams? What do you want to do in life? Are you clear about it? Will you stick with your goals, no matter what the magnitude of obstacles you might face in life?", Uma asked in an unusual, assertive tone.

Kavi thought deeply , "Ma, I want to study law. I want to be a lawyer and do my best for society. That's not the end, but a beginning. I don't want to get married and settle as a housewife, doing the same household work for the rest of my life, consecrating myself for my husband and in-laws. I would never want to do that. I want to make a difference, set an example. I don't want to be one among the herd". Uma could easily sense the determination and attitude in Kavi's words. "My dear child, go ahead and do what you feel is best for you. I'm there for you. I can handle your father as well as your grandmother", said Uma with a cheerful smile. Kavi felt delighted with her mother's support. "Hey, your coffee has gone tepid. Do you want me to reheat it?", Uma remembered about the coffee she has brought for Kavitha. "I can feel the warmth in your love for me,Ma. I don't mind if my coffee has gone tepid", said Kavi, giving a hug to her mother.

Shanti park in Velapatty, though not well maintained is the usual hangout spot for Kavitha and her friends. It is the best place to spend the summer afternoons. The park had myriad varieties of tamarind, neem and eucalyptus trees. At the centre of the park, there is a small library, spotting an about-to-fall look. Yet, one can find people thronging this place to read newspapers and novels. The librarian, although projecting a moribund look, is very regular and sincere in his duties. Many college-goers have tried their best to loot a novel or a magazine but it's impossible to escape from the eyes of this 60 year old.

Kavi, having finished eating a sumptuous lunch was all set to go to her favourite hangout. Sundaramma aptly guessed that Kavi is going to Shanti park. "Why do you want to go to that park at this time of the hour? There will be spirits wandering around those neem trees at noon. Go in the evening after 4", muttered Sundaramma. Without giving any attention to her grandmother's words, Kavi stepped onto her bicycle, joyfully singing her favourite song. A bird has indeed started to fly on it's own wings........