STORY -NILAMBOOR

Story I was working as teacher in at Government school , Pazhuvil , near Cherpu , when I was promoted and posted at Vandur in Kasargod district. I was in a dilemma ; life is smooth here , as I stayed with my sister and had no botheration of cooking etc. I was bachelor and hated kitchen work. I knew the staff nurse in the Pazhuvil Hospital. We became friends when my sister was admitted there. She may be about thirty and was like an elder sister;I consulted her:”You must not refuse promotion. Your difficulties will be over when you marry”. So I braved it and went to Vandoor by the train for Nilambur, a branch line from Shoranur. It was my first journey by this line and I enjoyed the trip , through hilly area. As it was evening , I decided to go to Nilamboor palace where I knew a lady teacher. She was happy to receive me:”Why do you worry about accommodation ? You may stay here. This palace is too big for me and my parents, the only inhabitants here.” After tea and snacks, she showed me a room for me to stay. It had a huge double bed and mirror on the wall . The bed is made of mahogany; the mirror is larger than the bed! I liked it. I was working as teacher in at Government school , Pazhuvil , near Cherpu , when I was promoted and posted at Vandur in Kasargod district. I was in a dilemma ; life is smooth here , as I stayed with my sister and had no botheration of cooking etc. I was bachelor and hated kitchen work. I knew the staff nurse in the Pazhuvil Hospital. We became friends when my sister was admitted there. She may be about thirty and was like an elder sister;I consulted her:”You must not refuse promotion. Your difficulties will be over when you marry”. So I braved it and went to Vandoor by the train for Nilambur, a branch line from Shoranur. It was my first journey by this line and I enjoyed the trip , through hilly area. As it was evening , I decided to go to Nilamboor palace where I knew a lady teacher. She was happy to receive me:”Why do you worry about accommodation ? You may stay here. This palace is too big for me and my parents, the only inhabitants here.” After tea and snacks, she showed me a room for me to stay. It had a huge double bed and mirror on the wall . The bed is made of mahogany; the mirror is larger than the bed! I liked it. In the morning, we went to the Devi temple and , after beak fast, I went to the school . The teachers and students gathered to see the new Principal . After the bell , I spoke to them “I want you to be punctual. After the bell , no one may enter the class. You must understand the things merely learn by heart.” young teacher asked:”Are you marred?” I joked :”Are you willing?” All laughed . After reaching the palace I was given snacks and tea. Then we went to the river side. People were sieving mud of the river bed “What are they doing ?” “They are collecting gold pieces of gold, brought from the mountains by the river; average one thousand they earn” One day Devi’s niece Kalpana came from Bangaloe. Se has an intellectual look , with high brow and thick glasses . I removed er glasses and told them to stand together and smile . I took a snap in my mobile and showed them:”Wonderful “, cried Devi “You are a good photographer.” Before leaving, I exchanged email address with Kalapana. Time flew with wings. One year passed . My sister wrote to me, to come immediately , to see a girl for me. So we (Devi came with me) went home . They had arranged a small tea party and this was followed by an interview with the girl . She is an Ayurvedic Doctor and is not prepared to come to Vendoor. I told my sister that it is impossible to get a transfer , unless some one comes there. Anyway it was over without any commitment from my side. I showed Devi several temples in central Kerala and returned . She liked Triprayar temple on the bank of the river and liked it very much. We went to the old school at Pazhuvil and did not forget the nurse in the Hospital. All were happy to see us. Back at Nilamboor, her niece (Kalpana of Bangalore ) had come with a web site of our school ,as promised and it was presented with great fan fare, shown on a large screen. There was a big crowd and all cheered us. Many guests met Kalpana ad sought her services. The teacher who enquired about my marital status told me her father liked to meet me. One day I went with her . He is a business magnate and offered good dowry. I promised to consider it. My heart was with Kalapana , but she told me she has a lover. So I agreed to marry my colleague.