Correna, Kalai Selvi Arivalagan [best color ereader .txt] 📗

When I first met her in the bus on the way back home, I never thought it would one day develop into a wonderful relationship of love. I always believed in the fact that meeting some unknown person at a point of time in life always has some meaning. It could be some link from our past lives. The cherishing love that took only a short time to bloom itself showed that we were in touch from our earlier births.

Redeemed again and again, truthful love travels down the memory lane from one birth to the other. Somewhere deep in the nook of our love hearts, something told us we were also destined to be together and leave the world with some wonderful tales of love.

Only evenings brought us together. I sincerely started to look for the evenings every day. Evenings in Chennai are perfect to bask in the light of love as the sea breeze slowly blew to keep love hearts feel the bliss of love.

The major difference between us is she is outgoing and cheerful, and myself a silent observer. Bad experiences in life taught me to remain secluded and not indulge in any kind of socializing. Even if I want to laugh I always hesitate to do so. I may want to let my hair down and enjoy what it may come. Yet, I will not have the guts to come out and enjoy life. Her friendship brought some changes in my behavior.

I learnt to take things sportive and ignore incidents that may otherwise make feel hurt and low in spirit. Pull on, pull on, still you reach your goal. This is my attitude. At a point when I didn’t have the energy to pull on anymore, she came into my life. Inspite of the huge age difference between us, I started to look at her as my well wisher.

Moreover, her friendship helped me to know about the advantages and disadvantages the youngsters faced in this generation in spite of all advancement in technology. This understanding helped me to bridge the generation gap and helped me to adapt to the present scenario. I could understand the challenges that the world is facing now and the role of elders in strengthening the confidence of the youngsters. I know I have much to do in this world and some one some where needs my expertise and help.

Recently, both of us have started to go the St. Anthony's shrine on the ECR Road. For sometime she had been insisting me to visit the shrine. But I could not accompany her. One fine day, I accompanied her to the shrine. Stepping inside the shrine, my eyes brimmed with tears as it brought nostalgic memories about my past. During our days of hardship, I accompanied my mother to the St. Anthony's shrine near our house at Dindigul. I became emotional and feelings choked me at heart. I can feel gooosebumps on my hands and I literally wanted to cry my heart out. I controlled myself and lit the candles.

To my surprise, St. Anthony helped me to vacate the dungeon like residence at a thirty years old apartment and move to a posh residence with abundant light and fresh air. My first visit to St. Anthony's shrine after 15 years brought a change in my life.

More than three times, I have now accompanied her to the shrine. Every first tuesday of the month, both of us walk to the shrine from the office. We start to walk at 6 pm and reach there by 6:25 pm. When we reach the shrine, Correna would be panting and shiny drops of sweat would cover her forehead. We spent at least 20 minutes and then returned home. I sincerely wish St. Anthony would bring some prominent changes in our lives. At heart we pray sincerely to St. Anthony and I believe we would see the brighter side of life very soon.




The day when she came home to celebrate our daughter's birthday turned the day cheerful and happy.  Correna turned out to be the only guest to share our happiness and till today it lingers in our hearts as the best birthday party celebrated for our beloved daughter.

Even after three years, our friendship is still going on.  On Tuesdays I visit St. Antony's shrine and I never forget to pray for her also.  Still she is childless and wishes fervently to become a mom and start a family.  God willing, things should happen as soon as possible and bring a change in their lives.  

Text: Kalai Selvi
Images: Correna
Publication Date: 11-22-2011

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Dedication:
Correna