She goes by the name of Vilasini Menon, The first time she stepped foot here was after her wedding to Achuthan Nair, a civilian officer for the British Army force. How they met did not begin in India. In fact, both of them were like from two worlds apart, separated by the physical landscape but brought together by a knot of fate. Achuthan Nair was placed Port Dickson to serve the British there. It was during the 1950s when all these turns of events took place. Achuthan met Vilasini’s brother-in-law through an Indian-muslim person who served in the same army. It was then that the Indian-muslim entity told Vilasini’s brother-in-law about Achuthan, and he found Achuthan a really honorable person, someone with great character and stature.
Therefore, Vilasini’s brother-in-law relayed the news to her when he returned to India. I am really sure, given any Tom, Dick and Harry, they would not even bother. Yet, there came a chance then Vilasini gave it a shot, and she accepted what her brother-in-law told her. In her stead, the brother-in-law revealed the news to Achuthan, and he was happy, so he began this chronicle and wrote the first ever, eye-catching, heart-moving letter to Vilasini. As she accepted the letter, she knew that this was what fate wanted them to do. Without a second thought, the replied the letter while it was still fresh when it came. After exchanging letters for a couple of times, they decided to be transparent about their relationship. Achuthan told her about his plan to inform her dad as well. Hence, he wrote a letter to her dad, explaining to him about their letter-exchange that took place and what they felt for each other. Of course, if only Achuthan does this alone, it would not be meaningful, but more weight was put on it when Vilasini herself wrote a letter to her dad as well, clarifying and agreeing to all Achuthan said, and not a moiety of it left out.
For me, what they did there was a real challenge, for Vilasini’s dad may disapprove of their relationship. People are smart, and educated that time, as much as we are now. Vilasini’s dad could have objected easily with the reason being that long distance relationship does not work out perfectly. Instead, he agreed to their decision and blessed them by granting them the green light. They continued to exchange letters from then on, but not only letters were being exchanged in the process. It was not only the piece of paper that goes from India to Malaya and vice versa, but more likely, it was the feeling that was amassed by both individuals and the emotions and sharing that accumulated in the process. It was in 1953, on the first month, in January when Achuthan decided to go back and present himself to get wedlock to Vilasini. Their exchange of letters became an exchange of vows when they were pronounced husband and wife. As a happily married couple, Vilasini obviously had to make journey to Malaya with Achuthan. Within fifteen days after their marriage, Achuthan managed to get her visa done and ready to leave.
They came to Malaya as two individuals with one purpose, to stay here in Malaya. It was not Independence yet at that time. On the other hand, it can be considered a better place after the Japanese occupation. Their means of transport was through a huge massive ship called ‘Ranjula’, not as well known as ‘The Dwaka’, both respectively came from India. The cute thing was that their honeymoon was celebrated on that ship itself. It was so sweet and vivid as she retold this story to us. Even though the ship was not really as superior or amazing as ‘The Dwarka’, but still her memory made ‘Ranjula’ the more special one.
As they arrived here in Malaya, immediately they made their journey to Port Dickson whereby it became the first ever residence for Vilasini. She stayed there for quite some time before shifting around different states in Malaya. From Port Dickson, they travelled to Mentakab in Pahang, whereby the British office was located. Again, they reside there for quite some time. In the course of time, they spent quality moments together. Vilasini discovered more to her husband’s nature. He possessed green hands. He was really good with gardening. In fact, while in Port Dickson, he managed a lot of plants and greens over there. That is why, every single day after Achuthan returns from his work in the office, he would spend his evening toiling the ground and growing the plants, caring for them without fail.
Travelling from Pahang, they were shifted to Kepong. Then from Kepong, they were finally shifted to Ampang as there was one particular territory that became the ground for all the British army to reside. During the Japanese occupation, their house was rented out to other people. After they came to Ampang, they resided in that house up until this time. To them, the house held many memories, most of them are dear to Vilasini. As I looked into the house, I was surprised by the structure and condition of the house. It looks as if it was just built months ago. Unlike current Malaysian houses, you see cracks and pits in the walls, but not in Vilasini’s house.
Talking about sweet memories, she still keeps in touch with her siblings from India up until now. They will be updated on every news that appears to be the latest. Hearing as how she reminisce on her memories, it reminds me of my mom and aunts as well. Truth is, I do not believe in peace without war. I do not believe in comfort without pain. Well, simply because, without war, will we really appreciate peace? Without pain, will we really appreciate comfort? The same concept applies to sweet memories. There must be something that feeds the memory, that makes it sweet, sweeter than honey from the honeycomb. That which fed the memories to be sweet derives from your childhood experience, when you share this unbreakable bond with your siblings. Relating Vilasini’s memories to my mom, my mom has five siblings altogether in her family. They were four sisters and a brother. In everything that they do, they always consider each other into their activity, every single one of it. Thus, their bonds were built and enhanced through the things they do together, through the good and bad times.
The fruit from their many years of bond was evident as few years back, as my grandmother came back from Penang, she was struck by severe fever. She was so ill that we had to call ambulance to bring her to the hospital. From that fateful day, we were told that she had food poisoning, and as a result, from her waist down to the end of her feet, is weak. For the meantime, she needed to stay in the hospital. It was around six years ago when it happened. I can still recall as every Sunday, my cousins and aunties will go over to my uncle’s house to meet up and keep in touch with each other’s undertakings. At that time, I was naïve and ignorant at what took place when my mom and her siblings would discuss in the dining hall when my cousins and I will be playing away outside of the house or in the living room. As time passed, I began to understand that the issue of my grandmother being in the hospital was a burden to bear. Medical fees and accommodation were not free. Even if you say that the duty of nurses and doctors is to take care of patients, they need income as well, especially if they are the sole breadwinner in their family. Where else will they get their income if not from us?
I was old enough to listen to their discussion as I eavesdrop sometimes on my mom talking over the phone with my aunts. They would hang on the phone for an hour or so, before putting it down. Each time after hanging up on the phone, she will tell me everything she talked over the phone and explain it to me. I was in my secondary four at that time. To me, of course all these sounded like grandmother story and gossip to me, something which I need not care about as all I had to focus on was study, which I was not really good at anyway. Then after quite some time, the doctor gave consent that my grandmother is allowed to be granted permission to go home under the care of my mom and aunts. However, my grandmother being in her frail and weak situation, she could not summon the strength to be walking and about doing things and that leads to bedsore if she lies on the same spot for a long period of time. Since that day, everyone helped out to take care of my grandmother, making sure she stays healthy and her hygiene to the cleanest. Adding to that, my mom and her siblings were in good communication with each other; therefore, things were systematic as they handled my grandmother’s issue.
Up until now, I can testify and say that my grandmother has been taken care of very well by her children, whom she had put so much effort into taking care of them since they were young. The result of her integrity and life is now projected by her children: my mom and her siblings. A malay saying remains true, that if you want to inculcate a good nature in someone, it must begin when the person is young. Everything that starts well, ends well if you keep it consistent and aligned the way how it is supposed to be. Just like how sweet memories come to be, it all depends on how you lived it when you did, and because of that those memories serve people well.
Coming back to the emotional tour I went, my main topic is actually about the house that Vilasini is currently living in. It becomes part of her lifetime story when she tells people of her experience. Just like the house, her memories remain true and solid in her mind, and the house she now lives in becomes the container, the bearer of all her memories. Just like the house, it kept her memories concrete and the more we hold dearly to it, the more it will remain true in our mind.
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