We arrived in Pollachi quite late. The girl who was there before no longer exuded the same radiance. The thought of her father's absence seemed to weigh heavily on her. Locating the house using the address she provided posed a slight challenge.
Upon inquiry, I learned that a person named Raman operated a transport company in the area. I parked the car in front of the house, and upon stepping out, I heard a voice emanating from inside - a cheerful sound.
"Mom, dad is coming..."
Following this, the door swung open, revealing a mature Tamil girl with an understated yet captivating beauty. I surmised that she must be the one who voiced those words.
Initially taken aback to find me standing before her, she peered out.
"Who? What do you want?"
She quickly collected herself and met my gaze.
"Is this Mr. Raman's residence?"
"Oh, you're a Malayali... father isn't here... what do you need?"
The girl spoke in a blend of Malayalam and Tamil.
"I'd like to meet Mr. Raman. We've come from Kerala."
"Mother, someone from Kerala has come to see father..."
She called out inside, and a woman emerged. Judging by her attire, I assumed she was the matriarch. As the woman approached, the girl retreated indoors, casting a lingering glance my way.
"Who... what do you need?"
I informed the woman that I wished to see Raman.
"Oh... he's not here..."
"If you could direct me to his office, we'll go there."
"Don't worry... he'll be back soon. Please wait."
They urged us to stay put, so I turned and headed back to the car. It was then that the woman noticed Devu seated inside.
The woman insisted that we sit inside the house, pondering how to keep her out. A pang of jealousy struck me when I observed how immaculate and well-organized their home was.
It was a middle-class residence.
"Please, have a seat..."
As we entered, she gestured for us to sit down.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"We don't need anything, sister," I replied.
I gathered that they were equally fluent in Tamil and Malayalam.
"Priya... prepare two coffees..."
The lady called in, then settled into a chair opposite us.
"How do you know them?" she inquired once more.
"A friend of my father's," Devu answered.
"Oh... and is this your husband?"
Initially, we hesitated at her question, but then nodded in affirmation. She mustered the courage to ask something else, just as a car pulled up outside.
The woman got up and went out.
"Who's arrived? There's a car outside..." I overheard the man who had exited the car asking the woman.
"Your friend's daughter and her husband came to visit you..."
I overheard the woman's response.
"See me? Who's that?"
He stepped into the house, scrutinizing us carefully.
He was attired in a white mundu and shirt - a respectable figure.
Upon sighting him, we rose from our seats.
"Who? What do you need?"
"Uncle... we've come in search of someone."
"Who?"
"Ajayan... my father..."
Devu responded.
The sheer elation that washed over his face upon hearing that name was palpable.
"Are you Ajayan's daughter?"
He hastened towards her, coming to a halt.
"I saw you when you were just a baby... and now you've grown into such a young lady..."
She gazed at my face, seemingly not comprehending. I returned the look.
"Father has been missing for a few days."
After uttering those words, all that remained for Devu was tears. She sat there, struggling to make sense of it all, and I sat beside her, unsure of how to console her.
To be continued...