Pavani sold tender coconuts to tourists and other travelers on the roadside in the small town of Thengasipattanam en- route to Kanya Kumari . Every day by 9 am in the morning she would be there on the roadside, bathed, ready with flowers decked on her hair to sell her stock of coconuts . She would skillfully break the tender green coconuts with her knife and serve it to her clients. Her friend Yamini would come and keep her company after the latter had finished her house work and children had gone to school. Both friends would chat till it was time for Yamini  to go back home to receive her children returning from school.

Pavani was 25 and married for 5 years now but had no children and this pained her deeply. Her husband Muthu was 10 years older and was in no hurry to have children. He did not believe in going to doctors and hospitals so Pavani’s desire lay unfulfilled in her heart. She often told her hearts desire to Yamini and cried . Yamini on the other hand wished she was as enterprising as Pavani but neither she had the resources to establish this small business nor could she dedicate so much time with two school going children .

I want to travel Yamini , Pavani would confide in her friend ,but Muthu does not even take me to the weekly Bazaar and wont have me going there . I want to see our state if not the country- Madurai, Chennai, Pudukottai and Kanya Kumari .  And Kanya Kumari is just 8 km from here, she would say desperately.  All day she would be cutting coconuts and serving to tourists going to Kanya Kumari. How much she wished to go there and watch the sunset as people described. Muthu had no time to listen to her woes. For him wife should learn how to keep house, keep her husband happy and be content with that. He himself had a small coir business and frequently went to nearby towns . He had even been to Madurai and the Meenakshi Shetram (Meenakshi temple) once or twice , one place Pavani had been requesting . She knew the Devi there would bless her with a baby.

Once back home  in the evening , Pavani would bathe wear some fresh flowers in her head and wait for Muthu to come back. Muthu would come back tired and never even look at her . He would ask for food and water and there would be minimal conversation between them. Pavani the young girl would often ask him – am I looking nice , why don’t you ever admire me ? You are married and happy , what else do you want Muthu would retort . That was the end of the conversation.

Ramalingam, Pavani’s father had jumped up at the alliance when Muthu offered. After all Muthu’s was the only house which had a concrete roof in the whole of the village. He looked a bit older to Pavani but Muthu was sure they would look good together . Pavani used to often cry to her parents and tell them how much she longed for children. Don’t worry Ramalingam used to console her– a girl should have a husband whether or not she has children. He does not beat you, drink or deny food . What else do you want ? He never takes your money. But Appa he will not recognize me if he sees me amongst 5 woman. He does not talk , praise me or even look at me . Don’t be silly Pavani ask your mother how many times I have looked at her face or praised her ? And again the conversation would end there.

Yamini have you seen the latest Tamil movie in theatres in the Town , asked Pavani one day? I want to have a husband  like the hero, who will sing to me , dance with me , laugh with me and tell me how beautiful I am , just like in the movie ? I want to hold his hand and go places , eat different food , see how people live and want to have one little boy and one little girl. That is all I want from life she said sadly. And I want the money you earn Pavani , I could do with some extra . Your heart is wandering as you don’t have responsibilities . Who thinks about love and beauty once you are married . It is the same man for you day in and day out. Just then a bus stopped and Pavani got busy with her clients.

Then for a few days Yamini did not come to sit with Pavani as her children were having exams . Pavani was lonely and sad but she continue to do her monotonous selling. She was thrilled when Yamini came one day and sat with her as usual. Pavani you are looking even more beautiful, exclaimed Yamini,  I wonder if you are  expecting ? Pavani heaved a big sigh and nodded her head to say no. But her eyes were lighted and face glowing . Well I think Muthu and you are trying hard for a baby and that excitement is showing on your face . Pavani smiled shyly but said nothing. There was something strange about her friend , thought Yamini . Maybe she had reconciled to her fate and there was peace within her .  Yamini’s own husband had remarked once or twice how pretty Pavani was looking lately and Yamini had shouted at him enviously. But she never held it against her friend as Pavani never even spoke to her husband. Instead Yamini started saving money to wear flowers on her head daily. Pavani often bought it for her and Yamini was so grateful for that.

A month passed and one day when they were sitting under the tree waiting for tourists Pavani asked Yamini would you like to have a coconut business like mine ? I would love to if I have enough money for the investment said Yamini eagerly . Will you give me your Kanna (son)  in return asked Pavani mischievously? Yamini’s heart cried at her friends longing. I bless you Pavani, you will have two children very soon. Will you and get me some Rasam  from my house , asked Pavani ? I am so hungry and it is only 2 pm. It will be a long wait till 6 and I am hungry for some strange reason. Okay I will come back in 10 minutes said Yamini and walked towards Pavani’s house nearby.

Yamini came back with a container full of Rasam. Pavani was not in her usual place and Yamini thought she had gone to the nearby bushes to relieve herself . 10 minutes passed and then 20. In the meantime a two wheeler stopped for coconut water  and Yamini cut the coconut and gave them. Once they went away she quickly called out to Pavani ? There was no response . She got worried and took out her small mobile from her blouse to make a call to Pavani , as the latter’s phone was missing . Before she could dial she got a message from Pavani’s phone simply saying – see under the pile of coconuts on the ground. Confused  and worried she pushed the pile of coconuts on the ground and there she found a note . She quickly opened the note and it read as follows :

Dear Yamini, I have found wings and I am flying away with Murali who drives a tourist bus . He used to stop by when you were not there and put on beautiful love songs  for me . He would buy coconut to drink after all the tourists had quenched their thirst so that he could admire me for some more time before carrying on with his journey. He says I am the most pretty girl he had seen and asked me to marry him. He has made a comfortable front seat with cushions adjacent to his drivers seat and I will travel places with him. He loves me and I love him. You asked me why I was looking pretty , now do you understand ? Today we are going to my dream place – Kanya Kumari and I will watch the sunset with Murali.  Please don’t tell Mutthu. Anyway,  I don’t care what he thinks . I want to be loved and love deeply in my life. Hopefully I will see you in a few years’ time with a Kanna (name of a boy) and Srikutty (name of a girl) . I am happy and hope you are happy for me ?  Tell Mutthu I just vanished . Even if he goes out to look for me he wont find me because he won’t recognize me .

The letter continued – I have signed my contract paper with the local coconut contractor and given you the rights to continue my business . You are the owner of my little business my friend. You will find a copy of the contract letter under the rug where I keep money. Hope you have a flourishing business  and wish me well. I will keep writing to you. – Pavani.

Yamini cried and blessed Pavani. She tried calling her friend but Pavani’s phone was switched off . Now she had a job to tell everybody. She wondered how Muthu would take this news and will her own husband allow her to run this business ? He may think that she may run away with a tourist driver ? Well , time will tell.