GOD ALONE GUARANTEE…

“Hi Mamma, I got a new friend;” said Namitha; purposefully hiding her excitement.

“How come? Its more than three years since you went out of home!” came the innocent response from her aged and ailing mother. She couldn’t conceal her bewilderment or astonishment.

She shot an array of questions at her loving daughter:
“Is it a boy or a girl?” – Boy, No Man, married with a kid. His name is Edison….replied Namitha patiently.
I got introduced online, she added...

“How did he know about you?” the query was harsh and sharp.

“I was browsing for blogs based on our city…I saw a site and there were few authors…I have been reading some of them and this one appeared simple…I responded to one of his articles, adding a comment. He used to post regularly and I used to drop in to read too. The online editions of newspapers- both local and others- are easily accessible from there. Also they have a separate section to introduce people into computers, web etc and another one on finance, specifically suitable for laymen. Everyday, there would be something you can learn…I was already familiar with two other authors…I commented regularly on those that I felt attracted to. The style was lucid and topics very common…I couldn’t refrain myself…” admitted Namitha, who was on the verge of tears. Oh! I should not have created a panic, she regretted.

“Mamma, there’s nothing to worry. A site or blog is like a common platform. It’s like an electronic magazine. People can read and post means write their comments, if they want to. The comments reach the author before it gets published. That’s all;” she tried to pacify her Mamma.Oh, God! How am I going to convince her on matters relating to computers?????she thought to herself.

“He sent me an email for one of my latter responses. Meanwhile, I came to know he was managing that site, trying to keep it alive. A journalist by profession, he is now engaged in some other position overseas and amidst his busy schedule he was running the show. As I read through the lines, I felt he was on a forced assignment. I don’t know why; but, thereafter, I started forwarding the criticizing comments to his email and the good ones were posted appreciatively on the blog. I searched for his previous articles and the topics and style of presentation were equally good….” Namitha noted the growing anguish on her Mammas face as she continued with her narration.

“You started revealing about yourself to a total stranger!!!” Her Mamma was taken aback. “You are a grown up lady. Still behaving like children. Are you crazy? I am getting terrified. What made you feel to believe an unknown person? Don’t you read newspapers daily? I am terrified by most of the reported contents and here you are acting silly, damn silly;” lamented her mother.

“Do you think people will believe you as you express your ignorance and straightforward nature? It’s a world of exploitation all round and see a fool submitting her self to strangers, how dare you do such things. I thought you had still a long way to go in managing computers and its usage…Every technical aid has its plus and minus. You are searching out the negatives…”

“What else do you know about this fellow, what was his name? Edison? Am I right?? Continued Mamma.
“Nothing more than his name,” replied poor Namitha.
“Then better stop it here,” she warned sincerely that too in one of her sharp tones.

Now Namitha was totally confused. I started the story to seek her permission to send some photos. Alas, I have spoiled the matter…

Now Mamma would shout at Naveen for having purchased this system and trained me on chatting…She would be tensed as my hubby is around. She would suspiciously view every stranger for Edison. She would get upset if I get a bit late from the routine bill payments and purchases…She’s going to watch me close…Better I refrain from further contacts, decided Namitha.

Kids arrived after their day’s toil. Grandma was still murmuring around.

“What is the latest issue, Mamma?” Enquired the elder. Mamma took her to the system and showed the whole responses and details…Oh! So many infant foeticides, she exclaimed. She was astonished by the range of articles; the memoir of a small boy receiving a gift at school and that of a postman allured her…

“What is the problem in this?” She repeated. Namitha took her to the blog page with comments. “Good. Mamma. I felt the same,” she said after reading the comments. “But, what is the problem? She was thoroughly irritated.

“The author seeks friendship…” replied her mother. “ I asked grandma for permission. She disagreed.”

“That’s so natural of her. She is educated and aged. But she is ignorant of computer and is afraid of risks. We can’t predict the consequences. Also how Appa might react to the whole matter”; responded her daughter.

Namitha was a bit relieved. Gender seems to be the major issue. After all, that’s a primary point. As long as this friendship remains true and mutually trustworthy, it seems OK; she thought. If I walk out, will I be disappointing or demotivating the fellow? Whom shall I ask for an opinion, she thought seriously…?

“Mamma is really confused. Leave her alone. Let her decide upon friendship and the terms and conditions!!!!!!!” she over heard her elder saying to her younger sibling…

“Yes exactly. I need time to think.” She engaged herself in other domestic routines during the whole week…


Did Namitha resolve her confusion? How?
....TO BE CONTINUED...

Thank you.