ISCHRIS by Shajil Anthru

I am the son of Abdulla married to Alice, daughter of Elizabeth. Our friends were present on that occasion to see us wed. We lived together for more than a year, under the same roof. There was no demarcated relation between us but with profound consideration and love.
In our marriage ceremony, invitees were only a few. When they amassed in our house, I stood in front of my father’s portrayal and whispered.
“I am espousing Alice, the daughter of your friend, Elizabeth.”
Alice appeared to communicate her mamma.
“Mamma, you are true. I am at the right place.”
Living are together in a house we invited wrath and doubts from our neighbors and from distant folks. We were glad to disregard them. Alice had the brashness and nerve to face every chatter which eddied round us. Every one feared of me as I was impulsive and high tempered having the gluttons to do the dreadful. I always know my strength and weakness of my character. Whenever I refer on this, Alice grumbled that I always puff.
I knew Alice always had a sheltered dwelling in my heart. Still I, never had the valor to propose to her. Alice never came between my desires and dreams. She never aches me even when something goes off beam between us. She used to express herself through her diverse graces and smiles. I construe her smile to comprehend her. Yet I did not see her heart until she came to my office to tell.
“See. I want to marry you…. live with you… not to lose you.”
I went to the mosque where I am registered. I presented my wish to marry a Christian girl before the secretary and asked the regulations to get married. He stared with indifferent gesticulation asked me to come in the evening. I met him in the evening. he was not alone but with other members of the council. All tried to convince their warm relation with my father and regretted that the son of Abdullah chose the path away from Shari’at. Marriage is a sacred social contract between a bridegroom and a bride. A great thought is necessary before marriage. They reminded me of Prophet’s saying.
“Do not marry only for the sake of beauty, may be the beauty becomes the cause of moral decline. Do not marry even for the sake of wealth, may be wealth becomes the reason of disobedience. Marry rather on the ground of religious devotion,”
The secretary conveyed their verdict.
“A Muslim must marry a Muslim. But sometimes, you may marry Jewish and Christian chaste women. You have deviated from the basic rule now. So, we fine you. Your bride will have to follow Islam.”
I remembered Quran in which it says.
“O people, be mindful of your duty to your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from the two created many men and women.”
I asked them.
“Allah had created my mate in this world and to whom have I to pay the fine. To Allah or to your establishment?”
All members of the council became uncomfortable. They found I am infuriating Islam and reminded me to face the costs if I do not conform them. I giggled and strode back, only to annoy them again. I was the focus of dialog during subsequent Friday Jumaat.

Alice went to the church and met Father Dominic. Alice had only one question.
“Father… I want to marry a Muslim. What should I do?”
Father Dominic knew Alice well. Alice concludes everything after deep analysis and judgements. She is unyielding over her decision. Father fondled his beard and said.
“Alice, get him baptized. You have no other way.”
Alice smiled and asked.
“Father, what if I marry him without getting baptized?”
Father replied.
“You are no more a Christian.”
Alice bowed before him and said.
“Thank you, Father, now onwards I am ISCHRIS.”
“What?”
Father did not understand. Alice said with a smile.
“It is our religion.”
She laughed and walked out of the church. I was waiting outside. Alice came as if a pigeon released from a cage. She bounded onto my shoulders and embraced me. I heard her mumbling.
“We are not Muslim or Christian, but ISCHRIS.”
Our marriage took place at our residence in a humblest way following the rituals of ISCHRIS, our religion.
After our marriage, which took only a few hours, we went for a stride. We both were silent, submerged in some thoughts. Later, when I asked her why she too was tight-lipped, she replied.
“I was thinking about you. How should I alter to be your good and loving wife?”
“Be as you are.”
I assured her by holding her close to my shoulders and kissing her forehead. I touched her cheek for the first time. She looked towards me and it was odd and new for me. I can feel the chemistry of my brain changing by her fragrance…. Oxytocin… Vasopressin… endorphins… All blooming out for a giddy feeling, a feeling of exhilaration and euphoria.
“Alice…”
“Ummm….”
“Are you mine?”
“Yesses….”
“Always…?”
“Mmmm….”
There comes the fire in our heart, blood and body. Brain explodes. Hey GOD…. Who once turned us out from your land… See how we built our heaven here and see how we turn back to that time where shyness and sorrows do not exist.
Yesss….
We two composite souls diffuse through our body to quench the fire of our body. And Alice is mine….

Nine years later…
On a steel bench….
Alice and I….
Cool breeze twirled around her head, cuddled her body, unleashed his passion over her and tickled her. I was too envious even and held her against my chest. Alice was looking at the dispersed clouds. she asked.
“What is that you like in me?”
“Everything.”
I played safe. She could smell the escape.
“Still?”
I pressed my cheek against her and said.
“You are an obliging wife.”
I answered. She freed my hand and turned around. I was now my turn to ask.
“What is that you dislike in me?”
She had no reluctance in saying.
“You are sometimes an egoist. You often boast.”
She looked into my eyes, trying to get the feel of the tinges in my soul. I smiled. She pinched my cheek and asked again.
“What made you love me?”
“That made you love me.”
I answered. She responded.
“You are wily.”
Before carpet dark came rolling down, we returned our home. Ishika was waiting for us. She came running towards us with a valued answer script.
She grumbled.
“Papa… what is my religion? I wrote ISCHRIS and Miss marked it incorrect. Why Mamma?”
Alice glanced towards me and said.
“Your wily Papa will say,”
Ishika looked at me for an answer. I stood stunned.

About the Author:

Born in Thiruvananthapuram in 1968, Shajil Anthru started writing short stories and poems at small ages following the footsteps of his father K M Anthru, a short story writer and essayist in Malayalam.
His first published creative writing is an English poem at the age of 11. Thereafter he published stories, poems and essays in leading newspapers and magazines in Malayalam.
His published works are Rekshakante Varavu (2010) – Malayalam short story collection, Utharam (2013) – Malayalam novel, Swapanagalile Pakshi (2017) – Malayalam poetry collection, Over a Cup of Tea (2018) – Love story collection in English, Ey…CHU (2019) Collection of two love stories and Viswasahithyathile ettavum cheriya kadha (2020) – Malayalam story.
In 2007 he Scripted, directed, and wrote lyrics for his telefilm “Daivam Vannu” based on his short story. He has published technical papers in International journals as well.
India Book of Records – awarded Record Title “Shortest love story” to Shajil Anthru. The record for authoring the shortest love story was set by Shajil Anthru (born on January 27, 1968) of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The book Ey….Chu comprises two love stories and sixteen chapters wherein the only chapter of the second story is the shortest with merely 3 words. The book is published by Xpress Publishing (an imprint of Notion Press and bears ISBN 978-1-64760-189-8), as confirmed on January 18, 2020.”
He is also the founder of the transnational e-magazine “Litterateur Redefining world” and Reviewer and member of editorial team of international research journal of Engineering and Technology, International Research journal of Modernization in Engineering Technology and Science and International Journal of Electronics, Electrical and Communication Engineering