A romantic drama ended on a positive note

THRISSUR: In a meeting that elicited mixed emotions among the audience as well as the characters, a long-standing real-time romantic drama in Malayalam literature ended on a positive note, as Vilasini, the heroine in the most celebrated literary controversy that had aggrieved Sukumar Azhikode, paid  a visit to him at Amala Hospital on Sunday  morning. Vilasini, the 70-year-old spinster, sat beside Azhikode, who is a chronic bachelor at 85, clasping his hands and offering a bunch of roses to him. During a conversation that lasted about half an hour, both opened their hearts to each other. She said: “This is our destiny. Come with me. I will take care of you.” A normally nonchalant critic, Azhikode was seen visibly moved. “I consider your words as one of the best things I have ever heard,” he said.It was two years ago that Vilasini accused Azhikode of denying her love towards him, with over 50 love letters which she alleged was sent to her by Azhikode. Putting a blemish on his moral credibility, the incident had made Azhikode a target for barbs from his friends and foes alike.According to Vilasini, her love was reciprocated by Azhikode as a BEd student in Thiruvananthapuram. It grew into a full-fledged affair and finally reached the stage of a proposal. She alleged that, though Azhikode had visited her home in order to propose along with a bunch of friends, he withdrew from it, saying that his mother would not agree to the wedding.The accusation was followed by defamation suits filed by both Vilasini and Azhikode. In an interview, Vilasini had said that she wanted to live with Azhikode for at least a day before death and that she was hopeful he would accept her.After the news about Azhikode being admitted to the hospital, Vilasini again expressed her wish to meet him. She was worried if she would be denied the wish, but, as if in a Shakespearean comedy, Azhikode agreed to see her. Vilasini later told the media that both had reconciled and this might be their final meeting.   At present, she is working on a book titled Azhikodinte Kamuki (Azhikode’s  Lover).