by Savitha Srinivas
As she gazed at the garden in front of the dome-shaped residential abode, she let out a satisfied smile. She had arrived just the previous day. Though the Central Research Station was located in the city, there was indeed an intention behind setting up a little residential home and laboratory in a Karataga village.
Mother Nature had grown abundantly in the area with a large variety of plant species, a comprehensive challenge to the scientists and botanists. Once the benefits were unraveled in the laboratory, their precious medical properties would be of immense use to mankind. Hubby Akash had justly pointed out that the residential home was part and parcel of the Research Station. As the number of forested areas was diminishing day by day, the authorities had banned human intrusion to protect the rare plant species. Exemption was given to the scientists who were provided with a license and allowed to research on them.
Availing the opportunity, she had hit upon the idea of cultivating the licentiously growing plant species. Her colleagues who had previously stayed in the residential home had grown a garden, which was a feast to the eyes. Rare flowering plants unseen in the buzzing city area were present here. A certain species of white flowers was abloom in clusters along the small path in front of the residential home, annunciating their presence with a pungent smell they diffused. Other rare plants, which blossom and die unrecognized, have made this their abode. Mountain flower, Sylaris, Stemodia, Gloriosa and many more.
On arriving at the place, the first thing that struck her mind was sending a poste-haste message of appreciation to Akash and her colleagues at the head office.
‘Mist at dawn is a beauty … Night stars have flickered and lightened the garden … The sun here shines day and night …The vibrant red of the evening dusk has a hypnotic charm and … my heartfelt thanks for this new garden …’
Her verbosity had developed a poetic leaning, reflecting her thoughts in a way that was a soothing treat to Akash. Yearning for her companionship and intimacy, he used to come looking for her in the research station and to tell of an incident or crack a joke. He must be feeling suffocated by my absence now, she guessed. The message ought to deliver, she wished, the very essence of warmth to his deserted heart.
He too had responded immediately.
“I’m wondering why I ever told you about the strange plants in the forest …” The way how regretful his face looked on the screen of the photophone evoked a naughty smile on Yamini’s face.
He had dropped down to this spot to research on a different subject. And on his way back at night, while traveling in his vehicle in the forest, there shone some light in the pitch dark. On inquiring, assistant Kariyappa had informed him that the light emanated from the “Lanterina” plant, as the natives called it. Casually Akash had told Yamini about the strange plants without guessing the consequences. His better half’s curiosity had been triggered and she had obtained permission from the Central Research Station to study the plants. Akash’s groaning in her absence, though, split her emotions by diverting her attention for a while. Later the thought of the forthcoming task sent a lightning sensation down her spine.
The actual area for residential purpose was a small portion of the dome-shaped structure. Half of the ceiling was cemented, while the other half was covered by glass and herein a suitable environment was maintained to study the plants. The light and wind too were allowed in proportionately with the aid of the computer. Assistant Kariyappa stood folding his hands on his chest, anticipating further orders from Yamini. He had completed the task of giving clear instructions to the computer to allow the correct quantity of water to the garden. He was appointed to take up the task of minor works and help in bringing respective plants and creepers for research. A feeling of respect grew in her at the thought that he had known the flora of the woods better than scientists.
“Kariyappa. Previously, you have worked with Akash Saheb. Remember. You had said something about Lanterina plants, I heard. I need some information regarding that. Can you provide me?”
As soon as she triggered the conversation, Kariyappa blabbered. A 65-year-old unmarried man living in his own hamlet close by, like a free bird. Should anything frighten him?
“Amma … Leave those plants. You can ask questions about any other plants. This Kariyappa will bring them within a wink of the eye. But … those plants … It is better not to indulge in them, Amma.”
Creating an obstacle to her research-driven mind meant inculcating even more interest in those plants. The very purpose of her coming to this spot was to collate more information about them. Was she one to let it go so easily?
“Why, Kariyappa? Are they poisonous plants?”
“Not like that, Amma. There are a lot of telltale stories about those plants. How much is true … or false … no one knows. They emit light at night, you know. Some say it is some ghost at work. If one goes close to it, it is sure to intoxicate him. My Grandpa used to tell me. Since those days no-one goes near the Lanterina plants.”
“Even in this age, do you believe in all those telltale rumors, Kariyappa? Tonight you are going to lead me to those plants. I want to see what is going on over there.”
Unable either to convince or refuse, Kariyappa merely nodded. Numerous questions rose in Yamini’s head. The answers and solutions could be found only after studying those plants. As the sun started setting on the horizon, the two had carried necessary items to the spot for a stay at night. She had a strong hunch that there was something strange about those plants. As she came closer for reconnaissance, she felt thrilled. The month of June had splattered blossoms all over the surroundings and the Lanterina plants stood out among other plants.
As she watched Argus-eyed, darkness enveloped the sky and the much sought after plants started emanating dim light, like a lantern in the black night. It created the illusion that they were carrying lamps in the green colored light which they themselves emanated. Not a dream actually, she rubbed her eyes and pinched her hand in disbelief. As if imitating her feeling, Kariyappa stood awestruck by the beauty and nearly forgot to wink his eyes. She was firm in her stand to witness the drama unfolding that night.
While they halted near a tree, the night slowly set in their presence and both tried hard to stay awake. As the wristwatch ticked mechanically, the two had settled down and counted minutes impatiently. It was not easy to stay awake, though. Sometimes, without noticing, she would drop to sleep and suddenly realizing it, she would shake herself up from the dizziness and look around as if something had happened.
The plants had formed an inverted ‘L’ curve in order to touch a different plant nearby. Instantly, she was falsely assumed that it must have been the wind. But after some time, they had regained their original position. Did the flowers blossom …? True! The buds she had seen during the daytime were abloom and emitted red light like fiery flames, bringing the Gloriosa flower into view.
In this moment Akash’s thoughts came into her mind. She indeed had reasons to thank him for the information he had revealed without giving them a serious thought. If it weren’t for him, the science behind these strange plants might have faded into the deep forests.
One point was clear to Yamini after studying the behavior of those plants for a few days. On coming in contact with other plants, the Lanterina’s flowers blossomed. What was the necessity to bloom at that moment instead of in the normal daylight? She had a strong feeling that though the connections were not visible right now,they might lead to a groundbreaking milestone in discovering the secret.
The laboratory seemed to be an ideal place to study the plants. After giving instructions to Kariyappa to bring some samples of those plants, she walked towards her residential home. On the way the photophone hanging from her waist belt started to ring. Seeing the face that appeared on the monitor her deep thoughts were interrupted and a wave of fresh energy filled her.
“Oh dear. You have contacted me at the right time.”
“Why. Has there been any progress?”
“Yes … Something strange has happened. The next stage will be scrutinized in the lab.” She tried to briefly explain what she had seen.
“Try to record their movements and growth. It may help us to analyze. Also you may get substantial material for your theory.”
Their discussion later diverted to their personal life. The initial flow of their stagnant lives had begun at the Central Research Station and as Cupid sent an arrow into their mundane lifes, the two had indeed fallen for each other so passionately that it ended in wedlock. As their determination to stay together grew, the opportunities for trysts became rare. The pressure of work and work-related outstation trips made them all the more eager to spend time together.
For a while they both had hoped to spend some kind of honeymoon somewhere in a leisure time. The plans had been discussed via photophone but, confined to the sphere of electromagnetic waves, never taken hold in reality.Was it wrong that they desired each other’s company after several days of computer controlled research? However, it cannot be denied that the career had gobbled much of their time.
Akash had long yearned for a child – a culmination of both their characters. Yamini’s womanhood hoped for the same and yet time mattered a lot and so did the labor pain. There were fetus banks to cater to such needs and Yamini along with Akash had sought their help in artificially uniting his sperms with her ovum and bringing necessary changes in the genes while retaining essential qualities. Their daily routine included calling up the fetus bank and inquiring about their growing fetus.
When Akash faded out on the monitor, wishing good luck to her coming endeavors, Yamini suddenly realized the presence of Kariyappa, who appeared to have overheard their private conversation. She suppressed the strong urge to tell him not to overhear other’s talks, but told herself, ‘my fault conversing in the open,’ and walked to her abode.
*
When planting those rare specimens in some earthen pots, they did not appear to be in a state to show anything extraordinary. Her unbridled heart turned a distant thought into a few lines of poetry:
Sometime … somewhere I noticed you
O … silently flowering forest flora
The essence quite neglected by humans
In the busy buzzy terms of life
Unable to woo the connoisseur’s heart You fluttered and grieved, o young one
Did they bloom on you a tiny smile
daily … the sun and the moon
There you are … alone
And here I am … lonely
Even among the mass.
She had composed a few poems in her younger days, unable to resist the intense urge to respond to nature. Incidentally, her poetic heart had responded. Some lighter moments surfaced … A sigh followed.
Two days passed by. The Lanterina plants had slowly started to spread their tender tendrils. Some sort of scent seemed to ooze out of them, inculcating a sense of elevated happiness. Anyway … I would know in a few days, she told herself and touched the plant. At her gentle stroke, it used to feel startled or … might be inspired and blossomed into flowers.
The plant’s inflorescences, placed around a common axis, made it that much more conspicuous and showy. Flowers appeared unisexual with their stamens centrally located. The flower had three whorls of five petals each and their creepers were indeed growing at a faster rate. The idea that the plant when left to spread on a wall or some ornamental tree would render a fantastic sight set off a wave of excitement in her body.
Lot of reasons were there for the existence of an illuminating capacity in animal species. But the same self-illuminating capacity in plants – that was something she was watching for the first time. She decided that she would have a nap during the day and study the plant at night. While examining the creeper in detail, she came across small trigger hairs.
The first thing she did was to place electrodes on the surface of the plant and record the electrical activity. Slowly, she lifted her finger to the leaves and no sooner did she touch the trigger hair that it fired off a wave of electrical activity akin to the nerve impulses produced by animal neurons. Each time the trigger hair was touched, the touch sensation was converted to electrical signals, which increased the electrical voltage across the membranes of cells at the base of the hair. This seemed to provoke the flowers to bloom. Along with this, some sort of white secretion was oozing out from the flowers. This may be the cause for intoxicating scent. Permutations and combinations, analysis and possible solutions jumbled in her, strengthening her motivation to disentangle the mystery at their core.
The next day, the same experiment was continued producing similar results and the average was calculated. The preliminary stage of the report to be sent to her Research Station had begun.
With an exceptionally fine-tipped edge of an electrode, she removed a tiny piece of the cell’s membrane and came across vital information. She examined the molecular channels in the membranes through which ions flow in and out of cells. On applying voltages to the ‘patch’ of cells she noticed that they had triggered tiny ion currents across the patches, as specific voltage-sensitive channels opened up in the membrane. As she gazed at the plant, it appeared to surrender dumbly to all her experiments. If it had a mind of its own what would have been running trhough it …
The very thought made her laugh and she shrugged her shoulders as if to overcome the mad idea. On examining the genes in the cells responsive to touch for a few days, her doubts slowly gained strength. One of the genes turned out to be the gene responsible for producing the small protein calmodulin in the wall tissue of the plant. This calmodulin triggered the initial burst of calcium, leading to vital biochemical activities in the plant cells.
Her report recorded the results, and as time rolled on taking her from one step to another in its stride she strangely felt a sort of sympathy for the plant. The reason was, she neither understood nor felt like understanding. Her hands had dissected many a plant and operated upon its interiors. There was no way for sympathy in this field. And why feel frazzled and nervous to where this experiment may lead to, she wondered.
At this stage, Akash’s face was the last she could think of. Though an urge to immediately inform him of the progress and discuss it surfaced, she managed to control it. ‘Let me not divulge until I come to a final conclusion,’ she told herself and that was her nature.
In the meantime the results on touch sensation were confirmed, although another problem came to fore. Lanterina’s flowers were male flowers. So how should the sexual activity and fertilisation occur? As she came in next morning, the first thing Yamini did was to survey the area where the plants grew. A few days of nightly watchwoman duty would throw much light on the subject, she decided. The neighboring plants’ flowers were bisexual.
‘What might be the reason for unrestrained growth of Lanterina plants in this spot,’ she wondered and kept apart two months of her time to study the flowers of the plant. Day or night made no difference to her. Kariyappa now mechanically carried out her instructions. The only time she got in touch with the outer world was when Akash called upon her. This naturally irritated him.
“Yamini, you seem to think that you will win a Noble prize for your research. Do take care of your health, dear. I have been watching you from the time you took up the subject to study. The radiance in your eyes has gone dim. Your body is drooping. Your face has turned pale. When the whole life time is spread before you, why anxious to finish all in merely two months?”
This time Yamini felt that Akash was jealous of her progress. But since she had not revealed the stage to which she had progressed, how should he know. His concern brought a smile on her dried lips. A few days later she stumbled upon something special – this time, it was about the neighboring plants. When the entire surrounding was pollen controlled, the truth emerged. In the bisexual flowers of the neighboring plants, Lanterina’s offsprings had taken birth! This was really mind boggling, since the surroundings were pollen controlled, there were no means through which the pollen of the Lanterina would have spread and come across the ovaries of other plants’ flowers. The thought took away her sleep and impatiently she watched the plants when Kariyappa expressed his doubts.
“Amma, the plants should sway when the wind blows. But Lanterina plants appear to attach themselves to other plants for a while. Strange. Is it not?”
It was true that the question paved the way to reveal a much-guarded secret. Her hands chilled down with excitement. She too had observed by the Lanterina plant’s movement that it had not spread the pollen. Instead, it bent towards other plants. Why? By touch sensation it had identified the female flower, grew its pollen tube and penetrated the female pistil feeling its way en route to her eggs and fertilization occurred! Touch sensation has been utilized for sexual purpose!
‘Eureka’ she longed to exclaim. The radiance in her eyes had not dimmed. Instead, on discovering the secret, her eyes had sparkled like crystals. She entered the lab and studied the neighboring plants’ flowers. After the pollen of Lanterina fertilized their eggs, Lanterina’s dominant traits were retained in its seeds, which later dropped to the ground to grow as other Lanterina plants.
As if enchanted, she plucked one of the Lanterina flowers and called upon Akash. As soon as he appeared on the screen, she held the flower in front of her as if she wanted to say ‘This is for you.’ As he watched the strange petals of the flower in surprise, she had a hearty laugh.
“Sir. Your Lanterina flower is in front of you.” His eyes twinkled, as she revealed the flower. In the same moment, its petals had started folding as if due to tiredness.
“Akash. The flower’s excitement seems to have died down on seeing you. Will you watch the plant.” Saying so, she held up the plant itself. Suddenly on remembering something, she exclaimed ‘Oh…’. Darkness had not ushered in yet. So Akash had to wait to watch the self-illuminating capacity, till darkness crept in.
“Sorry Akash. I thought of showing you something special. Not now. For now I have conducted a few experiments on stimulation. The results of which will make not only our research station scientists awestruck, but also the whole world look upon with surprise.”
“That special!” he exclaimed, but agreed.
“It’s really the first time that I learn of plants that emit light. Maybe a derailed link in the evolutionary process.”
Though his words were mocking, it could not be ignored. As she slowly unraveled the secret box, he watched her in awe. Glowworms and other arthropods emanate light in order to attract the opposite sex of their own species, a gift of nature, indeed! That in the Lanterina some of the traits present in animals seem to have developed independently was amazing, to say the least.
“In a few days, I will complete the formal experiments and come back,” she declared span lang=”en-US”> and Akash felt like climbing onto cloud nine as he recalled the cherished sweet memories of her company.He assured her that when she returned he would speak to the director and make preparations to give ample publicity to the research through media. Yamini nodded in approval.
Only a few nights were left to spend in the lap of nature and with routine work at the Central Research Station not being far away, the minutes elapsed rather slowly. She held one of the Lanterina flowers fondly and settled herself in an easy chair. The flower had secreted much of the nectar. Flowers that had bloomed when she touched the plant looked tired after separation from the stem. She slowly caressed it fondly and brought it to her nose and deeply inhaled the scent of the nectar.
An profound happiness of being in the world came up in her. She felt light as a feather, as if soaring over some cloud. It felt like she could laugh in heaven. What an enchantment lay in the wooing process of a male towards the female. She still remembered. Two years ago, she and Akash had recently joined the Research Station. As newcomers the unfamiliar environment brought them closer together and made them rely on each other. When other scientists were confined to their chambers and immersed in their own world, with their own thoughts, these two busy bees used to meet after work at the lounge in the residential home, close to the Research Station.
Similar areas of work made it that much convenient to discuss and improve the performance. The similarities kindled the fire in them on a personal level too and Akash never missed to send her rosy letters through e-mail. Her first task in the morning was to read those and feel the warmth that was transmitted. Long ago lovers used to exchange love messages written on palm leaves, she had heard. Likewise, she used to respond by utilizing her poetic sensibility and e-mailed two lines of valentine words.
Akash met her wants and desires as soon as he got his monthly salary. Just for her alluring sight, captivating charm and enchanting smile … didn’t he yearn for those moments? When the attraction exalted, Akash had expressed his wish to have her as his life partner, a proposal too tempting to refuse. Manmatha, the God of Love might have struck the arrow and created a vibrant atmosphere. It was an experience which she did not have in the busy city life.
A male bird was feeding the female bird in the nest and chirping with love, kissing its beak. He had then tried to extract his reward by more serious implications of courtship with the female. On another tree, a male Cuckoo was wooing the female with his ever-melodious tune, while the male peacock had spread its beautiful plume and performing the nuptial dance to draw the attention of the peahen. The splendor of the metallic blue plume with its richness in depth and tonality was in every way trying to entice the passing peahen. As if that was not enough, a male butterfly with rings and rays marked on its wings was sipping nectar and beat its wings with a slight commotion. He flitted a short distance and then secretly settled behind foliage. On sighting a member of the fair sex, he drifted towards it, overcome by sudden ecstasy. He hovered in circles round and round, closer and closer. Eventually, the female butterfly was coerced to land down with the male who, jubilant over his success, had changed tactics and boasted bewitching courtship maneuvers and was flying around her. Whenever he hovered before her, he spread his wings and exuded a sort of scent that might have enchanted the female. Following which, the female was drawn towards the male, who was granted an instantaneous favor.
Pondering over the vagaries of nature, Yamini had spent sleepless nights in memory of her consort. He spent much time with her after their wedding. Goodbye to lonely moments. Both had travelled to Jalavihar Gram for a honeymoon in a small boat. Passing through a canal, they had entered the interiors of a water world. Some of the would-be young partners had flown to leisure parks located in space to acknowledge that ‘marriages are made in heaven,’ while these two, in contrast, had decided to spend their memorable days in this area, as they were ‘down to earth.’
Yamini mused over those cheerful moments as the thinking resumed in her mind. ‘When will I meet Akash …’, she muttered. Her body ached to feel his presence. She was floating in an undulate river, not knowing where it was leading. She only knew that she was floating on a bed of eternal bliss which had no end. She was swimming incessantly, without any time frame. She was one with the waves … erupting bubbles jumped and flowed to the tune of the waves. Oh … what was that? … a bridge. There was an obstruction in the flowing river.
Oh my … This wasn’t merely a dream. She was in a room, a part of the residential home. ‘Where am I now…?’ She opened her eyes to a sudden reality. What had appeared snowy was becoming clear. Akash was before her. Her face shone with glee over obtaining what she had yearned for. All faces around her showed an expression of relief. Yamini slowly gazed at the others present here. Along with Akash two of her colleagues and Kariyappa were also there. ‘Who is the person in the white suit? Why am I in bed? When have all these people come here …?’ She was trying to slowly recollect the events before she had drifted off to sleep. She had inhaled the fragrance of the flower while her mind had traveled to Akash and only that was real. What had taken place later appeared like a dream voyage.
“Akash. When did you arrive? How come the others are here …?” she asked surprised.
He sat by her side and gently squeezed her palm. “You were in a half conscious state for a whole day, dear. Then Kariyappa became suspicious and broke the door. He tried to wake you up but you were not in this world. When the photophone started making a ‘beep’ sound, he switched it on and informed me of what needed to be done. I have brought our friends along with me too. He is a doctor. He has brought you back to consciousness.” Saying so he pointed at the person dressed in white.
Still confused by what had happened, she thanked the doctor and turned towards Akash.
“How did this happen? I was healthy.”
“I knew this would happen. I have been telling you all the while that you looked tired. You will not notice unless others make you aware of it . Did you try any intoxicant?” he teased her.
He was meant to be funny at this moment, but she flared up.
“Do you really think I would be so silly?”
“Half conscious you were blabbering some … something. You might have repeated my name a hundred times. Why? Did my memory haunt you so much?” he whispered so softly that only she could hear it. She blushed in response. Suddenly, she became aware of her unkempt appearance.
“Akash. I want to speak with you alone,” she said and the others understood and left the room.
“Now you can utter any love messages, my queen,” he said. Yamini found that somewhat melodramatic and annoyingly hit his chest with her fist. She wasn’t a somniloquist.
“Really, Yamini. If I had not listened to your sleep talk, I might not have known how much you missed me. But when my colleagues heard it too, I felt a little embarrassed,” he said with his eyes winking and she felt like her heart missed a beat.
‘What was it that I have muttered…?’ She failed to figure it out.
Somewhere, something was on the wrong track. Even though she felt tired, she tried to explain.
“If you are going to believe me, I will tell you the truth.”
“Oh … sure.”
She continued: “You all believe that I was half conscious.”
“Yes.”
“You think that my health is not OK.”
“Right.”
“Then Akash, will you believe me if I tell you that I have never in my whole life experienced such a pleasure as I did in this state.”
Akash seemed to be bewildered by her words.
“I only remember that after talking to you I have inhaled the flower’s fragrance and fell asleep. Later I was transported into another world …” Slowly she narrated what she remembered and at the end both were thinking on similar lines. Their gaze fell on the faded flower beside them. Its petals had drooped down. Still there were white stains on the bed here and there. There was no doubt that the white secretion was from the flower. She didn’t have the guts to inhale its scent again. She recalled Kariyappa telling her a while ago about humans hesitant to go near the Lanterina plant. For a detailed study they had to return to the Research station now.
Three days quickened its pace. Both were sitting in their quarter, facing each other. Between them was the Lanterina plant, now placed in an earthen pot, ablush in all its freshness.
Yamini spoke as if in a soliloquy. “Does it know that its secret has been unveiled? Nature has bestowed so many challenges, facilities … qualities for the growth and survival of living beings. The techniques of survival of those beings are most astounding.”
The wondrous plant was in full bloom, calm, yet vibrant and vitalizing. The plant was now the cynosure of all eyes. Was it aware of it or not? It bloomed at the mere touch of a female. Its white secretion had the capacity to sexually arouse. In a few days, perfumes utilizing the plant extract were to be released to the market. A huge plan to grow these plants in an artificial atmosphere was on the anvil.
In the meantime, their routine activity of inquiring the growth of their progeny at the fetus bank had been delegated to a back seat. It was Akash who brought the issue forward.
“Yamini. Our child should be eight months old now. One more month and we can take him from the bank.”
By now Yamini’s enthusiasm had faded.
“Is it so?” she asked dryly.
She had watched the fertilization process of the Lanterina plant at close quarters. ‘While advancing towards artificiality’, she pondered deeply, ’are we moving against nature just out of convenience?”
Savitha Srinivas is a versatile writer and has rendered her service in the coveted Indian Police Service (IPS) in Bengaluru as a senior officer. She has penned over 15 books in the regional language Kannada which include five novels, five short story collections, two anthologies, a collection of articles, travelogues etc. Some of her short stories have been translated into English. Her works include social themes as well as science fiction. The anthologies which she has edited are the first in Kannada comprising representative SF stories from Kannada Writers – namely, Kannada Vaignanika Kathegalu (2000) and Naleya Kathegalu (2008).