KALPETTA: 'They can feel our touch' - Sayana said tearfully, placing her children's favourite chocolates and toys on the grave. Sayana stroked the grave where her children, who died in the Wayanad landslide, were sleeping. Their father Aneesh, kissed the grave with a wail.
"Nived, Dhyan and Ishaan love chocolate, candies and toys. Among the toys, they loved cars. When we came home from work in the evening, the first thing the three children would ask for was candy. Then came the toys. Every time we went to the grave where our loved ones were laid to rest, cars with different lights were brought there. All of these are sitting in front of the children's faces, carved into the granite of the grave. It is still how it was when the children were with us, no change," said Aneesh and Sayana.
They both console themselves by talking to the children who have fallen into an endless sleep, by giving them gifts, talking, cuddling, and pampering.
'Last year, on this same day, my children were running around me all day long. How can I stay away from them.... Sayana's words broke. Nived's birthday was on July 7. He turned 10. A cake was bought for him that day. Aneesh's mother Rajamma is with the children. Aneesh had lost her mother also in the disaster. Gift to her were Vettila Murukkan and Kadalai Mittai.
"My mother was always with my children. My eldest son Dhyan used to sleep with my mother. My children have my mother," says Aneesh. The parents, who were seriously injured in the landslide, had recovered.