Humble roots

Pai’s restaurant on the highway was always crowded with all tables occupied. Many keep standing for the tables to get vacant. The business was always brisk. Krishna Pai, the owner, who was sitting by the cash counter, noticed the 12 year old boy standing outside for a long time. He didn’t appear to have been drawn from poor family though there was a tired and hungry look. He never spoke to or approached any one. Curious to know why he was there, he asked a bearer to bring him in. Pai never forgot his boyhood days in humble circumstances and growing up to this level from working in a tea shop under a kindly Nair.

“I have seen you are standing outside for nearly three hours. Are you waiting for someone? Have you taken any food since morning?” Pai asked

“No Sir, I am not waiting for anyone. I don’t know where to go”

“Where is your house? Have you run away from there or what? “

The boy did not answer and tears trickled from his eyes.

“OK, take your food first and you can tell me later leisurely” Pai said and asked a bearer to take the boy inside and serve him a meal. After about 30 minutes, the bearer brought the boy before Pai. He took him to the office room and after much prodding he ferreted out boy’s circumstances.

Hari had lost his mother when he was seven and his father took another wife. His dad was a side kick to a second rung political leader doing all his dirty jobs. He had bad company and was always involved in scuffles, intimidation and extortion and was a hatchet man to the leader. Mostly under the influence of liquor, he was prone to fits of temper. The step mother did not take kindly to the boy. He was not allowed to attend school regularly and when his dad came home late at night she got him beaten on some pretext or the other. When his dad started kidnapping young kids for ransom and treated them badly, Hari protested. This enraged him and he beat the boy blue and had him locked in barn for three days. He was afraid to kick the boy out of the house as he knew the secrets.At the first opportunity, the boy escaped from his home. Some kindly truck driver on the highway dropped him near the restaurant.

“If you are willing, you can work here. You will get food and accommodation. If you roam around, you will fall in bad company. If you work hard and sincerely you can progress in life. Are you interested?”

When he nodded his head in affirmative, Pai told him in strict tone “If I find you dishonest or doing something hanky panky,I will throw you out mercilessly. Do remember that”

The boy was assigned two tables and he learnt his work fast. Being young he was energetic and nimble in service, he won the praise of the supervisor very soon. The customers who visited the hotel often spoke in praise of his speedy service and courteous behavior.Pai was happy but did not openly express his feelings.

It was one crowded day when the hotel was jam packed and lots of customers were standing waiting for vacant tables, Pai heard some commotion from one of the tables. There was a family of ten members on two tables waiting for 20 minutes for the bearer to appear. They lost the patience and started shouting. The supervisor rushed. They were Hari’s tables and the boy was not to be seen. The supervisor asked other bearers to take care of these tables and started searching for Hari.This had never happened. It was not his wont to leave the place of work without prior permission. Pai tasked some men to search for the boy.

After an hour when those unruly customers had left in their Innova vehicles, the boy was traced in the lumber room and brought before a concerned and angry Pai.

“You ungrateful wretch, you have shown your true trait. Why did you disappear? That was dereliction of duty at the busiest hour. You brought a bad name by the distasteful scene the customers created. I had warned you at the beginning. You are not wanted any more here. Pack your things and get lost” shouted Pai.

The boy stood dumb but sobbing inconsolably. This infuriated Pai further spoke angrily”Are you dumb? Why did you vanish when customers were there without telling the supervisor? Tell the reason and get lost”

When the boy remained quiet, Pai lost his temper and slapped the boy. It was then he spoke.”That was my dad with my step mom and his evil associates. If they had seen me, they would have taken me away and even killed me. There was no time to tell anyone. I was scared. You are my living God. I would not dream of doing anything to displease you. It was my fear of being caught by them”. He fell at Pai’s feet and clasped them tightly.

Pai instantly lifted the boy and hugged him tightly. He gently rubbed the boy’s cheek even as he remembered his humble roots and said wiping his own eyes “I was a fool in hastily judging you. That was rude of me. I feel sorry. I understand now your disappearance. I would have done the same thing.”

The intruder

The monthly kitty party of about a dozen young ladies was in full swing this time at Sunita's place. There was a riot of laughter and light hearted banter. It was then the door of the hall creaked open fully. Sunita saw him standing at the door defiantly with legs apart and twisted lips.

Shocked she asked in angry tone "What brought you here?"

In answer he winked at her with a roguish smile and removed his shirt unperturbed by the shaken audience.

Even as the ladies were gasping in disbelief, he continued to traumatize them by taking out his vest.

What a glowing complexion, well proportioned body and charming features, they wondered.

“Stop it, I say. How dare you come here and misbehave like this?”Sunita screamed

When he put his finger on the zip to bring it down, the ladies stood up in dismay partially closing their eyes with fingers half in fear and half in curiosity to know what lay ahead.

They heard the cry in pain when Sunita whacked her four year old boy’s bum asking him to leave the room instantly. There was a roar of laughter followed by admonition to Sunita at her inconsiderate reaction.

The suckers

It was extremely hot on the barren highway with a not a tree on either side. The sun blazoned in its full fury.Naresh has been driving for two hours towards Jaipur.A little away he saw some figure getting up from the culvert on seeing his car. As he drew nearer, he found it was a young village woman with a bag in hand, clad in a sari with disheveled hair and sweaty face. As he drove past her he could see that she was tall, slim with well chiseled features. He was struck with remorse at ignoring her pleading eyes and reversed the car to her side. She looked sun tanned and totally tired.

“Where are you going? How long are you waiting?” he asked her

“To Jaipur, Saheb.It is more than two hours and no bus stops here.”

“Okay, get in. I am also going there” As she hesitated not knowing where to get in, he opened the front door.

He drove silently for some time and then asked “Is Jaipur your home town?”

“No, it is a village here. There is no work here. My husband is a lazy and violent alcoholic. I am leaving him for good and going in search of some work. I have some relatives there” she replied

“You look so young. Any kids?”

“Luckily no. I am married for less than two years”

Naresh wished to stop at rest room. He saw one a little away. He stopped the car and was for a fraction of a second hesitant whether to leave her alone in the car. Unusual for a village belle, she spoke confidently with clarity.”Do you also wish to come? “ he asked

When she declined, he rushed to the toilet and came back as quickly.

“Had you come, we could have had some cool drink. It is so hot outside. My throat is parched” he said and took the bisleri bottle kept by his side and gulped half the bottle. He offered her the balance but she declined.

He would have driven hardly for 15 minutes when he clutched his head and said that he was feeling giddy. He stopped the car and she in what seemed a concerned manner had his head rest on her shoulders before he blacked out. She got out of the car and pulled him to the side seat and made him recline in sitting posture even as she sat behind the wheel with a grin on her face.

She opened her bag and changed to a clean and swanky salwar suit, dabbed her face with a makeup kit and combed her hair and wore sun goggles. She was transformed in a jiffy to a modern young lady as she took a U turn towards Delhi. She drove for some distance till she found a motel cum rest room. She swerved the car to the rear side and parked it. She opened the computer bag that was in the rear seat and found some money. She took the bag and opened one of the windows and walked briskly away.

As she came out with a coke bottle in hand and the computer bag, she found one car coming out of the parking lot driven by a young man. She raised her thumb and the man asked her whither she was going

“Gurgaon”

“Hop in” he said as he opened the front door

She gave him one of her seductive smile and said “It is so sweet of you. I am Lolita” as she settled down in her seat almost brushing close to him.

“Vinod, it is a privilege and pleasure to be of small help to you. How come you were stranded here?”

“My car broke down and I am in a hurry to Gurgaon.Luckily I met my Good Samaritan in you “she said as she fondly patted him on his shoulder.

“What do you do for living? Single?”

“I do many things. Though an advertisement executive by profession, I like to socialize, dance and mingle with men. I am single. How about you?”she asked not lifting her hand off his shoulder.

“Me too a single and am into real estate but fix many deals that are lucrative. I look forward to a lasting friendship with you” he said as he put his hand on her thigh. She did not make any effort to brush his hand away. Emboldened he stopped the car at the side and drew her near to give her a peck.

“Not now. Later as much as you wish after we reach Gurgaon.I told you I am in a hurry. We will meet may be tomorrow itself” she said

As he was a little disappointed, he drove silently even as she caressed his hair. As they were nearing Gurgaon.she said abruptly”Look out to your right side at the petrol pump that is a little away. Stop the car for a moment”

When he turned his head after he stopped the car, he felt a sledge hammer karate blow on the region near the neck and collar bone. He felt something crack inside as he slumped down unconscious. She quickly rummaged his bag and found wads of currency. She filled the computer bag and threw the computer behind a bush. Making him sit in upright position, she walked away quickly from the vehicle.

As a three wheeler with an old driver stopped by, she got in and said “Mall”. She thrust a five hundred rupee note in the hands of a dazed driver at the mall and hurried inside with the computer bag in her hand only to get lost in the vast crowd of shoppers.

Chetan's kitten

Chetan found the room comfortable. It was bright, well ventilated and had an attached bathroom. There was a small kitchenette too. He had a separate entrance though there was a connecting door. The landlord and his wife appeared decent. Their only condition when he told he was a bachelor was no alcohol should be consumed in the room or women brought for stay overnight. On the second day as he was leaving for office, one gentleman standing at the gate of a house on the other side of the road   smiled at him and asked “Are you a new tenant in number 12?”When he nodded in affirmative, he asked “I hope you found it peaceful in the night”

“Why do you ask? It was quite peaceful and I like the room”

“Good, I wish it continues to be so. I think the rent must be cheap” he replied with a smirk on his face

“Why, do you anticipate any problem? Yes, the rent is not high. It’s getting late. Will see you later, Sir”

“No, no.If you are fine, I am happy” he replied and hurried inside his house.

That night he was watching cricket match up to 11pm and then retired to bed. He could not sleep. It was not hot and the fan was in full speed. As he was recollecting the conversation had with the neighbour, he felt the fragrance of jasmine flowers in full bloom. It was unmistakable, in close quarter and definitely a lady. His heart beat fast and he switched on the light and sat on the chair opposite the computer table. There was another whiff that brushed past his nose that gave him goose bumps. He wiped his forehead and neck the perspiration. He was certain there was no jasmine plant outside.

“Is there anyone other than me in my room? If yes, please reveal yourself or change the pen on the table from the present vertical to horizontal position” he said

 It was quiet and the long silence was unnerving. When he repeated the question, the pen changed its position to horizontal. Fear gripped him but he was unwilling to wake up the land lord.

“Please reveal yourself. Who are you and why do you scare me? Is this what the neighbor meant this morning?”

After some silence, he heard some vague noises before a squeaky one came.”Strain your ears and listen carefully. I cannot show my form. But you can see my picture in the drawing room. I am their daughter and when my lover ditched me after long friendship and putting me in a difficult position, I had to end my life. My parents would not have told you. I was alone and feeling lonely. I am glad you have come. I will never harm you.Infact I have taken a liking for you and we can be friends”

With fear gone, he asked “Yes, I have seen your picture on the first day I came to meet your parents. You looked very beautiful. How I wish you were alive? How can I be friend with someone without form?”

“True, I have no form. But I can enter any lifeless body. Would you like to test my ability? There is a kitten moving here. It must be somewhere here. Find out and strangle it. I will enter and show it running”

“Really, that would be wonderful. He went to kitchenette. It was not there. But he found it under the cot .When he prodded it came running and jumped on his lap with a meow. He had not the heart  to kill it but she prompted him to do quickly. He closed his eyes hard and strangled the kitten. It became limp and lay dead when he left it on the floor. Within moments, the kitten came alive and jumped on his lap again and snuggled close to him. He took it in his both arms and kissed it. It in turn purred and rubbed its face against his.

They were playing with each other till the kitten spoke. “I agree it would be no fun to be friend with kitten. You must get a lifeless human female form and then I am yours permanently. We can go away somewhere and be happy”

“Where can I get a lifeless body of a young woman? If I kill someone I will be charged with murder” he said.

“Where is the murder and where is the body? I will be in her and we will be in love ever after.”

“True, it didn’t strike me. How can I find a good looking woman?”

“Have you seen Vinodhini, the maid working in landlord’s house? She is young like me and very beautiful with long hair and hazel eyes. You would like her. Call her tomorrow afternoon on some pretext when the old couple is asleep. I will be with you. We will accomplish the migration smoothly. Don’t be afraid, I am here to help you”

Next day, he brought her on some ruse and when the kitten cried”meow, meow” he was emboldened and grasped her neck and started strangling. She was a strong woman and let out loud screams twice before she became limp and fell on the floor.

The kitten came near her and went round her many times sniffing. But Vinodhini did not get up as was expected. Meanwhile there were thuds on the door with shouts “Open the door”.Chetan looked at the kitten helplessly as it ran under the cot.

Meanwhile the landlord and the neighbours broke open the door to witness Vinodhini lying on the floor. Someone found a dead kitten under the cot. The landlord felt for breath under Vinodhini’s nostril and found it feeble. She was not dead and the spirit could not enter as Chetan had not done his part of  job well. The spirit in the kitten flew away leaving Chetan to fend for himself.

All his pleas to the landlord that his dead daughter’s ghost was in the kitten were laughed at as the picture in the hall was that of landlady when she was young and they had no daughter.

TVs were blaring about the psycho’s strangling of a kitten and attempted assault on a young woman and her providential escape in the heart of city.

The cheeky burglar

I heard my mobile ping. It was 4 am.. My husband had not yet recovered fully from a viral fever that lasted a week. He was asleep. Half asleep I looked at my phone.

“Don’t make noise. I am in the ground floor and have entered your house" read the text.

I saw the number. It was my hubby's mobile.

"How did you get my hubby's mobile? He is sleeping by my side" I texted nervously.

"Did you not see that I am in your house? I borrowed his phone for a short while. Don’t wake him up. He seems unwell and I am fully armed.” said the reply I was numb with fear at the thought he had been to our bed room.. Another message came

"I warn you not to call police. I can harm you people and get away if I hear a police vehicle."

I saw my hubby snoring blissfully. I knew I should handle this manic carefully. I did not mind losing some money if he is after money.i was worried about another thing. I have been reading almost daily cases of assault on women. I did not know the intruder's age or his intentions. I started perspiring and did not wish to make the slightest noise lest my hubby awoke. He is an impulsive guy and given to rushing without a plan.

"What do you want?" I texted

"Nothing much. Please come down .I will tell you"

Oh my god, what a cheek. Surely a maniac on prowl is here. I took a base ball bat and slowly opened the adjacent room where my nine year old son was sleeping. He was asleep with his head covered by bed sheet as he does always. As I shut the door gently another text followed.

"Do not delay. Come down quick"

I replied "Unless you tell me what you need specifically, I cannot come"

"Don't be afraid. There is nothing to fear”

"I told you very clearly to tell me what you need.. If you don't tell within two minutes, I will ring up police come what may. "

One minute passed. The second minute was coming to an end. The text came promptly.

"I am hungry. I want Italian style Macaroni with cheese"

I rushed to my little son's bedroom and pulled the bed sheet to see him holding hubby's mobile and looking for a  message from me He is a mischievous boy given to pranks but it was the  Macaroni and cheese that  gave him away as he wanted it in the evening.

The Daffodil Principle

This is a repeat of a forward by email in 2009 to me. I do not have the sender’s or site's details. But I wish to share with you as it has a great message for all of us

Several times my daughter Carolyn had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over.'' I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead.

"I will come next Tuesday", I promised, a little reluctantly, on her third call.

Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Nevertheless, I had given word. Though loath to make the journey, I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house, I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren.

"Forget the daffodils, Carolyn. The road is invisible in these clouds and fog. There is nothing in the world, except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!"

My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother."

"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!"

"But first we're going to see the daffodils. It's just a few blocks," Carolyn said. Sensing my incredulity, she added, “Don’t worry, mother. I'll drive. I'm used to this."

Soon, we were sputtering our way through the grim mist. Only a desolate road in sight and a howling wind for company. I glowered at my otherwise sane and sensible Carolyn, who was so hell-bent on this daft venture.

"Carolyn," I said sternly, "Please turn around."

"It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."

After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read: "Daffodil Garden". We got out of the car, each taking a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped.

Before me lay the most glorious sight.

It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns: sweeping swathes of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each differently-colored variety was planted in large clusters such that each swirled and flowed like a river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.

"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn.

"Just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house, petitely sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house.

On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking", was the caption in flowing, cursive letters. The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain." The third answer was, "Began in 1958."

For me, that moment was a life-altering experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met; who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop. Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration.

The daffodil garden taught me one of the greatest principles of celebration. That is, learning to move toward our goals and aspirations one step at a time -- often just one baby-step at a time - and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things, even change the world.

"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago, and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"

My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual, plainspoken way. "Start today," she said.

She was right. It was so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration, instead of a cause for regret, was to only ask, "How can I put this to use today?"

Use the Daffodil Principle. Stop waiting...

Until your car is paid off...

Until you get a new home...

Until you organize the garage...

Until you declutter your desk...

Until you lose or gain weight...

Until summer/spring/winter/fall...

There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

Don't be afraid that your life will end. Be afraid that it will never begin!

Happy birthday

       

Mathew, Mat for short, had gone to collect a large birthday cake from the confectioners. He saw a nine year old boy staring at the shelves inside through the glass door. As he came out after collecting the cake, he saw the boy still there watching inside.

"Hey, what are you looking at for quite some time?"

"Nothing, Sir" he replied

"Come on, tell me. You won't be looking at nothing for such a long time"

The boy hesitated for a while and then said “I was wondering whether I can get a bar of chocolate for my mom. It is her birthday and chocolates are her favourites.But I have only a five rupee coin."

"It is ok.I will get you a bar and also a small cake to celebrate her birthday" Mat said and bought a few bars of chocolates and a medium sized cake."Where do you live? You may drop these packets down. I will take you in my car. Hop in"

The car stopped before a small tenement."Won't you step in for a few minutes, Sir, to see my mom? It is a special day for her made brighter by you" the boy said.

To keep the boy in good humour, he readily agreed and entered the darkish room. The boy switched on the light and there was no one there. It was a single room tenement.

Suspecting the boy had played a ruse on him, Mat asked him “Where is your mom? I don't see anyone here"

“One minute, Sir”. He went to the other side of the room, stood up on a stool and lit a small candle. There was a picture of a young woman. He rubbed the glass with his shirt.”This is my mom. Today is her birthday. Can we open the packets before her and light a candle and sing a birthday song?” he innocently asked.

Mat could not stop his eyes from becoming moist.”Surely, who else is there? What about your dad? Any brother or sister?” he asked

“Dad is gone years even before mom. Mom died a few months before. There is no one else”

“Are you staying alone then? Where do you eat?” he asked with concern

“My dad’s brother lives with his family in the adjacent tenement. But they did not like my mom. I work in cycle repair shop and the master gives me food in the afternoon and some snacks in the evening.’

Mat opened the box and lit the candle on the cake. They both sang Happy Birthday song. He put the cake in boy’s mouth.

“Now, will you come with me to celebrate another birthday at my house and I will drop you back”

The car sped along to a big house. The door was opened by a young lady.”I have brought a young guest for your birthday” he said as he ushered the boy into the hall.

“What is your name, young chap?’ she asked smilingly.

“Bruce”

“Hahaha, Bruce Lee? Show me your muscles” she asked

As the boy folded his hand to show a small bulge, she hugged him and kissed on his head.

“Hey Bruce, You be here watching the fish in the tank. We will be in a minute. You must help me set the cake and candles” Mat said

As they went to bed room, Mat told her “This boy is an orphan. I met him accidentally. He looks charming and well behaved. If you like, we can bring him up as our own. Mind you, only if you like. He will provide us a meaning and purpose to our lives.”

Bruce was in hilarious mood to the glee of the couple as he danced and sang to celebrate his two moms’ birthday on the same day.