Friday, October 28, 2011

Parrot talk

Shankar had just returned after a week’s tour. The wretched job took him away for almost 20 days in a month. His wife Menaka was away at the market and had left the keys with the neighbor. It was hot and the fan did not give any relief. He reclined on an easy chair with a bottle of chilled coke. He never liked being away from his young wife for so many days but his marketing job required his constant touring.

He suddenly heard the parrot talking, ‘’Sweetie, come closer”. He could not believe his ears when he heard for second time for he had never heard the parrot speak such words. He went near and said “Hello, Ranga” .It repeated clearly “Sweetie, come near”. He was utterly confused and asked the bird to repeat .To his horror it said “Close the door”. This repetition went for a while till the bird refused to talk by remaining silent. In his rage he shook the cage violently till the bird screeched in fear. His mind started imagining all sorts of scenarios and he perspired a lot. Where she is and what does she do in his absence, he was wondering. He decided to find out if there is any secret liaison going on with someone in his absence. She is so guileless and utterly simple that he could not associate any treachery with her. But the parrot does not lie. It repeats what it hears.

He heard the three wheeler outside.Menaka came inside with several bags in her hands and smiled at him.”When did you come? Did I keep you waiting for long? Just a couple of minutes .I will make coffee for you” she said with a bright smile in her face.

"I don’t need coffee. Come here. I wish to ask you some questions. I don’t really know what is happening in our house in my absence. I want a truthful answer from you” Shankar said in a serious tone.

Bewildered at his strange behavior, she said “What are you talking about? I cannot make out what you are alluding at. Are you well? Is anything bothering you? Please tell me.”

“Yes, lots of things are bothering me. Come and listen to the parrot” he said as he dragged her towards the bird.

“As soon as they approached the cage it blurted “Sweetie, come close” again and again. After a while it said “Close the door”. Shankar turned to her and asked “What is all this nonsense of Sweetie coming close and closing the door. Who is calling you Sweetie? I have never spoken to you like that. Why close the door?”. He would not stop and shook her shoulders hard with his hands and asked her “Tell me the truth whatever it is”

On hearing this wild accusation, Menaka broke into an uncontrollable laughter with tears coming out of her eyes.

“What is there to laugh about? Do not avoid the question by this laugh act” he shouted.

She asked him to wait for a few seconds and ran out of the apartment to fetch a five year old boy from the adjacent flat.”Arjun, talk to the parrot. Uncle wants to see how the parrot talks” she said to the young boy.

The boy ran near the parrot and said “Sweetie, come close” only to be answered back by the bird with same words.

Shankar felt foolish but still asked “What about the door:

Menaka asked Arjun “Tell uncle what aunty asks you to do after you enter the house”

“You always say close the door and never leave it open” the boy replied

Menaka looked seriously at Shankar with derision and said “You have gone down in my esteem by several notches. I never knew that you so hastily jump to absurd conclusions. It shows how little trust you have in your partner. Do I ever doubt your integrity when you are away for three weeks in a month? Do remember that relationships are killed by suspicion.”She rushed out of the hall into the bedroom breaking into uncontainable sobs.

The last thing heard from Shankar’s house was that he had given away the parrot to Arjun.


17 comments:

  1. DOUBT- kills many relationships and people often jump to conclusions without thinking over, often. Nice story...

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  2. TRUST is the word!
    And that so beautifully came through this story.
    The question is once when someone is suspicious then is it not better to talk to the partner rather that to feel death all the while inside u??

    relationships are "BLEDDY" :P confusing!!
    phew!

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  3. His commitment appears superficial.. she should've discovered earlier..sometimes human mind goes crazy and defies all logic..I mean, there may be some momentary lapses in him too..

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  4. Haha…I knew what was in store from the word go…(watched a similar thing in a movie, there is no parrot, but the lady herself is saying such words in her dream, confusing her sisters)
    anyways
    ...I liked the whole plot…simple and running smooth….
    :P

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  5. A husband who makes calls to his wife incognito to test her chastity, and now another man with similar perversion!

    Trivial the plots seem but are much in vogue in real life. Poor parrot , that it was given away.

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  6. suspicion in any relationship doesnt bring any good, trust only makes them stronger.

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  7. Dout is a deadly poison for relationships, but unfortunately even after knowing this people drink it without thinking. Nice story Gp:)

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  8. At least it is good that he asked her and cleared the doubts.. There are many people who let the doubts remain in their hearts and kill the relationship slowly by reacting negatively... Cheers

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  9. :) different scenarios, different characters, all wrapped up in interesting siru kathaigal! and you are able to spin them on a day-to-day basis! wow! its like going through a quick glance of a.vikatan!!

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  10. Its difficult to live with a person who suspected her, the doubts are cleared though

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  11. Namaste....
    A guilty mind always jumps to conclusions and assumptions.

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  12. Getting rid of the parrot will not solve the problem. A suspicious mind will forever be looking for ghosts !

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  13. Funny and at the same time teaches one not to doubt their partner unecessarily.

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  14. Dear Partha,
    A Pleasant Evening!
    Many husbands become doubting Thomas!
    A well written story!The parrot played her role well.
    Love,trust and respect make a beautiful relation.
    Sasneham,
    Anu

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  15. I think Shankar is insecure, that made lose trust in hi wife.

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  16. Suspicions. :) You seem to be writing true to life stories these days. Such a "can happen" situation. I suddenly have an urge to buy a parrot! But pets are not allowed in this house. :(

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