Selfless compassion

- by KParthasarathi 27 Sep 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=e73a9c5c-92a9-4fe1-97d1-61a7d22e59d8

The old woman was living alone in her small house. She was getting a small pension after her husband died. She had no wealth except the house. Her only son left for US and married a Mexican. All contacts with him were gradually lost. She was falling sick frequently these days. It is the way of the world for friends and relatives to keep away from the needy, be it of physical help or money. Luckily she was a woman of grit and had the courage to live her life alone though it was difficult during periods of sickness.

As she was returning home late one rainy evening by a deserted road, she stumbled in the darkness on a small boy lying under the protruding sun shade of a closed shop. It was wet and damp. The boy had a torn shirt and was shivering from the cold wind. She took pity on him and knelt by his side feeling for any fever. The boy moved a little and moaned in pain or hunger that she could not make out. She gave him water from the small bottle she always carried. Once refreshed he sat up and told her that he had run away from his village and had been roaming in the town for shelter and food. He had not eaten for the last two days. An orphan, he was living with his grandmother in the village. She passed away five days back and there was none willing to give him shelter. He said ”Grand ma, I will help you and stay in your house doing all the work you ask me to do for a handful of food. I cannot bear this hunger anymore.” She took pity on the boy and took him home in the drizzle. She gave him a towel to dry himself and some clothes to wear. Meanwhile she made a hot broth from rice and gave him bellyful. She told him ”Do not be worried. You can stay with me. I will put you in the corporation school nearby. Study well. We can be of support to each other. Sleep well.”

Life was running smooth for the boy. He studied well and helped his grandma as he called the old lady in running errands and fetching medicines when she fell sick. The old lady also found a purpose in her life and was no longer despondent as she used to be. She showered her affection on the boy as if he were her own grandson. The boy had a fancy for film music. He had a golden voice and could sing very much like the leading singers. He used to take part in competitions initially in school and later in public forums. Years went by and the boy joined some music director. He became busy and spent all the time with the director mostly out of town. He explained to his grandma that he can no longer stay with her as he was away most of the days and came home at odd times. He told her he was equally sad to leave her but assured that he would take care of her in times of need.

The boy became busy and grew to be a reputed play back singer over the years. He came to meet her occasionally but this also stopped after some time. It is not that he forgot her. His work took him to Mumbai and he became so busy he hardly had time even for his rest and relaxation. Meanwhile the old lady deprived of the only company longed for her ‘grandson’. She became morose over a period of time and when she became disoriented failing to recognise the day, the place she was staying and also the neighbours, she was admitted in an old age home which took care of such people. She was gradually sinking though living in her world of imagination unaware of the surroundings and the people.

When the renowned music singer cum director visited the city for a gala award function that was graced by all the big and famous, a few close friends could discern certain melancholy in his face. He brushed aside questions whether anything was bothering him. Immediately after the function he excused himself and went in his huge car along with his assistant to the house where he lived with his ‘grand ma’.When told that she was in an old age home and was in poor health, he rushed there. The old age home had never witnessed a car of this length and shine. They had no visitors of even relatives let alone eminent and rich men. All the inmates in their dirty and semi clad clothes came rushing out to see who the visitor was. Someone in the road knew the name of the director and soon his name was bandied about loudly. He rushed in to find his ‘grandma’ in emaciated condition and fell at her feet sobbing ’Grandma, I have come. I have come. I will take you with me and keep you in comfort. I am what I am thanks to your compassion. I cannot forget the hot broth you fed me on the cold and rainy day. Grand ma, tell me whether you recognise this fat man?”

She looked at him vacantly with blinking eyes tying knots in her torn sari. There was no sign of recognition. The director broke down and hit his head with both hands crying inconsolably “I am responsible for this pathetic sight. Had I not left you in search of money and fame, things would not have come to such a pass.” The head of the home said in a consoling tone that she had not many months to live and assured him that they would take care of her well till her last breath.

The director took out his cheque book and donated a tidy amount of rupees ten lakhs for building the home and naming it after her.AS he looked at her with sadness, she was still tying knots in her sari. Overcome with grief and sobbing loudly he placed his head on her legs before reluctantly leaving the home.

Kpartha12@hotmail.com

A happy end

by KParthasarathi 24 Sep 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=ba1eb33c-4016-46e9-9d3e-d144d057db06

Praveen turned out to be the black sheep in the family. Though born in a decent family with one sister, he fell into bad ways even while he was in school. A back bencher in the class, he often played truant spending his time with other loafers smoking and drinking cheap liquor. Even when he was sixteen, he started accompanying his grown up friends to whore houses. His father was sick of reading the reports from the head master warning the boy’s expulsion from school. He scolded, starved and beat him to no avail. The last straw was the complaint that he misbehaved with a girl in the class and the rustication that followed. He was thrown out of the house and his mother was warned not to feed him at any cost. He left the place happily that he was no more accountable to anyone but not without helping himself with a couple of watches, some silver and currency from his dad’s bureau. His sister though afraid of him felt sorry for him.

He took a train to Mumbai as he had heard enterprising people succeed there in whatever line they chose. He was good in gambling, adept in cards and knew about horses. If he had not succeeded so far in making a neat pile, it was because he had no initial capital to try his luck. He quickly converted the stolen things into cash but lost it as quickly in the gambling houses. But it was not without some benefits. He made friends with some small time crooks who helped him join a company of recovery agents. This line was after his heart and he revelled in torturing the hapless clients he was assigned. He spent the money on booze and women. A couple of times he had been taken into custody by the police but managed to come out after a short stint.

It was almost a decade since he had left his native town. His dad and mom had passed away, he had heard. His sister was married to some local young man by name Yogesh who had grown up to be an important official in the town. They had amassed good wealth but fate had been unkind by not blessing them with a child. His sister became lean and weak possibly by worry and loneliness. His brother-in-law was a sturdy man and frequently went on tours. When Praveen wrote to them that he would be visiting them for one week, it was with mixed feelings the news was received. While his sister was happy that she would be meeting his long lost brother, she knew also about the seamy side of his character. She was worried that her husband may not like him in the house.Yogesh knew that Praveen was a wastrel given to bad habits but did not wish to displease his wife.

Praveen had no difficulty in locating the sprawling house.His sister opened the door. She hadn’t changed much. Praveen could see no eagerness in her face while welcoming him but was well mannered she always was. She said Yogesh was expected any time. After tea and snacks they sat down to exchange the happenings since he left. From Praveen’s side there was nothing much to speak about though he gave exaggerated version of his exploits.

“I can see you are all comfortably placed by God’s grace. I am here actually to ask of you a favour. I need urgently fifty thousand rupees. I can return that in a fortnight. I could have taken a loan from any of my friends but I wanted to make this an excuse to visit you after so many years.”

His sister said” I will tell my husband. But he is very careful in these matters and does not part with money easily. It is better you be prepared for a refusal. I will try my utmost.”

It was then Yogesh entered. He extended his hand and said “It is very nice of you to pay us a visit. I hope you are well. Come on. Let us have dinner now itself. I have an urgent meeting at very high level to discuss pressing matters of the city and would return home very late in the night.”

His sister had a big spread on the table. After dinner she took her husband to adjoining room to mention about the request of her brother. Praveen could hear faint sounds of refusal amidst the fervent pleas from his sister. His brother-in-law came out and left without a word to Praveen. His sister came out crying and muttering to herself “Wretched miser, very unhelpful”. Praveen knew that she had not succeeded. He did not broach the subject again. Feeling bored, he excused himself telling her that he would take a stroll, have a drink in a bar and return around 10pm.Once outside the house his natural urges took over. He rushed to the nearest bar and ordered brandy, and again gave a second and third order. He soon became tipsy. He knew his brother-in-law would not be back home before midnight. He thought fit to have some fun and took directions from the waiter to the nearest brothel.

He ambled along the stairs and he was led to a large hall where young and beautiful women were sitting surrounded by a few men. Though the effect of alcohol blurred his vision and speech he could not mistake the hurrying figure of Yogesh into a room with a woman in arm. Praveen let out a howl of joy and followed him with alacrity when he smelt a god-sent opportunity. Seizing his brother-in-law’s arm he exclaimed “So this is the high level important meeting, is it? My sister would be curious to know the details” We have no more interest in the events that followed except that Yogesh generously gave the sum asked for by Praveen making both his wife and her brother happy. Needless to say that Praveen left the next day without rocking the boat of his sister’s married life.

Kpartha12@hotmail.com

Was it even justice?

by KParthasarathi 15 Sep 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=9a892c5f-59f8-46e2-865e-75628ef95c8c

The house was palace-like with large well-furnished rooms and all provided with air conditioners, indicating the affluence of the inmates. The large Iron Gate leading to the portico, where three cars were parked, was always closed with the security guard opening when a visitor knocked at the door. There was a small room 10x10 added a few years back. The owners evidently had thoughtfully provided a fan but forgot about the air-conditioner. The room was adjacent to the pump house and one could hear the motor running, which it did throughout the day, to pump water to the tanks, for watering the large garden and the green lawns. There was a window and a ventilator, though the former remained closed to prevent the menace of mosquitoes. One could smell the unpleasant and stale odour. All this description of the room is necessary as the story revolves around its inmate lying on the old cot with a few folded blankets doing the duty of the bed. The bed was covered by a red-coloured rubber sheet as a matter of abundant caution. On it lay an old woman of eighty-plus, mostly motionless with the eyes moving. She neither spoke nor showed any sign of recognition but lay inert the whole day. A maid was appointed by her son to look after the old woman, clean her and feed her through the mouth. The ladies of the house or the sons rarely entered the room that was kept out of bounds for the children.

It was in this house that she had run the household like a queen and kept her flock under her discipline. She was affectionate and warm but never tolerated slovenly habits from her bahus. As the head of the family, she was more feared than respected. They disliked her totally but could not do much as the three sons attempted to pacify their wives, but without upsetting their mom. The house belonged to her. After the death of her husband, two sons went to live separately in two other houses that also belonged to her. She had three daughters too, all living in the same city. Things were moving along without major hassles till she fell one day in the bath room and had her back-bone damaged. At her advanced age, nothing could be done to restore her walking. She was confined to bed but could sit up initially. Gradually, she became an invalid, lost the power of speech and the movement of limbs stopped, putting an end to all modes of communication with her. As guests kept coming frequently, the eldest bahu decided that it was best her sick mother in-law stayed in the corner room at the rear of the house and shifted her without even a formal mention of it to her husband.

The eldest bahu felt one day that she had taken care of the old woman adequately and that it was the turn of others. What used to be a grumble, turned into loud protests and abuse of the old lady under the impression that she had lost her power of hearing and understanding. The bahus would openly quarrel within her earshot mentioning the past hurts from her hand and how they detested her. None of them wanted her. The sons, for fear of antagonising their wives, kept mum. One of the sons said if it was inconvenient they could leave her at a hospice and share the expenses equally. The daughters kept their distance. The old woman felt that sending her to a home would be deliverance for her and welcomed it. But she had no way of expressing herself except blink with tears in her eyes. The sons never came near her to pass their hands affectionately over their mom. They would crane their necks from the door as if she was suffering from some contagion. To add insult to injury, they would make highly-insensitive remarks that she was sinking and would not last for even three months.

When relatives visited the house to see the old lady, the bahus would talk so much telling that their mother-in-law was like their own mother and was always loving. The eldest said that she often spent the nights with her in her room, massaging her limbs till she slept. What passed in that despairing mind of the old lady no one could know except for the sight of moving eyes with tears trickling down her withered cheeks. Was she thinking of the blatant lies these people around her uttered? The attending maid, who knew all, was invariably sent out on such occasions.

The pitiable but alert lady could do nothing about the indignities heaped on her but to shed her tears and pray incessantly to God to take her away soon. She heard and knew the unseemly auction going on amongst the sons as to who should have her. She wanted the Almighty to save her from this living-hell and have her with Him. Barely two weeks later, God answered her prayer when she passed away in her sleep peacefully. As ill-luck would have it, the eldest bahu, on the thirteenth day of the ceremonies, fell down in the same slippery bath-room, hit her head and was admitted in hospital in a state of coma. Doctors were sceptical about her regaining normalcy and could not say when she would revive, if at all. Her daughter-in-law was seen dusting and readying the granny’s room. Was it destiny’s way of getting even?

Kpartha12@hotmail.com

Happy resolution

by KParthasarathi 08 Sep 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=21622c8e-da25-4f61-b220-d1046bc819a6

Mathrubutham iyer did not succeed in life though he was a precocious student in the school days. He had to discontinue his studies abruptly when his father died suddenly .He had joined his B.A class just then. The local advocate of the town took pity on the boy and employed him to assist him. Iyer soon learnt well the routine of an advocate’s office and helped him in many matters .It was said of him that he knew well the intricacies of law and even prepared the brief for the advocate. Be that as it may, life was difficult for him with an ailing wife, two grown up daughters and a young son who was born a cripple and slightly retarded.

He gave his good looking first daughter in marriage to a distant relative disposing of his ancestral property. The daughter and her husband moved to North India. The son-in-law never allowed the daughter to visit her parents. Even when iyer’s wife passed away, the first daughter came on the tenth day and left in three days.

The younger daughter Parvati bore the brunt of running the household and looking after her brother. She finished her graduation and B.Ed and became a teacher in a local school. She was also very beautiful, tall and slim eliciting offers from parents of eligible young men. But Iyer turned down every proposal on one flimsy ground or the other. With his scanty knowledge of astrology, he would himself go through the motions of comparing the horoscopes and find some reason to reject. When she was 24, he dropped the bomb shell that she was passing through a bad phase by the planetary alignments and there was no prospect of marriage for another seven years. Even the advocate called him one day and advised him that it was a parental responsibility to get the daughter married and that he should not rely much on the horoscope matching once the other factors are acceptable.Iyer remained silent all through the advice and came back assuring the advocate of nothing.

Parvati knew the real reason. The fault did not lie in her horoscope but in the mind of her dad. Her father was afraid that he was getting old and that her elder sister would not be of any help gentle request to keep the boy with her on one occasion was turned down by her husband. The boy needed the caring attention unable even to clothe himself. He could not be left alone. Once she got married and left the house, there would be none to look after the cripple.Iyer must have steeled his heart and decided that the girl should remain a spinster to take care of her brother once iyer passed away. A difficult decision no doubt for a father seen often wiping away the tear from his melancholy eyes. He would on some evenings silently sit by her side and pass his hands over her head affectionately showing his concern for her. He was torn between the two conflicting duties towards his grown up daughter and the pathetic son dependent on others. On many nights when Parvati saw her father tossing in the bed without sleep, she will bring him a glass of water and tell ”Appa, do not worry. I am happy as I am. I like the school and being with children. I will take care of my brother till my last day. Please relax and go to sleep.” The old man will sit up and start sobbing till the early hours of the day when sleep would overtake him.

It was during such times a young man in his early thirties joined her school as a teacher. He soon became very popular winning the hearts of the management, his peers and the students by his pleasant disposition, hard work and the ability to carry the school children with him. He was naturally drawn towards Parvati by her charming looks and began cultivating her. With her suppressed desires and starved of love, she too succumbed to his winning ways. Love blossomed between the two. He knew her predicament. He knew that if he approached him, the old man would find some excuse to reject as he did in all other cases. They both went to the advocate and sought his blessings for their marriage without the approval of the dad and their strategy to resolve the issue. He readily agreed.

After tying the mangal sutra in a temple in the presence of advocate and school teachers, the newly married couple went to Iyer and prostrated before him. He was speechless in shock and anger for a moment and like a mad man shouted at her ”Drohi, how dare you come and fall at my feet after running away with an unknown stranger. You are no longer my daughter.Parvati is dead and gone. Don’t ever think I cannot take care of your brother. Get out of my sight this instant” and broke down crying. Parvati said ”Appa, Please listen calmly. Please hear our advocate mama for a moment. We are not leaving you.”

“Mathru, Be patient. Don’t give in to anger. They married with my blessings and under my advice. Allow your son-in-law to say a few words.” said the advocate.

The young man said in his soft tone” Mama, accept me as your elder son. You and the boy are coming to stay with us pemanently.You don’t have to work anymore. Stay at home when we are at school. I promise to take care of you both as a son and brother would. Please bless us on this auspicious occasion.” Both fell at his feet. The advocate spoke in stentorian tone”Mathru, don’t stand like a log of wood. Bless the young couple. You are lucky to get a son-in law like him.”

Tears flowed from Iyer’s eyes as he blessed the couple and hugged them affectionately.

Kpartha12@hotmail.com

The cultured pearl set

- by KParthasarathi 05 Sep 2008
http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8048731130587777458

Rajan is a loving husband and an affectionate father to his two children. He invariably spent quality time with his wife Sheela and children whenever he was in Kolkata, his head quarters. He enjoyed taking them to top class eating places, cultural programmes, picnic spots, watching TV with them or playing board games on holidays.

Being a vice president of marketing his job took him on tour of a day or two for more than twenty days a month. A jovial and handsome personality with a gift of the gab, he was given to amoral tendencies when away from home. He had kept this weakness of his unknown to his wife or colleagues. He had come to Mumbai from Delhi around noon on a Tuesday and had a meeting only the next day. One even suspected whether he arranged his flights in such a manner to have the long day available to him. After a discreet call from his mobile, Leela promptly arrived at his room for the lunch. This is not the first time he had met her. She had come three or four times earlier. Rajan took a special liking for her who was in early thirties but maintained a trim figure. A very passionate lover she too gave him pleasure more than the money’s worth. They spent the whole day in bed enjoying each other’s company. When it was nearing five she readied herself to leave.

She saw on the table a box containing an attractive Freshwater cultured pearl strand and Bracelet set and let out a cry ‘wow’. Pretty, a heart-shaped clasp in sterling silver accent, each piece is an ideal gift for a young woman. Rajan was in such a satisfied and happy frame of mind that he readily offered it to her without a second thought as his memento for the company given. She was so overwhelmed with this unexpected gift she smothered him with kisses and hugs and reluctantly left. He had bought this set to surprise his wife but decided to buy something else in lieu.

He made a call to his old buddy Srivastava whom he had not met for almost five years after his marriage. Rajan agreed to meet him at his office around three PM on his way to airport. He expected his official meeting to be over by 1-30pm.Srivastava had put on lot of flab and was very obese for his age. After the initial pleasantries, Srivastava sighed and said “I envy you. You still maintain a handsome figure and look a lot younger than your age. I could see you are enjoying your life to the brim.” Rajan nodded his head in affirmative.

Srivastava continued,” You are already in a senior management position at this young age. You have a pretty and loving wife and two children .What more does one want in life than a loving wife who can give her time and company to her husband when he returns home after a heavy day."

“Why, what is the matter with you? You have told me that you have an attractive and talented wife though I haven’t met her.”Rajan knew they had no children but felt this does not in any way affect the bonds of love between the couple.

Srivastava said “True, she is beautiful. How does it help? We lead a humdrum life devoid of love and affection. We respect each other and appear happily married. She is frigid and gets stiff whenever I approach her that even our occasional physical relations are mechanical that we are inclined to avoid. I am no doubt fat and clumsy for the slim and energetic woman that she is. I get out of breath even on slightest exertion. I come home tired most of the days after hard day’s work in a famished condition and after a heavy dinner doze off to sleep. She watches serials or keep chatting with her friends on mobile or on internet."

“What does she do in the afternoons” Rajan asked. He replied “No idea may be she is visiting her friends or attending kitty parties. I think she also helps blind students reading lessons. But she makes it a point to be back by 6pm when I return from office. She is otherwise very loving and ensures that I am well fed. She does not bother me with petty household problems. Perhaps she is missing children.”

Rajan sympathised with him and suggested he consulted a doctor to reduce his weight and increase his zest for life. He took leave of him promising to visit him at his house next time. When Srivastava reached home at 6-15 he found his wife listening to music and in a happy mood. She came rushing towards him and hugged him. The maid brought tea and snacks. As he settled his heavy body on the easy chair, she came close to him and snuggled.

“How was the day? Could you read the lessons to the students at the blind home? How was the baby shower at your friend’s place?” he asked. “I had a very enjoyable day after a long time at my friend’s place. In the evening I got this for a steal at the jewellers. Do you think this set will give me a lift?” she replied producing the open box containing the cultured pearl set.

Kpartha12@hotmail.com

The charity of the poor

by KParthasarathi 04 Sep 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=8c5cff92-1211-4a92-9852-54f02bcd943e

I see the old beggar woman sitting at the same place in the bazaar very close to my house. She never changed her place but in the evenings moved to the opposite side of the road to escape the Sun’s rays. I don’t know why-but my eyes look for her crouched figure whenever I pass that way. She may be around seventy but looked much older for her age. An emaciated and shrunk figure she had unkempt hair that had never seen oil for ages. There was a slight pucker in her lips suggestive of a smile but it otherwise revealed no emotion.

She sat on a torn mat with a tattered bed sheet on it. She was a leper with her dimmed vision and eaten away fingers. I used to wonder where she lived and who brought her safely to the corner. She raised her head whenever she heard the approaching footsteps but never made a plea for alms. There was however a dignified deportment about her even in her pitiable state. I have always found natural dignity is not associated with one’s station in life or the by the apparel worn. Even a beggar can look dignified while a rich man can be indecorous in manner. In the news paper spread before her the people flung the coins that she gathered with her trembling fingers once a while to put them in a Dalda tin.

One day there was a heavy drizzle and I saw her drenched completely but she made no attempt to move away to a shelter. The next day I gave her a big sized old umbrella that was lying unused for her to protect from the rain and scorching sun. She did not thank me except raising her head towards my direction and letting out what seemed a smile. I dropped invariably a coin whenever I passed through that place. I suspect she had an uncanny knack of identifying me from my footsteps as she always raised her head as a form of salutation. God evidently gave keener faculties to compensate for those lost.

I asked my wife that day whether she can give one or two of her used saris to be given to the beggar woman.”Why one or two? Take these half a dozen saris and give her. If you need more, I have a huge bundle that I have been thinking of to give a poor home.”The next day I took four saris with me on my way to the bank to be given to that woman. Surprisingly she was not there. I could not find her in the succeeding two or three days also. A vague fear that she might have fallen sick or got involved in an accident while crossing the busy road took over me. I could check with none and my ego wouldn’t permit me to check with the small tea shop nearby.

I was relieved when I saw her at the same place four days later. I went back home much to my wife’s surprise and amusement to collect the four saris. When I told the beggar woman that I was looking for her, she replied she fell sick after the drenching in the rain. When I proffered the packet telling that there are four saris, she immediately said”Sami (Sir), I don’t need more than two. I have no hut. I sleep on platform. This bag contains all my earthly possessions. I cannot carry more weight. One spare would be more than adequate.”

When I was hesitating, she said “There is a young woman sitting a little yonder. She is an orphan after her mother another beggar passed away. She has no clothes to conceal her shame. She is troubled by the other beggars when it gets dark and seeks my protection. I remain awake in the nights and shout them away almost daily. Give her these two saris and help her by finding immediately a secure home for her. I would be indebted for life to you, Raja.”

My eyes became moist at the generous heart within this frail and destitute woman who is more concerned about a pitiable woman than herself.”What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal” I found her taller and richer than me as I learnt in that single incident that the value of a person resides in what he/she gives and not in what he/she is capable of receiving. I was reminded of the famous quote.”A bone to the dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog, when you are just as hungry as the dog.”

Kpartha12@hotmail.com

Secret of God's bounty

- by KParthasarathi 21 Aug 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=ed120066-f5a3-41dd-96e7-3e7dec0e34a4

This story has been read 37 times. Sunita heard the ring of the cell phone twice when she was taking her bath. Even as she was dressing herself there was another call. It was her son-in-law Manoj. “Ma, Sonali as you know was having mild pain since early morning. As the labour pain increased in its intensity and frequency, I have admitted her in the nursing home. The gynaecologist feels a caesarean may be necessary. They will wait for some time more before they begin the procedure. Please come immediately. My mom is also not here.” Sunita replied “I am on my way and will be there very soon.” The doctor had predicted delivery only after two or three days and it was a surprise how they could go wrong.

Even as she was rushing out of her house in her car, she heard a shriek from a woman from one of the huts in the bustee opposite her house. She asked the driver to stop the car. When the shrieks continued at intermittent short intervals, she asked the driver to ascertain what it was about. She thought someone was hurting the woman. The driver came back running and said “Memsahib, some young woman is in labour pain. There is none around. All the nearby huts are locked as the inmates must have gone for work.”

Sunita thought for a moment.Sonali was in the safe hands of a doctor at the nursing home and Manoj was also there. A few minutes delay should not matter.Sunita rushed to the hut and found the young woman on the verge of delivery. She was around her daughter’s age. Her maternal instincts did not allow her to leave her there in that condition. Without giving a second thought, she took the woman with driver’s help to the car and rushed to a government hospital nearby. The doctor in the emergency realised the urgency and took the woman directly to the labour room. He came out after a while and said “The case seems complicated. We are tying our best. The head gynaecologist is attending on her. Please fill up the forms meanwhile.” She could have left the hospital then but decided to wait in view of the likely complications. May be they would ask for some payment and it was better she felt that she stayed there. She rang up Manoj and found that Sonali was still in the labour room and the doctors are waiting for some more time.

It was a long and an excruciating wait for more than an hour in the smelly corridors of the hospital and her thoughts were around Sonali. When a nurse came out to announce the birth of the baby, she was relieved to hear that the woman had given delivery to a baby boy after a complicated caesarean procedure and that everything was fine. She saw her from near the door and waved at her telling her that she would see her in the evening.

Even as she hurriedly climbed the stairs of the nursing home, she saw Manoj rushing towards her. ”Ma, I was about to call you on cell phone.Sunita is fine and gave delivery to a twin, a boy and girl. The doctor, who came out of the labour room, said with a broad grin “Congratulations. You have become a nani of two good looking babies. I expected some problems initially but luckily everything went smooth by God’s grace. You can see her after thirty minutes.”

Sunita knew that it was her act of prompt help to the woman must have pleased the God and helped Sonali in safe delivery. "Paropakaram Idham Sareeram" says the scriptures. Paropakaraya vahanthi nadhyaka, paropakaraya duhanthi gavaha, paropakaraya palanthi vriksha, paropakaraya sareeram ethath. Sunita had after all sacrificed her time and her desire to be with her daughter when she needed her most for the sake of helping the hapless woman. This selfless act had not gone in vain.

Kpartha12@hotmail.com

A reunion

A reunion
- by KParthasarathi 04 Aug 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=fe6ff048-9469-4344-a8bf-ac7696146975

This story has been read 1 times. It was the memories of her last years and our conversations on a variety of subjects that have frozen in my heart. The places we visited brought a flood of recollections. It could be one of the routine visits to the hospital to see the cardiologist when while sitting in the lounge we would exchange notes on what to tell the doctor, the canteen where she liked the soft and fluffy white idlies forgetting for a while the further restrictions imposed by the doctor on her salt and water intake or a peep on the way into a supermarket to get some cosmetics. We were foolishly smug that our lives would go on like this happily for years although her condition was deteriorating fast with each passing month. Her heart had enlarged and the pumping was weak. She could hardly exert and breathing was difficult. Doctors couldn’t do much except changing the medicines and increasing the dosages. Yet we refused to accept that our lifetime together was coming fast to a close. There was an expected sudden demise of a neighbour of her age after a heart attack. She wanted to climb the stairs to pay her last respects to her friend unaware in three months she would also be a victim of the same cruel destiny. I persuaded her not to climb and gently led her back home. To both of us tragedy occurred always elsewhere far away from us despite all the signs of an impending misfortune. Each of us tried to please the other and endeavoured to make light of our worries. We attended social functions of close relatives and always smiled engaging in small witty talks to ward off the worried looks of our friends and relatives. Yet one night my wife was gone forever leaving me alone amongst multitude. Her gentle touch, her soothing conversations, her assuring smile disappeared with her in unseemly haste but the memories were the only refuge to which I clung. Years passed by and still I could hardly reconcile to the separation and the loss. Nothing seemed to interest me and l was living like a recluse in a time warp. Friends after initial commiseration reduced their visits. There would be sympathetic nods and forced smiles from relatives and they kept away whenever possible. I spent my time reading several news papers of the same events or wrote depressing stories or read her letters written when she was away in US for the umpteenth time.I tried to relate everything to my dead wife and kept the odds and ends she used in my cupboard. I covered all the four walls with her photos. My daughters chided me that this was not the sight their mom would relish and that I should lead a normal life. One evening I was walking in the neighbourhood park and chose our favourite bench overlooking a tiny pond with its lilies and ducks. We used to sit here in the evenings till the sun went down. It was then to my spine chilling sensation, I saw her coming towards me. She was in a flowing white dress with the ends smudged. There was a faint smile in her face as she beckoned me towards her. It was clear she was no spectre but yet there was something unworldly about her. For the first time I feared her. As she came close to me I felt I smelt her favourite sandalwood smell. I wanted to get up but my knees buckled. She extended her arms towards me and said “Come my dear, you thought you missed me and would never find your way to me. I see your face daily and hear your voice always. I have not left you and was always around you. But today I am taking you with me forever to the peace elsewhere. We can be free as chirping birds, swift as the breeze that rustles past you and shine as the distant stars. We will be in spirit with boundless world for us to be together. Do not worry or weep in fear. I am there for your keep.” As I heard her talk so clearly the last traces of fear vanished and found myself light and airborne along her side. I could see the ducks swimming in the pool amidst their cackles and the sun gone into hiding with the moon holding its sway over the dark sky. Arm in arm we travelled together towards the unknown mysterious space. I told my wife “Let me have last look at our daughter before we depart from this place.” As we neared our house we heard loud wails and shrieks of my daughter. When I moved quickly to comfort her telling her that I am with her mom, I saw her falling on my body and shaking it crying “Dad, why did you leave me, an orphan? I have none in this world to call my own. After mom’s death, you were the only pillar of strength. Why did you have to take your life away? Did I not take care of you well?” she cried in heart rending way as she gathered the sleeping tablets strewn around the bottle nearby besides my body. Kpartha12@hotmail.com

Lucky break

by KParthasarathi Friday, June 20, 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/Contribute/Others/UCStory7251.htm
Mohan was driving his jeep towards the main bazaar. He was in his starched Khaki uniform with its stripes. His wide leather belt carried the holster for the pistol. His cap in Khaki and black sat trim on his head. It was evening around 5pm.He saw a crowd in the middle of the road with the people on the periphery craning their necks to see what was happening in the middle. There was a Babel of noises ”Kill her”. “Strip her”, “Break her hands”, and so on. When the crowd heard the shrill horn of the jeep and saw his khaki uniform, it parted and gave way. Some people started to disperse silently and some stood still to witness what was likely happen. Mohan saw a woman in her mid thirties beaten blue with bruises on her eyes, lips and cheeks. Blood was oozing out. Her clothes were torn and upper garments removed except for a torn blouse hiding her chest. Even the sari had been pulled away and she was in her petticoat. It was a distressing sight with the mob in mindless fury with everyone relying on hearsay. Even as Mohan stopped the jeep, some men came near the jeep on their own and started telling him “Sir, this woman is a witch and possibly a child abductor. She stole a packet of bread from the opposite shop. We were teaching a lesson that she would not forget in her life. Luckily you have come, Sir.”
Mohan understood the situation. Had he not come, they would have stripped her naked and killed her. In a commanding tone full of authority he said” It is wrong to take law in your own hands. Leave the job to the police.” He asked them to lift her and put her in the back seat. He said “I will leave her at the police station and have the matter enquired into. If she dies, you will all be in trouble.” The woman was promptly put in the jeep. One or two fellows offered to come along. Mohan said “So you would like to be witnesses when she lodges her complaint that you all beat and stripped her. “ The men quietly withdrew allowing the jeep to proceed.
After traveling some distance, Mohan stopped the jeep and asked the sobbing woman as to what had actually happened. “Sir, my children are starving for the last two days. My husband has deserted me. It is true I stole the bread without knowing the consequences that would follow.” Mohan said ”I understand. Lucky I was there in time as otherwise they would have put you to great shame and injury. Take these 100 rupees and go home. Don’t go near the bazaar for a few days.” She thanked him profusely as she got down.
Mohan proceeded towards the school where he was supposed to be at 5-30pm.As soon as he reached the gate, his wife and son came rushing towards him. “Why so late? The function is to start in a few minutes; the chief guest has come already. Hurry up. You look swell in your uniform, cap and all.” He saw his boy dressed like a politician in kurta, pyjama with black glasses with a pan parag tin in hand. He was taking part in school fancy dress competition that evening. His son had asked him to come behind him as a special protection security guard. Mohan had to get the uniforms on hire for an evening.
Kpartha12@hotmail.com

Did Anjalai do the right thing?

by KParthasarathi Thursday, June 12, 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/Contribute/Others/UCStory7117.htm
Anjalai looked into the cup that contained a poisonous brew in her trembling hands

wondering at the likely depressing scene in her hut a few hours later. True the news of her suicide would be shattering to her husband who had just been discharged from the hospital. Her young daughter Ponmani of two years would not realize the gravity of the loss and would be playing with the children assembled at her house. But she was determined that was the ultimate price for her sin however mitigating the circumstances were.
“What am I doing?” Anjalai thought for a moment as the weak but kindly face of Murugan and the innocent smile of the child appeared before her. She felt terribly sorry at abandoning the two like this. She knew there can be no going back even as the course of events ran before her mind’s eye like a film. An orphan Anjalai was living in her uncle’s house after the death of her parents in an epidemic. Life was not easy and one of hard labour with her cruel aunt not reconciled to her living with them from day one. She was very charming to look at making her aunt still more jealous. When she was twenty, she came up with the idea that she be married of to her brother who was nearing fifty and who had lost his wife and had four children.Anjalai’s uncle demurred to the proposal but the termagant went ahead with the preparations. It was then Murugan who was twenty five and who lived in an adjacent house eloped with her to the city. He found work in a mandi as labourer and married her duly in a temple without loss of time and lived happily. Her aunt considered it a good riddance and did not trouble them. In due course Ponmani was born and life went on smoothly with Anjalai augmenting the income by working as domestic in a few houses nearby. It was a hand to mouth living though.
As ill luck would have it, Murugan met with a serious accident when a steel girder fell on his thigh. He was rushed to a government hospital. After the tests , they decided that a major operation was urgently necessary. But nothing was done unless one was highly connected or greased the palms of many from lowly ward boy to the attending doctor. She had pledged her only chain and borrowed from neighbours.All were spent in the first two days. The doctor would visit the ward and walk away silently after seeing him. The nurses were not communicative. His condition was worsening. She was starving virtually and clueless what to do. It was then the ward boy came near her and said”Sister, I do not think they will proceed with the surgery. You must meet the attending assistant doctor in his room separately after 3pm. He is very influential and can get anything done. Do not delay. Be careful.” When she stood outside the cabin, the doctor called her inside. He was about forty five and his look and smile warned Anjalai that he had wicked intentions. Without beating about the bush, he told her ”You do not have money and nothing moves here without it. Your husband is to be operated immediately. Otherwise he will get into complications and die. I can arrange it day after tomorrow itself provided you give me yourself in lieu of money. For such emergent situations affecting the life of husband, this is a small price. Tell me by 5pm.Do not worry, may be we would be meeting a few times till he is discharged. I am doing this only out of pity for you.”
Illiterate as she was and with none to support her and with no other solution visible she decided to succumb to the lust of this animal being the only way to save her dear husband’s life. She prayed to her goddess for forgivance and promised she would make suitable amends for the sin to be committed. Once she expressed her willingness to the doctor, things moved fast and Murugan was successfully operated upon. The doctor took his price unfailingly on several days till the patient was discharged after ten days.
Murugan was able to walk with the help of a walker. His employer had agreed to give him a light job.. But Anjalai had a forlorn and lost look always in her face.Murugan asked”Hey, what is troubling you? Thanks to the assistant doctor who was kind, I am back to normal health. Why are you dejected?” She smiled weakly at him and said she would be back soon.
Anjalai took one deep breath and gulped the contents. She returned home and fell dead at the door step with foams frothing from her mouth. The entire neighbourhood assembled wondering why she took her life.Murugan was rendered speechless and numb by the shock. A week after her death the ward boy who came to commiserate with Murugan confided the likely reason.Murugan dashed his head against the wall and cried inconsolably ”Anjalai, why did you have to take your life? You did though unwillingly what you felt was the only way to save me from death. I would have asked you to forget it as a bad dream. I would not have mistaken you even the slightest. You have now left us in deep misery. I could have as well died.” Ponmani wiped his tears looking puzzled at her crying father.
Kpartha12@hotmail.com

Dad's sacrifice

by KParthasarathi Tuesday, June 10, 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/Contribute/Others/UCStory7093.htm
Gupta was busy working on his laptop when his 10 year old daughter Meenu came rushing to him. She had her three friends in tow. She asked in plaintive tone “Dad, can I go and play in the park with my friends. They have put new swings and slides there. Lot of children play and there is no need to be afraid of” Gupta hesitated for a while. His wife was away at her office. He finally agreed as the park was very close by and told her “You four must all be together. You can play for just one hour. Take care. Do not talk to strangers” The memories of Nitihari killings were fresh in his mind. He would have liked to accompany them but the work on hand had to be completed that day itself.
It was hardly ten minutes when the three girls came running towards him. He could not see Meenu with them. He became highly anxious that something untoward had happened. The girls panting for breath spoke in chorus”Uncle, one young man who came in Maruti dragged Meenu inside his car even when we were proceeding to the park. She screamed and few passers by also saw. He drove the blue car in a matter of seconds.” They started crying telling that they could not save Meenu although one of them held her skirt tightly. He rushed with them to the spot. There were a few people talking about how unsafe the city had become. There were no clues from the children except that he was about twenty in blue jeans with whiskers and long hairs and that he had dark glasses.Gupta went to the police station and lodged a complaint. They visited the spot and made enquiries there. They promised to trace the child and nab the culprits immediately. The inspector was very nice and put a couple of men on the job as he knew the media would flash by the evening their reports in headlines.Gupta and his wife who had returned from office were praying intensely in their puja room. Some relatives had also assembled to give moral support.
It was at four pm that day when there was a call from the police asking Gupta to reach there immediately. The Inspector took him to an isolated part of the road leading away from the park and showed him a naked girl of ten lying unconscious amidst bushes.Gupta identified his daughter. She was badly battered. Her one eye was swollen, her lips cut and there were bruises and cuts all over the body indicating resistance by her and blood was smeared on her stomach and legs. It was evident she had been criminally assaulted by a brute repeatedly as Gupta came to know later from the hospital. She was rushed to emergency room in the hospital. Luckily the timely efforts could bring her back to normal in a week. But she was yet to recover from the trauma and the horrible memories remained etched in her mind. The entire family and friends were all mentally agitated needing a very long time for the scars to heal. Despite the best efforts of the police and the sketches published in papers and shown on TV, they could get no clue of the culprit. There were assurances that the police would nab him soon and they were in hot pursuit of some leads.
Meenu had not started going to school. One afternoon as Gupta was reading the news paper and while Meenu was watching the TV, she suddenly yelled ”Dad, look out. It is the same fellow come again.” Gupta quickly turned to see the young fellow with wickedness writ large on his face approaching Meenu.Quickly he realized his intent. He was trying to remove the one witness who could see him behind bars.Gupta pounced on him and grappled with him. He thought of his young daughter and how her innocence was robbed by the brute in his hold .He wished to strangle him and tightened his grips. But that beast was too strong for the middle aged Gupta. In a jiffy he pulled out a sharp knife and started repeatedly stabbing him in the arm and stomach.Meenu seeing her dad falling hit hard on the head of the young man with the cricket bat that she found by her side. She hit him twice and stopped when he tumbled down. She went out and screamed for help. It took a little while for the neighbours to rush and take Gupta to the hospital. The best medical attention could not save him.Meenu was shattered at the great loss and a sense of sadness descended on her. She cried inconsolably along with her mom. But deep within her, she was proud of her father for taking revenge on the wicked man by fighting with him till she came to her dad’s rescue. He did not die in vain. The man was sure to be hung. Her dear dad gave his life to save her from what he perceived as a threat to her honour again and also her life.
Kpartha12@hotmail.com

A good turn

-by KParthasarathi Friday, May 30, 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/Contribute/Others/UCStory6945.htm
I know well I am not a normal person and very different from my siblings. I bear no grudge when people including my family members speak ill of me. They are right in thinking that I have brought shame to my family. It is true that I fell into bad ways from a very young age when I started smoking thrown away cigarettes. I stole from my dad’s purse and filched things to get money. I started drinking whenever I earned money from snatching chains. I was at the bottom of my class and was severely warned when I wrote a love letter to my teacher. I was rusticated when I kissed a girl in the class. Even when I was seventeen I had regular sex with a woman older by twenty years. I had posed as a rich man and duped several girls with stolen vehicles. I was into drugs too. Little wonder that my parents and siblings disowned me and avoided me completely. I still remember the day when my dad hit me with his belt ordering me to get out of his sight and house for ever. The memory of my mother with tears trickling from her eyes is still vivid.
I have no regret that I have not made my family proud of me. All my siblings got settled in life with and had nice wives. My eldest brother had a soft corner for me being the youngest in the family. He had often pleaded in vain with to mend myself. Even after I left them, he used to give some money whenever we met. He would tell me that his doors were open for me if only I changed to honourable ways. However much I liked him, I could not change myself. Life was hard for me. There were nights when I had to sleep without a dinner. I had no decent place to live. I kept changing cities like a nomad as the police were hounding me. I had done some small terms in the prison. Years flew by and I was leading a humdrum life in a city slightly away from my parents place.
I came to know one evening that my eldest brother was in the hospital in a critical condition. I thought of his good natured wife and their three young children. My brother was not well off and his family depended on his monthly salary. I became restless and took the next bus to the city. It was past 8pm when I reached the hospital. I saw my parents, brother’s wife and my brothers in the lounge with grim faces. My mother must have been weeping. Except my mom and the young lady everyone turned their faces away. They dared not speak to me in the presence of my dad who had nothing but scorn for me. He came to me and said in curt tone “You are not wanted here. Please go away.” I replied “This is a public place and I do not require your leave to stay here.” He turned abruptly and left in a huff.
I went to the nurse sitting in the work station and told her that I was patient's intimate friend and that I have come to help in any manner if only I knew what his problem was. She thought for a while and said that my brother suffered from chronic renal failure of both kidneys. He has become too weak even for dialysis. Transplantation is the only solution. His blood group being unusual, they were not getting donors to match. The blood groups of the family members did not match. The situation has become critical as he is falling into coma.
It was then the senior doctor attending on my brother entered. I accosted him despite protests from the nurse and told him that I was patient's friend and that I was willing to donate my kidney immediately. I requested him to see the suitability as my blood group and his were identical. When he agreed , I told him that my only stipulation was my identity should not be revealed to the patient or his family. He agreed and asked me to get admitted the next day.
Things went smoothly thereafter. With the tests revealing compatibility, one of my kidneys was removed and transplanted to him. In a fortnight my brother was discharged certified as fit. I learnt from the doctor that the patient’s parents and family wanted to know the name and whereabouts of the Good Samaritan for them to thank and reward. The doctor had declined to part with the information.
The effects of surgery, lack of nutritious food, medicine and care had left me weak and exhausted. I could not go out to do even the shady work I was accustomed to. But my heart was filled with happiness that I could do one good turn to my brother who was kind and loving to me.
Kpartha12@hotmail.com

The revenge

-by KParthasarathi Thursday, May 29, 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/Contribute/Lifestyle/UCStory6921.htm
It was the same violent scene at her small apartment daily. He would enter tottering around 9pm fully inebriated mouthing foul language to her utter shame and the disgust of her neighbours. She would be standing in a corner trembling in fear. There need be no reason for quarreling. He would just drag her by her hair and yell at her asking with whom she was sleeping while he was away at work and where she was hiding all her ill gotten money. He would call her a cheap whore and a bitch even as she cringed in humiliation and indignity. He would abuse her parents for palming her off on him without any jewels or money. He would clasp her throat and try to strangle her till she felt her eyes would pop out. He would beat her with whatever his hand could lay on. All her sobs and tears would not move this angry animal in him. How she would wish he strangled her once and for all relieving her permanently from this misery.
Once he took his food kept ready for him, he would be a different man on some occasions. All the anger would have vanished and he would gently pull her towards him mumbling profuse apologies for his beastly behaviour. He will embrace her showering kisses on her bruised face, caress her aching neck and gently rub other places he had hurt. He would even start crying and promise her that he would never touch that wretched drink. This shameless woman would yield to the temptations of the only pleasure that she knew he can give her occasionally. Most nights drunk as he was fully, he would doze off snoring loudly without a touch of remorse. Countless times she wished to put an end to her life but did not have the courage to do it. She would think of the several ways to accomplish it, grinding the poisonous weeds and eating it, jumping into the deep well in the complex, pouring kerosene and burning herself but at the end she lacked the nerve.
Last night he was very cruel. He pulled her from the corner and slammed her face on the wall. He tore her clothes from her body and turned into a beast hurting her with glee. Her cringing and pleading to leave her alone only turned him on in his carnal assault. It was at that point she decided upon a strategy. She meekly submitted herself to his lust as she did so often. The next morning he was sober and took his morning breakfast engaging at the same time in small talks with her. But he refused her the permission to visit her aged father who was on his death bed telling her with a smirk in his face that she can go once her dad is dead. She was seething in anger but did not betray her emotion. It was then she gave him the kitchen knife to hold while she said she would bring the large pumpkin from kitchen for him to cut. She came soon and said that she forgot she threw it away as it had become rotten. He left the knife on the table and went away for work.
She closed the door without locking and wrote on a piece of paper that her life was in constant danger from her husband as he doubted her fidelity and also angry at her inability to get huge sum from her parents. She didn’t want to burden her aged parents with her problems. She posted this note at the post office to her friend in the same apartment. Having done this she pulled her hair and disarranged her clothes she was wearing. She gingerly took the knife at the end with a cloth and plunged it deep into her stomach taking care not to erase the finger prints. As the blood started flowing, she lay on her side smiling with content that her miserable life would soon come to an end. The thought that she was finally going to get out of this vile man’s clutches brought peace on her face despite the seething pain. She slowly slipped into the depths of unconsciousness content that she had wreaked her vengeance.
The adjacent neighbours heard that night the blundering man pressing the bell mouthing obscenities at the delay in his wife opening the doors. They were sneaking a look at the man through their slightly opened doors. He continued with his profanities unaware of what is in store for him.
Kpartha12@hotmail.com

The last wish

-by KParthasarathi Saturday, May 17, 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/Contribute/Lifestyle/UCStory6763.htm
Shankar a young man of 27 was working in Kolkata since a year. He was staying in a lodge. Not given to mixing with friends he found the week ends boring. He went to the Sunday morning Tamil movie in a nearby theatre.He got a seat in the last row at the rear. He was early and people were filing in. Just a couple of minutes before the lights were switched off, he saw a young couple approaching the two vacant seats by his side. The husband went in first and made his wife sit in the middle. She was around 29, very attractive and smiled flashing her sparkling teeth at Shankar before sitting. The lights went off and the picture started. The mild perfume from her side was a pleasant and intoxicating experience. After a few minutes his hand brushed against her’s inadvertently. She quickly moved her hand slightly. In a few minutes he rested his hand touching her’s but now she made no attempt to move. Shankar too did not take his hand from the arm rest. Gently the pressure of her hand increased. For Shankar being the first experience of a woman in such close quarter, he relished the contact. From the touch, it escalated to his hand caressing her arm in the darkness. Soon their fingers were clasped tightly in between the gentle cuddles. He could feel her hot breath close to his face with the alluring smell of jasmine from her tresses. When the lights came for the intermission, they were careful to be away from each other. Her husband went out to get popcorn. She smiled assuringly at Shankar, told him that her name was Shyamala and exchanged their mobile numbers. The thrill continued in the second half too bolder and more intimate. The unsuspecting husband was munching popcorn and viewing the film wide eyed
Next day around 2.30 pm, he got a call at his office from Shyamala.She gave him the directions and said “Can you take a taxi and come to my place immediately. My husband has gone to Jamshedpur and will return late night. The apartment is 2B.I will keep the door unlocked but will remain closed. I do not want the noise of a bell. Just gently push the door and enter. I will be waiting for you. It is absolutely safe. Please do not fail me. We will have great fun.”When Shankar reached her home, he could not believe his eyes. She had a swell figure, slim waist, large hips and lots of chest. Without any preface, she hugged him passionately and locked her lips with his. The torrid and ardent love affair between them that commenced that hot afternoon continued regularly without interruption as her husband was away on tour for minimum a fortnight in a month.
He got introduced to her husband Rajagopal one day in the lake market with Shyamala telling her husband “This young man is actually the first cousin of my good friend Saroja who you know got transferred to Mumbai.” He seemed a gentle person with little interests other than office and TV. One Sunday after a few months he dropped in at Shankar’s lodge and said “Why don’t you move in to the front room of my flat. It has separate entrance with toilet. There is an interconnecting door for emergencies. I am already on tour for half the month and will have to be away for a week twice a month henceforth. She is very timid by nature and afraid to stay alone. Since you are related to her friend and Shyamala has no objection, I think your presence in the front room will give her confidence. You can pay whatever you are paying here. Can you shift within a day or two?” Shankar readily agreed though he felt sorry for this loving and unsuspecting husband.
The secret liaison went on merrily unhampered for seven long years.Shyamala had put on slight flab and one could see happiness in her face. One day when Shyamala had gone out for attending a marriage, Rajagopal entered Shankar's room and sat glum for a few minutes. He slowly started talking.”Shankar, I have been wanting to talk to you for long but was somehow hesitant. Since she is not there, I decided to take the weight off my chest. When I married her, I thought I was normal. But unluckily it was not. I could not consummate the marriage. It was a great shock to both of us. Medical help was of no avail. I asked her to take a divorce but she would not agree. All my pleadings were of little help. She was young and had the normal urges. I decided to turn a blind eye to any liaison by her with one person if done discreetly. She paid no heed. I then contrived situation as in the theatre years back. I went away on tour to facilitate her amorous affair. I brought you to my flat. I could see with satisfaction that you both get along well. I curse my luck but am not jealous of you. In fact I am thankful to you in accomplishing very discreetly what I could not. Will you promise to marry her in the event of my untimely death?” Shankar was shocked at the revelation that he knew the happenings all along. He protested saying “Banish such thoughts, Sir. You are in good health. If you so wish I will seek a transfer and go away to some other city” He admonished him “Don’t be a fool. I just wanted to mention my wish and if ever I die, I will happily go with the thought that Shyamala is safe in your hands.” Shankar assured him not to worry at all. He did not mention about this conversation to Shyamala.
A week later there was a call one early morning from a hotel in Jamshedpur that Rajagopal had passed away by consuming sleeping tablets. Shyamala wept inconsolably wondering why he took his life when he had no worry at all. Shankar knew but kept quiet. He decided to honour his last wish come what may.
Kpartha12@hotmail.com

An eye opener

-by KParthasarathi Thursday, May 15, 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/Contribute/Lifestyle/UCStory6741.htm
I stopped the car when I saw the flower shop. I was on my way to meet my sweet heart whom I have been dating for nearly a year. She was turning 23 this day. I ordered a bunch of 23 large red roses to be made into a fine bouquet. As I was waiting, I saw a young boy around ten years bargaining with the shop assistant. I heard him telling “I have only 10 rupees. Can you make a small bouquet of roses for that amount? “
The assistant told him ”Sorry. The minimum we make is for Rs.50/. I can manage a small one for Rs.25.What you have is not adequate” The boy pleaded “Today is Mothers Day. I assure I can pay the balance in two months. Won’t you please help me?”
The assistant said a bit harshly “No credit. We are busy in the morning with customers. Please go away without disturbing.” With tears trickling, the boy moved away.
I called the boy”Hey, come here I will get for you a bouquet for your mom. I am glad you are a loving son and remember the occasion to surprise your mom. She should be happy to see the bouquet. Please wait.”
Meanwhile the assistant gave me my bunch of 23 roses beautifully arranged and a small bouquet for the boy.
I asked the boy to get into the car telling him that I would drop him if his home was not far away. The boy got down after a short distance before a small house. He said “Thank you, Sir. My mother is actually no more. She passed away last year. I used to get her from the adjacent gardens a few red roses on Mother’s day. She loved roses very much and would feel very happy. This year I thought I will get her a bouquet. Thanks to you, I can place it before her photo.”
My thoughts went to my mother in an old age home. She was past eighty with dimmed vision and reduced hearing. She used a walker to move about. We are a family of six sons and three daughters. Yet none of us were willing to keep her at our homes after my father passed away. Till then they lived separately. My mother is a fine lady, soft spoken and talked very little. My dad was not a rich man. He left behind his house which we sold and out of the proceeds paid the deposit to the old age home and the monthly subscription. She did not depend on us financially. The daughters- in-law were all working and no one wanted an old lady with them. This arrangement suited fine though my mom’s willingness was never ascertained. We went to meet her initially once a month with wives. Gradually the wives stopped accompanying my brothers. I am the youngest and not yet married. The visits by everyone became gradually few and far between.Eversince I started dating, I could also find no time. It is almost a year since I met her.
The boy opened my eyes. I rushed back to the flower shop and got a large bouquet of roses and other flowers. Along with my fiancée I bought some dresses for my mom and went to meet her. She was greatly surprised and was immensely happy when I introduced my fiancée. She had her face brought very close to her to see her and said ”She is very charming and cute. You are mighty lucky. May you tie the knot and live happily.” On our way back, my fiancée remarked “God willing, we shall keep her with us once we get married. We can employ a helper to attend to her needs.”
Kpartha12@hotmail.com

The change of heart

-by KParthasarathi Wednesday, May 07, 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/Contribute/Lifestyle/UCStory6619.htm
Audikesavulu is a leader of some high rank in a political party. A school drop out, he involved himself with a political party as a low rung worker and rose in ranks steadily by sheer hard work and loyalty to the top leader. He had never changed his political colours and has been with the same party since inception. He was elected to the Corporation council many times, the legislature a couple of times and was a minister for a short period. He has held chairmanship of many state government institutions. Over a period of time he has become rich through what political opponents consider dubious ways owning agricultural lands, house properties in the city and village, a flour mill and a couple of cinema theatres. It is difficult to know the real wealth of such men as they are held in several benami names. Being influential party man, there was always a crowd of hangers on. Being only in his late forties, the talk was that he had a promising future in the party.
A thorough family man he had two sons and two daughters. The elder son Manoj is a bright boy, studious in studies and had finished his B.Tech from IIT. He had also acquired a PG diploma in business management and was selected by a leading IT firm. A good chap with right values in life he detested politics to the chagrin of his father. He had a strong conviction that politics is not for honest and sincere people and that the political system has been so corrupted that good men abjured politics. His father has been nursing his constituency like a pocket borough and wanted his son to stand for election. The two daughters and the other son were young. He felt that service to others fetched no riches as politics did. But Manoj declined despite persuasion from his mom and other friends of his dad. In fact he wanted his father to come out of politics and involve himself in a NGO to lift the poor people of his village and surrounding areas from poverty. He dared to ask him once that except for improving the financial circumstances of his family what substantial work he had done for the people of his village or the district. He had not got any schools or public health centres or even small industries for his area. He has been only amassing riches. Manoj said his conscience will not permit him to be a part of the defective political system and would like to get as far as possible from it. Audikesavulu was disappointed at what he considered as a foolish response. The boy rubbed salt to injury when he remarked that amongst the colleagues and college mates his political connection is no plus point but a subject inviting snide remarks. Audikesavulu became wild in rage and hit the boy abusing him of being an ungrateful wretch and a drohi. His wife joined in support of the Manoj and said neither she nor the other children are happy with politics. Manoj left quietly but was not seen from the next day. All attempts to trace him failed. He had not reported for duty. Weeks passed without any information about his whereabouts. His mom and his siblings were crying all the time. The police despite strenuous attempts could get no clue. Audi was full of remorse.
It was then the Chief Minister called him one day and proposed that he become a minister in his cabinet. What should have been a sweet music to his ears did not interest him any more. Audikesavulu kept silent prompting CM to remark “What is the matter, Audi? I thought you will jump with joy at the recognition of your long and hard work in the party. Come out with what is bothering you.” Audi started sobbing and touching the feet of CM requested him to forgive him for declining the offer. “I wish to retire from politics and involve myself in social work for the remaining years” he said. CM laughed and remarked “Are we not serving people already? I know you are an intelligent and hard working man. I can wait for a week.” Audi replied politely and firmly “Forgive me, Sir. I have made up my mind to retire from politics and go back to the village. Wherever I am, my loyalty and respect for you would remain undiminished.”
The news was splashed in the news papers and TV channels. It was then Audi received a phone call from Manoj. “Appa, you have made me proud by your decision. I am on the final stages of starting a NGO along with some class mates for the amelioration of the poor. We need your guidance and would like you to be the founder chairman of the organization. We have chosen a few districts for our work. Money is no constraint. We need only dedicated and hardworking volunteers. My friends along with me would meet you this week end. Please tell mom not to worry. All will be fine very soon.” As he put the receiver down, Audi’s wife entered to see the peace that had descended on his smiling face.
Kpartha12@hotmail.com

Babri Masjid and the lost box

-by KParthasarathi Tuesday, May 06, 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/Contribute/Lifestyle/UCStory6608.htm
It was one 6th December and my wife and my self were waiting at the airport to receive her sister and her family from Chicago. They were coming to our place for a month’s vacation. The sisters are very close to each other and chat twice daily for long periods. They do nothing without consulting each other. Both have a boy and girl.

There was tight security at the airport and visitors’ entry was barred. We had to hang around outside where there was a very inadequate seating arrangement. Most of the visitors, young and old, were standing. The fans were also few and far between.

Luckily our flight came in time. In an hour’s time they came out after the immigration formalities with two trolleys and a stroller each pulled by the two children. The sisters hugged each other and were immensely happy. The children too engaged themselves in happy conversation.
After the pleasantries with Vasu my sister-in-law’s husband, I got the boxes were loaded quickly on the Toyota Qualis that had a carrier on the top. We left in ten minutes. When we came out of the airport and had already driven for fifteen minutes my sister-in- law suddenly remembered the red colour stroller and asked whether it was loaded. I did not remember to have seen any red stroller. The vehicle was stopped and things were seen only to notice that the red box was missing. The boy who was pulling it had kept it away from other boxes and hence it was missed. We turned back to the airport worried whether the box would have been taken away by someone.

When we tried to halt at the place where we had boarded the vehicle, the policemen asked us to move farther away. There was a big crowd of people craning their necks to see something. Both Vasu and myself, got down to see the place cordoned off. We heard people talking about some bomb. When we reached closer Vasu loudly exclaimed “Our red stroller is still there safe. It is in the middle of the cordoned off area”. We approached the policemen and told them about our failing to take the box. They asked how we knew that the stroller was ours. Vasu said that he has come from Chicagoan hour or so back and that he had tied a blue tape on the handle of the red stroller to distinguish it from other similar boxes. The constable took us to the inspector who admonished us for our carelessness and the immense anxiety caused. This stroller had created a scare. Being abandoned, they suspected it might contain some explosive and had called a bomb disposal squad.

Vasu said he was 100 percent certain it was his box and that he be allowed to take it. The inspector asked him whether he can tell any specific things the box contained to determine the box really belonged to him. He said there were in the box a new leather belt, a packet addressed to one Chandrasekharan of Nanganallur and a chess set in glass. When opened he found the very articles mentioned and he was allowed to carry the same after a warning that he had created an avoidable stir and to be careful in future.

That day being the Babri Masjid demolition anniversary with the police mounting a special security drive in airports and Railway stations and the unidentified boxes were being left alone by snatchers for fear of a bomb, my guests were lucky to get back their box.
Kpartha12@hotmail.com

The dilemma

by KParthasarathi Tuesday, April 29, 2008
http://content.msn.co.in/Contribute/Lifestyle/UCStory6518.htm
It was around 8.30 in the morning and my children had left for school and husband to the office. I heard a commotion on the road outside my house. When I looked out through the window I saw a cluster of people in the middle of the road by the side of a truck. I heard screams of pian.Must be another wretched accident. I rush out and hear people talking of a young boy run over hit by the fast moving truck. I inch closer only to see blood splattered across the road and a mangled body of the urchin in khaki shorts and oversized blueT Shirt.. I could get a glance of the boy’s charming face with the eyes closed partially and the face contorted in pain. He would have been 11 or 12. He must have died instantaneously as otherwise the on looking passersby would have had him removed to the hospital. The driver of the truck was caught and held. Some people in anger showered him with blows till they were stopped by some onlookers telling it was no fault of the driver. He was shivering in fright and a sense of guilt for being the cause of the boy’s death. He was repeatedly pleading with others that the boy saw the approaching truck standing on one side of the road and suddenly plunged into the middle of the road. The hapless driver was telling that the boy did not give even slightest indication of his intent to cross the road. Meanwhile a policeman appeared on the scene and soon followed by a police control van. After a quick survey, they covered the body with a white cloth. Soon there were marking the place with chalk piece and the driver taken inside the van.
The thought of a very young life snuffed out in a fraction of minutes and the waiting mom and other folk in his family was too much to bear. There was the feeling of nausea from the pit of my stomach and I rushed into my compound. Tears trickled involuntarily from my eyes. I could not bring myself to my normal self and sat on the portico dazed. In the matter of an hour every one had left and there was no trace of an accident except for the blood mark and white lines of chalk piece. I went in and got busy with my daily routine of loading the washing machine and the dishwasher. A little while later I heard a wail from the roadside. Not having gone out the hangover of the ghastly scene, I came out to investigate. I saw an aged woman from the working class looking hither and thither and asking the passers y whether they had seen her grand son. It was a busy road with no shops or a shade of tree. Cars and vehicles were moving fast. None had the time or the inclination to stop and listen to her. When she saw me, she came towards my gate. I went out and asked her what the matter was. She said her grand son went out to get tea for her more than two hours back and hadn’t returned. She added”Normally I wouldn’t worry as children when they see play mates start playing and forgetting the job. But I have brought my grandson from the village to take him to the hospital. You see this boy’s vision is not good in the nights and these days he found it difficult even during day time.” When I remonstrated with her as to how she could allow such a boy to go out on a busy road, she said the boy had told her that he would not cross the road and that he can manage without much difficulty. “Foolish as I was, I did not stop him. I don’t know whether he got into any trouble. I am afraid as he is the only child of my daughter. “ When she confirmed about the boy’s age and the colour of the dress my worst fears turned true and I was in dilemma whether to tell her what I knew..
“Amma, did you see my grandson by any chance? Can you tell me how I can trace him? No one has the patience to listen and answer” she told me sobbing all the while. I had no mind to break the sad news. I steeled myself and said that I have no idea. But as an after thought I told her ”You see, there is a police station after a furlong on this road. They normally help in tracing the children. They also keep in safe custody lost children till they find the parents. I think it is best for you to go there without asking anyone else.”
She replied”Amma, you are so kind hearted. You will live long happily. I will go to the thana as you advise.” I saw the bent figure walking in hurried steps towards the police station with hopes and anxiety. I felt bad that I had to lie but took solace from the sloka “…..na brooyath satyam apriyam….”(never tell the disagreeable even if true)
Kpartha12@hotmail.com