The old man’s worry

The weather was fine with gentle breeze and the sun was luckily still shining bright. The boys were playing in the middle of the big park and many people young and old were walking briskly on the well laid pathway. As I scanned around the park. I saw at a distance an elderly gentleman sitting alone on a bench. I went near and sat quietly beside him. He must have observed me and gently coughed possibly to attract my attention. He must be around 75, frail and lanky with a prominent red vertical line on his receding forehead. Clad in a clean dhoti and a white shirt with a towel thrown over his shoulder, he smiled at me. When I reciprocated his smile, he started a conversation asking, “I remember to have seen you often, but do not exactly remember where, whether here or elsewhere. I wish to talk to you.”

“Nice to hear you. Can you try to recollect where? Is it in the park or elsewhere? What is it you wish to talk about? My name is Partha. Do you know anyone by that name? I live in the adjacent street,“ I replied

He did not speak immediately and was lost in some thoughts with a forlorn look. He coughed repeatedly.

“Are you fine?” I asked.

“Can I address you Partha? I like that name as it is after the presiding deity of Triplicane temple. I used to live in car street years back. My son was born there,” he replied.

“You have not answered my question whether you are fine since you are repeatedly coughing,” I said.

“I am fine but suffer from lot of worries that I cannot speak out openly, but they make me sleepless. I live with my son who is very affectionate. My daughter-in-law, I forget her name Rohini or Mohini, is also very caring and kind. They look after me well and have given all comforts. He earns very well,” he said and stopped when the cough recurred.

I looked at him intently even as he saw me. There was a distant look and the eyes seemed tired with the spark missing

“Strange, what worry troubles you? You said your son and his wife are very caring and keeping you in comfort. Your health also is good as you said. What is the problem for your sleeplessness? Did you tell your son to take you to a doctor?” I asked.

“I wish to but I do not see him these days.”

“What, why don’t you see him as you are in the same house? Ask his wife to take you,” I said.

 “Ï do not see her also. Both of them are not there. May be they are away.”

“Who looks after you then? Who gives you food? You must be having grandchildren”,” I asked

“One man and his wife are there with their children. I do not talk to them though they keep coming to me frequently pestering me to take bath, eat, take medicines and sleep. They do not allow me to go out alone. They are always keeping a watch on my movements. Where is my son and his family? I am really scared. Today I managed to escape without the couple’s knowledge”, he said with a sly smile.

“What is the worry you that is bothering you? You can confide in me safely,” I said.

“My only worry is why my son and his wife have left me with this strange couple. Where have they gone? He is a good and loving chap and would never do that. Still it has happened. I suspect this man and his wife might have driven them out or done harm to them? I am afraid to ask them as they may kill me. I found you to be a decent person and thought of telling you. Do not tell what I confided to the stranger and his wife, I implore you,” he pleaded with tears and fear in his eyes.

“Do not worry. Your son would never desert you. I will get your son and his family very soon as I have tremendous influence. Do not be afraid, I will take care. No one can do any harm to you. Come with me. I will drop you at your home,” I told him

As I led him inside the house clutching his forefinger with one hand and putting my other arm around him, he stopped for a few seconds and looked at me keenly. Meanwhile my wife rushed out to me and asked “Where did you find him? I was so worried that I prayed to all gods for his safety.”

My children followed her and said “Thatha, why did you go out alone. Amma and appa were in tears not finding you in the house and searching you everywhere.”

The old man, my father, looked at us in a bewildering and incomprehensible manner and asked me after a very long pause,” Are you my son Partha? Only he would clutch my forefinger and put his arm around me as you did.”

Nodding my head vigorously in affirmative, I hugged my dad tightly as the children also snuggled around his legs. My wife was wiping her eyes in joy. I could see the distant look in his eyes had vanished.

Love at first sight

It was dark and the wind was howling. Kanchana was alone and her husband was expected only the next day evening. She walked up to the rattling window to close it. When she put out her hand to draw the shutters, she saw a young man standing at the opposite window of adjacent house and intently staring at her. It is not the first time, as whenever she came to the window, he was there watching her with a sly smile. Kanchana knew but she was impelled, by some magnetic force as it were, to be drawn often to the window for no reason. He must be in mid-thirties, tall and with a muscular body, sharp featured and handsome, and a mesmerizing eyes that had a seductive twinkle. She was always happy to see him virtually devouring her with his eyes transfixed on her. She had no guts to look at him straight except by stolen glances. They had never exchanged words or waved their hands or met except once at the local grocery this afternoon but she relished their mutual infatuation. Her conscience pricked her as her husband was loving to her and she too loved him much. She still had a deep crush on the irresistible young neighbour and enjoyed his attention. This mutual but distant admiration continued for a month or so.

 It was in the afternoon when she had finished buying groceries and walking towards her vehicle, she had dropped a bag unknowingly. When she was about to get into the car, she saw someone calling ‘Madam, you have dropped your bag’ and rushing towards her. It was the neighbor. When he handed the bag, his hand brushed against hers perhaps by design but set the butterflies aflutter in her stomach. It was a strange delectable feeling that she wished to linger for long.  

When she thanked him profusely, he said, “Do you know that I live in the adjacent house of yours and often see you? I am Suman, an IT engineer, living here since recently”

He looked more handsome and like-able at close quarters. She kept quiet for a while before saying, “Yes, I know you are the gentleman found standing always by the window” and broke into a laughter that he too joined in.

“How would you know, madam that I am always at the window? You are er.” he asked mischievously.

“I am Kanchana and my husband is a senior marketing executive. Thank you again for the help” she said as she got into the car.

“Can I drop in sometime to get introduced to your husband? We can then have many social occasions to meet”.

“Surely, but my husband is away and would be back only tomorrow evening. May be some other time later “she said.

That night as she lay in the bed she could never take off his face from her mind for long.

The patter of the rain had stopped and she came to the hall to open the window. Looking out expectantly, she saw the window at the adjacent apartment also open at the same time with Suman standing with his hairy bare chest uncovered. Both could not suppress their giggle as they saw each other. He waved his hand at her with her responding in equal glee and not moving from the window for a long time.

As she lay on the bed reading a novel, there was a knock on the door. Wondering who it could be, she opened the door to find Suman standing. She felt a shock of million volts pass through her and stood dazed undecided whether to invite him inside or not. He gave her no choice as he entered the hall shutting the door slightly.

“I had told you my husband is away and that you can visit some other time,” she said with a frown in the face.

“Yes, I am aware but I wished to come to meet you. How long we should be content gazing at each other? I could not resist this opportunity to visit, know you more and exchange our feelings for each other,” he said even as he sat on the sofa unasked. Not only that he had the temerity to pat on the sofa by his side suggesting that she sit by his side.

Though torn between the attraction of new found love and her sense of loyalty to her loving husband, she could realize where a moment of indecision and weakness would irretrievably lead to. She decided instantly that she would not betray her husband and told him in stern tone, “You are not welcome when my husband is not at home. Please leave this place immediately.”

“I am surprised at your sudden volte face. What is the meaning of standing before each other smiling and giggling all these days? I thought you were in love with me just as I am ardently with you. Please be sensible, you will not regret.” he pleaded with his arms extended towards her.

“I agree I was at fault gazing at you daily. I should not have done it especially when I am married and not a single. True I was infatuated rather foolishly but I would not be untrue to my husband till we have each other. Please go away before I scream,” she said in a determined tone.

Suman stared at her in disbelief and left the hall without a word.

On the Sunday two days later Kanchana was standing in the verandah in the morning waving her hand to her husband Kartik as he left for gym. Just as she turned to go back into the house she saw, Suman accosting Kartik on the road in front of his house and shaking hands with him after some small conversation. She wondered why he was befriending him especially when she avoided seeing him. The window since two days was fully covered by curtain. She went in knowing that Kartik would tell her after his return from gym.

As she was working in the kitchen she heard loud thuds from the adjacent house as if a wall or floor being demolished. This continued for long though she ignored it presuming some repairs are being carried out. She could see no workmen however.

It was past 11am and there was no trace of Kartik. He normally does not work out more than an hour. Worried she crisscrossed the house and finally rang up the gym to ascertain whether Kartik had left. To her shock, the assistant informed Kartik did not visit the gym. Not knowing what to do, she ran to the adjacent house and rang the bell. Suman came out in shorts and a vest with body covered with mud and cement and asked her somewhat surprised what brought her to him.

. “I saw my husband talking to you on his way to gym. He has not returned till now. He hardly spends an hour there. The gym says he had not come there. You were the last person he met before he left. Unfortunately, he had left his mobile at home. Did he tell you of any change in his plan?” she asked.

“Nothing. We just said good morning and talked about the weather before he left on his way. I am sorry to hear that he has not come. May be, held up somewhere. If you need any help, feel free to ask,” he said.

As Kanchana was slowly recounting to the police inspector the happenings since morning and also about the exchange of greetings between Suman and Kartik, Suman entered the hall unexpectedly. Turning to Kanchana, he said " I saw the police vehicle and wondered whether you needed my help."

The inspector who was seated spoke to him " I was myself wanting to meet you. Luckily you are here. Can I have some details of you before we discuss about this matter?"

Suman produced an identity card from his pocket and on seeing it the inspector stood up deferentially and saluted him to the surprise of Kanchana. Suman patted him on his shoulder and said "Do not worry about Kartik.There is nothing for you to do. He is safe in custody at a secret place. In fact, I wished to inform this lady but felt better to break the news to her gently in the evening."

Turning to Kanchana, he said, “I am sorry I did not reveal my true identity to you. As the inspector will testify, I am in the intelligence wing. Kartik is not what he seems to you. He has been indulging in many illegal, criminal and anti-national activities. He is no marketing man but a hardened criminal in disguise. I wonder how and when you got married to him? It may shock you that you are one of the many whom he has duped and left in lurch. True, he wallows in money. He has been escaping our net for long and I moved in to the next house after getting to know he is here. We wished to catch him red handed." He added with a faint smile in his face, “It may disappoint you to know that I was initially watching your window to get a glimpse of him and his activities. Anyway brace yourself to know he may be in jail for decades. You will come to know of his treacherous activities in due course. Luckily you are out of harm’s way. Please get some friends or relatives to stay with you for a few days. I will meet you later. You can always ring me," he said as he gave her his card.

Without going into details, suffice it to inform, from the information gathered, that Kanchana and Suman are happily living together in a Northern city with none wiser about the secret lying buried in the adjacent house.

The midnight knock

(This story was written as a guest post for a blogger friend more than a year ago.Since this remained unpublished,I am posting it in my blog.)

The clock struck eleven somewhere. I kept aside the case file I was reading, took a glass of water and pulled the bed sheet over me. I heard then a knock at the door. Wondering who it could be at this  hour, I rushed to open the door. I saw a young woman in her late twenties with a bag standing in a distraught condition breathing heavily as if she had run a hundred metre race.

“What do you want at this late hour? Who are you?” I asked

“Please save me, Sir. Someone was stalking me and when I reached this lonely stretch, he increased the pace and shouted asking me to stop. When I started running, he too came running behind,” she stopped to catch her breath.

“What happened then?”

“When I saw the gap between us reducing, I took a boulder from near the postbox, hurled at him and ran without looking back. I am afraid he might have been seriously hurt.

“The post box is hardly a furlong away. Stay here in the hall. Let me check.” I said

When I went near the postbox, I saw a boulder on the middle of the road but there was none there at the spot. I looked carefully at the boulder for any sign of blood. There was none. I looked around and saw no one. I presumed she missed her target, and he must have run away.

“No one is there. There is no stain of blood on the boulder. You must have missed him. You can relax now. Have a glass of water before you tell me more about you,” I said

She drank the water slowly before replying.”I am Nandini.I came from Kumbakonam by bus for an interview tomorrow with a BPO. The bus got delayed en route. Someone told me there is a decent hotel at the end of this road and it was just walking distance. The rest you know,” she said.

From her appearance and the way she spoke, it looked she was from a decent family. I took pity on her and did not want to send her away at that late hour.

“I live with my mother here. But she has gone to village and is expected tomorrow. It is already past 12 midnight. If you are okay with it, you can sleep in the visitor’s room on the sofa and leave in the morning.”

“Thank you, Sir. That would be a great help as I am afraid to go out in the dark at this hour”

As I had some cases to argue early morning in the court, I retired to my bedroom.

It was around 1 am I heard a vehicle screech to a halt and there was a loud knock on the door. When I opened, I was shocked to see someone in police uniform. He pushed me in and entered the drawing hall.

“I am Sudhakar, Inspector of police. There was a frantic call from a young lady complaining of attempted rape and seeking immediate help. She had given this address. Is there any woman here? I want to look around?” he said.

Shaken and confused, I started perspiring.”I think you have come to a wrong house. There is nothing like that here. In fact a lady had come two hours back seeking help from a stalker and is sleeping in the front room. You can ask her. There is no one else in the house,” I said

Just then a sobbing Nandini entered the hall in a salwar suit torn at many places, with a disheveled hair, smudged bindi and scratches on her hand indicating a struggle.

 “No, he is lying. It is a fact I sought his help from a stalker. Finding him a helpful man, I trusted him and accepted his offer for shelter during night. That was a blunder as the wretch came in a little while and started misbehaving. Luckily I escaped to the toilet and rang for help,” she lied looking at me accusingly.

The inspector ordered both of us to come with him to the police station for giving statements and for filing FIR.

It was then Nandini pleaded with the inspector that she had an interview the next day morning and that she would not like to file a case but desired to be taken out of the house.

“Are you suggesting that you wish to drop the charges and go for a settlement?”asked the Inspector. I wondered what settlement he was talking about.

“Yes, Otherwise I will miss my interview. A police case will also damage my reputation. He made only an unsuccessful attempt to molest me. You may decide whatever you think is reasonable. I wish to get out of this place with you at the earliest,” she pleaded.

“I cannot get involved in this if you are not pursuing the matter. You settle between you two” said the inspector.

“What she tells is an utter lie. I have no idea how she got the clothes torn and the bruises on her hand. I have not seen the woman after I went to my room. I have important cases in court tomorrow morning and I wish she gets out immediately. I don’t know what settlement you both are talking about. I made a mistake in letting her in. Anyway give me a minute. Let me check what I have,” I said

As I was lingering in my bed room after contacting police, a police patrol car screeched to halt outside. I rushed to open the door. Two policemen entered. The lady and the ’inspector’ were stunned at the turn of events.

“Thank you for coming so quickly after I rang up. I suspect these two are accomplices in crime and good in concocting accusations. I am a lawyer. I vividly remember that she came in a neat blue salwar suit.She is in torn clothes now. Please check her bag. I think she must have changed clothes and inflicted the scratches on herself before ringing up her accomplice to come in uniform to fleece me. He is no inspector, but a fake, I think”

Soon the cat was out of the bag, and the fake guy and the trembling woman were led into the waiting police car. I could see the seething anger and malice in her eyes, as she looked at me while departing.

***

Unclaimed red bag

The central station was bustling with noisy activity. I came half an hour earlier and took my berth in the train. The compartment was getting filled up. An old man with his wife was sitting opposite to me. There were two young men on the side berths. There was another 15 minutes to go for the train to depart.

A young muscular man rushed in with a small red travel bag and sat by me placing the bag on the other side of the seat. He smiled at me and asked “How far are you travelling?” I returned the smile and replied Ernakulum.

He said “I am travelling up to Thrissur on my way to Guruvayur.My uncle is waiting outside. I will take leave of him and be right back. Can you please keep a watch on the bag?”

I nodded my head and he left immediately. The final bell and the engine whistle were heard. There was no trace of the young man. I saw through the window and there was none rushing to board the compartment. The train picked up its speed. I was worried whether he missed the train foolishly talking to his uncle oblivious of its departure. Thirty minutes passed by and there was no sign of that passenger.

On seeing my worried face, the old man in the opposite berth said ”Days are bad and we hear lot of warnings about unclaimed objects. Why would he stay away leaving the bag behind?”

Someone from the side berth remarked “I did not like the look of the guy. Let us tell the TTE and request him to remove the bag from here and deal with it as per rules”

I am by nature timid and wont to avoid all problems. At the whiff of a trouble, either I leave the place or settle for an amicable resolution. My apprehension was what if the guy comes after sometime to claim the bag. No TTE was however seen. There was some agitation and it appears only very few TTEs were deployed for the trains.

The lady in the opposite berth was heard telling her husband ”Could there be a bomb? Is it safe to travel with the bag in the compartment?”Her husband signaled her to remain silent but the point she made was not lost sight of by others.

It was then one tall man in Khaki uniform in his early thirties, with a long moustache and a baton in hand, was sighted at the end of our compartment. All our eyes were on him with much relief as he walked erect towards us oozing the authority that the uniform gave him. As he came to our bay, he stopped and tapped his baton on the side railings.

“What is the problem and why are you all staring at me?” he asked in a gruff tone.

The elderly man on the opposite berth explained our predicament with an unclaimed baggage on our bay and the owner not in sight.

The khaki man looked at me sternly and asked “Do you know that passenger? If not how can you accept baggage from an unknown person? What if it contained an explosive timed to certain hour? Do you hear any tick tick sound from inside. Have you told the TTE about it?” and added when I tried to place my ears on the bag”No.no.Don’t touch it. These scoundrels are up to anything. Tell me what do you want me to do?”

One of the two men from side berth spoke “You are on the train to protect us from any harm. Please take the bag away far from here and deal with it as you deem appropriate.”

As he produced the hand, I nudged the bag towards him. He seemed to hesitate for a moment and then took it in his hand and walked away briskly telling that he would carry it to the end of the train and do the needful at the next station.

There was a sense of relief as we settled down comfortably and started discussing about crime, violence and bomb culture. After about 15 minutes, to everyone’s surprise, the man who had left the travel bag appeared and sat down on the seat.

“Sorry folks, I almost missed the train talking to my uncle and by sheer luck I could board one of the compartments at the end while the train was in motion. I had to wade my way to reach this place” he said and turning to me, he added “I hope I did not inconvenience you much.”

“Inconvenience you say, you literally scared the hell out of everyone in the compartment leaving an unclaimed bag. We waited with fear for a long time. Luckily a constable appeared and we handed over the bag to him. He will be at one of the front compartments. Please go and collect it from him” said the side berth man

“How could you hand over the bag entrusted to your care to a constable? If I do not trace him, I will hold you responsible. One of you please accompany me to identify him” he said angrily.

They returned after walking through the entire train unable to find the man in the uniform. The aggrieved young man shouted at me, “I can find no one in khaki uniform. I had kept 3000 rupees and a watch for my father for his 60^th birthday. I hold you responsible for the loss. Either get me my bag or compensate me for the loss.”

“I never agreed to watch your bag. You just kept it by my side before going out” I replied

“But you nodded your head” he retorted but softened down pleading, ”I am a poor man and cannot afford the loss.”

The other passengers were watching with interest while the old man from opposite berth said that I cannot be held responsible as the owner left the bag at his own risk.

But the man insisted that I should compensate him for the loss for my having nodded while he left the bag by my side .Realizing my mistake in not refusing, I agreed to pay Rs.1000 the maximum I could even though I was not certain the bag contained money and the watch. After haggling, the amount was settled at Rs.1500.Before I took out the money, the old man asked him to show his ticket. He stared at the old man with hostility and left in a huff.

Meanwhile one of the side berth passengers who had gone to toilet saw a tall man with mustache seated at the end bay. He was however not in khaki uniform but in a new dress. The baton by his side that seemed familiar raised his doubt. He lingered for a while till he saw the protruding red bag under the man’s seat. That turned out to be a giveaway.

With help of other passengers he was dragged to our seats. The bag was opened only to reveal the discarded khaki uniform. After a bit of roughing up by others, he confessed to their modus operandi and pleaded for mercy. With no TTE or constable in sight, no loss sustained and it was late for bed, he was let off. I dozed off peacefully  with no problem to rankle my head

A story for Valentine’s Day

It was a small house situated at the end of the lane. I lived in the single room on the terrace that I could access by a staircase built outside the house. A spacious room well ventilated on three sides including a window that opened to the terrace. My office was just 15 minutes away by bike. There was an Udupi hotel at the end of the lane on the main road where I had my daily breakfast and occasional dinner.

I am happy here after a year of living in men’s hostel with smoke filled corridors, long queues for the toilets, the noise till late night and the litter of bottles and wrappers all around in the mornings. I liked the tranquil here, the fresh air from the window adjacent to my bed and an exclusive bath and toilet for me. There was one thing that embarrassed me.

Whenever I tried to start my old motor bike in the mornings, it just refused to come alive in sheer petulance. It needed repeated cajoling and hard kicks. I think I saw every time someone partially hiding behind the window of the house watching and smiling at my failures. Though I have seen on occasions a tall and slim girl of about twenty standing at the door step of the house watching me enter the compound, I had not asked out of propriety, the middle aged couple with whom I had interacted initially, whether there was any other member in the family. I was waiting for disbursement of loan to buy a new one and save myself from the daily derisive grin.

One day I noticed by chance some strange thing. I am by nature a very organized and stickler for order. I keep things at appointed places. I keep in small box things like pens, pencils sharpener, quick fix and small scissor. This morning when I looked for cello tape, I found to my surprise the box at the centre of table displaced from its usual place at the top corner. I was intrigued. There was no way someone could enter as I had the only key. The landlord had said the other key was lost and that I should be careful not to lose the only one I had. I dismissed this incident as possibly a lapse on my part.

A few days later there was another episode that put me off. I keep the daily newspaper neatly folded one over the other in chronological order. It was a Monday and after reading it when I went to keep it on the pile, I did not see the Sunday Times of India but Saturday’s paper on the top with Sunday’s below it. I would have never done it. I was sure that someone was in my room, but that was impossible as the door was secure when I returned. I decided not to ignore it lightly but to unravel the mystery. The next day I put a towel on the mirror hoping if it is the girl, she would certainly remove the towel to see herself in the mirror.

As I expected the towel was lying on the chair signifying that someone had tampered with the lock and entered my room. I went down and asked the land lady ” Mami, did anyone come up the stairs looking for me?”

“Why do you ask? No one came and I would have known from the noise when the front gate is opened”” she replied

“I was expecting a courier. Never mind, may be a neighborhood urchin would have come”

“Is something amiss? No one came to my knowledge” she replied.

I saw the shadow of her standing behind the door and heard a very faint giggle.

“I usually close the window doors shut to prevent dust. They were ajar today and I thought a courier boy would have come. It is not a big thing. Just wished to make sure that I had not missed the parcel.”

“I will keep a watch”

Two days later, I saw a paper torn from a note book with words “Do not be afraid. No ghost here” with a symbol of a ghost.

I wrote beneath it “I know it is no ghost but a beautiful elf that never comes when I am here. May be it will appear on my off day, day after tomorrow on Valentine’s Day”

The next day evening I saw a happy smiley with word “Surely but after dusk when parents have gone to temple”

I was restless wondering whether she would be beautiful, qualified and be a right match for me. I wished to talk to her for long without these fleeting appearances.

It was around 8pm, she appeared outside the open door of my room. What a bewitching beauty and mesmerizing eyes. I beckoned her inside with a smile.

She came and said “Amma and appa would be back from temple anytime. They saw your bike outside and know you are here”

“Tell me first how do you enter my room in my absence when I have the only key?”I asked.

She kept silent and asked me “Aren’t you happy that I am visiting your room? What does it signify?”

Elated at the response I said “Happy Valentine’s Day!” and picked up a box of chocolates and offered her

“Happy Valentine’s Day to you too! Do not bother about the other key. Is it lost?”she giggled mischievously and added “Trust in my capacity to reach you”

“No need. You can continue to visit and leave your foot prints and little epistles. I would be happier if you can contrive to come frequently when I am here. What do you do? Have the chocolates.”

“Let the box be here. It is ours. I have been selected in the campus and hold your breath, it is in your company.”

I jumped with joy and cried aloud “Wow, did you say ours?” even as my hands tried to clasp hers. But she managed to wriggle out and say “Beware, I hear my parents coming. See you later” and ran away in a trice.

The landlord and his wife came up the stairs and entered my room. After being seated, he said “My wife was telling about your doubt whether someone is having access to your room. There is no key besides the one I gave you. This place is very secure and not one theft has taken place within my knowledge in this locality”

“Sir, I think your daughter has not revealed to you that she has the lost key and the mystery is now unraveled “I said with a big smile

“What are you talking, young man? Are you telling me that my daughter has found the key and told you? Did she talk to you and when was this?” he asked in a confused anger.

“Just a little while ago. She ran away when she heard you entering the house, I think”

“I must have noticed as we were coming in. We have no daughter. The one I had committed suicide three years back.Pray, do not ask me why?”

A chill ran through my spine and I fainted

“Wake up, you sleepy head. It is 7.30 am and late for you. I have brought coffee for you,” the young lady was heard telling even as she was shaking my shoulders with one hand and stroking my chin with the other.

I rubbed my eyes and blurted in fear “Are you real? Your parents were here and said…”

She closed my mouth with her palm and said with a big smile “I am as real as you are.. Feel this pinch. They never came here. Stop dreaming. I have broken the news to my parents. They are very happy at the development. Here is the duplicate key I have been using.”

I pulled her close to me and she gleefully moved near..

Grandma’s last wish

My dad worked as a teacher in Town high school Kumbakonam. He had let his lands in the nearby village for tilling to the farmers who gave him a portion of the proceeds. We lived in a house in a street that ran parallel to one side of the school. That was my school too and my memory is still vivid of my scaling the short wall opposite my house instead of walking to the gate.

My maternal uncle’s house was next to ours. He lived with my grandmother(patti), his wife and a daughter three years younger to me. I do not remember what my mama(uncle) did for living except that he went early to the big bazaar street daily to work in a shop and came home late doing some additional work in some other place. He had no landed property to fall back. They led a frugal life but never looked to us for any support. My dad sent them a few sacks of rice after harvest, but I suspect my mom ordered extra provisions each month and gave them to my aunt when mama was not there. She did not give the entire provisions at one time but in installments lest she refused in embarrassment. My dad knew it, I believe, though no word was spoken about it.

My mother went daily to see her mom in the afternoon while mama came occasionally to our place. Even on Sundays, he would be doing some errands for extra income.Bhooma, my mama’s daughter, who studied two classes lower to mine was a school topper and well known in the school for distinguishing herself in varied activities like sports, essay writing, debate and music competitions. I used to be jealous of her when she repeatedly appeared on the stage to receive cups and medals from the President of the school while I rarely went up the stage. She was popular among her friends and tended to dominate the group with her loud laughter and banter.

I was an introvert seeking comfort in the company of story books and mostly my patti (grandmother). She was very fond of me and relished telling me about various temples, lives of alwars and their hymns.

I still remember the day when Bhooma in my presence told my grandma, “Patti, you are making Sarangan a useless guy telling him, as if he is a child of five years, mythological stories and slokams. He can as well read them in Chanda Mama. He is not doing very well in studies. He is also shy walking with his head bent and rarely talks to me in the school, let alone my friends.”

“Keep quiet, you silly girl. He is not loud mouthed like you but is quite intelligent. He can recite easily from memory entire Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam without faltering and knows many hymns of alwars. Be respectful to him as he is older to you by three years. He is a good boy and is naturally unwilling to talk to unknown girls. “Bhooma left in a huff jabbing her shoulder on her jaw in contempt.

”Ignore that brat, Saranga.I will tell her father to reprimand her. It is not good for a girl to be so egoistic and proud” consoled my patti as if I was hurt by her remark.

“It is Okay, patti.She told the truth only as I am shy by nature and also not a topper like her. She means good” I replied

“May be. When she gets married, she must learn to be respectful. Anyway I leave it in the hands of Lord Oppiliappan” I could surmise even at my young age patti’s secret desire that I should marry her and relieve mama of much expense towards marriage.(In our parts marrying maternal uncle’s daughter was very much in vogue)

I have never spoken to patti about Bhooma or what I thought of her. Though tall with lustrous hair falling up to hip, she had a bulbous nose with a shrill voice. Dominating and outspoken by nature, she did not endear herself to me though I held her in good esteem for her attainments in many fields. We often argued on petty matters and she ascribed this to my jealousy of her.

Years flew by and I had finished engineering and was working in a leading IT company at Pune.Bhooma had finished her graduation on scholarships and topped the university. She was selected in the campus by a reputed bank and was waiting for the offer letter. I had not visited home for nearly three years. Meanwhile there was a family function which my mom insisted that I should attend mainly for seeing my patti who was keeping indifferent health. She had grown old, very weak and was falling sick often. It seemed she expressed a keen desire to see me at the earliest.

The day I reached my home, my mom took me aside to the kitchen after the initial pleasantries, and told me”Saranga,I wish to share with you the piquant situation I am in before you meet your patti.She is not keeping well and doctor says that she may not live for long. She has been insisting that I promise her to have Bhooma married to you. I told her that this is a matter concerning you and that I cannot assure her anything without discussing with you. It is not that I have anything against Bhooma but feel both of you should warm up to the suggestion. Now that you are here, she may ask me again or even talk to you directly. I mentioned to your dad and he said this is something to be decided by you. What is in your mind?”

“Amma, frankly I have not thought about marriage at all and I am certain that Bhooma is not someone whom I would like to marry. Do not make any promise to patti. You can tell her the truth in plain words. If mama wants financial support for Bhooma’s marriage, I can pitch in some amount along with appa.I will certainly not marry her” I said

“I understand but remember patti is my mother and I cannot be as blunt as you are. Again you have not seen Bhooma recently in the last two years. She has changed a lot into a beautiful maiden and has turned very soft in speech. She has been selected for a nice job..You may even change your mind, if you see her. I am not trying to influence you. Anyway be prepared for patti’s query on this. I would not accompany you when you go to meet her” she replied.

When I went next morning to meet patti, the front door was ajar and she was alone. Mama as usual, had gone out and mami to a nearby temple.Bhooma was not to be seen. Patti sat up with difficulty and hugged me with affection and said ”Saranga, I am extremely happy to see you and was really worried whether I would be alive to see you again. I have only one desire to be fulfilled before I shed this coil. I spoke to your mom but she is dodgy. I rely only on Lord Oppiliappan to open His eyes and your willingness to carry out my last wish.”

I grabbed the short pause as she was catching her breath and told her”Patti, I know your wish and I am sorry to tell you that I cannot fulfill it. If it is Bhooma’s marriage with me, let us not talk about it. If mama needs financial help, I can offer it to him. Sorry for being blunt. Please do not mistake me. I love you very much”

Her eyes became red with anger and she shouted “Who needs your financial help? Your mama is not a beggar to take it from you. Bhooma would earn enough for her marriage. I had lot of affection for and hope in you but never knew you were disrespectful to elders. I would not like to see your face again till my last breath. Please go away immediately from here.”

As I lingered and said “Patti, please listen. You cannot impose”, she cut me short with a scream  “Get lost now” and fell down on her side with her face turned away from me.

It was then I saw a shadow fall upon me and I found Bhooma entering the room from the hall. I could see her eyes moist.”Please leave her alone, Saranga.She is really sick and tension is the last thing she can have” she said softly. I knew she must have heard our conversation.

I could not believe my eyes how beautiful she had transformed in the last two or three years even as I stood transfixed before her.

”Saranga, please go away immediately. We cannot afford another hospital trip” she pleaded.

It was barely 30 minutes after I reached my home, we heard the front door being knocked repeatedly and loudly. It was Bhooma crying aloud that patti had breathed her last and her mom is yet to return from temple and that someone should send word to her dad. With utter disbelief and shock, we rushed to her house. Patti’s face looked as if she was under some pain and I knew who had caused it.

“Patti, please open your eyes for one last time. I wish to say that I would carry out your wish wholeheartedly. My disinclination to marry Bhooma stemmed from my inferiority complex as she always excelled me and my fear she may want a better person. I am sorry I displeased you at the fag end of your life.Please, will you open your eyes oce?”I pleaded

Meanwhile a doctor was fetched by someone and after examination, he said “She had only fainted, may be due to weakness. Who said she had breathed her last? I have given her an injection. She should be okay soon. Please give her some warm beverage. There is nothing to worry”

From the corner of my eyes, I could trace a mischievous grin on Bhooma’s face and a much relieved amma. The tightness in Patti’s face seemed to have vanished. I could not resist the wicked thought whether Bhooma, patti and amma had in unison enacted this drama.

My interstellar voyage

MY INTERSTELLAR VOYAGE

Ms.Sunita Sriram

"My odyssey to blogosphere began in 2007, a lift off with a external thrust from a buddy who was always abreast with the latest and trending stuff. The usual chat revolved around everything; from the humdrum to buzz to scandals and slander and the word weblog was briefly referred to somewhere in the course of the jabbering, maybe like a footnote which went like this…”Suni, that is the trend these days with people globally, becoming interactive through their blog posts, I have started my page with blogspot and so could you as you have a passion to write.” My thoughts were channelized to the last few words that she uttered about the zest part and that ignited my curiosity! All other chores were put on the back burner and I jumped on the bandwagon and soon I was in the saddle raring to go. And that was the genesis of http://www.specs-buffy.blogspot.com after a glorious period of four uncertain years........(read here)......"

Ms.Sunita in her post explains, to use her own words, how her blog expedition renewed like NASA’s Interstellar voyager mission, slowly but steadily, enabled her to explore the cornucopia of Wordsmiths and proceeds to  detail some of the blogs that had impressed her.

I was initially hesitant to post this exploration post of hers in my blog as she had included my blog in the chosen list  but overcame my shyness partly in deference to her wishes that I reblog hers.I was also impelled by my desire that my readers should read and profit by the few excellent blogs she has introduced to us. Please watch out for more as she has assured that this exploration would be continuing. More than all these,I wish to tell you that her own two blogs  are a delight to follow. regularly.

An engineering and a management graduate, she has her hands full of work and I wonder how she finds the time to blog and also visit many blogs.

https://adsunsri.wordpress.com/
http://specs-buffy.blogspot.in/