A kidnap

The train was chugging along. We had crossed Ongole and the lunch was over. Passengers were sleepy .It was hot in the second class three tier compartment. The fans did not help. I was then I noticed tears trickling down from the eyes of an 11 year old girl in the opposite berth. The middle aged man in a faded jeans and T shirt and the woman by his side with a large bindi and pan stained teeth who were presumably travelling with the girl did not give me a favourable impression. He was admonishing the girl I could gather from his tone and the way his eyeballs turned. I closed my eyes and pretended to sleep but kept my ears tuned towards him.

“Tvaraga thinu” (eat quickly) he was telling her in Telugu

“Vendam” (no) she pleaded in Tamil and started sobbing

“'Edisthe, champestha ninnu'” (if you cry, i will kill you) .She did not reply “Verevallatho matladaku” (don’t talk to others) he spoke sternly. The girl looked at me possibly to see whether I was listening “Kallu moosuko” (close your eyes) he chided her

I suspected that this girl did not belong to him. She looked from her dress and demeanour that she came from a middle class family unlike this coarse couple. As both he and his woman companion were awake I could not talk to the girl. The more I looked at the sobbing girl my suspicion grew stronger and I decided to help her out.

I turned to my wife and started speaking to her in Tamil though the words were addressed to the girl.

“Answer me by doing what I ask you to do. Do you belong to the couple by your side? If you are not, close your fingers of both hands tightly”

The girl immediately closed the fingers of both hands. I was encouraged. Luckily the couple could not follow Tamil.

“Are you being taken away by them against your wishes? If so place one palm of yours on the other.” I asked pretending to talk to my wife. She also mumbled some reply to make it appear that I and my wife were conversing.

The girl immediately brought the palms together. “Can I help you to take you away from them? If you agree then close your eyes three times in quick succession”. I found her doing the same.

“Wait. Do not get down with them as the train is stopping. If they force you scream loudly and refuse to move. Meanwhile I will get help” I said.

I went to the exit door and got hold of ticket examiner. I told him hurriedly what I saw and heard. I sought his help in saving the girl and nabbing the culprits. He readily agreed and sent one man to fetch a policeman sitting in the adjacent compartment. When I rushed back with ticket examiner and the policeman, I found the girl talking animatedly with couple in Telugu.Taken aback

I asked the girl in Tamil “What is this? You said that you were being taken away against your will. I ran to fetch you help and save you”

The girl turned to the man sand said “Naina(dad), what is this man telling me in Aravam (Tamil).He has been staring at me and talking to his wife about me all the time”

The ticket examiner asked the girl in Telugu pointing out to the man and the woman ”Who are these people?”

She replied in Telugu “My parents. Why, what is the problem?”

Both the ticket examiner and the policeman turned to me and said “Sir, you look decent. Why do you suspect innocent people and trouble us? Can I see your tickets please?”

I shrank in shame. Why did this small girl play a trick on me? Is she really the daughter? She feigns ignorance of Tamil when she understood earlier. I was in a quandary.

My wife was upset.”How does it matter which girl gets kidnapped or not? Why did you have to interfere and get humiliated like this? There is something more in this than what meets the eye in this” she said in disgust.

The train stopped at Tenali where we were bound for .We got down hastily in embarrassment. When I turned at the last moment to see the girl, she winked at me with a mischievous smile.

Flowers to Anasuya

Their friendship started on the internet. Both were avid bloggers and followed the other commenting on the posts. They started exchanging mails rebutting the perceived unfair comments that gradually led to their Google chatting and eventually to Skype. They started talking on mobiles and luckily both worked in the same city, one in IT sector and the other in banking industry. They started meeting and spending time together in coffee shops or malls. Malini found Suresh handsome, decent with lots of common interests.. Suresh was no less attracted to her and found her very intelligent. After dating nearly for a year, they married and moved into a decent apartment. It was all hunky dory and they were very happy.

Suresh was asked to go to Australia on a project assignment that needed his presence for two months. He tried to avoid it in many ways but could not. Malini brought her old parents to be with her during his absence. One day as she was leaving for her office, a courier boy gave her a cover addressed to Suresh. It was from a departmental store that sold stationery, confectionary, flowers, books and gift items. She found a bill for delivery of flowers on different dates to one Anasuya.She wondered whether it was wrongly delivered here but found her husband’s name, address and mobile number correct. It seemed strange as he had not mentioned at any time about any Anasuya. Why should he send her flowers periodically, she thought? She felt suddenly a throbbing head ache. There was a faint doubt whether she was being deceived. She rang up the store and took the address of the place where the flowers were delivered. She wanted to probe further before asking her husband.

She drove directly to the house at Conan road. It was a bungalow in a quiet corner with one or two vehicles that included an ambulance outside in the lawn. When she rang the bell, the door opened and was met by a young charming lady. For a moment Malini felt jealous of her beauty but she soon composed herself and said that she had come to meet one Anasuya.

“Do you know her? I haven’t seen you coming earlier. Are you related to her? What is the purpose of your visit? ”the lady asked

“No, I haven’t met her earlier. Frankly I do not know whether she is young or old. My husband knows her. Is there any problem in my meeting her?” Malini replied

“No, not at all, Please follow me” the lady said and led her to a small room in the rear. There she saw an old lady in her late seventies lying in the bed. She looked so frail and shriveled. She did not seem to recognize the entry of the two in her room and there was a vacant look from her.Malini looked questioningly at the young lady. There was a flower vase by her side with some faded flowers.

“This is Anasuya and she has been here since five years. Is your husband Suresh? He is her guardian and visits her once a month. But I haven’t seen for the last two months. Where is he now? Hasn’t he told you about her?” she asked with a surprise

“No, Can you tell me a little more about this old lady? She does not seem to have noticed our presence. Is she related to Suresh in any way? She cannot be his mom as his parents had died when he was young” Malini replied
“I do not know much except that she was a headmistress of the local school. She is a spinster and had no one to look after her. She was living alone. When she fell sick after a stroke, she was brought here by Suresh. What I have learnt from him was that he was her old student and that he stood indebted much to her. He had told me once that it was she who helped him complete his education when he lost his parents in an accident.

“Yes, she is very sick and cannot recognize any one and even Suresh. I think her end is nearing. This is a hospice taking care of a few well to do old patients. Though her condition is not good there is no immediate danger” she said
“Malini took leave of her after informing her that Suresh was expected back in a fortnight and that she would convey the news about the old lady. She rang up the departmental store to send flowers to Anasuya immediately and thereafter weekly once.

She felt relieved and happy though she wished Suresh had taken her into confidence. She was proud of him particularly about his sense of gratitude. She also decided not to mention about her visit to the hospice when he calls her daily.

Ranjana’s dilemma

It was three days since five year old Nikhil had disappeared. He was playing opposite his house around 5pm and riding his tricycle when the incident had occurred. The tricycle was found lying on the lawn without any trace of the boy. One of the Hawaii he was wearing had fallen lending credence to the belief the boy was taken away against his wishes.Rajnana had not heard any scream. Ranjana and Rajesh were shattered. The police were keeping their telephone under surveillance for any call. Rajesh could not console his wife however much he tried. She was crying all the time. He stayed back home for two days with her. The police had nothing to work upon as Rajesh was neither wealthy nor had he enemies. There was no ransom call as yet.Ranjana’s parents who were away at Houston were expected in a couple of days. Rajesh had to go to attend an important meeting at Jaipur. He had left in the morning and promised to return late in the night.

She was alone in her single storied house at the end of the street in the suburb of the city. Normally a secure place, there had been no incidence of criminal activities here. People in that locality moved freely even in late nights though it was not densely occupied. There were no houses opposite Rajesh’s and some construction was going on there in one of the plots. The neiighbours in the adjacent house had gone on a pilgrimage.

It was 8pm, pretty dark outside and pretty silent..Rajesh would come only around 11pm.She was watching TV for any news. It was then she heard some shuffling of feet in the porch. She looked and found no one. After a few minutes she heard a distinct knock on the door. She switched on the light in the porch and saw through the open window grill. There was a big man in mid forties, muscular with strong biceps, unkempt hair and dirty T shirt over tattered jeans. When she gave a scared look at him, he said with a leering smile “Excuse me for disturbing you..I am very hungry and haven’t eaten for two days. I need something to bite and some drink to quench my thirst.”

The odour from his body and his sweaty shirt assailed her nose. She hesitated without replying as she was not sure what to do.

Please, I cannot bear the hunger. Kindly open the door” he said

“Please wait. Let me see if anything is there’ she replied without opening the door.

She soon came with a few slices of bread and a big slice of cake bundled in paper. She kept it on the grill and he took it instantly and started eating.

“Can I have a big mug of water?’ he asked

“Sure” she said and brought a large plastic tumbler with water. As she gave the tumbler through the grill, he grabbed her hand and laughed hysterically. She screamed loud in fear but no one heard her. He would not let go her hand and said as he caressed her hand”Do not be afraid.I will do no harm. I just played upon your fear. I thank you for giving me food and water that I needed badly”

He let go her hand. She was so much relieved and wondered whether he could be a mad man. As she waited for him to leave, he walked a few steps towards the gate and then returned.Ranjana looked at him with dread wondering what he was up to

.
He said in soft voice” Do you wish to see your son. The boy is crying hoarse asking for mommy and the men are hitting him to be quiet”

She could not believe her ears and she asked “What were you saying about my son?”

“Isn’t Nikhil the boy’s name?”

“Yes, where is he? Do you know the place? Please tell me” she asked in frantic tone

“I know. I can take you now in my two wheeler if you come with me” he replied

“Can you hold a second? I will ask my hubby.”she pleaded

“No, you should not ask anyone or use the phone. I give you one minute for you to decide whether to come with me or not.” he said with finality

“Please I beg of you. I will pay a large sum of money. Tell me where the boy is. I beg of you as your sister.” she cried

“I am sorry I am going. My life is in danger. I will only show you the place from outside. If you try to double cross me by using the phone, the boy’s life would be in peril” and he said as he started walking.

His leering smile, his grabbing her arm and his caressing it came to her mind. Would it be wise for her to trust him and accompany him in the night in his two wheeler? If not, was she endangering her dear child keeping in mind only her safety?

The bike roared into life as he kick started it. He turned his head towards her. What did Ranjana do? Did she open the door and rush to him or did she stay back calmly? What will be your advice to her?

On Women’s day

“Can you give meRs.100 towards bus charge for going tomorrow to Thiruvallur?”

“Why do you have to go there? Don’t you have your classes to teach? “asked her husband

“I am to participate in a meeting as chief guest in a girls school there. I must go early in the morning for the function starts at 7 am” she replied

“Who will cook in your absence and take care of children? What about my old mom who needs a bath? You know she cannot bathe without your assistance. You do not have to go” he said in a peremptory tone.

“Please, I have already committed as my Headmistress wanted me to go.I will get up at 4am cook the food and give a bath to your mom. You should only see off the kids to the school. I will return by noon. I have requested our co-tenant Parimala mami to take care of your mom after you had left for office” she pleaded

“I cannot waste RS 100 on such wasteful trips. I am sorry. You are not going” he ruled out

“I am not asking from your salary. I am requesting you to pay me out of my monthly salary that you take from me at the beginning of the month” she said in obvious chagrin.

“How dare you backchat with me? I can even stop you from your going to school. Beware, I am allowing you as my income is inadequate. Serve me dinner. I am to go out to meet my friends for a session of Rummy. I will be back by 11.30 pm.Don’t fall asleep and forget to open the door” he said with finality

“I beg of you. Please allow me this time. I will not commit myself without telling you beforehand” she sobbed

“What is the big function you are to be a chief guest. Could they not get better person?”he taunted

“I am required to give a talk to the girls on the Women’s day movement” she meekly answered.

Wedding on Valentine's day

The love between Suneeta and Raghav commenced ever since they were studying in the same B school.While she chose HR, he had opted for Marketing.Luckily both of them got employed in Chennai in different MNCs.Their love grew in intensity as they met daily during lunch time and evenings with their offices being situated in adjacent buildings.Strangley it was Raghav who pressurised her for marriage.There was a snag.She was from an orthodox Tamil community from a small town in Trichy district while Raghav was from Hassan in Karnataka..She had kept her love affair a well guarded secret from her parents as she knew her father would hit the roof.the old man was in fact requesting friends and relatives to suggest a good match for her.Suneeta was afraid to confide even to her mother as her mom was very timid by nature and totally dominated by her dad.

Raghav suggested that he would ask his parents to approach her parents seeking her hands for him.She knew this would not work and would only make matters worse.They discussed endlessly how to overcome the hurdle till she finally succumbed after a lot of persuasion to Raghav’s suggestion that they get married on Valentine’s day at a small temple near Chennai and present a fait accompli to parents on both sides.They decided to invite only about twenty close friends and colleagues on each side.Raghav undertook to arrange the wedding preparations at a temple over a small hillock.It was agreed she would come sharp at 8am.

Raghav along with his friends were there at 6am overseeing the arrangements.Someone brought the pundit.Caterers had come with refreshments and were waiting in a hall at the base of the hillock. It was 8am and Suneeta was not to be seen.Her mobile was switched off. A few friends of hers had come.One of Raghav’s friend was at the base of hillock waiting for her.Around 840am Raghav got a call in his mobile from his friend at the base that Suneeta and her fiends have come in a van but there was a big problem.It appeared that a few other vans had also come and that one aged man purporting to be her uncle was holding her hands and not allowing her to climb up.She was surrounded by the people who had come in the vans.There was a minor scuffle between Suneeta’s friends and those people.

It was then Raghav’s friend Sundar who was in police unifom assured Raghav that he would rush and sort out the matter and that he remain at the temple.Sundar was a tall and hefty fellow with a stentorian voice.When he ran near the crowd that surrounded Suneeta, he barked a command to her uncle”Whoever you are take your hands off her.Do you understand? All of you who are crowding around the lady move away.”

His big figure, loud voice and the police uniform had the desired effect.When Suneeta was freed, Sundar asked the old man what the problem was about.

The old man said “Suneeta is my brother’s daughter.Some Kannadiga chap has abducted her with the help of his friends and trying to get married to her.Her parents are against this marriage.We are from othodox Tamil community.My brother had asked me to bring her back home.He is in the process of finalising a match in our own community.”

Sundar in a quiet but firm tone said “Good, let me talk to the lady.Please wait”He tuned to Suneeta and asked her “Are you a major? What is your age?Are you being forced to marry the chap waiting at the temple or are you doing it on your own volition?Answer me loudly”

“I am 25.I am in love with Raghav and we decided to mary at the temple as my parents are against our marriage.These people are all my friends and colleagues whom I had invited for the function.I do not want to go with my uncle to my house.My decision is purely my own and I want your help in seeing that my marriage takes place without any hurdle.The auspicious time is around 9am” Suneeta said

Sundar told in peremptory voice”She is a major and no one can prevent her from marrying anyone she likes..If someone confines her by force it is against law.Sir,I see your concern and your wish to help your brother.But what you are doing is illegal.Please leave her alone and go away if you don’t wish to be present to bless her”

They quietly dispersed without one word.The marriage took place quickly on time.While Raghav thanked him profusely for defusing the situation, Sundar told him “Raghav, I am in a hurry. I cannot wait for lunch.I must be at Alwarpet at 10 am for the final rehearsal of the drama where I am acting as Police officer.I came in the same attire as there was no time for me to go home and change.I wish you all the best and will see you later”

Valentine soup

There was always riot of laughter in the common room for women in that office.The employees often escaped the boredom of the files at their work place by rushing here for the fun and gossip that is found never in dearth.You could see clusters of ladies talking animatedly or loudly or in hushed tones depending on the explosive nature and the secrecy that shrouded the matter. It could hover around a plain topic like the new hairstyle of the staid Angela or the plunging neckline of vampish Vanita or the stale smell of upma laced with heavy dose of hing that emanated from Soundarya’s lunch box or just the rude behaviour of the manager Manickavasagam or the unctuous smile and double entendres of the aged Muthuswamy iyer.But more often than not the chatter revolved over the known Romeos and stylish hunks of the office on who they flirted with currently and who are their likely quarries.Some even boasted of their dates with them.There were a few prudes who pretended not to be paying attention to what is being said but their ears actually tuned sharp not to miss even one word.It is in this room that reputations are made or marred as nothing escaped their hawk-like eyes and wide mouths.

However we are concerned about Namitha in the same office who has fallen in love with Sekhar her colleague, a handsome chap who was quiet and deep.Very few know about him as he kept his counsel to himself. Namitha was attracted to him when one day he offered to help her reconcile some discrepancy in her work.They stayed late and it took much effort to locate the mistake.That was about a year back and since then she has been dating him.Whenever she broached the subject of marriage, he was evasive and pleaded for some time till his younger sister got married.He never took her to his home and kept his love for her away from his parents.There was one thing that bothered her.He was miserly by nature and whatever gifts he gave her were cheap stuff.Namitha’s parents were affluent and she was accustomed to use only classy things.Even this she did not mind but was upset about what he did two weeks back.They took a day off from work and left for Mahabalipuram on his motorbike to spend the day amongst the rock temples and the beach.When it was lunch time they came to an expensive restaurant for food .He ordered many items and it was a fabulous lunch. When the bill came Sekhar had gone away.She then remembered he always did so making her pay and quite often plead that he had inadvertently forgotten his purse or the card.She paid for the lunch and when he returned he took no notice of her settling the bill nor did he mention one word of apology.

Namitha pulled out Savita another colleague from the common room and said to her“I wish to talk something personal in private with you.” She knew Savita was an ex friend of Sekhar and that they moved away after a short but intense friendship.

“Tell me Namith what I can do for you” she asked

“It is about Sekhar.You are aware of my friendship with him for more than a year.There are two things that worry me.I wish to seek your advice.” Namitha said

“Proceed, I am listening” Savitha replied

Whenever I broach about marriage he recedes into his shell and tells about his sister’s pending marriage.Ihave a suspicion he just wants to prolong the friendship without any commitment.Secondly I find him tight fisted.He never opens his purse and makes me pay for all expenses.Though I can afford I do not want to be tied to a stingy person.I am also not sure whether he is open with me as many times I find his mobile switched off for long time” Namitha said.

“I am not surprised.Let me take you to Sukanya who put me wise about that rogue before I broke away from him.”

Sukanya laughed when she heard from Savitha and said “So you are the new prey.He is a scoundrel of the first water.He has no sister and it is all hogwash.He will have the fun with many girls at their expense.With his meagre salary he cannot entertain the many girls with whom he has liaison.He should be thrown out but I have a suggestion before you ditch him”

Three days later Namitha took him to a five star hotel saying she wanted to celebrate the Valentine spirit.She ordered a lavish dinner and some costly drinks for him..She giggled and made him think she was an easy lay.Just before the last course she excused herself to the restroom.Sekharr happily enjoyed the drink dreaming about the pleasant time ahead.When the server brought the bill, she was not to be seen.He waited for nearly 30 minutes and there was no trace of her..This time he truly neither had his purse nor the credit card.The rumour doing the rounds in the women’s common room was that he was in a real soup at the hotel unable to shell out five thousand and odd rupees and that Namitha wisely ditched him as if he was a plague.

Cupid strikes

Suresh was a handsome and good student given to studious habits.He was in the second year of his graduation course.He was considered a well behaved and decent chap till a girl student of another discipline lodged a complaint with the Principal that he winked at her while passing by.She ignored initially but found him always winking at her.He was summoned to the Principal’s room and questioned.He flatly denied that he ever did such a thing and that he did not remember having noticed her.Considering his past good behaviour, he was let off with a warning that he should be careful.

Within three days two other girls came and complained that Suresh made passes at them by winking.They knew about the earlier complaint and made sure that he did wink at them before coming to Principal.When the young lad again denied any mischief, the prinicipal was not amused and suspended him for a week from college.The poor chap pleaded that he never winked and that he was actually scared of girls and gave wide berth to them when they came before him.But the earlier incident having attained wide publicity , all the girl students whenever they passed by him watched to see whether he winked at them.But he invariably turned his face away from them and hurried past his way.

Everything seemed alright after the punishment of a week’s suspension till one day an aged lady professor nearing 55 took exception to the young scamp winking at her while she was hurrying to the library.This was height of misdemeanour and the Principal decided to dismiss him.The boy again pleaded no knowledge.The fact that the lady professor was monstrous in size with ugly face that always wore a scowl and a slouching mouth made the Principal ponder whether any boy of 18 years would ever look let alone wink at such a person.The boys professors had all good word about him The pricipal decided to probe further.

He was sent to an ophthalmologist who had Suresh examined thoroughly.There was no complaint and was found in perfect condition.But the eye doctor was a bit of psychologist.He went out for a minute and sent a young nurse inside to put some drop in Suresh’s eyes.As expected the nurse reported that he did wink at her..He sent another nurse in the room to fetch something.She also reported that he winked at her.The doctor was now convinced that it was a case of neve twitching whenever he was under stress.The initail embarrassment of being pulled up before Principal and the warning admonished had actually aggravated the problem.His nerves in the eye region twitched involuntarily whenever he saw ladies giving an impression of winking.With proper counselling he got over the problem.

When this was reported to the Principal and everyone who had complained were informed, this amusing episode should have ordinarily ended.But the girl who had initially complained against him felt much remorse and went to him to say sorry and tender her apologies.It was then Cupid chose to strike and the young things fell in great love.