Storieo

Author: Akshay A Kumar

  • The Healthy Happiness

    The Healthy Happiness

    Sumi was the eldest of the four children. Her mother’s health was fainting with pneumonia. Following her mother’s illness, her father had gone in search of a job to another city but had never returned.

    The responsibility of the family fell on Sumi’s little shoulders. The twelve-year-old Sumi had to go out and work in two houses before and after school hours, to support herself and her poor family. She would return tired, by 9.30 in the night, often with an empty stomach. She would happily keep the food she was given in the houses where she worked for her little brothers and sister and she would satisfy herself with the leftovers. Even a portion of that she would keep for her mother and only then would Sumi eat. In spite of all her problems, Sumi’s enthusiasm in studies did not diminish. As there was no electricity in her home, a hut in the slum, Sumi studied her lessons under the streetlight. The only earthen lamp they had would often go dry. Her poor mother could do nothing to help her daughter, except weep helplessly and pray for a good day for them.

    One evening Sumi was at home as one of her house ladies had gone out of the station. She was delighted to spend an evening with her three siblings – two brothers and a sister.

    “Akka, are you not going to work today?” asked her little sister Seema. It was unusual to see Sumi at home.

    “No, Seema,” said Sumi happily. “I’ll stay at home today and play with you.”

    Seema sat for a while thoughtfully and then said in a soft voice. “That means today we don’t have anything to eat, I think.”

    That made Sumi very upset. She wondered why God had given her such a miserable life with so many responsibilities. When children of her age enjoyed childhood pleasures and parental love, some unfortunate children like her were destined to toil from dawn to dusk, just to fill their stomachs and those of their families with some leftover food.

    With an aching heart, she got up from her seat and went out without any destination in mind. When she reached the bus stand an idea struck her. She sang a sad song about her own life describing how her little brothers and sister were waiting at home for her arrival, to fill their stomachs.

    A lady who was sitting in her car after her shopping and was about to leave heard Sumi’s song and called out to her. Sumi walked up to her and stood there hopefully, and narrated her sad story with tearful eyes.

    “Do you like to come with me, Sumi? I have a daughter of your age. She likes songs. Could you please keep her company and sing for her? I will give you good food and salary” said the lady, who was almost her mother’s age, and had some unspoken pain hidden in her smile.

    “I would have come, Madam. But I don’t want to leave my little brothers and sister alone with my ailing mother and enjoy myself with your daughter. Secondly, I don’t want to miss my school.”

    “You don’t worry about your school. I’ll keep a good tutor for you and teach you. Also every evening you can go home to see your little brothers and sister and come back next morning. Is that alright with you or do you want anything more?”

    A ray of hope danced in Sumi’s eyes.

    “I will ask my mother and let you know,” said Sumi after a moment’s thought.

    “Okay, Sumi. Come, let’s go to your home just now. I’ll speak to your mother.”

    Sumi was very happy to travel in a car. For the first time in her life, she was traveling in a car. She wished her brothers and sister were with her to share her joy.

    The car stopped a few yards away from her house as it could not go further on the narrow street. Mrs. Hima walked with Sumi to her house.

    Sumi’s brothers and sister, who were playing in the mud, stopped their activities and stared at the stranger approaching with her sister.

    “Madam, these two are my brothers – Shyam and Kiran and my little sister Seema” Sumi introduced them patting them affectionately.

    By then a sickly looking woman with a torn sari and shabby hair came out and stood by the door, looking surprised.

    “Ma, I met this Madam at the bus stand. She’s a nice lady. She said she will give me a job in her house. Can I go?” asked Sumi happily.

    Instead of replying to her questions, Sumi’s mother was observing the stranger from top to toe, then she invited her inside. Mrs. Hima was made to sit on a torn mat. In the meantime, Sumi went in too and prepared a glass of black coffee. Sumi’s mother was surprised to see the lady taking the coffee from Sumi and drinking it.

    “Even though she looks highly sophisticated she is a simple person,” thought Sumi’s mother.

    Mrs. Hima explained her plans to Sumi’s mother and promised to send her home every day in the evening.

    She gave an advance of Rs.5000/- to her mother. She initially refused it, but later accepted with reluctance.

    Mrs. Hima went back to her car and brought two packets of bread and some apples which she had brought her home and distributed this among Sumi’s family members. She enjoyed watching them eat the apples. By then Sumi’s neighbors had assembled there and began to whisper.

    “There must be something fishy. Otherwise, why should a big Madam come to your hut?” said an old lady softly.

    Sumi’s mother was not perturbed by these comments. She had developed a strong faith in the Good Samaritan, whose dignified face showed no trace of any cheating habits. Instead, she could find only love and compassion there.

    The next day Mrs. Hima’s car came at 7.30 in the morning to pick up Sumi. Collecting a small bag, Sumi prayed before Lord Murugan’s faded photo that hung on the wall. She took her mother’s blessing and giving affectionate kisses to her siblings, she left her home and got into the car, and sat next to Mrs. Hima. When they reached Mrs. Hima’s house Sumi’s eyes searched for her daughter playing somewhere. She was stunned to see such a beautiful house with huge Alsation dogs guarding it, and servants ready to serve people everywhere around. For quite some time she found it difficult to take her eyes away from the enchanting beauty of the garden.

    Sumi had her own doubts as to whether the rich and pampered daughter of this lady would accept her as her companion. She felt as though she was in a wonderland which she had seen only in dreams. With all these mixed feelings Sumi was hesitant to put her dirty feet on the shining floor when Mrs. Hima beckoned her to follow her.

    Mrs. Hima led her to a well-furnished room where her daughter Tina, was lying on a bed. She was a beautiful looking girl, well dressed, holding a Barbie doll against her chest.

    “This is my only daughter Tina. She has been paralyzed and in bed for the last three years, following an accident. Sumi, I want you to keep her company and sing for her. Everyday by 10’ O’ clock her teacher will come to coach her. I will ask her to teach you too,” said Mrs.Hima with a pale smile.

    Sumi felt very sorry for Tina.

    “God has given her a lot of wealth for a luxurious life but has forgotten to give her health. In my case, God has given me normal health and some talent. Two extreme ends of life!” thought Sumi.

    After a hot water bath, Sumi was given a clean dress to wear and some food. When she appeared in front of Tina, the latter could not believe her eyes. Was this the same shabby ragged girl whom she had seen a few minutes back? Tina gave her a welcoming warm smile and asked Sumi to sit beside her. Mrs. Hima requested her to sing a song, the same song which had attracted her. Sumi obliged, but this time she had no tears in her eyes, instead, the tears were in Tina’s eyes.

    “How lucky you are Sumi! At this young age, you are capable of looking after a family. See my fate. Even to get up from the bed I need someone’s help.” Tina sighed heavily.

    Only then did Sumi realize that she was fortunate to have a healthy body and was far better than the bedridden rich girl. She prayed to God silently for all His blessings.

  • The Complete Family

    The Complete Family

    Suman returns home at night after a busy day at the office. As he laid back on the sofa and closed his eyes, he was lost in thoughts.

    Why did she do this to me? I loved her very much. My love was sincere.How could she be so heartless towards me? Was her love false from the beginning? How blind was I in her love? Its been 10 years. But I am not able to come out of it. How can she ruin my life?

    A thousand such disturbing questions began to lurk in his mind suddenly. His eyes were wet with grief.

    Suman had a love marriage 10 years ago against his parent’s wishes and was staying separately with his wife. But within a week of their marriage things changed drastically. The girl was no longer loving towards him. She became aggressive for petty reasons and sometimes for no reason at all. Over a month; petty quarrels led to tantrums and nagging for an extravagant lifestyle beyond wild imaginations. Things took an ugly turn when she started physically abusing him. Sridhar showed immense patience for few more months but could not ever figure out the reason for her rude behavior. After a year they got separated legally and presently Sridhar stays with his parents working in a Software firm in Mysore.

    A gentle touch by his mother brought Suman back to this world. While having dinner that night, his mother said,”Your aunt called me this afternoon.She was mentioning about a suitable alliance for you.Suman, how long will you cry over your past? I want you to remarry and its high time you settle down. You are already 40.”

    “Ma! I am not against marriage. But what if I get a similar girl another time? I only fear this. I have no mental strength to face all this anymore.”. said, Suman

    “Not all women are same. I will not force you but I suggest we go and see the girl this Sunday. She is Gita and had a mutual divorce with her husband a few years ago and ..and.”

    “And..what Ma?”

    “She has an 8-year-old son, told her mother hesitatingly.

    “What! Frankly, I am not so broad-minded to marry a mother of 8 years old. Neither can I accept the child. No way. no point in meeting them.”

    “Before drawing any conclusions, let’s meet them this Sunday. Consider this as an obligation and a request from my side.”,convincingly told his mother.

    Unwillingly, for his mother’s sake, Suman accompanied his parents to meet Gita and her family.

    After a few hours of the journey, they reached the house and were warmly welcomed by Gita’s parents. As they were entering the house a boy was rushing out with cricket bat in his hand. Suman guessed him to be Gita’s son and his mood became unpleasant. Their house was simple and neat. After the initial pleasantries, Gita was introduced. She was good looking and the saree she wore added to her beauty. Suman gathered guts and said.”I want to talk to Gita in private.”. They were led to a small balcony. Both of them sat down and their apprehension was visible on their faces. Before Sridhar could start, Gita began,”I have something to share with you. It is regarding my son.”

    Suman thought in his mind, Yes, its the same thing I wanted to discuss.

    “I have decided to put my son Vijay in the hostel. My parents will bear his expenses and they will be his guardian too. I have nothing to do with him. I don’t like him. I don’t want to see his face. He resembles his dad whom I hate the most. His dad was a drunkard and I went through a lot of suffering and physical torture.”

    Suman had nothing to say. This is exactly what he wanted. Now, he did not find any reason to say no to this alliance. After conversing for some more time Suman felt that Gita was apt for him in all respects. Within the next few months, they got married. Gita proved to be an ideal wife who is very loving, wise and takes care of Suman and his parents well.

    Everything seemed to be nice to Suman, after a decade of living as a divorcee. Gita gave birth to a baby boy after 2 years of marriage. They named him Rohan. He was very chubby, cute and active. Years passed in a jiffy while both Sridhar and Gita enjoyed their parenthood and did their best for their son. Rohan is now 8 years old.

    One Sunday evening, Gita and Suman are having a cup of tea on their balcony and watching Rohan playing cricket in the playground below. A sudden thought passed his mind.

    When I went to meet Gita for the first time, I saw his son with a cricket bat and he was of the same age like Rohan.

    Suman himself is very much surprised at this passing thought as all these years neither Gita nor he bothered about Vijay. Neither discussed his well-being.

    That night Suman could not sleep. Rohan slept cuddled between him and Gita that night. Suman could see a happy and secure feeling on Rohan’s face while he was asleep. A child needs both parents for his overall development. Childhood is nothing without parents’ love.

    But..but what about Vijay? Am I at fault? Neither Gita nor I wanted him. But what is his fault? His resemblance to his dad? Just because I was not broad-minded to accept another man’s son, I kept him at bay. I never tried to think from a child’s point of view. Maybe now that I am a father my thinking has changed and vision has broadened. Its not too late even now.

    The next morning, Gita woke him up with a hot cup of tea. Suman gestured her to sit beside him. Suman held Gita’s hand and said,”I am very happy and feel blessed that God has given us a second chance of life. I am extremely lucky to have you as my life partner.”

    Gita replied,”I am more blessed..you have accepted me though I had a son. You are so understanding and I am leading a very happy and contented life now.”, said Gita.

    “But I have to share few thoughts which are lingering in my mind since yesterday. I feel you will understand my thoughts. It’s about your son Vijay.” Sridhar explained her all his thoughts and feelings towards Vijay.

    Gita felt very uneasy inside but somewhere she found Sridhar right and wise. She said,”Vijay is now 16 yrs old. Do you think he will accept us?”. Sridhar was optimistic and firmly wanted to bring Vijay home.

    That very day itself both Gita and Suman went to Vijay’s hostel and brought him home. Vijay was very reluctant and angry and furiously asked them.

    Why after all these years?

    Sridhar explained him everything and felt sorry for him. He ensured he would set everything better and promised to be his friend and a guide, ALWAYS.

    Though it was not at all easy for Vijay to trust and accept the family, Suman with his optimistic attitude gave equal attention and love to both Rohan and Vijay. It may take some more time for Vijay to come out of his shell but Sridhar is now able to sleep happily with a sense of contentment.

    NOW, MY FAMILY IS COMPLETE!

  • For a new beginning.

    For a new beginning.

    It was a quiet evening; Harsh was all by himself in his suave apartment in California in deep thoughts, when the phone rang. It took a while to get a grip on himself, as he took the phone. He stood in silence as he heard the shuddering voice on the other side. He walked back and laid himself on the leather sofa in his living room. He made a few hasty calls before he went in to take a shower. He was plunged in thoughts as the cab driver drove him through the familiar streets of the city which had become his second home, right from the day, he arrived here 4 years ago. That time, he was just a nervous guy in her early 20s who landed up here. A great job and a seemingly bright career brought him here that day. And the city never disappointed him. But Harsh had to go back to India immediately to keep a promise he had made 4 years back.

    As the cab approached the driveway, he was quite content, having arranged his travel to India on a short notice. The travel was on cards and he had been making arrangements to get his vacation sanctioned, but this call was too sudden and he couldn’t bother about the complications of work he had to face once he returns back. This is an emergency; he had to take the next flight out to make his life meaningful.

    On board, the instructions of the flight attendants echoed in the background, his focus was on only one person. As the flight took off, soaring high, making its altitude, his thoughts spun backward into a distant past. He was young and a careless teenager who went to an engineering college 30 Km from his home. One day, it is amidst those hours of travel to his college in the trains, he saw Nisha. He was struggling to stand due to excess of passengers in that compartment; a girl offered him a seat beside her after adjusting herself in a cringed space. Initially showing reluctance due to his shy behavior; her continuous request made him sit beside her. After a second of odd silence, he introduced himself and asked her name. She nodded towards him. Her glance made him attracted towards her. The glances turned to glares that made way to a typical friendship. And she became ‘his’ Disha.

    Every day, they made it a ritual to meet up at the park near his college. One day, this continued many days, weeks and went on for the next 3 years. The stage reached when even the thought of detachment from each other would make both of them numb. Such was their love towards each other. But, the fate tested them, 4 years back at the Trivandrum International Airport when he was going away from her for a year to the US for his job. But he didn’t return till date to her as his parents relocated with him to the US. And he began to take his professional life way too seriously.

    ‘Seatbelts on’ He looked at his wrist watch. Another 15 minutes to land. Engulfed in the pleasant thoughts, he knew he had a task ahead, his future was at stake. He was pondering hard, in another few hours, he would be meeting Disha’s father, as her wedding is fixed with another guy, which he had to stop. How would he Disha’s father? How can he convince him to let them marry? He had to get his approval at any cost. Disha was shattered and she needed him now, more than ever. As his thoughts went on accumulating the plane touched the runway with a small thud. As he felt the felt the fresh air of Kerala embracing him. He could feel his energy rising.

    He knew he had a herculean task in front of him. As ‘his’ Disha is deeply waiting for him for a new beginning with him.

  • Those ‘small’ things.

    Those ‘small’ things.

    Priya is a beautiful married woman in her early 30s, her husband Vivek being a reputed businessman dealing with construction. They have a son named Raghu who is 9 years old. Besides them, their family consists of Vivek’s parents and a permanent maid.

    Priya has her parents residing in South Delhi, and after her marriage, she is staying in a posh bungalow at the heart of Delhi.

    Vivek’s parents are very modern and believe in pushing their current generation to explore their skills. Priya wants to take teaching as a profession in a good school, and therefore, shares her desire with her husband and father-in-law.

    Vivek understands the need of an alternative source of income as his business is just like a game of chess – anything can happen anytime. So for the sake of the stability of finance, he too had the same feeling beforehand. On the other hand, Vivek’s parents are reluctant and rigid to the idea of working now because even though they were not conservative in their thoughts, they felt Kevin should be taken care as he is still not a teenager. He’ll be in need of care and attention in his academics. These points that the in-laws presented before her didn’t go quite well in her head. Priya didn’t take it in the right way; she thinks that the elderly people are not well versed with the today s stance. She thinks that they have lived their life, but somehow restraining her from progressing further.

    She picks up the point and starts fighting with Vivek. Vivek being an understanding husband listens to her woes and tries to explain her the reasons for the stubborn reply from his parents. Priya takes it as an ego issue and decides to go beyond the wishes of the family. She prepares a CV for herself and submits it to various schools across Delhi.

    After few weeks, Priya receives a telephonic call from a prestigious school for the selection interview. She gets excited and shares her joy with her mother. She decided not to tell this news to her current family as she felt she will be forced to drop the plan.

    The interview went as per her expectations and she got her dream job. The date of joining arrived at last. She had been deeply waiting for this day. She gets up early that morning, prepares breakfast for Raghu and her husband and is about to leave her house. Vivek had a questioning look on Priya’s face and asks her where is she up to. Priya replied that she had to visit a friend’s home to discuss the Yoga classes they were planning to attend. Seeing her stuttering out of confusion, he felt something was fishy. He told her to tell the truth.

    Now Priya was blank, she was guilty of not disclosing her appointment as a teacher. She gave him the complete description. And what she finds is that Vivek is so happy for her that he hugs and kisses her on her forehead. Then he goes to his parents and tells them that Priya has got a teaching job and she told me two days back and it was he who forgot to tell them!. When Priya hears this from the other room, there were tears in her eyes. She hugged Vivek and felt sorry for hiding so important news from him, and still, he overlooked it without a tinge of anger.

    This incident made her realize that TRUST, which is the most rigid foundation for a happy family should not be compromised whatever be the trial.

  • The imperfect end.

    The imperfect end.

    The eerie silence of the night was choking her breath as she hustled forward on the lonely and dark street. Nobody can be seen, nobody can be heard. Her panicking breath was the only sound she can hear on her trail. Awkward. Why was she panicking? He thought while taking the sip of coffee. Is that the fear of dark or fear of silence or fear of the one who was following her? He again started to write.

    She could feel the pair of eyes following her on the street. Someone was definitely following her, hiding in the dark and waiting for the perfect moment to show himself. He lifted his weight from the left side and leaned a bit to his right and then did the reverse process on the chair in front of his laptop. He kept on thinking about the story he was writing but something was bothering him about the thread of his story. He had got a perfect sequence to start with. But there were many questions to be answered. What was she doing there in the dead silence of the night? Why will someone follow her?

    His mind was suggesting him so many things but nothing suited well. He had to write this one anyhow. After so many days he got one muse to write about and this time he doesn’t want to let it go. He was way behind his schedule. His publishers are in anguish due to his lack of competency.

    He was getting frustrated. He looked all over the place where he was sitting. The scattered pile of crumbled papers and the flickering lamp made him more morose, and his bed was calling him desperately to sleep. He instantly withdraws his attention from the bed. Nothing encouraged him to write anything further.

    He raised himself from the chair and roamed in the room for a while. Thinking aloud but nothing came. The holidays were getting wasted; this was the last night for him to finish his book. In the frustration of deadline he pulls up a cigarette from his pocket and lit it using the lighter. The smoke helped him to relieve the nerves.

    He opened the window of the room and saw the dark streets of the city. Barely one or two street lights were working. The city was sleeping at that hour of the night and he was awake to fulfill his distant dream of being a bestselling author.

    Suddenly something shakes him. The thing was the sight of the street. It was the same as he just described and that lady trying to walk as fast as possible on the dark street was making the whole seen as realistic as he was describing in his book.

    Instantly he decides to go after the lady on the street. He ran down from the hotel where he was staying to the streets behind the lady. The lady was panicking. But why and what was she doing here? He started following her to know the answers. Lady kept on looking behind, maybe someone is following her. But who? Is she expecting someone? He looked behind, no one was there.

    She kept on running and behind her, he kept on following her, secretly. He wanted to know the lady’s fate during that eventful night. He was excited and she was afraid. The darkness was now playing with both of them.

    Then in a flash, she disappeared into the darkness in a swift. He got terribly tensed. A torrent of grievous thoughts came into his mind. Because in the process of following here he had ended up in the middle of a large graveyard! He could her presence nearby. She was just there. He ran his eyes everywhere, but she was nowhere. The fear came back. He wanted the answers; he wanted to know the end. This is not the way it should end. Every story has an end. Only she knew the end and now she is nowhere.

    And then in the same way as she disappeared, she appeared and with her, a sudden and enormous pain also appeared in him. She stabbed him. The knife got stuck in his abdomen. He could feel his losing breath. Her face was clear to him but his questions remain unanswered, what was the end?

    He could only whisper before dying, This could not be the end.

    Picture Credits – www.coasttocoastam.com

  • DO Think Twice. Everytime.

    DO Think Twice. Everytime.

    “You again? Again stealing…. Huh? I shouldn’t have saved you before from the police.” That shopkeeper caught the boy again stealing the bread from his shop. He was holding the boy from his collar of his torn and dirty shirt. He smelled too. Maybe he didn’t take bath for years.

    The boy was silently looking somewhere on the other side of the road. The shopkeeper didn’t bother to look where the boy was looking or even thinking. He was angry and wanted to pour all his frustration of not having a single customer since morning.

    Shopkeeper keeps on abusing him and the boy keeps on looking at the other side of the road. Slowly the crowd starts to gather to have the fun of the misery of the boy.

    “Arrey Sethji, he is and will always be a spoilt brat!… You call the police.” Came a voice from the crowd.

    Hearing the name of police, the boy suddenly came back to his senses. He suddenly shakes his whole body. He started to shiver and in the unison, his palms joined together and started to beg to the shopkeeper.

    “Sahab, No Sahab,… Don’t call the Police….” He kept on repeating.

    He cried, he begged, he fell on the shopkeeper’s legs, but nobody cared to hear he plead.

    Within some more arguments between the crowd and the shopkeeper, came the police. The boy got arrested; he was still looking at the other side of the road. This time shopkeeper tried to look, where the boy was looking; nothing was there.

    Police disappeared and with that the crowd too. The shopkeeper was back to his work i.e. sat behind the counter and started reading the newspaper.

    Time passed, no customer came. The shopkeeper has already read the newspaper twice and now he was forwarding towards the afternoon nap. He was sleeping on his chair when he heard something coming near his shop. He felt happy as he thought that his first customer of the day has at last arrived.

    A little girl, about 5 to 6 years old, arrived at his shop. She doesn’t have one leg. She was holding a stick to balance. She wasn’t looking like a customer but was looking like some beggar. Shopkeeper again felt disappointed and poured his disappointment on her.

    “GO AWAY YOU SCOUNDREL…… bloody beggars. Get lost!” Shopkeeper yelled.

    “No Sahab…… I am not a beggar. I live there, on the opposite side of the road, behind that tree.” She used his finger to indicate the place. The shopkeeper didn’t even bother to see there. “I was looking for my brother who works here in your shop. He just came here to return the bread which you gave him some time before.” The shopkeeper felt strange. He knew that she was talking about that boy who just now created a scene but the other things were out of his knowledge.

    “I gave him and he works here?” Shopkeeper asked her.

    “Yes, Sahab…. I know you have saved him before from Police and then have his job in your shop. I wanted to thank you for that but my brother didn’t allow me to come here because of…..” she looked at her lost leg. “And then in the morning he came to me and gave me the bread which you gave to him as a gift for me on my birthday. It’s my birthday today.” There was silence for a short time. “But I told him to return the bread because I didn’t want to have so much from you. You have saved my brother from Police and gave him a job here, that’s more than enough for me. For me my brother is everything. He’s my gift forever.”

    Shopkeeper felt touched. He regrets his decision of sending his brother to jail. The boy was there to return the bread; he was not there to steal it. Shopkeeper’s eyes started to melt.

    “Do you know where my brother is?”

    Obviously, he was in a dark cell getting beaten for no mistake of him.

    Image Credit – sabrangindia.com

  • The tragic love story of Pururava and Urvashi

    The tragic love story of Pururava and Urvashi

    Indian Cinema has been known among the masses for portraying obsessed lovers; the classic example being Prince Salim in Mughal -e-Azam. Some of them even possess an extraordinary verbal communication style (K-K-K-K-Kiran). Others possess supposedly cool hairstyles. And some have a story where they leave the world for somebody and then that ‘somebody’ leaves them. When you go back in time, you see the same happening in Mahabharata too and the victims of such tragedies are mostly the kings. Anyways would you be really that interested if it were to happen to a commoner anyway?!

    Pururava was a young and handsome king. When I say young and handsome, it means that practicing warrior-skills, hunting and partying were his major hobbies. Administration of kingdom and welfare of the people for such kings was usually the second priority. There are very few kings who were young and handsome and capable at the same time. Unfortunately, Pururava was not. And before he could make his transition from young and handsome to capable, something happened!

    Once when he was out hunting in a forest, he came across the Apsara (river-nymph) Urvashi. The sight of the scantily dressed apsara, who was a favorite even among the Devas, was definitely the most enthralling sight of Pururava’s youth.

    With the confidence and attitude that is characteristic of self-proclaimed handsome men, Pururava went to Urvashi and asked her out.

    Pururava: The Almighty must have exhausted all his creativity in carving a beauty like you. What should I do to make you mine? I want you to marry me and be my queen.

    Urvashi: No ordinary man can ask me out in this fashion. Your confidence and your flashy attire indicate that you are from a royal lineage. But are you worthy enough for the beautiful creation of the Almighty like you just said?

    Pururava: There is no feat in this world impossible for me to perform as long as I possess my bow and arrows. You should never distrust my capabilities.

    Urvashi: I would rather marry a lover than a warrior. I don’t seek the power of your weapons, I only seek the power of your words. You will have to promise me that you will take care of my pet goats. They are very dear to me. Also, promise me that except for me you will never appear naked in front of anybody. If you are willing to make these two promises, I will marry you.

    Pururava: I am a Kshatriya, to protect the helpless is my Dharma. Will I not protect your goats? I promise I will. And I will protect your second promise too. My Kshatriya instincts are not limited to people alone!

    These promises were perhaps Urvashi’s ways of ensuring that her husband remains loyal to her concerns and never brings in a second wife that decreases her importance. Pururava didn’t think much before making the promises either. The Kshatriya factor often deluded the decision making powers of the kings. Anyway, they both got married and lived happily for some time, increasing the prospective candidates for the royal inheritance and inspiring stories that would be carved out later in Indian temples meant for selective visitors.

    Indra, the original ‘beneficiary’ of apsaras, could not bear this unusually long separation from the apple of his eyes, Urvashi. He wanted her back at any cost, so he ordered the Gandharvas to bring Urvashi back. The Gandharvas stole the pet goats of Urvashi one day when Pururava was busy making love to her. Urvashi, on realizing that her goats had been stolen, requested Pururava to rescue them. He hurried out without bothering to cover himself keen to keep the first promise he made to his wife while forgetting the second one! At that moment, Indra launched a thunder in the sky causing a public display of the king’s private properties.

    In spite of his best efforts, Pururava could not keep both his promises. Urvashi decided to leave Pururava the way he was, not continuing her stay with King since the promises that were the basis of their marriage were broken.

    The separation left Pururava devastated and he lost all sense. He isolated himself from his kingdom and became mad, not being able to rule the kingdom anymore. Had India had access to Italian Marble in those days, a Taj Mahal would have come into existence much before in Indian History than when it actually did!

    Thus, another lover had to face the cliché consequence of falling in love as depicted in Bollywood Movies – DEPRESSION DUE TO SEPARATION!

    Image Source – wikipedia.org

  • Patience is the key…

    Patience is the key…

    “I’m already here.”

    “That’s good. I’m on the cab now; give me fifteen minutes.” She responded. “If you see a MH 7546, that’ll be me.”

    I told her to take care before she hung up. I put down my phone and looked to my left. I caught the sight of the waitress coming over with a cup of coffee that I had just ordered.

    She put it on my table and I gave a smile in return.

    My eyes followed the trail of the curly smokes lazily rising from the cup. Trailing the chair beside me with my fingers, I remember sitting in the same spot five years ago when I first met Lakshmi.

    She’s proven herself on our first date she’s someone who gave me an aim to live this life rather than making money, and I must admit, that made me fall for her. Ever since then, a lot of things have changed. We weren’t the college sweethearts we once were. We started having dreams that differed from each other.

    She worked at an Engineering college an hour away from where I was employed. She started out as a lecturer and I a General Physician. We pushed ourselves to the limit to get recognized, and all of our efforts paid off, perhaps the success made us insensitive towards our love life.

    None of us attempted to call it the end. It was a secure partnership. We were good friends. But suddenly, our conversations never involved thinking about getting married or having a family in the future.

    I don’t blame her. I don’t blame myself either. No matter how much two people invest at the start of the relationship, no one can prepare them for the eventual downfall of it.

    Were relationships that lasted this long supposed to feel so empty?

    Perhaps we grew too much apart that our relationship perished in return.

    I feel like I’m being unfair to her. I’d rather leave her than be confronted with questions whether I want to continue down this path with her or not. I have been patient enough to see how things will play out, and as it turns out, I could just be hurting her more than completing her life.

    I ought to put an end this illusion today. Which is why having to meet here here on buzzing Monday felt too ordinary for me. A special place to do something so sorrowful. Call me cruel, but that’s how it should unfold.

    Three hours have passed since I have come to terms with my thoughts. What in the world happened to Lakshmi? Could she have guessed the agenda of our meeting?

    I wouldn’t realize it then, but I thought too much of hurting her that it didn’t occur to me how she can also do it to me and possibly more.

    I heaved a sigh and looked out of the window. I don’t see any traffic jam on the road. It did start raining an hour ago, but it wasn’t even heavy at all.

    I felt stuck in the cafe. Time seemed frozen, and so were the people around me who seemed to be talking on and on. I tried calling Lakshmi on the phone, but it was switched off.

    That’s it! If she just kidding with me, I’d write him a letter instead. I stomped like a kid upon leaving the cafe. I was too angry by now.

    It took some time before I sighted a taxi. The driver parked it by my side. On notifying him about my destination, he apologied “Sorry Saheb; the road leading to your house is blocked due to an accident.”

    I nodded. Maybe that’s where Lakshmi got stuck.

    “Poor friend of mine, though. He’ll never be able to drive again, not with crushed legs like that.”

    “Is he also a cab driver just like you?”

    “Yeah.”

    Hearing this, I got numb. I can feel my lips tremble as I uttered, “Everyone else must have survived then.”

    The way the driver shook his head reminded me of a helpless doctor who had to announce the death of his patient.

    I closed my eyes and clasped my hands together. “Please, do you know the plate number of your friend’s cab?”

    The driver must have found it odd that I kept on asking about his friend. “MH 754…6..or..7. I don’t exactly remember. Do you know him? Seems like you’re really interested.”

    I was no longer in control of my body which shook violently. Being suddenly silent after all those questions, he looked at me and asked again, “Do you know him?”

    “No,” I said in between tears, which poured down uncontrollably. “Only the passenger.”

    “ARREY DEVAA…” I heard the driver curse under his breath. Without having to ask for it, he made me sit inside and took the taxi around and headed to where the accident had happened.

    It wouldn’t sink in me that Lakshmi is gone forever until I see her.

    When we arrived at the scene, the driver didn’t even ask me to pay. Instead he followed me to the scene which was pure chaos, with police and ambulance cars surrounding the area. All I wanted was to see Lakshmi. Lakshmi whom I was about to part ways with!

    A police constable attempted to stop me from approaching the scene, but I told him I’m the dead victim’s boyfriemd. He had a crestfallen look when he heard it and took me to a covered stretcher.

    His boyfriend. I can’t believe I can still call myself that despite everything I’ve thought about us. That would make things a lot simpler, though.

    My hands were shaking as I pulled down the cover. It was definitely Lakshmi, who looked like she has fallen into a deep slumber. No visible injuries, but she’s gone. I put the cover back and walked away.

    For a moment, I stood there, with exactly no idea what to do next. What they say is true: you never know the value of something until you’ve completely lost it.

    The constable came to where I was, holding something in his hands.

    “I think these belong to you. This has been clearly ruled out as an accident, so I don’t think this belongings still holds its relevance. Once again, I’m sorry.” With that, he left.

    It was an envelope with something bulky in it. Nothing was written on it, but I carefully opened it to find a small box and a short letter. It read:

    “Avinash,

    Thank you for staying with me throughout these years.

    I decided to write this letter simply because I tremble while giving speeches in public places (even though I teach), and I know you love letters more than anything else.

    I haven’t had the smallest amount of confidence in me, and yet you were patient enough to put me back in track into life. You remain the most wonderful and important person in my life.

    I believe we haven’t talked much about the future, but here’s a little something I can give in return for all your patience.”

    Opening a small box, I found an elegant diamond ring with both of our initials engraved on it with the phrase, “Patience is love grown eternally.”

    Cover Picture Courtesy – http://www.filmsofindia.com/images

  • Love is Bliss –II

    Love is Bliss –II

     

    A simple yet profound tale of romance, oops…LOVE !

     

    He appeared very calm but the circumstance under which I am forced me to think otherwise. I began to walk backwards and took out my phone and posed myself like I was trying to call someone. I made sure there was no eye contact with Mr X. I felt proud of my acting skills. After all, I was the one who enacted the role of a spoilt guy in our school drama! Damn! He entered the tea stall besides me and ordered something. Phew! I laughed at myself for cooking up a story that would have led to a silly scene there. I laughed at myself. By then, Mr X was holding two cups of hot tea towards his wife and they both were having a savouring talk over it.

    Hardly few minutes later the trained arrived. I got a seat exactly the opposite to theirs. They were busy chit chatting and seemed to be oblivious to their surroundings. After about half an hour Mr X took out his phone, plugged the headset and shared the ear plugs with his wife. They seemed to be happy in their own way, holding each other’ hand. And I ventured into daydreaming, holding my non-existent girlfriend’s hands! The daydreaming saga ended up when I alighted at Bandra. While the return journey that evening I tried to spot them but in vain.

    The next day too we were in the same compartment but none of us couldn’t get a seat. Thanks to high influx of passengers from the starting stations like Panvel itself! By the time we passed a few stations, I saw them having their seats. I could have sit at a vacant seat nearby me but I chose to stand so that I could watched their activity as they were at a reasonable distance from me.

    After a brisk talk, Mr X took out a newspaper while Mrs X took out a ball of charming red wool and began to knit something out of it graciously. I couldn’t figure out what and for whom she was knitting it for. They were speaking briefly in between all this and had their occasional laughs. I wonder what these couple had to talk about which never had an end!

    The next few days went on in a similar fashion with me literally observing every move of them. I felt I was breaching the right of privacy but still I fancied them and deep in my craved for a similar life partner in the near future.

    By this time I realised she was knitting a marvellous sweater for her husband. The chest portion was complete and see seemed to be very much elated that day. After 2 days, I saw the sweater getting its left sleeve.

    The next day I waited for them at the station but couldn’t sight them. I felt bad that day because Sundays were the only excuse that wouldn’t let me see them for that one hour, daily !

    That day, my travel to Bandra went in the most conventional way; sleeping! Throughout my college hours I was hell bent on elucidating a valid point that would act as a reason why they didn’t turn up today. I began trying to do something out of the box i.e. listening to the professor’s lecture with full vigour!

    The day went on a silent note. Even the following day, I couldn’t have a glimpse of them. By now, I was getting more and more frustrated. I began frantically searching them throughout the station. Something inside me told me that I had created an unusual bond with them which probably had to come to an end. The continuous absence of them from my life for the subsequent weeks made me almost forget about them. But whenever I tune into any romantic song, those were the two people who would unknowingly come into my mind.

    It was one of those chilling December morning; I was alighting down to the rail platform from the overhead bridge rubbing my hands persistently. To my utter pleasure I saw a face which was quite familiar to me but this time he was scrolling on his phone. I ran with full vigour towards him.

    NOW IT WAS TIME TO REVEAL THE ENIGMA CALLED MR X !

    (To be continued)

     

  • Love is Bliss –I

    Love is Bliss –I

     

    A simple yet profound tale of romance, oops…LOVE !

     

    31st January 2017

    02:45 AM

     

    Dear Diary,

    You may be wondering why on earth at the middle of this night I am scribbling on you? And your doubt is totally righteous as I am not into divulging each and every happening in my life to you. It is not because you are a boring entity like me! The two reasons I can give you is that I am one hell of a lazy lamb and most importantly there is no such remarkable incidents occurring in my rather dull life that I could share with you beaming with proud.

    But tonight I have decided to tell you a thing which is robbing me of my sleep tonight.

    It was a couple of months back; I was waiting for my train at the Nerul station. I saw a young couple, probably both of them in their 20s standing beside me. But unlike others waiting there, be it the bunch of college students or the office-goers or even the flock of tourists probably from Spain which is evident from their accent, the couple where not protruding their eyes into their smartphones and literally ignoring the beings in their vicinity. Instead, they were just enjoying each other’s company but trust me at one moment I felt like I should confront them and take a selfie with them and post it on my Instagram wall and caption it ‘WITH THE REAL LIFE BOLLYWOOD COUPLE’! But I know it would be so lame to interrupt them and by the way I was not that bold enough.

    Oh! It dawned on me that they were married to each other when I saw a small streak of vermillion on her forehead. Such love between a married couple? Whoa! Too impressed with the sight!

    Deep in my mind I prayed, a thing which I do once in a while ‘God, make this couple cheerful till the end of eternity’. After this small tryst with God, the train arrived! The quest for acquiring a seat in the local train made me totally forget about them. Alas, I got a seat and thanked my stars. The day at my college went without any peculiarity as always.

    A few days later, I saw that couple over again. This time the lady whom I would like to name as Mrs X was carrying a messenger bag and adorned in a casual dress while the guy (Obviously Mr X!) was in formal attire. Mr X was apparently trying to exchange the small colourful jute bag with the messenger bag which his wife was happily carrying on her shoulders. It seems like Mrs X was trying to show her physical mettle by intentionally carrying the heavier bag while handing her small bag to his well-built husband while they were waiting for their train. I was watching all these and was giggling in my mind.

    As the train arrived, they switched their bags while sharing a hearty laugh. This time I made up my mind to enter the same compartment of the train as them which I couldn’t during my first meet with them. After all it would be worth passing my time witnessing the childish play between this wonderful couple throughout my 1 hour journey! Amidst the hurried and distasteful life where I haven’t seen love except in novels and two hour films, I felt the surge to LIVE, LOVE SOMEONE AND NOT JUST EXIST. Wait, Is Mr X glaring at me? Holy Shit! Is he walking towards me? Has he caught me shamelessly gazing them for the past 15 minutes without a break? I stood there like an idle statue with my heart pounding at an alarming rate.

    (To be continued)