Lover of the past! (Part - 3)

“Hello!”, said Vinay with a trembling voice.

“Good evening dolly!”, said the voice. It is Divya.

“Divya! How are you? Where are you calling from?”

“Why do you want to know where I am?”

“I… I tried calling you back yesterday. But, I couldn’t reach you. So asked you”

“I am glad! You never tried to reach me in these few years and now that you want my number to talk to me?”

“No Divya. Its not like that, but…”

“I miss you so much”, interrupted Divya.

Vinay could hardly respond and the call got cut in few seconds.

Vinay slowly drowned into his past. College days are one of the precious memories in every one’s life. It plays an important part of life in moulding a man. Everybody will face all possible emotions in their college life – laughter, tears, sorrow, hatred, crush, love, break-ups and on. And it’s the same for Vinay too. He met Divya when he was in his second year of Computer Science and Engineering. She was residing in 1^st cross street with her parents and this playboy was in 2^nd cross street, with his friends in a room. She was a medical student and was highly ambitious. As usual, our hero hates books. At the end of 1^st cross street, there used to be a chat shop, which always remain crowded. Vinay had never spent his days without having at least one samosa per day from that shop.

One fine day when he saw Divya, it was love at first sight. Then he started spending more time near that shop at mornings and evenings just for a glimpse of Divya. This had increased the income of Chat wala and definitely Vinay holds a major share.

After few months, he intelligently wooed this girl. But, he became serious about this relationship. He started to focus much on his studies. Divya was so sure that her parents would never allow her to marry Vinay. They were very orthodox and not much broad minded. It was a big struggle for Divya to take up medicine, in spite being a meritorious student. All they wanted is to get her married off to a guy in a good job and with good family background in their community.

It was last year of college for Vinay. He was placed in Infy. He was so sure about marrying Divya soon after she finishes her studies. But, Divya’s parents were not patient enough till then. They started looking out a groom for her. One fine day, Divya disclosed about Vinay to her parents. But, they were not ready enough to give an ear to any such thing. They started to search for a groom seriously. Vinay was helpless. Though he had a job, he is yet to finish his studies. He believed only his parents could help him. He told everything to his mom and dad. Event they were initially bit hesitant about this. But, later they realized that nothing is much important than their child’s happiness. So they stepped forward to meet Divya’s parents.

At last one day, Vinay and his parents visited Divya’s. They tried to convince her parents as much as they could. But they never seemed to be convinced. Divya’s dad wanted her to discontinue her studies and get married. But, she did not oblige. As a result he went up to the extreme of suicide attempt, but got saved fortunately. Soon after that, Divya and her folks left town and she discontinued her studies.

After a couple of years Vinay came to know that she is working as a nurse in some hospital near her home town. He tried a lot to get back her contact. But he could hardly get any detail. Slowly days rolled by and after four years he got married to Sushma.

He knows how much he treasured Divya. But now that he is married to Sushma. And he did not want to reveal about the lover of his past to her. It will be hard for a girl to withstand that her husband had loved someone so much.

Sushma is a very enthusiastic girl. She has so many facts in her mind about health and hygiene. She is one of the reasons in transforming Vinay from a dirty playboy into a decent professional. She changed his looks, attire, attitude and what not. Now Divya remained as a bunch of memories and Sushma turned into a treasure for him.

Vinay was suddenly disturbed from his thoughts by a call from Sushma.

“Hello dear! What happened? Late today too?”, asked Sushma.

“Ya. I will be home some time now”

“Alright I was bit worried that it started to rain”

“No problem. I will be there some time”

“Fine. Bubye”

“Bye”

At night, Vinay was having his dinner calmly. It was news for Sushma to see this unusual calmness.

“Any problem at office today too?”, asked Sushma.

“No dear. Everything was fine”

“Then why are you so dull today too?”

“Just that yesterday’s things got sorted out and I was thinking about that”

“Oh c’mon. When you come home, stop thinking about your office. It is very bad. Ok?”

“Alright!”, said Vinay and smiled.

“Vinay I got to tell you something”, said Sushma at night, on bed.

“Well… what is that about?”

“Nothing but I have spoiled one of your shirts. Your favourite white striped one. I unknowingly washed it with your red t-shirt and your shirt got red patches here and there. I washed that shirt again and again. But, the patch remains. I am very sorry Vinay”, said Sushma in a humble voice.

“Sushma do you know how much I love that shirt? I have told you it was gifted by one of my close friend and I have preserved it all these days”

“Ya I know that. It was lying in that cup board for a long time. So, I thought I could wash it, press it and then put it back so that it would stay fine for a longer time. But, I dint expect this to happen”, pleased Sushma.

Vinay could hardly say anything. He was disturbed because it was gifted to him by Divya. It was the only gift he got from Divya. He could still remember how Divya surprised him with this shirt, soon after he got placed. Divya was gone and now her gift too. Vinay silently struggled to get some sleep and finally slept.

Next day, Vinay appeared bit upset about that short. Sushma tried to convince him as much as possible. But still he stayed upset and left to office. She washed that shirt again and dried it in the backyard. Still there were some patches. She felt bad and just called her friend to get some tips for removing the patches. She was hoping that at least after trying those tips, she could recover the shirt. She rushed to the backyard to see if the shirt was dry. The shirt was dry and there were absolutely no patches. She was astonished.

‘What crazy is happening here?’, said to her self and went off.

In the evening, as Vinay was driving back home, his car stopped again in that place and his mobile rang. It was again Divya.

to be continued......

Lover of the past! (Part - 2)

He kept trying again and again to the same number. But, the response remained same.

He stopped calling and started to drown in his memories of past. After few minutes he was disturbed by a call from Sushma. He told her that the car broke down and it would take some more time to fix it. He had not disclosed his past love Divya to Sushma. So he did not want to do that now either. Out of anxiety, he tried to start the car again. To his astonishment, it started. The air around him seemed to be filled with puzzles. He reached home in next 10 minutes.

“You got our car fixed so soon?”, questioned Sushma as Vinay entered the house.

“Ya it was a minor thing and I fixed it by myself”

“That’s really nice and my dear, go, refresh soon and come fast. I have a surprise for you”

“Well, what is that?”

“Jus refresh and come soon!”, said Sushma and pushed Vinay from his back into the bedroom.

Vinay remained haunted as he was having veg samosas.

“Darling! You seem to be dull. Any issue in the office? You would forget your world for these samosas. But, what happened now?”

“Nothing dear”

“No. Just share your problems with me. If you are dull, you don’t look handsome anymore. Just tell me”

“Nothing. I received few performance issues from my client today. I am little upset about that”

“Well, that’s what haunting you so much? Don’t worry dear. Definitely you are going to get that The Geek award”

Vinay stared at her for a minute. He just then remembered the dream and laughed at it.

At night, on the bed, Sushma was lying by his side and kept talking about a new television program on interior decoration. But, Vinay stayed lost in his thoughts.

“Are you listening?”, shouted Sushma into his ears.

“Oh god.. yes yes”, perplexed Vinay.

“Anyways, you know what breakfast I am going to make for you tomorrow?”

“Don’t say any new flavor of Kellogs”

“Oh C’mon! I am going to make Dosa for you”

“Hey, really? That’s nice”

“Well, no more diet here after. Happy?”

“Are you alright? Something crept in you?”

“Heyyy…”

They laughed, giggled and slept as night started to pour in deeply.

Next morning, Sushma looked excited to make Dosa for Vinay, ‘cos that’s his favourite dish.

She made the first dosa. It became so thick and got stuck with the pan. When she she tried to take it off, it got torn into pieces. She then tried the second one. It turned worse.

“Sushma, what happened? I am getting late”

She poured the batter for third dosa and came out to dining area to tell him, “Dear, first two went bad and the third one is awaiting the result. Hopefully this one should come out well. Else…”

“Else what? Kelloggs only”, sighed Vinay.

She went into the Kitchen to see the dosa. It was plain, crispy and golden brown in colour. She was very very happy to see that.She took it out for him, and made the fourth one. She flew into the dining area to serve the dosa. Vinay was very happy to see that. More than taking care of dosa preparation, she spent her time watching how Vinay enjoyed the dosa.

Vinay was very happy about her preparation.

“Darling I am very happy for you. Tell me what do you want?”, said Vinay.

“Oh I am glad that you are happy. You have given your love in excess and that’s enough for me. I don’t want anything else”

“I love you”, said Vinay and kissed on her cheeks.

“I love you too!”, said Sushma and she was overwhelmed.

After Vinay left to office, Sushma wanted to taste those crispy dosas. But, to her astonishment, everything she made was worse like her first two dosas. She couldn’t figure out what went wrong and ended up having kelloggs.

Late in the evening, as Vinay was driving back home, he was reminded of the car breakdown and phone call. Again, the car stopped at the same place. Vinay remained motionless and as he expected, he received a call from an unknown number.

to be continued.........

Lover of the past! (Part - 1)

It was a wonderful evening. All the eyes in the auditorium were awaiting an awesome scene. Vinay was bit restless and tensed. But, he made sure he appears composed. With the President of U.S.A on one side and Microsoft Giant, Bill Gates on other side, how can one rest his feet on earth? How can one’s heart beats only 72 times a minute? And that’s what this little chap was undergoing. He was about to be presented with the “Techy Geek” award, the most prestigious award similar to Noble, but confined to IT. The moment arrived and he stood up to touch and feel the statue. He could see the whole of the auditorium applauding, but could only hear his heart beat above that. He could understand that the droplets of sweat were about to fall from his forehead. He saw the statue sparkling in the hands of President. He couldn’t believe that in the next minute the statue will be sparkling in his hand. As he extended his hand, he woke up with a thud.

“C’on yaar you are getting late to office”, shouted Sushma with a straining voice. “It’s already 7.30!”, continued Sushma.

“Oh god! My award…”, blabbered Vinay and he appeared befuddled.

“What happened dear?”, said Sushma and smoothed him.

“My techy geek award…”

“The what?”

“My award. I was about to receive it from President.”

“From our President?”, exclaimed Sushma.

“No! From the President of US. I am sure Bill Gates was by his side.”, sighed Vinay and continued, “It was for the data protection technique that I designed for Pentagon and I was about to receive the award”, finished Vinay.

Sushma couldn’t control herself any longer and she broke out laughing like anything.

“I thought you had a worse night mare and that some ghosts were chasing you. But, I never thought that you would have had such a worse night mare than ghosts and that too with US President?”. Sushma still couldn’t resist her laughter. Vinay felt bit humiliated, but reminded himself that he is a normal chap working in Infy among thousands and thousands and for a client not much renowned in US.

He got up and went to the bath room. Got dressed up and kept staring at him in the mirror for a while, thinking about the dream. He just threw a smile to himself and left to dining table.

“Kelloggs? Today also? Can’t you make some dosa or upma?”, questioned Vinay.

“Dear this is very good for health. You should reduce carbohydrate content and increase fibre in your food. That’s the healthy diet”, smiled Sushma.

“Hmm.. You and your Home Science facts!”

“I am a gold medalist in Home Science. Don’t forget that.”

“Never I will. Not even in my next 7 births.”

“So nice of you!!!”

Vinay just smiled at her and gulped the remaining milk in his cereal bowl.

It wasn’t a heavy day for him. So he had time to surf through the net for some news. He read about a train collision near Vijayawada. It was a worst mishap, which swallowed 130 lives. The pictures were intolerable. He felt pity for a minute and thanked god for having gifted him a beautiful life. Then he got back to his chores. While driving back home, he felt fortunate about Sushma. As he was recollecting his funny moments with Sushma, it started to drizzle. He slowed down the speed purposely to enjoy the evening. He was racing through his mind to surprise Sushma with some gift. As he was sorting out various gift items in his mind, the car stopped abruptly. Vinay tried to start it, but no reaction from the car. He opened the bonnet to find out what went wrong. But, everything seemed perfect. He could only do is to scratch his head. He was reminded of Sushma and thought of informing her about this. He got into the car and took the mobile. Before he could dial, he received a call from an unknown number.

“Hello”, said Vinay.

“Hi Vinay. How are you?”, a sweet voice from other end.

“Good! Who is this?”

“Oh… So you forgot me dolly?”, continued that voice.

Vinay froze still for sometime. The word ‘Dolly’ reminded him everything - his college days, friends, 1st cross street and most importantly Divya. He couldn’t speak a word. Every word that he tried to pull out got buried under his throat.

The voice at the other end is definitely Divya.

“Divya”, uttered Vinay.

“So you got it huh?”, laughed Divya and the call ended.

He was panicked and paralysed for a minute. He regained his conscious and called the number back. All it said was, “Number doesn’t exist”.

to be continued....

Senyorita (Part - 3)

Hatkin was highly restless. The threatening words of the witch kept resonating in his mind. He did not dare to try the test with Huberla with his three daughters. So, he decided to go on a trip to visit his friends and relatives in and around Modland. Senyorita was puzzled with her father’s behaviour. She packed sufficient dresses and money for her dad. She was reluctant to pose a question to her father about this trip. But, she did not dare to ask him.

All three girls waved bye to their father, thinking he is going to bring back lots of money and Prince Charm for marriage. It was Senyorita who had an inner voice saying something is wrong! Also, only she noticed a different bulged bag with Hatkin, which she had not packed for him. All she can do is to pray to the lord.

Hatkin went in search of the girl whom the witch wants. He managed to give the ball to unmarried girls to test it. He said various reasons such as the ball is a holy ball, magical ball, a valuable crystal article and on. But Huberla remained same. It has been since 15 days that Hatkin had started on his Journey. He happened to meet hundreds of girls. But Huberla failed to work out for any of them. He was totally upset and planned to get back to his house.

Hatkin was in his extreme anger, hatred, fear, sorrow and restlessness. He was unable to find the girl. By the time he reached his home, already 20 days had gone by. He preserved the ball in his wardrobe. He had a strong gut saying none of his daughters is the victim. He tried testing the Huberla with neighbors, but he made sure that his girls are no aware of it.

As days passed by, Hatkin become more tensed. He kept away from work at farm for longer days. The family ran shortage of provisions. Mary and Golda were irritated. They started blaming Hatkin. But, he doesn’t seem to bother them. He even ignored talking much with Senyorita, fearing that he might reveal the truth.

It was 29^th day. Hatkin became weak and numb. He closed himself in the prayer room and kept praying. Senyorita was preparing dinner. Golda and Mary were quarreling over a pound they found in their dad’s shirt pocket, in his room. They quarrel turned into an altercation and these girls started throwing the articles they get hold of, on each other. Suddenly, Mary started throwing things from her dad’s wardrobe. Huberla lied in one corner!

Mary got hold of Huberla too and threw it on Golda, before noticing what on earth it is. Simultaneously, Senyorita rushed into their room and accidentally happen to be hit by the Huberla. She fell down by her back, clutching the ball to her chest with both the hands.

Suddenly the ball started to turn blue with a hissing sound. The room got filled with blue light. Senyorita was too scared to give any reaction. Mary and Golda got frightened and ran to their dad. He was deep in his prayers. But these girls managed to wake him up and told him what happened. He froze in shock!

He rushed to his room and was terrified to see his young girl as the victim. He knelt down and started crying loudly and heavily. None of them could infer what is happening. They were all puzzled!

Senyorita was numb and did not even think about keeping the ball aside. She kept it to herself and continued gazing at it. Hatkin got himself composed. Mary and Golda looked at him with all questions in their mind. They were appalled and waited patiently for Hatkin to speak up. Then after few minutes, he soothed himself and narrated all that had happened to his little daughters. Mary and Golda become perplexed and looked at Senyorita with sympathy. Senyorita looked at her dad with watery eyes.

After couple of minutes, she went closer to her dad, let the ball stay on floor and took his hands into her. She then said,” Papa! Don’t worry. I am ready to go there. Let us not waste time. I am afraid whether delaying might affect you or my sisters. So, please take me there papa”, pleaded Senyorita in her soft low husky voice.

Hatkin was unable to help himself. He kept crying and crying. The house got swallowed by sorrow.

Next day, Hatkin and Senyorita set on their hoy towards the isolated region in the river Menice. They did not speak with each other. They both kept weeping and Senyorita felt that it is her last day on earth and she is going to be dead soon.

The hoy slowly reached near the tree. For the first time, the tree smiled at them and in a fraction of second, they were down in the doorstep of the witch’s house.

Senyorita was astounded to see water less region under a huge river. The witch appeared in front of them. She looked at the small girl from tip to toe. Then she laughed very loudly. Everything perplexed Senyorita and she got highly scared.

The witch suddenly pulled Senyorita and flew in her broomstick with Senyorita in her front. Hatkin was clueless. He stood still for a couple of minutes and started shouting crazily. He ran around the place but was unable to figure out anything.

He ran around crazily crying and shouting. But he got no response. After thirty minutes, Senyorita appeared before him. He was overwhelmed by joy and hugged her. He noticed a man standing by the side of the witch. He looked exclaimed. The witch came up to Hatkin and appreciated him for his work. But, Hatkin was curious to know what had happened. The witch did not accept to reveal the truth and in a wave of her wand, Hatkin and Senyorita were sailing back to the land. Everything looked mystery and added to it, there were two heavy gunny bags full of gold in their hoy. Hatkin kept asking her what had happened. But Senyorita was unable to recollect anything. All she remembers is the time the witch pulled her from her father and the time she came back to her father.

The salvation for Huber is to mix 5 drops of the girl’s blood from her right hand pointing finger, with preserved mixture. The witch took Senyorita to her invisible room and prepared the final mixture. Then, she fed it to Huber, who stood high as a tree. With million of sparkling stars and heavy beam of light, the tree changed into Huber. The witch Nandy and Huber were very happy that they have attained the salvation. The witch gave back Senyorita to her dad and gave them the mounds of gold too, which brought them the curse. Thus, Huber and Nandy were accepted to live in the witch kingdom in the sea Carronea, by King Hesley.

Hatkin was happy with the gold and brought astounding grooms to his daughters and got them married. Mary and Golda got respect towards their sister Senyorita. Senyorita was blessed by an enticing groom who loved her more than anything. To her, his love is more valuable than the mounds of gold she got!

Senyorita (Part - 2)

Carronea is one of the huge oceans. It is the living place for witch kingdom. Down 15 feet deep, the witch king Hesley established his kingdom. He evacuated the water and constructed his empire. There were 150 witch families. The empire had witch schools, with well trained witch teachers. There were no hospitals and shopping malls, as every witch family owned a magic wand given by Hesley. The wand can cure the sick and get anything they wish for. But, Hesley is a super magical king, who can very well view the happenings in his insight when anybody uses their wand. So, the usage of wand was constrained. But, people are unaware of their king’s power, but have received punishments when wand is misused.

Hesley’s personal witch is Huber. Huber was highly loyal to Hesley. Except Huber, no one else has seen Hesley’s super natural talking wand. The wand is 1 feet tall and has been preserved by Hesley in a separate room in his castle. The wand is capable of doing anything in the world. All it needs is an oral instruction. Huber wished to own the wand or use it at least once.

One fine day, the king had severe stomach pain and was resting in his room. He beckoned Huber and asked him to bring the wand. Huber went to the wand’s room and took it from its stand. The wand throwed sparkling stars. It is its way of expressing happiness. Huber wished to use it once. He thought this is the right chance and ordered the wand to place two mounds of gold in his room, back at home.

King Hesley was alerted about this. He became too terrific. He wanted to punish Huber severely than anybody else. Being a close associate of the King, he dared to dump the King himself. So, the King cursed him to turn up into a deeply rooted tree in the river that mixes with Carronea Sea at north. Huber pleaded his King. But it was of no use. He explained his king that all he wished for is Gold and not about destruction. He pleaded and cried to his King. King Hesley calmed down, gave him a Huberla, which is a white ball, made of crystal and told him the salvation for his curse.

It has been 1000 years, since Huber’s execution of curse. Now, it is time for Huber to get salvation. Nandy, the witch wife of Huber is trying to relieve her husband from the curse.

According to the Salvation, she needs the beak of Zentel bird, which lives in the high mountains of Marcedona, at the south of Carronea, the Mittle grasses in Volvola plain at far east of Carronea, Jingel fruits from the tree Jelsy, at south – west of Carronea. All the three items are very rare species of its kinds. They possess camouflaging effects and tend to dissolve in water. So finding the correct elements is itself a bigger task on earth.

According to the salvation, the three elements need to be mixed and preserved in jar which is kept inside another big jar, which is filled with Carronea’s water. The mixture should be preserved for 250 years. The mixture and another important element need to be mixed and swallowed by Huber to attain salvation.

Senyorita (Part - 1)

Modland is a lovely small town at the borderline of the city Mengelin. River Menice wipes through the green town. Agriculture is the main occupation. The town owns a small shopping area at its heart. One can find houses at a distance of half a kilometer in between. People in the town do not own million pounds. But, they own tons of happiness.

Hatkin Werger is a farmer, who lives in a small hut near the banks of Menice. He has three daughters, Mary, Golda and Senyorita. His three daughters are his only wealth. His wife died on giving birth to Senyorita. He took very good care of all his three daughters. For him, his daughters are the only asset, life, world and relation.

Hatkin is a hard worker and he owned a small land behind his hut. He was unable to provide education to his daughters, but had never made his little daughters suffer out of hunger.

Mary is a rotund girl and always wishes to eat a lot. She is innocent but lazy. She seldom does any household work. Golda is a beautiful angel. But she is not beautiful in her heart. She always prefers costly out fits and ornaments. She never cares about anybody else. She is a day dreamer and dreams of an unknown Prince charm to carry her with him. Senyorita is the poor little girl at home. She is pretty and kind hearted. She takes care of all the household activities. She loves her family more though her sisters criticize her saying that she is the reason for their mom’s death. But, Hatkin was always there to console and comfort her.

One fine day, Hatkin found £15 missing. He had preserved the money for the groceries. He was tensed and disturbed. He beckoned all his daughters. The girls summoned in front of him. To his astonishment, he found Golda with new pair of ear rings and a new outfit. Hatkin turned red. But, Golda does not seem to be bothered. She came closer to Hatkin, stretched his hands, placed a small bag on his palm and said, “Dad, I spent only seven pounds and remaining are there in the bag”. Then she went away to meet her friends.

Similar scatterbrained behaviours of Golda made Hatkin highly worried. His only solace was Senyorita. He set on his hoy and started boating down the river Menice. His tangled mind did not allow him to concentrate on the direction towards which he was proceeding. He was suddenly awakened from his thoughts when his hoy got struck in between the roots of a huge tree that has a scary appearance. Hatkin was frightened of the whole happening.

The hoy remained silent. Hatkin then noticed that the place is the restricted zone in the river. The blueness of the water can never be seen in this region. The colour will be either dark green or dark blood red. There is a belief in Modland that a ghost lives in the region. No one dared to come to this region. Hatkin prayed, “Oh god! What have I done? Please save me. My three little daughters will be orphaned. God rescue me!”. With his full strength, Hatkin tried to force the hoy away from the clutches of the tree. Suddenly, there was heavy ramble in the water, mysterious noise and thousands of bubbles on the water. A witchy face emerged on the tree and shouted in a horror voice, “You are finished”. The hoy shook, Hatkin lost his control and became partially conscious. He was unable to help himself from falling into the river. He got drowned and completely lost his consciousness.

He woke up suddenly because of a terrifying laugh. It was a witch. She appeared pale, puny and wrinkled. She wore a torn hat and a black, long gown. It was obvious that she did not bath or at least brush for a longer time. Her was voice terrifying. Hatkin felt his heart racing fast. He was perplexed and found clutched by long heavy chains, tied up with the tree. There was no water around him. He felt that he is in land and looked up crying. To his astonishment, the roof is filled with water. The region where the witch lives is evacuated from water. He was stunned to see an isolated region under river which is not filled with water.

Hatkin got frightened, started crying and begged her to leave him. But, the witch does not seem to hear his cry. Instead, she laughed loudly. But this time, she was accompanied by frightening laughter of the tree to which Hatkin was tied.

“You want me to leave you, huh?”, questioned witch with blood red eyes wide open.

“Yes Ma’m…please…”

“Do you think I will leave you as such, huh? How dare you come to my place damn it? I can never spare you”

Hatkin kept crying.

“Don’t spare him”, shouted the tree.

“I won’t darling”, said the witch to the tree, with a smile.

She moved closer to Hatkin and with a scary look she said,”Look! I have a job for you. Take this Huberla with you. I will spare you to reach your land. You have to give this Huberla to girls who are unmarried. When the Huberla turns blue on the touch of a girl, then that girl is the one we are searching for. Then, immediately you have to bring her here. You have only 30 days time. Now you go”, said the witch.

She then waved her witch band, which spilt few glittering stars. In a fraction of second, Hatkin was sailing in his hoy towards the land, with Huberla in his hand.

Love as Tribute

Mahi is an enticing, enthusiastic buddy. She knows only happiness in her life. She is pretty and her smiling face attracts everybody. Her family is the most beautiful world for her. She has no restrictions. But, she has defined freedom to enjoy. She is allowed for hang outs but not for dating. She has respect for ‘Love’, but has a strong gut feeling that only arranged marriages are successful and not love marriages. She had seen her friends both suffering and enjoying their love lines. She wants only happiness and so she never games with love.

She is an accountant in one of the MNCs. She had earned a good name in her office. She does not believe in hard work, but on smart work. With minimum input, she can get tremendous output. She has good managerial skills too. She prefers finishing off the days work soon and relaxing rest of the day.

Things were moving in their routine style for Mahi. It was beginning of the year and recruitments were up. So many new buddies, both experienced and freshers joined the company. Her beloved Chief Accountant, Renu got married and settled in US. So she resigned her job. This annoyed Mahi a bit. But, she believes that ‘Life is to keep going’.

It was beginning of the week and freshers had come to the office. There was a little bit of restlessness in Mahi’s department. The post of Chief Accountant was filled. People were eager to know about their chief. There were few gossips, but they died soon. Mahi never worries for anything. So the talk about new Chief, does not bother her much.

A guy in jean and t-shirt came up to Mahi, who was standing near the water cooler in the entrance of her floor. “Where is the Chief Accountant’s room?”, asked that guy. Mahi looked at him as if he is an E.T. “Pl go and ask the receptionist”, said Mahi. “Hey she only told me this floor”. Mahi got bit irritated. She dislikes guys in informal outfits in office. She wants men to have good dressing sense as to wear which outfit where. “Better wait here, in this sofa” and she was about to leave the place. “Just hold on ma’m,” continued the guy,” For your kind information, I am the Chief”. Mahi was shocked. “Oh my god! How come this idiot got the job?”, thought Mahi. Then she replied, ”It is the first room on your right”, and she flew to her seat.

Ajay is a very cool guy, cool headed than Mahi. He never gets tensed up for anything. He remains cool headed and solves anything. He is the only child to his parents. His parents are living in his native village and this guy is in city. He loves music, so one can find him always with headphones plugged in his ears. He has the fastest brain. He takes decisions quickly, sorts out issues and plans perfectly.

People were thrilled about their new Chief. He had never portrayed an image that he is a Chief. Besides, he is too young for the post too. So he was able to mingle with people easily. Within a month, he came to know almost everybody under him. Everybody liked him for his nature. He is helpful and friendly. Mahi did not have any opinion for him. She just bothered her work.

One fine day, Ajay rushed to Mahi with a big file in his hand. Mahi did not notice him. “Mahalakshmi. Excuse me!”, said Ajay. Mahi still did not bother. Ajay was standing behind Mahi. He moved to the front of Mahi and said “Hello Mahalakshmi!”. She looked at him in surprise.

“Wassup?”, asked Ajay.

“Nothing. Nobody had called me as ‘Mahalakshmi’”

“That’s your name rite?”

“But…”

“I can’t call you by your pet name unless you give me permission.”

Mahi smiled and continued, “That is not an issue. You can very well call me as ‘Mahi’.”

“Ok. Thank you and one more thing. Finalise this ‘Salary Revision’ file and get it back to me”, said Ajay and placed the file on her desk and left.

Mahi got irritated. She had planned for an outing with her parents on that day. And now he had dumped her with job. “He spoke as if he is the gentlest man on this world and at last dumped me. Nonsense fellow!”, scolded him in her mind. Mahi has completed her day’s work and was about to leave. Suddenly she got this work. She went through the file. Her concentration was only about her parents. She was irritated and restless. She stood up and walked to Ajay.

“Ajay, I would like to leave for the day.”

“But, the file?”

“If you don’t mind I shall take it to home and finish it off.”

Mahi was sternly looking into Ajay’s eyes.

“Okie. No issues for me. Keep going”, said Ajay and turned towards his computer.

Mahi came to her place, rushed up with her bags and the file, down to the parking slot. She drove fastly to home. Her parents were dressed up and were desperately waiting for her. She quickly dressed herself and together they left for enjoying the evening.

Next day morning, Mahi seemed tensed and restless. She had not only completed the file, but had lost it too. She enquired the security people, searched in her desk and in parking slot. But, she was unable to find it. She started weeping. She came very early to office. No one else had come. She was sitting alone in her floor, weeping.

“No crying Mahi. Here is your file”, said Ajay with a smile, holding the file in his hands. He was dressed up in formals. Mahi was totally surprised. She could hardly find a word to speak out. Mahi said,”Thank you!”, as a token of gratitude. She flipped through the pages of the file. The quoted rates were finalized. She was amazed. She grew respect for him. She understood his humbleness. “He had not even said any word about my carelessness. He is too good. I am crazy to mistake him. Unknowingly I left the file in parking lot. But he is too good to preserve it and gentle having completed the work too. He is really a wonderful person”, felt Mahi.

She took the file and went directly to him. “Ajay, Thank you so much for finalizing the rates too. I am really sorry for all that had happened”, said Mahi. Ajay seemed bit tensed up. “Are you sure that you went through the entire file?”, asked Ajay. “No. I went through only initial pages and I thought… Ok let me check the entire file and get back to you”, said Mahi and went off not even waiting for Ajay’s reply. Ajay watched her leaving his room, with mounds of tension and restlessness.

Mahi went through every page of the file. “Everything is perfect. What a genius?”, astonished Mahi. Before the last page of the file, she found a paper in which she read

Mahi,

I am not good in writing such letters and I have not tried this before. I admire you for what you are. I like your self esteem nature, confidence and intelligence. Besides you are beautiful too. I have never seen such a mixture with any girl. And you are the one and only girl I have ever admired. All I want to say is I Love you and I would like to marry you. I won’t force you or trouble you. But I believe that you too like me.

With Love

Ajay

Mahi was shocked. She had never expected such things from a person whom she respects a lot. She sat still for sometime, resonating the letter in her mind. “How can he be so cheap?... He is not cheap…just expressed his love… how can he have such an opinion about me?...its good that at least he had expressed everything now…I like him…but I wont marry him… My family is more important”, Mahi kept racing her mind with so many questions and thoughts.

She finished scrutinizing the file and went back to Ajay. “Ajay, I finished reviewing the file”, said Mahi with a stern and steady face. Ajay just kept looking at her. “Also,” added Mahi, “There was one scrap paper in the file and I have dumped it in the dustbin” and she went away.

Ajay was depressed and restless. He was highly confident that Mahi will accept his love. But things worked out the other way. He desperately wanted to know the reason for rejecting him. But he did not possess the guts to face her. He kept himself composed for few days.

The soft love towards Mahi grew day by day and started pricking Ajay, for having dejected. One fine day, he went up to Mahi and called her for coffee in the office pantry. Mahi initially felt uninterested, but then she made up her mind to go with him. She decided to clarify her stand, if Ajay happens to discuss about his proposal.

“Heard Mythili gonna quit the Job”, said Ajay, breaking the silence between them. He sat opposite to Mahi, kept smiling and remained composed.

“Ya. I too came to know that”, answered Mahi.

“Why suddenly?”

“Heard she is going to get married”.

“What about you?”

“What?”, exclaimed Mahi.

“No. Just asked when you are going to get married”, said Ajay in a normal tone.

“I donno. My parents need to decide”, said Mahi. She avoided looking at Ajay.

“So, you are not gonna decide your marriage right? You gonna blindly believe and accept parents decision?”

“Stop it Ajay. My parents had been providing me with best things. I get all that I desire. Never had they said ‘No’”

“So why don’t you talk about our marriage? I mean…”

“Its enough Ajay. Look I strongly believe in arranged marriage and prefer opting my parent’s choice rather mine”

“So you mean to say that…”, interrupted Ajay

“I just mean to say that you please don’t disturb me here after. I don’t have any opinion or liking for you. All I knew is me family and my parents”, said Mahi sternly and left the place.

Ajay looked at her leaving the place with a smile and felt a sense of victory.

A month passed by. It was Thursday morning and Mahi was getting ready for the office. She noticed her dad talking over the phone with least botheration that he is getting late for his office. She knew her dad as the most punctual person. She noticed that he had finished talking and so she went to him and asked, “Dad is that your girlfriend?”.

“No, your boy friend”

“Dad…”

Her dad laughed loudly and said, “Dear it was groom’s father. They have decided to visit us on Sunday”.

Mahi did not expect this. “Dad never you had given me any clue. I don’t want to marry now”

“Dear, the guy is too good. You will like him”.

“Please dad…”

“Please dear. This is my only wish. Can’t you make it come true?”

Mahi loves her dad so much and never likes him to pacify her. She always agrees to his decisions.

She smiled at him and said, “C’mon dad. I am game for it. Go ahead”.

Her parents were too happy to hear this.

Mahi was highly puzzled about her marriage. She went to beautician and took beauty treatments. She purchased a new saree. She bought make kits too, which she had never done before. Her parents were happy to see her interest in the proposal, though she is unaware of anything about the groom.

The highly expected Sunday came. Mahi dressed up beautifully like an apsaras. Her mom prepared the delicious recipe numbers. Everybody was set to welcome the groom’s family.

Late in the evening, the groom’s family reached Mahi’s house. They took their seats in drawing hall. The groom appeared young and charming. They beckoned Mahi. She came out of her room and sat in front of the groom, next to groom’s mother. She dares not to look at the groom. But, the groom stuck his eyes only her. She was gorgeous. Groom’s parents were happy about this proposal and they started to discuss about engagement and marriage. Mahi’s eagerness to look at the groom provoked her. She had a quick glance of the groom. The groom smiled at her. She froze in astonishment and could not remove her eyes from him, because it was Ajay!

The discussion slowed down and a sudden silence bloomed. Mahi composed herself and looked at her dad.

“I know about you dear. You have suppressed your desire for your parents. But, your happiness is more important. So I was very much careful in making the decision and I believe that I have made the best decision”, said Mahi’s dad with overwhelming love and happiness.

Mahi was touched by her father’s decision. She stood up, ran to her father and hugged him. She was crying and only crying on his shoulders, out of happiness!

காதல் கவிதை

ஞாபகம்
-----------------
தென்றல் என்னை தொட்டுச் செல்லும் போது
உன் சுவாசம் என்னை தொட்ட ஞாபகம்!

முகிலுல் மறைந்து வெண்ணிலவு என்னை காணும் போது
உன் ஓரக்கண் கல்ல பார்வை ஞாபகம்!

சாலையோர செவ்வந்தி மரம் என் மீது பூ தெறிக்கும் போது
உன் முத்த மழையில் நனைந்த ஞாபகம்!

காலைக் கதிர் ஒளி என் மீது படியும் போது
உன் நிழல் ஏந்தி உன் பின்னே நடந்த ஞாபகம்!



ஆசை
-------------------
கண்களுக்குள் உன் பிம்பங்களை வைத்திட
பிறகு விழிகளைத் தைத்திட
ஆசை!

காதுகளில் உன் பெயரினை பொழிந்திட
பிறகு அவற்றை மூடிட
ஆசை!

நெஞ்சுக்குள் உன் நினைவினை நிரப்பிட
பிறகு கனவினில் தவழ்ந்திட
ஆசை!

இதழ்களால் உன் முகத்தினை நனைத்திட
பிறகு உன் மடியில் சரிந்திட
ஆசை!!!



காதல் கருவறை
--------------------------------
தாயின் கருவறையில் விழுந்த உயிர்த்துளியாய்,
உன் காதல் கருவறையில் நான் விழுந்தேன்!
ஈரைந்து மாதங்களில் பெற்றெடுக்க,
நான் சாதாரண குழந்தை அல்ல!
ஆயிரம் யுகங்கள் ஆனாலும்,
உன்னுள்ளே தரித்து, வாழ்ந்து, மறித்து போகும்
உன் அசாதாரண காதலி!



ஆசைகள் கோடி
--------------------
உன் தோளினில் சாய்ந்திட,
மழையினை ரசித்திட ஆசை!

உன் கையினைப் பற்றிட,
நீண்ட சாலையில் நடந்திட ஆசை!

உன் மார்மீது புதைந்திட,
ஒரு போர்வைக்குள் இருவரும் உறங்கிட ஆசை!

உன் அருகில் அமர்ந்திட,
தேநீரின் இறுதி துளிவரை பகிர்ந்திட ஆசை!

உன் கண்களை கண்டிட,
நம் காதல் கதைகளை நினைவுக்கூர ஆசை!

உன் சங்கதிகளைக் கேட்டிட
இரவு உணவு அருந்திட ஆசை!

உன் மீது சாய்ந்திட,
முற்றத்து ஊஞ்சலில் கண்மூடி ஆடிட ஆசை!

உன் பின்னால் நடந்திட,
கோவில் சென்று உனக்காக வேண்டிட ஆசை!

ஆசைகளோ கோடானுகோடி,
உன்னிடம் நான் உரைத்தோ அவற்றுள் ஒரு துளி!!!




காத்திருக்கிறேன்
-------------------------
தொலைவில் கேட்கும்
தபால்காரனின் சைக்கிள் ஒலி,
அவன் கொண்டு வரும் தபால் அனைத்தும்
எனக்கென்று தோன்றும்.
ஆனால்,
ஒன்று கூட எனக்கில்லை!

ஒரு நாளைக்கு ஒரு முறை
வந்து செல்லும் சீமை ரயில்,
இன்று நிச்சயம் நீ வருவாய்
என்று தோன்றும்.
ஆனால்,
இன்றும் நீ வரவில்லை!

அமைதியாய் தூங்கும்
என் வீட்டு தொலைபேசி,
கோவில்மணி ஓசை கூட தொலைபேசி அழைப்பு
என்று தோன்றும்.
ஆனால்,
மௌனத்தை போர்த்திஇருக்கும் தொலைபேசி!

திங்கள் ஒரு முறை உன்
ஊருக்கு வரும் என் தெரு அன்பர்கள்,
இந்த முறை உன் தூது வரும்
என்று தோன்றும்.
ஆனால்,
ஒரு சொல்கூட தூதில்லை!

கனவு

விடியற்காலை. சூரியன் கண் விழிக்கும் நேரம். அன்று அவிழ்ந்த மலர் போல இன்றும் விழித்தெழுந்தாள் கோதை. வாசல் தெளித்து, கோலமிட்டால். நேற்று கடைத்தெருவின் அருகே உள்ள ஒரு வீட்டில் அவள் கண்ட கோலம், இன்று இவள் வீட்டின் வாயிலில் அவதரித்துவிட்டது. கோதைக்கு கோலங்கள் என்றால் கொள்ள இஷ்டம். கம்பி கோலம், நேர் புள்ளி, சந்து புள்ளி என பலவற்றிலும் கைதேர்ந்தவள். தனது படைப்பினைக் கண்டு, அதன் மீது ஒரு புன்முறுவல் தூவிவிட்டு வீட்டினுள் சென்றாள்.

வெண்ணிலவு தரை இறங்கி, மண்ணில் ஓடும் நதிகளில் குளிக்க முயற்சிக்கவில்லை. குளித்திருந்தால் இவளை போன்றுதான் இருக்கும். இவளின் ஈரமான கூந்தலும், அதில் சிரிக்கின்ற பூக்களும், நல்ல சிவப்பு குங்குமம், மஞ்சள் சீலையும், சத்தமிடும் வளையல்களும், குழையும் கொலுசும், ஒரு ரோஜா தோட்டாமே ஆடை உடுத்தி வந்ததுபோல் அவ்வளவு அழகு.

"இறைவா! உனக்கு நித்தம் நன்றி சொல்ல கடமை பட்டிருக்கிறேன். அன்பான கணவர், அழகான குழந்தைகள். இதைவிட பெரிதாய் உன்னால் எதை கொடுத்திருக்க முடியும்? நன்றி!", என்று தனது பூஜையை முடித்துவிட்டு, முன் அறையுள் வந்தாள்.

அமைதியாய்த் தூங்கும் தன் கணவனை தூரம் நின்று ரசித்தாள். பிறகு மிதுவாய் அடிவைத்து அவனருகே சென்று, ஆசை முத்தங்களைப் பொழிந்தாள். அயர்ந்து கண்களைத் திறந்தவன், "உன்னைப் பார்த்த பிறகுமா அந்த சூரியன் வெளியே உலவுகிறது?", என்று கூற, வெட்கப்பட்டு விலகி ஓடிச் சென்றாள்.

அவளுக்குக் கடவுள் கொடுத்த அன்பளிப்பு - ஒரு மகள், லக்ஷ்மி; ஒரு மகன், குமரன். தனது மகளைப் பெற்ற நொடியில், அவளுக்குத் தன் மறைந்த தாயே மீண்டும் வந்து பிறந்திருக்கிறாள் என்று அசரீரி ஏதும் ஓதியாதோ என்னவோ, என்றுமே லக்ஷ்மியை 'லக்ஷ்மிமா' என்று தான் அழைப்பாள்.

ஏழு மாதக் குழந்தை, குமரன் சிணுங்க, அவனை மார்போடு அனைத்து, தன் ரத்தத்தில் பிரித்ெடுத்த பாலினை ஊட்டினாள். பின், அவனை தரையில் கிடத்தி, அவனுக்கும் கடவுளுக்கும் மட்டும் புரியும் பாஷையில் அவன் பேசி விளையாடும் பொம்மைகளை அவனிடம் தந்துவிட்டு, அடுப்பறைக்குள் சென்றாள்.

பெருமாள் பாற்கடலிலிருந்து எடுத்துவந்த அமுதத்தில், சில துளிகளை இவள் கைகளில் அப்பிக்கொண்டாளோ என்னவோ தெரியாது. ஆனால், இவள் படைக்கும் உணவு, 'அமுதமென்றால் இதுதானோ?' என்று வினவ செய்யும். அன்று வெளிக்கிழமையானதால், தன் கணவனுக்குப் பிடித்த 'பால் பாயசமும்' செய்திருந்தாள்.

"அம்மா, அம்மா... ", என்று அழைத்துக்கொண்டு அடுப்பறையுள் வந்த லக்ஷ்மியை அனைத்து, "லக்ஷ்மிமா எழுந்தாச்சா?", என்று கூறி முத்தமிட்டாள். தான் சிறு வயதில் பயின்ற திருப்புகழைப் பாடிக்கொண்டு, லக்ஷ்மியை குளிப்பட்ட, இந்த மூன்று வயதுச் சிறுமுயும், தானும் அவற்றைப் பாடுவது போல் முனகிக் கொண்டிருந்தால். நீருக்குள் மூழ்கி எழுந்த தாமரைபோல் நின்றிருந்த லக்ஷ்மியை, உடை அணிவித்து, அலங்காரம் செய்தாள்.

மேஜையில் லக்ஷ்மிக்கு உணவு ஊட்டிக்கொண்டே, கணவனுக்குப் பரிமாறினாள். பால் பாயாசத்தைக்கண்டு மகிழ்ச்சியானவனுக்கு என்ன கிளர்ச்சியோ, படக்கென கோதையின் கண்னங்களில் முத்தமிட்டான். இதைக்கண்டு கைகள் தட்டி லக்ஷ்மி சிரிக்க, வெட்கம் தொண்டையை அடைக்க, சிவப்பு, கண்னங்களில் பரவ, நானி நின்றாள் கோதை.

கணவன் அலுவலகத்திற்க்கும், லக்ஷ்மி பள்ளிக்கும் சென்றபின், குழந்தையோடு சிறிது நேரம் கொஞ்சி விளையாடி, பாலூட்டி, உறங்கவைத்து, பின் அடுப்பறை சுத்தம் செய்து, துணி தோய்த்து, அயர்ந்து வந்து அமர்ந்தாள். மதியம் உணவு அருந்தி, சிறிது நேரம் கண் உறங்கி எழுந்தாள்.

மாலை நேரம். லக்ஷ்மி பள்ளீிலீருந்து வந்து, உடை மாற்றி பட்டாம்பூச்சியை பறந்துவிட்டாள் நண்பரோடு விளையாட. குமரனை இடுப்பில் வைத்து, தன் மகள் விளையாடுவதை வாசலில் நின்று ரசித்திருந்தாள். 'சென்று வருகிறேன்', என்று கூறி சூரியன் மறைந்த பின், தன் மகளை அழைத்துச் சென்று, அவள் பள்ளியில் நடந்தவைகளை, லக்ஷ்மியை கூறச் சொல்லி கேட்டு ரசித்தாள், மழலை மொழியை!

அந்தி சாய்ந்த பின் வீடு வந்த கணவனை அழைத்து, அவன் கூறிய சங்கதிகளைக் காதிலும், மனதிலும் வாங்கிக்கொண்டாள். பிறகு அனைவருக்கும் உணவு படைத்துவிட்டு, தாலாட்டு கூறி குழந்தைகளை உறங்க வைத்தாள். தனக்கும் தலையணை தாலாட்டு வேண்டுமென கணவன் சிணுங்க, அவனோடு சல்லாப்ிதது, அவன் மார்பிலேயே உறங்கிபோனால் மீண்டும் கடவுளுக்கு 'நன்றி!' கூறிவிட்டு.

"கோதை.. யே எழுந்திரு", என்று கூறி தலயில் தட்ட, பதறி எழுந்தால் கோதை. "என்ன பகளிலேயே உறக்கம்? இப்படி தூங்கினா உடம்பு பெருத்து, எங்கிருந்து போழைக்கிறது? போ! போ! முகத்த கழுவி, அலங்காரம் செய். மறக்காம ஜவ்வாது போடு. மேல் மாடி ரூம்‌ல கஸ்டமர் வெய்ட் பண்றாங்க. ம்ம்... சீக்கிரம்", என்று உறுமி விட்டுச் சென்றாள் ராணி அக்கா.

கவிதையாய் இனித்தவை எல்லாம் வெறும் கனவுதான் என்று அப்போது உணர்ந்தாள். சேலையை சரி செய்து, மல்லிகை சூடி, உதட்டுச் சாயம் பூசி, ஜவ்வாது தூவி, அந்த அறைக்குச் சென்றாள், தற்காலிக கணவனை மகிழ்விக்க!

'காலம்' சிலர் கைகளுக்குள் பூவை தினிக்கும். சிலர் காலடியில் பூகம்பத்தைப் பரப்பும். பூகம்பத்துள் புதைந்துகொண்டிருந்தாலும், என்றாவது நாம் கைகளிலும் பூக்களைக் 'காலம்' பரிசலிக்கும் என்ற நம்பிக்கையோடு சென்றாள் கோதை!

Game Called Love

Mythili, a cute little girl at her early twenties. She is not gorgeous, not so fair, but a pleasant looking girl. She is highly oriented towards culture. She prefers visiting temples, than hang outs with college buddies. She is the first girl from her native village to study in college. She has earned respects back at her home town. She is little less than a genius. But performs well in her academics. There were so many stumbling blocks in pursuing college education, though her family is residing in the city since her father got a job. But, her quick wit convinced people and now she is in her last semester. Just a couple of months to leave college.

Campus interviews were mounting up in the college. This young girl managed to get a good hit with a renowned MNC. She worked hard for exams and achieved ‘Distinction’ too. She is now going to face the real world.

Today is her first day in the office. She became spellbound when she first saw highly raised office buildings. So many thoughts raced in her mind. “God! Is it really true that am a part of such a big organization? The architecture itself entices me a lot”. She stood gazing at the office for a couple of minutes. Then she made a first step into the office – a first step into her professional life, indeed!

She is quite selective about her friends, but she is not an introvert. She is happy with her few friends as her world is so small and she is highly contented about it. Life to her means a pleasant journey and she had moulded herself to learn from things that occur in every moment of her life. She believes in her own principles, even her dressing sense cannot be criticized by others. She argues but never altercates.

She is amused to see girls in low waist jeans and skirts at workplace, because workplace is worship place for her! She is in her salwar with her duppattas neatly pinned. She hates free hair and always prefers plaits. She approached the receptionist who had countable number of make-up coats. “God! How these girls manage to make-up in the busy morning hours and have it intact?”.

The charming receptionist gave Mythili all information related to her training. Mythili felt a river of enthusiasm flowing through her body. She is bit thrilled too. She is going to meet her ‘Colleagues’. But above all, she had mentally prepared herself to face new people. She had decided not to go for any Best Friend / Close Friend kind of stuff and to concentrate only on her career. The relationship she had decided to maintain with her ‘Colleagues’ has been called by her as ‘Professional Relationship’. (What on earth is this?!).

She saw few buddies waiting in the training room. She rushed and occupied one of the seats next to girl who had dressed up much similar to her. She is bit afraid of and reluctant towards girls who are very Modern in their dressing sense.

The training started with good introduction about the company, followed by technical training. She made sure that she performs well in the training and gain maximum knowledge. All she knew during her training was her trainer and the computer allotted to her. She completed all her assignments on time and stood first in the final assessment after training.

“Thank you my dear God! I have achieved my first milestone of excellence in training. Now that I am allotted into this project and please be there by my side to support me to achieve my next milestone of excellence at work. Hey I need to tell this to you. I have so many such milestones ok? I will tell them one by one to you. I don’t want to confuse you. Bubye”. This was her instructions (so called prayer!!!) to lord Ganesh idol in her room, on the first day of work after training.

She was puzzled to know about her first team. As per the instructions, she approached her Manager, got her cubicle and got brief information about the work. Her Manager introduced to her immediate boss, Arun. Arun is a young dynamic chap with 2+ years of experience in the industry. He is always sticks a smile in his mouth. Curly hair, cool specs, not too tall, not too lean and very attractive. “Wow! This guy is too handsome”, felt Mythili. But, “No Mythili! You are here for work. It is bad to have such thoughts…. Forgive me God!”, was her reaction towards herself.

Arun introduced Mythili to the Team. The team consisted of Anitha, Jenny, Jaya, Vivek and Vinodh. Anitha is bit less than replica of Mythili. “Thank you God!”. Jenny is too lavishing in her formal suit. “Hmmm… how these girls are so pale, but claim themselves fair?”. Jaya is not so modern like Jenny but not so homely too. “She is ok”. Vivek always stares at the monitor with headphones plugged in his ears all the time. “Is he fine? Anything wrong with him?”. Vinodh is a cool guy. No worries, no pains and life is only full of fun for him. “How can a guy be so cool? Sounds like he is very irresponsible?”.

Her cubicle is in the middle of the team. To her left sits Jenny and to her right sits Arun. “God! Arun is seated next to me. How can I work effectively and reach my next milestone?.... No Mythili! You are here for achieving in life and not for losing yourself in the game of life”.

Arun explained various modules involved in the project. He allotted some work for her. She is thrilled to take up her first module. Arun explained her about the module she need to finish and gave an ending note, “Mythili, don’t get frightened. It is you first job and first module. I am always there for you. I shall always help you!”. She was moved by his words.

In the following weekend, she rang up to her friend and was narrating about her project, her team, stylish Jenny, funny Vivek and enticing Arun. Her friend Suchi had never seen Mythili talking about a guy for such a long time. It aroused so many questions to Suchi. Being a dearest friend, she asked Mythili, “Dear what is up with you? I have never seen you talking so much about any guy. I could still remember how you blasted poor Raj from our college when he proposed you. You had strong belief in Arranged Marriage and had always claimed that ‘Love’ is a humbug. Now, I can’t believe that your company and its atmosphere had mounted so much change in you. Hey buddy what happened? Is it…”, “Hey stop it!”, interrupted Mythili. “Look I just told you that my boss is good and caring. I have read somewhere that, across the world, every sub-ordinate will dislike his / her boss. But it is not so in my case. I am happy about my boss. He is funny, caring and helpful. Nothing more. Still I believe that ‘Love’ is humbug. Do you think that I am such a cheap to go behind a guy forgetting my family and my future? How dare you ask me such a question? For your information, we have friends since sixth standard and it is since 10 years. I know how much my dad struggled to earn every penny and I would never dump them. And you please...”,”Hey cool cool!”, interrupted Suchi. “Cool it dear. I know you dear. I am sorry if I had troubled you!”.”Hey that is ok Suchi. Ok. Keep in touch. Bubye”, said Mythili.

The conversation is over and Mythili had a feeling that she had answered Suchi’s questions. But, she could feel that Suchi’s questions were still resonating in her mind. She rushed into her room and locked it. She sat in one corner of the bed and spoke to herself. “Mythili! What happened to you? How come your dearest Suchi ask you such a question? She really doubted whether you are in ‘Love’. Oh god! You are not that kind of a person. Out of so many troubles you were able to join college and now earning decently. Your parents have tons of hope on you. You know that they have so many dreams about your marriage. You are very much aware that love marriage is not your style. You are born to achieve and bring laurels to your parents and not dump them. You are very blessed that you have a cute little family. You are the world for Mom, Dad and Chinnu. You are bit confused and for sure this is not Love. This is not even worth to be infatuation. Don’t get confused Darling! Be clear”. Then she rushed to her bathroom and washed her face thoroughly. She felt herself relaxed. She went out of her room and sat in the drawing room with her mom.

Her family is as small as a bird’s nest, filled only with love, affection and happiness. Her mom Lakshmi is her closest friend, next to Suchi. She remembers not even a single instance, when her dad Murthy, had said ‘NO’ to her wishes. Her brother Chandran is a techy geek. He can talk about any technical topic. He loves his sister more than anything in this world. He supported her during her struggle to take up college education. He is working in Bangalore. He used to surprise her with amazing gifts, every time he visits home. Her grandma Muthammal is an orthodoxy lady. She used to say bed time stories to Mythili. She is excellent in her creativity. She had made so many stories about Kings never heard of. Mythili always call her granny as a ‘Heterogeneous mixture of Rowling and Kipling’.

Lakshmi enquired Mythili about her comforts in office and suggested to quit if she finds the job to be difficult. Her granny always disliked her working. Her only concern is to get Mythili married off to a well settled boy. Still, Mythili convinced them all and exhibited her happiness on getting her dream job.

Mythili had good time at office as Arun was always there to support her. She concentrated only on her work and kept herself from unnecessary conversations. It is Vinodh, who always puts up unnecessary and sense less questions to her. She hates talking to him. He is a deliberate flirt. Anitha and Jaya never listen to this guy unless it is an official issue. Jenny had scolded him twice in front of the team for his hokum act. She is brave enough and highly boastful about her beauty. She is an enticing woman at her age. She has high degree of dressing sense and technically sound.

One fine day, Mythili noticed that Arun and Jenny dine together for lunch. This annoyed her a bit. But, she calmed herself down quickly. There have been gossips in the team about Arun and Jenny. Though such scandals frustrated Mythili, she controlled herself from being too emotional. “What bothers you? Arun is just your colleague. He has all rights to marry anyone. For sure, you are not going to marry him. So why to annoy yourself?”, said Mythili to herself.

She likes Arun, for his caring and humble nature. She hardly speaks with Jenny. Jenny always throws a galling look at her. She used to criticize for every bit of work Mythili does. It is only Arun who backs her up and soothes her. Mythili adored him. “What a man? Highly mannered. Understands others’ feelings. Respects others’ opinions. Balances relationship with everybody. Hurts no one. Certainly, Jenny is lucky to marry him. Except for her good looks, she possess devil attitude and does not deserve such a lovely man. God! I wish I also get such a man as my man in life!!!”.

Mythili had noticed several times Jenny staring at her with irritations, whenever she talks with Arun. “God! I just got my doubt cleared from Arun and why this idiot lady is staring at me, as if I am going to swallow Arun”.

It has been 5 months since she joined the office. She was performing well in the Job. One fine day, when she started to office from home, she heard her dad talking over phone about horoscopes, matching, her profile, etc. She had a mild doubt as whether her parents arranged for her marriage. Immediately Arun’s thought raced through her mind. She became restless. She was disturbed in the office too. Arun had enquired her at least 5 times whether she is not feeling well or had some issues in office. She said nothing.

Later in the evening, at home, Mythili enquired her mom as whether they had fixed any for her. Her mom smiled and told her that they have started searching groom for her and got few good proposals. Mythili wanted to shout at everybody at home. She disliked hearing the very word ‘Marriage’. But, she kept quiet as she noticed a ray of happiness in everybody’s face. The very thought of Arun killed her. She is afraid to disclose her wishes even to Suchi. She cried herself to sleep and this happened every night.

Her family and friends noticed that she is not enthusiastic and active. They found sorrows in her eyes. But Mythili managed to convince them that her job is bit hectic. People consoled that soon she will get married to a good guy and can give up this job. But, she felt that her liking towards Arun had changed into love. She failed to listen to herself. She failed to convince herself. She failed to concentrate on her life. It is the love towards Arun, tore her into bits and pieces.

Few months passed by and on one fine day, “Hi dear! Good Morning” said Chinnu. Mythili was partially awake and was astound to see Chinnu at home.

“Hey Chinnu how come you are here? When did you come?”

“Jus 20 minutes back”

“Wassup man?”, smiled Mythili at Chinnu with a teasing look.

“I should asking you that?”, continued Chinnu.

“Enough people! Mythili get ready for office and Chinnu go and take some rest”, interrupted Lakshmi.

“Mythili, you need not go for work any further. Stay back at home. Learn cooking and household activities. No one is dependent on you.”, said Muthammal.

Mythili stood staring at her granny with no clue about what is happening around her.

“Granny what do you mean?”, stared Mythili.

“Dear, we have received good proposals for your marriage and a groom’s family will be visiting us tomorrow. We are planning to fix your marriage”, explained Lakshmi in a soft tone.

Mythili has been mounted with shocks from dawn. She was unable to reflect on what her mom said. She stood still for some time. It’s the ray of happiness that had struck every body, controlled Mythili and she said, “Ok mom. Things are planned for tomorrow only right. I shall take a day’s leave tomorrow. Today I have got important schedules at office. I can’t spare them” and rushed into her room to get ready for the office. Her granny kept shouting at her, but Mythili had gone numb. Its only Arun’s thoughts that were flowing through her mind.

She was numb for the whole day. She didn’t speak with anybody, not even with Arun. She avoided looking at him. She was highly emotional too. Arun was puzzled by her abnormal behaviour and kept asking her if something went wrong. But poor boy didn’t receive any response. While leaving for the day, Mythili informed him that she won’t be able to turn up the next day and rushed off not even bothering about the response from him.

The whole night was dreadful for Mythili. She felt that she is no more alive. She could not digest the fact that Arun had slipped away from her hand. She started talking to herself. “Dear, what had happened has happened and no one could reverse them. You adored your family more than anything else. Your family had provided you with everything you wished for. This is the right time to exhibit your gratitude. Stay calm. Jenny is lucky enough and you are not. Don’t bother. Things will change, time will pass by and current tortures will become long forgotten memories. So stay calm and make your family happy. Your decision will not only make your family happy, but Arun too. He will Jenny and will live a happy life. If your ‘Love’ for him is so true, then you should be bothered about Arun’s happiness and never about yours. So calm down and sleep now”.

Next day, She was bit normal than the previous day, but still suffered the pain. She dressed herself for the evening’s schedule and saw her parents were hyperactive in arranging food, decorating house and sorting things to be discussed with the groom’s family. She just smiled at the happenings around her.

It was at 6 in the evening, that groom’s family came to her house. The groom was young and charming. They discussed about the plan for engagement and marriage. Both parties liked each other and were happy about this proposal. But, she didn’t have any opinion about this. She stayed came and didn’t bother to listen to their conversation. She was seated straight across the groom in their drawing hall. But, she never bothered to look at him at least once. The discussion got over and they planned engagement after 2 weeks and marriage after 6 months. Both the families agreed to the dates and the groom’s folks thanked Mythili’s parents and were set to leave. Chinnu hurried near Mythili and murmured, “Hey Mythili you did not see the guy at least once. I have noticed that. Don’t blush a lot sis. Jus look their. The guy is in Blue shirt with specs and is standing near the door”

“Come on Chinnu. Its ok. I don’t want to look at him”

“Won’t you look at him at least for my sake?”

She couldn’t help herself and just made a look at him. The very sight froze her. Yet another shock! It is Arun. She stood perplexed. But the folks left the hall. Arun throwed a smile at her and left too. She was highly confused. “What does he wanted to convey in that smile? God! It is his usual smile that made me go mad. I understood care in his every smile. But this one means something else”, felt Mythili. She badly wanted to know how on earth such things can happen. She decided to talk about this with Arun.

Following day, Mythili was unusually late. She sat still in her cubicle for couple of minutes without even switching on the monitor. Then she turned to Arun and asked him to come to terrace. She does not even bother to hear his response and went up hurriedly. Arun was bit tensed up and confused. He had never seen Mythili behaving arrogantly. But, he made sure to keep his temper low whatever happens and went to terrace.

“Yes Mythili. Any issues?”, initiated Arun with a smile.

“Arun, I need to talk frankly with you” ‘Oh my god! I can’t look into his eyes’, felt Mythili.

“Sure Mythili”

“I can understand your position Arun. Though we are modernized and westernized, people do deny love marriages. Thank god I am involved. You don worry. I can very well talk about this to my parents. I will support in all means. I will always help you to get your lover girl as your wife”, said Mythili emotionally with few drops of tears running over her cheeks.

Arun was unable to do anything except blinking. He was unable to apprehend any of her words.

“Mythili please tell me clearly. I am unable to get you”

“Arun please…”, She sighed heavily and continued. “Ok… Arun I know that you and Jenny are in love. I respect your feelings. I don’t want to collapse your dreams. You both make a good pair and I can very much help you both”. Wiping the overflowing tears, Mythili continued “Tell me Arun how to resolve this issue?”.

Arun and Mythili stood still, staring at each other for a minute. Then, to Mythili’s astonishment, Arun broke out laughing. He continued so for more than a minute. Mythili was totally lost on his reaction.

“Wassup Arun?”, asked Mythili in a lower voice.

“Just hold on”, said Arun and quickly dialed a number. Over the phone he said, “Hi come to terrace immediately” and disconnected it. He stood silently turning away from Mythili and staring at a tree down on the road. Nothing struck Mythili and she stood numb.

Jenny appeared after 5 minutes. “Hi Arun. Wassup?”, smiled Jenny. “There is a lot of confusion as expected”, replied Arun. Jenny drew a small smile on her face. She turned to Mythili and smiled at her for the first time in Mythili’s history.

“I expected such things Mythili. I just…”

“Yes Jenny. I am very much ready to help you both. I am not the one to be accused and I …”

“Hold on Mythili! Let me complete”. Jenny was clear and steady.

“Look there is no such bloody thing called ‘Love’ between me and Arun. Its just an endearing friendship. The stories woven around us were twaddle. You please don’t believe such stuffs. We both are very much aware of such gossips. We have clearly understood our relationship. So such scandals didn’t affect our relationship. So please don’t make any decision without knowing the facts. Is that fine?”

Mythili was overwhelmed with Joy. She hardly found a word to speak out. She started laughing, crying, sighing – a mixture of emotions.

“Thank you so much Jenny. Thanks a lot”, Mythili paused and continued, “Things are surprising me. Thank god! Thank you so much!”.

“You are supposed to thank Jenny and not god”, said Arun.

“Yes Arun. Thanks a lot for explaining everything to me and I would never forget what…”

“Jenny has few more facts to reveal and you have to thank her for that too”, interrupted Arun.

Mythili looked at Jenny with a question mark on her face.

Jenny smiled at her for second time and asked, “Aren’t you in love with Arun? Tell me frankly”

“What?”, exclaimed Mythili.

“I know the truth. Just open up.”

Mythili looked amazingly at Jenny.

“How do you know Jenny?”

“I know Mythili. I sniffed your love”, said Jenny and broke out laughing.

Mythili was perplexed.

“Mythili, I was in love once upon a time. But that bloody idiot dumped me. I was totally dejected and depressed. I lost good opinion towards guys. But, Arun is a wonderful man. I had yelled at him many times. But, he had handled me carefully. He showed concern on me and helped me to overcome my toils. He is my guardian angel, my best friend and my only friend”, said Jenny with a sigh and shared a smile with Arun.

Mythili kept listening and looking at Jenny.

“Mythili, me and Arun had little doubts about your behaviour. I had seen you blushing even if Arun discusses officially with you. You did not bother to share your mobile number with anybody in the team. But, you have downloaded your entire history to Arun. You lost focus on your work. You become restless whenever Arun runs late to office or takes a day off. If you hadn’t had any love for him, you wouldn’t have become emotionally disturbed. Say, right now your marriage is fixed with Arun. If you had not had any love for him, why should you become so emotional in discussing the so called affair between Arun and me?”. There was a long silent.

“Mythili I have been through such turmoil. So I can understand you better. I like you a lot. Arun deserves a girl like you – highly traditional, lovable, caring, humble and soft. Also, Arun likes you. He had good opinions about you. So, I spoke with your parents and got this marriage arranged. I want my buddy Arun to be happy forever. This is just a token of gratitude for what he had done to me”. Mythili noticed Jenny becoming emotional for the first time. Jenny wept a bit.

It was so hard for Mythili to see Jenny crying. To her, Jenny is always a terror and tough girl. She always considered as a heart less devil. She disliked her more than anybody in the world. But now, Jenny appeared as an angel to Mythili. She understood her tender heart.

Mythili had no choice of how to react. She fell on her knees, closed her face with her hands and cried. She kept crying and crying. Arun knelt next to her and lifted her face in his hands. He felt a bunch of wet roses in his hands. He saw her love for him, twinkling in her eyes.

“Dear, enough crying. I can feel your pain. You are to be happy forever and I am always there by your side to enjoy your smile. I admire you, adore you, value you and Love You!!!”.

Mythili fell on shoulders of Arun and cried.

“Darling I know you love me more than anything in this world. But, how you came up to stopping this marriage?”.

“It is the same love Arun. Your happiness meant a lot than anything else. Love is not what you get. It is what you give. I wanted to give you only happiness. I always wanted my love to be happy. So I did not disclose my love to you thinking that it might disturb your relation with Jenny”.

Arun hugged his love and kissed on her forehead. She calmed down on his shoulders and rested for a minute. Then she opened her eyes to see her angel Jenny. But, her angel had already left!

Intimacy

Viji opened her eyes and slowly looked at people around her. Her mom was sitting by her side and kept crying. Her dad was staring at what is happening around her. A nurse was changing the glucose bottle. Viji was quiet sure that she is in hospital, very much alive!

Her in-laws came rushing into the room. Her mother-in-law wept and kissed her on her forehead. Her father-in-law posed a caring smile. The doctor came in and made thorough examination. “Viji needs to be provided drips for next 2 days. She is too weak. No solid foods are permitted. Only liquid. She is doing better and nothing to worry about”, said the doctor.

No one in the room spoke out anything. But Viji noticed eye sign transactions.
“Rani and I are there to take care of Viji. You please don worry and leave. You have something else to do too”, said Ramanthan, Viji’s dad, to her in-laws, breaking the silence. Her in-laws did not say anything, but left the room.

Viji stayed in the hospital for two days. Her in-laws visited her frequently. Her friends and relatives conveyed get well soon wishes. Her parents were always there with her. But, Viji was highly worried. “He did not even bother to visit me, not even a call. How mean he is. I am surely gonna go away from him. Never I want to see him again in my life”, felt Viji.

Viji is a very orthodox girl. She is more humble and calm. She is a typical South Indian girl. She has beautiful eyes, long hair, fair complexion and looks very homely. She cooks well, sings well and is a master in rangoli. She did a UG course for namesake, though she is brilliant in her studies and is working as a teacher in a nearby school. Her family is a most orthodoxy bunch. So for them, a girl’s marriage is important than her education. But, Viji managed to do at least a UG course.

Once, she visited her cousin’s wedding with her parents. Vivek and his parents too attended the same wedding. Vivek is a charming, young guy. He is a Software Engineer, and works for an MNC. Vivek’s parents liked Viji and so they both got engaged within couple of weeks.

Vivek was very happy about this proposal. He liked Viji and was looking forward for the marriage. His love for Viji grew day by day and wanted to meet her. He started living in dreams. He wished for a date with her. His eagerness grew high and one fine day he rang to Viji’s house. Viji attended the call and the hero was overwhelmed. Viji was bit shy to talk with him. But she somehow managed. Vivek convinced Viji to get her mobile number and he got it too. In the following days, he started calling her frequently and started talking for hours.

It had been two months since their engagement and a month left for their marriage. Vivek was too zealous about a date with Viji. It was a pleasant weekend and he called up Viji.
“Hey dear Good Morning!”, said Vivek with a bubbly smile.
“Very Good Morning! Today is Saturday and how come you are very much awake at 8 in the morning?”, exclaimed Viji.
“Sleep belongs to my past. My present and future is only Viji.”
“Hmmm….really? You keep bluffing all the time…”
“Hey don’t you believe that I Love you?”
“Really? Do you?”
“Hey…”
“Ok ok. Cool it. I know much about my man.”
“That’s better. Ok, are you free today? What about a movie, restaurant, beach? What say?”
There wasn’t any reply from Viji. She kept quiet for a minute.
“Hey you there? Hello. Viji?”, said Vivek.
“Ya I am very much there.”
“Then why didn’t you reply? If you don’t like those places, we’ll go somewhere else. No issues for me.”
“I don’t like the very idea itself.”
“What? Hey I just want to spend sometime with you dear. Why don’t you understand me?”
“You know very well about my family right? They did not even like me talking with you for long hours. Do you ever think that they will let me go with you? Besides, I personally don’t like outing before marriage. Please understand.”
“I swear, I won’t swallow you.”
“Not that ya…. But, I won’t come. Let us chat over the phone. That would suffice.”
“I don’t want that. I want to meet you. That’s it”, said Vivek sternly.
There was a long pause.
“Look Viji. Never have I used to stay at home during weekends. It is only for past few months I am staying back sometime. That is too to talk with you. Try to understand dear. Please. Go get ready”, said Vivek in a calm voice.
“No ya. That is not possible. God’s sake don’t force me.”
“Hey you talk so nicely with me over the phone. But what stops you from outing with me?”
“Let us get married and go wherever you want.”
Vivek was bit restless. He was desperate about going on a date. Viji’s reasons did not convince them.
“Wassup dear? You don’t believe or trust me? When girls from my team had joined me for movies and hangouts, why don’t you? They are after all my team mates. But you gonna be my life. Don’t you believe me as much as those girls believe me?”
“Whatever it is, I won’t come. You go out with those girls and I am not game for it. Why don’t you…”
“Hey just stop it”, interrupted Vivek. “I don’t want to hear a word more. I have understood everything. Good bye!”, said Vivek harshly and disconnected the line.

Viji just smiled thinking how much kiddish Vivek is. There had been so many petty fights between them. This is just another one. Whenever there is any such misunderstanding, Vivek used to call back in an hour or two. But, it is six in the evening and there wasn’t any call from him. Viji felt something abnormal. She called up Vivek, but he did not attend the call. Whenever Vivek is in office, he would seldom attend calls. He is always a busy boy. At times he forgets the weekend and adds Saturdays and Sundays to his working days Calendar. Viji was sure that he is in office.

She did not receive any call next day too. She sent him hundreds of message and made thousands of calls. But no response. Instead, there was a call in the land line telephone. Her dad attended the call. Viji kept watching at him. His expressions grew worst minute by minute. He doesn’t seem to speak out. He was filled with anger and was highly tempered. He just sat at sofa and was breathing heavily. He beckoned Viji’s mom and asked for a glass of water. The place remained silent for longer time.

Viji was very worried. She knows well about her dad. She is the only child. But, she was not provided all grants and rights. Her dad is bit bad tempered person. He had even beaten Viji many times. He is highly soaked in tradition and superstition.

It was late in the evening. Vivek and his parents arrived to Viji’s house all of a sudden. Viji and her mom did not had any clue. But, Viji was highly happy to see her man. Ramanathan took a seat next to Vivek’s dad, Murthy.

“There is a small misunderstanding between our children. I thought it would be better to meet in person and talk about it”, said Murthy.
“But, let Vivek explain what had happened”, said Ramanathan.
Viji froze in shock. She was totally amazed to know what on earth is happening in front of her.
“Uncle, I don’t think this proposal will work out. Viji’s wavelength doesn’t suits mine. Basement of a good marriage is trust. But Viji never seems to believe me. She teases me with girls in my team in my office. I asked her to spend a day with me. If she had asked you for the permission and if you had rejected, then I wouldn’t have bothered. But, she gave me lame reasons and denied to meet me. Is this the amount of trust she possess for me? I don’t want any hitch or glitch pricking my marriage life. I have been very true to her. But, she did not even seem to bother me. Always she wants me to listen to her words. But she doesn’t have at least an ear to hear mine. Let’s break up uncle. Things don’t seem to work out. I am sorry about this engagement and marriage arrangements. But life is much more important. Kindly forget and forgive Uncle”, said Vivek. He was highly emotional too.

Viji could not digest the words of Vivek. He means her life. But, never had she thought that he would dump her. Her eyes were filled with water. She was totally collapsed.

“Cool it Vivek”, said Murthy, breaking the silence and continued, ”Well let us give a pause to all arrangements and postpone the marriage date. Lets our children get settled and composed”.
“There is no option for reconsideration. Enough means ENOUGH!”, said Vivek firmly and left. Vivek’s parents hardly had words to speak out and they left too.

Ramanathan turned terror and beaten her without humanism. He denied neither to talk with her nor even to look at her. Viji was highly depressed. She was unable to concentrate on her job. She lost all her happiness. She believed that Vivek would calm down and call her some day. But, her belief started dying.

She grew restless and spent most of her time in her favourite Amman temple. One fine day, she was sitting alone in a shadowy area in the temple and kept weeping. Vivek’s mother, Lakshmi happened to visit the temple and was shocked to see Viji in such a shattered state. She did not had guts to talk to her. But she felt pity for Viji and went to her.

“Viji”, called Lakshmi. Viji did not had strength to smile at her. Instead she started weeping more.
“Cool down dear. I can understand. Please don’t cry. You seem too tired and restless. Look things will happen only in the way they are defined by the god. Nobody can change it. Vivek is too arrogant and adamant about his decision. We are unable to convince him. You deserve a better guy dear. Please don’t worry”, consoled Lakshmi.
But, Viji kept weeping. Lakshmi had no words to console her.
“Aunty, I don understand when and where I did any mistake. Only mistake I am doing is still staying alive”, said Viji.
“No dear, don’t use such heavy words”.
“No aunty, my dad is not talking to me. Instead, he keeps scolding me all the time. He beats up my mom. My mom also lost hope on me. I have shattered their dreams. I have lost my parents. I have lost my life”.
“Everything is gonna be fine soon”.
“I have lost all my hope. What had happened was a mere misunderstanding. I donno how to fix all these issues. I have lost my parents. Thank you so much for what you people had done to me. I have lost my parents”, said Viji and kept crying.
Vivek’s mom did not had anything to do rather leaving the place.

Two weeks went by and Vivek’s parents suddenly arrived to Viji’s house. They had a big discussion with Viji’s parents. They explained that all that had happened were just another passing cloud. They insisted on Vivek – Viji’s marriage. But Ramanathan showed least interest. Still, Vivek’s parents were able to convince him and marriage date got rescheduled and finalized.

Viji was not happy but she was not sad either. She found her parents to be happy. Her dad started talking to her. There wasn’t much love from him, but Viji was happy that he calmed down at least to talk to her.

Marriage arrangements were going on vigorously. Viji agreed to all these arrangements only for the sake of her parents. She was unable to give up her anger towards Vivek. The very thought of Vivek embarrassed her. Her parents were her only world and she never expected her lover boy to shatter it into pieces. She could still hear Vivek’s words ‘Enough means enough’. She admired as how his parents convinced him for the marriage.

The day of her marriage arrived. Viji did not receive any calls from Vivek nor happen to meet him, since the marriage got rescheduled. She remained calm and was not thrilled to see him. He made a small smile at her. But she did not respond to that too. Instead she looked down and sat next to him. Marriage ceremony went well and she was very happy since because her parents were happy.

It has been 5 days since the marriage got over and Viji got almost accustomed with Vivek’s house. Vivek’s parents were happy, as she took care of them well and they believed that she is the most perfect daughter-in-law. But, she seldom spoke with Vivek. She responded to Vivek’s questions and rejected even to go with him to near by temple. It was her dad’s words that kept her away from Vivek.

“I have done my best as a Father. Please don’t create any fuss as you did before. Try to earn good name and win hearts of your in-laws. If you gonna come back to me with a big problem, like the one happened, then you can very well find me hanging in my room”, said Ramnathan to Viji when she got set to leave her house after marriage.

Viji had a strong feeling that it is because of Vivek that she had lost her parents. She could not feel any love for him any more. So she kept away from him.


Weeks passed by, months passed, but there was no intimacy, love or affection between Vivek and Viji. It has been 4 months since her marriage and Viji visited her parents only once. It was Ramanthan who threw knify words on her as he had a doubt whether Viji had brought any confusion with her.

The friction between Viji and Vivek became too obvious and Vivek parents were very much worried about this issue. But Viji had not let her parents know anything and according to them she is leading a most beautiful life with Vivek. Vivek started reaching home late night and seldom stays at home during weekends. He started shouting at his parents for no reason and stopped sharing a word Viji. He appeared very pale and lifeless. All his energy and enthusiasm became things of past. So Vivek’s parents decided to discuss this issue with him and Viji.

It was a sunny Sunday and Vivek was watching Titanic in T.V. So many thoughts were racing in his mind. He rewinded his own past and how drastically his happy – happy life had changed into a sorrowful one.

“Vivek we need to talk something with you”, said Murthy.
“Yes dad”
“One minute… Viji can you come here for a minute?”, called Murthy. Viji was busy in preparing lunch.
“Yes uncle”, said Viji and came out of the kitchen. Lakshmi just kept watching the happening.

“Vivek”, said Murthy and continued, “I understand that you and Viji are not happy with your marriage life. What happened to you both? ‘Forgive’ and ‘Forget’ are too important in a married life. Why both keep pondering over a small misunderstanding that happened ages before?”
“Dad”, said Vivek and continued, “I don’t want to talk about any such thing”.
“Stop it Vivek. How mean of you? How dare you dump a girl?”, said Lakshmi. She was emotional too.
“I am not a dragon to be cruel or mean”, said Vivek with high temper.
“Then what else? I had never seen Viji at least smiling for past 4 months. You were the reason behind what had happened. She was depressed because of you. You gave her hell lot of problems and still continue to do so”, yelled Lakshmi.
“Yes. I am the reason for everything. So what then?”, said Vivek and he sounded terror.
“Viji is a very good girl and she is a boon for you. If she had married someone else, she would have led a peaceful life. She had lost her whole life on marrying you”, said Murthy with full of anger.
There was long pause. Vivek eyes grew red. “In that case I am ready to issue a divorce. You yourself find a better guy for her and get her married off to that guy. I am least bothered”, said Vivek sternly and left the place.
Everybody stood froze. His very words shook Viji too.


There was hardly any conversation between the people in Vivek’s house. Nobody was able to digest Vivek’s words. In the following weekend, one Mr.Janarthanan visited Vivek. They were discussing for more than an hour and then he left. Murthy was curious to know what was happening and enquired Vivek. Vivek’s answer was yet another shock. Janarthanan happened to be a Lawyer in Family Court and Vivek discussed about the proceedings for divorce with him.

Lakshmi started crying and Murthy stood still in shock. Viji could do nothing but cry. Her dad’s thought added to her sorrow and his word, ’you can find me hanging’, echoed in her ears.

Lakshmi and Murthy kept scolding Vivek in every possible chance in the following week. But Vivek managed to keep quiet and did not respond. He made a final decision in his mind and was working on it. So these screams and yells did not disturb him.

It was a Friday evening, Vivek was bit early to home than usual. He went into his room and locked. He came out after couple of hours for dinner and went in again. Viji completed all her duties for the day and went into the bedroom. She was clueless to see her marriage photos scattered on the bed. She thought that Vivek would have required their marriage photo for divorce photo. She felt her heart to be too heavy. She lied in one corner of the room. She recollected her marriage and thought about her dad, who was very happy on that day. She saw only happiness on the day of her marriage. All such thoughts made her cry and she raced too many questions in her mind. ‘What will happen if she gets divorced? How will she face her dad? What if he really hangs himself?’

She woke up. It was almost half past 12 and Vivek was sound asleep. She went into the kitchen and with out giving a second thought, she swallowed a ‘Rat Killing Cake’. In five minutes, she lost her balance and started to vomit blood. She fainted and fell down with a thud. She became unconscious. It was Murthy, who was awakened by the thud sound. He came out of his room and was appalled to see Viji on the floor, with blood all around. She was then immediately rushed to hospital.

Viji opened her eyes and slowly looked at people around her. Her mom was sitting by her side and kept crying. Her dad was staring at what is happening around her. A nurse was changing the glucose bottle. Viji was quiet sure that she is in hospital, very much alive!

Her in-laws came rushing into the room. Her mother-in-law wept and kissed her on her forehead. Her father-in-law posed a caring smile. The doctor came in and made thorough examination. “Viji needs to be provided drips for next 2 days. She is too weak. No solid foods are permitted. Only liquid. She is doing better and nothing to worry about”, said the doctor.

No one in the room spoke out anything. But Viji noticed eye sign transactions.
“Rani and I are there to take care of Viji. You please don worry and leave. You have something else to do too”, said Ramanthan, Viji’s dad, to her in-laws, breaking the silence. Her in-laws did not say anything, but left the room.

Viji stayed in the hospital for two days. Her in-laws visited her frequently. Her friends and relatives conveyed get well soon wishes. Her parents were always there with her. But, Viji was highly worried. “He did not even bother to visit me, not even a call. How mean he is. I am surely gonna go away from him. Never I want to see him again in my life”, felt Viji.

Viji got discharged after a couple of days and was taken to her home by Ramanthan and Rani. It has been one week and she received calls only from Murthy and Lakshmi. Besides, she did not bother to ask about Vivek to them either.

One fine day, Vivek, Murthy and Lakshmi came to Viji’s house. But Viji disliked looking at Vivek and went inside her room. Ramanathan did not like Viji’s behaviour, but he kept quiet. Lakshmi went into Viji’s room and sat next to her on the bed. Viji was lying weeping on the bed.
“Viji, get up dear. Don cry dear”, said Lakshmi. But Viji kept crying.
“Viji”, called Vivek, standing near the door of her room.
Viji stopped crying for a second, turned and looked at him. She stared at him as if to burn him up and turned her face away from him.

Lakshmi left the room and Vivek came in and sat next to Viji.
“How are you Viji?”, asked Vivek.
“I don have luck to commit suicide even. I am very much alive”, said Viji filled with anger and watery eyes.
“Why did you do that Viji?”, asked Vivek.
Viji did not bother to reply.
“You don’t know how much your act had hurt me. You are too kiddish. You should have given a thought before doing so”, said Vivek. He was very pale, weak and lifeless.
“Say something Viji. Look…”
“I don’t want to hear anything from you. Better leave the place and according to you I am dead”, interrupted Viji and continued crying.
“Stop it Viji”, interrupted Ramanathan, breathing heavily.
“You don’t dare to speak a word to Vivek. You are a dumb to shatter your life into pieces by yourself. You don’t know about Vivek…”, said Ramanathan.
“Uncle please…”, interrupted Vivek.
“No Vivek. Its high time and I have to explain things to her”, said Ramnathan. Then he turned to Viji and continued, “Do you know how much he regretted for the fuss that happened before the marriage? Do you know how much he apologized to me personally? He used to call me at least once in a week to enquire my well being. You did not do that. I know everything that had happened, the plan of divorce too. It was Vivek who was much cared for you than me. He tried to console you on initial days. But you silly dumb just stuck to all that had happened before ages. I threatened you hoping that, you will understand him and lead a good life. But, you made his life miserable.”
Viji was perplexed.
Ramanathan continued, “I understand that it is your affection towards me made you to behave differently. But he loves and cares for you more than me. You know what? He understood that you are not happy with him and was much worried about your life than his life. So he decided to part away from you and he wished to find a good guy for you by himself. No man on earth could dare take such a decision. At least by now understand his love for you”, said Ramanathan full of emotion and tears.

He then turned towards Vivek and asked him, “Why did you tried to commit suicide then?”
The very question brought a shock to Viji. She tried to recollect the question, ‘Vivek – suicide?’ She looked into the eyes of Vivek. She was unable to comprehend anything.
“I am sorry for what had happened”, apologized Vivek.
“What had happened Vivek?”, cried Viji.
“I love you Viji. I admit it was me who planned for divorce and I planned so not for me, but for you. I always want my love to be happy. You are not just my love, but my life. I adore you. I always want you to have a happy life. But you disliked living with me. So I decided to part away from you. Still, I am not a saint to see my girl parting away from me and marrying some other guy. You are always mine. You will always be mine…. So only solution for this is to give up my life, so that you can very well marry another guy and I can very well sleep peacefully believing that you are my girl”, said Vivek. He was emotional and his eyes were watery.
“So he tried committing suicide on the same day, you made the attempt”, said Ramanthan to Viji.
Viji started crying heavily. She felt ashamed of herself. She did not speak anything but crying.
“He got admitted in the same hospital as yours and just got discharged. He had come all the way to see you and was concerned only about your act. He was almost dead and was unconscious for past 1 week. By god’s grace, he is alive. We have hidden all these things from you fearing that it might affect your health. I hope you have understood Vivek at least by now. He means a lot you than me dear”, said Ramanathan. He was calm and composed and it was highly unusual to see such a man speaking softly.

Viji moved closer to Vivek, fell on his lap and cried. Vivek lifted her face and kissed her on her forehead. Viji hugged him and understood that her love for him had not died but just got buried up.

Love can never die, it can only get buried up, but still it will remain alive!!!