Youths and Drugs!

  

 

Umesh was an officer in the District Anti-Narcotics Special Action Force Department.

He was on leave for one day because he had to attend the wedding reception of his friend’s son. When a traffic jam entangled him, he saw a couple of youngsters in a car who showed signs of unrest at the Traffic Jam. His suspicious mind led him to their vehicle. As soon as he opened the car, the boys took to their heels, and they disappeared within no time. The traffickers' capability in racing didn’t enable the officer to capture them. The bag with the loot in it, he transferred from the other car to his vehicle and gave it a safe residence there. The bag escaped tactically from the other’s notice. He drove his car to the side to park and made arrangements for the traffickers’ car to be under surveillance.

   At home, he thought of informing his higher authority, but his second thought asked him to wait and think. At first, though his mind was on tracing the culprits and bringing them under legal procedures, the thought that no one had noticed his act carried him on another track. He planned to sell the booty to the black market because he was ambitious of seeing a stethoscope on his son, Vijay’s neck. Vijay and his parents were in utter distress as the NEET exam did not include the boy’s name in the merit list.

“Shall we send him to some other country?”Mom, Shalini’s apprehension verbalised the words.

“ No, let him repeat the coaching,” Umesh replied.    

They chose an expensive coaching institution, running at the forefront of repeating the trials. So an easy but a bit risky means of meeting the outlay was the captured item, and more, it would become the answer too for Shalini’s question.  Night sleep was reluctant to lie with him; his mind travelled on the path of pondering over the dos and don'ts, and eventually, the dos pushed down the don’ts.

The time was four a.m. Some sound, not the strikes of the bell, but a few knocks at the door, not strong hits but mild taps, awoke the couple downstairs.

To their dismay, there stood a boy of Vijay’s image and age, failing to control his tears.

“Who are you? Why here?” Harsh was the officer’s voice.

The boy, Sangeet was one of the culprits; he and his friend skillfully vacated their selves from the vehicle. His tongue poured out his melancholy, weeping and sobbing supported his words, “I am in search of some money. I am a twelfth-grade student.”

“Who was with you then?”

“ The other one a financier. I was following him for money. ”

A good amount of money he needed to discharge his recovered sister from a private hospital, which was expensive, highly expensive.

 A stark pain had attacked the little girl in her stomach. The pain-stricken wailing of the innocent girl led her to that hospital. Sangeet, whose father was no more, was the decision-maker for an illiterate family. Appendicitis mercilessly had disturbed the little dear. Sangeet had no other go but to take her to a hospital. No better a Government hospital is, it is the one that gives prescriptions for medicines to be bought from outside.

And now the reality stares at him; money, the luxury of some people and the deficiency of some others, goes on hurting the latter. Sangeet was in chaos, how to and where to find the amount, the amount to bring back his loving sibling home.

 The officer’s inner voice spoke thus, “ Had it been your son, what would you do? Be away from all evils.” After all, Umesh was not miserly, not devilish, so, he decided not to arrest  Sangeet, he instead extended his helping hand for his hospital purpose. Yes, he took a vow in mind that he would sincerely work for his department and would try to save the teens and youths from the fangs of drugs. He presented the pillage to the authority and washed his mind and hands with the pure water of right ideas.

The First story of Gadha!

The First Story Of Gadh!

If any subject teacher is on leave, another teacher will be given a gift named substitution work. Gadha’s class teacher was on leave that day. She was Usha, stylish, good-looking and a new teacher. Usha did a catwalk to substitute Sreedevi Teacher’s 8th class. Usually, in the substitution period, the teachers will be drowning in note corrections.  But Usha, because of her inexperienced status, was enthusiastic to trouble the children with Math lessons.

Gadha, “O! This part, our Sreedevi teacher has finished. Getting bored,” spoke in her mind. She took a notebook, opened its last pages and drew something this way that way and all. Suddenly she fell in a thought, “Why can’t I make Unni a subject?”

Yes, she set about thus.

Unni, the Wayward

Unni was a simple, loving boy. He was my neighbour, reading in sixth grade. The only problem, games cuddle him firmly and vice versa, always. If elders want some help from him, he pays no attention to it. So, his mother in half affection and half ire, gave him a pet name Unni, the Obstinate.

His mother Vasanthi’s legs seemed to be trying her expertise, as she sped domestic, the kitchen corner pushed her stumbling and she got hurt. She broke her left leg with inexorable bleeding. Somebody informed Unni, but he thought, “Nothing; might be a small wound, Amma will manage.” He went on with his amusements. Anyway, his Papa from the work site arrived and Mom reached the hospital. As doctors expressed their helplessness, she had to bid bye to all. Unni burst into tears, but his tender age suddenly allowed him to attain normalcy. The nomenclature,  ‘Wayward’ his mother gifted, his villagers painted with his name, and he became Unni, the Wayward. A couple of years passed, and his mind started to sit gloomy, felt his loss, so one day he penned down all his tearing emotions on a sheet of paper.  

Though his father was not that educated to understand it fully, his uncle’s words did leap out with appreciation. Uncle, Raj sent the story to a leading magazine. The week followed, dawned with Unni’s story in the magazine.  Unni’s presence became life in the children’s columns of best-selling periodicals and his villagers decided to cut off his ‘ Wayward’ tail from his name. Later, Unni himself ornamented his personage with his mother-given term and his pen name.

“Gadha, what is up there?” A thunder broke into the class atmosphere.  Gadha had touched the end part of her narration; no sooner did she keep back the book in the bag than another student snatched it to the teacher. The teacher stormed to the principal’s room taking hold of Gadha.

“ Ah! Beautiful substance, Gadha, what a language! A writer I see in you,” the Principal said on reading the child’s work.

“Usha, you are fresh, have patience. Don’t worry. That is why.”

Yes. The principal’s words ended in a fulfilling dream. Gadha is a writer now.

Old-age Home!

  

 

Janaki just stepped out of her house for a beauty parlour, a man in his late fifties approached her and asked for a small amount. His looks revealed that he was educated, once employed and not impoverished. “ Why doesn't he have any money? Can’t believe, “ her mind wondered. Somehow she felt an intimacy to that man.

 

“ Ayyo! I do all the transactions with my phone. What if you want cash? For food? Common, I can serve you food.”

“ No, not for food, mine a long story, anyway you have no money, so goodbye!”

“Wait, it's not a big deal. I shall withdraw from the ATM. Come with me. It is nearby, only a walking distance.”

 

“ Your, good name child?” The old man.

“ I am Janaki, working in a multinational company. Today is a holiday.”

Can I know your whereabouts, uncle?”

“ I am Devdas, a retired senior manager of a private company. It is only two years after my retirement. My daughter and her husband are staying in the  USA. They don’t want me to stay alone. So, they made arrangements for an old-age home. It couldn’t make me happy there. Ailing old people, some rejoice, but some bewail, remembering their kin. Hardly I cut two days there. I want to go back home, twenty kilometres away.  My daughter kept all my bank records herself. She fears that I may return home. Yes, I want to stay in my house, though alone.”

 

As the amount reached Devdas’ hands,  Janaki said, “Uncle, you look tired and hungry. So, come to our residence. You can have lunch and go.”

 

 The stomach of Devadas did not allow him to hesitate. Offering him a seat to sit, Janaki went to the Kitchen, where her Amma* was the sole authority. Amma and Janaki, a twenty-four-year-old girl, were looked after by that house, father no more. When the story went to her Mother, she turned to the sitting room. Devdas’ and  Premlath’s meeting brought back memories, fluttering in their minds. Devdas was her tuition teacher turned lover. Janaki, who knew the story, stood for their reunion. As Premlata wavered, Janaki said, “ Youthfulness has no age, Amma.”    

 

Tom’s Granddaughter!

 Tom’s granddaughter was an obstinate seven-year-old, named Tessa. She was enjoying the sweet  smile of blooms afresh. She never touched any blossom, letting them to cling to the bosom of viewers.   At dawn itself she bemoaned for pastry, which her grandpa lovingly handed over. Delightfully licking the cake, she ran to the gate to perform her routine observation of people and vehicles passing by. The pedestrians, many have reduced their number on the road by moving their physique to four wheels.

 

Then she watched a mother with two daughters, walking on the pavement, the little one in her hand.  The elder kid, a wee bit back, was bewailing for her belly need. The mom and the kids cut a sorry figure, having a pale-looking skin with no muscle to fill in. They were in rags and their hairs looked matted. The infant was comfortably  sleeping on the shoulder of her mother.

 

Suddenly Tessa opened the gate and rushed to the lamenting baby. She stumbled down on the pavement, but managed to keep the cake edible. The beggar mother forgetting her dirty appearance helped Tessa up and Tessa handed over her cake to the elder daughter, some paint had vanished from her knee.

 

Grandpa hearing the gate’s sound, arrived at the incident, which he could not bear. By the time his legs carried him to the spot,  the matter was over. He thought his darling was being abducted. He pulled out from the quiver his weapon of shouting and questioning , “ How dare you touched my baby with dirty hands?  Hadn’t I have reached here, you would have taken our child to your lot.” The oldie’s age was not primed to suit the new age.

 

His rage expanded to a mountain and he rang to the police, who at once carried the beggar woman to the station. Tessa though moaning softly, tried to pacify her grandpa, but he turned a dead year to her.

 

Tessa narrated things to her mom, whose cuisine schedule kept her unnoticed about the incidents.

 

Tessa’s pop ran to the police and rescued the woman and promised them some substantial help. Tessa had followed the poem-words, taught in the class, “ Little act of kindness makes the Earth an Eden.”

 

 

 

 

 

Sumita!

 Sumita!

 

The babehood of Sumita and her brother Sourav was a nightmare for them. They were twins of three years. Their experience was much more bitter than their peers at that tender age. As the neonates opened their eyes into this vast world, hap turned its face away from the care of their mother because she had closed her eyes forever. Their father had no other way but remarrying; he wed a woman of loving nature. She had craved for recognition among her people but no result. Unlike the other stepmothers, this mother had created a folder of concern and saved the concerned needs of these young ones in her folder. The natal of her daughter made no change in her attitude to the little ones, may be she had to cross a series of bad luck in her life so far. Their paternal aunt, an embodiment of cruelty, always kept an upper hand in that family. Her hands signalled commanding gestures and controlled all the members in that family because she was the only one on job, so her pension amount had accomplished the purchase portfolio of that family.

 

Moreover, the aunt had the habit of attaching all the mishaps that had taken place in that residence to the duo: When you opened your eyes, gone your mother, ill-fated devils. The title-ill fated devils, always stayed on her tongue. The two tender hearts were pounding at the very sight of their aunt. The more she abused them, the more they became timid. They enjoyed the company of birds, blooms and small creatures. They played with the little beings in the soil, made them their friends, played with the kids of goats, and pampered the stray dog and these acts of theirs bagged them strokes with sticks from the aunt. And she wasted no chance to place in front of the father of Sumita, plates full of fault-findings of the young ones. He was keen to batter the little ones left and right without even listening to a word from his second wife or kids. As the leaves of calendars bade farewell to the wall, time added years to the age of children. Now, they attained ten, and hence the measure of rebukes and reproofs expanded.

 

Why is this aunt like this? We have not done any wrong: they lamented. One day, their painful brains advised them to jump into their pond and end their lives. The kids both jumped into their deep-water pond and started drowning. They struggled for breath, sinking and rising in the water. An elderly shepherd boy happened to see them; he shouted for help and jumped at once into the pond. Somehow, he managed to save both of them. At that time, the whole neighbourhood gathered, reprimanding the parents.  

Time travelled fast; teenage dawned on children. The school-going girl was arrested by her aunt, furnishing the justification that girls should not learn much, which their father had put into force. Teenage was a tough age for them; it filled their minds with suffocation and confusion, and sleeplessness hindered their little brains. Again a few more years took leave of them.

The male youth was lucky enough to be employed in a school library as its librarian after he got graduated in 'Library Science’. He was a bit relieved from the torments, as he had a small amount of money he added to the expense for the family budget. The female youth yet had no discount in her torturing.

One day, Sourav came home after his office: Sumi, now I am in a job, no! After one or two years, we shall move from here and stay somewhere else.

She said: O, no, no good days in my fate. I may die of ill health. Heavy work and less food will kill me soon.

Don’t think so, Sumi. Our good days also will come: Sourav.

Our days, Damn it, what our days!: uttered Sumita, highly desperate words.

Sourav became a wee bit anxious as he read a sort of depression in words spoken by  his sister: Will she show some foolery; we had done it earlier, once? That day also, things happened due to her urge only.

 

Whenever he was there at home, he kept a watchful eye on her.

Sumitha went to the kitchen, prepared tea for her brother and got engaged in her routine chores. Some unreadable profile loomed on her face, which her brother noticed; he could not understand:Is it confusion or frustration?  'Will she do some wrong’ echoed in his mind. He watched her whenever he was there at home. A couple more days rolled on their path without adding any accessories.

 

That evening when Sourav arrived home, his sibling was not seen anywhere there to make tea for him. He was in panik and started calling her loudly: Sumi, Sumie, Sumee, where are you? She is not anywhere . Sourav’s anxiety grew; he ran here and there, searched everywhere in the pond, well and bathroom, addressing her name loudly.

 

The other kinfolk also tried to locate her but were unable.

On their complaint, the police were on their toes to find her out. A small piece of paper, kept in one corner of the kitchen, fell into their sight.

 With a shivering hand, Sourav took it and unfolded it: I am going away, I can’t suffer further. Our neighbour, Gopal, and I are going to marry. He was inviting me for about five years, I was afraid to go and did not want to leave you also. The torturing of aunt is too much now. Sourav, dear, don’t you be sad. I shall call you. With love, Sumi.

 

Two Wooing Birds in Woe!

 

 

Let us who Joshuva and Dhanya were. They were two migrants, a highly loving duo, who entered into their wedlock, a couple of years back. She was lucky enough to migrate to one of the countries in the Middle East along with her groom. Both had exhibited their frontline position in academics, though both were not from the so-called equivalent families. Their academic calibre had placed them in handsomely-paid companies. Amidst their joyful life, Dhanya had given a coaching to her mind not to dig into her distressed past. Now they have planned to travel to their native place; alas!A new project came on the way of Joshua’s leave. Therefore, he was chained in the company for six more months before obtaining his leave, sanctioned.But he never allowed the ticket of his better half to be done away with Sourav's leave. Though the latter was hesitant to alight to her nation alone, she was not adamant in that.

As she was alone in her seat, her mind deviated to the past,  not abiding by the rules laid down by herself. It jumped out of her control and wandered around the grassy pasture, which captivated two hearts once. Dhanya was an engineering student and her love Sourav Joseph, an ITC apprentice. They used to gloriously sit and exchange their wooing words, in a hilly grassland near their house. A fat bough of a lovely mango tree stood there hugging the earth. And the tree-bough served as a swing for the duo while they enjoyed their togetherness. At times crows, squirrels, etc. visited the tree and watched the lovers from up wholeheartedly. Delightfully grazing cows were their comrades on the land, witnessing their gestures.

During the journey of time, Dhanya’s parents somehow smelt the affair, which produced an unfavourable savour to them. The advice followed by threats followed by reproofs followed by prop-handling could seldom change her mind even an inch. However going up and down the college, was well monitored.

One day out of intolerance, she broke out with ire and questioned her parents, “Achcha, mom and you belong to different castes. You got married? We both are same Faith at least."

“The wretched fellow is a convert , his parents are low-type people. Not that he is an ITC pass only, while you are an engineer.”

The luck of the parents or anything, Sourav met with an accident on the road and alas! He took his last breath.

Dhanya literally broke down. It took six months of counselling and special parental care for normalcy to bless her. As a result, she had to stand near Joshua in the Church, for solemnising their nuptials.

The announcement of untying the seatbelt alerted her; she lanted in her native land. The next day, around five at dawn, Dhanya covertly opened the back door of her room and walked towards the Mango-tree-bough.

 No sooner, did she sit on the bough carrying a heavy heart than the much lovable lovely voice whispered, “Dhanya, honey!”

She indeed felt endeared and fell into a delirium state,“O! Sourav, dear, where are you?” Her words were soft.

“I am here, but you can not see me. I am alone. I have nobody here.”

'O! Let’s talk as earlier.'

“Did you believe your parents? You are silly, my girl. It was not an accident. It was a murder, cold-blooded murder when Joshua's proposal reached your parents. It was a lottery for your people.”

When Joshua, who was abroad, approached with a proposal, the parents observed a 'goose laying golden eggs in him. So,  they wanted not to lose it. Moreover, they thought the groom did not worry about the caste of Dhanya, whose parents were of two Faiths.

“yes, but how?”

“I was walking on the pavement of the road. One man came near and pushed me to the middle. At once, a car ran over me and finished. The apparent drama had won the game.”

Dhanya had created a hell there. The parents could do nothing but inform Joshua, who booked the ticket to Kerala. Since he was aware of the issue, he was able to manage things in a harmonizing way. He aimed at solacing and detaching Dhyanya forever from the stalk of her anguish. He made up his mind to believe that the incident was her hallucination.

Attraction at First Sight!

 

Shyam was parking his car in a slot at the parking slot. As he turned around, a girl’s physique caught his attention. Maybe she was twenty-three or so. She was parking her scooter in the opposite row, meant for two-wheelers in a supermarket. She looked beautiful. Shyam, when was about to go, turned back and viewed her face once more. Another time, she was waiting with her father at the vaccination venue. And the third, when he was slowing down his car for another vehicle to overtake, he saw her talking to another girl inside the gate of a house. Thus, consecutively thrice, he met her, “This may be her house. Might be a good sign for my future fate,” thought he.

Whenever he chanced to see her, her visage was majestically covered with a mask and hence he couldn’t get a complete picture of that. Her forehead and the tale-telling eyes were pretty enough to catch his attention. Since he was in search of an attractive girl, he bore an eagle eye to hunt his prey for his quest. At the first instance itself, he had inferred that she might be of his caste or at least tantamount to his class. He kept the matter in his personal wallet for a while, and then a sudden stimulation alerted him for urgent action. Otherwise, that charming face, somebody else would snatch away.

“How can I inform this matter to her parents directly? No way to get her matrimonial id. I have to find out a professional broker. If things move on my track, I can inform my parents,” said his mind.

So, before disclosing his dreams that roamed around that girl, he discussed it with his friend, Vijay. Under Vijay’s opinion, Shyam decided to directly approach her parents and speak about the matter. As he had seen her near her gate, it wasn’t a big deal to identify her house.

“First inform your parents before our visit there,” Vijay opined.

Shyam chose a fine Sunday to meet his dream fiancée. He sought the company of Vijay also. In the meantime, he managed to bag a satisfactory nod from his parents. Both the friends entered the entrance of the house and on ringing the calling bell a fifty-plus man, that girl’s father attended them. Shyam was thrilled internally but pretended to be serious.  He was going to encounter the girl, his first experience in the way of his nuptials.

 As the answer to the question mark in the person’s eyes, Vijay initiated a conversation and explained everything. The man’s face shone brightly. They were offered to be seated in the sitting room and the conversation continued its course. They understood that her name was Ananya.

 Shyam’s education and his job had no dearth of acceptance and so also do the girl’s biodata. Hence a meeting with the girl was allowed.  Her parents put forth the condition that after a proper enquiry about him only further steps would travel. After a small session of tea and snacks, the girl made her presence in front of them. When Shyam with much enthusiasm and hope faced her, all his spirit all of a sudden vanished. Her bare mouth now revealed that she was challenged with her cleft lips. Even though the maxillofacial surgery had corrected the lips, the mark on her lips spoke of the birth form of her face. Vijay watched Shyam’s face, which narrated a failed feeling.

“We’ll call you; for now, goodbye!” Vijay.

 Shyam was in an utterly mum stage as his mind had engaged in a sort of Mathematics, addition and subtraction.

 Though his silence spoke loud, Vijay asked, “Did your calculation give you a positive-sum or negative?”

“Um… yes, ne... ga... tive,” Shyam in a melancholic mode of sound.

“Um...let me think again,” then he muttered in a mild voice. 

 

  

 

 

 

An Accidental Collision!

 

 

Sindhu was indeed serious about the matter. She couldn't bear or forget the negligence from her love, who according to her was the part of her heart.

One day, when Sindhu was getting off the bus to her college, a student named Chandu also was alighting. They collided with each other, as the duo was eager to be off the bus. The time to start the classes was on the forge. Apologising to each other, they literally, ran for the college.

But that incident turned out to be an event to bind both in the thread of love. Then gradually the college canteen, parks, seaside,  theatres etc were able to witness their togetherness. The duo was decent enough to behave with decorum in the public. They were, we can say a type of tradition-sticking youngsters.  

“I am not trying to know much about your family, and you too shouldn’t. We know each other and that is enough. If the families do not match, we’ll spoil our calm. Whatever it is, we will marry,” sure was Chandu about their wedlock. Chandu was able to read that his financial status was slightly lower than that of Sindhu. Chandu took a firm decision to meet her parents only on his being to a reasonable job.

The final year of Chandu dawned the date of adieu to Sindhu. Promising to meet the parents, once he got acceptably employed on the completion of all his courses, they bade bye.  

At times, when Chandu arrived at the indigenous place from Indore, his higher study area, he never wasted the chance of meeting his sweet love, concealing from the parents of both sides. And Sindhu also was keeping the anvil of academics ready to shape well her future.

Of course, their mobiles kept their bondage live, though not too much, owing to their commitments towards studies. And social media were not lively as they are now.

In the meantime, on a Saturday, Sindhu with her parents went to watch a movie in a theatre in the city. Suddenly, she saw Chandu just walking out with a lovely female. He provided no intimacy sign to her when he saw her. They rushed to evict themselves from the venue.  She was sure that he had seen her. She couldn't get to him as he disappeared as a flash of light.

 “In the last call also, this visit to Kerala he did not mention. What may be the reason? Who is that girl? Some proposal, no chance. His studies are half the way only. Then what? I’ll call him and ask.” Slowly, her heart gained weight, throwing her into confusion and anguish. On arrival home, she threw herself on the bed, declaring that she was not hungry for food.

“Let her lie, don’t compel her for food, she may have some headache or other uneasiness, the movie was stunt-filled, no?”  Achchan*.

For the next few days, both phones were silent. Chandu couldn’t call her on account of his busy state of ensuing exams.  And Sindhu’s silence was no doubt tenacious. As he was freed from the burden of the exam, he dialled Sidhu, but Sindhu not only did not responded but extinguished his call also. Several calls from him went unavailable. His next visit to the native place carried him to Sindhu’s domicile, deciding to face the full consequences. He was unlucky as her house remained locked since they were at Sindhu’s grandparents.

Chandu inferred that Sindhu entered into some nuptial paths. So, he kept himself composed. Time experienced the completion of the duo’s studies and found them in their expected jobs in different places, of course far. And the youngsters were ignorant of the whereabouts of each other by then. As days passed by, Chandu had accompanied his mother on a package-health-checkup to the hospital, one day. He was waiting for his mother, who was in the checkup procedures. The hospital compound was well maintained with lush green grass loans and flowering flora around. When he looked through the window,got his eyes stuck on finely arranged potted plants. As he was enjoying the view, Sindhu’s profile suddenly fell into his eyes. She was standing there with her friend. He looked at her thoroughly and confirmed it was Sindhu. Oh! Within no time he was in front of Sindhu. At the pretence that she didn’t see him, she was about to leave the venue holding her friend’s hand, Chandu blocked her movement  by standing in the direction.

Anyway, this time, Sindhu made up her mind to ask him, “Did you marry her or cheated her also?”

“Who, marry, her, what are you saying? Are you not in sense?”

“Yes, I had seen you in the theatre, some four years back, in February 2002, I remember well.”

“Um! February, it can’t be. In all the Februarys I had been much busy in my studies. Exams were in March.”He was in a dilemma, then something clicked him, “O! It may be my twin brother, Anandu. He had a girlfriend. Might be he. They got married. He looks exactly like me.”

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 Achchan* _Father

Our Beloved Son!

 

 

An autorickshaw driver, Raju was his name, lived a contented life with his wife, Suchita and the lone son, Rajith. Rajith, a studious, well-mannered, modest boy had earned a lot of well-wishing minds in his collection. Near their home a vast ground was there, bordered by lovely multicoloured shrubberies. The village boys’ flock spent there their evening time playing cricket. Rajit exhibited extraordinary talent in bowling, though the other players had also lent their minds full in the sport. Rajith stood tall in bowling, and he was the most skilful amongst them.

Gradually, his graph in the school game soared high and hence, he was able to get into the school team, in which he stood as a diamond stud. He bagged accolades for the school, stretching long the glee of his kith, kin, and acquaintances. But alas! It didn’t last lengthy. On a Temple Fair Day, he drove his father’s autorickshaw for travellers to and fro between the temple and the residences because of the latter’s fever. Being a remote village, much checking for Licence and all was not so there. He was plying the road a wee fast in the autorickshaw, which happened to fall into a trench at one side.

The timely action of an advocate was helpful to the family to keep away from being charged a case against the licenceless boy. The outcome was awful, yes, it was awful indeed since he had to get rid of his awesome sport. The heavy hospital expenditure was an impediment though, it was met by the villagers collectively. Despite the doctor’s earnest effort, his left leg lost the power of running and jumping. His limp on the left leg put out his fire of playing. He found no bound to his grief; he started loving a sort of seclusion from others. He made his much-loved play items get separated from his view. The items were supplied by the sports club of that hamlet. Poor Raju and Suchita knew no way to fill a new spirit in their disappointed son.

To their surprise, the middle-aged, recently arrived, reticent neighbour-resident, who was not the type of making friends with neighbours or others, turned up at their house. He approached Raju, introduced himself as his neighbour and upon the parent’s consent, he went to the boy. Eyeing the boy’s pathetic looks, the man, Sunder applied all his tactics to amuse him. Since cricket was the boy’s first and the best fascination, nothing worked out, But Sunder didn’t discard the track. He strived through and invented ways and means to make Rajith love Chess. But Rajith was a boy that other than cricket hadn’t considered anything else as a sport or game. So, he set his face away from Sunder, whereas Sunder continued his jounrney of pulling Rajith to the game.

“Rajith, you just try Chess. You are clever. You can be a good player.”

“No, uncle, I don’t want to do anything,” in a sobbing tone, and he showed no sign of agreement.

After a couple of days, Sunder appeared with a Chess Board in his hand. Though his father, Raju was a bit reluctant to receive a stranger’s help, he wanted to save his son by hook or by crook. As Rajith saw the Chessboard, his voice crossed usual decibels, attaining high amplitude. He spurned even to look at it, “Who asked you to bring it here. Take it away, please. I don’t want to throw it away.”

Suddenly Raju and Suchita looked at the guest in an apologizing way and said to Rajith,” Darling, don’t use harsh words like this.”

“Don’t worry, he is small, fourteen or fifteen.”

 Then the man used a simple machine, his hand stroking the boy at his back to make him calm down. The boy, however, began to feel cool. So, he slowly unloaded his hatred. He just sighted the board and the pegs-set and watched each item. The next moment the craving for playing crept to his mind and just set the pegs on the board. The boy resumed his school routine and gradually, he conquered the world of Chess. He had no hurdle in winning a name in that too. Hard practice and participation in contests judged his calibre. In the long run, he could board heights in that game which did clear his way to the title ‘Grandmaster’.

Rajith with his father, Raju met Sunder one day in his house to express their gratitude for his acclaimed gains, gifted indeed by Sundar. He received the guests with friendliness. Their thoughts travelled from lips to lips.

 And Sunder now with a reluctant and repenting tone to Rajith, “You are my son, my beloved son, my flesh and blood, dear. “

Observing the shuddered expression on the duo’s countenances, Sundar, “I shall, no, I should tell you everything. I was running with you, the three-year-old darling to escape from the police, one evening because my flight to Dubai was at 10 o'clock, the night. 

“Police, why?” Raju with a bit scorn in sound.

“Nga! Police!” 

 

Sunder recounted his story. Theirs was a love marriage. The kin from both sides objected. Sunder didn’t have a job, M.A. Sociology and who wants a man, having sociology as the major of his disciplines? One of his friends in Dubai helped him in the matter and the visa and ticket reached him with immediate joining the company.

When he came to share the happiness with his wife, Ragini, she was shrieking with fear and running from Kitchen to the backyard, ablaze. Even now, he doesn’t know what the reason for the incident was. Something went wrong with the Gas Cylinder, but the ‘How’ remained undone, as she was no more.

The shocking scene and the post-demise formalities broke his heart and he fell into a numb stage. Then his crying son woke up his mind to get to his toes for action. Some of the neighbours helped him. But his wife’s people filed a complaint against him. He knew that litigation would spoil his son’s and his life for long. He decided to escape leaving the child in Raju’s house. He was aware of the fact t that Raju was aching to have a child.

 So he thought thus, “Now my son wants to be loved and that he will get from this couple.” And that is the reason why he dropped his precious thing near the bush in Raju’s house.

He concealed himself amongst the plants at a distance to see someone pick his darling.

About Twelve years ago:

Hearing the babbling laughter of a three-year-old toddler, Raju came out of his dwelling. A smart cheerful little one was hilariously picking flowers from the bush-jasmine in his compound. Raju’s compound always wore beautiful blooms in her hair, which gave a glaring glance at the passersby, on the road and they in return admired her beauty.

“Will you pick some flowers for me, uncle?”

“Who are you, dear? What is your name?”

“Rajit, please pick for me.”

By the time Raju’s life partner, Suchitha reached them.  

  

“Nobody around. How can such a small one be alone? Let’s look for his guardians. Otherwise, we will inform the police,” Raju.

 Suchita, at the spur of a moment, carried the child and hugged him against her bosom with a mother’s heart. Sunder heaved a sigh of relief and vanished from there.

Raju hesitantly informed the police, that put the child in the ‘Child Welfare Centre’. Every day the couple visited the place. The officials met with a negative response for their trial to find the child's guardians. 

 Raju and his wife after a fruitful discussion, “God has brought him here. Let’s adopt this sweet one.”

Ultimately, after a series of procedures, which included the denial of the child from the authorities, the couple was able to shoulder the responsibility of rearing him up.

And now, Sunder purposefully chose to stay near Raju, winding up his gulf life to understand all about his son. He was so engrossed in his job due to his guilt-feeling about the separation of his darling. And so, the thought of finding a new partner didn’t even pop up in his mind. It was more than a decade that he hadn’t touched the indigenous soil.

When silence gnawed the peace of mind of the trio, “I will live with my *Achchan and Amma. During holidays, I shall visit you, Dad!” Rajith spoke out at a stretch.

“Yes, Sunder, he is our beloved son, yours and ours,” Raju.

 

 

*Achchan and Amma- Father and Mother.

The Fiancee!

The Fiancée!    

Amma* to Madhusoodanan, “Mone*, you find out your girl; we are tired.”

“Um... Will do.”

“Let him take his own time. As the time comes, his wedding will take place, “Achan*

Madhu, a Commander in the Indian Navy in Kerala, is a thirty-two-year-old bachelor. Being a commander at thirty-two is indeed an achievement. Mainly because of his position, many a parent’s desire to give his daughter approaches him, but nothing has materialized so far. Mostly, the girls’ appearance challenges-unappealing figure and unsmart look-become fences, which he doesn’t want to leap over. The horoscope enigma is another barrier on his way to his nuptials. Moreover, he is not comfortable presently for a partnership in his life, as he has not recovered from the tragic ending episode of his first love.

 He had an affair with a woman, who broke up her not so deep infatuation with Madhu, owing to the disparity in status. The girl, who was junior to him in the degree class, was a wee inclined towards him, whereas he had placed her in his fiancée’s seat. His attempt for a job led him to the Indian Navy, in a commission rank; hence she thought their wedding wouldn’t happen with his parents’ permission. So, after her graduation, she nodded for a befitting proposal of an employee in a Government Department.   Madhu turned desperate because of the unexpected upshot of his affair. He did overcome that state to place his ‘Self’ on an enthusiastic platform of cheerful routines.

Whenever the officers, the couples and single men picnic to gorgeous places, the spot attracts Madhu; he sure registers his presence in the group. Leaving his fellow people of the picnic flock, Madhu goes to the bushes and trees, where the plants and birds become the focus of his camera. Plants and blossoms are always a matter of allure for his camera. Moreover, the visual organs absorb the beauty of the bushes, creepers and even thorny shrubs. He reaches a state of ecstasy when in the wilderness.

“Marry someone, man; then you needn’t be away from the group,” his friends used to make fun of his Nature-loving nature.

" can be with the other unmarried ones if I want a company, but when with the nature, I prefer to be with her, “Madhu in response

 Adwaith, another Commander, whose wife is Shweta and the sweet tot of age four is Jahnavi, is his thick friend. Madhu, who enjoys the bond of a sibling to Adwaith, is a regular visitor of that family. He relishes the company of Jahnavi. That couple sways Madhu quite frequently to be coupled without a pause.

Shweta goes on persuading him to find someone rightly fitting.

Madhu says, “Shweta, whenever we walk or drive on the road, we see so many beautiful girls. When we go to see girls in their houses, neither are they pretty, nor smart.”

” Ha-has!” laughs loud Shweta, “you don’t try. That is why the marriage is getting delayed. Try sincerely, some good-looking ones will fall for you.”

Nowadays the placating figure and smart attitude of the females out beat their behaviour and good manners of theirs. The appearance blinks the eyes of the fiancé. Madhu is never an exemption for preferring looks.

In the encampment area, there is a school for the defence kids. One of the Naval officers looks after its affairs.  And the charge of the school right now lies with Madhu. So, at times he visits the school.

“A teacher, from elsewhere has joined the Naval school, I have heard,” Adwaith, “One Miss. Lakshmi Nambiar. Have you seen her, Madhu? There is a scope for you.”

“I went to see my parents, so I was not able to see her on her joining though, being the In-charge, I am supposed to know the official doings of the school.”

“During the next meeting, let me see her. If she is good-looking, there is no problem.”

His parents also have left the compatibility check of horoscopes. Now they have decided to concur with his choice and abide by the girl’s family if they are specific for a horoscope settlement.

 A staff meeting of the entire staff with the school’s official committee-chairman, before the advent of the academic session, is mandatory. A meeting is to be scheduled. The principal asks for the concurrence of Madhu, who readily agrees to the proposal of the former for the meeting, as the latter is in the wait of an early session.

Madhu is eager much to see the new teacher and hence he reaches the school a little before the scheduled time, hiding in his heart a hopeful grin.

He gets seated in the principal’s room. When the teachers come to keep the attendance registers in the kiosk, a question mark about a pretty, smart young lady gets hung in his thinking. His mind asks him to watch her well, as she might be the new one. He is not familiar with the entire set of teachers after all.

As the scheduled time of staff gathering approaches, the meeting auditorium stands inviting all the staff. When Madhu, the principal and the workforces enter the hall, the platform provides the VIPs with majestic chairs. The meeting is on the go at the stipulated time itself.

“Sir, you might have seen all the staff members. We have a new teacher, let me introduce her to you,” the principal after the initial formalities like prayer, welcome speech etc.”

 “Miss. Lakshmi Nambiar, please meet our chairman, Cdr. Madhu.”

Lakshmi Nambiar, a fifty-year-old unwed teacher stands up and joins hands to greet Madhu. Words turn reluctant to come out of Madhu’s throat; however, a ‘hello’ he expresses, masking his letdown.  

Amma*- Mother   

Achchan*-Father

Mone*- dear son.

The Story of a Deception!

 

Malathi is Vijayabhaskar’s life-mate. Malavika is their lone darling daughter. The mother always keeps the shower of affection sprinkling on her daughter, whereas the father is somewhat impassive. But his heart has kept in store a lot of affection for his dear daughter.

 

 On one Sunday, Malathi was bickering with the vessels for giving them a clean bath. The population of theirs in the kitchen sink had proliferated much. It seemed that the bigger ones had given birth to several neonatal ones. Malavika used to help her mother usually on holidays. But that day, she did not turn up to that side. 

Feeling sick, she exited to the backside compound of their abode. A few butterflies were gaming, flying from this flower to that flower and back from that flower to this. In between, they peeked at Malavika with a question, in mind, as to why she was spoiling their cheer.

“Ah! How comfortable! No worries, education, job, purse-thickness or anything; free are they. Can fly to any area at any time,” sensed she.

A wave of nausea swept over Malavika, she did a vomiting action. Malathi ran to her, “This girl eats nothing. Gas problem. Go and lie for some time. ”

“Some problem is there, Amma*.”

“Problem, what problem?”

“The usual one, I lose appetite. And having nausea. I am.....”

“O, God! What is this, mole*? Who? Tell me.” 

A foreign company in Kochi had markedly recognised Malavika's striking success in M.B.A; her residence was not far from the company. Hence, the youths in the marriage market kept their profile open in front of Malavika's parents. One boy, Raghav, handsome, from an elite-type family employed in a reputed company, fell in the shortlist for bridegroom selection. His employment was in a multinational company. The alliance approached them from and through their friends. And a relative of that boy had informed Malavika's parents that he was an engineer. When the kin from her side visited Raghav's house, they assessed the affluent background of the latter. So, as the outward appearance of his domicile was appealing; the nuptial happened.

After the vomiting exercise, Malavika, uttering nothing, quietly went inside and lay on the bed. Malini followed her daughter and inquired her daughter about numerous sceptical matters, this way that way.

 Utter silence was her response. 

Like a gush of wind, Malini rushed to her husband, Vijaybhaskar. He bore a question mark on his forehead.

“Please listen to what I am going to say now.”

“Listening,” half-jokingly Vijaybhaskar.

“Malavika is not well, a vomiting feeling.”  

“She is not well. You left her alone, very good!”

 

“Faugh! Not that, she says she is carrying,” straight away Malathi said.

Vijayabhaskar shuddered at this news. Usually, when the wedded children become expectant, their parents will be on cloud seven. But Vijaybhaskar suddenly groaned as some sharp object stabbed his heart. Let's see why.

“Where is she? Who is that fellow? Let me ask her. She will tell the truth,” Vijaybhaskar in ire.

"No, please do not jump into punishment. I shall talk to her, again.”

“If she had someone in her mind, we would have arranged for her wedding. After one year, divorce will be allowed,” Vijaybhaskar. 

The parents were not able to enjoy their lunch. After lunch, Malavika used to have a nap. But that day, she stood near the window. A woodpecker was rhythmically pecking at the tree with its beak. He was fully concentrating on his work. Her attention got stuck on that little bird’s feathers. They are beautifully designed! “Nature hides a lot of wonders in her lap and at times she takes it to the top,” she was a nature lover. 

By then Malathi reached there, “Mole*, you……. tell us who he is……. How will we face people?

 Ho! Illegal child.”

No response from the daughter. The mother waited for a few moments and returned to her husband.

  

“She is not even opening her mouth. God! What will we do, now?”  

“Our dear daughter, we never expected from her this,” father stumbled.

 Malathi said, "Amma is staying alone there. We will go there and see a doctor. We will seek his help."

 

After the bridal took place only, Malavika's parents understood that Raghav's was a petty job of Data Entry with a petite income, though he was in a multinational company. And his qualification was mere a twelfth-grade pass and a certificate course in computer science. During his school days, he neglected his studies. Therefore, his exam results were just a get-through. Vijaybhaskar’s face turned cerise at that news.

 So, Malavika was retained in her home, “Mole, you will not be going to Raghav's house anymore. They are cheats. They lied to us,” Vijaybhaskar.

 Malavika, a silent moderate balanced-type personality, did not utter a word.

 

For about one year, she had been with her parents. It was natural that the news gnawed parents' peace and they fell into anguish. They were planning to go to Malathy's mother for doing away with their daughter's guilt.

 Learning the matter of discussion, Malavika appeared there, “No, I don't want to abort this. I will grow my child.No need to worry about me. Next week Raghav and his parents will come. They will take me to their house. Please give them a phone call.” 

Amma* - Mother, Achcha*- Father, Mole*-dear one.

Epilogue: - Raghav's parents had not lied. They were not aware of the untrue information given to Malavika’s parents. Despite the negation from Vijaybhaskar, Malavika and Raghav met each other, secretly.