The Love Story

“Surya,” said I.

“Hmmm…,” paused my wife and continued, “Why not some other name?”

“No! No!! No!!! It’s decided. Surya is the name”.

My daughter is named Surya.

I could not sleep that night. “Why is she so bothered about the name? Did I ever tell her about my girl friend Surya? No… No… I never told her. I’ve hid all her letters, photos to hide any possible evidence. Then how come she knew Surya? Or it was just a coincidence”. Million questions pierced my brain.

I was in love with Surya for over three years and so was she. But circumstances two years back, didn’t suit us or rather me. She got married to someone whom she never knew before. After that, she never turned back. Neither she called me nor did she mail me. She has forgotten me totally. But I could not be the same. I uttered her name as my prayers. I was mad on her. No sleep, no food until I got married.

My wife was very affectionate to me from the date of our marriage. But I never reciprocated the same to her any time. I was harsh to her every time she spoke to me. My mind, heart and what not filled with Surya. Even now, Surya disturbs me a lot. In fact I chose the name Surya, only to keep my old lovable memories alive when ever the name is called.

Clock struck 8 in the morning; I have to rush to get into the train at 8:15. I took my tie on my left hand and lunch on my right. Shoes with lace untied. I ran out in hurry. Signal turned green to cross the road. I ran across the road, without having a look on the lorry which sped towards me violating the signal. It’s almost near to me. I realized that I am unsafe. It’s all over!

I tried opening my eyes. My body is filled with pain. I could move neither my hands nor my legs.

“Where am I?” I uttered with a feeble voice.

My wife came towards me with eyes filled with nothing other than tears.

I tried to recall what happened. I understood the story.

I couldn’t hear properly. But I understood that I am in hospital for past three days from what my ears helped me. I saw my wife tired more than me. May be she didn’t leave this place for these three days.

Days passed by.

I started recovering slowly. My wife stood, walked, ran for me. She was always in my sight when ever I expected some help. I saw my kid with her grandmother. For a second my girl friend Surya came into my mind. I rather wonder, that should have I married Surya, I really doubt that would she be so caring as my wife now is. I smiled at myself for a second and saw my wife with love. I felt the real love now. I started loving my wife better than any one ever before. She looked great to me now.

I was discharged once I was fit to walk. We took a taxi to go home. She sat on the rear seat and I next to the driver. For the first time, I felt the absence of my wife.

Few days later, I found my letter box with some letter. I went to collect it from the letter box. I was shocked to see that the letter was from Surya. I never expected this from her now. This will certainly ruin my happiness, perhaps my wife’s too. I hid the letter from every one. I took it with enough caution to my bed room and read it. It read

“Hi,

I heard that you got married”

I wondered how she knew that I got married. I never told her; or rather she had no contacts with me. I continued reading

“I loved you a lot, but you didn’t”

“Damn! What’s this? Why such a foolish statement?” murmured I. I dint understand that. But I felt happy that I got the letter a bit late. Should have I got the same a month back, I would certainly went in search of Surya. I smiled at myself.

I wasn’t interested in reading the letter any further. I threw the letter on my desk. The letter flew and disclosed the other side. I was shocked to see the letter addressed to my wife. I turned dumb found. I opened the letter again to read

“I loved you a lot, but you didn’t”

I parsed down the letter fast to confirm that this is from yet another Surya, the guy who was disturbing my wife, before our marriage. My wife’s affection to me now appeared really great. I realized the meaning of love. I loved my wife even better now.

Fact or Fiction

Chennai
16th May 2005
Prelude:
Heavy, non stop rains through out Chennai for over a week. Dams are almost overflowing. District collector announced the flood warning in less than 24 hours. All arrangements were made to evacuate the low lying area once found dangerous.

16th May 2005
6:00 PM
“Ambi, listened to the news right? Floods in Chennai!!!” exclaimed Pankajam in course smile.
“A very big joke” I replied with my mouth filled with pan.
“These people never guess anything right. Can you ever imagine floods in Chennai?”
“Hey come on! We can see floods only in TV”, this time with my mouth wide open.

8:00 PM
“Ambi… Switch on the TV da Ambi, lets check if we have any update on the floods in Chennai”, called Pankajam.
I switched on the TV.
News Read:
“Schools, Colleges, Government Offices will be remained closed tomorrow.
Government requests the public to remain calm. All arrangements are made to evacuate the area where flood is expected.
Please do take a note on the Emergency help lines…”

9:00 PM
“Maami, seems like Chennai is going to face floods tomorrow”, came running the neighbor, Ramani.
“Yes… yes”, exclaimed Pankajam, “You believe Chennai to be flood ridden?”
“I could not dream also maami. Ok fine, tune to Sun TV, last week Saroja left us crying. Time for Metti Oli”

17th May 2005
6:00 AM
Orders flew to the people from Municipality. People from municipality rode on jeeps announcing the danger of floods fast approaching.
“Dam is broken and water has entered city.
Buses are at the end of every street in the west direction.
Please evacuate at the earliest”
I came out rubbing my eyes. I am still sleeping.
I found Pankajam busy in kitchen cooking on one side. On the other I can feel the sound of the water entering the streets.

“500 meters from here”, was the running commentary from municipality people.
I ran inside, informed Pankajam about this.
Pankajam’s face turned pale.
She went into Ramani’s home immediately and told this.

“Get into the buses, its almost 300 meters from here”, speakers in the jeep spoke.
I took enough care that no one in the street or at least none of my close neighbors are left.
“Ramani, Pankajam, Ramu, the old man, people in opposite house. All were informed.”

“100 meters”, screamed speakers.
We all joined hands. I cannot forget this experience in my life ever.
I found water passing the third house to my left.

Water at 20 meters from here!
I with all my neighbors came running to the street with the vessels, drums and huge cans to fill water.

Not Boring Anymore (a true story)

My life was boring until I met her in the office. Damn she is pretty enough to attract any one. I could not spend a day without seeing her. Those sleepless nights made me to learn the length and depth of the nights. My watch turned only two minutes though I felt like waiting for 2 years for her to come.

Her gorgeous appearance, her shining face, her gentle move and lot more pulled me towards her.

I decided that I can’t be without her. I have to tell this to my dad one day or the other. But how? Will he say yes? What if he denies? Millions questions pierced my brain. How to tell him? Rehearsals went over night.

Today is my birthday. It’s right time to tell my dad regarding her.

“Dad …”
…
…

Hurray! He said yes.

Ah! Hey what’s your question? I am asking you. It’s you buddy, the one reading this. What did you ask me? Nah! I didn’t get what you asked. But I am least bothered on what ever you ask.

Yes man, of course I will take her where ever I go. I’ve planned to go with her to Anniyan this weekend. And to Besant Nagar beach as well. And to my relatives’ house also.

Thanks to my dad. He agreed to add passion to my life.

Yes! I bought a Hero Honda Passion Plus today.

Perception

SDB5 lawns appeared green. I turned up and found that trees were also green. Plants on either sides of the pavement were green. Ladies working in the lawns were also in green. What’s there to wonder? It’s nice to see Chennai filled with green.

Ajit was in green shirt and in green trousers. I wondered what a stupid combination it is… Hey what’s that? Even Nisha is in green salwar. Is today a green day? I don’t remember anyone saying about green day to me.

Well let me check if any mails in my inbox say anything about Green day. Oh no, who painted my computer green? My inbox was green. My chair was green. Floor was green. Walls are green. I was surprised.

"Hi", said Vijay to me. I turned back to face the unexpected shock. He appeared green. "Hi Vijay", said I, "what happened to you?" He was not shocked on anything. I looked at my hands, they were again green. This scared me a bit. Is this problem with my eyesight? Shouldn’t be! I was alright yesterday. I looked at myself, my shirt and trousers are also green. No man, something has happened. Who is that playing? Is it an evil spirit inside me? No, it shouldn’t.

I walked to rest room, to check my face. Cubicles on my way appeared green. Everyone colored green. Today is not Holi!!! Then why should people paint themselves green? By the way, who painted me green? Oh no! Everything in the rest room appeared green. And what about my face? I checked with the green mirror. It was green.

"Is it green?" I asked myself. "No it’s not green anymore", replied I to myself. I smiled at my face again, removing the green glasses from my eyes. The world appeared bright now.

Lost Face

It’s Friday. I with my parents and sister decided to go on for a short trip this weekend to Pondy. We started packing the tour kit late in the evening. My mom packed some snacks. My dad helped my sister in packing the baggage. Baggage, though small, we enjoyed packing it. My dad confirmed the accommodation over phone. My sister, Arthi said “It’s raining heavily outside”. But that did not stop us from going. We took our car.

I sat with my mom on the rear seat leaving my sister with my dad to the front seat. My dad switched on the wiper. My sister started photo session and she decided to continue it all the way. My mom took the snacks out and started distributing. My dad was cautious enough to drive the car. He reduced the speed when ever the car had to meet a dig.

There cannot be a better way to start the weekend. We reached Pondy around 8:15 PM. We got into the room that my dad booked in the morning. I jumped into the bed once we reached. Everyone was totally tired. We took rest for sometime and then started for supper. I found my sister occupying my place with my mom in the car.
“Go back to your place”, said I.
She didn’t even bother listening to me.
I knew the reason. But that was not my fault. I convinced myself and sat with my dad.

We reached the restaurant. I didn’t feel hungry, so I didn’t ask for anything. Arthi ate noodles with tomato sauce. My dad had fried rice. I think even my mom is not interested in having food. I found my mom’s eyes wet.
I said, “Mom, why do you cry?”
She didn’t reply.
I still knew the reason. But again that’s not my fault. I decided to convince myself yet again. Once our supper was over, we went back to our room to sleep.

These days, I never used to dream when I am asleep, rather I don’t sleep. It was totally dark. All of a sudden I heard sounds of our baggage, being dragged. I got up to find my dad, opening it and searching for something.
I asked, “What are you searching dad?” knowing he wont reply me either.
He did not reply me as well.
Again, I know the reason. “It’s not my fault dad”, whispered I.
My dad took a blanket from the baggage and went back to sleep.

Next day started. We got ready and went to the Aurobindho Ashram near by. We spent our time there till noon. I found Arthi playing in and around the ashram with the kids who came there with their parents.

We reached our room again for lunch. We decided to go to beach that evening, spend some time there and leave Pondy that night.
My dad said, “Pack our entire luggage, we wont have time in the evening”.
Arthi helped my mom in packing our baggage again.

My mom packed some snacks to have them in the beach. I felt I am the happiest person in the world.
“The world?” I asked myself. I reckon.
I love playing in the beach. I was just waiting for the evening to come. The clock struck 4!

We are in the shores of the beach. Arthi started building tombs in the sand. Tides didn’t leave any tomb alive. I know my sister’s perseverance. She continued building. I never knew how three hours passed away.

“Come back Arthi”, shouted my mom.
Arthi could not leave behind her half built tomb, but then, she has to leave.

We again reached our room and started our journey back to our home. My dad started our car. He drove with more caution again. We reached home at 9:10 PM that night.

A week later, I found Arthi and my dad looking at the photos that we took in Pondy. Phone rang. It rang once, twice and thrice. Arthi didn’t move.
“Arthi, pick the phone”, shouted my mom from the kitchen.
Arthi left the album to attend the call.
Now I had an opportunity to watch the photos with my dad. I know I won’t be in any of the photos. As expected, I wasn’t there anywhere.

I turned to my dad and said, “Dad, should you have not drunk that night, I would have been in the photos. It’s not my fault dad”.

My dad’s eyes turned wet. “But it’s not my fault dad”, my spirit whispered.