Vetri ***

The teenage Vetri was a joyful boy. He had a small group of friends always about him. They played together. They roamed the streets on their bicycles, climbed trees. Sometimes they would stand by the roadside and watch the world go by. There was no dearth of laughter. Life was good indeed. The sheer joy of life kept them going.

Soon Vetri went on to University. He lost touch with his childhood friends. In University, he made new friends. Laughter was everpresent. They played and studied together. And often after the exams, they would go for a movie. Once in a while they would drink themselves silly, and talk garbage through the night. Vetri had the best times of his life in University. He learnt a lot. From his friends.

Graduation , and everyone went their own way. Vetri worked for a private design firm. He made friends there too. They shared their lunchtime. There were jokes too. But the relationships were not too strong. Work kept them together rather than anything else.

As the years rolled by, Vetri became a successful consultant. He married the beautiful Anusha. Vetri was so enamoured with Anusha that he practically worshipped her. He would call her the minute he reached the office. And call her again and again. Just to hear her voice. Sometimes he would go home for lunch, just to see his Anusha. His life revolved around her.

After work, and on weekends, Vetri spent every minute with his wife. His wife was his life.

Soon, the children came along. Vina and Vino the adorable twin girls, followed two years later by Karthi. Vetri was overwhelmed by God’s generosity. First Anusha, and then these bundles of sheer joy ! Vetri and Anusha doted on the children. And the kids reciprocated with so much joy. It was heaven on earth.

There were times when Vetri came in contact with his old University mates. But it was not the same. The good old days were gone for good. The conversations stopped short after the first 5 minutes. Their lives had diverged too much. There was nothing to talk about. Vetri knew he had outgrown his friends. His place was with Anusha and their children.

***

Vetri had just retired. The sense of desolate emptiness was overpowerring. He sat in front of the TV. All the programs looked the same. The newspapers carried the same stories. All the books were dull and boring. And his family ? The children were young career chasers now, never to be seen around the house. Anusha had her circle of friends at the club, where she spent most of her time. In fact she seemed to be spending even more time there nowadays. Avoiding grumpy old Vetri perhaps ?

Vetri was more alone than he had ever been in his life.

Six months into his retirement, Vetri had a massive cardiac arrest. And died.