And you wait
And you count the days
And you count the hours
And you count the minutes
And then.. you are there
And then .. disappointment
And you wait
And you hope
And then.. its time to go
And you go
And you wait
And you count the days
And.......
.
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Lesson ***
The laughter reverberated through the hall in incessant waves. The speaker was a natural. His messages were succinct. Couched in comedy, he turned everyday examples into lessons in values. In between his jokes, he interspersed nuggets of advice for better living. As he concluded, three hours had gone by in a flash. No one wanted to move. No one wanted it to come to an end.
Rajan looked at his watch. “My God. Its already 9 . Vishal’s class will be over. He will be waiting.”
“Oh no. Let’s leave now.” Vidya hurried up and began to move along the aisle.
***
“The best one was when he talked about people who boast, while trying to sound humble. Hahaha. ‘My son was second in his class for the first time. He always comes first.’ ”
“Yeah. Typical Suriya. Do you remember when their son got into that college?”
“They made such a hoo ha. As if he had got into Harvard. After all an obscure local college.”
“And the time they had to sell the car because they couldn’t make the payments. They insisted the car was defective. Even when they bought the used car they wouldn’t admit it. Now she lost her job too, and she’s not telling anyone. Serve her right if you ask me”
“You know how I loathe to pick up her calls. She will boast shamelessly. On and on.”
“I found the story of the ‘actors’ really hilarious. Reminded me of Venu. Hahaha. He and his wife are so ‘holier than thou’. Did you know their son is dating a Malay girl? And when Vasugi was seen with the Christian boy, they were all over town, saying ‘upbringing’ la, ‘discipline’ la. Huh.”
“Did you notice Lakshmi was there too? She is always gossiping and backbiting. The talk must have been an eye opener for her.”
“And the joke about the couple who keep talking about their friends, totally oblivious of their own defects. That was really good. You know he is such a great speaker. Really sends across the message. So entertaining yet a good learning experience. A good lesson for all.”
“Mom, you and dad went for a lesson too? What was the lesson? In my class we learnt not to speak bad things about others, especially when they are not around.”
Vidya and Rajan looked around at their son Vishal, who had been sitting silently in the back seat.
Rajan looked at his watch. “My God. Its already 9 . Vishal’s class will be over. He will be waiting.”
“Oh no. Let’s leave now.” Vidya hurried up and began to move along the aisle.
***
“The best one was when he talked about people who boast, while trying to sound humble. Hahaha. ‘My son was second in his class for the first time. He always comes first.’ ”
“Yeah. Typical Suriya. Do you remember when their son got into that college?”
“They made such a hoo ha. As if he had got into Harvard. After all an obscure local college.”
“And the time they had to sell the car because they couldn’t make the payments. They insisted the car was defective. Even when they bought the used car they wouldn’t admit it. Now she lost her job too, and she’s not telling anyone. Serve her right if you ask me”
“You know how I loathe to pick up her calls. She will boast shamelessly. On and on.”
“I found the story of the ‘actors’ really hilarious. Reminded me of Venu. Hahaha. He and his wife are so ‘holier than thou’. Did you know their son is dating a Malay girl? And when Vasugi was seen with the Christian boy, they were all over town, saying ‘upbringing’ la, ‘discipline’ la. Huh.”
“Did you notice Lakshmi was there too? She is always gossiping and backbiting. The talk must have been an eye opener for her.”
“And the joke about the couple who keep talking about their friends, totally oblivious of their own defects. That was really good. You know he is such a great speaker. Really sends across the message. So entertaining yet a good learning experience. A good lesson for all.”
“Mom, you and dad went for a lesson too? What was the lesson? In my class we learnt not to speak bad things about others, especially when they are not around.”
Vidya and Rajan looked around at their son Vishal, who had been sitting silently in the back seat.
Again.... ***
He looks closely, wishful for more hair
On his upper lip, but alas it is quite spare
A pencil he uses to darken, but to his despair
Its no use, but that’s how it’s fated to be
Puffing up his chest, feeling more manly is he
At last ready, to face her, and for her to see.
Angelic, divine, enchanting, words fail
As he gazes in her direction feeling frail
She notices not, the gangly boy in her haste
Too caught up, hurrying, not a moment to waste
But who can fight destiny, so it comes to be
They are matchmade, a couple to be
Married now, in each other they rejoice
Every moment to be together, by choice
Until one day, she declares in boundless joy
We shall be three, with a girl, or perhaps a boy
At first puzzled, he soon enough understands
And jumps for joy, almost out of his pants
Soon everyone notices the large tummy
No doubt about it, she would soon be a mummy
Soon one day, the little one arrives
Bringing out all manner of visitors in droves
He grows everyday by leaps and bounds
Always in mischief damaging in pounds
He is in school, and soon in college
Until he too stands before the mirror
Examining, and wishing for more hair
On his upper lip, where it was quite spare.
Nearby stands his dad, also wishing for more hair
On his shiny pate, which is quite bare.
On his upper lip, but alas it is quite spare
A pencil he uses to darken, but to his despair
Its no use, but that’s how it’s fated to be
Puffing up his chest, feeling more manly is he
At last ready, to face her, and for her to see.
Angelic, divine, enchanting, words fail
As he gazes in her direction feeling frail
She notices not, the gangly boy in her haste
Too caught up, hurrying, not a moment to waste
But who can fight destiny, so it comes to be
They are matchmade, a couple to be
Married now, in each other they rejoice
Every moment to be together, by choice
Until one day, she declares in boundless joy
We shall be three, with a girl, or perhaps a boy
At first puzzled, he soon enough understands
And jumps for joy, almost out of his pants
Soon everyone notices the large tummy
No doubt about it, she would soon be a mummy
Soon one day, the little one arrives
Bringing out all manner of visitors in droves
He grows everyday by leaps and bounds
Always in mischief damaging in pounds
He is in school, and soon in college
Until he too stands before the mirror
Examining, and wishing for more hair
On his upper lip, where it was quite spare.
Nearby stands his dad, also wishing for more hair
On his shiny pate, which is quite bare.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Lakshmi ***
It was just after sunset and Kumar walked slowly, enjoying the cool breeze and the soft sound of the gurgling river stream. And from among the many groups of people sitting, strolling and playing along the sandy river banks, he noticed the girl. She stood out, clad in a dark green saree. She was playing with a small boy, presumably her younger brother. Kumar would often ogle the girls as he walked along the promenade, but this girl was different. He stopped for several moments, observing her from afar. She was almost a silhouette in the gathering dusk. He watched, fascinated by her every action. Her soft laughter. The way she ran after the boy. The way she tousled the boy’s hair. Kumar was mesmerised. "Who is she? Where does she live? Why had he never seen her before this?" His head throbbed. Why was he thinking of her so much? Was he staring? Would someone have noticed him watching her ? He moved on. But he could not help glancing back occasionally. Soon she had disappeared from sight.
The next few days Kumar made it a point to walk near the very spot where he had seen her. He would dress in clean pressed clothes, plaster his hair down neatly, put on extra cologne, and stand for an hour in front of the mirror, making sure he looked perfect. But to his despair, she was nowhere to be seen. Kumar was frantic. He searched for her all along the riverside. He stared keenly at every girl. But it was hopeless. She was not there.
And then, finally on Friday evening, she was there again. Her young brother was there with her too, and she was playing ball with him. Kumar passed by them a couple of times. But he dared not come too close. And whenever he was closest, he dared not look directly at her. Instead he walked past slowly, looking down at the sand. But he was sure she had seen him. Surely she would have noticed the smartly dressed dashing young man. Surely she would have caught a whiff of the cologne.
***
Kumar was on the promenade as usual. He scouted around for the girl, but she was nowhere to be seen. Then he saw the boy. He was running towards him! Kumar stopped him.
“Thambi, thambi…. Stop.”
“Yes sir?” the boy was panting.
“What’s your elder sister’s name? Where do you live?” Kumar asked directly.
The boy paused for a moment, looking up at Kumar. Kumar realised he had been abrupt. Kumar was prepared to coax him and cajole him and even bribe him for the answers to these burning questions. But he didn’t have to.
“My sister’s name is Lakshmi. Do you know the blue house next to the Post office? That’s where I live.” And he dashed off.
***
Kumar’s thoughts were on Lakshmi every moment. He was infatuated. He imagined his first conversation with her. How she would smile. How she would laugh at his jokes. How sweet her voice would be. How they would talk for hours. But curiously her face never looked the same in these imagined scenes. Sometimes she would be round faced with dimples on her cheeks, a sharp upturned nose and thin eyebrows. At other times she would have an elongated face and a high brow, and wide mouth with even white teeth. But she was always hauntingly beautiful. Kumar realised that he had not seen her close enough, long enough to capture her facial features sufficiently in his mind’s eye. But Lakshmi, who lived in the blue house next to the post office was a permanent feature in Kumar’s dreams henceforth.
***
The next few weeks were spent in assorted espionage activities. Kumar walked along Brigade Road, in front of the blue house several times a day, hoping to get a glimpse of the girl. But the front door was always shut. He would visit the post office on some pretext or other. But all these efforts were utterly fruitless. Nevertheless, through his subtle enquiries, Kumar learnt that one Rama Iyengar lived in the blue house. And he had two children. Lakshmi and Krishnan.
***
Kumar had managed to broach the subject of his marriage to his pleasantly surprised mother. Things had moved at quick pace. His mother had made her own discreet enquiries. So had his father. Everything was fine. Gopala Sastrigal, the family astrologer was summoned to be the go between, and soon everything had been settled. A formal discussion was arranged for the two families to meet. Kumar had seen Lakshmi at close quarters for the first time. In her silk saree and heavy make-up and ornaments she looked very different. In fact she seemed a little shorter and of slightly darker complexion that he had imagined, but no matter. She was a beautiful girl. She had smiled at him shyly.
***
It was the wedding evening. The reception was over and the guests were leaving. Suddenly Kumar saw Krishnan walking with a girl. The girl looked vaguely familiar. The way she walked. The way she laughed. The way she ran alongside Krishnan. The way she tousled the boy’s hair. Kumar watched puzzled. Then he called out to Krishnan. “Boy, Krishnan, come here a moment.”
The next few days Kumar made it a point to walk near the very spot where he had seen her. He would dress in clean pressed clothes, plaster his hair down neatly, put on extra cologne, and stand for an hour in front of the mirror, making sure he looked perfect. But to his despair, she was nowhere to be seen. Kumar was frantic. He searched for her all along the riverside. He stared keenly at every girl. But it was hopeless. She was not there.
And then, finally on Friday evening, she was there again. Her young brother was there with her too, and she was playing ball with him. Kumar passed by them a couple of times. But he dared not come too close. And whenever he was closest, he dared not look directly at her. Instead he walked past slowly, looking down at the sand. But he was sure she had seen him. Surely she would have noticed the smartly dressed dashing young man. Surely she would have caught a whiff of the cologne.
***
Kumar was on the promenade as usual. He scouted around for the girl, but she was nowhere to be seen. Then he saw the boy. He was running towards him! Kumar stopped him.
“Thambi, thambi…. Stop.”
“Yes sir?” the boy was panting.
“What’s your elder sister’s name? Where do you live?” Kumar asked directly.
The boy paused for a moment, looking up at Kumar. Kumar realised he had been abrupt. Kumar was prepared to coax him and cajole him and even bribe him for the answers to these burning questions. But he didn’t have to.
“My sister’s name is Lakshmi. Do you know the blue house next to the Post office? That’s where I live.” And he dashed off.
***
Kumar’s thoughts were on Lakshmi every moment. He was infatuated. He imagined his first conversation with her. How she would smile. How she would laugh at his jokes. How sweet her voice would be. How they would talk for hours. But curiously her face never looked the same in these imagined scenes. Sometimes she would be round faced with dimples on her cheeks, a sharp upturned nose and thin eyebrows. At other times she would have an elongated face and a high brow, and wide mouth with even white teeth. But she was always hauntingly beautiful. Kumar realised that he had not seen her close enough, long enough to capture her facial features sufficiently in his mind’s eye. But Lakshmi, who lived in the blue house next to the post office was a permanent feature in Kumar’s dreams henceforth.
***
The next few weeks were spent in assorted espionage activities. Kumar walked along Brigade Road, in front of the blue house several times a day, hoping to get a glimpse of the girl. But the front door was always shut. He would visit the post office on some pretext or other. But all these efforts were utterly fruitless. Nevertheless, through his subtle enquiries, Kumar learnt that one Rama Iyengar lived in the blue house. And he had two children. Lakshmi and Krishnan.
***
Kumar had managed to broach the subject of his marriage to his pleasantly surprised mother. Things had moved at quick pace. His mother had made her own discreet enquiries. So had his father. Everything was fine. Gopala Sastrigal, the family astrologer was summoned to be the go between, and soon everything had been settled. A formal discussion was arranged for the two families to meet. Kumar had seen Lakshmi at close quarters for the first time. In her silk saree and heavy make-up and ornaments she looked very different. In fact she seemed a little shorter and of slightly darker complexion that he had imagined, but no matter. She was a beautiful girl. She had smiled at him shyly.
***
It was the wedding evening. The reception was over and the guests were leaving. Suddenly Kumar saw Krishnan walking with a girl. The girl looked vaguely familiar. The way she walked. The way she laughed. The way she ran alongside Krishnan. The way she tousled the boy’s hair. Kumar watched puzzled. Then he called out to Krishnan. “Boy, Krishnan, come here a moment.”
“Yes அத்திம்பேர் (brother-in-law)?” Krishnan ran up.
“Who is the girl I saw you with just now? She looks familiar?”
“Oh, that! She is Malathi. She is my cousin. You may have seen her at the river side with me. We always go there together , every Monday and Friday. She lives with us.”
“But was it not Lakshmi who used to come to the river side with you? I think I have seen Lakshmi there?”
“Oh, no அத்திம்பேர் (brother-in-law). Lakshmi has all the while lived with my Grandmother in Trichy. She seldom comes here. And even if she does, she hates the river side, and never comes there."
Kumar watched as Malathi walked away in the distance. Soon she disappeared into the crowds. And out of nowhere, Lakshmi appeared.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
A LIfe of Luxury ***
The old man was just a skeleton. His intensely black skin stretched over his bones, and glistened in the dim light in the hut. He peered shortsightedly at Abdool. Abdool sat sullenly in the corner.
“Your son is destined for a life far from here, my daughter. It is in his stars. He will live in luxury across the seas. It is the wish of Allah.” The old man looked at Abdool and nodded his head gravely.
Abdool slumped in the corner, disinterested. His mother looked at him. Could it come true ? Could her lazy good-for-nothing son become somebody one day ? And when he did, would he remember his long-suffering mother, and take her to live with him in his luxurious home “across the seas” ? She sighed.
***
Abdool sat on the rocky beach. His friends Ali and Sayeed were roasting the crabs over a small fire on the rocks.
“Achmed is looking for help. It’s an easy job. The takings are good. Achmed drives a Toyota truck now. It’s our hope for a good life.” Sayeed was earnest.
Ali was not so sure. “Last week Muhamed came back with a serious injury. He is still lying on his bed."
“Muhamed is a loser. Are you so scared? Come on, in life we have to take risks. Otherwise you will end up a loser too.”
***
Achmed stood silently on the violently bobbing skiff. It was a dark moonless night. As they approached alongside the immense wall of the cargo ship, Abdool and Ali readied the grapnels and the ropes. Within minutes they were on board, the M16 rifles slung across their shoulders. They moved silently towards the bridge.
Suddenly blinding bright lights. Before they knew what was happening, sub-machine guns were at their necks. The commandos grabbed them roughly, almost strangling them, and pulled their weapons away.
***
It had all gone by in a whirl. Abdool and his compatriots had been flown in an airplane to a strange land. The boys stared wide eyed at the picturesque scenery. The people were tall and white-skinned. Many had golden hair. They could not have imagined such a place in their wildest dreams. It was all so magical. It was like a dream. They appeared before a court, and were sentenced to 20 years in prison.
***
Abdool had his own room. It had a clean white sheeted bed, with a firm spring mattress. A small toilet / bath led off the back part of the room. A TV was mounted on the wall. Although most of the programmes were in a strange language, Abdool found it entertaining. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served in a dining hall nearby. The food was delicious. There were also 2 sessions of exercise and outdoor activity every day. Abdool had never imagined that he would be living in such luxury. As Abdool lay slumped on the bed, watching the TV idly, he suddenly recalled the old man. Abdool chuckled. “You were right old man.”
“Your son is destined for a life far from here, my daughter. It is in his stars. He will live in luxury across the seas. It is the wish of Allah.” The old man looked at Abdool and nodded his head gravely.
Abdool slumped in the corner, disinterested. His mother looked at him. Could it come true ? Could her lazy good-for-nothing son become somebody one day ? And when he did, would he remember his long-suffering mother, and take her to live with him in his luxurious home “across the seas” ? She sighed.
***
Abdool sat on the rocky beach. His friends Ali and Sayeed were roasting the crabs over a small fire on the rocks.
“Achmed is looking for help. It’s an easy job. The takings are good. Achmed drives a Toyota truck now. It’s our hope for a good life.” Sayeed was earnest.
Ali was not so sure. “Last week Muhamed came back with a serious injury. He is still lying on his bed."
“Muhamed is a loser. Are you so scared? Come on, in life we have to take risks. Otherwise you will end up a loser too.”
***
Achmed stood silently on the violently bobbing skiff. It was a dark moonless night. As they approached alongside the immense wall of the cargo ship, Abdool and Ali readied the grapnels and the ropes. Within minutes they were on board, the M16 rifles slung across their shoulders. They moved silently towards the bridge.
Suddenly blinding bright lights. Before they knew what was happening, sub-machine guns were at their necks. The commandos grabbed them roughly, almost strangling them, and pulled their weapons away.
***
It had all gone by in a whirl. Abdool and his compatriots had been flown in an airplane to a strange land. The boys stared wide eyed at the picturesque scenery. The people were tall and white-skinned. Many had golden hair. They could not have imagined such a place in their wildest dreams. It was all so magical. It was like a dream. They appeared before a court, and were sentenced to 20 years in prison.
***
Abdool had his own room. It had a clean white sheeted bed, with a firm spring mattress. A small toilet / bath led off the back part of the room. A TV was mounted on the wall. Although most of the programmes were in a strange language, Abdool found it entertaining. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served in a dining hall nearby. The food was delicious. There were also 2 sessions of exercise and outdoor activity every day. Abdool had never imagined that he would be living in such luxury. As Abdool lay slumped on the bed, watching the TV idly, he suddenly recalled the old man. Abdool chuckled. “You were right old man.”
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