The Night That Lasted For Twenty Years

They both just stared at each other for few uncomfortable seconds.

“Didn’t expect to meet you again…” Shruti initiated the conversation.

Ashwini merely nodded her head and studied Shruti. There was anger, lots of anger on her face. Ashwini had hoped that time would heal everything. Apparently, it wasn’t so.

“How are you?” She asked Shruti who shrugged at her question.

“Going on. What about you?”

“I am cool.” Ashwini replied back. They both stood feeling awkward.

They had unexpectedly landed together at a farm in the outskirts of the city. The farm owner had arranged a camping event for those interested in watching the meteor shower that was expected on that night. It was supposed to be a shower that would ‘turn night into day’, as the scientists had 

predicted.

Ashwini cleared her throat and said. “All set to watch the shower?”

“If it really happens…”

She’s not being really helpful, Ashwini thought with a little bit of regret. Just when she thought that any further conversation would be futile, Shruti spoke up.

“What are you doing now-a-days?”

“I am a travel writer. It’s a dream job as it combines both my hobbies of travelling and writing.”

“Plus, you get to meet a lot of people. You must be loving it. You always were very social.”

“Not any more. I prefer solitude to company.” Ashwini said in a low voice. “What about you?”

“I am a software programmer. I am working solely from home. Like you, I too seem to have developed a liking for solitude.” Shruti said and after a brief pause, she asked. “What about family? Are you married?”

“No! God help me, I am happily single. My parents are abroad and I visit them occasionally. My job keeps me pretty busy. Where’s your family?”

“Parents live here. I have taken a separate flat in the same building where they stay. It helps me to work uninterrupted and keep an eye on them as well. Not married, thankfully.”

Ashwini nodded thoughtfully. “It’s strange that we both ended up being single and are actually enjoying it.”

Shruti didn’t comment on that. She looked around. Everywhere small tents were being set up by hired hands in the farm. It was scenic. Mountains bordered the far end of the farm and currently, the sun was beginning its slow descent there. The sky was a kaleidoscope of orange, red and grey as the sunset painted the world red. A large area that was devoid of plantation was being used for the camp. Shruti guessed the number of campers to be around thirty.

“Come, let’s find a tent.” Ashwini gestured to Shruti and they both walked towards their tents, a world of questions, regrets and pain lying beneath the awkward silence between them.

The campers had a sumptuous home-made dinner which the farm’s owner had arranged for them. By nine at night, everyone had settled comfortably in their tents. Shruti and Ashwini had taken up tents next to each other, either coincidently or deliberately.

Ashwini came out of her tent exactly at the same time as Shruti stepped out.

“Going there...” They smiled lightly as both had said that at the same time while pointing to a small hill that lay on one side of the farm. They left together for the hill.

“The view is just awesome.” Shruti commented as they both lay down with their hands folded under their heads. They were gazing at the sky which was lit by infinite number of stars twinkling brightly.  

“I never get to see this at the city. So much pollution, so many artificial lights, so crowded…”

“I get to see a lot of this, you know. It’s a great feeling to lie down in the grass and know that you are watching the same sky which you were looking at, from the other side of the world somewhere at some other time. Everywhere I go, the sky remains unchanged.” Ashwini said almost lazily as she was feeling contented and blissful.

“You have become poetic.” Shruti commented with a chuckle.

“Maybe… Travel does it to you, you know. You start watching for beauty in everything around you, from the tiniest leaf or bud to the majestic mountain. You really start observing everything.”

“So this trip will be going on the records too?”

“Yes, definitely... And now it has taken a personal turn too.” Ashwini said carefully, looking over at Shruti who didn’t say anything for a long time.

“I wish I could turn back the clock and bring the wheels of time to a stop.” Shruti said after a while, looking at the sky so intently, it felt as if she were wishing that it would absorb her.

“At what point of time would you like the wheels to stop?” Ashwini asked, already having guessed the answer. She hoped Shruti would speak it all out and lighten herself.

It seemed to take forever for Shruti to answer. “That moment, when I didn’t hand over your letter to Kartik...”

A heavy silence permeated the air. Shruti turned over and looked at Ashwini who was looking at the stars.

“I know.” Ashwini said.

Shruti got up, totally stunned. “You know? How? When did you come to know about this?”

“Three years after we left college… I had called Rahul casually just to catch up with our old friends.” Ashwini said, referring to their mutual college friend.

Shruti took a sharp intake of breath. “You knew this all along… and yet, you are here with me today…” She hung her head down – shame, guilt and pain making it impossible for her to face Ashwini.

Ashwini slowly got up and put a hand around Shruti’s shoulders. “It’s okay, you know. It was really a long time back. It doesn’t matter now.”

“How do you even have the strength to say this to me?? I have ruined your life and yet, here you are, consoling me! Don’t be so kind to me. It’s killing me from inside! I don’t deserve you, your friendship or your forgiveness!” Shruti burst out into tears as the guilt and shame that had accumulated in her heart since the past two decades finally burst out in the form of heavy sobs.

Ashwini just held her shoulders and kept quiet, waiting for her to let it all out. She felt a deep pain in her heart for Shruti’s suffering and badly wished that they had met sooner.

“Cry as much as you want, Shruti. And then, when you feel calm enough, you can tell me why you did it. Speak your heart out today. I want you to get rid of those feelings which you have apparently suppressed in your heart since all these years.”

Her words only made Shruti sob harder and she fell down into Ashwini’s lap and cried out her heart. Ashwini stroked her hair gently, deep pain and compassion reflecting in her face.

It took a long while for Shruti to calm down. Even after she stopped crying, dry sobs racked her whole body, making it very difficult for her to speak.

“We were best friends since our childhood… How could I do such a thing to you?” She managed to say, stammering out the words as Ashwini shook her head and held a hand towards her cheek.

“No, don’t be so good to me. Hit me or throw me off this hill… I ruined your life! I took away the love of your life!”

Ashwini stared at her without saying anything.

“You, me and Kartik have been together since our school days. I knew you were in love with him right since childhood. And I knew the moment when he too fell in love with you. It was during our school picnic when we were in eighth standard.”

Ashwini turned her face to look the other side. Shruti’s words had brought a sweet and severe ache of memories and they were threatening to overwhelm her.

“You were playing cricket, or rather, trying to play. You kept missing the ball that Rahul was pitching and were laughing uncontrollably. I too was laughing until I saw Kartik look at you as if he were mesmerized. You really were looking very cute in that skirt and top, you know. With that short pony tail and clear complexion… You were glowing with happiness that day.”

Ashwini smiled sadly and didn’t say anything.

“It was then that I felt something pierce me like a knife. I couldn’t bear the idea of Kartik liking you more than me. I have always been territorial. I guess you know that about me. The wave of jealousy that arose in my heart baffled me totally. I don’t have any logical explanation for this. I didn’t even love Kartik. I just couldn’t bear that suddenly you got more of his attention than me.”

“You never forgave anyone who overtook you in any manner, be it marks, good looks or even competitions. You always wanted to be the first, be the winner.” Ashwini said this without any malice.

“And yet you never left my side. Even when I started cribbing if you got more marks than me... It was partly due to my inherent nature, partly due to Kartik. I was angry with you for having grabbed his attention.  All sorts of negative thoughts came to my mind. I started thinking that if and when you both became a couple, I would be the proverbial outsider, the third-person who would interfere with all your plans and who would shortly but surely become an unwanted nuisance.”

“If you really thought that, then you didn’t know me and Kartik as well as we thought.”

“I wasn’t thinking correctly. Jealousy had blinded me. I am not proud of what I thought or did at that time.”

Ashwini kept quiet and sat looking at Shruti who took a deep breath and resumed talking.

“Every day before leaving for school I would worry that may be Kartik would express his feelings to you and you would become a couple. I closely kept a watch on Kartik who became more and more enamored with you as the days passed by. I didn’t have to worry about you as you were always shy around him and never gave him any cause to know your feelings towards him.”

“Yes, he had that effect on me, you know. I could never look in his eyes for more than a few seconds. I felt terribly shy and conscious in his company. I was always grateful for the presence of you and Rahul as it made things less awkward for me.” Ashwini said sadly.

“I knew that… and I am ashamed to say that I took advantage of your shyness to never let you alone with Kartik for more than few minutes.”

Ashwini nodded her head and asked her. “So, about the letter…?”

Shruti gulped visibly and a look of utter shame crossed her face. “I was secretly glad when we finished school and Kartik still had not expressed himself to you.  Fate put us in the same college. And there, on Friendship Day in our first year, you gave me the shock of my life.”

Ashwini smiled. “I told you openly that I love Kartik and I wanted him to know it. I wrote a letter to Kartik where I had written my heart out and I gave that letter to you to deliver it to him as I was feeling too shy.”

They both sat quietly for few minutes, each relieving the day and moment when their lives had changed.

Ashwini frowned. “But, I saw you give him my letter.” She looked at Shruti with a confused expression on her face.

“I gave him a letter all right; it just wasn’t your letter.”

A look of understanding came over Ashwini’s face as she shook her head and laughed. “I knew it would be trouble when people started saying that even our handwritings match each other’s.”

“The letter which I gave him was written by me in your name.”

“What had you written in that letter that made him leave our entire group altogether?”

An infinite moment seemed to pass through before Shruti spoke in a very low voice. “I wrote that you love Rahul and that you need Kartik’s help to get Rahul to fall in love with you.”

Ashwini felt a mountain of grief and regret fall over her heart as she stared silently at the stars. They didn’t seem to shine as brightly as they had a little while ago. She heard Shruti sob quietly and felt perilously close to tears herself.

So this was the answer to the questions that had plagued her since almost two decades.

She had never really understood why Kartik changed his college right after the first year. She had assumed that may be he didn’t love her and her proposition had only made him feel awkward. But she had known that he would never leave the college for just a silly reason as this. What had hurt her most was, he didn’t even say goodbye to her. After the day the letter was handed over to him, she noticed that he spent lesser and lesser time with her group and had withdrawn unto himself. Even Rahul had stopped spending time with them. It was the most miserable time of her life as Ashwini lost everything at the same time – her childhood love and her best friend Kartik and her very good friend Rahul who had always been there for her with his rock support.

Her second question was also answered. She now understood why Rahul was so keen to end the call when she had called him, three years after they had all left college.

“Rahul was really angry with me, you know.” Ashwini said quietly. “When I asked him about Kartik’s whereabouts, he said it would be better if I didn’t ask anything about him at all after hurting him in a very bad way. He just changed the topic and ended the call within few minutes. That was when I realized that something was amiss.”

Shruti continued to sob while Ashwini said thoughtfully. “I sat back and remembered the day when I gave you the letter, trying to find out what exactly had gone wrong. What struck me first was your reaction. I remembered seeing your angry and shocked reaction when I gave you the letter. I remembered watching you go over to the loo before giving the letter to Kartik. I remembered the change in your expression, from anger and shock to something much more sinister… I slowly realized that somehow you were behind this entire fiasco. I never noticed this at that time because I was too nervous about the outcome of my proposal. It all came back to me that day after I spoke to Rahul. And today you have enlightened me and freed me from two questions which have been troubling me since I left college.”

Minutes, hours, ages passed between them as Shruti finally stopped crying and Ashwini tried to get rid of the feelings of loss and regret that were piercing her heart.

 “I am glad that you told this to me today. I hope you are at peace now.” Ashwini said.

“Do you know about Kartik’s whereabouts?” Shruti asked in a hollow voice completely devoid of any emotion.

“Yes, he is settled abroad now. Happily married and has two boys.”

“How do you know? Are you in touch with him now?”

Ashwini took out her cell phone and showed her a snap of a family… Kartik’s family... He looked older and happier. “I check his updates on Facebook from time to time. I have never contacted him directly. But I like to know that I can reach him anytime I want to. I never stopped loving him, you know. He was the one, the only one for me.” Ashwini said in a voice thick with emotion and grief.

Shruti no longer felt anything. She seemed to have exhausted her stock of emotions and tears. “Will you forgive me please?”

“Yes, I forgive you. Because you have spent the past twenty years in regret and guilt… No one should go through that, Shruti. Twenty years is a long time to grieve and regret. I forgive you, and hope you will forgive yourself too.”

Shruti nodded, unable to say anything. “Any chance that we can be just like before?”

An immensely sad look came over Ashwini’s face when she replied. “No Shruti. And it is not because of what you did… It is because of what I have become. Something changed in me after I left college. Parting from you all, losing Kartik and finally, my job… they all have made me long for solitude. I visit many places but never make any lasting friends. I enjoy the moment, that’s all. I can’t go back and be what I was when we were all together. That’s not me anymore. I hope you will understand that this has got nothing to do with you.”

“I fully understand. I didn’t expect that you will agree. I can see why.”

They both sat in silence for some time.

“So what do we do now?” Shruti asked.

Ashwini smiled brightly. “Now, we both make peace with our past and let it go. Then we will go our separate ways with forgiveness in our hearts.”

A sudden ‘oooooh’ from the crowd below interrupted their conversation as the first batch of meteors shot into the earth’s atmosphere with celestial speed. Indeed, the night turned into day as the burning meteors illuminated the sky with their brilliance and beauty.

Unconsciously, Shruti and Ashwini held hands and watched the sky in wonder. Shruti smiled, for the first time from her heart as the twenty-year old night of her soul ended and made way for a beautiful morning with the promise of flowers and spring.

The Goddess Outside the Temple

Nisha stifled a yawn and earned a hit on her elbow from her mother who was sitting beside her. She looked into her mother’s eyes and felt that they were asking the inevitable question – “Yawning inside the temple???”

Nisha felt a stab of guilt and tried to concentrate on her prayer book. It was a long prayer addressed to the Goddess. It was supposed to give peace and power to the reader. Ironically, Nisha felt neither peaceful nor powerful here. Going to the temple was something that she always dreaded. Firstly, she had always been intimidated by the Goddess. It probably had something to do with having a strict mother. Secondly, she didn’t believe that God or Goddess existed. Her excuse was the classic excuse given by half of the people of her generation – If there really is a Higher Power, then why is the world in such a state? She never really believed that prayers would help her to get good marks in her college exams or cure a broken heart. She was ‘practical’, she liked to say.

Nisha shook her head and brought her attention back to the book. The other ladies who were reading the prayer had advanced far ahead, she realized. She gave up her pretense of reading and instead looked around. She felt a pang as she saw devotion etched into the face of every reader. She longed for that kind of child-like faith and trust.

“Bored?” She heard the lady seated beside her whisper to her. She turned around and saw the lady smiling at her with amusement. She was very beautiful to look at. A large red Bhindi, black curly long hair and a very pretty face with a beautiful smile… Nisha felt unsure about how to react. She kept looking at the lady with a confused expression on her face.

“That’s ok. Even I am bored, you know…” The lady said.

Nisha smiled with relief and whispered to her. “This prayer is very long. I can’t concentrate for more than five minutes. I wonder how these ladies can read with so much focus and concentration…”

“Even I wonder that too. You know, you have to give credit to them. Not many people can do that. Tell me, are you fasting too, as it is Ekadashi today?”

Nisha automatically shook her head in response. “I can’t fast at all. In fact, the day I decide to fast, on the same day, I feel like eating more food. I keep thinking about food for the whole day. I tried once or twice, and then I gave it up.”

The lady laughed heartily. “It’s ok. If it is difficult for you, you should not do that. The whole idea behind fasting is just to cleanse your body and not to please any deity. I really don’t think any God or Goddess would want you to fast to give blessings to you. That sort of feels like a trade, isn’t it?”

Nisha decided that she liked this lady a lot. She was precisely saying those very things which Nisha always thought but was too reluctant to admit publicly.

“It’s so refreshing to meet someone who shares my views. I just wish I were as open-minded and honest as you are.”

The lady nodded her head with understanding and said. “In fact, I believe in a different kind of fasting. Just like people abstain from eating food on Ekadashi, why can’t we abstain from thinking negative thoughts for one day, twice a month? It would work wonders for our mind if we can go one day without any gossip, negativity, arguments or fights. What a difference it would make!”

Nisha was struck with the idea. “Why not everyday? Why for just two days in a month? This is an awesome idea!”

“Oh, you think it is that easy to stop negativity? You try it for two minutes. For two whole minutes, try not to think negative about anybody or anyone. Your time starts now.” The lady gestured to her watch and gave a challenging smile to Nisha.

“I can do that.” Nisha said confidently and sat silent. What does she think of herself, challenging me in this manner? I can do this! For two minutes I can stop thinking negative and I will show this lady what I can really do… Just when I thought I liked her… Shows, how wrong we can assume about people… I can do this.. I won’t think negative for… Nisha’s fell face when she realized that for the first whole minute she had already thought negative thoughts about the lady.

She looked sheepishly at the lady and saw her smiling with amusement.

“Agree that it is difficult?” The lady asked her kindly and Nisha nodded with a slight smile.

“You know what, on Ekadashi, along with abstaining from eating too much food, we should also refrain from thinking negative or being negative. It will be difficult at first, but I guess with time, we will learn. How wonderful it would be if for one whole day, we ignore everyone’s mistakes, we do not fight or argue or gossip about anyone and just let go of our ego totally! I wish people would do that…”

Nisha nodded and smiled at her. They both sat silent and looked around. The ladies were reading the prayer reverentially.

“You don’t believe in prayers, do you?” The lady asked Nisha.

“No, I don’t. It is easier to believe in prayers when you are a child and the world is filled with just happiness and peace. As I grew up, I realized that my deeds are more deciduous of my results than prayers. If I don’t study at all and attempt an exam, no prayer in the world can save me.”

“That’s also a good system of belief. When you know that your deeds will determine your results, you will act responsibly, I guess. It’s good.”

“What do you believe in?” Nisha asked the lady.

The lady thought for a while. “I believe that, to each one, his/her own way… At the end, no one is really going to make it alive. Whatever people find easier to believe, and whatever makes them strive to lead a good life, let them choose that. It’s as simple as that. Why to complicate with theories and proofs and beliefs?”

“Wow. That’s cool.” Nisha looked at the lady, thoroughly impressed. She looked at the deity of the temple. The Goddess looked serene and beautiful, but totally unapproachable, she thought. Immediately she felt guilty.

“Tell me something.” Nisha began hesitatingly. “Do you really think that God or Goddess exists?”

“Oh my, the Question of centuries!” The lady laughed lightly. She kept quiet for few minutes, seemingly pondering over the question. “Okay, what do you think?”

“I asked it first!” Came Nisha’s automatic response and it made the lady laugh again.

“Such a child. All right, I think that God or Goddess exists. There is a force which is the witness of the history of the universe. I won’t say it governs, but it exists and witnesses everything that has been happening since the beginning.”

“Very clever of you. By saying that the force witnesses and doesn’t govern, you effectively stopped my next question.” Nisha said admonishingly while the lady’s eyes twinkled with merriment.

“I know what you would have asked. Why do bad things happen if there is a Higher Power. Right?”

Nisha nodded her head and looked expectantly at the lady.

“Well, that’s a topic for another time to discuss.” The lady said and gave her a mysterious smile.

“Do you live nearby?” Nisha asked her.

“Yes, I stay very close to you, actually.”

“Oh really, that’s great to know!” Nisha said happily. She must be mom’s friend…

“I think the prayer session is over.” The lady gestured towards the ladies who had finished their prayer and were now seated with folded hands and closed eyes.

“I guess I can leave now.” Nisha said with relief. She was about to get up when she saw that the lady hadn’t risen. “Oh wait, I had the best conversation of my life with you and I didn’t even ask your name.” Nisha laughed and looked at the lady.

There was a sudden shift in the air and Nisha felt something stir in her heart when she looked at the lady who seemed to grow more beautiful by the minute.

“Ha, my favourite question! I am known by many names, but my personal favorite is Shri. It stands for everything that is feminine, auspicious and powerful. Just like me!” The Lady said with her mystic smile and as She smiled at Nisha, the latter felt wave after wave of love hit her till the universe was nothing but a huge ocean of love.

When Nisha recovered her senses, she realized that she was still seated inside the temple and the other ladies were still in the same position. It was as if time had stopped for few precious moments. She looked around herself and found that she was alone.

No, you are never alone. I am there, inside the temple and outside… I am there wherever you are.

Nisha’s eyes filled up as she heard the voice whisper to her and she folded her hands in supplication and fell prostrate before the deity of the temple. I believe… her heart said finally.

The Visarjan of her Vanity

“Look at you! You look so beautiful!” Prakash exclaimed when he entered his room and saw his wife Amisha. She smiled at him and looked at the mirror again, as she had been doing since the past half-n-hour. Blue jeans, thigh-length white Kurti and a bandani dupatta draped casually on both her shoulders… A long sleek shiny pony tail and copper dangling ear-rings completed the pretty picture.

“Too bad I can’t wear bangles. They would obstruct me from beating the Dhol.” She said and turned towards Prakash. “Do I really look 40 years old?”

Prakash shook his head and laughed. “Who would say that you are 40? You look like you are in your late twenties. But why the sudden consciousness about your age? As far as I know, you have never been sensitive about matters like age or beauty or whatever makes you females emotional.”

Amisha shrugged and didn’t say anything.

“I know.” Prakash said with amusement. “I think it all began when you started attending your Dhol practice classes. The girls with whom you practice…. They started it all isn’t it?”

Amisha gave a frustrated sigh. “I never was conscious about my age. But do you know how depressing it is to be addressed as ‘Aunty’ by those girls? They must be in their early twenties!!! I feel very awkward with them.”

“Do they give you a hard time?” Prakash asked with concern.

“No, on the contrary, they are very respectful and cordial with me. But it only makes me feel more aged. They would be having some conversation and laughing loudly but the moment I enter the hall, they would all become silent and greet me somberly.”

Prakash tried to restrain his smile.

“And you know what really set me off? When they decided the dress-code for today’s Visarjan programme, they actually said that I can wear a saree if that is what I want. Why would anyone assume that just because I am a senior, I would not wear jeans?” Amisha asked with indignation.

“You are not a senior, dear. You are the senior-most in the group.” Prakash said and laughed when he saw Amisha’s eyes flare up. “This is going to be so much fun now. I can’t resist teasing you about your age.”

“Ya, ya… very soon you will start talking about me getting gray hair and a wrinkled forehead.” 

Amisha dismissed the topic with a wave. She looked at the mirror again for what she hoped as the final time before leaving for the Visarjan. “I want to win today’s Dhol competition. I have been training myself for it.”

“Take care. You have to beat the Dhol for, what, two hours at a stretch?”

“Yes. The one who keeps up the beat for two straight hours wins today. I want to show the girls that age doesn’t matter.” Amisha said with determination while Prakash shook his head.

“Listen. Go easy on the girls okay. No need to vent out your personal feelings in the competition.”

Amisha said with a bright smile. “Oh, I will surely go easy on them. Don’t you worry!”

An hour later, she was at the Ganesh Mandal, with her enormous Dhol hanging around her neck. She stood in front of the Ganesh idol and bowed with folded hands. Bappa, help me to win today. It is a question of my self-esteem… She muttered a silent prayer and looked up to the idol’s face. She felt the same pang of emotion that she always felt in every visarjan. She had been a part of the Ganesh Mandal of their area since almost ten years. It always broke her heart when she saw the idol being immersed in the water.

This year was special as one of her dreams had come true. She always had a desire to beat the Dhol in front of her favourite Ganesha, either while welcoming Him or while sending Him off. This year, she had been offered a chance to make her dream come true. As a part of their annual Ganesh celebrations, it was decided that ladies would be beating the Dhol. On top of that, there was to be a competition too for them.

By evening, a crowd had gathered at the street of the Mandal. Amisha stood on a raised dias, in front of the Ganesh idol, along with the other girls. She pressed her lips firmly, trying to ignore the irritation that she had felt when the girls had exclaimed as one after seeing her. “Aunty, you look so good in jeans! You are actually looking younger!” One of the girls had said that and Amisha had barely managed to control her temper. She had gracefully acknowledged their compliments, all the while thinking about how the girls would react when she would win. It was now a do-or-die situation for her and she needed to win at any cost.

While one guy from the Mandal anchored the programme, Amisha scanned the crowd and saw Prakash and Shri, her ten-yr old son waiving to her eagerly.  She smiled and gave a small wave to them. Their presence encouraged her.

The anchor announced the start of the competition. Amisha shifted to the center of the dias with the other girls. After counting upto number three, they all began to beat the Dhol. Soon Amisha lost herself in keeping up the rhythm and beat the Dhol vigorously. The crowd turned crazy and soon started dancing to the beats.

Time lost its meaning as Amisha concentrated on her Dhol. At times, she changed the tempo, while other times, some other girl introduced a new tempo. But they all worked in coordination and synchrony. The crowd continued dancing non-stop.

In between, the anchor announced on the mike that only twenty minutes remained for the competition. It was then that Amisha lifted her face and looked around. Apart from her, there were only three more girls who were continuing. The rest had slowly given up. Amisha started feeling the strain in her hands but she carried on without showing any signs of slowing down.

When the anchor announced ten minutes left, two more girls gave up. Amisha looked at the only girl besides her who was keeping a good tempo with the beat. Vrushali.. She remembered the girl’s name. It was this girl who had commented that Amisha was looking younger in jeans. Amisha renewed her enthusiasm and changed the tempo to a fast one that required continuous use of both the hands.

The anchor announced that only five minutes were left. Amisha lifted her face to look at Vrushali. The latter was now showing all signs of tiredness. She was sweating profusely and had clamped her mouth tightly. Now was the time for Amisha to revert to a faster tempo.

And then she saw Vrushali give her a tired smile, though she didn’t stop beating. Vrushali also looked at all the other girls who had lost and she shook her head, as if she was saying that she couldn’t go on. The girls cheered her, shouted her name and encouraged her to hang on. Amisha saw Vrushali bravely attempt to keep up the beats.

And then Amisha did something that she never had imagined she would do. She slowed down the beats and brought in a very slow tempo that required use of only one hand at a time. She saw surprise register on Vrushali’s face and smiled inwardly. She looked at Prakash who was standing with his arms folded and a tender smile on his face. She kept up the slow beats, allowing Vrushali to regain her strength.

When the anchor announced that only two minutes were left, Amisha and Vrushali looked at each other and smiled. By an unspoken understanding, they both picked up a fast tempo and carried it on till it was announced that the competition was over and they both were winners.

The crowd burst out into applause and gave them a deafening ovation of claps. Amisha slowly placed down her Dhol and went towards Vrushali to congratulate her with her hand held ahead. Vrushali shook her head and came forward to hug her tightly. Pleasantly taken aback, Amisha hugged her back. “Thanks.” She heard Vrushali whisper in her ears and tightened her hug.

“You were awesome…” Prakash told her while he held her shoulder. She had come down to rest for a while before proceeding ahead with the Visarjan.

“Thank you. I did say that I will go easy on the girls.” Amisha said with a tired smile and Prakash laughed.

They stood quietly beside each other for few minutes. Amisha saw Vrushali talking to her parents excitedly.

“Do you think she will look as young as me when she turns 40?” Amisha asked Prakash playfully.

“Not a chance. You are the best.” Prakash said warmly and Amisha leaned onto him, feeling at peace. Before the immersion of the Ganesh idol, she had immersed her vanity and pride. 

From the Frying Pan into the Fire

Continued from The Day Of The Fight…

They both got inside the lift to go home.

“Dad, are you really sure about this?” Satish asked again with a tensed expression.

“How many times do you need assurance? Trust me, this is the best and the only way to get the females to talk to each other again.” Raman replied with confidence.

“But why do we need to sacrifice ourselves for this?”

“Satish, listen to your dad. He knows stuff. Before you go to sleep today, you will be thanking me for this master plan. Another piece of advice – when it comes to ensuring peace at home, every sacrifice is worth it!”

“Ha… you and your quotes…” Satish said with a chuckle but immediately took on a serious expression when the lift reached their floor.

“Come on quick!” Raman eagerly got out from the lift.

“Uh.. Dad? Don’t mind, but can you appear to be less exuberant and enthusiastic? You look way too happy for someone who is going to be executed.”

Raman paused and stared at Satish thoughtfully. “You know what, you are right! That was smart thinking… Now I am sure that you are my son.”

“Dad!” Satish exclaimed in irritation and followed Raman who had now assumed the air of someone feeling great remorse.

“Kusum, please come to the front room. There is something that I and Satish wish to say.” Raman pleaded with his wife who was lying on the bed with her arm folded across her eyes.

“If this is about the fight that we had today, I don’t want to speak about it.” She muttered.

“It is definitely not about the fight. There is something we wish to tell both of you.”

“Oh, all right.” She slowly got up and sat cross-legged on the bed. “Why does she take everything personally?” She exclaimed with anger suddenly.

 You said you don’t want to talk about the fight… Raman almost reminded her, but he wisely refrained from saying anything. He felt that reminding that to her would somehow make matters worse. He opted for the easier path and looked at her very attentively, as if listening to her woes was the only thing that he wished to do.

“It seems that I have to think twice before speaking anything in this home.” She shook her head and muttered angrily.

Ah female, how I wish you would take this statement to heart! Raman thought wistfully but still kept quiet.

“All right, let’s leave. Blurt it out, both of you, whatever you want to say.” She got up from the bed to Raman’s immense relief and they both went to the front room.

Satish also was sailing on troubled waters in his room.

“Why does she have to keep comparing me with those too-perfect-to-be-true Bahus that they show in the tv serials? Why can’t I wear Sari like they wear, why can’t I do Pooja like they do… I am also human, how long can I endure this?” Ritu said tearfully.

Right, you are human. What am I, robot? Satish tried to keep his irritation at bay and said to her calmly. “I know. Just come to the front room. We won’t take much time.” Hopefully, Satish thought. The ordeal should get over within minutes after their confession.

“What exactly do you both wish to say? You are being very secretive today.” Ritu said suspiciously.

Oh my God, the female’s brain is on overdrive now! “Please come out before you start assuming anything!” Satish forgot to plead and urgently took her hand. They both came out of the room.

Satish viewed the scene. His mom was sitting on the sofa with folded hands and staring at the coffee table while Raman was pacing the room from one end to another with his hands held at his back. A little less of enthusiasm and more of remorse, Dad! Satish thought helplessly as he saw his dad bouncing on his heels almost gleefully.

“Ah, Satish and Ritu, you are here! Come Ritu, sit here.” Raman exclaimed while Satish tried to gesture to him to calm down.

“Not there, Beta. Sit on the sofa, here!” Raman gestured to Ritu who had intended to sit on a chair. With a pensive look at Kusum, she sat on the sofa, as far as possible from Kusum who acted as if she had not seen Ritu.

“All right ladies, there is something that I and Satish wish to confess!” Raman said, rubbing his hands together. Satish silently shook his head. Way too happy, dad, way too happy…

“Kusum, I told you that I had to go to see Sharmaji who is sick with fever. Well, firstly, Sharmaji is hale and hearty thankfully! He never had fever, you see!” Raman began earnestly. Kusum slowly released her arms and stared at Raman.

“I went to a hotel to have dinner.” Raman continued as Kusum’s eyes widened.

“After the fight that you and Ritu had, something made me follow you into the kitchen. My biggest fears came true when you went for the container of Moong Dal. I then knew that it would be the dreaded Khichdi today.”

Kusum looked at Raman with wonder and disbelief.

“See the climate, female. It’s so cold and breezy. Do you honestly expect me to eat Khichdi on a day like this?” Raman said with a pleading expression which only made Kusum’s eyes turn into stone.

“And that’s not all!” Raman said happily and gazed at Satish with a proud expression. “Satish will do the honours now.”

Satish looked at Raman with awe. You really killed it this time, Dad. He silently came to stand beside 

Raman and looked at Ritu who had her mouth opened and jaw dropped.

“Ritu, I too lied about having dinner at office. In fact, I had dinner with dad today at the hotel.” He said it all in a single breath as if eager to let it all out.

“What?” Ritu said in disbelief.

“You forgot to say what we ate, boy.” Raman thumped Satish’s shoulder happily.

“A minute, dad, to let it all sink in first?” Satish said in a low voice and looked at Raman with narrowed eyes.

“What is done, is done, Son. Kusum and Ritu, we both ate Butter Naan and Veg Kolhapuri curry. You know, the one which has two chillies designed beside it on the menu card.” Raman said with a smile. Satish couldn’t resist it this time and slapped his forehead.

“You ate spicy and butter – laden food in a hotel and you lied to us about it?” Kusum slowly got up from her seat, anger emanating from her very being.

“Yes.” Raman shrugged, though he appeared to be less exuberant than before.

“You let dad eat that food, knowing fully well that both butter and spice are forbidden for him?” Ritu asked a bit more dramatically than Kusum. Satish had the gals to nod and drop down his head.

There was silence in the room for few minutes.

Kusum and Ritu looked at each other at the same time and shook their heads. “What do we do with these guys, Ritu?” Kusum asked in frustration.

“I really don’t know Mom. We both try to make tasty yet healthy dishes only for their sake and they betray us in this manner!”

“All our efforts are wasted on these guys! Go and eat whatever you both want! Don’t come running to us if you get sick!” Kusum scolded both the men who were now looking really downcast.

“Come Beta, let us take a walk in the lawn garden. At this moment, I can’t stand the presence of these two guys!” Kusum said and with a long and angry look at both the men, Ritu and Kusum left the house.

“What did I say? What did I tell you! Am I the expert or not!” Raman exclaimed loudly with happiness and pride. When Satish didn’t comment or give any reaction, he shook his shoulders and asked, “What’s wrong, boy? Our plan worked! The females have ended their feud! Ah blessed peace, how badly did I long for Thee!” Raman exclaimed dramatically and made Satish smile.

“I have a bad feeling about this, Dad. Let’s not do it again, ok. “Satish said slowly and left for his room while Raman just shrugged and ran towards the tv set. He grabbed the remote and switched on the sports channel which he had been longing to see the whole day.

“I need some grocery items. I have mentioned in this list.” Kusum handed over the list to Raman after they all had breakfast the next morning. Both the females were still mad at the guys but were on speaking terms with each other now.

“All right.” Raman took the list and scanned it. He frowned, and read it again.

“Hey, you seem to have made a mistake. You have written 3 kgs of Moong Dal. We don’t buy that much at a time, isn’t it?” He reminded her cheerfully.

“Oh, but we will, this time.” Kusum smiled sweetly at him and gave a victorious look to Ritu who was tapping her fingers lightly at the kitchen counter and looking at Raman and Satish alternatively with a reserved smile.

“I don’t understand.” Raman said in a confused tone.

“Khichdi, for the next ten days… For lunch and dinner...” Kusum uttered the words with finality.

“No!” Raman gasped and looked at Satish who was looking at Kusum and Ritu with a dumbfounded expression on his face.

“It won’t matter whether any of your friends are ill, Dad. And you Satish, whether you had dinner at office or not, you cannot escape your quota of Khichdi for dinner for the next ten days.” Ritu said with a fierce smile.

Leaving both the guys to accept their fate, the two ladies gave a hi-fi to each other and holding hands, left the kitchen.

The Day of The Fight...

Raman sat at the table of the hotel and kept looking at his watch every two minutes. He was really hungry and couldn't wait to eat a sumptuous dinner. Satish should be here any minute now, he thought.

Ten minutes later, he saw Satish enter the hotel and search for him. Raman eagerly lifted his hand and waved at Satish who approached the table with an amused expression on his face.

“I take it, there was another fight today?” Satish asked while he sat on the chair opposite to Raman.

“Yes. No guesses on how you came to know about it.”

Satish took out his cell and showed the screen to Raman. “Your message – It is Khichdi today – speaks out volumes about the situation at home. I am almost afraid to ask, what prompted the fight today?”

“A silly television serial, can you imagine!” Raman banged his palm on the table and Satish narrowed his eyes at him.

“Please tell me that you didn’t comment on the serial. I have told you many times that commenting on tv serials that women watch, lays down the foundation for war at home.”

Raman kept a straight face as he said. “Will you believe me if I say that I didn’t utter a single word, and that just my presence was enough to set tempers flying?”

Satish thought for a while. “I believe you. Been there, done that, buddy!” He said seriously.

“I am ravenously hungry. I can’t eat khichdi today when the climate is just perfect for something salty, spicy and buttery. Let’s order Butter Naan today and Veg Kolhapuri for curry.” Raman passed on the menu card to Satish.

Satish scanned the card and said. “Besides the curry, there is a sign of two small chillies. That means it is very spicy. Are you sure you are allowed to eat this?”

“No one, absolutely no one can dictate what I should eat and what I shouldn’t! Order it!” Raman said firmly and Satish chuckled. He placed the order.

They looked around at the hotel. They saw a couple sitting in a table adjacent to their table. There was no communication between them. The female was picking at her dish with a fork while the guy was tapping his foot eagerly and looking around everywhere, as if he was eager to go.

“Tell me something. Why does that happen?” Satish asked in a low voice.

“What? The fighting?” Raman asked, totally confused.

“No, for God’s sake, get off your mind from the damn fight. I am asking about that.” He gestured to the couple with a shake of his head and Raman looked at them. He observed the situation.

“There is no communication between them. Both have come out to enjoy but it feels like they have been forced to have dinner here.” Raman commented sadly in a low voice.

“I hope myself and Ritu do not reach that stage.” Satish said with trepidation.

“I am not worried about my wife. She can blow the ears off anyone, anywhere and any time. The female never runs out of topics to speak, shout, argue and cry about.”

While Satish laughed heartily at this comment, the waiter brought their order and served them. Both the guys attacked the dish like they had not eaten anything since many days.

“Tell me one thing.” Satish asked as he chewed his food slowly. “Why do women fight?”

Raman stared at him with wide eyes. “You are asking me? Believe me, when it comes to women, I am the last to comment anything about their behavior.”

“And yet you keep on commenting about your wife’s behavior and make fun of her always.” Satish playfully wagged a finger at Raman who cringed with embarrassment.

“I know. But outside the home, I can talk about the female. At home, she is the boss! I don’t get any chance to talk or make fun of her. How is a man supposed to vent out his feelings?” Raman asked with indignation while Satish roared with laughter.

“Don’t laugh. I can see the same fate for you too. That warrior woman of yours will try your patience some time soon. You better be prepared.” Raman warned Satish seriously as he gulped down the cold drink that they had ordered.

“Yes, I too am dreading it. I hope I am able to handle her in the right way and ensure peace at home.”

Satish’s face took a pensive expression which made Raman laugh for the first time.

“Look at you. It feels like someone pronounced your death sentence. Relax. The way you both are going, I am sure you will be very patient and gentle with your woman. The same way that I am, at home, atleast.”

Half an hour later, they were both sitting inside Satish’s car at the entrance of the building.

“Dad, I really don’t feel like going inside. When the ladies fight with each other, they give really negative vibes.” Satish said miserably.

“Oh come on, man up! Sometimes I wonder what kind of son I have raised!” Raman hit Satish on his shoulder and prompted him to enter the building.

“What excuse did you invent for escaping dinner?” Satish asked.

“Sharmaji. He is unwell, having fever since two days. I just went to see him, but Mrs.Sharma didn’t allow me to leave without having dinner.” Raman said with a deadpan face.

Satish looked at him in wonder and shook his head. “You really have been playing this game since a long time, isn’t it? That ensures your escape. What about me? What if Ritu tells me to eat Khichdi?”

“Your headache, your problem.” Raman shrugged while Satish gave him a traitorous look.

 “Sometimes I wonder whether I am your adopted son.” Satish muttered while Raman smiled sheepishly.

Five minutes later they knocked on the door hesitatingly. Ritu opened the door and surprise registered on her face.

“I was returning from Sharmaji’s home and met Satish at the entrance of our building.” Raman lied with confidence and Satish gave a grateful look to him.

“Eh, Where is Kusum?” Raman asked timidly and watched his daughter-in-law’s eyes turn fiercer.

“In your room, Dad. I apologized and tried to make her eat dinner. She refused.”

“Right. I will go and attend to her.” He left for his room before looking at Satish and shrugging.

“Go and freshen yourself up. I will re-heat the Khichdi in the meanwhile.” Ritu said to Satish who started panicking.

“Uh… listen, I already had dinner at office today. It was a team meet and the manager ordered dinner for everyone.” He said and watched her reaction.

“Oh, all right. Then I would better serve it to Dad. He must be hungry. He left for Sharma uncle’s house a long time ago.”

“Actually, he too had dinner at Sharma Uncle’s house. You know Aunty, she would never let dad leave without eating anything at their home.”

“Right. Mom’s not eating, you and dad already had dinner. So I am the only one to eat that khichdi!” She said in a clipped tone that showed frustration. She went to the kitchen and Satish quickly traipsed to his room with relief.

Father and son were sitting at the bench in the lawn garden of their building, half an hour later.

“The house seems awfully quiet when the females don’t talk, don’t you think so?” Raman said.

“Agree, Dad. It feels really boring. How to bring them both on speaking terms with each other?”

They both sat thinking for a while and suddenly Raman exclaimed. “Aha, I have the perfect plan!”

“What?” Satish asked eagerly.

“We both will tell them the truth that we dined out together. It will bond the females. You know how they function as a team when they fight with us!”

“But Dad, Mom will go ballistic! Are you going to tell her that you ate that spicy Veg Kolhapuri???”

“Of course, that will make both the females madder at us! Ritu will fry your brain for allowing me to eat it and Kusum will just go speechless with anger! And then, both females will look at each other and ask, ‘What do we do with these guys?’ I say, this is the perfect way to unite them.”

Satish swallowed the lump in his throat and asked, “Are you serious about this Dad?”

“Damn serious! Come on, get up, we need to tell our wives that we lied to them!”Raman said eagerly and cheerfully. Satish shook his head and got up. Together both the guys walked towards their home, prepared to get martyred to unite their wives.

A Typical Day in her Life

“HFD cards, this is Isha. How may I help you?” Isha said in her most professional and what she thought as boring voice as she adjusted her head-phones.

“Hi. I want to know the balance available on my card.” The caller said.

“Surely Sir… May I get your card number please?”

“Oh, I don’t have my card with me.”

Isha rolled her eyes. “No problem Sir. Can I have your full name please?”

“Ravi Verma.”

“And your date of birth?”

“17.06.1982”

“Okay. Just give me a minute Sir. I will try to trace out your address.” She typed in the details and found one entry matching both the criteria of name and date of birth.

“Can you please confirm your address?”

She verified that the address stated by the caller matched her records.

“Thank you Sir. Your card balance is Rs.3580.”

“Okay. Thanks. What’s your name?”

“Isha Singh.”

“Isha, you have a very beautiful and sexy voice.”

Isha fidgeted in her seat with a disgusted expression on her face. “Thank you Sir. Do you need any further information about your card?”

“Are you married?”

She cringed as she heard the inevitable question that she seemed to be subjected to always. “Yes Sir, I am happily married.” She uttered the same lie that she said every time she faced this question.

“What a pity… I was wondering how do you look when you sound so sexy over the phone.”

The call is being recorded, the call is being recorded… Isha reminded herself as she tried to reign in her temper.

“I guess that will be all Sir. Thank you for calling us. Have a great day.” Without waiting for his 

answer, she gently cut the call.

She sat back in her chair and closed her eyes. She swung her neck from one side to another and felt the pressure leave from her neck. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes, only to find her team leader Sujith standing in front of her cubicle with his usual irritating smile.

“Tough customer ha?” He asked with a wink.

Why do you have to wink for that? She thought and nodded her head trying to return his smile.

“Come for a coffee break with me. You need to relax and enjoy at times.”

How many times do I need to tell this guy that I am not interested????? “No thanks, Sujith. Eh…I need to attend this call. Excuse me, please.” She grabbed her head-phones urgently and attended the call, silently thanking the caller for having saved her from Sujith.

“150 rupees! Are you new here? My home is just four kilometers away and I pay only Rs.60 always!” Isha argued with the auto-driver. She had left the office at 7 in the evening, grateful that the long day was over. It had started raining heavily. She had tried to book a cab for herself but the mobile app showed that no cabs were available. After waiting for several minutes, she had finally found an auto-rickshaw but the driver was charging her exorbitantly.

“Look at the rains, Madam. There will be heavy traffic today. Listen to me and agree for this fare. You are not going to get any other auto.” The driver told her.

She shook her head and got inside, totally irritated, tired and terribly hungry.

After almost an hour, she reached home. As the driver had stated, there indeed was heavy and slow-moving traffic. She paid the fare and rushed to her home.

“I told you to take an umbrella! But who listens to me now-a-days?? Go straight to the bathroom and change your wet clothes!” Her mom scolded her the moment she entered home. Without saying a word, Isha ran to her room and within minutes, she had freshened herself.

“What’s for dinner? I am very hungry.” Putting a clip on her wet hair she came and sat on the dining chair.

“Rice and Dal. Eat without making any fuss.” Her mother said sternly.

“But mom, I don’t like to eat rice at night. How many times do I have to tell this to you?” She said desperately.

“Why do you force her to eat rice if she doesn’t like it?” Her father calmly asked her mother as he came and sat on another dining chair.

“A lot of rice is leftover from today afternoon. If she doesn’t eat it, I will have to throw it away. Why to waste the food? Surely she can eat rice for one night, it won’t harm her.” Her mother stubbornly said as she served her rice and hot Dal and sat beside her.

Shaking her head, Isha silently ate her food. Her hunger was so terrible that she didn’t mind eating second helping of the rice and rasam.

Her mother looked at her thoughtfully. “When are you going to agree for marriage?”

Isha’s hand froze in mid-air as she stopped eating. “Not today, Mom. Please!”

“Not today, not today!! That is all I get to hear from you! You are 26 years old now. It is high time you thought about marriage. All my friends’ daughters and sons are getting married. And they are younger than you!”

“So I should also get married then?” Isha asked in disbelief and shock.

“Don’t act smart with me. Time is running by. With God’s grace, you have everything. You are beautiful, well-educated and have a good job. As time passes, your beauty will start to fade. It will become very difficult to get a good alliance once you cross 27 years of age. We need to start looking now.”

Isha silently finished her dinner and got up from the table. “Not today. I am very tired and I need to sleep early.” She took her plate and washed it at the sink. She heard her father trying to pacify her mother. “You have absolutely no sense of timing. She has just come home after a hard day and you immediately attack her with marriage plans!”

“Yes right. Blame me, it is my mistake. Nobody understands a mother’s feelings. I just want to see her settled in a good home with a good husband. But who cares? Everyone goes for the mother always. She is nagging, she keeps fighting, she has no sense of timing…” Isha slapped her hand to her forehead and silently left for her room.

She made up her bed. It was 9.30. She was tired but it was too early to sleep. But if she stayed awake her mother would return to resume their argument. She switched off the light of her room and put on the night lamp. Taking out a pair of ear-phones, she lay down on her bed and listened to songs.

Irritating customers… clingy team leader… awful time travelling in the congested roads… fight with mom… She closed her eyes and sighed. The day had gone on as usual. Oh, one thing is pending, she realized. She thought of Gaurav, her ex-boyfriend who had broken-up with her about two months back. The tears slowly leaked from her eyes and then she fell asleep thinking, now the day is complete.

“How dare your company charge my card for late payment of bill, you idiot!!!” Isha pulled out her head-phones and kept them an inch away from her ear as she attended her first call of the day, next morning. Another day had begun…