Country Roads, Take Me Home…
Read Part-1 Here : Risk Analysis of Marriage
THIS IS PART – 2
“A widow with a 12 year old and limited means. Do you think they will make it ?” he said as he recalled the words from that fateful day like it were yesterday. The emptiness of the highway he was driving on seem to echo the void of his flashback even today. It had struck a raw nerve and added to the pain of his father‘s passing. Since then, books, of all types became his friends ; to prove the words wrong and make it good, his goal. In the bargain, he allowed himself no luxuries. Love included.
Before he could deep dive into his past, a familiar distraction drew an unexpected cheer on his face.
He saw Chamundi Hills on the horizon…
As a kid, when Arvind pestered his mom with a ” are we home yet ? ” when returning from out of town trips, his mom would tell him to look out for Chamundi Hills. ” When you see Chamundi Hills, you know we are home ” she would patiently explain.
” I’m home..” he instinctively said as if to complete that typical scene from his childhood.
“Maybe it is a sign ” he reasoned..
” a sign to not let the past haunt you, be resilient, to move on.. ? “ he sighed looking at the rocky edifice ” Or go pay a visit to history and make it a part of you, your present… ? ”
***
After delivering Shilpa’s package to her parents, Arvind could not but help walk a few block across. Something beckoned him. He was a regular to Shilpa’s house over the years, but this urge to drift a few blocks off was completely new. If anything, it was something he had avoided consciously till now. But today, he decided to heed his prescience…
The yellow of gopi color had faded to a pastel shade. An ornate rangoli decked the asphalt and the 2 old faithful coconut trees on either side of the creaky gate provided a rich canopy. Small coconuts the size of walnuts that had fallen prey to a squirrel’s mischief along with barks and other rejects from the trees dotted the compound and the outside. ” Meshtre mane ” (Teacher’s house) he said aloud absent minded – the way it was called by people of that neighborhood.
” May I help you ? ” asked an elderly gentleman breezing down the 3 red-oxided steps towards the gate.
” Arvind ? ” he exclaimed as Arvind turned around. A wide smile unfurled on his face.
“ Yes sir ” replied Arvind sheepishly.
” Come in, come in…” insisted Raghunath, with an arm around Arvind’s shoulder and dragging him along with love. Arvind obliged his high school math teacher.
After snacks and tea, Raghunath continued ” Time sure flies ”
” Actuary for Citi Bank in Dubai ! I’m so happy for you Arvind ” exulted his mentor with genuine pride and happiness.
” Did you come by to take a look at your house ? “ asked Raghunath referring to the smaller out house visible through the open back door beyond a small courtyard.
” We still call it Arvind’s house ” laughed Raghunath’s wife picking up the cups and plates, ” Habits die hard and we have not rented it since.. ”
” May I sir ? ” Arvind asked hesitantly, flush with excitement…
” Ofcourse ! ” smiled Raghunath ushering him to the back door, ” your heard the head-mistress, she said it is still Arvind’s house “. They all laughed.
Once in, he stroked the narrow window sill in the living room — as a kid he would often seat himself on it to view a game of street cricket. The same Usha fan wobbled on the ceiling. He strode into the darkness of the bed room with confidence. He reached out to the wall and searched for something instinctively and found it.
Click !
Dull light of a 60 candle bulb illuminated the room and the numerous memories that came with the room..
Seated on the lone single bed by himself, his life from 15 years ago unraveled in his mind : his father’s alcoholism and subsequent death in that very room; the struggles ; the small windows of stability amid the never ending runs of uncertainties ; the small happiness-es and the larger doubts ; the concerned relatives and the doubting neighbors ; the unflinching respect for his mother and the crushing of his crushes ; the hardships, the despair, the pregnant hope for a better tomorrow..
an-and..
the benevolence of Raghunath and family…
“I should have said it a long time ago sir ” started Arvind with a distinct dampness in his voice. ” Thank you and aunty for all the help that saw us through. We stayed here for 5 years without being able to pay a much..” he said as Mr & Mrs.Raghunath came in..
” Money is not everything son ….”
” Big words huh ? With a bit of an effort, I can still reach and bend your ear kiddo ” chided Mrs. Raghunath..
” Who is bending who’s ear ? “ asked a voice from behind the wall..
Arvind turned around to face a smiling face. As she pulled away a stray lock of hair from the wind, her eyes glinted, reflecting her smile.The dimpled girl in a that yellow salwar-kameez looked familiar. But he was unsure..
” Forgot your old classmate Mr.Serious ? ” Anitha, Raghunath’s youngest teased him with a warm smile and his childhood nick-name.
” Anantha, is that you ? Wife and kids at home I guess ? ” chided Arvind
When in high-school, an absent minded teacher had made the mistake of referring to her as Anantha instead of Anitha. A roaring laughter had ensued in the class and the name had stuck. Thereafter, Anitha blowing a gasket at the mention of the masculine name — Anantha, only ensured it stuck with her through all of high school..
” Which wife ? First or the second one ? ” she winked .
” Way different than what you would have done 10 years ago Anitha” Arvind laughed.
” I can still yell at you if you prefer that.. ” she said with a mischievous grin ” I do that for a living ..”
” The apple does not fall far from the tree after all..” Arvind thought to himself as Anitha told him that she taught Computer Science at SJ College of Engineering after her masters.
As Anitha and Arvind busied themselves in high school catch-up and nostalgia, they did not notice Raghunath and wife leave. An hour passed in a blink ; they showed no signs of slowing down.
” You remember Smitha ? She is in SJCE too ; she teaches Math..” Anitha continued.
” The ‘finger up her nose, shame shame’ Smitha ? ” laughed Arvind
” Yeah, the same one. Ever remember how you were in primary school mister ? ” retorted Anitha jumping to the rescue of her former classmate and now colleague.
” We called you ‘little Mr.Bride’.. ” she laughed .
“an-and in high school, when you passed by, the girls sang–” she trailed off unable to control the laughter..
” Jhuki jhuki si nazar..I know I know ” fessed up Arvind joining in on the laughter.
“ Oops ! If I don’t stop, you will hate me like you did during our high school days…” she said apologetically
” I did not hate you ! ” he said admiring the nascent innocence in her.
” I knew you tried to stop your friends teasing me.. ” he said.
” You knew that ? ” she cringed her nose, ” then, why was I treated like a lesser mortal by thee ? ”
” I even tried to help you — remember me telling you a girl in our class liked you only to be blasted by you about silly crushes at 16 that plagues most girls ? ” she complained with a gentle tap on his shoulder.
” I was immature Anitha..” he smiled, stealing glances as she tossed her hair and laughed.
***
It was late in the evening and time for him to leave. They stepped out to the courtyard. While she locked the door, he confessed..
” I almost passed up visiting you on my way back from Shilpa’s today as well. I’m glad I did not ”
“I have longed to come and stand beneath this very roof and thank your parents…”
” I’m glad you stopped by ” she said.
A crease formed on her forehead and as she analysed his sentence. Her face frowned, then she spoke up..
” ..you came regularly to Shilpa’s 2 roads away ? you love my parents ; you would have loved to take a look at this house.. ”
He knew where this was headed and a small panic was evident on his face. He sensed it.
” So what prevented you from stopping by ? “ she asked. It was point-blank and laced with a quiver now; a quiver induced by the lurking prescience of the answer.
“ Was it me Arvind ? ”
Her scrutinizing gaze locked with his while he searched for thoughts. His thoughts failed him, as did the words. Her question was being answered, loud and clear, by silence. The unsaid, said it all…
“Yes” he said finally. “I–It was you. I have always liked you..”
In it lay an honest confession of his love that still ran strong.
” I knew you liked me as well,” he said as she stared him. “You were bad at bluffing. The girl in our class who you said fancied me. I knew it was you….”
” You were Sir’s daughter Ani. I could not let tongues wag. Not after all the help your family extended to us ” Arvind said seriously ”.. add to that yielding to love when I was 16 was never an option for me…”
***
” Do you know how much a polar bear weighs ? ” Anitha asked Arvind after surprising him with a visit on her way to work the following morning.
” What ? Polar bear ?… ”
” Humour me ..”
” I don’t have a clue .”
She smiled.” Enough to break the ice “.
” I want to start afresh. We are not 16 anymore you know ? ” she continued. ” I cannot promise anything yet, but I can sure promise to keep an open mind.. ” she said candidly.
“Understand. I did not meant to barge in like th–”
” When do you leave Arvind “.
” Not for another month ” he said with a smile. Savitramma tried hard to control a laugh while ‘pretending’ to be busy in the kitchen, but couldn’t.
***
As Arvind looked at the scenic vista from atop Chamundi Hills, Anitha in tow, genuine happiness swarmed his face.
“ Hello wife..” he said silently as he stole glances..
He was home.
Photo : http://www.flickr.com/photos/araswami/2248209448
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