Sipra's Diary: Excerpt from "....Sarching For Right Bride"

 Finally at the age of his forty eight Suraj Bajoria decided  to  marry  'Desi' Indian  girl  from his own clan, own land of Rajasthan.

He shared this news first to his bosom friend and business partner Brijlal .

  Hearing this news Brijlal  screamed in cheers and dance with the wine-glass in hand,  hovering dramatically over his head ! 

 ... "So your 'eyes are opened' at last, hmm  !''  But who and how eyes get rid of enchantment from fantasy, color? Is it  betray, or loss of love?  

 Let us order first some strong whisky for guts before  celebrating  the emotional story!"

They were sitting in a  a corner table of casino bar of Las Vegas. The lighted swimming pool  was full of glamorous  bikini-bitches  with  playing eye-catching romantic games with their fans, and  toy-boys.

 Looking  casually at them,  through glass-wall  Suraj  replied smilingly, "nno, not any such spicy stories as you think." Suraj pitched the cigaret-butt in the astray to continue ,

..."It is just my decision. I earned huge wealth; I enjoyed the best physical pleasure that money can purchase last twenty six years ;  I am     now tired to sleep with  any  woman, whether new or old, glamorous or ugly!" 

Suraj stood up for washroom.  

Looking at his strong and stout manly structure, with sky-blue polo shirt and white  jeans  and Reebok shoes  Brijalal  appreciated ,"You still look not more than thirty-four/ five. Then pointing to his own pampered tummy he continued, 

"look! this is the contribution  of extra-care of my loving wife ."

Suraj: Let us go to my room.

Brij:   Why room ?  Here are lot of toilets to release !   

But he followed his friend unwillingly, as suraj  seemed to flee from the place in a hurry. But he gazed at the eye-catching swimming pool while walking  through the lounge.They came to the room  in roof-top sky-lounge  by elevator  . 

Coming back from washroom Suraj said to encourage his friend ,

"Hey buddy, don't lose your heart ;You will enjoy better the swimming pool -scenario from my window glass; look, here is also a  telescope, " he removed the  curtain  to have a clear view  of the   telescope .

Then turning to him said, "though  the purpose of telescope is to see the nature with its mountain desert etc and not for the bikini-beauties view, you know ! "

" I have to call now the waiter for dinner to give room-service." 

 He handed over the heavy book of menu to him .

"You will enjoy the drama of bikini-beauty  with delicious dinner along .....with my story !"

"Story?  What story?" 

Door bell knocks.

  With the door-bell the waiter entered  and took the order of dinner .

Suraj adjusted the angle of telescope to his friend's sofa and sat comfortably opposite to him . 

I saw the woman with whom I slept  just two months ago  in Seattle  on the swimming pool.

"a-aw! show me , show me through the telescope !" After surveying the woman   Brij commented disappointingly," Umm, attractive figure but so black, .. darker than coal, just a burnt log ! 

At last you had this  one! what's  the interesting story about this black woman ?  Is she from Ghana or Kenya?"

Suraj ,"No, she is Brazelian  by birth but what is interesting of her that she is  really  amazon lady  as a sleeping partner!'"

Brij:  "Waow, go on!"

Suraj:  You know I avoid to meet  twice any 'same' woman.  Officially I maintained  my image as 'cle-an  gentleman'. My supplier agent knows that. But I met this woman twice before meeting her in Seattle . First in Philadelphia  and then in Chicago. I enjoyed  greatly her companion,  I nicknamed her as 'Cobra' to my  agent's 'list'. Last one year I didn't meet any other women . If she was not available then I optioned  'better to fast' . At one point I decided to 'own' her by marrying.  Again I hesitated to take any quick action; I was suffering in  the dilemma whether  such women are eligible to be 'wife' to a dedicated husband?

I paid my agent some 'advance'  three months ago and at last I met her in Seattle . I booked her for the whole day, not only for the night. I spent the 'day' with her first time and performed my job by phone . Every time  I was thinking to propose her, some  phone call was interrupting along with my hesitation.

 We spent a  wild  but pleasantly  night, but still proposal remained pending! Next morning I had early flight to leave Seattle. It was surprising why a veteran womanizer like me was sweating a lot for simple marriage proposal to a known woman?.....

Then I decided I must tell her before leaving for airport. When I woke up in the morning, I saw my Cobra, fully dressed up , was sitting on the sofa.

I was happy to see Cobra waiting on the sofa . She always used to leave my room earlier than me, (as a precondition  with my agent ).

Giving  her a warm morning-kiss  I went washroom to  dress up . Getting ready I came near Cobra with greeting -smile on my face Cobra stood up in front me to ask , "when we are going to meet next?"

My heart danced in joy;"Yes darling , I want to tell you on the way of airport."      

Cobra:"sorry , I can't accompany you ;I am waiting in the lounge for my next customer; He will reach shortly." 

Contacting eye to eye, Cobra asked with professional voice, "will you clear the dues to me before leaving ?"

Suraj stumbled  in  emotional quirk, but managed quickly, with firm      reply : 

"I always pay in advance, please contact the agent", he cleared his throat by coughing .

Cobra:  "I know that. I am asking money for the ' extra strokes you had  on me throughout the  day. I am tired !"

 Cobra twisted her body left and right to proof her exertion.

Suraj: with wide eyes repeated,"strokes"!......the word hurled  to him as heart-stroke.

   Cobra's  mobile was ringing ;  she responded to the call:

   "  Good morning Mr Wrenstien! 

 I'm just waiting  in front of  the hotel-gate for you ."

A shaft of  joy  passed on her body like lightning to affect Suraj   pathetically  painful.

 The car  with dark glass-window came; no sooner  Cobra  slipped into the car  by waiving her hands ,  leaving  behind bewildered  Suraj. 

Few moments Suraj stood like statue until the waiting chauffeur  coughed softly.

Throughout his journey the word 'extra-strokes' hammered his brain;

 It was for the first time an unknown feeling of joy over the monotony of  physical  pleasure  was starting  to  sprout ;....he longed to nurture it by shifting himself to be planted in a new garden ....

.but his dream shattered by such a harsh nasty word from the woman whom he thought by mistake  close to the heart !... It took time to ignore, to forget. 

He cursed himself ....how was he so stupid to think  of 'marrying'  a woman who was available to anyone by money ?... while he spends the whole day with her  enjoying the  ecstasy, she was  counting in terms of money, like a pawn-shopper counts interest!"

Suraj lit a cigaret to smoke with whisky.

Brij :  Do you have still some weakness on her ?

Suraj: "No " came out simultaneously with the  strong blowing of a big     smoky ring  from the cigarette;.. .shaking  his head : not at all....

Brij: Then why do you avoid her? 

 You hide inside the room  to avoid  of not   being caught into her sight!   Brij continued.

I suggest to end it by facing boldly.  If she confronts ,  pay her  all her dues and be free ! You have enough money to do that ."

Suraj:  To pay money is  easy for me,  but for penalty of delay, if she demands more 'strokes'........... I surrender ...........

Both  burst into laugh.

Suraj : She wouldn't accept losing me as  I paid her  highest ;the moment she will know the truth that I rejected her forever she will spread scandal against me which will be harmful for my business .

Brij: Let me share the other part of the story .....your "decision"

about marrying. 

While  pouring  another peg in his glass from the bottle, Brij said ",in this context  I remember a funny story of my life. But I will tell it later" .

With door-bell the waiter entered with the trolly of dinner.

Suraj waived his hand to leave .  The waiter left . 

"Both of our flight are before 10am. Mine is Jet-Blue , yours?"asked Suraj.

Brijj: It is Delta.  We must take early bed . Please ask the waiter to give us 'wake-up call'....

So next I will  meet you in your marriage party, right? Hope it will be enormous party in some luxurious hotel! Hmm,  great fun...........

Suraj: just opposite , far from  your expectation.  It will be a close party  of 20/25 guests, in my own flat of New York, not in any hotel.

Brijj:   Hey , thith ye inclit me -( Did you include me)?......

uttered distortedly as he was brushing his teeth.

Suraj smiled lovingly: you have to be manager in  my party; but let me chose the right bride, first.  After  a long decade I will be going in my native land in quest of right bride!  Instead of romance I have tons of anxiety, whether I will get what I wish! 

I have hired a matrimonial company who will provide me two experienced agents to escort me  from the airport .

Sipra's diary: EVEN THE TINY WORM

        EVEN  THE TINY WORM .

Relaxing under the shower of washroom

 I casually glanced a tiny worm –of -centimeter 

Moving by the sidewall slowly, 

Like a well-fed gentleman

Taking  afternoon walk  in the  spring season.

Neither head nor tail could be identified from its body; 

But I  guessed its head by  the direction 

It was proceeding.

Within few moments  I recognized the worm--

 

I saw it in“60 minutes’ of TV show :

Their habitat two hundred miles deep

In African goldmines 

Where the scientists flocked, not for gold brick,

But to collect from the layers of the mines 

This specific specie

Who survived more than five thousand years, 

without air, water or sunlight! 

The scientists were captivated 

while collecting the sample of worms 

From the wall of mines   and wondering:

How do they proliferate without food air or sunlight!

“The worm  may 'proliferate!” startled me: 

 'so I must kill it.’ 

All on a sudden like a marathon participant 

It darted and vanished;

Somewhere in the thread-like line 

Between floor and the wall! 

 

I was bewildered :

How the message of my perilous thought 

Was received by the tiny specie? 

 We are covered in the atmosphere

 Under "One Consciousness",- truly matters !

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

Sipra's Diary: Poem :. " DEATH"

Prompt. :# How much are you affected by death of near   and dear ones.

Death! When did you have your first sting!

 

 Leaving home as I went college-hostel, 

 I often woke up   with whimpering, I remember    

 

At midnight by some nightmare :

That  Dad  left me for ever .

 

For a long time I couldn’t imagine 

 

To live without having  parent !..........

 

When I was in my thirty’s my father left 

 

Forever in own ancestor’s home .

 

My cousin brother took me direct 

 

To the burning Ghat  where  he laid,

 

With calm and cool peaceful face 

 

 Released from all mundane liabilities ! 

 

I touched for the last his icy-cold feet 

 

Without a single drop of  tear.

 

Since then I overcome fear of death.

 

I realized the fear of death is more 

 

Painful than actual  occurrence  of death.

I hear with grief from last three years, 

Loosing  some more near and dear ones.

But tolerance, patience made me courageous !

..................................................................................

 

 

Sipra's Diary :.......MEMORABLE MEAL>>>[..Feast of Fasting], 2026

 #(9)Memorable Meal> :( Feast of Fasting!)by Sipra Roy

Words=1065

 What a crazy prompt to some  septuageneration,

To write  about the' memorable  meal?  In this long 

Way of journey lots of meal have been taken  and forgotten!

Now for the sake of this prompt I need to walk in back gear,

And  successfully dig the memory of 'memorable meal';

It was on the eve of winter vacation when  I was in grade ten ,

Only Five  friends of us decided to arrange a picnic 

On the river bank which was not far from  the school.

We overcome the biggest issue to get permit from parents.

 "Picnic with only five friends?"moms commented:"so aberrant!" 

"What is your menu ,who knows cooking   among you?" 

Raka  answered "Simple menu of vegetables-KHICHURI

We will manage  ourselves, don't worry!"

We  collected  rice, lentil,  vegetables from our houses

Our  excitement knows no bound before the day of feast !

On the early morning we  set out with carry bags.

Renu's sister hailed "hey, wait!" came running to give us a match-box.

We joyfully kept the matchbox inside  the  bag, full of wood .

"Thank you. dear sister!"you are really cute .

 

 We reached the white sand-y beach of the rivulet.

 We began  to sing and dance, releasing the bags from hands 

Keya and Nina made a hearth with bricks collected nearby banks 

I and Raka went with bucket to fetch water from the river.

We five bent  to see our reflection on the bucket of crystal  water!

 Nina  as the eldest of the siblings had to help her mother.

She was little better than us to manage household affair

She called us to wash and fetch the rice and food staff to her.

First she put the rice and lentils in the boiling water of the pot

While we were busy in cutting cauliflower  peas and potato ;

We screamed  together to notice  the grains dancing in boiling water.

 Pushing the rest of log in the hearth Nina informed worriedly,

She needed some more logs for preparing the KHICHURI edible.

"O  not to worry! there are plenty of branches under  the trees " 

Keya, Raka and  me  started running to. bring the branches ;but those branches  were not dry. So they gave only  smoke to make us blind with running enough tears. The fire was about to extinguish; To re-ignite, all    sticks of the match box except three  were  finished .

  We went again in search of fuel . Finally Raka got a  big and heavy log; We three girls  brought  it  by dragging . 

Raka declared : "this log would be enough to  cook something   more ."

Nina:"watched the log mindfully and asked"wherefrom you bring it  ?"

Raka: "just near the bank of the river!"

Nina: "this log is from the 'burning Ghat'; it is used to push the dead body in the fire ;that's why one end of the log is burnt and black."

We all cried out ,"Phew, throw,  throw away.! We have to take shower in this winter  after   going back home!"

Nina: " let us take our meal ,we are all hungry" 

We washed our hands and feet well and sat surrounding the pot of khichuri.

Nina : 'Though. not fully cooked , but still edible ".

As  Nina opened the lid,  we exclaimed ,

"ah, the smell  is exactly like Khichuri.  Throwing hands upwards we sang "Khichuri, delicious Khichuri !....Three cheers for Nina the culinary goddess....  

[perhaps Hestia, the virgin  Greek goddess  smirked for these naive girls]

...Nina's face became bright with pride .  Keeping  a big spoon in the pot.  she declared,  "let  us start by  self-service .".

....hmm.. but we forgot to bring our spoons. Next time we must add spoons for everybody in the list .

We were so hungry that we forgot completely our contempt about  that  eerie log used  for dead body!

..Khichuri was steamy hot to eat by hand.  We tried  small gulp by picking little portion from the side of the plate ;small gulp . 

Nina threw cryptic eyes to survey everyone's face, (after her first gulp!)

I whispered  to Raka ,"it is tasty but salt is less,I need to add salt."

Raka replied  outrageously "not 'less'! It is utterly saltless!    

Hey Nina !you forget to add  any salt,   it is too  tasteless for me to eat; when Renu proposed to include her sister who has cooking experience, you opposed  her."

"Be cool"We searched all the bags  for the packet of salt but not found in any bags.

Looking at our helpless faces Keya  commented  "In my house my mom uses less salt in all preparations for the high pressure of my grandfather.  So I don't feel too bad to eat .  Looking at Nina directly 

she continued "after all we have  some new experience ,isn't ," nudged Nina with elbow  to bring back normal atmosphere,

Two stray dogs were loitering around us ;We ate very little ; as soon as we  emptied  left-over  from the pot they rushed and finished the stuff.

 They finished the food stuff in a way which gave me  satisfaction.  It was only 1:00pm. after pack up we started to return home.  The dogs waged their tails joyfully to say us 'goodbye" .

 Face of Raka was red in anger and hunger  while Nina's face  was red  out  of shame or guilt. All the way we tried to console  both........ 

Raka grumbled  : " I hate to confess at home that it was a feast of -fasting!"

  Me:  "Yes, that's the hardest part of the story for me too."

I slipped. into the house like a cat through backdoor; I heard the chat and lough of my mother and sister from  the kitchen;  I wished to hide myself in the drawing room .Before that   I  was. interrupted " who is it? Who is there? "

"me'.   

"You? so early?  did you eat or starved?  Come,.. come here to share little of your picnic  adventure!...  We have still enough left over which you  can  take  if you wish ."

I heard them to giggle .

"Nno I'm full,I tried to sound 'fake burp' and rushed into the bathroom,  avoiding to confront  them .

From bathroom I slipped under the quilt  of my bed and pretended to sleep so that nobody could interrupt me further ; but it was hard to sleep as hunger was  painfully  kicking my empty stomach,  and squeezing  my intestines .......  

***********************************************  

Sipra's Diary : Excerpt from the novel "MONOLOGOUE"

   

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

                                       Title:  Monologue     

Michelle: ( present age 73):

Sitting with a photo frame which bears the   group   photo of  High school   students  on the last day of graduation. when I  was 17 years old and most of the group were   almost  more or less  of same range.   It was late afternoon when the last rays of setting sun through the window illumines   miserly a small section of  the half-dark studio room ;

 She was sitting  on the  corner of  her  bed  near the window ; there are some more photos scattered  on  the bed beside her and a beautiful large album  which resembles a piece of art .She looked lost in  the photo frame  and roaming in her memory lane ;her  cheeks bears  dry stream of tears .She was looking at her friend ,Sylvia who left to the other world few hours ago.

 Michelle:(.  (Monologue):>>>>>>>>>>(in Flash-back...)

   .......Sylvia , you too left me alone  in  this vast  world , while I came back alive from nursing home   after  critical  heart surgery! You   were always runners up to me , not only in sport and game ,  but in study , drama , music or  art, but   in every field   in the  game  of life you beat me , kick me .....

Gazing at the photo of closely- knitted four   friends I was  roaming through my memory lane throughout the day ; we four were really soulmates ;we had never  any quarrel.

   ..Remember? The class mates nicknamed us with  a funny title "Misy-patpy"seaming  the   four names together  'Michelle, Sylvia, patty and poppy' like a  bouquet. 

Look , how bright we were,  eyes of each were full of dream& hope glittering   like glowing stars.You and I started our school life from   nursery  in Midtown Brooklyn High school;  Patti and poppy joined us in grade nine. 

  We were the prominent "so-called "Pop students in the class.  We get attention from teachers as well as from students . The first stage of  our  initial life spent well .  I was strong in literature; my aim of life was to be writer-cum -film director; Sylvia excelled in photography  : you took your passion as your  profession too.  you got job in some trade magazine as  assistant photographer. Patty became  a very successful entrepreneur   of event-management , and Poppy ?

 She   always wanted a handsome rich man to marry and to be a loving wife and mother ; she used to say that  she was raised by single mother and felt tired   and pity of hardship of mother's working-life  for herself ;She had no wish to get job  . She did not    even take admission to any college .

She met her future husband first in the Brooklyn Garden during Cherry Blossom festival. Poppy was 'black beauty' of our school.  she looked like a statue of black-stone ; some  boys had  crush on her and called her  as beautiful as Nefartiti. 

Poppy got married within six months of her High school  graduation  with  the man of her first love . Remember ?   how much we  the 'Misy-Patpy' enjoyed the ceremony  in Charleston as bride's maid ! Her husband was the owner of some four star luxurious hotel of  Charleston . We spent a whole week  at the insistence of the couple ! 

Yes,  She led a happy married//conjugal life  for 11 years with two children .Then she fell sick with slow fever and caugh.  She neglected it initially ;  her husband forced her  to visit a doctor .She was diagnosed lung cancer  and  in quite  advanced stage!  I  visited  her  last only five days before her death. ...I spent with her whole day in the nursing home .  As I got ready to leave her she  burst into tears  embracing  me and said whispering ,

"do you know(struggling  a long  breathe) that   not  the  disease but what  pinched me bitterly --is that  Mark  is dating    a woman  who is a Dr of this nursing home , as he came to know  my days are limited..." a second wave  of louder cry made her body shiver like seizure. 

"Please pray god to take me  quickly, and take care of my children.  She released me and looking straight to me in tearful eyes vomited  from poisonous voice ,

" never believe a man nor his love!" 

I took my flight with sad shrouded mind .All. these years I wished her children on their birthday . They were sent to boarding  school  after their  father's  second marriage. I used to wish them in their birthday and Christmas Day ;but I stopped it as Poppy's husband didn't like it .

Story of Poppy ends in tragedy.

************************************

Sira's Diary: Canine Fable Episode-2

 Episode -2

 

 

In the evolution of civilization, there are some distinct landmarks. Among the most remarkable was shifting to agricultural life from  that of hunter-gatherers': a giant leap;  men became settler which in course of time, created the ownership of land:( the root of all complications.)

Status of the dog also changed accordingly with the lifestyle of man. So long the pack of dogs moved with their tribe. Later on, some of them happened to belong to different individual masters, while some became stray dogs. But whether domesticated or stray, all of them were loyal by nature and adjusted in the community. A sense of duty 'to guard' and 'to protect' their masters' cause flowed in the DNA of their blood (no matter whether for individual or for the community).

    In the old days, keeping dogs as a pet was popular mostly in European countries first and not in Asian countries, at least in India. In old picture or movie, it was very common to see a sophisticated woman and a man with a suit, boot, tie, hat, stick and holding a dog in the chain on street or park or a dog peeping its head from the window of a car. The royal family of Britain were very much fond of the dog as a pet and still maintaining the tradition. Queen Elizabeth-11 has favorite four pugs.

 

 In Europe, people could not take a shower throughout the cold season. There was no sunshine. People suffered from skin diseases. Dogs were kept to clean their bodies by licking; and relieved them from worms, itching and skin diseases. Dogs used to give the comfort of warmth and relief by licking with a soft tongue.

From the English literature, we can know how old was this tradition.  As the British set up colonies in various places, they influenced their culture also in those territories. But only wealthy and fancy people used to keep dogs as pets.

 In India, still, now, a number of stray dogs are random compared to pet dogs. These stray dogs survive on the left-over food from their neighborhood; they are night-guards, more loyal than salaried human beings. In my neighborhood of India, I have noticed from the balcony the dogs lying idly but started howling and chased after, if any stranger, especially hawker passed through the lane. I am amazed to notice their sixth sense. The same type of behaviour, if any dog from another zone come near to them. They are very much territorial.

Anyway, my focus of this article is how the people,s outlook has changed the status of the dog. So far the dog has been humanised what will be next?

 

Will they be "divinized" also in the coming days? Egyptian sculpture portrayed god with the head of a dog and (also with the head of an eagle.)

Is civilization taking us backwards?

 

Last week Newyorker cartoon page presented an image of a man sitting on a chair, like an emperor in the throne, surrounded by few dogs devoted in his service.

Ah-h, an enticing reverie!

Human now has fancied the option to be 'underdog'; Is it self-banishment?

My article is propelled by the photo in the top: "Dog's evening walk in a fancy red toy-car", pampered by a man..

Pavlov's theory of saliva with the ringing of the bell is now redundant. Perhaps pet dogs now need 'appetiser' before lunch and dinner; maybe digestive tonic too, after each meal; lastly, why not a nap?

The modern trend is going towards 'divinizing' the dog. I saw two Hindi movies where dogs acted as a superhero.

Sipra's Diary: Drama > ( Workshop. ). Title : CONJUGAL CONFLICT

                               Drama >      Time. :  (10minutes)

                                  CONJUGAL  CONFLICT

Genre:    Short Fiction

Venue: 

 *One Bed-room Apartment   of Fourteenth floor,    Lower Manhattan

  *  Main Characters :-Kausik(Indian husband)and. Linda(America wife),   

  * And   Badsha, the baby-son

 * Minor characters:  police (2) Security guard , Apartment Concierge  

   and   some Handymen.

{[***Characters. (behind the curtain )>.

 Parents of Kausik ; Linda's Ex-Boyfriend

Time :  Friday Evening , 7:30PM}]

********************************************************

                             Act-1      (scene 1)

Kausik and Linda were taking dinner in their dining cum living room, accompanied with the watching  of  entertainment channel  in CVS  on TV which was fixed  on the opposite side of wall .They looked very much  relaxed on Friday mood.

Linda: 

After dinner we can watch a late-night movie on Netflix  if our "cute enemy" doesn't wake up. When you'll  finish, please take your favorite bottle 'Stella rose'   with two wine  glasses in the bed room . 

Linda cast a meaningful glance with smile  for Kausik.

Kausik took some   tuna salads and brea, keeping aside the pasta on plate.  There was a clear sign on his face that he was not enjoying the food at all . But Linda did not notice that .  

She continued  :'I can see a new Indian movie with you tonight, it's Bombay-Begam,   a nasty hot movie; have you hea......

(interruption by shrilled ringing tone in the land phone rang by this time,)   it was long-distance-call; 

 Kausik  rushed hurriedly to pick up the phone,  "hello  mummy.!..........I can't hear you well ; Keep your phone, I am calling you.

Linda was watching[with open jaw] the face of husband and guessed something inauspicious . No call  used to come from India  except   his birthday and it was too early morning in India for  calling.

As  kausik   was about to wash his hand, she interrupted.  "You can call them after finishing your dinner !

 Kausik did not answer;     instead he  dialed the number and resumed to talk  with mom, sitting  on the stool near the phone-stand. 

Linda finished her meal  with displeased  silence.  She was irritated  at the thought of spoiling  Friday fun; but  She kept her ear as  alert   as watch-dog to hear conversation of Kausik.

Kausik: "hmm.....when it happened?"

Mummy :

"After coming back from  Ritu's marriage party he was feeling uneasy ; so I gave a call to the doctor Ayanger; he advised to get him   admitted day before yesterday in Joshi Nursing home  .But he was shifted to  ICSU at yesterday  midnight as his sugar was rising high.  I was waiting for morning to inform you.  " 

"Be cool mummy ; I will be reaching  Kerala  as soon as possible ;I will call   my friend  Ramesh  to give you  some cash money   immediately ;I wish my dad to get  best treatment . .....Who is with you now mummy?  "

Mummy:  

" Sriprya , she  always take care for us ;   She is  now in the final year of   Ayurvedic Medical college. "  

("Sriprya!  Kausik murmured silently.  [...parents' desired daughter-in-law] 

Kausik's parent wished  to include her in the family   as  their  daughter-in-law").

Then Kausik dialed his friend Ramesh and informed him everything .

Linda was cleaning the table  Coming near to Linda , Kausik told her about hospitalization of his father .

Kausik: 

 "Listen I have to go  India as soon as I get direct flight  to Kerala.  I am thinking that  if my father doesn't survive,  I can not leave my mother alone .  After the the funeral   rituals  I will bring my mummy here with me .!"

For a moment Linda stood  like a statue with Stony gaze at Kausik.

Then said with icy voice ,"is it necessary to take such quick decision to bring your mom here ?''

Kausik:  

 Yes. It is urgent for me. But what bothers you, Linda?".......[Continue]

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Linda : 

"  I think  it is a kind of torture to  bring her in this foreign land  at this late age." .

Kausik : 

You needn' t  to think that! I am the nearest and dearest to her  on earth ;she needs nothing else than to spent rest of life with me; and I will be also in peace.

Linda :(with stern voice)said thoughtfully:

There are many more problems ; some are potent while others are latent, unseen.

Kausik:

"As for?   looking at Linda questionably...

Linda: 

"This is a one bed room apartment. We have to move at least One and half bed room apartment which will create financial  pressure on us ."

Kausik:  

"You will join  to take your  part time old job in the WallMart so that no financial pressure comes.  My mom will be happy for the opportunity  to spend some time with the grand son ."

(Linda   was  enraged , her face became red;  she  threw forcefully the moist  dirty napkin   for cleaning table  and leaning  on   other   hand on the table  she  demanded,)

Linda screamed :

"Why,  should I  support you for your mom? Your parent were  against   our   marriage. They warned you to cut up relationship with you ,even they may go to court! black-mailer parent, huh ! They tried to pollute  your mind  with their opinion of  mean nasty idea about  American girl as wife . Linda continued like a counselling.....

  "One of my   divorcee  friend, Judy, who married an Indian boy, told that that it was her  widow  mother- in -law  who   caused   her divorce . She poked her nose in every matter ; always advising what to do or not; she can take better care of her son than I do or know. 

Too much worrying and babying   was so annoying for Judy;   her husband became powerless against his mother . He turned into alfa male which caused her  behavior pattern  to change also: rough, arrogant ,abusive ; all communications reached to stand still; their relationship became bitter and degraded  from worse to worst ; quarreling and arguments were the only conversations between them ;   her mother-in-law seemed to be happy, she wanted their separation.  My friend requested her husband for counseling;but he  did not pay ear to her.  At last the marriage ended in separation.

Judy consoled me   that I was lucky that my in laws keep no relation with me from the beginning. But  warned   me  to remember always,' beware of Indian mother-in-law!"

..."So I am the last person to support you of bringing your mother. to live with us.  Better solution is to send financial  support so that she can live  well  in India." 

(Linda  tried to study facial lines of Kausik, - if her lecture about Judy left any positive  effect on him!)

Kausik:

      "Listen ,  this is not the time for quarreling ; I have least interest to argue with you now .  My mind is burdened with the thought whether I will see my dad last time to beg pardon and ask him to forgive me for disobeying him..(his voice choked in grief..)..I have to prepare for going India.

My mom will lie on  this sofa-cum bed /or the foot-on bed which I kept folded in the cupboard until we move somewhere. Please keep the small cupboard empty for my mom's suitcase and other staff."

(Kausik moved to the bedroom and brought the   old carry -on cabin suitcase of his student life which was little dusty for not being used long time.)

Linda  frustrated to experience that her story of divorcee friend did not affect  a bit to KK.  (She  used to address kausik) Husband's impassiveness infuriated her toxically. She flung to the  front  of  KK who was dusting  his   cabin suitcase,  and said  as  a hissing snake :

" I see ! you wouldn't  hear me ! '

      she spinned around the table ( crushing her teeth in vain anger) 

-   "You are ready to risk your  'family life' miserable  at the cost of your male  chauvinistic attitude, right ?At the back of your mind,  your  alfa 'ego'  is  working which is :

           'I will do what I wish'! 

(She again  moved her body dramatically.  with her conversation).!'

But look  here,  in conjugal life you can't take any such unilateral decision.

......." she was gasping!

 (She bended her slender body and  swayed her indicator finger violently near KK's nose ).

"I  am  the last person to  allow you to do so ; Let me  see. how far  the water ultimately  flows!"

Linda:    

"you are a son of Tamil Brahmin priest ; it would have been  better  for you  to  follow your hereditary profession of priest hood in temple and marry  a rustic woman as  efficient cook , a true replica of your mom  (Uttered sarcastically),  instead of   coming here for higher education  and  to marry me to  hell rest of my life ".

Kausik:( voice-tone like thundering )

       "Don't forget that I rescued you by marrying !

There was no love affair   as such between us .  Kausik dusted  the suitcase  well  to clean up before pulling the chain   and  opening  it . (simultaneously  with the conversation)

 ." I have to marry you out of sympathy, on humanitarian ground.

   (Now KK threw a sharp piercing  glance at Linda.)

        Suddenly Linda looked a  little  bewildered as if trying to looking back....

          ....for what?.....

....apprehending?.....

.....memorizing?.....

......or, calculating?.....

Within few moments Linda  controlled  her weakness and asked in challenging voice:

"S-o-o.  you mean you married me not out of love but for empathy? 

This one and half years you played only  'game of love 'with me? 

 you imposter, a  humbug  bastard!

I can't live with you any more . I must leave this  house  right now ."

Kausik :(impatiently)

          "You are at liberty to do that"- replied shrugging  his shoulder."

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  (Linda rushed into the bedroom and within short period came  out with her backpack and pryam with sleeping baby) .

"I am taking your son with me . "

Kausik( declared firmly)

              "He is not  "my son ";  so  you can  take  him  also with you .

Linda 

          Raised a   shrilling scream with striking the   dining table-top...

"What?  Wh-a-a at. ? 

Linda threw a metallic verse towards wall which hit and cracked   their  framed  wedding photo with  white  gown and  white veil of  transparent lace !.

"You mean creature ,  a  heinous  vulture !  Aren't you ashamed to deny  even your  fatherhood ?.... just to avoid alimony!

The baby in the pryam   woke  up from sleep due to the noise and started   crying  .

            (Chaos and commotion spread out in the room)

 Kausik:

       "Don't shout! don't!"

       Kausik went on  divulging   the secret  from the closet, locked so long...... 

"You had affair with  my friend Ricardo who  also  came from Argentina  for higher study. like me .You were undergrad student and also doing a part time job  of waitress  in college canteen to meet up your own  education and other expenses . 

Ricardo was a son of wealthy businessman.... .You piled on him to earn  a secured  life  for yourself..Linda! Ricardo was only flirting with you;  You were too ambitious to care little for your feminity!  You began to stay in the  room of his hostel when he finished his Master and got job in several places .You insisted him to marry before joining any job. 

One day Ricardo came to me in the  evening and asked me to drop him to the  airport . He disclosed me that he is fleeing  to  his home land Argentina to escape from you. Because you were blackmailing him that you will attempt suicide if he  does  not marry you that month; you are carrying his baby in your womb . You refused stubbornly to go any doctor's clinic for abortion. Then Ricardo handover  me an envelop which contained  your suicide note.  He was terrified. 

 Now I should disclose what I kept as secret to you. Though not pleasant but you must  listen to know the back ground fact  of me to marry you ! 

Ricardo [afraid and anxiously] :

"I lied Linda that I will  be  going  out for seven days to Sweden  and Amsterdam for job interviews ."

Kausik:

I came back home from airport after dropping  Ricardo with heavy heart . After  one  month I met you in the Walmart  collecting carts and arranging them in order;

....Linda , you look pathetically sick,-- physically and mentally. I was touched to see that . You asked me whether I am in touch with Ricardo. I just nodded my head without looking at your eyes. 

On  that day , coming back to my room I got the  offer of job -letter . ..

As your sad image that I saw  in  Walmart  floated in my mind,  I took out the 'suicide note'( kept secretly) to read  several times Then I decided to  propose you. Before proposing I used to go Walmart frequently  to meet you. .......The rest is known to you : how I  struggled over the storm of objections from my parents  .Your  baby was born within  seven months of our marriage ......I pretended to all  as if  ' pre matured  baby' to save your prestige!. .........

The baby was crying and  wanting to get on the lap of  his mom  .But Linda did not pick up him  on lap.

Linda was standing against the wall,  her    bewildered  face was distorted   utterly  with contempt  and helplessness ! 

Linda :( now she clapped dramatically)

        "  Wow, goo-d Samaritan;  then like vomit she emitted,  ff uck,   you fake Shame- ari- tan !"

             (The baby was crying....)

( Kausik came towards her ; picked up  the  crying  baby affectionately, to hand over Linda .)

Kausik:

       "He is hungry ; please.  feed him !  

(Linda turned her face  to the baby  looking  vacantly, as if, to  some creature  never seen before)!

  Then glanced  at Kausik  deeply with  her stunned. and tearful eyes,         for few moments . 

  { Both fixed their eyes on each other with their mouth little agap, like still-image !  their untold speech was conveyed through gazed eyes ! {(Perhaps all the past moments  of last fifteen  months  flashed   in lightening  speed in their minds like some snap-shots-!!}

 Linda.   took the baby from kausik  in her lap  and went to the bed- room silently.)

 Kausik;  ( rested  on the sofa-cum bed,  quite  exhausted;  it was mid-night As he   switched  off the light, a deadly silence swooped down, pervading all around  Just as in war field ,   at the end of battle !

Kausik lay down on the sofa. ..... amidst the silence he heard the   baby was enjoying  breast-milk from Linda  with sweet sucking  noise      .....chuk, chuk ....chuk.  Aah!Aah....

He felt into deep sleep  with that  lullaby   ..chuk,chuk..........

    (  In early morning   door-bell    and also the    ring-tone from  land phone  puzzled sleepy Kausik.  He   struggled  to get  over from sleepy bewilderment ...  With drowsy eye he opened the door ; his sleep evaporated to see two cobs with uniform, standing  behind the  security guards  of  their building  who looked pale, terrified.    

Police:       

You have to come down with us in the back yard of swimming pool..

Kausik followed them in   his bewilderment  without questioning 

Outside the indoor swimming pool  there was a open place surrounded by some tall tree and swimming chairs to relax under open sky .There was a crowd of  several cobs,  concierge,  two three staffs of  the   apartment ,The police stopped near a  body covered by white sheet. One cob lifted the white cover.

Police:

"Do you recognize. this woman?'"

Kausik :   nodded his head .

"What is her name?"

Kausik :

         "Linda, my wife".

Police. :

          "When did she came here?"

(Kausik  nodded his head again.)

Police. :

"Why was she out of apartment at mid-night?"

(Kausik nodded his head , confusedly.)

            The   cleaner of swimming pool  was the first to see her body hanging from a tree of this garden. 

Kausik : (looked at her  wide-opened sea-green eyes  fixed  at the grey unclear sky and  protruded tongue, as if,  to mock  Kausik !

(Kausik asks silently: What are you searching with such penetrating look  at the sky ,  Linda?   fault of our stars?

He wanted to ask the cob to shut  her eyes and  insert her  tongue inside; but nothing came out from throat .)

  Two cobs in white robe with the concierge came to Kausik.

" Sir, we need to take look of your apartment; please accompany us "

   Kausik   followed them like puppet.

 The cob took multiple photos of the whole apartment . They discussed among themselves  in low voice while  taking  ..the cracked  wedding photo  In the bed room they picked up an. open envelop.  from the baby-cot.

The three cobs leaned over the piece of paper  to read .

Police :

         "Sir, you have to go to the police station with  us .

        There are two lady cops to take care of your baby".

Kausik  followed the cobs; 

Coming near the elevator as he  turned back  abruptly towards  the door  of his apartment , he visualized   his father standing, waving  his right palm.

 Taking seat in the police Jeep car Kausik covered his face with two palms; he apprehended  his father passed away; his berieved mother would be looking for him to come;   his only descendant Badsha,the 7month's baby-son,  left under the caretaker of two unknown lady cobs, and he  is on the way of police station ,perhaps to be prisoned !

How a life can be be turned to polar distance by fate only in couple of hours!

 The cob patted  him softly and assured,"It is just formality's sake; nothing would happen to you, sir ;  he gave the note from the envelope to read :This is her suicide-note, written   at 4: 15 AM,

          'Nobody is responsible for my suicide; it is my Own decision.

                Kausik,  my husband, is  innocent !'

                                                                      Linda. Srinivasan

         NB:

        "I want to be loved and live in your heart ; true love never                                                                                                                     

         dies, isn't?  xx

                     "Only yours Linda".

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