A Pleasant Love!

The evening breeze was carrying the salty moisture. Children were running about scattering the soft sands. Parents sat on the ground and watched their children play while having their own small talks. Lovers and couples were in their own trance. Some where taking their evening walks along the pathway. The business going on was at its peak in the evening. But, they both were oblivious to everything. They both walked hand in hand on the edges of the water. She bent down after each wave, to collect the shells. They strolled for sometime and she looked to him for his permission to play in the water. He nodded his head and warned her not to go very far and left her side to sit on the shore. She thoroughly enjoyed getting wet and he watched her with awe.
His thoughts were carried away as the breeze took away the dead leaves. It was the year 2000. He was returning home after his long term assignment in the USA.His friends, family and acquaintances had gathered in his house for welcoming him to India. His mother teary eyed, received her only son into her arms. He was liked and respected by everyone in the family. He was an impeccable boy, who grew up into a lovable genteel man. He was a very studious student and pursued his career more seriously. He respected and loved his parents for they always had allowed him to follow his heart and take his own decisions. His life was smooth and calm.

He was caught up by jet lag and he wanted to rest for a while. He excused himself from everyone and left for bed, but nor before telling his mother to distribute the chocolates and gifts he had brought for his relatives. It was half past 5 in the evening when his mother woke him. He found the house empty for the guests had left. His mother pulled him along with her to the nearby temple. She wanted to offer her thanks to the Lord for bringing her only son, safe and sound. He always reveled in his mother’s love and care. After returning from the temple, they had family dinner, during which time they discussed about various subjects. When he rose from his chair, his mother reluctantly asked him a question.” Shall I start looking for a bride, I am getting old”. He kissed her forehead and told her “You may as well, but don’t tell me you are old, my love!” His parents smiled at each other knowingly at his back.

The following morning he was supposed to report to his local office. He hurried in the morning traffic and completely forgot how hectic the office hours are usually in Chennai. His four-wheeler was crawling along the IT corridor. He was impressed to see the changes and new building showing up. He was working in one of the leading IT firm. He parked his car in the parking lot and got out with his laptop. Little did he know fate was waiting at the gates to grab him?

He went into his department which was in the 15 floor. He was greeted by his team members and shown to his room. He took long strides in the career ladder. He became a project manager at the age of 27. He excelled in every aspect of his career. That did not stop him from enjoying his life. He devoted his weekends to have fun. He partied, shopped and went out with friends and sometimes with his parents. He was completely immersed in work until noon and his stomach started growling. He left his room to have a quick lunch.

He walked into the corridor. When he heard some one calling him “Avi, Avi”, he turned to look at the caller. He couldn’t recognize her and neither was she looking at him, but was smiling at someone beyond him. He turned again to see who she was looking at. Just then the woman, who was walking just before him, turned. She was not the most beautiful women he had come across, but something about her caught him off guard. She had a dark hair which was as dark as the midnight sky; it was parted and plaited down to her waist. She wore a blood red salwar kameez which brought out her fair complexion. He noticed that her eyes were hazel and most definitely they shone with intelligence. The caller intruded his thoughts by apologizing to him telling that she called out to her friend “Abhi” and not Avi, for his name is Avinash. He was intrigued to know about Abhi. He remembered that the name associated with one of the projects that had started very recently. He walked to the cafeteria with her in his thoughts, finished his lunch hurriedly and came back to his room to check the name database. He found 3 Abhi’s, Abhinaya, Abijitha and Abhirami. Only one was in that specific project, Abhinaya. He found the name pleasing. He wanted to get acquainted with her and decided to do so very soon.

Days scrolled by and he was busy with his work. But, he didn’t miss to have a glimpse at her everyday. She to, uncomfortably was aware of the tension and attraction running between them. To her amazement, he decided to have a team lunch in Le royal Meridien and they all went. He built his courage before approaching her. The feeling of uneasiness was foreign to him. He could face any number of client, could give any number of presentation for hours together, but words deserted him when he wanted to speak to her. He slowly approached her and greeted her. They started to talk about work, office, project, weather, food and everything except about themselves. Her voice was melodious to his ears. They had completely forgotten the food on their plates. It had turned cold. And slowly reality began to set in. They glanced to see that every eyes were on them. He excused himself from her and left to join his other team members. But his eyes kept searching for her. After the lunch, he left to work.

He wanted to catch her early in the office and so; he left home earlier than usual. His mother was surprised at his behavior but nevertheless mentioned to him. She was happy to note that her son had unknowing tripped into the net. Avinash found her working in her cubicle and went to greet her. She was startled by his sudden approach, but politely spoke to him. He was aware that she was reluctant to speak to him in the office campus, so he did not hesitate to invite her for a cup of coffee during the week end.

They started going out on the week ends and he grew to love her. He introduced her to his parents and she, to her parents. It was one such week end that he declared his love to her and proposed her. She accepted his proposal teary eyed. They got married with both their parents permission and blessings. Their marriage life was blissful. Avi’s parents pampered Abhi and treated her as their own daughter. She continued to work after their marriage. Two years just fled by. Their love for each other grew every minute. Abhi was on top of the world and bursting with happiness. They both left for work together and on the way home did their grocery shopping. Whenever Avi went abroad she stayed behind to work here and takes care of his parents. To add to their happiness Abhi was conceived with his child. Though she was perfectly normal in health, she wanted to quit her job to devote her time to her child. Avi didn’t say anything to her decision, as he knew how much she loved the baby, even before it was born. Months just passed by and she delivered a beautiful and healthy girl baby. They named her Avinaya (Avi for Avinash and naya for Abhinaya), since it was their names that brought them together. Avi adored his daughter. Whenever he went abroad, he bought loads and loads of dresses and toys for his daughter. Abhi’s life revolved around Avinaya.

When Avinaya turned 2 years, Abhi started going out with Avi on the week ends leaving behind the baby in the care of her in laws. It was one of the weekends when Avi told her that they were invited for his friend’s home coming party in a hotel. They decided to leave home by 4 in the afternoon, since Abhi wanted to visit her parents on the way.

At about 7 pm they reached the hotel. Since Abhi was coming to a party after a very long time, she left his side to join her friends as soon as she saw them. She enjoyed her evening completely. She had the dinner and was engaged in the chit chat. Avi, with his friends left for the hotel bar. It had crossed half past 11,when he joined her again. Abhi noticed that he was besotted. They moved towards the parking lot, and she asked him to allow her to drive. But since it was nearly midnight, he didn’t want her to. He got behind the wheels and she leaned across front passenger seat and closed her eyes. He started playing some rock songs. He wasn’t driving properly as his vision was blurred. He was humming along with the music and did not notice the heavy truck that came from the left, its horn blaring. The truck came crushing on the passenger side and he in the impact he hit his head on the steering wheel and fell unconscious.

It was two months after the accident he woke up from his coma, to find that Abhi had not survived. His world was falling apart. His sorrow was beyond anything. He felt guilty for his actions. He worried himself by thinking, if only he had allowed her to drive on that fateful day, she would have been alive with him. He was discharged from the hospital when he recovered from his illness.

His parents took him home. He was unable to meet his mother’s eyes. He had never done anything wrong in his life, but the only thing he did, turned his life upside down. His mother told him that his in laws had taken his daughter with them to parent her, so that he can remarry when he is up to it. He was shocked and very hurt. The very next day, he visited his in laws and told them he want his daughter back and that only he will raise her. They tried to convince him, but he begged him saying that that she was all he had of Abhi. They couldn’t deny him his rights. Abhi’s mother gave him his sleeping daughter. His eyes welled up looking at her and he was unaware of the tears that ran down his cheeks, as he held his sleeping daughter close to his heart. He swore silently to her that he would never drink again in his life time.

He started to go to his work, when he was fully recovered. But, Abhi’s memories kept haunting him day in and day out. He was reminded of their days together in the office. He couldn’t concentrate on work. But, he wanted to pull up his strength for his daughter’s sake. He even declined his onsite assignments. He never wanted to leave his daughter side even for a day, but work was taking most of his time. He started to miss his playtime with Avinaya, when he returned home late from work. He was worried he would lose his life to his work. He thought how Abhi had quit her job and devoted herself to take care of their baby. He wanted to do justice to her. He decided to quit his present job and look for some low profile job. His employer was loath to relieve him from the job convincing him with other options, but he stood firm in his decision.

He employed himself in a small scale IT firm, where he doesn’t have to exert himself and stretch his working time beyond 6 in the evening. He came home early and spends his time with his daughter. He put her in kindergarten when she turned 3. He dropped her on the way to work and his mother collected Avinaya from school in the evening. After coming from office, he took her out everyday wherever he went, be it to near by shop or a long walk. He became her mother as well. He decided this would be his routine for years to come. As she grew up, he took her to the beach in the evenings and they both strolled along the edges of the water. He was overflowed with love to see his daughter play in the mud and get herself smutty. There was happiness written all over her face when he watched her play, oblivious to the world. He silently thanks Abhi every time he sees his daughter for leaving behind a part of her for him.

He was brought back from his reverie by Avinaya, who splashed water in his face. The water ran down his face washing his tears away. He wiped his face, got to his feet and started to chase the miniature of his beloved wife.

Padma,

Great one!

Geez! Thanks vidya. Hope you enjoyed the story!

very well written, and the situation is very true all over the drunken crowd with so many unable to come to terms with their loss...sunkan

Dear Padma
That was really very expressive .You penned in a very simple understanding words...I enjoyed the entire story.
P.s:The minute you posted your first thread(post 1) I started reading it and staring the system where is the end,Only after refreshing the page I found the remaining!!!.Thank you for posting the second post soon..Or else I would have broken my head.

Thanks sunkan for reading the post. Its undeniable fact that, they(drunkards) are n't the only one to suffer, invariably every one related to them are the sufferers. When this state is going to change????God only knows!!!!

Hey ish, Do i see "Varalotti Effect" here? Cool man, i should have known! Anyways didn't want to break your sweet heads.