A LOVE STORY - Episode 9

A LOVE STORY

A Serial By Varalotti Rengasamy

Episode 9

Kamla had got up pretty early in the morning. She had her morning coffee. She did not have the mind to browse through the papers. Kumar had gone for his morning walk.

Kamla was lost in thoughts. There was a possibility that they might lose everything. She had never given a damn to wealth. But to lose whatever one had and that too in the eventide of one’s life was unbearable.

The duplex flat, though not luxurious was quite comfortable. The drawing room, study and the bedroom were air-conditioned. They had a king-size bed. The kitchen was quite spacious.

Kamla loved driving her black Honda City. They had a live-in cook. Kumar was leading a very comfortable, peaceful retired life. All these would be gone soon.

She did not even have the mind to pray. She wanted to talk to Arun, but did not want to disturb him at this early hour.

She also had half mind to confess everything to Kumar. If only she can bury her face in Kumar’s chest and cry to her heart’s content, everything will be all right. Was it as simple as that? She was not sure.

How would Kumar view this? Will he be affected?

It was not fair. How could she and Kumar be made responsible for Dr.Rao’s gambling debts? That was one classic instance where law and justice were at loggerheads.

As of now the greatest confidence she had was Arun’s publisher, Naren. He was younger than Arun, probably as good as Arun. But what impressed her was his street smartness and his worldly wisdom. Arun had identified the correct person for her.

Part 2!

Kamla’s mobile rang. Of late she had changed the ringtone to Suprabatham. She let her mobile ring for a few times savouring the simple beauty of the divine composition.

“Dr. Kamla”

“Good Morning, Doctor. This is Naren from KT Publications. Arun’s publisher.”

“Good Morning, Naren. You will live a hundred years. I was just thinking about you and your comforting words.”

“Thanks for the blessing, Doctor. I need a favour from you.”

“Consider it done.

“We are bringing out a deluxe edition of Arun’s latest book, “Unrequited Love”. We are also using this as an excuse to showcase Arun. My ad agency has worked out a month-long tour programme for Arun- press meets, book signings and literary meetings.

“Had I known about your problem earlier I would not have organised this at this time. We have already sunk several lakhs in the campaign. We’ll lose face if we withdraw it now.”

“Why should you withdraw it, Naren? I am very happy for Arun. Please go ahead with the campaign.”

“Doctor, I know how much of support Arun is to you. I am sure his going away for a month now will be a pain to you.”

“It will be, Naren. But you should never stop that on my account.”

“Doctor, I am in a fix now. I know how you helped Arun during a very crucial phase in his writing career. But for your friendship and support we would not have got this priceless gem on our hands today. I don’t want to let you down, when you need Arun’s support.”

“Oh.. Naren.. what’s this…”

“Doctor, Doctor, please let me finish. Arun will be away from Chennai exactly for 25 days. During his absence I will be playing the role of Arun for you, Doctor. Your creditors can only walk over my dead body to harm you.

”I have put all our new projects on hold till you come out of this crisis. I will be working full time on the strategy we discussed yesterday. And if in spite of all these, if at any point of time you want to see Arun, I’ll see to it that he comes to you within three hours at the maximum.

“I’ll even charter a helicopter if necessary. Please think this over and let me know whether Arun can go now. Only after hearing from you I am going to talk to Arun.”

“Please don’t make me cry, Naren. I don’t see any difference between you and Arun. There is no need for me to think on this matter. Let Arun go.”

“Thanks, Doctor. Now can I talk to you for a few minutes about your problem?”

“Sure.”

“I have identified the right lawyer for your problem. He saw all the papers. He is happy with whatever your lawyer has done. As an additional precaution he wants you and Kumar to apply for anticipatory bail, just in case.

“He will also be filing caveats in all the Courts just to make sure that your creditors do not do anything behind your back.

“Kumar is also a Partner and he also should sign the papers. Arun and I are coming over to your place around 9 in the morning to explain the situation to Dr.Kumar.”
Kamla was taken aback by the amount of homework done by Naren.

“Another good news is that I have identified a good accounting firm in Singapore. I have already faxed all the papers to them. They are deputing someone from their Bombay Office for the job. They will be in your clinic for about a week or ten days max.”

“Naren..”

“I am not finished, Doctor. I have retained the services of G4, a leading security firm to provide guards in your house and clinic. When you or Kumar go out, a guard will be accompanying you. You need to put up with that for a month.”

“Naren.. How am I going to thank you for all this? Now please tell me how much should I pay these people? Can I leave some blank cheques with you, so that you need not come to me for payment every now and then?”

Naren remembered Arun’s words.

“No need, Doctor. I’ll spend the money and claim from you later.”

“Thanks, Naren.”

“Will see you and Dr.Kumar around 9, Doctor.”

Kamla disconnected the phone and wiped her tears.


‘What did I do to deserve this kind of love from a kid whom I have hardly met?’

Part 3!

Kumar returned from his walk around 8. He had his second cup of coffee and disappeared into his study with the newspaper.

Arun and Naren were there at five to nine. When Kamla saw them together at the door, her mind was filled with enormous courage and confidence. ‘If these two young men are with me, I can win over the entire world.’

After exchange of pleasantries Kamla took them to Kumar’s study.

“Hi Arun”

“Sir, this is Mr.Naren of KT Publications, my publishers.”

“Nice meeting you, Naren.”

Kamla sat by Kumar’s side while Arun and Naren sat opposite to them.

“What’s the book you are reading, Sir?”

Arun wanted some conversation opener before they could talk about the crisis looming large over Kumar and Kamla.

“The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran. I read it every day. What is insulin to a diabetes patient, this book is to my soul. I am taking my daily dose of insulin. “

“I have read it, Sir.” Naren joined the conversation.

“I too have.” Arun said and added, “Can you tell us what portion of it you are reading now?”

“I’ll read it for you, guys. Kamla, please listen.

“For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?

And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the over-prudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?

And what is fear of need but need itself?”

Kamla broke into a sob. Arun and Naren did not know how to respond. It was obvious that Kumar was not casually reading a passage from the book.

He was eloquently communicating to them that he knew the purpose of their visit and that he was well prepared for what they were going to say.

Kumar placed his hand on his Kamla’s shoulders.

“I know, Arun. When Kamla cried way too much for Dr.Rao’s death I smelt the fish. I made some discreet enquires and found out the truth.

“My dearest, let them take all our possessions. Do you think I value this house, the car and furniture as my wealth? You are my most precious wealth dear. Besides you these are just dust.

“I have also thought of the future course of life. I have talked to Dr.Sekhar. He has offered me a Consultant’s post in the hospital he is working for. We can rent out a small place near the hospital. We may not be able to afford a car. But that’s okay.

“You have worked a lot for me, dear. Now it’s my turn to work for you. I am sure you’ll love Madurai.”

“Kumar.. Kumar….” Kamla burst out crying.

No one talked for a few minutes.

Naren cleared his throat.

“Dr.Kumar, I admire you. If only we had more people like you, this earth would be a good working model of the heaven above. I have one objection, though.”

“Shoot.”

“If you are giving up your wealth for charity, then it is all right. I do not see any merit in your giving your wealth to your partner’s gambling debts. I don’t see any value in your succumbing to your creditors’ greed. What they have done is evil.

“And Dr.Kumar, whether you like your wealth or not, you have a moral duty to fight against them.

“Just remember this, Sir; as the great Mahabharatha battle is about to begin Arjuna proclaims that he does not want any wealth or kingdom from the Kauravas. He tells the Lord that he is ready to sacrifice everything and go to the forest to do penance.

“In the eighteen chapters of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna admonishes Arjuna to fight the noble war. Because the fight was against injustice. Your situation is no different from Arjuna’s.”

Arun and Kamla looked at Naren with admiration.

“I love the way you put it, Naren. When Arun and you are by our side, I don’t mind fighting them tooth and nail. Provided my dear wife understands that even if we lose the battle, the worst case scenario is a calm life in Madurai.

“And provided further that she assures me not to let this affect her health. If these conditions are met then fight and retreat are the same to me.”

Kamla wiped her tears and talked with enthusiasm.

“I am now ready to fight this holy war. Thanks for giving me a sense of proportion, Kumar. Naren and Arun, you are our Army Generals. We are at your command. You tell us what to do.”

Naren started to talk. As she heard the young man describe the strategy her depression gave way to excitement.

Part 4!

Naren had moved heaven and earth to organise that mini-press meet at the Kamaraj Domestic Terminal of Chennai Airport.

It was a creative idea given by a young Account Executive of the ad agency. The girl who had just come out of her Mass Communications course had suggested that if they could organise an informal press meet at the airport itself, they could get maximum publicity.

The Airports Authority of India and the Police Commissioner had refused to allow a proper meeting at the airport lobby. But Naren could win over a very special oral permission to hold a meet with the reporters standing around Arun and asking questions about him and his writings.

The meet had to be over in 30 minutes. Special photo ID cards pre-authenticated by the Police Commissioner’s office had to be issued to all the invitees. Apart from 25 cards issued to the Press, Naren had issued cards to Kumar, Kamla, Marimuthu, his wife and two children and to the caterers.

Marimuthu was going along with Arun for the campaign. Arun had told Naren that Marimuthu should be with him as he was planning for the next book. Naren was only too happy to oblige.

Marimuthu’s wife and his two daughters were excited about Marimuthu’s very first flight travel. Naren had issued special passes to them so that they could see off Marimuthu.

The meet was to start in another fifteen minutes. Arun, Naren, Sethuramalingam Marimuthu and his family and about a dozen reporters had come. Two police officers were there with them to cordon off other people from that area and to ensure only those with proper ID cards were there for the meet.

Kamla and Kumar were on their way.

Arun was talking to Marimuthu’s wife and children.

“Anni, I want you all to go on a long trip during this summer vacation. And all of you are going to fly.”

He imitated the sound of a plane flying to Marimuthu’s daughter Aishwarya who was thrilled.

Marimuthu was watching the scene with tears in his eyes. He still could not believe that in a few minutes from now he was going to have his first flight experience – the very first one in his fifty two years of existence.

Naren came running to them. All the reporters invited for the meet had come.

“Arun, it’s time. You go and stand in the centre. The reporters will stand around you. We’ll all stand here. If you want anything just give a signal to me. I will come running to you.

“Otherwise it should appear as if you were informally talking to the press before boarding your flight. Are you ready?”

“I am. But Dr.Kamla and Kumar haven’t come.’

“They will be here anytime. See there. They are just entering the lobby. You go ahead, Arun. I’ll take care of them.”

Arun went to face the press.