A LOVE STORY - Episode 11

A LOVE STORY

A Serial By Varalotti Rengasamy

Episode 11

After boosting the sales of his classic Unrequited Love and after winning over the hearts of the people, the press and even the hardened hearts of those in Bollywood, Arun flew to Bangalore along with Marimuthu.

It was their second day’s stay in the once green, now polluted and hopelessly congested garden city. Arun and Marimuthu had finished their dinner and were chit-chatting about the events of the day when there was a mild knock at the door.

Marimuthu opened the door to let in two men in their late fifties.

“Vidyabharathi Sir, I’m R.K.Lal, owner of Lal Book Stores here in this city. This is my good friend S.K.Chand, a famous Hindi Writer.”

Arun shook hands and offered seats for them. Marimuthu was quite curious to know about the purpose of their visit, especially at that late hour.

“Your books are selling like hot-cakes, Sir. I have loaded my shop with five hundred copies of your book for tomorrow’s book-signing function.”

“Thanks a lot.”

“I have come now for a major project. This man, Chand, has written a novel in Hindi which has become a sensation in North India. It’s also a love story and it looks upon love in a very different angle. Now that the Hindi book is a success, Chand wants his book to be translated into English.”

Arun was surprised.

“Many authors have approached him for the work. But Chand is not happy about their abilities to translate. He wants to entrust the work to a person who does not merely understand the word-meanings in both the languages, but what is there in the author’s heart which is beyond all languages.”

“Well said, Mr. Lal.”

“Chand heard of your work, ‘Unrequited Love’ and now wants you to do the translation. He’s sure that with your English rendering of his work, it will become popular throughout the country. His publisher also knows about you and is ready to give a blank cheque to you for the work.”

“Thanks for the confidence, Mr.Lal. But I don’t know Hindi. I can manage conversational Hindi and do shopping in Delhi. But to translate a good work from Hindi to English…. .. .. no way, Mr. Lal.

“Translation is actually transcreation and unless I know the language as intimately as the author of the work I cannot get those feelings in my heart. Without those feelings my translation will be only like a dubbed movie full of lifeless dialogues.”

Their faces fell.

“But Vidyabharathi Sir, we can hire Hindi Scholars well versed in English. They will help you.”

“Mr.Chand, why go about in this round-about way? You want an author who is equally proficient in Hindi as well as in English, right? You want someone who is creative, right? I have in mind the right person for the job.”

“Who’s it, Arun Sir?”

Marimuthu was more curious than the guests.

Arun smiled at his partner.

“Karthik.”

“But Arun Sir…”

Arun signalled Marimuthu to be silent and continued to talk.

“He has completed his Visharadh in Hindi. He has read all the great works in Hindi. One of his Hindi to English translation works has been shortlisted for the Sahithya Academy award this year.

“They say he is likely to win the Award. Mr.Chand, I don’t think you can find a better person than Karthik for this job. I’ll give the contact details. Talk to him and you’ll be convinced.”

Marimuthu had been a witness to the airport incident. Tried hard as he did, he could not control his tears.

The Hindi Author eagerly copied down Karthik’s contact details and the two men took leave of them.

Part 2!

Kamla was sitting in a dazed state after she heard Vidya’s name spoken by Ritu.

Ritu had a lot of work to do before her flight to Mumbai. She conveyed Kamla’s acceptance to her boss and after receiving a warm hug from Kamla she almost ran out of the office.
Kamla was now lost in thoughts.

Is this Vidya the same one whom Arun loved and is still loving?

Kamla very well remembered Arun describing Vidya’s entry into his college and into his life.

The name Vidya Balasubramanian had been indelibly written in her heart. Ritu repeating the maiden name of Vidya meant only one thing – she was not yet married. But was she still in love? With Arun?

She remembered Ritu talking about the sudden upgrade of the assignment by the Singapore office. It was quite possible that Vidya came to know about the airport press meet and should have correlated the details with Ritu.

Why should the press-meet interest her, if she had no feelings for Arun?

So it should be the same Vidya.

If not why should she seek a private audience with her? What was the matter which was so urgent that Vidya was paying for Kamla’s and Kumar’s travel and stay costs?

Was it to talk about her personal life? About her love?

Even then Kamla was not sure whether Vidya actually loved Arun or Sundar. She did not want to give false hopes to any one, least of all, to Arun. She shared her thoughts with Kumar who endorsed her stand of keeping mum for the time being.

She explained about the previous day’s happenings to Kumar. Kumar had asked to see the video recording of the incident. May be when they were in Singapore she could ask Vidya for a CD copy of the day’s events.

She had also apprised Arun and Naren of the developments.

Part 3!

There was a gentle knock at the door.

“Come in, Bhavani.”

“Can I start taking appointments, Madam?”

Kamla saw the calendar. The day was Monday.

“Bhavani, let’s resume the work from Thursday.”

Kamla foraged her hand bag and took a wad of currency.

“This is for you Bhavani. And this is for the nurses. And this for the janitor. All of you have a nice time. Ask them all to come on Thursday morning. Freak out, girl.”

Part 4!

When Kamla came out of her clinic and started her black beauty – Honda City - she was very happy. There was nothing like being in a big crisis and coming out of it unscathed.

She saw the time. Kumar would not have returned from his afternoon golf.

She remembered that she had a score to settle with Naren. Why not I surprise that guy by appearing in his office unannounced?

She drove to the end of Cenotaph Road and turned right to Chamiers Road and crossed the signal at Mount Road to enter Venkat Narayana Road. From there she deviated left to enter the premises of K.T.Publications.

Naren was pleasantly surprised by Kamla’s sudden visit.

“Welcome, Doctor. Can I order Walnut Halwa and ginger tea for you? Sri Krishna Sweets has opened an outlet nearby. Very tempting, Doctor.”

“No. I won’t touch anything you offer. I have come to fight with you.”

Naren was puzzled.

“Tell me Doctor, what sin did I do to get such strong words from you?”

“You lied to me, Naren..”

“I don’t know what you are talking about, Doctor.”

“Didn’t you tell me that PWC is charging a fee of Rs. 50,000 for my work? I enquired around. PWC is one of the Big Four audit firms in the world.

“And for an assignment like this they should be charging something between fifteen to twenty lakhs plus expenses. So you paid that from your pocket and lied to me that their fee was only 50000?”

Naren smiled with all the love in the world.

“Your Honour, I am not guilty. Only your Arun is.”

“What the hell are you saying, Naren?”

Naren told her everything. He told her how Arun cancelled the registration of his Velachery Property and arranged the money for her.

Kamla froze.

‘Arun, where did you get this kind of love? You remember your words in the dedication of your book?

I pray that should happen, Arun. I should be born your daughter and fully enjoy this kind of love for a whole lifetime.’

Naren saw Kamla shedding tears.

He came to her and placed his hand on her shoulders.

“Doctor, I had promised Arun that I will never tell this to you. But when you asked me point blank, well, I did not have the heart to lie on your face.”

Kamla wiped her tears.

“Ok, Naren, tell me how much I owe Arun. No, tell me how much money you want to complete the registration of that property in Arun’s name.”

“Doctor you are never going to believe this. PWC asked for a fee of Rs. 20 lakhs. And they insisted that I should wire Rs. 5 lakhs in advance which I did. I was about to wire the balance amount tomorrow.

“But you know what happened today? PWC, Singapore wired back the five lakhs to my account. And they have told me that no amount is due on this assignment. I don’t know what’s happening to this world.”

‘I know, Naren. I know what’s happening. But can’t tell you now.’

Now Kamla was sure that this was the same Vidya whom Arun loved. Still it was too early to tell. She wanted to switch the topic.

“Now be a good boy and order Walnut halwa and ginger tea.”

Naren called his secretary on the intercom.

As Kamla was savouring the calorie-rich delicacy from Sri Krishna sweets, she teased Naren.

“Naren, do you remember your words? You promised me that in case I need Arun you will even charter a helicopter for that.”

“Do you want him now?”

“Not now. Kumar and I are going on a week-long holiday to Singapore. If we require Arun there for any reason, how fast can you pack him up?”

“When are you going, Doctor?”

“May be in another two, three weeks.”

“I think Arun should be back by then. Are you sure you want him in Singapore, when you are there?”

“Let me put it this way. There’s more than 70% chance that we may need him there.”

“Thanks for letting me know. I will get a Singapore Visa for Arun right now. Just give me a day’s notice, I’ll send him there.”

“And remember, this time I am paying for his travel. I’ll leave this signed blank cheque with you to cover the visa fees and the air tickets.”

Kamla was chatting with Naren for a few more minutes and finally stood up to go.

“Naren, I don’t know how to put it. I am not a writer like Arun who has all the words at his service. I am a plain shrink.

“I shudder to think what would have happened to me without you and Arun. It’s not something which I can finish off by saying thanks. I don’t know, Naren. I can’t put it in words. I owe everything to you.”

The city’s famous shrink was on the verge of an emotional break-down.

“No sweat, Doctor. We did nothing. It was your love – in accepting Arun’s friendship that kick-started a chain of miracles.”

“There are three very important days in my life, Naren. The day my dear Kumar proposed to me, the day when Arun asked for my friendship and yesterday, when Ritu and her boss saved me and Kumar from danger.”

Kamla was savouring those moments.

There was a mischievous smile on Naren’s lips as he shook hands with Kamla.

‘Your list of red-letter days is not over yet, Doctor.’

“Did you say something, Naren?”

“I just said, “Have a great day.”

Part 5!

The next two weeks flew by. Things were moving at their usual speed in all directions. Arun and Marimuthu went to Hyderabad from Bangalore and from there to Kolkatta.

They went to Jaipur from there and came down to Delhi for the final leg of their campaign.

Arun’s handsome and lovelorn face became a rage and “Unrequited Love” was selling in thousands. The Deluxe Edition of the book which carried the writer’s picture on the back cover was again a hit.

It happens very rarely in the movie industry when an art film becomes a box office hit as well. The same thing happened to Arun’s book. It was praised in literary circles and yet the common man loved the simple richness of the great work.

With that kind of success the much hackneyed cliché in the literary world became true for Arun- even if he were to publish his laundry list it would become a publishing sensation. In the midst of their busy travelling schedule Arun and Marimuthu were also working on A LOVE STORY.

Ritu Khanna was coordinating the travel arrangements for Kamla and Kumar. Their Singapore Visas had come.

Ritu called Kamla on a Saturday afternoon.

“Good Afternoon, Ma’am. I never thought you’d be such a big VVIP.”

“What happened, Ritu?”

“Well your ticketing is over. The Singapore Office has asked me to travel with you. I was to go to Singapore sometime during the month-end. They advanced my schedule and have made me travel with you and Kumar.

“But that’s not the point. You know my boss is coming to receive you at the airport. That’s a phenomenon, Ma’am.”

‘What’s so special about it?’ thought Kamla.

“You know, Ma’am, my boss has never done this. When our Global Head – Consulting based in New York visited Singapore last month, my boss was not there to receive him. You should be very special to her. Are you by any chance related to her?”

Kamla smiled to herself.

“No Ritu. I have not even seen her.”

“Ok, we are leaving by the Jet Airways Flight next Sunday. Departure time: 11 AM. I’ll pick you guys up around 8 30 in the morning.”

Part 6!

Kamla’s mind was filled with happiness. She went on a shopping spree. She bought dresses for herself and Kumar for the Singapore trip.

She went on a special shopping spree exclusively for Vidya. She picked up two exquisite pieces of Samudhrika Silk sarees from Pothys and a dozen Chudithar materials for her.

She spent more than two hours and close to one and a half lakhs of Rupees in GRT and selected an exquisite jewellery set for Vidya- a beautiful gold necklace studded with precious stones, matching ear-rings and a few pairs of bangles. She also went to Sukra Mylapore and got grand antique silver anklets for a few thousands of Rupees.

Kamla felt as if she were shopping for the marriage of her only daughter Priya.

Kamla told about her travel plans to Arun and Naren.

She did not forget to tell Naren that the chances of her requiring Arun at Singapore had now gone up from 70% to 90%.

Naren was puzzled, but was nevertheless happy for Arun. He could infer that it had something to do with Arun.

Part 7!

The Jet Airways flight from Chennai touched the Changi International Airport at Singapore around 6 pm local time.

Kamla, Kumar and Ritu completed their immigration check, claimed their baggage and walked towards the exit.

“There she is, Ma’am.”

Ritu whispered in Kamla’s ears. But there was absolutely no need for it. For before them stood a dazzling beauty draped in an exquisite white chudihar. A multi-colour dupattah adorned her beautiful shoulders.

Kamla’s mind was working fast. She remembered Arun’s description of Vidya. After all she had heard the recording of Arun’s sessions only the previous day.

She was not fair, but her big black eyes, her sharp nose, her long, well trimmed eye-brows and her red lips made her exceptionally beautiful.

Mischief was dancing non-stop on her eyes and her lips declared an eternal readiness to smile at the slightest provocation.

If Arun, who by his own confession, was not that good looking during his college days had become an epitome of handsomeness, what would have happened to Vidya who was beauty personified even in those days?

And before Kamla stood the most beautiful answer to that question.

Vidya’s raw teenage beauty had matured and ripened into wholesome feminine grace. Vidya should have grown taller after she had left college. She should be 5’ 9” now, thought Kamla.

The unusual height and the even more unusual intellectual sharpness in her eyes provided a beautiful frame for the wonderful picture of her beauty. Kamla was speechless.

‘If only Arun could get her….’ Kamla could not help thinking.

Part 8!

Ritu had planned to do the introductions. But there was no need for it.

Vidya came running to Kamla and was about to bend to touch Kamla’s feet. Kamla smartly pre-empted that move and held Vidya in a tight hug.

When the women’s hearts were close to each other, Kamla had a strong intuition that Vidya was still available and that she was in love only with Arun.

Kamla kissed Vidya on her forehead. Vidya was in tears. She then went to Kumar and touched his feet. Kumar placed his hands on her head, “God bless you. You are stunning, my child.”

Kamla was too emotional to speak for a while.

“Vidya, my dearest, for what you have done to us.. “

Vidya did not let her finish the sentence.

“That’s peanuts compared to what I am going to ask for from you. I have a long list of demands and I am going to place my first demand right here.”

“Shoot.”

“I want to call you as Ma and him as Pa. Please… I lost both my parents a few years ago and I have been living a very lonely life since then.”

“Oh my dear… dear… Vidya..”

Kamla hugged her again.

“Thanks Ma. Thanks Pa.”

Kumar wiped his eyes and placed his hand on Vidya’s head.

“You’ll always be blessed, dear.”

They stood in a trance-like state for a few minutes.

Ritu who had been standing a little away now came forward to shake hands with her boss.

“Ritu, are you coming with us to my place?”

“No, Ma’am. I am booked in Hotel Park Inn. I have some work to do.”

“Don’t strain yourself too much, Ritu. I may not attend office tomorrow. But will be available on line for about an hour in the afternoon. I’ll ping you. Get yourself a local sim card. You may call me anytime. Take care, Ritu.”

As soon as Ritu was gone, Vidya pushed the trolley containing their luggage and the three walked out of the airport to the car park.

Vidya loaded the baggage into the trunk of a Silver Grey E-320 Bluetec Mercedes Benz.

Vidya handled the 208-horse-power machine as if it were a toy-cycle. The German marvel fitted with the state of the art turbo mechanism attached to a 6 cylinder 3.2 litre engine willingly submitted to Vidya’s commands as if it were her lap dog. During the forty minutes drive to the city they were talking of the weather, the neatness of Singapore’s roads and the way all the systems beautifully worked in that city-state.

Part 9!

None of the three occupants of that luxury apartment in Sophia Court in Adis Road were able to sleep that night.

All the three were up early in the morning.

Vidya prepared coffee for all of them and knocked the door of the spacious guest bedroom where Kamla and Kumar spent the night.

“What’s this Ma?”

Vidya was surprised by the colourful sight before her eyes. On the bed were spread two exquisite silk sarees. On them sat gold and silver jewellery. There was a stack of dresses by the side.

Kamla smiled at Kumar and then told Vidya,

“They are all for you, Vidya. These are special Samudhrika Silk sarees which I picked up at Pothys. The jewellery is from GRT; it’s of the latest design. It’ll sit elegantly on you, dear.”

“No, Ma. Why should you spend so much on me? No, I won’t accept any of these. Please forgive me.”

“Vidya, when I go to the US to visit my daughter Priya, I’ll carry gifts like these. And if your mother were alive today and if she were to visit you, she would have got much more than these.”

“Come on, Pa, what she’s doing is not fair. Tell her not to do this.”

Vidya complained to Kumar.

Kumar stood up and came near Vidya. He placed his hand on Vidya’s shoulders and started talking in a soft tone.

“I remember reading the wonderful words of an obscure poet, Vidya. The poet is offering some flowers and fruits to God. And he melts in wonder, , “My Lord, can there be a worse hypocrisy than my offering something to you? Whatever is there in this world belongs to you.

“Even if I search through the length and breadth of the Universe I can not find anything that is not owned by you already. And to offer your own things to you if it’s not hypocrisy, what else it is?

“My dear child, whatever we have today is whatever you gave us by your intelligence. Like that hypocritical devotee we are giving back something to you which you already own.”

Vidya was moved. Even Kamla was moved to tears by Kumar’s eloquence.

“Ok, Ma, Pa. You stand here together. Have these things in your hand. I will get these along with your blessings.”

Part 10!

They had a simple breakfast of bread-toast, cornflakes and grape fruit.

“Ma, now comes the second one in the long list of demands. I want to talk to you for hours and hours. But we have the whole week before us. So if you want to just look around the city now, we can go.”

“I too want to talk a lot, Vidya. I have seen Singapore enough. So let’s just sit down and talk.”

Kumar had dressed to go out.

“If you can excuse me gals, I’ll spend sometime in the National Library. I have heard a lot about it and want to have a look at it.”

“Do you want us to come along with you, Pa?”

“No, Vidya. You two go ahead with your talking session. I’ll be back by one in the afternoon.”

“But do you know how to go?”

“I’ve been in Singapore earlier. I know about the taxis and the MRT. I can manage.”

“Just a minute, Pa.”

Vidya went in for a few minutes.

“Your collar is not all right. Let me adjust it for you, Pa.”

Vidya went near Kumar and in the pretext of adjusting the collar placed a few Singapore Dollars in his pocket.

Kumar looked puzzled.

“For the taxi, Pa.”