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A LOVE STORY - Episode 14

Discussion in 'Saturdays with Varalotti' started by varalotti, Oct 9, 2008.

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A LOVE STORY

A Serial By Varalotti Rengasamy

Episode 14

Kumar, Kamla and Vidya were there to receive Arun at the <st1lace w:st="on"><st1lacename w:st="on">Singapore</st1lacename> <st1lacetype w:st="on">Airport</st1lacetype></st1lace>. Even in his wildest dreams Arun could not imagine that he would be seeing Vidya there.

Kamla had hidden everything from Arun only to give a pleasant shock to him.

She asked Vidya to hide behind a pillar as Arun walked towards them.

Arun told Kamla in an enthusiastic voice.

“You know what’s the first thing I want to do in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Singapore</st1lace></st1:country-region>? To see the lady who saved you from all the trouble. And then touch that angel’s feet for what she has done to you.”

There was a loud sob coming from behind the pillar. But Arun did not notice that.

“That’s precisely what are you going to do for the rest of your life, Arun.”

This time the sob was now louder.

“What was that sound Doctor?”

“It’s that same angel, unable to bear her own love.”

Vidya slowly emerged out of her hiding. Arun froze in his place.

It appeared as if the earth had suddenly stopped spinning on its axis. Time came to a perfect standstill as he saw the angelic beauty standing before him clothed in a sky blue dress.

He remembered the words of his Twelfth Standard language teacher. The teacher was explaining a poet’s description about the moon slowly emerging from the blue clouds.

To the poet the moon appears as the face of a beautiful maiden who is hiding her beauty behind the blue dress which is the sky. The poet heaves a sigh and says that it is better that way for if that maiden chooses to reveal a little more of herself, the whole world would have died in love and longing.

Vidya was shamelessly staring at Arun with all the love in the world. Arun could not withstand the intensity of her stare.

“You are… please forgive me if I am wrong… you resemble someone I know very well…. are you by any chance…..related to.. no, no.. are you Vid.. Vid.. Vidya.. by any chance.. “

Vidya laughed with tears still glistening in her eyes. She wanted to shout YES for the entire airport to hear.

Nothing but air escaped from her mouth. When she furiously nodded her head to tell her assent large drops of tears started falling on the ground.

Arun was now sure that it was none other than Vidya. The same Vidya who had been living in his heart all these years, the same Vidya who was such an integral, inseparable part of his own being that he could not think of a life with any woman other than her.

There was a distinct glow of recognition in Arun’s face. Which was followed by an intense flow of love. Even Kumar and Kamla were wiping their eyes after seeing the way Arun melted on seeing Vidya.

The scene lasted just for fifteen seconds. Arun controlled himself. He wiped his eyes and cleared his throat.

varalotti, Oct 9, 2008

varalotti, Oct 9, 2008

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Oct 9, 2008 #2

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Part 2!

He straightened himself. He was now sure that Vidya was his best friend Sundar’s wife. And that they had just accidentally bumped against each other at the airport.

His body became rigid and the love was almost gone. Now it looked as if he were meeting his friend’s wife in a public place and started formally inquiring about her and her family.

Poor soul, how could he have known what happened in Vidya’s life during these ten years?

“Very nice to see you Mrs.Vidya after such a long time. How are you doing? And how’s my dear friend Sundar?

“Has he put on more weight? How many kids do you have? Do you live here in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Singapore</st1lace></st1:country-region>?

“ Doctor, Sir, this is Vidya. All the three of us – she, her husband and I went to the same college. Vidya, this is Doctor Kamla, and this, Dr.Kumar.

“The only people in this world whom I can call my family now. But for these kind people I don’t have anybody else in the world.

“You see, my father died only a few months back.”

Kumar’s heart went out to Arun. But Kamla was clearly in a mood to tease.

“Hello Ms.Vidya. How do you do? Arun has been saying quite a lot about you…”

“DOCTOR, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING…?”

Arun shouted at the top of his voice. He was afraid that Kamla might embarrass Vidya by talking about Arun’s love for her.

Vidya was clearly hurt. She placed her hands on Kamla’s shoulders and complained to her in a pleading voice.

“See Ma, what he’s doing.”

“He’s no different from you, my dear angel. Do you remember the first question you asked about Arun? In that big “blow-up pictures” room? You asked, “How’s Arun, How’s Ambuja? How many kids do they have?””

Kamla mimicked Vidya’s high-pitched voice. Vidya blushed while Kumar had a hearty laugh.

Arun was terribly confused by Vidya calling Kamla Ma and taking so much of liberties with her. Was this lady Kamla’s daughter?

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Part 3!

Kumar could not bear to see Arun in that state. He went to Arun and hugged him.

“I won’t let you gals tease my dear boy any longer. Arun, right from the day Vidya set her eyes on you, she has been in love with you.

“In all my life I have never seen such an intense love, Arun. She is mad after you. She’s crazy about you. She is not married to anybody and is eagerly waiting for you.

“You know something? Vidya was that brilliant lady who saved us from trouble. Yes she is working for PWC Singapore.

“Now my dear boy, here’s the angel and these are her feet. Why don’t you deliver on your promise? Touch her feet and thank her, Man.”

It took some time for Arun’s mind to grasp the reality. His heart could do that job much faster and more efficiently than his head. Having understood the reality his heart opened up. And so did his eyes.

His love for Vidya which had been crystallized all these years in the depths of his heart now melted and tried to find its way out.

First it tried to come out through his mouth. But then it by-passed that exit and chose an exit at a higher level. His eyes. Yes, his love was trying to express itself in the form of tears

Kamla and Kumar were staring at Arun with tears in their eyes.

Vidya forgot that they were standing on the arrival lounge of an international airport.

She went close to Arun, stood there for a while and then wiped his tears with her own hand.

“You should never ever cry again, my dearest. I should never see you cry in my life. All those days are gone, my dear, dear Arun.”

Paradoxically this admonition against crying only made Arun cry more. Arun held Vidya’s hands and it looked as if his tears were never going to stop.

Vidya was continuously wiping the tears from his cheeks.

After what seemed an eternity Arun now looked at Vidya through a screen of tears and asked her.

“How.. how… are you… Vid.. Vidya…?”

“Was never better, Arun.”

Again the love birds lapsed into silence.

And then they started talking. Of course they were talking in full sentences, complete with subjects, predicates and objects, but without any meaning whatsoever.

It was only when Kamla placed her hand on Vidya’s shoulders did she come back to the present.

“When you two have a whole life ahead, why do you want to exhaust all your love at the <st1lace w:st="on"><st1lacename w:st="on">Singapore</st1lacename> <st1lacetype w:st="on">Airport</st1lacetype></st1lace>?”

Vidya and Arun moved apart.

Arun came near Kamla and held her hands.

Though they have been moving as friends and Arun had confided everything in her he had never held Kamla’s hands so far.

“Doctor, you are more than my mother. You gave my writing back to me. And now you have given my love back to me. You know I have started firmly believing in God these days. God is right here before me. In your form, Doctor.”

“Arun, please. I have already cried enough for the day. I didn’t do anything, Arun. It was your love that restored your writing, it was your love that brought Vidya to you.

“Why, it was only your love that saved us from a financial disaster. And was it not your beloved, this angel, who saved us? I owe you much more than you owe me. So let’s not talk about this any further.”

Arun was still holding her hands. Kamla placed her hands on Arun’s head to bless him.

“Ok, Ma, can we go now? We have a lot of things to catch on.”

Arun was closely watching the movement of Vidya’s lips. Her words did not register in his mind. He was still looking at Vidya’s beautiful form.

“I’m ready. We can go.”

“We can’t and we shouldn’t.” Everybody turned towards Kumar whose words were very firm.

varalotti, Oct 9, 2008

varalotti, Oct 9, 2008

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Part 4!

“Why dear? What happened?”

Kumar ignored Kamla’s question and talked to Vidya.

“Vidya, my child, I don’t think you should drive in this condition. That will be quite risky.

“I can drive. But I don’t have an International Driving Licence. We’ll go to some cafeteria. Have something to eat and drink. Be talking for a while. And when your excitement has subsided we can go.

“Once we reach home you should not drive at least for a month. We’ll use the taxis. What do you say, Kamla?”

What Kumar had was not mere dumb love. It was intelligence at its best coupled with the deepest love. They all agreed to Kumar’s suggestion.

“Pa, there is a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf outlet over there. They serve excellent Coffee Latte. And they have yummy cakes too.”

When they started to walk towards the shop Kamla thought that Vidya would fall in step with Arun.

But Vidya did not do that. She let Kumar and Arun walk ahead while she walked with Kamla.

Vidya understood Kamla’s puzzled look.

“It’s a cozy feeling to hold Ma’s hands and watch one’s Dad and husband walking together. It’s the most lovable sight in the whole world, Ma. I would have given everything I own just to see this. This will be the sweetest walk of my life.”

Kamla stopped on the tracks, drew Vidya towards her and kissed her on her forehead.

varalotti, Oct 9, 2008

varalotti, Oct 9, 2008

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Part 5!

“Ok guys, what can I get for you. It’s self service here.”

They were entering the posh airport outlet of that renowned coffee shop chain.

“Vidya, get something for yourself and Arun. Your Ma wanted to see some shops here. I’ll take her around.”

Kumar winked at Kamla. Within seconds they were gone leaving Vidya and Arun alone.

That was their first moment of being alone after the historic re-union which happened a few minutes ago.

Vidya’s mind was so full of happiness that she smiled at Arun for no reason. Arun returned the smile.

“What would you like to have, Arun?”

Arun was looking at her face without uttering a word.

“Hi Arun.. Arun.. ARUN..”

“I’m sorry, Vidya. Did you ask me something?”

“Ya. I asked you about the ways and means of propagating world peace.”

They laughed together.

“Come on yar, I’ll take you to the counter. You can see the items and choose for yourself.”

Arun did not know what to choose.

“Tell me what you want to have.”

“I’ll have whatever you want me to have.”

Vidya ordered a couple of banana cakes and two cups of Coffee Latte. Arun was in a daze. Vidya got the items and they both walked towards the corner where a table was vacant.

“I’ll get some sugar for us, Arun.”

Vidya and Arun sat facing each other. The cakes remained untouched. The coffee was getting cold.

varalotti, Oct 9, 2008

varalotti, Oct 9, 2008

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Part 6!

Arun gathered himself after a few minutes. And then he remembered. ‘No, this time I won’t miss the chance.’

He glanced at Vidya and then at the table. Vidya had placed her hand bag on the table.

In a few seconds Arun hatched out a master plan and started executing it. While focussing his look on Vidya’s eyes, almost paralyzing her, he slowly moved Vidya’s handbag to the edge of the table.

Vidya could not have noticed that subtle moment as she was completely absorbed in Arun’s handsome face.

Arun saw from the corner of his eyes that the hand bag was at the very edge of the table. The bag was now waiting for the gentlest push by Arun to fall down.

He moved his other hand towards Vidya’s hand so that her sight was distracted from her handbag. He gently touched the bag at the right point which caused its fall.

Before Vidya realized what was happening Arun was on the floor on the pretext of picking up the handbag.

He knelt down on the floor very close to Vidya’s legs.

Suddenly he held Vidya’s hands and asked in a choked voice.

“Vidya, Vithu dear, will you marry me, ple… ase..?”

There was no background music. There were no girls clad in white dresses singing and dancing around them. They were not on the <st1lace w:st="on">Alps</st1lace> or in a boat house on the Dal Lake.

They were not near a waterfall or on the sea shore. Yet they could feel the presence of all these things and much more. A hundred violins played in Vidya’s heart.

Her dear Arun was proposing to her! My God! Vidya could not believe her eyes. In fact she had planned to propose to him herself sometime later in the day. But Arun had pre-empted her move and had proposed himself.

Vidya started to cry. She was sobbing continuously. Amidst sobs she told Arun, “Yes, yes and YES AND YES AND YES… … ...”

She was not sure whether words had come out of her mouth. So she kept on increasing the volume of her voice so much so that the last YES was heard by all the customers who were in the Coffee Shop at that time.

They all turned towards that table. Arun was kneeling on the floor holding Vidya’s hands. Vidya was sobbing and was shouting YES again and again.

Even a child could have guessed what was happening.

As if on cue all the customers stood up from their seats and applauded. The waitresses and the shop manager joined in that standing ovation. Vidya and Arun were overcome by shyness and were looking down.

varalotti, Oct 9, 2008

varalotti, Oct 9, 2008

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Part 7!

When the applause faded and the customers moved their attention away from them, Vidya started shouting at Arun with all the happiness in the world.

“You were a fool, Arun.”

“So were you Vidya. And that would make us a great couple.”

They both laughed together.

“No, Arun. I am serious. Had you asked me like this ten years ago, we would not have wasted all these years. By this time we would have had at least three children.”

“No, Vidya. It’s better this way. But for those ten years of waiting we could not have had this sweetest moment of togetherness.

“I am ready to give the whole world for these few minutes of being with you, my dearest. And we would not have had gems like Dr.Kamla and Dr.Kumar pouring their love on us.”

“You are a writer, dear. I am after all an accountant. I can never dream of talking like you.”

“Come on, Vidya.”

“And I fell in love with your writings even without knowing that you are Vidyabharathi. I should have read your “Unrequited Love” at least a dozen times. “

Arun was looking at Vidya’s beautiful eyes and he could not think of a proper response to Vidya’s words of praise.

Vidya saw Arun’s face. She knew what was going on inside him. She reached for Arun’s hand and held it.

They both lapsed into silence once again.

They started munching the cake and sipping the coffee. They started talking about many things.

About their college, about their lives so far, about their plans, about so many things.

They were laughing, crying, sobbing and giggling alternately.

In the state they were in they could not have noticed the Manager of the shop who was standing near their table waiting for their attention.

He cleared his throat, coughed and could even manufacture a loud sneeze. All those noises did not have any effect on them. Finally he touched Arun’s shoulder and drew their attention.

“Sir, Ma’am, here’s our gift for you. Wish you a happy married life.”

There was a 1 kilo gram chocolate cake. Arun and Vidya did not know what to say.

“You want to eat it here or shall I pack it for you?”

“Please pack that, Manager. And that’s really a kind gesture. Let me thank you on their behalf.”

They all turned in the direction of the voice. It was Kumar. Kamla was standing by his side.

“You are most welcome, Sir. Give me a few minutes. I’ll have this gift-packed for you.”

“Please.”

“Half an hour is over so fast, Pa?”

“No, my child. One and a half hours have flown by. The flight came at six and now the time is almost 8. Can we go now?”

“But Ma, Pa you two have not eaten anything.”

“We had plum cakes and Coffee Latte.”

“But where?”

“Here in this same shop.”

“We did not see you?”

“In the state you two were in you could not have seen even a live dinosaur dancing right in front of your eyes.”

When Vidya blushed it was a beautiful sight. Arun could not take his eyes off her.

varalotti, Oct 9, 2008

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Part 8!

The next two days flew. Vidya and Arun moving together was a beautiful sight to watch.

Kamla was savouring every moment she spent with them. Unlike young lovers they did not seek physical intimacy at all. They did nothing more than holding each other’s hands.

And they did not exclude Kamla and Kumar from their conversation.

There were no whispers between the lovers. They talked in normal conversational tone. But when they saw each other, when they talked to each other there was an unmistakable undercurrent of love.

It was so intense that many times when Kamla saw them talking she had mild shivers in her body.

She told her observations to Kumar when they were alone.
“They are not mere lovers, Kamla. Vidya and Arun are soul-mates.

“I think Paulo Coelho is the only author who has correctly understood the concept. These two people should have been born as one person in some previous birth.

“And that person should have been so loving that he or she could not have enough of love. So he or she should have split into two beings in this birth.

“Otherwise this kind of love is impossible, dear.”
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

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Part 9!

Arun agreed for a simple marriage on Sunday morning at Vidya’s flat. Vidya had invited only ten of her closest friends for the marriage.

Saturday evening. Kamla and Kumar were decorating the flat for the occasion.

Vidya and Arun had gone out to buy new dresses for Kamla and Kumar.

The time was <st1:time minute="30" hour="8" w:st="on">half past eight</st1:time> in the night.

“My God! I forgot!”

Kamla shouted at the top of her voice.

“What did you forget, dear?”

“The marriage may be simple. And we can have it here itself. But should we not have a golden mangal sutra and the traditional muhurtham saree?

“I don’t think we have them, Kumar. Do we have time to get it now? Can we get them here in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Singapore</st1lace></st1:country-region>?”

“That’s okay, dear. Let’s not make that as an issue. Anyhow we are going to have a formal reception in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">India</st1lace></st1:country-region>. We can have them there.”

“But Kumar, without those things, the marriage will not be complete. I am such a fool to have forgotten those fundamental things.”

Kumar had just completed sticking a paper ribbon in the centre of the room. He got down from the stool and went near his wife.

“Please don’t be harsh on yourself, dear. If that’s so important, the Eternal Love that’s watching us from above will see to it that they are delivered to us on time.”

Kamla was not satisfied with that philosophical explanation. ‘I will have to tell Vidya and do something about it.’
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Last edited: Oct 9, 2008

varalotti, Oct 9, 2008

varalotti, Oct 9, 2008

#9
Oct 9, 2008 #10

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Part 10!

Vidya and Arun returned around <st1:time minute="30" hour="9" w:st="on">half past nine</st1:time>.

“See, what have we got for you Ma? And this is for you, <st1:state w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Pa.</st1lace></st1:state>”

They had got a gorgeous dark green silk saree for Kamla. It had a bright orange border and exquisite art-work done on the pallu.

“I have also got a ready-made blouse for you, Ma. In another half an hour a tailor will come here and make alterations if necessary.”

For Kumar they had got a silk sherwani set.

“Pa, this is for you. You are in shape. So this should fit you well. But if doesn’t the same tailor who’s coming for Ma can do minor alterations for you.”

Suddenly Arun remembered something.

“Doctor, Naren gave me two boxes. You have opened one of them. And there were dresses and jewellery for us. What about the other box? The one marked SN? Does it really contain documents to be delivered to PWC?”

“Oh, my dear Arun, you are so innocent. Why should you carry documents for PWC all the way from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">India</st1lace></st1:country-region>? It’s all Ma’s idea just to prevent you from guessing about what’s in store for you here.”

“My God! I totally forgot about that box. Naren said that he is loading his gifts and his father’s gifts in that box. Everybody come with me. Let’s see what our dear Naren has got for the love-birds”

They adjourned to the guest bedroom where the box was kept.

Naren had been quite thoughtful in choosing the gifts. He did not duplicate whatever Kamla had already bought.

There was a wrist watch with a golden chain for Arun. And there was a beautiful golden bracelet for Vidya.

A beautiful Navy blue blazer for Arun. A pair of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Mysore</st1lace></st1:city> silk sarees for Vidya – one was in attractive plain Majentha colour and the other, in out-of-the-world heliotrope colour.

There were some T-shirts and casual wear for the couple. And finally they came to the pocket marked “With Love From Sethuramalingam and Naren.” That should contain the gifts added by Naren’s father.

As soon as Kamla tore open the pocket and saw the contents she broke into a sob.

“Kumar see this.”

There was a grand maroon colour Kancheepuram silk saree traditionally worn by the bride at the time of marriage and a golden mangalsutra.

“When you genuinely need anything and if your need is sufficiently intense the whole universe conspires to place it on your lap. This is a Universal Law.”

Kumar’s words were quite profound.

There was also a small note written by Sethuramalingam. Kamla read it aloud.

“In our community we always give the muhurtham saree and mangal sutra at the time of engagement. Just to show our commitment for the marriage.

It’s our tradition that these things should come only from the bridegroom’s parents. As Arun’s father and mother are no more, I am giving these things to the bride on their behalf. Please accept them.

With Blessings, Sethuramalaingam.”

The house was full of gifts. But those two items took priority over all of them both in terms of their need, sanctity and preciousness.

“May he live for a hundred years and more.” Kumar prayed for him.

“What a nice man! No wonder Naren is like that” - Kamla
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varalotti, Oct 9, 2008

varalotti, Oct 9, 2008

#10

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