Episode 6

...Anitha calling

"Hey Anitha.. " "do you have some time to talk to me or are you busy? ""If you're calling me at this time, I can understand its important... shoot..!"Anitha cleared her throat. From the tune of it, Arjun understood it was going to be a long conversation. Not removing his eyes from the note he just made, he began to listen... "Arjun, there are two things that I want to tell you. Please listen to me fully before you ask questions. Firstly, this morning I received a call. The extension was 135. I kept saying hello but there was no response. It sounded like a little boy wanted to say something. He was not able to speak in English. So i tried hindi, he seemed to stammer. The line was really bad and I couldn't make anything of what he spoke. But then in the end, he kept saying bijoy saab. I shall send the number to you. Perhaps you can call and try to find something? The next information is from a trustworthy source. I heard that there was an alliance sought for Vijay at his native." "WHAT? but his parents know about shruthi. How can they do this? ". "See Arjun, I can only pass on the information I have. Its up to you to take it or not. I'll text the number per whatsapp to you. Good night" and the line went blank. Arjun sat starting at the paper in front of his eyes and his phone beeped. He added these two events ti the list along with the number and closed his eyes. Even before he could realise, he went into deep sleep.

The week before, at Maraandur (Vijay's hometown)

It was a modest house, buzzing with animation that morning. "How long do i have to wait to get a cup of coffee? " shouted Srinath, the boss of the house. A tinkle of glasses followed and a tall woman in saree carried the coffee to her father in law. "God bless you uttara" he said after he took the coffee from her hands. Srinath's family thrived on irrigation and they owned nearly one tenth of the lands at Maraandur. His family consisted of his son Srini, daughter Siya, his wife Malathy. "I have some news" he announced folding the news paper and thumping it on the teapoy, which meant everyone had to assemble around him. "I've found a prospective alliance for Siya. His name is Vijay, he works in the city in a software firm. Their family has been living in our village for quite a few generations. I think he is the right one for our Siya" he concluded. Malathy did not say anything as a matter of routine. Srini nodded his head in agreement. Uttara gently held Siya's arms and she returned the hold. Their eyes met shortly. Siya knew him. She had seen him at the village thiruvizha every year and he always won at the uriyadi. Her friends had giggled childishly whenever he gazed at their side. The powerful gaze that came from those hazelnut colored eyes. "....Siya??? Are you here? ??" "Appa?" "For the fifth time, shall we proceed with this alliance?" Siya bowed down and blushed. She closed her eyes for a second. She could clearly picture the pot being broken and a thousand flower petals falling from it.
The next morning, as Siya walked down from her room, she saw a dozen bags stacked in the hallway. "We're going now to Rajaram's place to ask Vijay's hand in marriage" said Uttara. Siya couldn't control her excitement. She waved goodbye as their car sped off and finally vanished from her vision. "Welcome Srinath, what a surprise! " greeted Rajaram. His surprise turned to bewilderment as they unloaded bags from their car and entered. "Let me come straight to the point. I have come to propose my daughter's hand in marriage to your son. Her name is Siya. She is twenty years old. She has finished Bsc biotechnology. She is my only daughter and you know about our wealth,  so we can talk marriage terms...". Rajaram was dumbfounded. "Srinath, first of all, thank you for having considered my son a worthy match for your daughter. But I am sorry I am not in a position to accept your proposal. I hope you find an even better groom for your daughter" replied rajaram politely. It was only the night before that Vijay had announced of his relationship. "Rajaram I wil give you what you ask for. .. money, gold, land what not. ..". "Srinath, I am not after money or riches. Please understand when I say I'm not in a position to accept and lets leave it there". "So tell me what you want and I will get it for you. Don't feel shy. There is nothing wrong in asking Rajaram...". Rajaram's temper rose at this statement. "Is something wrong with your daughter? Why are you so desperate to push her off?" That moment tricked off further arguments and finally Srinath's family left.
Siya hadn't moved from the window since morning. She could hear a faint noise of the engine and she came running down. The door banged open and her dad entered. "How dare he... such nerve... i will take care of him the appropriate way. .". Siya couldn't understand what could have happened and remained mum. "Srini, we will do it like what they did for Renu. That will teach him a lesson". The very mention of Renu had sent a chill down Siya's spine. They had kidnapped the groom. And drugged him. And conducted the marriage in the north of India. They had returned to Maraandur six months after marriage. Siya's eyes were moist with tears when Uttara came by her side. Uttara was the only bold woman of the family. "But Renu is not happy today. .. are you sure this is what you want for Siya.. I wouldn't want it". "My Siya will be happy" and rajaram ended the conversation. "Vijay is planning to come here next week, we will employ the best people and kidnap him". Siya looked at her brother blankly. She would never talk. She was taught not to talk in front of the men of the house. A myriad thoughts ran in her mind but she would voice none. She would leave the rest to destiny like she always did.

The day b4 Vijay was kidnapped, Shruthi's residence

Deepak came out of his room and his  phone rang. It was Sandeep. He cut the call and texted him. The usual spot in thirty minutes. He walked out of the the house and mounted his Audi and when the engine whirred to life he relaxed a bit. He reached The Park and sat at the table where he usually did. The waiters would never disturb him. He was a regular. He picked his phone and dialled Sandeep and felt someone grab his shoulder. "Your shoulders are too tight, you should relax..." he remarked. "I will once you tell me the plan".
"Deepak, firstly, i have done a complete background check on this guy. He has a clean slate. He hails from a good family and has good morals". "Sandy so why don't you marry him? " said deepak angrily. "Okay I just wanted to tell you. Anyway, he is planning to go to his native tomorrow. We will shift his course to a far off place. We will settle things. He will not come to our course in a day and you jave to be patient too". "You mean kidnap him?". "If you want to call it so, yes" replied Sandeep casually.

Silly weeks #25 #26 #27 #28

#25
Like the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle that was long lost and finally found, like a rainbow that spreads across the sky, like a light shower that pours on a summer morning, let this week bring to us colorful and joyful surprises! Have a happy week ahead...!

#26
Let the quality of our thoughts be as high as the mountains, let the righteousness of our thoughts be as clear as the deep blue sky, let the clarity of our thoughts be as clear as the wide ocean, for our thoughts now builds our tomorrows... have a happy week ahead!

#27
Lets rise with the sun, with enough positivity to vanquish darkness; lets instill in us the power and clarity to reach the topmost part of the sky, lets bow down as the day goes by, humbly, at our mistakes, lets set with the sun taking lessons from our mistakes so we rise brighter and stronger tomorrow! Have a happy week ahead!

#28
Look thro a kaleidoscope and see the colors play a game as it is twirled, try to burn a twig with a magnifying glass intercepting the suns rays, sprinkle mustard seeds on damp cotton and cherish it as it grows into tiny bushes, dust that piggy bank and drop a coin everyday and watch it get heavy slowly and steadily...step back and bring back the joy in small things... Have a happy week ahead!

Looking back a decade. ..

Seems like yesterday, when we were sitting in the hall, and you announced as a matter of fact. .. i have asked appa amma to say ok to them. It didn't quite sink in that moment. It felt weird though. That you were going to be a different person very soon, you were going to be a wife, and not just my sister. I had to prepare myself to accept that there was no other choice. I had to share you with someone else. I still remember the first time i saw you remove plates, how i broke down. How silly of me. It took a while for me to realise what the chore meant deep inside. When i look back today, i am happy and thankful, i have a million good things to talk about the last ten years.
The good times - how happiness multiplies very easily. Those vacations. Those trips back home. The visits to dwaraka and brindaranyam (not to forget the vethala paakku that came with it). The retail therapy and impulse shopping. Those unofficial online shoppings and the confusion today of who gave what.
The tough times - how you stuck together despite everything. The belief that time and effort can heal. The acceptance that you drew and the gratitude, of how every minute you have instances to be thankful for. And mean it. The tears that we shed and derived hope from it. And the light finally that shone.
They say save the best for the last, so here goes. The family around you were gifted with. A mother in law to talk to without hesitation, when you were happy and sad . A like minded sister in law (need i say more) who radiates unconditional love. Another sister, four days younger to me, who gave you the joy of being a sister all over again. A co sister who adores you, and today more than a family, is your friend. And what came first - your husband. Someone, lets be frank here, who was patient with your atrocities, who stood by you no matter what, who gave you not just a shoulder, but the maturity you needed. The love that grew between you all this while is quite unimaginable, standing the test of time.
Not just from your perspective but from theirs too. A family who loves you, rejoices you, respects you and celebrates you.
Today, as i look back, i am thankful for all the good times; the strength, the lessons and faith we gathered from those testing times; the wonderful people around you, who make your life daily, who instill love in you as a matter of routine, as a matter of instinct; and lastly your better half who completes your life in all ways. Wait a minute. He's just a quarter now. Once again, lastly, i am thankful for the other half of you, the handsome charming fire truck driver and the princess who drive you crazy in more ways that you can imagine and are a living proof of faith and gratitude.

Thank you God.
Cheers
Hopie