All for friendship's sake

I have many friends who work in the software industry.
One such friend is Girija.


I went to meet her in her office .We usually meet up.
But, that day was different.


She wanted to share something 'cause she was in a confusion.

Scene 1:
Girija's office:
I went to her office and she was already waiting for me.She was in an exceptionally tensed mood.It is very rare for Girija to be tensed.She was not the 'cool cat' that day ,that she usually was.

I was worried,but I had to wait.
We went to the canteen and as we sat there sipping our piping hot coffees, when she started to talk.

"As you know ,Ravi and me loved each other in college and we got married."she reminded me.

"I know that."I said.

"It is one year since both of us are working."

"Yes."I was conscious not to sound my hurry.

"I am pregnant now"she said.

What a relief.

"Hey,Congratulations!


But,is this how you tell me this?


I don't see any happiness.Why?

Is this any new trick you are playing on me?"

"No yaar!I am very happy that I am pregnant.But, the situation at home scares me."

"Why ,are your in-laws troubling you?"

"No. They are very good to me."

"Then is it Ravi?"(Not possible, my mind said)

"No.This is tricky."she said.

"Why?What is it then?Maybe the kid does not like it.Right?"

"Stop teasing me.Can you never be seroius?

After a while she continued,
"I was always a high performer in college. You know that Ravi started noticing me due to this.
He admires me for my intelligence and capacity even today."
If he comes to know I am pregnant...

She stopped half-way and gave me a worried look.

For what I knew of Ravi,it only brought me to chuckles.

After a bit of consoling and some more time, she continued,"I think he will not like me to take a break in
my career.He always says that women are no way lesser than men.
He encourages and still admires me for my credits in office.

What if he does not want me to stay at home and take care of the child but, to continue going to office after delivery?"

"Hey, stop.Stop.Are you going paranoid?"I asked her.

"No. I have reason for this worry."she answered

"What reason?".

Just a week before, I was appraised for a promotion and he was so happy.At that moment ,it made me very proud of him but, now I am scared."

"Then why don't you talk it with Ravi?"I asked.

"I am scared.If he does not agree.,it will be very difficult for me to take it."

"So, what are you going to do about this?"I enquired.

You are a common friend to ours. Will you talk this to him for my sake?"

"What? Me? About this?
It is so personal,how can I talk this to him?
No chance."

"Please.You are my best friend.
Please do this for me."

"Okay,I will try.But, what do you want me to convey to him ?"

"I want him to know that I have enjoyed my mother being with me whenever I needed her most.

 She always had the time when I needed it.

I want to give the same happiness to my child.

Will you please make him understand this?"

Okay. I will try to talk and find out what he thinks.Beyond that, it is your lookout.Okay?"

"Okay."It was a worried okay.

I knew there should not be no problem.I knew Ravi very well for that.I have admired him for his good and soft nature.But,I had to respect her feelings.

So,I talked to Ravi and asked him for his time.Long time since I had met him too.
It was fixed that we meet the next day evening in his office.

Scene 2:
Ravi's office:
I was in his office exactly at 6pm,as decided.He was very curious.

"Hi, long time no see.How are you?What happened? You called me urgently."he enquired.

"I am fine.Wanted to talk to you .Thats all.
 How is life?"

"What for me? I am very happy. Giri(Girija)is such a darling.My parents like her very much.
I am very lucky."

I hesitated. "I...er... wanted to talk you about something else too ,"I stammered.

"What?"

"Girija is a bit worried."I said.

About what?She did not tell anything even today morning.She was fine.Any problem?"he asked .

"Not a problem.But she has a doubt in her mind."

"What doubt?"

ER...er...How important is Girija's work for you?"

Why this question suddenly?Does she want to resign her job?
It is her wish.My salary is enough for us to run a our family.

But, I thought she was a  career - oriented woman.She is a high performer in office and I thought she would be the one not wanting to resign."

Saying so he looked at my face for my reaction.

"How would you feel if I say that Girija is pregnant?Would you feel bad if she resigns her job?

"What?Giri is pregnant?(He was literally in tears.)
Are you serious?

But,...er...she was a bit worried to tell you... (He was not there to hear me out.)

"Ravi where are you?"

I knew he would have gone straight to meet Girija in her office.

I saw him jumping and laughing, as he passed through the corridor.


I felt very happy for the couple but, tears rolled down my cheeks.He loves Girija so much.
"Will he ever know that I loved him the same way?"

I told myself,"Crazy girl."

Youthful days.Thoughtful ways!

Raghu had called his friend Sajan to come and pick him up at the coffee shop.When Sajan came ,he saw Raghu,Kavita and Joseph walk away in different directions.

What had happened between them?

What would have affected such a beautiful friendship?

To get the answer to this question,we have to first look into the lives of the three friends.

Raghu,Kavita and Joseph were co-workers in a factory.

They joined the factory at around the same time.They were young minds who gave all their time and energy into their work.

But, as days rolled into months ,the boys could not resist but, notice that Kavita was very stunning.It was not about her complexion , it was something about her personality.

She was a very pleasant but, a strong girl and she had a mind of her own.The boys admired her very much.
The three of them formed a strong friendship.

But,as cupid would have it,this liking started to grow in them and even before they knew it, their friendship had developed into love.

It was becoming obvious to everyone that the two boys were vying for Kavita .
They kept looking at her whenever the chance permitted.They always waited for her during lunchtime and exit times and volunteered to help her out frequently.

Slowly, the mild competition became a cold war between the boys.
This affected their friendship.

 The boys wanted to put an end to this and proposed openly to Kavita. They wanted to know what she thought about this.

So, now the ball was in Kavitha's court.She had to decide and soon.

Many thoughts of the two boys raced in her mind.

Raghu:

handsome

boy from affluent family

good position in factory

pampered and only kid of his parents

Joseph:
normal looks
average family background
no father
takes care of mother and unmarried sister

At the near-by coffee shop:

The boys and Kavita  met on the planned date.

As the boys waited for Kavita's reply,

Raghu thought:
Kavita will surely marry me.I know she admires my looks.
She is into debts now. So, my sound financial background will come in handy to make her life.


Anyways, Joseph is of a different faith.He is not very well-to-do.
She will never choose him cause it will only continue her life of financial misery.


She is smart girl.


She has no other choice but, me.

Joseph came in thoughtfully:


Kavita always admires my responsible nature.So, taking care of my family should not be a problem for her.
Moreover,she has told me many times that religion should never come between relationships.


She admires my loving and understanding nature.She is a smart girl.


She will only select me, as her husband.

The boys were abruptly pulled down from their thoughts into real-life.Kavitha started to speak.

"I have decided a few things in my mind.I hope you will understand me in the right sense.

As both of you know,I got this job when my father passed away while at work.

So, I have my mother and brother's responsibility on me.
This is enough for me now.I will not be able to shoulder anymore responsibility.I am sorry Joseph.

Joseph was crest-falle.He started to leave.

 Raghu was overjoyed.He knew she had taken the right decision.

But, Kavita continued,
Joseph wait for a second.Listen to me before you leave.

You know that after my father passed away about four years back,I have had to adjust to many situations in my life much against my will.This has left a bad taste in me.

If I marry Raghu, I will always have to adjust to him because he is not used to taking a 'no'.
Raghu has himself told me many times that he is a pampered child and that always he is used to his parents doing his bidding.This will become a very big strain on me.So, I am sorry Raghu.

As for now, we will all be good friends and go on with our jobs as before.
We will see what life has in store for us.

Where will these paths lead?

The boys never expected her to say such a thing.They always thought she would choose one of them.They were taken aback.

But, all said and done, they were her friends.So, they respected her feelings and accepted what she said.

Raghu decided:
I will try to change my adamant nature and win over her heart.

Joseph :
Once my sister and her brother are settled into good jobs,we only need take care of the mothers.Anyways, four salaries can be poured into repaying her debts.


So, he was ready to wait till that fine day dawned.

Kavita was much relieved having talked out her mind to her friends.

So, all the three friends went their own ways.

Better luck next time guys!

Common point-Short story

Katrina and Karan were at the same college,but, different subjects.
But, this did not stop them from falling in love with each other.

The subjects they studied were not the only things that seperated them.They were of different religions.

Over the years at college, their love for each other grew to great depths.
They decided they could not live without each other.

But, to make a life together,their parents objection was the first of the many hurdles they had to cross.

                                                                              Katrina came from a lower middle -class family and her father had divorced her mother years before.

Karan was from an upper middle-class family.But, his father had left them when he was a kid.

Since both their mothers were single-parents, it was easier to convince their mothers in that point.
It gave a soft corner between the mothers.

They did all the necessary things to make the mothers agree to meet.

Finally,the 'D' -day came.

The lovers' mothers were to meet at a restaurant.The lovers waited with bated breath.

Both Katrina's and Karan's mothers exchanged pleasantries .They were very comfortable with each other that after a while they began to talk freely. The lovers were at ease now.They thought they could have a bit of personal time.They went out for a stroll.

Then,all of a sudden,Karan's mother started to cry.


She lamented,"What do I say?After my husband divorced me,it was a big struggle to bring up my son.I have never been able to forgive him.He left me when Karan was just 1 year old.That too for another woman."

Katrina's mother felt sad for her.

She said,"I resonate your thoughts.My husband too gave me 'talaq' for the sake of another woman.

I can never forget Kalif.
I don't know why.

Katrina loved him so much.But, now after seeing all my ordeals day-in and day-out,she has lost all love for her father.
He has lost a loving daughter for ever.
He has never once come back to see us."


Karan's mother understood her pain now.
She said,"I don't know how my husband did not feel any guilt or love when he decided to divorce me.He could have stayed back for his son at least. Karan has lost a father's support throughout his life.


I don't talk about his father with him at all now-a-days.It makes him sad."


She took a deep breath and continued,"But, I can never forget the wonderful days I had with Kalif.
Those were the golden days."


Katrina's mother was surprised and cynical at the same time."What?Did you say Kalif?Look at the co-incidence.

My husband's name was also Kalif."


Karan's mother continued,"I see.
My husband was very proud of his name.'Fakruddin Kalif'.He was a handsome and smart man.He was well read and had a handsome salary working at American Bank."

Katrina's mother almost fainted."Did you say Fakruddin Kalif from American Bank?"

"Yes.Why?"

Katrina's mother could barely hear herself."He is the same person whom I was married to."

"My god!I think Kalif will never stop giving us pain."


She could not talk for a few seconds.Then she said,


"Then it was us.Now it is our children."

"Why do you say that?"asked Katrina's mother innocently.

"If both you and me were wedded to the same man then,Katrina is a half-sister to Karan.How can they get married?"

To this Katrina's mother retorted,"Don't say that madam.They love each other too much to get separated.
I think we should put a fullstop to Kalif's interference in our lives."

"I would love to .But, how?"

Katrina's mother said,"We have managed to live our lives and bring up our children after much of struggles.Our only life ambition now ,is to see them get happily settled.We should not allow anything or anyone spoil that.

"Very true.but, how can we do this?"

Katrina's mother thought for a while.Then ,"Only you and me know the common secret about Kalif.We will allow it to be a secret for the rest of our lives.What do you say?"

"I am scared but, no one has the right to spoil our peace,especially in the name of Kalif.
May god be with us."

Both the mothers agreed for the marriage and Katrina and Karan got their marriage registered the following week.

They lived happily ever after .

As for the secret,
it slept at the depths of the mothers' hearts for ever and for ever.

Love

See it in my eyes,

Feel it in my touch,

Hear it in my words,

And live it with me.

Cross mountains high,

Scale pinnacles close to sky,

Swim the oceans deep,

Reach the heights you dreamt in sleep.

Soar up in the skies,

Fly distances like a bird,

Fathom down onto abyss,

Go down till you loose yourself.

Come,hold hands my love

Walk centuries with me,

Come,bathe in my love,

Feel yourself in me.

'Passionately yours'

I love you
but,how to tell you?
I thought I will pen it
but, how to begin it?

Mmmmm...Mmmmm...

You're a lovely rose,
but,don't roses wither away?
You're face is a bright sunflower,
but,don't they turn away?

I don't like these flowers,
they are not charming as you.
They don't have characters,
that always adorn you.

Then what shall I write,
to describe you?
Whatever I write,
it does not equal you.

So, I made a decision,
of meeting you.
To tell you the passion
and pain of loving you.

Will you my dearest of dear,
adorn my love for you?
Or will you like the roses,
prick the hand that admires you?

Short story-'Working deliveries'

Rabi and Sanya were a working couple.They were holding good positions in their respective offices.They not only cherished the monetary benefit that it brought them but, also the power and respect it gave them.


Everything seemed fine till sanya got pregnant.It was an unexpected pregnancy and sanya did not want to have the child.


Both rabi and sanya's parents promised to help them in bringing up the child.Though, half-heartedly, Sanya agreed to have the kid , she was concerned about her career .She managed to attend office till the due date.Finally, she delivered the baby.


It was a baby boy and they named him Kalil.


Sanya was back to office once her maternity holidays were over and Kalil was handed over to Sanya's parents.

Kalil grew up with his parents' parents-sometimes Sanya's sometimes Rabi's.Though Kalil was not lonely,he always missed his parents.But, his parents were very busy with their careers and were left with no energy for him in the evenings.


Days rolled by and Kalil grew up .


Rabi and Sanya had always bought him the finest of toys and clothes.He studied in the best school in town.
So, as usual they admitted him into one of the finest colleges.


By the time Kalil finished college, his grandparents had passed away one after the other.


It was time for Rabi's retirment too.He thought,"I can relax now,after all the years of toiling."


But, we cannot decide our fate.


Kalil fell in love with a girl named Banu,in college, and soon they got married.


Both Kalil and Banu were top ranking students so, they were selected into prime companies for employment.Their offices were close to each other,so Kalil dropped her at office everyday.


By this time,Sanya had retired from service.She was at home and so, she took it upon herself to run the house.Rabi also pitched in,now and then, to help her.


One night when Rabi and Sanya were alone,Rabi asked,"What about our world trip plans?We have retired,our son earns well and we have a sound finance now.Why don't we talk about this to Kalil?"


To this Sanya retorted,"How can we go?Both of them go for jobs and we are left to do all the care- taking of the house.Sometimes, I think we should move out and stay alone.Then we can go ahead with all our plans."


Meanwhile,Banu became pregnant and she delivered a beautiful baby girl on the due date .Three months flew away so fast and again it was time for Banu to join office.


Sanya and Rabi were more worried than happy,about their grand-daughter.


 Sanya told Rabi," If Banu joins office, bringing up the child will become our responsibility.We are weak now and taking care of an infant calls for lot of work.I am scared that Kalil will expect us to help them grow the child."Saying so, Sanya began to cry.


Rabi was scared too but, they were defenceless against their son.They had left him with Sanya's parents when he was just an infant.Sanya or Rabi had not shown interest in playing or talking to Kalil.


They were more into driving their careers up the charts and had not bothered about their relationship with their son, which was going down the drain.


With these thoughts Sanya and Rabi went to sleep.


It was the next day and all of them were having their breakfast.
Kalil began to speak."Mom and Dad,we wanted to tell you both about a decision we have taken."


Just as Kalil said this, all the thoughts of the previous night rushed through the minds of Sanya and Rabi.


Kalil continued,"Banu and I think it is more important that she takes care of the child, than earn money, at this juncture. If she joins office now,she will have to sacrifice all her precious time with the child.
I don't want my child to suffer like how I did.I missed dad and you in all the confusing and difficult stages as a child.


                         Secondly,dad and you are old now.You sometimes find it difficult to manage the household.We don't want to burden you additionally by asking you both to attend to our child.
I have seen how many difficulties my grandparents went through to take care of me. I don't want you to suffer in the same way."


Sanya and Rabi felt very guilty for having been very selfish in their life and for having been indifferent to the hardships of their parents and of Kalil.They realized their mistake ,when they are at the same threshold of life as their parents had been, years back.


They were very proud of their son for being sensitive of their plight.But, they cannot give back all the yester years in his life ,which he has lost,missing them.


But, they can surely do something and thats what they did.
They decided to stall all plans for their world trip.


They will stay with Kalil and his family and give them all the time and support that they had missed to give him before.


Medical note:

 According to developmental neurology(a science that studies the growth of a child), a mother should  take care of her child till it is 5 years old or atleast till it is 3 years old.This helps to give a strong physical and mental basis for the child for the rest of its life.It will also give a strong bonding between the mother and child.


The emotional component of a child is as important as its body.So,spending time to help the child grow emotionally is equally important spending time to help him grow physically. It is not very difficult-just listen to the child and believe in him.

Oedipus and Electra

I went for a stroll in the park.There I eavesdropped on a conversation between three friends.

Sorry ,but the topic was scandalous!This is what I heard:

"Oedipus and electra?
Who are they?
Lovers?
Brother and sister?"asked 'A' in total curiosity.

"Well, all you said are almost right"said 'C'

How can that be?lovers and siblings?any new sex club?asked 'B'

'C' was already laughing heartily hearing 'A' and 'B' guessing.
He could hear no more.
"Come on guys,give me a break.These are names of a boy and a girl, from ancient Greece."

'A' was intrigued,"from when have you started relishing history books?I thought you were into medicine."

'A' said ,"This is science.Now, listen:

Oedipus is the name of a boy who, according to Greek mythology, unknowingly killed his father and married his mother. "

A real freak,said 'B'.

"According to science, each young boy in his adolescence, symbolically relives the Oedipus drama. He has cravings for his mother and views his father as a hated rival."

"Hey,don't say that. I love my parents." intruded 'A'

"Yes,your are right. But , all these feelings occur because of certain necessary chemicals in our body called hormones."

"So, the hormone guy is the villain?"said 'A'.It gave him some relief.

"Even though the father is considered a rival, the boy also fears his father , as a result he represses his sexual desire for his mother .Eventually if all goes well, the boy identifies with the father and comes to have harmless affection for the mother."

Both 'A' and 'B' let out a big sigh of relief.

'B' was quick to ask,"Does all this happen to only we boys?Do girls go scott-free?"

"No.The Electra complex is the female counterpart. It is based on the view that each girl wants to possess her father and replace her mother."

"Real bitches!"they sang in chorus.

Felt like seeing an aborigine movie.I could not hear anymore.I was sweating profusely.so, I left the place silently.

There is so much I have to know about my body,I thought.

Go to think of it, like 'C' said ,this is a normal growing process.It happens to all, knowingly or unknowingly ,in different degrees.

It happens mainly in a person's adolescence but, it may extend beyond that phase ,for a few.So, a bit of caution has to be applied.

My God!They don't say adolescence is a difficult period for nothing.

Thank goodness, I have grown up now.

An unforgettable experience

There are so many delicacies in a lifetime .Not of food for the stomach, but for the mind.

We have to just keep our hearts open, to find them.

Here is one such incident that teaches us the value of life and of timely help ,all at once.

A few years ago, my friend Sheela was traveling on a national highway,with her husband and child back from their vacation spot.She was on a taxi with three other co-passengers.

Sheela and her son were sitting on the front seat next to the driver.When the taxi had travelled half the way to its destination, an old lady and her daughter from the back seat ,wanted to swap seats with my friend and her son.

Sheela accepted and allowed them to occupy the seats.

The taxi would have travelled only a few kilometers with this new seating arrangement, when suddenly from nowhere a lorry came speeding towards them.The situation was out of control and the lorry stopped only when it slid over the taxi , crushing the front half of it.

Sheela had been unconscious for quite sometime.When she regained consciousness,she came to know that the old lady ,her daughter and the driver were crushed under the weight of the lorry.

the four of them in the backseat had survived the accident,but with serious injuries.

the middle-aged man next to her in the backseat , had succumbed to the injuries on his way to the hospital.

Sheela, her husband and son underwent many surgeries before they could be back on their feet.They took many months to resume normal living.

the highlight of the incident is that ,when they regained consciousness, their attending doctor,
told them that they have survived the accident because they were brought to hospital on time for treatment.

One other taxi driver who was on the same road,had stopped to help.Having seen them bleeding and semi-conscious ,he had called for an ambulance immediately.he had travelled with them to the hospital ,waited there till the hospital authorities could give them first aid .

he then left ,not leaving behind his phone number, address or even name .

To this day,my friend and her family thank this unknown good samaritan, for their lives.

Thank you, wherever you are brother.