“You guys had quite a lot of fun. When did you study?” Uncle asked
“Oh
as the exams approached we huddled up.” Chandy replied “In spite of all these
adventures Arjun was one of the toppers in class in the first couple of
semesters. After that with his involvement in a variety of activities his rank
came down. He was active in Jaycee Club, student union and in youth wing of his
temple trust. However when he graduated
overall he maintained his distinction.”
“Chandy
also is a distinction student uncle. Now he is ready take over the IT division
of our company” Arjun commented.
“How
come after doing very well in the first two semesters you dropped down? Uncle
asked
“I
will tell you what happened. In the first couple of semesters one of my
classmates called Sreekrishnan used to land up at my place during study leave
for combined study. He was sort of slow and weak in studies. It was a real struggle
to make him understand anything. I used to get frustrated. But I did not want
to say no. What I did not realize was that when I tried to get something into
his head, my concepts were getting clearer.”
“During
the third semester onwards I avoided him because it was a strain. I went on
with my normal lazy reading after all my other activities. My marks dropped
too. By the time I reached final year, I realized what was happening. I
magnanimously offered Sreekrishnan to join me for combined studies. Can you
believe, like magic my scores leapfrogged”
“That
is interesting. When you were trying to help you friend understand, the clarity
of your understanding improved. No
wonder some great men observed that ‘the riches of knowledge multiplies as you
share’” Uncle responded.
“What
are your future plans? Are you guys going to get married and settle down?”
Uncle asked
“I
plan to get married soon. Not that I plan to settle down in this company or
this city. I am going to get married and relax for some time” Chandy responded.
“What
about you Arjun?” Uncle asked
“He
is trying to get into IMI” Chandy replied
“That
is a good idea” Uncle replied “But I thought you were trying to go to America
with the help of you sister who recently went to US on a job”
“I
don’t want to trouble her. Moreover I prefer to build my career here in
Indraprastha. I think I would rather live in my home country. But with just a
degree in Engineering there is a limit on how much I can progress in India”
Arjun replied.
“That
is why I am trying to get into IMI. I know it is not an easy task with my
background. I studied in an average vernacular school in a small town. I never
heard of IMI till last year. I appeared
for the entrance exam last year and it was a disaster. The competition is from
students who graduate from the best schools in Indraprastha, who also have the
privilege of having the best coaching classes. But I have decided to give a try
again. But I am not sure if I can make it.” Arjun was pensive
“I
am sure you can make it Arjun” Uncle was encouraging Arjun
“How
about refill? You don’t have to wait for me. You guys are young. Feel free to
help yourself with as much as you can drink. We will ask Aunty to serve some
cashew nuts and the fried prawns. As tomorrow is a holiday you can sleep late.”
Uncle was in a good mood to listen to stories and to tell stories.
Arjun
got up and moved to the bar. He fixed another large one for him,
“Arjun
there is a big jar of salted cashews there. Just bring that here. Aunty will
bring the prawns later” Uncle shouted.
“By
the way last week I met up with Mrs Chandrasekhar at a wedding. I met her after
a long time. She told me that she knows you.” Uncle told Arjun.
“Is
it Mrs Chandrasekhar whose husband died in a mysterious circumstance about six
years ago?” Arjun asked
“Yes
that is the one.” Uncle replied
“How
do you know them Uncle” Arjun asked
“Mr
Chandrasekhar and I were classmates in school. He went onto become a renowned
doctor and I after qualifying as a lawyer took up a job in Kuwait. But we have
kept in touch” Uncle replied
“She
has a daughter called Ramya who has now completed graduation. Mrs Chandrasekhar
was asking me if I knew any suitable boys. I suggested your name. She said
Ramya and she know you and Ramya likes you a lot. She asked me to check with
you”
“Oh
Uncle, I have treated Ramya like my own little sister. I cannot see her as my
wife.” Arjun replied
“But
tell me how do they know you? You were not neighbours. Were you?” Uncle asked.
“Oh
it is a long story” Arjun replied.
“Arjun
has lots of stories. Was she one of your girl friends?” Chandy asked mischievously
“Oh
I did not know Arjun has a coloured life style” Uncle chipped in
“Uncle
you don’t know what a charmer Arjun is.” Chandy was having fun at the expense
of Arjun
“Nothing
like that uncle. Chandy loves to malign my name!” Arjun protested and grimaced
at Arjun
“Anyway
tell us the story. Your stories are interesting” Uncle egged on.
“OK.
I shall tell the story. Long ago when we were in high school, I used to go to
the swimming pool regularly. We had a gang there who used to have lots of fun. Ramya
and her younger brother Rajesh also used come for swimming. We became sort of
friends there.”
“So
it was swimming pool puppy love” Chandy commented
“Don’t
jump to conclusions” Arjun continued
“There
was also a senior crowd who were regulars. One was an IAS officer called Mr
Rajendra Prasad and the other was a senior Police officer called Mr Jerald D’Souza
and other two were also senior government servants. I don’t remember their
names. We called all of then uncle. We
used to chat up with them occasionally.”
“D’Souza
was also the president of boxing association. He was a national level boxer in
his younger days and he kept himself as fighting fit. He was around six foot
tall and had an impressive physique like a Greek God. He was also very rich. He
used to come in different cars on different days”
“But
he had a reputation of a homosexual and a paedophile. We kids used to laugh
about this. But he never tried any stunts with us. In fact has been very decent
with us. He even gave me the introductory lessons in diving. He also gave tips
on swimming.”
“I
used to come to the pool in a bicycle. One day I came walking. After the swim I
was walking back home late in the evening. D’Souza uncle came and stopped the
car.”
“Arjun
hop in, I am coming to your side. I shall give you a drop” D’Souza offered.
“I
was worried a bit. But I felt that being such a senior person, he will be
careful with me.” Arjun continued
“Once
I entered the car and he started driving he came out directly and abruptly with
his intention”
“Arjun
let us go for a drive. We will go to the beach and have some fun.” D’Souza suggested.
“I
looked at his face and realized that he was completely in a mad trance with his
intention. I realised that I should deal carefully. If I made him defensive he
could turn violent. My life could be in danger. Being a senior police officer
he could cover up beautifully”
“My
God I can’t believe that such things could happen or people of such position
will stoop to this level” Fernando Uncle remarked
“That
is what I thought. But I was now in deep shit and I had to come up with a means
to get out unscathed”
“So
you decided that when rape is inevitable lie down and enjoy” Chandy remarked with
an impish grin
