“Five
years later one day I was on a bike and was on my way to college. A girl was
crossing the road. She looked familiar. I looked again. It was Ramya. I turned
the bike around. I stopped near her.”
“Ramya
had grown up. She looked more mature.”
“Do
you remember me Ramya?
“She
looked up with a startle. I saw recognition in her eyes, then surprise and then
happiness.”
“ Of course I remember”
“Where
are you these days? I heard that you were not in town”
“After
my dad died we moved to our grandfather’s house. The schools there are not so
good. So we came back to town for better educational opportunities”
“Where
do you stay?”
“We
stay at the same house. We stay in one part of the house. The other part of the
house has been rented out. Come and visit us some time. Rajesh and Mom will be
very happy”
“I
remember, initially they had gone to stay with their grandfather. But they were
not happy there. So Mrs Chandrashekhar came back to Tridevpur with children.
She took up a small job. They rented out their large house. They stayed in
their outhouse. It was very creditable. The children were good in studies.
Rajesh is now a doctor. Ramya has completed her law.” Uncle shared what he
knew.
“I
used to visit them on and off. We became good friends again”
“Now
the marriage proposal.” Chandy said
“I
saw in her a younger sister. I think she saw in me a protector who is more than
a friend and a brother. It happens. But I can’t see her as anything else”
“Ok
I will explain to Mrs Chandrasekhar. I hope this won’t affect the beautiful
friendship you guys have” Uncle commented
“Arjun
get me one more drink.” Uncle asked Arjun
Arjun
got up to fix another one for Uncle.
“You
boys were part of the Jaycee club. What was the most satisfying project you
guys have participated?” uncle asked as Arjun returned with his drink.
“I
would say for me the ‘Cheshire home visits’ was the most satisfying project”
Arjun replied
“What
was this project about” Uncle asked
“As
you know, Cheshire home was first established by Cheshire who was one of the
pilots who dropped the Atom Bomb in Japan. After having seen the mayhem he
caused, he set up a center to look after people who were crippled and deformed
in the bombing. Later he extended this concept to a chain of homes to look
after invalids and cripples who often have nobody to look after. We had one
like that in our city” Arjun started explaining
“One
day we visited the home as a group from Jaycees. We distributed some sweets and
books to the inmates. We also talked to many of them too. The home appeared
well run. I entered into a conversation with one of the officials. He made an
interesting observation. He explained that the finances of the home was
reasonably good and quite a lot of entities like Jaycee, Rotary and so on
visited them with gifts and sweets quite often. But what the inmates missed a
lot was variety of human companionship. He asked whether some of us could visit
the home and spend time with the inmates.”
“We
felt it was a good idea. We started visiting the home on Sunday afternoon. We would
talk to different inmates. Some time we played cards with some of them. Some of
them were born invalids. Some were crippled in some accident and decided to
move over to the home to avoid being a burden to their families. They often
liked to ruminate about their life before their accidents. I become friend to
many. They used to look forward for our visit and I also looked forward to the
visit to the home. I realised the value of the time we we spent at home. Many
of them explained that the time we spent was much more valuable than the
contributions and sweets the visitors came with”
“That
is really true. We often don’t realize the value of the good health god has
given. “ Uncle observed
“My
young friends, I am thoroughly enjoying your stories. I am able to get an
insight to how the life has changed from my time. Tell me what other
interesting projects you did as Junior Jaycees” Uncle was ready for more
stories. But his eyes were drooping a little and his voice was slurring with
the few drinks he had. Even then he was
in no mood to end the evening.
“Arjun,
I remember the scandal you guys got involved in the fashion show you guys conducted.
What was it all about” Chandi was remembering the juicy stories.
“Oh
that was horrifying experience. I was the secretary of the club and Tommy was
the President. We decided to organise a
musical extravaganza and a fashion show. We got a well-known band called 12 BC
to perform. We convinced and cajoled talked all the girls whom we knew; our
sisters, cousins and friends, to join the fashion show. We managed to sell
quite a lot of tickets. As the day approached we were quite confident about the
quality of the program we were stitching together. We invited a few senior
bureaucrats for the inauguration and to be the chief guest. We also send out
invites to all the major newspapers and magazines along with special press
passes.”
“We
wanted the program to go without a hitch. We put together a special team with
responsibility of the security. This was all the more important because of the
fashion show and the participation of many girls. The program started well and
went on well. As the luck, rather un-luck, would have it, one of the major
fashion magazines decided to cover the program and send their photographer to
cover the show. This gentleman came to the program and attempted to enter from
the side entrance to the stage. The security team posted at that entrance asked
for the special pass we had given. They did not have it. Then they asked for
the press card. They did not have it. So the security did not allow this
gentleman to enter. He tried to push his way in. In this scuffle something from
the hands of the photographer fell down. The photographer was very angry. He
went out with a huff and a puff with a threat that we will be taught a lesson”
“By
the time this news reached us the organizers it was late. Tommy and some
friends rushed to the Press Club to apologize. Some of the friends of the
photographer even tried to beat up Tommy. The next day all newspapers covered
the show. But in the worst light possible. The newspapers reported that the
show was a flop and the hooligans were misbehaving and most of the people who
participated and attended were drug addicts. They went on to add that the
senior bureaucrats who had attended had left early in disgust. The truth was
that they left after the inauguration as they had some other program. The
reports also accused that the organisers manhandled the reporters because they
did not want the reporters to witness the mess and the illegal activities that
was going on there. They also declared that the press club has boycotted all
Jaycee programs throughout the state.”
“My
God, It would have been a disaster” Uncle responded
“Naturally.
Our parents, particularly the parents of the girls who participated were so
upset at the scandal. The newspapers continued with the diatribe against us for
next few days. We tried our level best to placate them. We some respected
people to recommend our case and also bought booze for the influential crowd at
the club. Finally they relented a bit. They gave a small news item in the back
pages that after detailed investigation they have come to know that the
troublemakers were not Jaycee members but some outsiders and on account of the
innocence of the Jaycee members, they would not boycott Jaycee activities in
future”
“That
was good” Uncle said
“But
he damage was done and we had to live with it for quite some time”
“Now
it almost looks humorous. But that taught us few lessons . The l power of the press, what the essential ingredients are for managing the press are, and the pinch of salt we need to add when we we read newspaper stories. It has come in handy
for us”
“Looks
like stories can be never ending. But I am too tired. Need to sleep. What are
you guys going to do now? Are you going to sleep?” Uncle asked
“No
Uncle. We are going for a night drive. We will go Indrapasta Tourist home and
have a coffee” Arjun replied.
“Are
you guys crazy, Don’t you feel like sleeping?” Uncle asked. His eyes were
almost closed.
“
After a couple of drinks it is fun to have a night ride. The cold blast on the
face is exhilarating. I feel that I am flying then” Arjun replied.
“These
are youngsters they have all the energy they need. You get up and come to the
bedroom before you crash out on the sofa. ” Aunty caught uncle’s hand and
pulled him up and she turned to Arjun and Chandy and remarked
“You
already have had few drinks. I don’t think you should be too adventurous”
“Yes
aunty” Both of them replied in unison and hopped onto the bike and rode away to
the darkness”
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