LOVE ALL - Episode 15

varalotti · Mar 6, 2009

LOVE ALL

A Serial By Varalotti Rengasamy

Episode 15

The prime parking space just outside Nalli Silk’s main showroom had been cleared by the traffic police long before the DGPs motor convoy reached there. A couple of traffic sergeants were waiting for the DGP.

Mahalakshmi and Yamini got down from the car. The owner of the showroom was standing with folded hands to welcome them.

The VVIPs were ushered into the expensive silks section.

“Give me a second, Yamini.”

The Police Officers who were standing at a respectable distance ran to the DGP and stood in attention.

The DGP was very careful that Yamini should not hear her words.

“Rajesh, alert the organizers of the function. They will have to wait even if we are late by ten, twenty minutes. Tell them strictly that they should not even do the prayer part without Yamini being present.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Poor girl, she has not eaten anything since morning. Can you get her something wholesome to eat?”

“Murugan Idli Shop is nearby. I will get her some hot idlies. They are tasty and harmless.”

“Get some plates too. Get two more glasses of fresh orange juice and a pack of glucose. All these things should be in the car before we leave this place.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

varalotti · Mar 6, 2009

Re: Love All Episode 15

<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype>
Part 2!

The owner came running to the DGP.

“Madam, I hear that you are going to GRT next. I have asked the Manager of the showroom to come here with a range of necklaces, studs, ear-rings and finger-rings. He will be here anytime.”

“Oh thanks a lot. It is very kind of you.”

“In return for all this I am going to ask a big favour from you.”

There was a mild frown on the DGP’s face.

“What is that?”

“But first promise me that you will do it.”

“I will, provided it is not against my principles. What is that?”

“I will let you know when you are done with your purchases.”

“Has the beautician come?”

“She has. I have cleared my room for the purpose. It’s in the first floor.”

The coordinating efforts of the owner of Nalli silks saved them precious time. He was virtually in conference call with GRT and Naidu Hall and ensured everything the DGP wanted came on time.

Twenty five minutes later Yamini walked out of the owner’s room in the first floor looking like a North Indian bride.

The saree that adorned Yamini’s graceful form was a Kancheepuram Silk saree in maroon colour, rich with original silver zari from <st1:city><st1lace>Surat</st1lace></st1:city> and an exquisite art work on the pallu.

The garnet stone necklace had achieved something of a paradox – it seamlessly jelled with the saree colour and yet stood out to show its dazzling splendour. The studs and the ear-rings also had the same stone.

The beautician had done an excellent job in a very short time. She had even managed to do a mini make-up to Yamini’s face.

The beautician should have been an expert on costumes as well. She had adorned the saree with such dexterity that Yamini’s unusual height of 6 feet only added to her feminine grace.

The DGP was taken aback on seeing Yamini’s graceful form. Quite spontaneously she placed her hands on Yamini’s head and blessed her while chanting a few verses of Sri Sooktham.

varalotti · Mar 6, 2009

Re: Love All Episode 15

<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="PlaceName"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="PlaceType"></o:smarttagtype>
Part 3!

As they were walking out of the shop the DGP gave her credit card to the owner.

“Can you please complete the payment formalities early? We need to rush.”

“Remember your promise, Madam?”

“I do. Ask.”

The owner returned the card to her.

“Let all these things be my gift, Ma’am.”

The DGP was in a hurry to refuse.

“No Madam. I don’t want any favours from you. You know the KNR man was giving us quite a lot of trouble. We have lost several lakhs because of him.

"He has been torturing all the traders in this area, extorting money from us on one pretext or other. We could not do anything about it as he was close to a political bigwig.

“I read in the evening papers that you killed him in an encounter. That’s a real achievement, Madam. If I am the Prime Minister of this country I would have adorned you with a Vir Chakra. I am an ordinary trader, Madam. And this is the best I can do for you.”

Even then the DGP was not convinced. But the trader was quite adamant.

“I think it was the last Friday. The KNR problem was really killing me. I could not do anything. I ran to the <st1lace><st1lacename>Ashtalakshmi</st1lacename><st1lacetype>Temple</st1lacetype></st1lace> at Besant Nagar and prayed to Her that if the problem is solved I will gift silk sarees to a hundred maidens.

“She has done her part. Should I not do mine? I am now starting with this girl. Ninety-nine more to go.

“I don’t see you as a Police Officer, Ma’am. For me you are the Mahalakshmi Herself who took a human form to save me. So please…

“I promise on my only child, Madam, that I won’t seek any favours from the Department because of this.”

The owner was in tears.

The DGP could not refuse the offer of love any longer.

“Thanks.”

varalotti · Mar 6, 2009

Re: Love All Episode 15

<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="time"></o:smarttagtype>
Part 4!

6:55 PM. Naradha Gana Sabha was packed to its full capacity. The crowd consisted mostly of ladies, and that too members of WomenWorldWide.com. They were waiting for the two VVIPs of the day, Yamini and KG.

Arvind had come at <st1:time hour="18" minute="25">6:25</st1:time> and was seated on the dais. He was dressed in a dark red Shervani and looked very much like a bridegroom.

He was now wearing glasses. The designer frame and the slightly brown-tinted anti-glare progressive lens made him even more handsome. The ladies were shamelessly ogling the young writer.

A talkative young girl had taken over as the Master of Ceremonies. Though the meeting had not started she was regaling the audience with her anecdotes.

“In one of the marriages I attended the priest did not turn up till the last minute. They did not know what to do. But fortunately the bridge-groom who was an NRI had learnt the marriage mantras by heart only the week before. He acted as his own priest and solemnized his own marriage..

“We can have the marriage without the Priest. But can we have it without the bride…That’s why we are waiting for Miss Yamini Ramamurthy but for whom, KG says, this book would not have been written at all.”

Ramamurthy and Parvathi were crying. Janaki’s face was expressionless.

varalotti · Mar 6, 2009

Re: Love All Episode 15

<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="time"></o:smarttagtype>
Part 5!

<st1:time hour="18" minute="58">6:58 PM</st1:time>. The DGP’s motor convoy had just reached the meeting venue. Six senior ranking Police Officers escorted the two ladies into Sathguru Gnananda Hall, which had a capacity to seat about 950 people.

Additional chairs had been placed in between rows. Every single seat was occupied. And there were many people standing on the way.

A group of constables cleared the way.

Before the DGP and Yamini entered the door a constable ran up to the MC to inform her about the arrival of the VVIPs.

“And now ladies and gentlemen, get ready to welcome Miss Yamini Ramamurthy, Founder WomenWorldWide.com and Mrs. Mahalakshmi Sathyanarayana Director General of Police, Tamilnadu.”

Ramamurthy could not control himself. He stood up from his seat to have a glimpse of his dear daughter. So did Parvathi. Soon the entire audience of about a thousand people was on its feet.

The applause was deafening. Yamini was holding the DGP’s hands. She tightened her grip over the DGP’s hands, the only way she knew at that moment to express her gratitude.

As the two ladies walked down the auditorium the applause of the audience fell in to a beautiful rhythm with the steps taken by the two women.

Less than an hour ago Yamini was languishing in the corner of a dark cell, her life and honour at the mercy of a cruel beast. And now to walk into a congregation of a thousand, with her every step being applauded..

Yamini was sobbing and tried to express a part of her gratitude to her saviour by looking at her with tearful eyes.

The DGP understood her feelings and placed her hands over her shoulders and gently took her down the steps. Yamini then folded her hands towards the applauding audience.

As soon as they reached the first row Yamini stood by the side of her parents.

“YAMINI” shouted Ramamurthy and held his daughter in a tight hug. Parvathi also followed suit.

varalotti · Mar 6, 2009

Re: Love All Episode 15

<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype>
Part 6!

Janaki did not bother about Yamini. She was now standing face to face with the DGP. She was absolutely certain that the majestic lady standing before her should have rescued Yamini from the jaws of death.

She was convinced that the lady was none other than her Holy Mother. She was sure that the Mother was pleased with her week-long penance and had taken Yamini under her personal care. And as an added bonus She chose to reveal her wonderful form to her.

With tears overflowing her eyes, with sobs trying to escape from her mouth, she folded her hands reverentially towards the DGP and chanted the first stanza of Sri Sooktham aloud. For who else in the world had the blessing of chanting the Sooktham right before the Goddess Herself?

“<st1lace>Om</st1lace>, Hiranya varnam harinim Suvarna rajatasrajam
Chandraam hiranmayim Lakshmim jatavedo ma avaha.”

After the chanting Janaki prepared herself to fall at the feet of the DGP. The smart Police Officer guessed her next move, gracefully prevented it and hugged Janaki.

“What is this? You are like my mother. And you are trying to touch my feet? Why are you keen in making me a sinner?”

“ “

“Hi.. aren’t you Mrs Janaki, the Super Moderator, the superwoman of our site? You know I am your fan. In fact I learnt Sri Sooktham only from your post.”

Janaki still could not bring herself to speak. She wanted to chant the Sri Sooktham another 108 times before this Mahalakshmi. She wanted to go on thanking the majestic Police Officer till she lived. She wanted to tell her that she was the Goddess Herself.

Even without a word being spoken, Mahalakshmi, like her namesake residing in Heaven, understood what was there in Janaki’s mind.

“Amma…”

“ “

“I am sure you’ll let me call you so.”

“ “

“You know Amma, you were the one who saved Yamini. It was only because of your mail did I come to know of Yamini’s plight. It was only because of your mail more than 2000 women prayed for Yamini in 123 prayer camps throughout the city.

"And it was only your prayer, your mail, your love that saved her. Someday I want to learn that art of selfless love from you, Amma.”

Janaki hugged the Police Officer and was crying for a long time.

varalotti · Mar 6, 2009

Re: Love All Episode 15

<o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype>
Part 7!

Yamini then came to Janaki and touched her feet. Janaki held her in a tight embrace. Without a single word being spoken the two women communicated their feelings to each other – something which even an exchange of a million words could not have done.

Janaki kissed Yamini on her forehead.

The Master of Ceremonies caught Yamini’s eyes and showed her watch to her. Yamini understood and started walking towards the dais along with the DGP.

“Yamini.. just a minute..”

Janaki called her. Yamini stopped on her tracks.

“Yamini, do you know who she is?”

Janaki pointed out to a woman with a very kind face standing next to her. The woman who was in her fifties had a frail body and was wearing the clothes of a Christian Nun.

Yamini did not remember.

“She is Angel. The one who rushed in to defend KG from the clutches of a religious fanatic. She has travelled more than 400 miles only to meet KG in person. It was my blessing to see the net meeting between these two great souls.

“Thanks to my penance my Mother has blessed me with an opportunity to see the real life meeting between these loving souls.”

Janaki could not have known at that time that the KG-Angel meeting was not destined to happen at all. At least not in the way she expected.

Angel held Yamini in an affectionate hug for a second before letting her go. Before Yamini climbed up the stage she got warm bear hugs from all her moderators.

Everyone was present – Shobana, Kripa and Dr.Gayathri and even Prathi who had come down to <st1:country-region><st1lace>India</st1lace></st1:country-region> on vacation.

Of course Yamini could not have noticed a serene looking Ravi Subramanian sitting in the third row.
Yamini was now holding the DGP’s hands and started walking towards the dais. The DGP tried to free herself from Yamini’s grip.

“You go up, Yamini. Let me sit here and cheer you.”

“No way. Either we both go or nobody goes.”

Yamini tightened her grip over the DGP’s fingers. The DGP looked up at the stage. Arvind understood her feelings and showed the placard placed before the central seat in the stage.

It read “Mahalakshmi IPS, Director General of Police” Arvind’s gesture just told her that inviting DGP up the stage was not a last minute idea.

As the DGP and Yamini walked up the stage to take their seats, Arvind stood up from his seat and folded his hands towards the DGP. Were there tears in his eyes? Yamini was not sure. He also folded his hands towards Yamini. Yamini reluctantly reciprocated his gesture.

The MC got the DGP’s and Yamini’s permission to start the proceedings.

varalotti · Mar 6, 2009

Re: Love All Episode 15

Part 8!

“Ladies and Gentleman will you please stand for the prayer?”

The entire crowd was on its feet.

“If you are waiting for a traditional prayer song, I am afraid you are going to be disappointed.”

People who had closed their eyes for prayer now opened them wide to look at the MC.

“You know KG always loves to do things differently. He has composed the prayer for the day which I am going to read now.”

Then only Yamini noticed that KG was not there. She looked on the dais. She looked at the first few rows for any man in his sixties. ‘Where is KG?’

Yamini wanted to ask someone about KG. But before she could do that the MC started reading the prayer composed by KG.

“We are a strange people. We do not hesitate for a second to accept God in the form of a picture, a stone, a statue, a book or any other material object, but not in human form.

Our scriptures have been thundering into our ears for thousands of years “Daivam manushya rupena” . God is in the form of human beings. Yet we have our own reservations in seeing God in our fellow beings.

Today, we will be praying to God, who out of Her boundless love for us manifested Herself in the forms of two human beings.

One woman learnt that Yamini was going to be in trouble a week ago. She knew from an astrologer that the week ending today will be the most disastrous period for Yamini.

You know what she did? She started a week-long penance. She ate nothing but liquid food throughout the week.

That she did in spite of her high blood-pressure. In fact she had to curtail her medications for the fast giving some tense moments to her husband and her Doctor.

And every day right from four in the morning till late in the evening she was chanting Sri Sooktham 108 times. Her Guru issued an impossible command to her this morning. “Do more of what you are doing now.”

She meditated on the statement and then started prayer camps throughout the city. She caught hold of the Mother’s feet with so much force that the Holy Mother had no option other than to grant her wish – something simple and selfless– do anything you want with me, but spare Yamini.

Yamini is here with us today, and this function is happening today only because of that noble soul. If you have hearts, and if you happen to have love in them, pray to Mrs. Janaki, Super Moderator of WomenWorldWide.com who masterminded this great rescue saga.

The second woman is no less noble. She heads the Police function in the State and is reporting directly to the Home Secretary and the Home Minister.

The moment she came to know of the dangers that surrounded Yamini, she took the avatar of Mahishasura Mardini.

She trapped the enemy with her sheer intelligence. She has thousands of officers at her command. Yet like the great Lord Sriman Narayana, who with 330 millions of angels at His command, ran himself personally to rescue an elephant, she personally took on herself the job of rescuing Yamini.

She was Dhairya Lakshmi Herself when she singlehandedly killed the enemy in an encounter.

If we have any sense of gratitude left in us we should celebrate today as the real Diwali. Our Purana says that it was Goddess Mahalakshmi who killed Narakasura which we all celebrate as Diwali.

And this Mahalakshmi IPS, Director General Of Police, Tamilnadu killed a person who is worse than Narakasura and rescued Yamini from the brink of death and dishonour.

I don’t know about you, Ladies, but every year on the 1<sup>st</sup> of May I will be wearing new dresses, taking an oil bath and chant Srisooktham. For today is the real Diwali for me.

I request you ladies and Gentlemen, to fold your hands in utmost reverence and meditate for a minute on the love of Mrs. Janaki and the valour of Mrs. Mahalakshmi. Let your eyes shed all the tears you have in store. Let us thank the Almighty God for having chosen to reveal Herself in such wonderful forms for us to see.

Mrs. Janaki and Mrs. Mahalakshmi, we are at your feet. Bless us. We are your children.”

The absolute silence that prevailed in the hall was punctuated by occasional sobs.

Yamini was surprised to see even the strong DGP crying silently. Ramamurthy and Parvathi had walked away from their seats to stand before Janaki with folded hands sobbing continuously.

After a minute the MC communicated KG’s words in a choked voice. “May God bless you all.”

They could not do anything else, think of anything else for the next few minutes. Nobody even ventured to speak. The entire audience was savouring the love of the Holy Mother.

varalotti · Mar 6, 2009

Re: Love All Episode 15

Part 9!

After what appeared to be an eternity the MC cleared her throat and started to speak.

“You might all be wondering where’s KG, the author of the book and the hero of this function. He is on the way. Meanwhile Writer Arvind wants to deliver his keynote address as he has to rush somewhere.

“We now claim your attention to the handsome writer, the writer who has won over many women with his charming looks, and has won over the hearts of men and women alike with his even more charming love stories. Mr. Arvind, the floor is yours.”

As Arvind stood up to go to the podium he smiled to the DGP and Yamini. The DGP returned his smile but Yamini did not.

Arvind, as was his custom, did not carry any cue cards and spoke directly from his heart. He did not even bother to address the VVIPs separately.

varalotti · Mar 6, 2009

Re: Love All Episode 15

Part 10!

“I am not here to sing praises about the new book. Many people are going to do just that.”

‘Jealousy. Professional jealousy. Let him say one word wrong about KG, I will tear him to pieces. Right on this stage. Braggart. Arrogant fellow.’ Yamini was boiling within.

Arvind threw a pointed glance at Yamini’s beautiful form, smiled at her once again before continuing with his speech. ‘Loafer.. loafer.. see how he is ogling me…He thinks too much about himself.’

Arvind turned to face the audience and continued his talk.

“I am going to share something very personal with you all.”

‘Oh really,’ thought many young girls in the audience. ‘You’re cho chweet.’

“I am not going to talk to you as a popular writer. I am going to talk to you for a while as a repentant sinner, a son who has failed in his pious duty towards his loving father.”

‘What the hell is he saying?’ thought Yamini.

“Yes I betrayed my father. I did not listen to my old man. I was so mean that I could not even carry out his simple wishes.

I lost my mother when I was in my fifth standard. My father played the role of my mother as well and brought me up amidst all difficulties. In spite of all the encouragement given by my old man I did not study well.

I scored poor marks in my HSC exams. But I insisted on studying engineering. He struggled hard to get me a seat paying a heavy capitation fee, though it was against his principles and he could not afford the money at that time.

I failed in many subjects in the first year and then told my father that I was no longer interested in engineering. He never spoke a harsh word to me. For a year I was just loafing around.

Then I went to my old man and virtually ordered him to get a seat for me in English literature which he did. Then I did my Masters. He begged his friends and somehow got me a job. But I refused to work.

I told him that I was interested only in writing. Any other person in his place would have driven me out of the house.

He was happy and brought me a lot of books. He made me write at least ten pages a day. He would spend two hours every day discussing with me the nuances of writing.

After two years of struggle I produced my first novel. No one was ready to publish that. My father pledged his house, the only property he had , and paid the money to a publisher to publish my novel.

It was a grand success, not because I wrote well, but because it was backed by my father’s sacrifice and love. Soon I started writing bestsellers and I never looked back.