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Getti Melam - Supraja - An Apple Of My Eye

Discussion in 'Stories (Fiction)' started by Thyagarajan, Nov 4, 2018.

  1. Thyagarajan

    Thyagarajan IL Hall of Fame

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    :hello:@mbharani @teenulahari
    Thanks for following v th episode by clicking LIKE option.
    Regards.
     
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  2. Thyagarajan

    Thyagarajan IL Hall of Fame

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    Continued from last week ending 1st Dec 2018
    ************
    Part 6.
    GETTI MELAM - SUPRAJA AN APPLE OF MY EYE
    Anna checked up the snake-panchangam -almanac - short listed in consultation with CSK three auspicious dates during which the Subha Mhurtham falls in the range 9 to 12 forenoon. They two associated me for deciding the most convenient date. Two Mhurthams were on Monday . Another one fell on Wednesday which was selected as morning till noon is good as per almanac. That was a month away from then. After finalising the marriage date, Anna left for Bombay.
    Now CSK & I planned for that day and with support of funds from my manni and Anna , and our savings, located a small house with a room and kitchenette which was hired at a nominal deposit and rent and equipped it with basic requirements including pressure stove and stocked various day to day needs. From lodge, CSK shifted to this place.
    I was wondering how he would now convince his parents and possibly siblings of our marriage while I remain scared on this score. He had collected information on formalities to comply at marriage Registrar’s office of state Government and gathered forms that are need to be filled with witness signature. He arranged for witnesses and drawn up the list of names who would be invited to watch and witness the marriage that is supposed to be fixed once again in heavens by celestial.
    ( From here on, the concluding part of this narration would be completed by Anna from Chennai. Over to you Anna...)
    After return from Chennai, I narrated the progress to my spouse and she listened with rapt attention. She gave numerous suggestions like inserting ad in classifieds in The Hindu announcing the intent of re-marriage, buying suitable gifts that would stay green in memory of CSK and Supraja, items required for there day to day use etc., she readily gave a chunk of her savings for expenses like buying journey tickets etc,
    Her sister J who had finished writing degree exam then awaiting results came to stay with us for a fortnight which overlapped with the day chosen for Supraja’s wedding. Her visit was a God sent coincidence (future paragraphs would reveal) as our toddler son used to be very fond of her. When spouse was busy at morning and evening sessions in the bank’s branch, J had taken good care of our home.
    Before leaving home, I saw spouse tied a one rupee coin in a small turmeric smeared wet cotton cloth, placed at the base of a deity. Must be praying for well being of all and for the re marriage project and safe journey and return.
    (To be continued)
     
    Last edited: Dec 8, 2018
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  3. Thyagarajan

    Thyagarajan IL Hall of Fame

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    :hello:@lakshya2018 @VinuthaS
    Thanks for clicking the LIKE evidencing that you are following this fictional serial.
    2. Shall appreciate more when you post your FB.
    Regards,
    God Bless us All Always.
     
  4. GeetaKashyap

    GeetaKashyap IL Hall of Fame

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    @Thyagarajan Sir,

    The episodes are too brief and too far-spaced, as a result the tempo is lost.
     
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  5. Thyagarajan

    Thyagarajan IL Hall of Fame

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    I agree. Due paucity of time and the mood determines the length.
    Thank you.
    Regards.
     
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  6. Ammu2886

    Ammu2886 Gold IL'ite

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    Dear Sir,
    I also have the same feeling.The episodes are getting shorter week by week
    From the story end everything seems to be good now and wish the marriage happens with CSK's and Supraja's parents support.
     
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  7. jayasala42

    jayasala42 IL Hall of Fame

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    It is true of life also. When we are in crisis, or when we are looking for alliance or seeking admission in various colleges,it is a long process of meeting people, arranging finance etc etc.Once the marriage date and hall are fixed and catering is finalised, time flies off and tieing of sacred thread takes just a minute.It is over.
    Even when we have long life as 90 years, our history is long, and towards the end it is just a suffering of a few months and it comes to an end and no one will talk about us very next day.
    That is life and no wonder it applies to stories also .After all it is an event in life.
    Many writers admit that writing of long stories and long serials is far more easier than writing short crisp stories with a favourable or unfavourable end.
    Jayasala 42
     
  8. Thyagarajan

    Thyagarajan IL Hall of Fame

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    :hello:True indeed. But when one believes or not in karma, he or she acts out which could be +ve or-ve.
    2. Apropos your view of writers, I agree in toto. It reminds me of US President Abraham Lincoln’s interview with a journalist.
    He was asked quantum of time for preparation of speech to last for six hour, one hour, and 5 minutes.
    He responded in reverse thus:
    For 5 minutes speech it would take longest perhaps a week.
    For one hour it may take a day.
    For six hour - “READY RIGHT AWAY”.
    For his famous GETTISBURG ADDRESS ‘four score & seven years ago .....’ the effort required reportedto be several hours of several days.
    3. Thus writing a short-story not exceeding 500 words or 600 words (as limited by news paper publishers for their regular columns) is more taxing, numerous revisions to bring out the central idea to just focus.
    Thanks for reading the serial episodes and your pragmatic comments on life that goes on and on.
    Regards.
    God grants Godspeed to the writers or and blogists with information close to their heart for dissemination .
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2018
  9. Thyagarajan

    Thyagarajan IL Hall of Fame

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    :hello:GETTI MELAM - SUPRAJA- AN APPLE OF MY EYE
    PART 7
    COTINUATION FROM PART 6 POSTED ON 8TH DEC 2018.
    I left home with my spouse riding pillion in Lambretta scooter, my toddler son resting on hip of sister in law J from fourth floor grilled balcony bye byed us. It was 7.30. A.M. Within ten minutes I took the circular track at Sion park around Tashkent emporium and from their I took to a radial road leading to Eastern Express highway. A few kilometers of ride at medium speed,

    I saw ahead of me at a distance, a mini truck open loaded a huge heap of soap flakes. As it passed over a hump on the road, it’s contents began spilling covering over half of the road width with white soap flakes.
    Before I could realise the danger ahead, my scooter skidded over the soap flakes. My spouse and I were thrown off a few yards near the verge - road divider - and the skidded scooter resting on its side engine still alive and its rear wheel spinning. As luck would have it, no speeding trucks found behind us. Two eunuchs rushed to us extended support to both of us to get up stretching the body a bit here and there with slight injuries and aberration. Spouse had a small gash on her head from which bleeding noticed. The Aristocrat suitcase was intact withstood the impact.

    With a large handkerchief one of the eunuchs blocked the gash and tied it around head and below chin. Then I managed to ride her to a nearby clinic.
    We were scared when doctor said to have an x Ray. Clinic was equipped with it. But spouse with proper dressing emerged out of clinic and desired to attend the office. I told her I would inform the bank and she should rest at home. But she would not. On the same highway, I rode her as pillion to the bank taking care to drive at the left end of the road where no spillage of soap flakes.

    As I entered her bank holding her hand, all her friends came running to enquire. Stains of blood on her maroon blouse and the maroon phallu of yellow mango saree was less visible.

    When I left her, she was repeatedly telling me “take care- take care, all the best for journey and marriage.”

    From there, I proceeded to my Ballard pier office. It was odd Saturday - half day office - till one p.m.and reached there with Aristocrat suitcase replenished only with love, care, dress, gifts, clothes etc meticulously stacked by spouse.
    The scooter remained parked within office premises.

    In the nick of time, I reached Dadar Madras Express got into a unreserved compartment as the train began leaving the platform. With monsoon clouds about to burst heralding the southwest monsoon, calmness restored; smooth hauling by Diesel engine & standing at the entrance of the compartment, the cross wind hit sharply on my face & roaring into the ear, gave a soothing feeling. But It was short lived. Mind began thinking of impact on the head injury to spouse. I prayed that it should not end in concussion.

    Watching the vanishing local stations and posts, communication lines, from fast moving train & stationary distance hills, I now felt the hunger.
    When train halted at Kalyan for brief, I alighted and could locate my upper berth & seat in that particular compartment.

    When train departed from Manthralayam station, I could get snacks. In such a short time I will have to battle and emerge triumphant. Many miles to go yet. Oh my God! Fatigued that I was, sleep embraced me.

    At last train reached right time at Central station at Chennai. I proceeded to corner book stall within the concourse where from a distance CSK lifting his hands up waving darting toward me.
    We were on the way to Ajantha hotel, had threadbare discussion and formulated action plan for impending marriage.

    CSK confirmed that he had completed preliminary work related to marriage in registrar’s presence at his office. He had submitted prescribed form duly signed by Supraja and he and arranged for requisite witnesses to be present on the appointment date.
    Next day Monday, I met both Supraja and CSK during their office lunch hour. I told that Supraja on Wednesday should leave home for office as usual without raising any suspicion in simple attire and CSK & I would pick her up little away from her usual bus stop. Tuesday evening we again met just before closing hours of their office and done bit shopping.

    Wednesday we three met around 9 A.M. and proceeded in yellow cab to Ajantha hotel. The MAROON silk saree I presented to her was matching with her blouse she was wearing already. The dhothi unbleached and white Cotton slack shirt and towel to go with it that I presented to CSK was cheerfully accepted by him.

    The golden bangles - gift from my spouse added to Supraja’s forearms brought more cheer to her resplendent countenance. I tied the HMT wrist-watch “Jawahar” on CSK’s hand and a thin golden ring gladly accepted by him.
    For my eyes, at that moment they looked like celestial couple & Supraja - apple of my eye - was more of an embellished angel.

    From Ajantha we went to temple at Vadapalani Chennai. In front of the Lord, at the sanctum sanctorum- the main deity - the priest after chanting returned a pair of two thick long garlands made of pink roses to CSK & Supraja garlanded each other. It was nearing 10.30.

    I took snaps (black & white) of the couple in different locations with borrowed camera Canon QL. We then proceeded in the waiting yellow cab to nearby registrar’s office of marriage. when we reached there it was already quarter past eleven .

    At a distance from a shop’s loudspeaker, I heard a then popular tamil song “olzhi mayamana edhir kalam en ulzhathil therigiradhu”. ( ஒளி மயமான எதிர் காலம் என் உள்ளத்தில் தெரிகிறது ) from thespian Shivji Ganesan starer film “பச்சை விளக்கு” Pacchai Vilaku.

    With garlands on their person, with backdrop of registrar’s office name board, I captured many times my sister Supraja with her heart throb CSK their glorious union; and I stood tall with them, a bystander was requested to focus and click us three together twice.
    The witnesses and we three had our wonderful feast including semia palpayasam at nearby Hotel Dasprakash. At around four I dropped them at their rented hovel bidding good bye to my beloved sister Supraja & dear BIL CSK.

    Around five o’clock from my friend’s office in Parry’s, I spoke on STD to my spouse’s office in Bombay Chembur Camp. A lady responded. The moment I introduced myself, she stopped me in mid sentence....”hello Sir, I am Alka Phatak. Your wife is ok and has been attending office and she would talk to you. I will transfer the line to her. Please hold on.”

    It was the moment of great relief mutually to hear each other’s voice live.

    She my thoughtful - always living in the present -spouse said, she had been to with her sister J to the clinic, x-rayed the injured site of the head and nothing adverse noticed. She said the head injury had begun to heal up and I need not worry on that score.

    She enquired of Supraja-CSK Marriage and I said it was all a smooth sail. She suggested that I should meet our parents and inform them of the register marriage before leaving Madras. I said ok.

    (Subam):beer-toast1:
     
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2018
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  10. jayasala42

    jayasala42 IL Hall of Fame

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    Best wishes to Supraja-CSK couple.I am reminded of a friend's love marriage.For the past 4 days the girl has packed small item by item that can be held in her handbag.She was an Iyer girl to wed an Iyengar boy working in our office.
    She had chosen such a day when her mother was to leave for Kumbakonam to attend another relative's wedding.On Saturday along with her daughter the mother left for Kumbakonam, travelled in Elecrtric train along with girl,to get down at Egmore.
    The girl came to office. At about 12 we ( myself and my husband included) took a van to Thirumala. Arrangements had already been over.On Sunday the girl was in Iyengar madisar saree. My husband and myself took the role of the girl's parents and performed Kannikadanam as per procedure.
    The bride was taken to the bridegroom's house as per tradition the same evening.
    Monday a few of the friends met at a small restaurant to wish the couple.
    Tuesday,the girl's mother returned home only to see the letter written by her daughter.
    She could not cry or lament.Everything was over.
    The mother blessed'Engeyaavathu saniyangal nanna irukkattum"
    Jayasala 42
     
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