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A LOVE STORY - Episode 9

Discussion in 'Saturdays with Varalotti' started by varalotti, Sep 8, 2008.

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A LOVE STORY

A Serial By Varalotti Rengasamy

Episode 9

Kamla had got up pretty early in the morning. She had her morning coffee. She did not have the mind to browse through the papers. Kumar had gone for his morning walk.

Kamla was lost in thoughts. There was a possibility that they might lose everything. She had never given a damn to wealth. But to lose whatever one had and that too in the eventide of one’s life was unbearable.

The duplex flat, though not luxurious was quite comfortable. The drawing room, study and the bedroom were air-conditioned. They had a king-size bed. The kitchen was quite spacious.

Kamla loved driving her black Honda City. They had a live-in cook. Kumar was leading a very comfortable, peaceful retired life. All these would be gone soon.

She did not even have the mind to pray. She wanted to talk to Arun, but did not want to disturb him at this early hour.

She also had half mind to confess everything to Kumar. If only she can bury her face in Kumar’s chest and cry to her heart’s content, everything will be all right. Was it as simple as that? She was not sure.

How would Kumar view this? Will he be affected?

It was not fair. How could she and Kumar be made responsible for Dr.Rao’s gambling debts? That was one classic instance where law and justice were at loggerheads.

As of now the greatest confidence she had was Arun’s publisher, Naren. He was younger than Arun, probably as good as Arun. But what impressed her was his street smartness and his worldly wisdom. Arun had identified the correct person for her.
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varalotti, Sep 8, 2008

varalotti, Sep 8, 2008

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Sep 8, 2008 #2

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Part 2!

Kamla’s mobile rang. Of late she had changed the ringtone to Suprabatham. She let her mobile ring for a few times savouring the simple beauty of the divine composition.

“Dr. Kamla”

“Good Morning, Doctor. This is Naren from KT Publications. Arun’s publisher.”

“Good Morning, Naren. You will live a hundred years. I was just thinking about you and your comforting words.”

“Thanks for the blessing, Doctor. I need a favour from you.”

“Consider it done.

“We are bringing out a deluxe edition of Arun’s latest book, “Unrequited Love”. We are also using this as an excuse to showcase Arun. My ad agency has worked out a month-long tour programme for Arun- press meets, book signings and literary meetings.

“Had I known about your problem earlier I would not have organised this at this time. We have already sunk several lakhs in the campaign. We’ll lose face if we withdraw it now.”

“Why should you withdraw it, Naren? I am very happy for Arun. Please go ahead with the campaign.”

“Doctor, I know how much of support Arun is to you. I am sure his going away for a month now will be a pain to you.”

“It will be, Naren. But you should never stop that on my account.”

“Doctor, I am in a fix now. I know how you helped Arun during a very crucial phase in his writing career. But for your friendship and support we would not have got this priceless gem on our hands today. I don’t want to let you down, when you need Arun’s support.”

“Oh.. Naren.. what’s this…”

“Doctor, Doctor, please let me finish. Arun will be away from Chennai exactly for 25 days. During his absence I will be playing the role of Arun for you, Doctor. Your creditors can only walk over my dead body to harm you.

”I have put all our new projects on hold till you come out of this crisis. I will be working full time on the strategy we discussed yesterday. And if in spite of all these, if at any point of time you want to see Arun, I’ll see to it that he comes to you within three hours at the maximum.

“I’ll even charter a helicopter if necessary. Please think this over and let me know whether Arun can go now. Only after hearing from you I am going to talk to Arun.”

“Please don’t make me cry, Naren. I don’t see any difference between you and Arun. There is no need for me to think on this matter. Let Arun go.”

“Thanks, Doctor. Now can I talk to you for a few minutes about your problem?”

“Sure.”

“I have identified the right lawyer for your problem. He saw all the papers. He is happy with whatever your lawyer has done. As an additional precaution he wants you and Kumar to apply for anticipatory bail, just in case.

“He will also be filing caveats in all the Courts just to make sure that your creditors do not do anything behind your back.

“Kumar is also a Partner and he also should sign the papers. Arun and I are coming over to your place around 9 in the morning to explain the situation to Dr.Kumar.”
Kamla was taken aback by the amount of homework done by Naren.

“Another good news is that I have identified a good accounting firm in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Singapore</st1lace></st1:country-region>. I have already faxed all the papers to them. They are deputing someone from their Bombay Office for the job. They will be in your clinic for about a week or ten days max.”

“Naren..”

“I am not finished, Doctor. I have retained the services of G4, a leading security firm to provide guards in your house and clinic. When you or Kumar go out, a guard will be accompanying you. You need to put up with that for a month.”

“Naren.. How am I going to thank you for all this? Now please tell me how much should I pay these people? Can I leave some blank cheques with you, so that you need not come to me for payment every now and then?”

Naren remembered Arun’s words.

“No need, Doctor. I’ll spend the money and claim from you later.”

“Thanks, Naren.”

“Will see you and Dr.Kumar around 9, Doctor.”

Kamla disconnected the phone and wiped her tears.

‘What did I do to deserve this kind of love from a kid whom I have hardly met?’

Last edited: Sep 8, 2008

varalotti, Sep 8, 2008

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Part 3!

Kumar returned from his walk around 8. He had his second cup of coffee and disappeared into his study with the newspaper.

Arun and Naren were there at five to nine. When Kamla saw them together at the door, her mind was filled with enormous courage and confidence. ‘If these two young men are with me, I can win over the entire world.’

After exchange of pleasantries Kamla took them to Kumar’s study.

“Hi Arun”

“Sir, this is Mr.Naren of KT Publications, my publishers.”

“Nice meeting you, Naren.”

Kamla sat by Kumar’s side while Arun and Naren sat opposite to them.

“What’s the book you are reading, Sir?”

Arun wanted some conversation opener before they could talk about the crisis looming large over Kumar and Kamla.

“The Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran. I read it every day. What is insulin to a diabetes patient, this book is to my soul. I am taking my daily dose of insulin. “

“I have read it, Sir.” Naren joined the conversation.

“I too have.” Arun said and added, “Can you tell us what portion of it you are reading now?”

“I’ll read it for you, guys. Kamla, please listen.

“For what are your possessions but things you keep and guard for fear you may need them tomorrow?

And tomorrow, what shall tomorrow bring to the over-prudent dog burying bones in the trackless sand as he follows the pilgrims to the holy city?

And what is fear of need but need itself?”

Kamla broke into a sob. Arun and Naren did not know how to respond. It was obvious that Kumar was not casually reading a passage from the book.

He was eloquently communicating to them that he knew the purpose of their visit and that he was well prepared for what they were going to say.

Kumar placed his hand on his Kamla’s shoulders.

“I know, Arun. When Kamla cried way too much for Dr.Rao’s death I smelt the fish. I made some discreet enquires and found out the truth.

“My dearest, let them take all our possessions. Do you think I value this house, the car and furniture as my wealth? You are my most precious wealth dear. Besides you these are just dust.

“I have also thought of the future course of life. I have talked to Dr.Sekhar. He has offered me a Consultant’s post in the hospital he is working for. We can rent out a small place near the hospital. We may not be able to afford a car. But that’s okay.

“You have worked a lot for me, dear. Now it’s my turn to work for you. I am sure you’ll love <st1:city w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Madurai</st1lace></st1:city>.”

“Kumar.. Kumar….” Kamla burst out crying.

No one talked for a few minutes.

Naren cleared his throat.

“Dr.Kumar, I admire you. If only we had more people like you, this earth would be a good working model of the heaven above. I have one objection, though.”

“Shoot.”

“If you are giving up your wealth for charity, then it is all right. I do not see any merit in your giving your wealth to your partner’s gambling debts. I don’t see any value in your succumbing to your creditors’ greed. What they have done is evil.

“And Dr.Kumar, whether you like your wealth or not, you have a moral duty to fight against them.

“Just remember this, Sir; as the great Mahabharatha battle is about to begin Arjuna proclaims that he does not want any wealth or kingdom from the Kauravas. He tells the Lord that he is ready to sacrifice everything and go to the forest to do penance.

“In the eighteen chapters of Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna admonishes Arjuna to fight the noble war. Because the fight was against injustice. Your situation is no different from Arjuna’s.”

Arun and Kamla looked at Naren with admiration.

“I love the way you put it, Naren. When Arun and you are by our side, I don’t mind fighting them tooth and nail. Provided my dear wife understands that even if we lose the battle, the worst case scenario is a calm life in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1lace w:st="on">Madurai</st1lace></st1:city>.

“And provided further that she assures me not to let this affect her health. If these conditions are met then fight and retreat are the same to me.”

Kamla wiped her tears and talked with enthusiasm.

“I am now ready to fight this holy war. Thanks for giving me a sense of proportion, Kumar. Naren and Arun, you are our Army Generals. We are at your command. You tell us what to do.”

[FONT=&quot]Naren started to talk. As she heard the young man describe the strategy her depression gave way to excitement.[/FONT]

Last edited: Sep 9, 2008

varalotti, Sep 8, 2008

varalotti, Sep 8, 2008

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Part 4!

Naren had moved heaven and earth to organise that mini-press meet at the Kamaraj Domestic Terminal of Chennai Airport.

It was a creative idea given by a young Account Executive of the ad agency. The girl who had just come out of her Mass Communications course had suggested that if they could organise an informal press meet at the airport itself, they could get maximum publicity.

The Airports Authority of India and the Police Commissioner had refused to allow a proper meeting at the airport lobby. But Naren could win over a very special oral permission to hold a meet with the reporters standing around Arun and asking questions about him and his writings.

The meet had to be over in 30 minutes. Special photo ID cards pre-authenticated by the Police Commissioner’s office had to be issued to all the invitees. Apart from 25 cards issued to the Press, Naren had issued cards to Kumar, Kamla, Marimuthu, his wife and two children and to the caterers.

Marimuthu was going along with Arun for the campaign. Arun had told Naren that Marimuthu should be with him as he was planning for the next book. Naren was only too happy to oblige.

Marimuthu’s wife and his two daughters were excited about Marimuthu’s very first flight travel. Naren had issued special passes to them so that they could see off Marimuthu.

The meet was to start in another fifteen minutes. Arun, Naren, Sethuramalingam Marimuthu and his family and about a dozen reporters had come. Two police officers were there with them to cordon off other people from that area and to ensure only those with proper ID cards were there for the meet.

Kamla and Kumar were on their way.

Arun was talking to Marimuthu’s wife and children.

“Anni, I want you all to go on a long trip during this summer vacation. And all of you are going to fly.”

He imitated the sound of a plane flying to Marimuthu’s daughter Aishwarya who was thrilled.

Marimuthu was watching the scene with tears in his eyes. He still could not believe that in a few minutes from now he was going to have his first flight experience – the very first one in his fifty two years of existence.

Naren came running to them. All the reporters invited for the meet had come.

“Arun, it’s time. You go and stand in the centre. The reporters will stand around you. We’ll all stand here. If you want anything just give a signal to me. I will come running to you.

“Otherwise it should appear as if you were informally talking to the press before boarding your flight. Are you ready?”

“I am. But Dr.Kamla and Kumar haven’t come.’

“They will be here anytime. See there. They are just entering the lobby. You go ahead, Arun. I’ll take care of them.”

Arun went to face the press.

varalotti, Sep 8, 2008

varalotti, Sep 8, 2008

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Part 5!

The reporters swarmed Arun.

“Mr. Vidyabharathi, what makes you write?

All the reporters had switched on their recording devices. Suddenly there was an expectant silence.

“When Life is dancing before you in such wondrous colours, I am just wondering, Sir, how can one not write? The one thing that distinguishes us humans from the other species is our eternal need to express ourselves.

“Painting, sculpture, movies, theatre, writing, craft work, architecture, why even engineering design - are all ways of expression.”

“Mr. Arun Kumar, I am not flattering you. But I was simply bowled over by your language and by the expressions you used in your book, Unrequited Love. I am sure you should have been in love. Can you talk about it, Sir?”

Arun smiled.

“All of us have been and still are in love. With our parents, our children, brothers, sisters friends, lovers, wives… In fact we live only so long as we can love. The moment we lose our capacity to love, we lose our capacity to live as well. A life without love is not living but a mere existence.

“Yes, Sir, I have been in love in the sense you used that word. I will be grateful if you leave my personal life out of this. Thanks for the understanding.”

Kamla had an approving smile.

There were questions about Arun’s next book, his tour, his future projects, his vision in life and whether he would write for movies. Arun’s answers were witty, profound and very apt. The Press was suitably impressed.

The meet ought to have ended in a happy note when Arun hinted about his next book and somebody wished that it should be his magnum opus.

A hand shot up from the middle of the crowd.
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varalotti, Sep 8, 2008

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Part 6!

“Vidyabharathi, I love the way you dedicated your book to one Dr.Kamla.”

Kamla had a premonition that something was going to be wrong.

“I searched for Dr.Kamla Kumar in the Net. The only lady with the same name with the same spelling, the "a" missing after the "m", is a reputed psychiatrist. You have written that you could not have written the book without her.

“Are we to presume that she was the lady who treated your mental illness? And you were able to write the book when you had gone nuts, right? That’s marvellous, Vidyabharathi. Were you chained? Were you committed to an asylum? How is your mental condition now? Are you sane now, by any chance? Why not you write a book on your experiences as an insane person? “

The reporters were shocked. They never expected that kind of cruelty from among their midst to a writer like Arun.

Arun was stumped. The questioner continued to talk in the same derisive fashion for a few more minutes.

Kamla placed her hands on Naren’s shoulders.

“Naren, Can I?”

Naren was cool. After all he had worked with the American Press which was notorious for such tantalizing questions.

“You can, Doctor, certainly. Just wait for a few seconds. I’ll arm you with the facts before you go.”

He then signaled to a person standing on the other side. The man was from the catering service.

He had plates filled with badam halwa and roasted cashew nuts and was waiting to serve. On getting Naren’s signal he and his assistants loaded the reporters’ hands with the plates.

They were visibly distracted. That gave very precious time to Naren.

He aimed his N 60 Nokia mobile at the rude reporter and shot his picture. Within seconds he sent the picture to his contacts in the industry.

He then dialed those contacts and asked about the guy. Before the reporters could finish off the badam halwa, Naren was ready with the results of his investigation which he shared with Dr.Kamla.

“Doctor, this guy is a small time writer. His name is Karthik. Has written a few books and short stories. Jealous of Arun. Somehow managed to get a press pass.”

“Great, Naren. Now leave the floor to me.”

varalotti, Sep 8, 2008

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Part 7!

Kamla barged into the meeting with the ferocity of a mother tigress anxious to protect its cub from predators.

When she started to roar even the passengers on the other side of the lobby came running to the place.

“Gentlemen, I am a mental health professional. I hold a Masters in Medicine from KMC, Chennai and have a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychiatry from the same institution. UCLA, that is the <st1lacetype w:st="on">University</st1lacetype> of California, conferred a Ph.D. on me for my thesis on Depression.

“My paper on Schizophrenia got me an honorary membership of the American Psychiatric Association. I have so far presented fifty papers on Depression, Abnormal Psychology and Child Psychology and many of them have been published in international journals.

“I have been in the field for the past twenty five years.”

The reporters froze. They even stopped munching the roasted cashew nuts and started staring at Kamla.

“Absolutely sorry to blow my own trumpet, Gentlemen. But I want you to know my credentials. If you think what I said was not qualification enough to barge into this meet, well, I am Dr.Kamla Kumar. Vidyabharathi dedicated his book to me.”

The reporters took enormous efforts to refrain from applauding. It looked as if the flashes from the reporters’ cameras would never stop.

Even the Police Officers deputed for the meet were looking at her with admiration.

“First, the facts. Vidyabharathi is not my patient. No doubt he came to me with a depression. But I have been managing it with some friendly conversation outside my professional practice. I have not even opened a case sheet for him.”

“But Doctor, he is still..”

Karthik tried to interrupt her.

“Will you be kind enough to keep your mouth shut up till I am finished? You had your time and this is mine.”

The expression on Kamla’s face could have stunned a charging bull into a saintly silence.

“Every one of us is depressed. It becomes pathological only when it substantially interferes with our day-to-day life. A practical definition of mental health is the ability to recognise that depression and act accordingly.

“We psychiatrists do not easily agree with each other. But the psychiatrists the world over are unanimous on one thing. A person who is depressed but is fully aware of it and does not let that depression interfere with his work is in the pink of his mental health.

“I can pledge all my credentials I cited earlier to certify that Mr. Vidyabharathi is enjoying excellent mental health. If am proved wrong I will surrender all my academic diplomas and quit my profession.

“You might have heard of the very rare probability of a monkey typing some random keys on a typewriter and accidentally reproducing a Shakespeare’s play. Even that could happen.

But a man who has an attack of pathological depression – or to use the derisive term used by our learned reporter – a man gone nuts could never produce a masterpiece like “Unrequited Love.”

A few reporters applauded.

Kamla now turned her attention to the questioner.

“And you, gentleman, what’s your name?”

“Karthik”

“Well, the way you worded the question, the opinion you have about mentally sick people makes me suspect that you might require psychiatric treatment. I am ready to accept you as my patient. Of course, for a fee.”

Even the passengers and the Police officers joined the thunderous applause that greeted Kamla’s words.

Kamla walked away from the crowd, her face glowing with the pride of a victorious mother.

Karthik’s face was red and he walked out of the meeting in anger and humiliation.

Naren went to the front and thanked the press for accepting his invitation.
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Last edited: Sep 8, 2008

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Part 8!

Security check was announced for the passengers travelling by King Fisher Airlines’ flight to Mumbai. Arun and Marimuthu were standing near the passenger-entrance gate. Kamla, Kumar and Marimuthu’s family were there. They were all waiting for Naren.

Arun was talking to Kamla.

“Thanks a lot, Doctor. When that question came I wanted to tell the truth, the whole truth.

“But I was afraid that it may have an impact on the sale of my books. And that might hurt Naren. So I kept quiet. Your retort was brilliant, Doctor.”

Before Kamla could respond Naren came running to them.

He shook Kamla’s hands violently.

“Thanks a lot, Doctor. You have made me recoup the entire cost of the campaign by your one minute speech. You have converted a bland publicity meeting into sensational news.

“I was talking to the reporters. Times of India and Deccan Chronicle have promised to give a box item on the first page tomorrow.

“Your words were so powerful that these reporters can recite them by heart. What would have been an advertising feature in the seventh page corner has come to the first page, thanks to you Doctor.”

“Oh, Naren, don’t embarrass me. I am very happy for you and Arun.”

Arun placed his hand on Naren’s shoulders.

“Naren, I have a request for you. Please tell the reporters not to publish that guy’s name. I know him. We used to discuss a lot in those days. I don’t know what made him talk like that.

“He has already been punished enough. Let’s not ruin his career. If his publishers get to know of this they may abandon him. He’s a full time writer and would be virtually destroyed.

“Let him be described as some obscure reporter and not as a writer. Please see to it that his name does not figure anywhere in the news report.”

“God bless you, my son.”

Everybody turned in the direction of the voice. Dr.Kumar.

He had been silently observing the happenings till now and those were the first words he spoke after a very long time.

“I’ll take care of that, Arun. Marimuthu has got the revised itinerary. Looks a little tiring to me. You are free to cancel any of your appointments. I have asked Mr. Guptha of Landmark, Mumbai to meet you at the airport. Best of luck, Arun.”

“Thanks, Naren. Just a second.”

Arun held Naren’s hands and talked to Kamla and Kumar in a soft voice.

“This guy is equal to a hundred Aruns. I am leaving you in hands, safer and more capable than mine. I will be calling you every night to know about the developments.”

Marimuthu touched the feet of Kamla and Kumar.

Arun and Marimuthu took leave of everyone and went in for security check.
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varalotti, Sep 8, 2008

varalotti, Sep 8, 2008

#8
Sep 8, 2008 #9

varalotti IL Hall of Fame

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Part 9!

Little did Arun know at that time that the sudden publicity was going to dramatically change his life.

varalotti, Sep 8, 2008

varalotti, Sep 8, 2008

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Sep 8, 2008 #10

vashini Bronze IL'ite

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Dear Sridhar!
This week’s episode really superb! This is really unexpected but now the story is getting more interesting with the presence of Karthik. I’m sure Karthik won’t stop there right?
Take care,
Regards,
Vashini

vashini, Sep 8, 2008

vashini, Sep 8, 2008

#10

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