Laxmi had met Sreeni 3 years ago at one of the Telephone dept functions where her mother was being felicitated for her 25 years of service. During the course of the boring speeches by the officials, the both had stumbled into each other at the water fountain area, instantaneously engaging in an hour-long conversation which was to blossom into a memorable saga later. Laxmi's count of friends was always on an exponential rise with equal proportion of guys and girls .Her simple looks and down-to-earth attitude had won her a number of well-wishers, the protagonist of this story being a very special one among them. Although she had no second thoughts in introducing all her other male friends plainly as friends to her parents, for some unknown reason she played it safe when it came to Sreeni’s introduction. She made him her virtual senior at college although there wasn’t an iota of truth in it.
………………………
Sreeni's undergrad life at REC, Trichy was a sharp contrast to his present state of affairs. All through the 4 years, he took pride in hanging around with a bunch of guys who called themselves the "AARCI"s-Academically and Romantically challenged individuals! Although they were known for their rodomontade of being indifferent to girls and studies, they always had a spot in the toppers' list as well as the girls' minds due to their obvious show of spontaneity and brilliance. One such close pal of Sreeni was Karthik Brahadeeshwaran alias KayBee, who had left for his Masters degree in physics to Germany leaving Sreeni to join his MBA at IIM-C.2 years had passed since Sreeni had bid farewell to Kaybee with a warm hug at the Chennai Airport and here he was standing almost at the same spot to receive him during his month-long India visit. As he was eagerly waiting with Kaybee's parents at the crowded airport,he started reminiscing the great times they had spent together as roommates at their rented house in Trichy- the fights they had had over the only available bucket of hot water in the mornings, the dosas that they relished at their favorite tousar-paandi mess ,the unusual proximity that existed between Kaybee and the landlord aunty etc.
………………………
Kaybee was a pixillated individual known for his idiosyncracies.It was not a surprise at all to his parents to see him take off to Sreeni's house within 15 minutes of his arrival from Germany to the new house that his parents had shifted to recently. With Sreeni leaving to Calcutta in just 2 more days as his vacation was coming to a close, Kaybee wanted to spend as much time as possible with him. As they sat at the Landmark bookstore's newly opened coffee place, Kaybee started working on his favorite Hindu crossword, simultaneously questioning Sreeni's recent endeavours. Sreeni narrated his story about being close to Laxmi and how his friendly liaison with her had leant a significant meaning to his otherwise uninteresting life. Kaybee couldn't believe that such philosophical words were emanating from his stolid, savant friend and burst into laughter, instantly incurring Sreeni's displeasure.
Being a pococurante in this realm, Kaybee as usual started off with his pessimistic words..
"Itho paarudaa cheeni..Ithellaaam venaam daa namakku...Paathuko..Yoschukko!by the way, Apdi yennadaa irku intha ponnungalta?"
Sreeni thought for a moment about the cowardice hidden in Kaybee who himself had fallen head over heels for a girl in the college days but had never dared to speak about it to anyone, fearing the ignominy and severe dent that would result to his textbook style “chamathu-payan” reputation, had he proposed to the girl and failed.
Sreeni changed the topic and asked..
"Dei..Today is the third day of Navaratri and Laxmi has invited me to her place to look at the Golu stuff. I ve told her that you would also accompany me.So lets dash..Its getting late."
Kaybee as usual hesitated and then agreed to it when he came to know that Laxmi lived in the same flat as his and there was no valid reason he could give to decline the invitation. As he was pondering on which book to buy her as a gift commemorating their first time meeting; Sreeni blurted out that she was fond of literature, especially archaic poems. Kaybee flipped through the book of love ditties and sonnets that he had bought and smirked as he read aloud a tragic love quote-
"The hottest love has the coldest end"-Socrates. Sreeni smiled to himself as he heard Kaebee- the hypocrite, relishing a Socrates' saying about a Shakespearean tragedy, totally oblivious of the depth of the platonic relationship that he shared with Luckoo. All through their way to Laxmi's place, Kaebee was busy going through the endless gadzookery in the poems and laughing his heart out comparing Sreeni to Romeo and Laxmi to Juliet.
..............................
"Perumaala Saevichutu sundal edthuko paa" were the words that Laxmi's weak,old Paati uttered as Kaybee and Sreeni were about to pounce on the sundal bearing paper cup. As Sreeni and Kaybee remained puzzled unable to understand the orthodox iyengar language ,Paati almost instantly asked..
"Neenga thenkalai yaa vadakalai yaa?” putting the 2 Iyer guys into terrible confusion. Laxmi took charge from there and started answering everything on the guys’ behalf. Sreeni thanked Laxmi for saving them from her Paati’s flurry of 20 questions but little did he realize that those few questions that he startled him that afternoon ,were going to be the turning point of his love life.
After eating the special bread upma and cauliflower Manchurian that Laxmi had prepared for the duo, it was time to leave when Kaybee asked where Laxmi’s parents were. As Laxmi explained about their going to Tirupathi , Kaybee understood the reason why she had invited them that particular day during her parents’ absence and gave his characteristic nod and smile towards Sreeni whose stare said it all : ”dei..vetti…freeya vidu daa..avanga enga pona unaku enna?Vandhiyaa saaptiyaa poniyaa…athavittutu enna kaelvi!?”
As they were leaving, Laxmi silently handed over the postcard size painting of “Radha-Krishna” that she had painted specially for Sreeni. Sreeni went a step further and stole the magnet bearing Laxmi’s UKG photo, from her refrigerator adding to his fond collection of Laxmi-related trinkets such as her kerchief, expired ID card, broken keychain etc. Sreeni shouted from the street to Laxmi asking her to check her mail without fail that night! Kaybee got a hint that something great was coming soon with Sreeni leaving the next day by Howrah express!
To be continued..
-Raapi
Posted by rajesh | 
« Home | Potograph... » //-->
Add a comment: