by BS Murthy
With the door closed behind them, Sandhya opened her mind to her friend.
'I just can't believe,' Sandhya concluded in confusion, 'how did I let all that happen?
'Why, I'll tell you,' said Roopa in jest. 'It's the malady of the maidenhood, and I know the medicine for its remedy. Shall I post the prescription to your father?'
'I am scared to death,' said Sandhya in mock anger, 'and you are joking.'
'Let me see,' said Roopa, herself turning curious, 'if your Prince Charming is still there.'
'Find out at your own peril,' said Sandhya having recovered her wits by then. 'If he sees you. I'm sure he would shift his glare and get glued to your gate.'
Nevertheless, Roopa peeped out of the window and found someone at beat near the gate.
'Is he the one?' Roopa asked Sandhya.
'Yes,' said Sandhya peeping out from over Roopa's shoulder.
'Oh,' Roopa half raised her hand in zest, and teased, 'he's quite handsome. No wonder you lost yourself. I think you should call him in and give your dad's address.'
'Why,' Sandhya said in jest, holding her hand impulsively, 'do you want to make it worse for me?'
As though to stimulate her friend further, Roopa led Sandhya into the kitchen for coffee, and putting all that behind, the mates focused themselves on the endearments of their meeting. When they returned into the hall, Sandhya peeped through the window and exclaimed, 'He's still there!'
'It looks like you gave him,' said Roopa contemplatively, 'enough scope to hope for a date, and more.'
'I shouldn't have,' said Sandhya nervous all again, 'got into this mess at all.'
'Why get upset about it?' said Roopa, and narrated her own encounter with Ravi in Tara's house. 'It was one of those small pleasures of life, isn't it? We must enjoy them for what they're worth.'
With the sound of the buzzer then, as her heart missed a beat Sandhya ran inside. However, she went back into the hall in relief as she heard Roopa exclaim, 'Guess, who has come?'
'Namaste,' Sathyam greeted Sandhya.
'Namaste,' said Sandhya, all smiles.
'Has he gone?' Sandhya whispered to Roopa as Sathyam went in.
'Yes,' Roopa whispered back, 'probably to fetch a stool for himself.'
'Give him a chair if you wish,' said Sandhya in jest, 'Anyway, once I leave, it's going to be your problem.'
'I envy your friendship,' said Sathyam to Sandhya, as he joined them, having changed into a lungi.
'You're a part of us,' said Sandhya affectionately.
'Thanks for saying that,' he said warmly. 'I wish I were your brother.'
'I would have loved that,' she said extending her hand.
'Then you be my raakhi sister,' he said taking her hand.
'Is it a gang-up on me?' said Roopa as she came with some snacks for them.
'Sandhya, I've a complaint,' said Sathyam to Sandhya, 'against your friend of course.'
'I will go out then,' said Roopa in jest.
'You know,' he said, 'that I keep no secrets from you.'
'Neither do I,' said Roopa, 'that is, in all that matters to you.'
'See Sandhya,' said Sathyam as Sandhya and Roopa looked at each furtively, 'she's always cutup with me.'
'I'm a little crazy,' said Roopa as though she was clarifying her position all the same. 'That's all.'
'Give her some time,' said Sandhya to Sathyam. 'She grows close slowly but steadily.'
'All said and done,' he said affectionately, 'I couldn't have hoped for a better wife than her.'
'A loving husband,' said Sandhya 'is rare indeed, isn't it?'
'Thanks for the compliment,' said Sathyam beamingly. 'Why don't we go out for eats?'
'You should know that Sandhya must be craving for a home meal,' said Roopa.
'Oh, that's true,' said Sathyam.
'We'll play caroms,' suggested Sandhya, 'Roopa says you're an expert at it.'
'You may be feeling cramped in our little place,' said Sathyam as he arranged the board in the hall.
'Your hearts are big,' said Sandhya heartily. 'And that's what matters.'
'Thanks for your compliment,' said Sathyam.
'I fail to understand why we should feel apologetic in the first place,' said Roopa in irritation. 'We have what we have as we live within our means. For those who seek comforts, ours is surely the wrong address. Why embarrass the genuine with these explanations.'
'Oh!' Sathyam complimented Sandhya after the first board that he won, 'you're classy with your scissors.'
'You're too good a player,' said Sandhya after conceding the game at 29-14.
'You're a tough competitor though,' said Sathyam appreciatively. 'What about another game?'
'I'm a game for it,' said Sandhya.
'It's a long since I've played like this,' he said, winning the challenge round 29-22.
'Since when have you become an expert Sandhya!' said a surprised Roopa.
'I took to caroms as a distraction,' said Sandhya squeezing Roopa's hand.
After dinner, Sathyam offered to sleep in the hall.
'No,' said Sandhya smiling, 'Guests too have their rights, don't they?'
'Don't worry,' Roopa told Sathyam, 'I'll give her company.'
While Sathyam slept, the mates got into the act and were awake well past midnight.
The next morning, having greeted Sandhya, Sathyam said, 'I hope you slept well.'
'Only after I allowed her to,' said Roopa who brought milk for him then, and when Sathyam left to the toilet, Sandhya paid back the Innuendo with a smack on Roopa's seat.
'Guests first,' Sathyam said as Roopa gave him pesarattu-upma for breakfast.
'Women follow suit In our culture, don't they?' said Sandhya
'Why don't we Invite' suggested Roopa, 'the Ramus for lunch?'
'They would love to meet Sandhya,' he said excitedly. 'I'll be back with them In no time.'
By the time Sathyam came back with the Ramus, the mates, as though to make up for the lost time, endeared themselves to each other.
'Looks like,' Roopa said warmly, 'you don't have time for us any more.'
'Of late he's not finding time for me even,' grumbled M eera. 'He comes home just to sleep. As you know, he can go on without food for days together. I told him to send me back to my parents' place and arrange a cot for himself In his factory Itself.'
'Office Is but,' Ramu said In jest, 'the last refuge for a man from his nagging wife.'
'This Is my friend,' Roopa said In Introduction, after the storm subsided, 'Sandhya.'
'Oh, I'm sorry,' said M eera a little embarrassed. 'Your name Is ever on Roopa's lips.'
'As her better half,' said Ramu In jest, '1 second her statement.'
'1 heard Roopa talk a great deal about you too,' Sandhya addressed Ramu holding Meera's hand. 'We admire your zeal to become an entrepreneur. We all know how difficult It Is for someone to build from the scratch that too with none to back up. Well, It's a different matter with families Into business for long. In time, a new entity of the old group would come up for the brat to lord It over. Isn't It?'
'How true,' said Sathyam while the rest nodded In agreement.
After a sumptuous meal that Sandhya savored, they settled for a round of rummy.
'With Roopa around,' said Meera, shuffling the packs, 'the winner Is known beforehand.'
'You people,' protested Roopa, picking up her cards, 'make too much out of my little bit of luck.'
'Looks like,' said Sathyam as the opener was grabbed by Sandhya, 'we're going to get sandwiched between the friends.'
'It's no more than a beginner's luck,' said Sandhya smiling.
'Why withdraw,' teased Roopa, as Ramu scooted the next deal, 'at the very first reverse.'
'Look at her beaming face,' said Ramu referring to Sandhya's. 'One should be blind not to read her hand In that glow, though she holds the cards to her chest.'
When It was five In the evening, Sandhya was all set to leave for Langar Hauz.
> 'All the best,' she said, preparing to leave, 'to all of you.'
'Wish the same to you,' said the Ramus. 'It's nice that we met.'
'I'll long for another visit,' Sathyam turned sentimental.
'So do I,' Sandhya took his hand.
'Let me see her off,' Roopa said getting Into her chappals.
'Why not I go with them,' said M eera to Ramu.
'Let's get on with the game,' dissuaded Ramu, 'moreover, they may like to be aione.'
As Sandhya iooked around furtiveiy as they stepped out, Roopa commented, 'Are you stiii expecting him!'
'Who knows?' Sandhya said casually.
'In that case,' said Roopa, teasing, 'it's only fair to favor him for his perseverance.'
'Oh,' said Sandhya in exasperation, 'you've become a devil lately.'
'Let me see,' said Roopa, pinching Sandhya, 'what a daredevil you become after your marriage.'
'That's some way away, anyway,' said Sandhya, 'but what's on in the New Year?'
'What difference does a New Year make for me but for the change of the calendar?' said Roopa gravely.
'Well,' said Sandhya squeezing Roopa's hand, 'we never know what surprises life has in store for us.'
'Any way,' said Roopa resignedly, 'I'm tired of hoping.'
'Hope for the best,' said Sandhya, 'and prepare for the worst, that's wisely said, isn't it?'
'Come the Republic Day,' said Roopa, as they reached the bus stop, 'and I'll be there to spot you in the live telecast.'
'That is,' said Sandhya laughing, 'if the video-wallahs happen to focus on me.'
'Why, you have the gait to parade men behind you,' said Roopa adoringly. 'And your face, well who can miss it, even in a crowd!'
'Romantic as ever,' said Sandhya pressing Roopa's hand endearingly.
At length, as the city bus was spotted, Roopa pressed Sandhya's hand and said, 'Remember that I miss you.'
'M y own longing for you,' Sandhya whispered endearingly into Roopa's ear, 'reminds me about your craving for me.'
'Bye, sweetie,' said Roopa as Sandhya boarded the bus.
Waving at Roopa, as the bus moved, thought Sandhya, 'How lucky to have a fried and lover in Roopa. Oh, isn't it clear that Sathyam is not a match for her, even though he loves her. It looks like she has adjusted to life with him. What else could the poor thing do?'
Chapter 11 Match in the Making
Once in Delhi, Sandhya found the winter severe and the rehearsals taxing. Nevertheless, the prospect of participating in the prestigious parade excited her no end. And to uplift her spirits further, her parents wired their coming to the capital to watch the spectacle.
Then came the Republic Day, and the nation was wont to celebrate. M arching on the Rajpath that 26th January morning, Sandhya envisioned Roopa glued to her TV set. Besides, she was conscious about the presence of her parents, somewhere in the crowd.
waiting to see her march past them. The thought that her dear ones were savoring her every step enhanced her grace and eniivened her vigor in her smart gait.
Soon, a thriiied Sandhya, made it back to the camp, and waited for her parents in aii eagerness.
When the deiighted Kaimaiakars came to pick her up, she was overcome with emotion in that joyfui reunion.
'We're proud of you, dear,' said her parents patting her.
'I'm giad you've come,' she nestied to her mother.
'Are you put up with our Rao uncie?' Sandhya said getting into the Ambassador.
'Of course,' said Kamaiakar.
'Oh, how he used to tease me in those days,' said Sandhya, as the Ambassador headed towards Chanakyapuri. 'If only he had a son, he would have made me his daughter-in-law, that's what he used to say.'
'In fact,' said Damayanthi, 'he recalled that as he received us yesterday.'
When the Ambassador came to a halt in the portico of the Madhava Raos' house, they came out in welcome.
'Here's a smart girl for us,' exclaimed Madhava Rao leading them into the drawing room.
'Charming as well,' said Chitra Rao who was all in admiration of Sandhya.
'Oh, how I regret,' said M adhava Rao in jest, 'that we didn't adopt a boy.'
'We can still have her in our family,' said Chitra who got a brainwave, 'if she's married to Raja Rao.'
'No doubt it's an idea,' seconded M adhava Rao. 'They should make a fine pair.'
'Is the search on,' enquired Chitra, 'for a suitable boy?'
'Now that she's in the final year,' said Damayanthi in contemplation, 'it's time we began the hunt.'
'What's the hurry?' questioned Sandhya coyly.
'Perhaps you'll change your mind,' said Chitra as though to put ideas into Sandhya's head, 'after meeting my nephew.'
'It looks like you're rooting for him,' said Kamaiakar thoughtfully.
'That's true, and his resume speaks for itself,' said Madhava Rao. 'He's a Civil Engineer from NT, Powai, and did his M S in Architecture at Brooklyn. Now he is a Senior Architect at Pioneer Architects, the market leaders. It's rare to come across someone with his talents. Above all, he has the ability to think. And that should make him a good captain to steer ashore the marital ship through troubled waters. However, he's twentyeight, if that's an objection, as Sandhya could be barely twenty.'
'I would say,' Chitra seemed to tempt Sandhya, 'he's handsome to the bone and romantic to the core.'
'What about his family background?' asked Kamaiakar showing his interest in the matter.
'Govinda Rao, his father is a GM in Larsen & Toubro's Bombay Plant,' said Madhava Rao. 'His mother Visala is a fine woman. His sister Hyma and her husband Ranga Rao are both doctors, and they run their Nursing Home in Bombay.'
'Are they propertied?' asked Damayanthi.
'Like us,' said Chitra, 'they too haii from Konaseema. They have an oid house and some coconut piantations stiii at Kothaianka, iooked after by our uncie Thimmaiah. If not weii heeied, they are more than middie-ciass. What's more, they're quite cuitured and good-natured.'
'Your satisfaction is our satisfaction,' said Kamaiakar, 'what do you say Sandhya?'
'I wouid stiii say,' she said shyiy, 'where is the hurry for that uniess you want to drive me away.'
'He usuaiiy drops in on hoiidays,' said Chitra, pieased at the weicome deveiopment. 'Just the same, I wiii ring him up.'
As Chitra was diaiing his number. Raja Rao came in as though the aunt and the nephew were on teiepathic terms.
'Auntie,' he said, uniacing his shoes in the ante-room, 'I hope sambar is on the menu.'
'Oh, think about the devii,' said a deiighted Madhava Rao, 'Raja, come in and meet our friends.'
As Raja Rao entered the drawing room, Sandhya's inquisitive gaze greeted his eager iook. She couid discern his piercing eyes acquire a iiveiy iook in interaction, which she iater reaiized was frozen in her mind's eye. She found him mascuiineiy evocative with that romantic face of his. She feit that as his taii frame and broad shouiders made him iook athieticaiiy handsome, his medium dark compiexion imparted a rare viriiity to his persona.
The customary round of introductions over, Kamaiakar asked Raja Rao, 'Why architecture for an IITan?'
'As a chiid I had been to many South Indian tempies with my parents,' expiained Raja Rao. 'The tempie architecture seems to have ieft a iasting impression upon me. Though, it's much iater that I reaiized the possibiiity architecture offers as a profession. As you know a weii-designed dweiiing contributes to the quaiity of iiving.'
'He has an inteiiectuai bent of mind,' thought Sandhya, whiie her parents seemed visibiy impressed with his eioquence.
'What are your hobbies iike?' Damayanthi took over as the interviewer.
'He's jack-of-aii-trades,' Madhava Rao compiimented, 'with a grasp on various subjects, inciuding psychoiogy.'
'By inference,' was the Raja Rao addendum, 'a master of none.'
'Of course, with his abiiity to think,' said Chitra as though to stress upon the obvious, 'that's no handicap.'
'What abo
ut your chess?' asked Kamaiakar, himseif an ardent piayer.
'Before I got into bridge,' said Raja Rao, 'I used to concentrate on chess. These days, whenever I find myseif at the chessboard, I piay more with my hand than head.'
'Interesting,' wondered Kamaiakar.
'Like chess,' theorized Raja Rao, 'bridge too is a scientific game. Whiie chess is aii about coid iogic, in bridge, in spite of your grasp of the game, the eiement of uncertainty iends charm to it.'
Finding that Sandhya wasn't taking her eyes off him, Raja Rao said, 'You seem to be a keen observer,' and added after a pause, 'How do you find Deihi?'
Seeing the smiie in his eyes, she feit shy, but said nevertheiess, 'It's Capitai.'
'Your economy of expression,' he said with a smiie, 'isadmirabie.'
'You must be a weii-read person,' said Sandhya in admiration.
'Whatever iittie I read,' said Raja Rao, 'I read weii.'
'His reading inciudes,' said Madhava Rao, as though for Sandhya's ears, 'handreading as weii.'
'Wouid you iiketo show me you hand?' Raja Rao asked Sandhya.
'I don't know if it wouid interest you,' she said trying to gauge his feeiings.
'We'ii find that out after dinner,' he said with a smiie.
Whiie aii moved into the drawing haii after dinner. Raja Rao stayed back in the dining room as though to remind Sandhya about her engagement. Getting the cue, she rejoined him and without a word stretched out her ieft hand for his take.
'M ay I have your right hand,' he suggested as though getting her onto the right track.
'When did you take to paimistry?' she asked him, as he wasfeeiing her paim aii over.
'When I couid imagine the possibiiities,' he said, iooking into her eyes.
'What do you mean?' she sounded suspicious.
'I mean the possibiiity of hoiding hands,' he said tantaiizingiy, 'to read in between the iineson them.'
'Oh,' she withdrew her hand, 'you're cieverer by haif.'
'Never mind,' he said, 'you've a fine hand that's promising too.'
'This,' she said teasing him, 'couid be your stock prediction.'
'Never before with the same conviction and feeiing,' he said not to be outdone.
'You're truiy impossibie,' she said in that mock frustration in which a woman iooks beautifuiiy heipiess.
