SudhaMurty

GENTLY FALLS THE BAKULA

Contents

AbouttheAuthor

BytheSameAuthor

Dedication

Preface

ONE

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ELEVEN

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TWENTY-FOUR

TWENTY-FIVE

TWENTY-SIX

TWENTY-SEVEN

TWENTY-EIGHT

TWENTY-NINE

THIRTY

THIRTY-ONE

FollowPenguin

Copyright

AbouttheAuthor

SudhaMurtywasbornin1950inShiggaoninnorthKarnataka.ShedidherM.Tech.inComputerScience,andisnowthechairpersonoftheInfosysFoundation.AprolificwriterinEnglishandKannada,shehaswrittenninenovels,fourtechnicalbooks,threetravelogues,onecollectionofshortstories,threecollectionsofnon-fictionpiecesandtwobooksforchildren.

HerbookshavebeentranslatedintoallthemajorIndianlanguagesandhavesoldover300,000copiesaroundthecountry.ShewastherecipientoftheR.K.Narayan’sAwardforLiteratureandthePadmaShriin2006.

BytheSameAuthor

OtherbooksbySudhaMurty

FictionTheMagicDrumandOtherStories(Puffin)MahashwetaDollarBahu

Non-fictionWiseandOtherwiseTheOldManandHisGodHowITaughtMyGrandmothertoReadandOtherStories(Puffin)

Toallthosewomenwhoallowedfamilycommitmentsandresponsibilitiestooverpowertheirownaspirations

Preface

ThiswasmyfirstnovelinKannada,writtenaboutthreedecadesback.Itwasextremelywellreceivedthen.Ihadnotseenthecorporateworldfromcloseandonlyimaginedhowit

functioned.Butnow,inreallife,Ihaveseenitall.Iamawarethatindustrialization,technologicalprogressandscientificadvancementarenecessaryandbringprosperitytoourcountry,buttheyhavetheirownshortcomings.Theycreateawholesetofproblems,sociologicalandpsychological.ThisnovelissetinnorthKarnatakainthe1980s,soitmayappearoutdatedin

someparts.Butthestoryissuchthatitcanhappeninanypartofthecountry,eventoday.Theremustbeinnumerablecoupleswhohavebeenthrough,andarestillgoingthrough,suchdilemmas,beitinasmalltownoramegacity.IhavechosenHubliandBombayasthesettingforthenovel.Thesetwo

placesareverydeartomyheart,sinceIgrewupinoneplaceandintheother,Ihaveenjoyedworking.IwouldliketothankKeertiRamachandraforeditingthemanuscriptand

Penguinforpublishingthenovel.

SudhaMurtyBangalore

ONE

ItwasadayofgreatexcitementforthestudentsofModelHighSchool,Hubli.Theresultsofthedistrict-levelinterschoolessaycompetitionweretobeannouncedthatmorning.Thecompetition,opentostudentsofthetenthstandard,wasaprestigiousonenotbecauseoftheprizemoney,butbecausetheawardhadbeeninstitutedbyahighlyrespectedessayist.Theprize-winningessaywouldbesenttothestate-levelcompetition.Thehallwasabuzzwithanticipation.Theboyswereinanimateddiscussion,

thegirlsinwhisperedspeculation.Competitionssuchastheseinvariablythrewupunexpectedwinners.Uglyducklingsoftenturnintobeautifulswanswhentheyaretested.Sowhowasitgoingtobethistime?Thesuspensewaspalpable.WhenthehistoryteacherMrKulkarniwalkedin,asuddenhushfelluponthe

room.Sensingthetensionintheair,MrKulkarnidecidedtoprolongthesuspensealittlelonger.Hebeganbysaying,‘Iknowallofyouarewaitingimpatientlyfortheresults

oftheessaycompetitionandtoknowwhothewinneris.ButIamgoingtoaskyoutowaitalittlelonger.Iwillreadouttheessayfirstandallowyoutoguesswhotheauthorofitcouldbe.AfterhearingtheessayIamsureyouwillagreethatitisamostmatureandheartwarmingeffort,definitelydeservingoftheprize.’Afewooohsandmildprotestsof‘tellusfirst,Sir,’werequicklysilenced,as

MrKulkarnibegantoread:‘Allaremychildren...Iamliketheirfather.Likeanyfatherwishesforhischild,

Happinessandcomfort,Iwishthatforallhumanbeings;Eternaljoy.WhereverIam,WhetherIamhavingmydinnerorataparty,Whetherattendingtomattersofsecrecy,orinspectingthecattlepens,Whetheronajourneyorrestinginmygarden,Informersmustbringmethenewsofmysubjects.WhereverIamIwillworkrelentlesslytobenefitmypeople.Sacredofalldutiesisthepathofdharma.Amanwhoisnotconsciouscannotfollowdharma.Dharmashouldflourish;notperishLetpeoplestriveforitsgrowth,Andnotwishitsdestruction!’

ThesearewordsinscribedonthestoneedictsofDevanampiyaPiyadassiAshoka.Ashoka,thesonofBimbisaraandgrandsonofChandraguptaMauryahasearnedforhimselfaspecialplaceinthehistoryoftheworld.Therehavebeenmanygreatkingswhofoughtwarsandwonmajorbattles—likeAlexander.Thereweregreatsaints,fullofcompassionandwhoshowedkindnesstoalllivingcreatures,likeChristandBuddha.Butthecombinationofakingandasainttherewasnone,otherthanAshoka.EmperorAshokawasagreathumanbeing.AfterthebattleofKalinga,hesaw

theterriblesufferinginflictedonthepeopleasaresultofthewarandhewashorrified.HisheartmeltedandhedecidedtobemoretolerantandcompassionateanddedicatedtherestofhislifetothepracticeandpreachingofDharma.Hebegantolookuponhissubjectsashischildrenanddideverythingfortheirwelfare.Whenwestudyhisrockedicts,weunderstandthenatureofthisnobleking

andcometoknowhisvaluablethoughtsaboutDharma.Perhaps,Ashokadidnothaveachangeofheartandturntonon-violence

merelybecauseoftheKalingawar!Thateventmayhavemerelyactedasaspurforanalreadygentleandsensitiveemperor.‘Ashokahadhisedictsetchedthroughoutthekingdom,onpillars,onstones

andincaves.ItissaidhiskingdomstretchedfromKarnatakainthesouthtoPakistanandthebordersofAfghanistaninthenorth;fromtheArabianSeainthewesttowhatisnowOrissa(thenKalinga)intheeast.HehadtheminscribedinPali,Prakrit,BrahmiandAremicsothathismessagewouldreachthecommonman.HehasdescribedtheKalingawartooinsomeinstances.Itissaidthatin

thosedayswhenthepopulationwassmall,onehundredthousandpeoplewerekilledinthewarandtheriverDaya,onthebanksofwhichthewarwasfought,hadflowedredwithblood.Ahundredandfiftythousandpeopleweretakenawayasprisoners.Onecanimaginethehorrorsofthatwar!‘SomeoftheedictsoftheemperorcanbefoundinMaski,GaviMatain

RaichurdistrictandSiddapurainChitradurgadistrict.ThatitwasAshokawhowasknownasDevanampiyaandPiyadassi,theMaskistoneedictwasthefirsttoreveal.‘Theedictsinformusthathewasagreatwarrior,kindtohissubjects,a

worthyemperorandadeeplyreligiousruler.TodaythekingdomofAshokadoesnotexist.Buttheprinciplesofthefiveidealsknownas“Panchasheela”,formulatedbyhim,arethegreatesttreasureshehaslefttothismodernworldofconflicts.Thesystemsofadministrationhesetuparecommendable!ThatiswhythenameofAshoka,whodidnotremainmerely“dearofgods”butalso“dearofpeople”,istodayshiningbrightnotonlyinthehistoryofIndiabutalsointhehistoryoftheworld.Isalutesuchanemperor.‘India,whichboastedofsuchakindmonarch,isblessed.Itisalandasholy

ashewhoruledit.TheancientKannadapoetPampawrote:Thislandissopiousandsacred,thatIfIamnotrebornasahumanbeinginthisland,God,thenpleasemakemeasingingcuckooorahummingbeeatleast!

‘ItoopraytogodthatImaybebornagainandagaininsuchacountry.’Bythistime,thoughthenamehadnotyetbeenannounced,eachoneinthe

classknewthatitcouldonlybeMsShrimatiDeshpandewhocouldhavewrittensuchanessay.MsShrimatiDeshpandewasaslim,tallgirl,withawheatishcomplexionand

good,clearfeatures.Shehadunusuallylonghairthatreachedbelowherknees.Shealwaysworeastringofbakulaflowersinherhair.Shrimatiwasoneofthebrighteststudentsinherclass.Sowhentheteacherfinallyannouncedhernameasthewinnerofthe

competition,herclassmateswerenotsurprised.Theybrokeintoloudapplause.TheshyShrimatiwashappybutembarrassed.Luckily,thebellrangjustthensotheteacherquicklyhandedhertheessaybeforeallthestudentsrushedout.

AsShrimatiwasgatheringherbooksandgettingreadytogohome,sheoverheardtheconversationofsomeboysfromherclass.Theywereengrossedinadiscussionaboutthebestessay.TheywereexpressingtheirsurprisethatShrikantDeshpandehadnotgotthefirstprize.ShrikantwasShrimati’srivalintheclass.Atall,fairandhandsomeyoungman,hewasknownforhisstrongdeterminationtobethebest.Nowthathewasbeateninthisessaycompetition,hisfriendsMalleshShettyandRaviPatilweremostupset,evenmorethanShrikanthimself.Itwasamatterofprestigeforthem,andthethoughtthatShrimatihaddefeatedhimwashardtoaccept.TheywereventingtheirangeronShrikant.Thiskindofrivalrywasverycommoninthecoedschoolsofthosedays.‘Shrikant,youshouldn’thavegivenherachancethistime,’fumedRaviPatil.Shrikantsmilinglyreplied,‘Takeiteasy,Ravi.Historyisnotagreatsubject.

Canjustonegoodessaymakeyouatopper?Writinganessayisnothingbutfillinguppages.Realintelligenceisscoringinscience.’‘Don’tyaptoomuch,Shrikant!AllofusareawarethatShrimatiisnota

dumbgirl.Acceptyourdefeatwithgrace.Sheisintelligentandhardworkingandwilldefinitelyscorebetterthanyouineverysubjectifyoudon’tlookout,’retortedRavi.Malleshwasnoddinghisheadinagreement.‘Comeon,Mallya,’saidShrikant

tohisdearfriend,‘youalsodon’toverestimateher.Iagreesheisgoodbutonlyinartssubjectslikehistoryandlanguages.Normallywomenareveryfondofhistorybecauseitisanaccumulationofgossip—likesomeemperorhadthreewives,thelastwifehadsixsons,etc.Thisdoesn’trequireanylogicorreasoning,onlymemorizingfacts,whichgirlsaregoodat.’‘Howdoyouknow?’RaviquestionedShrikant.‘YouknowthatIamherneighbour,Ravi.Icanseeherstudyingfrommy

room.Everydayshegetsupatdawn,probablytopreparesuchkindofessays.IfIhadalsopreparedlikeher,Iwouldhavewrittenabetterone.’NoneofhisfriendswerepreparedtoaccepttheexcusesShrikantwasmakingforhisfailure.‘Don’tfoolus,Shrikant.Whywouldyouwakeupsoearly?Isittojustwatch

herstudying?Weknowthatyouarealsoashardworkingasherbutsheisanydaybrighterthanyou.Mymotherwasscoldingmesayingnoneofusdo

anything,exceptroamaround,butShrimatidoesallthehouseworkandalsostudies.Ithinkmymotherisright.’MalleshwasupsetwithShrikantbecauseheknewthathecouldn’tbeat

ShrimatiandnowordsofShrikantcouldconsolehim.Astheboysstartedwalkingout,RaviPatilsaidtoMallesh,‘Mallya,youare

sothick-skinned!WhyareyougettingsoupsetwhenShrikantisnot?Heisconcedingdefeatsoeasily.Why?Becausewhenapersonisinlove,heisreadytoacceptdefeat.HaveyounotnoticedwhyShrikantalwaysgivesawayhisfirstpositiontoher?Becausesheisgoingtobehisbetterhalf!Seeeventheirnamesmatch—Shrimati-ShrikantDeshpande.Onedayyouwillunderstandthefinerfeelingsoflove,Mallya,don’tworry.’SosayingRaviburstoutlaughing.Shrimatiturnedaround,redwithembarrassment,andsawShrikantstaringat

her.Hetoolookedbaffledandfeltequallyidiotic.Afteramomentortwo,heexploded,‘Shutupyoufools!Don’tjustspeak

whatevercomestoyourmouth.Thereisnothinglikethat!It’sallyourimagination.Iwasnotresponsibleforhername.Ifyouhavethegutsgoandaskher.’HewassurethattheywouldnotaskShrimati!InNorthKarnatakaamarriedwoman’snameconsistedofherfirstname,

followedbyherhusband’snameandthenthesurname.Inthecaseofanunmarriedgirl,herfather’snamewashermiddlename.PoorShrimati!Hername,whichwasthenameofLakshmi,thegoddessof

wealth,wasalsoasignifierforamarriedwoman.Andherfather’snamewasShrikant!BothsheandShrikanthadthesamesurname—Deshpande.Thisunusualcombinationofnameshadledtoallthejokesandteasingthat

shehadjustheard.ButneitherShrikantnorShrimaticoulddoanythingtostopit.

TWO

ShrimatiquicklywalkedoutoftheschoolwithherclassmatesVandanaPatilandSharadaEmmikeri.Shewasinnomoodtotalk.Anextremelysensitivepersonbynature,shehadoverheardallthecommentsthattheboyshadmadeandshewasembarrassed.SheandShrikanthadbeenclassmatesfromthefirststandardandtheyhadbeenneighboursforgenerations.Buttherewasabitterrivalrybetweenthetwofamilies,fromthetimesoftheirforefathers.Theyhadonceownedlandsadjoiningeachother’sandtheirenmityintrudedintotheirhomeseventoday.Shrimatididnotlikethekindofloosetalktheboyshadindulgedinandshe

wantedtotalkaboutherdiscomfituretosomeone.Sinceshehadnosistersorbrothers,shecouldonlytalktoherfriends.Butthatday,evenherfriendsweretooexcitedaboutherwinningtheprize,andwereinnomoodtolistentoanything.‘Shrimati,IamsogladthatShrikantwasputdowntoday.Andwithhimhis

friends.ThatMalleshShetty,hetalkssuchrubbish,makingfunofusgirlsallthetime.AsforRaviPatil,hethinksnoendofhimself!Allsaidanddone,thefactisourschoolmateshavenomanners.Theydon’tknowhowtobehave.Youservedthemright.’‘Shrimati,Ireadawoman’sbrainweighslessthanaman’s.Isittrue?’

Sharadawasalittleworried.‘Shari,’Shrimatisaidaffectionately,‘youshouldknowthatintelligenceis

independentofweight!’

‘Iwasconfused,Shrimati.Iamnotasbrightasyouare,see!’Afterapauseshecontinued,‘ButyouknowthatShrikant’smotherGangakkaandhismaternaluncleSheenappa,theythinkthatheisthebrighteststarinthesky.Sheenappakeepscomingtoourshopandtalksnonstopabouthisnephew.IhadtakenavowwithgodHanumanofBhandiwadvillagethatifyoubeatShrikantinthefinalexam,Iwilldistributespecialpedastoeveryoneinschool.TheseDeshpandesaretoomuch.Eventhoughtheydonothaveanylandsleft,theirarrogancehasnotdiminished.’VandanaPatilpinchedSharada’shandtostopherbutSharadawasnotso

brightastounderstandthatthiskindofcommentwouldhurtShrimati.AfterallshetoowasthedaughterofalandlessDeshpande!BhandiwadisasmallvillagenearHubliandthelocaldeity,Hanuman,isvery

famousforbestowinggreatboonsuponhisdevotees.ThereisastrongbeliefthatifsomeonerequestedafavourandfastedonSaturdays,theirrequestswouldbefulfilled.Inreturn,theyjusthadtooffersomesweetstohimtothankhimfortheboon.SincethepedasofDharwadwereveryfamous,somuchsothatpeopleofNorthKarnatakasaidthatifyouhadn’teatenthepedayourlifewaswasted,Sharadahadpromisedtoofferthem,nothingless.Theotherwell-knowntempleinthatregionwastheRailwayEshwartemple

inHubli,abusier,morepopulous,commercialtownthanDharwad.ThesmallEshwartemplewasadjacenttotherailwaystation,sothepresidingdeitycametobeknownas‘RailwayEshwar’.Peoplebelievedthatifoneprayedtohimofferingthebilwapathrawithall

devotion,theirwisheswouldcertainlybegranted.However,Eshwar,thatisShiva,expectednothinginreturnbecauseheisonegodwholoveshisdevoteesunconditionally.Vandana,nottobeleftbehind,toldShrimatienthusiastically,‘HeyShrimati,I

willalsopraytoRailwayEshwar.Ifyoucomefirst,Ishallperformaspecialpujaforhim.Hewilllisten,heisaverypowerfulgod.’Shrimatismiledatherfriends’affectionateexpressionsandsaid,‘Shari,

Vandana,whyareyouprayingtodifferentgods?ShouldIgetthefirstrankonlytobeatShrikant?Oneshouldstudywelltoacquiremoreknowledge.Anexaminationisnottheultimatemeasureofone’sintelligence...HaveanyofyoueveraskedmehowIwrotethisessaythathasmoreinformationthanthe

textbook?IhadactuallyreferredtodifferentbooksonAshoka,Buddhism,etc.Forme,AshokaisreallyagreatpersonandIrespectandadmirehim.IwouldratherspendmoretimelearningabouthimthanstudyingjusttogetmoremarksthanShrikant!’Herwordsupsetbothherfriends.Theyhadbeenprayingsohard,andit

seemedallawaste!‘Forgetit,Shari,letusnotprayforShrimati.Wethoughtthatsheisonourside.ButitlookslikesheisonShrikant’sside.SheisShrimatiShrikantDeshpandeafterall.Ultimatelytheyaretwosidesofthesamecoin.Wearetheoutsiders,’Vandanamuttered,peeved.Shrimatiwasabouttosaysomethingbutshedidn’t.HernamewasShrimati

ShrikantDeshpande,andthat’swhatcausedheralltheproblems.MrsShrikantDeshpande.Whosays‘What’sinaname?’Here,everythingwasinthename!

THREE

Beforethereorganizationofthestatesin1956,thedistrictsofDharwad,Karwar,BelgaumandBijapurwerepartoftheBombayPresidency.Asaresult,thesedistrictsbearagreatersimilaritytothecultureofMaharashtrathantothetraditionsoftheerstwhileMysoreStateinthesouth.WhentheywereallunifiedtoformthestateofKarnataka,thesefourdistrictswerereferredtoasNorthKarnataka.EventhoughKannadaisthecommonlanguageofthestate,thelanguageofDharwadandtheotherthreedistrictshasitsownaccent,intonationandevenvocabulary.Bijapur,homeofthefamousGolGumbaz,oneofthelargestdomesinthe

world,isknownforitssalubriousclimate,fertilelandandtastyproduce.ThereisaKannadaproverbthatsays,‘OncetheDonihallaisfullofwater,thestreetsofBijapurarefullofjowar.’Thenforthenextfourtofiveyears,peopledidn’thavetoworryaboutthecrops.Karwarisonthewestcoastandrichinnaturalresources.TheSahyadri

mountainstowerovertheregion.Belgaum,situatedontheborderofMaharashtraandKarnataka,hasalotof

Maharashtrianinfluenceandisextremelycultured.ButDharwadstandsapart.Itisacityofhills,educationandmusic.Great

exponentsoftheKiranagharanabelongtothistown,itishometosomeoftheoldesteducationalinstitutions,andisknownforitspeace-loving,literatepeople.TherewasatimewhenpeopleinKarnatakasaid,‘IfyouthrowastoneinDharwad,itwillhiteitheramusicianorawriter.’ThoughHubliisonlytwenty-twokilometresaway,itdoesnotpossessthe

serenityofDharwad.Itismoreofabustlingcommercialcentreforcottonand

serenityofDharwad.Itismoreofabustlingcommercialcentreforcottonandredchillitrade,amongotherthings.Intheoldendays,somefamiliesfromthisregionhadhelpedthePeshwasof

Maharashtra.Asatokenofappreciationtheyweregivensomelandsinthearea.Havinghereditaryownership,theselandswerepassedfromonegenerationtothenext.Asaresult,thelandlordshaddifferenttitlesandoveraperiodoftime,thetitlesbecamethesurnamesofthosefamilies,like,Deshpande,Jahagirdar,Inamdar,Desai.Untilafewdecadesback,theselandlords,includingtheDeshpandes,usedto

ownvastlandswhichweretilledbythelandlesslabourtheyemployed.Mostofthetimethelandlordsdidnotevenvisittheirfields.Andyet,thepeoplewhohadworkedforthemforyearscouldneverhopetoownevenatinypieceoftheland.Sincetheyconsideredthemselvesaristocrats,thelandownersdidnotbelieveinworking.Theyspenttheirtimeindulgingthemselvesinallsortsofbadhabits.Itwasapurelypatriarchalsocietywheretheheadofthefamilydecidedeverything—beitarrangingamarriage,makingadonationtoatempleoranordinaryhouseholdmatter.Thewomenwerealwaysinthebackground,suppressed,andsubservient,irrespectiveoftheirage.AfterIndiagotindependenceandlandreformswereintroduced,mostofthese

landownerslostmuchoftheirproperty.Suddenlytheyfoundtheirincomesdrasticallyreduced,andtheirexistence,thatofthelowermiddleclass.Theyhadnotcultivated;neitherdidtheyknowanyskillsnorweretheyusedtohardwork.Buttheirfamilypride,arroganceandegoremainedasbefore.TheywerelikeatornBanarassaree.ThoughShrimatiandShrikanthadsuchacommonculturalbackground,their

temperamentswereverydifferent.Onceuponatimetheirfamilieshadeverything,buttodaytheyhadnothingmorethanahugeancestralhouseandafewpiecesofland.Theyfoundithardtomaintaintheoldhouse,buttheycouldn’tabandonitandliveelsewhere.Itwasanissueoffamilyprestige.Thoughtheywereneighbours,theirforefathersalwaysfoughtlikecatsand

dogs,attheslightestprovocation.Actuallyitwastheirmountain-likeegosthatwasresponsibleforthecontinuedenmity.Anotherboneofcontentionwasthatthetwofamiliesbelongedtodifferent

sects—onefamilyworshippedShivaandwascalledSmartha,theotherwasaVishnudevoteeandhence,Vaishnava.Whilethiswasnotanissueforthemen,itwasamajorfactorforthewomentofight.Theendresultwasthattherewas

itwasamajorfactorforthewomentofight.Theendresultwasthattherewasnocommunicationatallbetweenthetwofamilies.Shrimati’sgrandmotherRindakkashouldhavebeenborninakshatriya,or

warriorfamily,forshewasextremelyaggressive.Shewasreadytofightwithanybody,anytime,anywhere!Shedidnotevenrequireareason,becauseshedisagreedwitheverything.PeopleusedtosaythatherpoorhusbandBindappacouldnotputupwithhiswifeandsohaddiedatanearlyage.ButthetruthwasthatBindappahaddiedbecausehewasoldandhadbeena

slaveofmanyvices.Althoughhewasrich,hewasarrogant,uneducatedandchauvinistic.Rindakkawashisthirdwife.Theyhadonlyoneson,Shrikant.Rindakkahadbecomeawidowataveryyoungageandprobablythathadmadeherfrustratedandirritable.Thoughshewasuneducated,shewasanintelligentlady.Shrikantgrewuplikehisfatherbutwithaneducation.Hewasnotverybright,

andextremelylazy.Ittookhimseveralyearstocompletehisdegreecourse,andwhenhedid,noonewouldgivehimajob.Hewasnottookeentofindoneeither.So,hestayedinHublithoughhewasjobless!Hisdailyroutinewastowakeupanytimeafter10a.m.,playcards,gethomeandrelax.Neverinhislifehadheearnedasinglepaisa.Rindakkahadhopedthatmarriagewouldmakehimresponsible.AsiscustomaryinNorthKarnataka,amarriagealliancewouldnotgobeyond

thefourdistricts.ItisveryunlikelythatonemarriesacrosstheTungabhadra.Hence,fromtheneighbouringcityofDharwadtheeducatedKamalawaschosen.BythetimeKamalacametoherhusband’shouse,allthelandshad

disappearedduetotheTenancyAct.Thoughtheeconomicsituationbecameverydelicatetheprideandarroganceofthefamilyremainedintact.SensitiveKamalagaugedthesituationquicklyandtookupateachingjobatalocalschool.Shewasthesolebreadwinnerforthefamilynow.Butstill,Rindakkawouldshowherauthorityasamother-in-lawandutterpungentwordsthatwouldhurther.Kamala,anintrovert,neversaidanything.Sheneitherlookeddownuponherhusbandnordefiedhermother-in-law.AftermanyyearsofShrikantandKamala’smarriage,Shrimatiwasbornand

indeed,shebroughtachangeintheirlives.ThoughShrikantraoDeshpandepaidnoattentiontohiswife,hewouldalwaysbeconcernedabouthisdaughter.

noattentiontohiswife,hewouldalwaysbeconcernedabouthisdaughter.Shrimatigrewupwithajoblessfather,adomineeringgrandmotheranda

timid,lovingmother.KamalatookutmostcaretobringShrimatiupwithstrongvaluesandagoodeducation.ShrimatiinheritedherloveforliteraturefromhermotherandevenasachildspokepureKannada.Butshewouldarguewithhergrandmotherandalsoquestionherfather.Shegrewupabright,extremelyaccommodatingbutintrovertedyounggirl.HerneighbourShrikantDeshpandehadadifferentstory.Shrikant’sfamilywereSmarthas.HisfatherRaghannaDeshpandewasa

shadebetterthanhisneighbourShrikantDeshpande.Buthediedwhenhissonwasstillinmiddleschool.Hehadbeenaclerkatthepostoffice.Gangakka,hiswife,wasacunning,manipulative,fierceandanextremelypracticallady.Raghannahadleftbehindtwochildren.Theelderchild,Rama,wasanaverage-lookinggirlandnotatallagoodstudent,whereastheyoungerone,Shrikant,wasgood-lookingandveryintelligent.Hewastheappleofhismother’seye!Shehadpinnedallherdreamsonhim.Normally,quarrelswouldarisebetweenRindakkaandGangakka,the

differenceinagebeingnobarrier.GangakkawasactuallyKamala’sagebutbecauseofherreticentnature,Kamaladidn’tfightwithanybody.Gangakkahadanolderbrother,Sheenappa.Hewasasweet-talkerbutavery

shrewdman.HewastheonlyonewhohadstoodbyGangakkawhenherhusbandpassedaway.Noonebuthimselfhadknownthereasonthen.HehadfouruglydaughtersandhehadaneyeonShrikant,hopingthatatsomepointintime,hewouldbeabletogetShrikanttomarryoneofhisdaughters.Otherwise,hewasnotamantohelpasinglepersonwithoutavestedinterest.Ramatooklongerthanusualtocompleteherdegree.Asshewasnotgood-

looking,itwasalittledifficulttofindagroomforher.Withgreatdifficulty,Sheenappafinallyfoundoneandsoon,Ramawashappilymarried.Whenshegavebirthtoason,itwastreatedlikequiteanachievement.Gangakkafeltthatherdaughterwasveryfortunate.ShrikantwasunlikehissisterRamawhohadinheritedallthebadqualitiesof

theirmother.ButShrikantwasfocusedonhisstudiesanddidn’tcareabouttherivalrybetweenthetwofamilies,orSheenappa’sroleintheirlives.Inthespacebetweenthetwohouses,therewasabakulatree.Thebakulais

aboutthesizeofaneemtreeandhasalovelycanopyofdarkgreenleaves.The

treelivesforatleastahundredyears,andthemoreitrains,themoreflowersitbears.Thebakulaflowerisveryunusual—itistiny,palegreenish-brownincolour,andisshapedlikeacrown.Asflowersgo,itisunattractive,butithasadivinefragrance.Evenwhentheflowersdryandbecomebrownthemildfragranceremains.Whenthetreeisinbloom,theflowersformacarpetonthegroundbeneathit.Thebakulaflowerisafavouriteofthegodstoo!ItwasMayendandthehotsummerofHubliwascomingtoanend.Theripe

fruitsonthemangotreehintedtheendofthemangoseason.FarmerseagerlyawaitedShravan,therainyseason—aseasonthatbringshappinesstonatureaswellashumanbeings.TherearesomanypoemswrittenandsungaboutShravaninDharwad.Itisindeedaninspirationforpoets,butahurdleforyoungmothersandtheaged!Thebakulatreestoodgracefully,asusual,spreadingitsfragrance.Itwas

evening,andtheflowerslayontheground,formingacarpetofblossoms.GangakkaDeshpandehadasmallhouseinabigcompound.Sheandher

husbandhadwantedtoextenditoncetheybecameprosperous,butunfortunatelythatneverhappened.ThoughGangakkahadabittertongue,shewashardworking.Shedidnotwastehertimeaftershefinishedhercooking.Shehadmadeabeautifulgarden,withmanyfloweringbushesandvegetableplants.Itwasapartofherritualtowakeupearlyinthemorning,pickflowersandmakeagarland,toofferatthetempleofRailwayEshwar.Thiswasirrespectiveoftheseason.Shebelievedthatthiskindofdeedwouldbringprosperityandhappinesstoherchildren.ButGangakkawasveryunhappyaboutonething,andthatwasthebakula

tree.Itstoodexactlyinthemiddleofthecommoncompoundofthetwohouses,indicatingthatitbelongedtobothofthem.Notonlydiditgiveflowers,italsogavethebestshade.Andthat’swhatmadeGangakkaangry.Nothingwouldgrowinthatshade.Shethoughtthetreewasanuisance,thatittookupalotofspace.InGangakka’sdictionary,everythingwasmeasuredintermsofusefulness.Beitahumanbeingorsomematerial.So,thetreebecameaboneofcontentionbetweenthetwofamilies.Shewouldkeeptellingherneighbourtocutoffthetreesothatshecouldgrowmoreplantsandgetsomesunshinetoo.Shrikant’sroomfacedthebakulatree.Throughouttheyear,themildscentof

thebakulawaftedinthroughhiswindow.Hehaddevelopedaspecialattachment

totheseflowersandsoheopposedhismother’sideaofcuttingthetree.Ontheotherside,nobodyexceptShrimatihadthetimetotendthegarden.

Herfather,ShrikantraoDeshpande,hadnotimeforanywork,letalonelookingafterthebakulatree.KamalawouldalwaysbebusywithherschoolworkandRindakkawasanoldwoman.Rindakkadidnotwanttocutthetree,notbecauseshelovedbakulas,but

becauseGangakkawantedto.Inspiteofthebattlebetweenthesetwofiercewomen,thebakulacontinuedtobloomeveryday.

FOUR

Itwasthedaythetenthstandardboardexamresultsweretobeannounced.AfterthelastexamShrimatihadtoldhermotherthatshehaddonefairlywell.Shewasnotthekindwhowouldexaggerate,beitsuccessordisappointment.Shrikanthadtoldhismotherthathehaddoneextremelywellandwasalso

expectingarank.MorethanShrimati,herfriendswhohadbetonmanythings,wereworried.

EventheteacherswerewonderingwhatrankShrimatiandShrikantwouldget.Theywereundoubtedlythemosttalentedstudentsintheschool.Eitherway,theschoolwouldgetthecreditforgettingarank.Athome,GangakkaandRindakkawerewaitingtoknowtheresultstoo.Shrimatiwastheonlyonewhowasnotatallperturbed.Shewasneitherbent

upondoingbetterthanShrikantnordidshelookuponhersuccessasamatteroffamilyhonourandpride.ItwastruethatshewasbrighterthanShrikant,butexamresultsdidnotalwaysreflectordependuponintelligence.ThoughShrimatiwassoyoung,shehadtheequanimityofanascetic.Overthe

years,shehadsometimesscoredmoremarksthanShrikant,atothershehadbeatenherscores.Shehadtakenitinherstride.So,thatday’soutcomedidnotholdanyanxietyforher.ButShrikantwasrestlessandimpatientfortheresults.Holdingabakulainhispalm,hewaswonderingwhyhewasfascinatedbythistinyflower.Theflowerwasneitherasbeautifulasarosenorhadthefragranceofajasmineorchampaka.Andyet,itwasalwaysveryspecialtohim.Itheldaninexplicableattractionforhim.

Shrikantrememberedmanyancientstoriesthatconnectedthebakulawithromance.Itseemsintheoldendays,whenyoungmentravelledfardistancesformanydays,theywouldcarrysmallobjectsinmemoryoftheirlovedones.Thebakulaflowerwasonesuchmementothattheseyoungmencarried,because,eventhoughitwoulddryup,itwouldstillgiveoutthesamefragrance,likethebeloved’slove.Withoutrealizingit,Shrikanthadcometoassociatethebakulaflowerwith

Shrimati.Itistruethattheyhardlyeverspoketoeachother,butitwasequallytruethattherewasastrangeattractionbetweenthem.Perhapsitwastheirage—adolescence—ortheteasingoftheirfriendsorjustthewaytheirnamesconjugated!Ofcourse,itwasShrikantwhowasmoreattractedtowardsShrimatithanshewastohim.ThoughShrikantwasthemoreextrovertedofthetwo,andheoftenwonderedwhatwasinShrimati’smind,hewasn’toutspokenenoughtoaskher.OnlyShrikantandGangakkawereathome.Gangakkawasawarethatthe

resultswereduetocomeandsoshethoughtshewouldlightgheelampstopleasethegods.TherewasalotofgheeathomeandsinceShrikantwouldnoteatit,Gangakkauseditforthelamps.TherewasaknockonthedoorandwhenGangakkasawitwasthepostman

bearingatelegram,shebecameverynervous.Itremindedherofherhusband’sdeath.Forher,atelegramwouldalwaysbringbadnews.Holdingthetelegraminherhand,sheprayedtogodtoforgiveherforusingtherancidgheeandpromisedthatshewouldusethefreshone,ifthistelegramdidnotturnouttobearbadnews!Inatremblingvoice,shecalledShrikantandhandedthetelegramtohim.

‘Shrikant,hereisatelegram.SeewhetheritisfromByadagi?’ByadagiwasthesmallvillagewhereherdaughterRamastayedwithher

husband,Krishna.Gangakkacouldthinkonlyofherdaughter.Herhorizonwasextremelylimited.Shrikantwasequallycurioustoknowwhatitwas.Heopeneditquickly,

glancedthroughitandsaidtohismotherinadelightedvoice,‘Avva,thistelegramisfromtheBangaloreSSLCBoard.IhavestoodsecondintheentireBoard.’Gangakkadidnotunderstandwhatthatmeant.Allshewasinterestedinwas

whetherhewasfirstintheschool.

whetherhewasfirstintheschool.‘Shrikant,areyoufirstintheschoolornot?Haveyouscoredmorethan

Shrimati?Whohastakenthefirstplace?’Shrikantsmiledathismother’signorance.‘Avva,IhavestoodsecondintheentirestateandoughttobefirstintheHubli

Centreandofcourseourschool.Idon’tknowaboutShrimati,butshewouldn’thavescoredmorethanme!Youknow,nowIcangetafullscholarshipandyouneednotstruggleformyeducation.’Shrikantwasveryhappyindeed.Gangakkarememberedherlatehusbandandhereyesbecamemoist.‘Shrikant,LordMylaralingahasblessedus.Hehasalwaysbeenkindtoyou..

.’ButShrikantwasstillgettingusedtotheideaofhavingdonesowell.Hehad

neverexpectedtogetthesecondrank.Atthemost,hewasexpectingtobeoneamongthefirsttwenty.Nowhewasmostcuriousastowhohadgotthefirstrank.ItmustbesomeonefromMysoreorBangalore,hethought.ThenhisthoughtsturnedtoShrimati.Whatrankhadshegot?Ataponhis

shouldershookhimoutofhisreverie.HeturnedaroundtoseehisteacherMrKulkarni.Hewasbeamingwithpride.Hisusualpaan-stainedmouthwasunusuallycleanthatday.Inhishappinessheseemedtohaveforgottentoeathispaan.ThumpingShrikantonhisback,hesaid,‘Shrikant,youbothhavemadea

record!Intheentirehistoryoftheschool,suchathinghasnothappened.TheBoardhasinformedusthatShrimatihasstoodfirst,andyousecond!Youhavegivenusawonderfulrewardforhavingtaughtyou!Generally,thefirstandsecondranksdonotgotothesameschool.Butwehavebeenfortunatetobethefirstschooltogetthetoptwoplacesinthesameyear...’Shrikant’smindwentnumb.MrKulkarni’schattercontinued,butShrikantdid

nothearaword.Hadathunderboltstruckhimorhadhetouchedalivewire?Hecouldn’tbelievewhatMrKulkarnihadtoldhim.Hisbubbleofhappiness

vanishedandhewasclosetotears.Buthecontrolledhimself.Menwerenotsupposedtoshedtearsinfrontofothers!HefeltlikeArjunaintheMahabharatawhowassofocusedonhisarchery

skillsthatifheevermissedhisaim,hesufferedunbearableagony.JustthenGangakkacameinandtoldKulkarniSirthathemustatleasthave

somesweetssincehehadbroughtthegoodnews.Buthesaidthathewantedto

somesweetssincehehadbroughtthegoodnews.ButhesaidthathewantedtogoandseeShrimatiandthathewouldcomebacklater.Absent-mindedlyShrikantsaidnamaskartohisteacherandwentbacktohis

ownthoughts.Hismindwasprickinghim:ShrikantDeshpande,youhavemissedyourtarget.YouhaddismissedShrimatiasameregirl,butsilentlyandsoberlythatgirlhasgivenyouapowerfulanswer!Shehasshownyouwhatsheiscapableof.Shrikanttriedtoanalysethereasonforhisunhappinessanddisappointment.Whathadgonewrong?Actually,nothinghadgonewrong.Thecauseforhisdisappointmentwasher

success.Thoughhehadscoredmoremarksthanhehadexpectedorhopedfor,Shrimatihadscoredmorethanhim.WasheevergoingtobefreeofthisShrimati?Wouldshealwaysbeachallengetohim,andinhercalm,smilingway,defeathim?WhatwouldhesaytoRaviandMalleshnow,afterboastingtothemthathewassmarterthanher?Shrikant’sgazeturnedinvoluntarilytoShrimati’shouse.Hecouldsee

Shrimati,dressedasusualinacottonsaree,astringofbakulaflowerstuckedinherlongplaitheronlyadornment.ShewasengrossedinaconversationwithherfriendsSharadaandVandana.Whatweretheytalkingabout?Weretheylaughingathisdefeat?Wasshe

gloatingoverhersuccess?Shrikantwasgettingmoreandmoreagitated.JustthenhesawhisgroupoffriendsledbyMalleshandRaviapproachinghis

house.Malleshhadagarlandinhishand.ShrikantwentouttomeetthemandMalleshgarlandedhim.Theninalowtonehesaid,‘Congratulations,Shrikant!Shemaybefirstbutyouarefirstamongtheboys.’ShakinghandswithShrikant,Ravisaid,‘Comeon,Mallya,didweknowthat

Shrikantwouldgetthesecondrank?Thisisindeedabonusforus.SowhatifShrikanthasnotgotthefirstrankthistime?Hewilldefinitelygetitnexttime.Haven’tyouheardthefamouspoem,“Tryandtryagainboys,youwillsucceedatlast.”’Mallyalaughed,‘Yes,yes,thatpoemisespeciallywrittenforboys.’PattingRaviontheback,hesaid,‘Now,let’snotbejealous.Isn’tsheour

classmatetoo?Hasshenotbroughtglorytoourschool?AsfarasIcansee,wehavemadealotoffunofherbutshehasn’tretaliatedevenonce.Weshouldgo

andcongratulateher.Shrikantyoumustalsocome.Iamsuretherewillnotbeanyproblem.’Shrimatihadbeensurprisedtoseethetelegraminformingheraboutherfirst

rank.Shehadnevereverexpectedthat!Whenhermotherhadaskedheraboutherperformanceintheexam,shehadcasuallysaidthatshehaddonefairlywell.Thisfirstrankmadeherreallyhappy,butshekepthercool.Actually,itwasherfriendswhowereabsolutelythrilled,particularlySharada,

becauseShrimati’ssuccesswasaone-upinthegirls’campandone-downintheboys’camp.Rindakka,whohadlookeddownuponShrimatialltheseyearsbeauseshewas

notasfairandgood-lookingasherself,wasverypleasedthathergranddaughterhaddonebetterthanherneighbour’sson!Suddenlyhertonechanged.‘Afterallsheismygranddaughter,’shesaidwithprideinhervoice,‘shehasinheritedmyintelligence.’Shrimati’sfatherShrikantDeshpande,too,wasbeamingwithhappinessand

wasveryproudofhisdaughter’sperformance.Hebehavedasthoughhewasresponsibleforit.Kamalahadalookofpeaceandsatisfactiononherface.ButinShrimati,therewasabsolutelynochange.WhenShrimatisawthegroupofherclassmatescomingtowardsherhouse,

shewonderedwhattheywanted,whatwouldhappen.Shewasn’tcurioustoknowShrikant’smarks.Thoughnotfirstrank,shewassurehewouldhavealsogotverygoodmarks.Shequicklywarnedherfriendsandthepeopleathomenottosayanythingto

Shrikant.‘Afterall,anexaminationisnottheindexinlife.Itisjustamatterofluckatthatmoment.Idonotwanttohurtanybodywhentheycometoourhouse,’shesaid.Sharadawasmostdispleasedwiththisremark.

F IVE

Therainyseasonhadsetin.Therewasacontinuousdrizzle.Motherearthwassothirstythatshehadbeenlongingfortheshowers.Thedriedyellowgrasswasturninggreen.Flowersbloomedandwerelookingfreshasifafterabath.Thebeautifulchampakaflowersshiveredinthecoldbreeze.Thebakulatreewassohappythatitwasladenwithblossoms.Thoughitwasnotpouring,thecontinuousdrizzlewasmakinglifedifficultforeveryone.EvenGangakkawastiredofpickingupthebakulaflowersandmakinginnumerablegarlandsforallthegods.Almostaweekpassedbyincelebrationsandfelicitationsafterthe

announcementoftheresults.TherewasgreatjubilationinShrimati’sschoolbecauseofthetworanksthattheschoolhadbagged.Withthisresult,theschool’sreputationgotahugeboostandtherewasalongqueueofparentswhennewadmissionswereannounced.ShrimatiandShrikantwerethefocusofalltheattention.Theyweregiven

numerousprizes,muchpraisewasheapeduponthembytheirteachersandstudentslookeduponthemasrolemodels.Inallthesefelicitations,neitherShrimatinorShrikantcongratulatedoreven

spoketoeachother.ThoughShrimatitriedonceortwice,Shrikantdidnotrespond.Hewasstilltoohurt.SoShrimatiwithdrew.Itwasnotproperforagirltopushtoomuch.InaplacelikeHubli,suchthingsmatteredalot.Girlswerenotsupposedtoeventalktoboysinpublic.Aftertheexcitementhaddieddown,Shrimatidecidedtogoandvisither

maternalgrandmotherwholivedinDharwad.Shewastoooldtotravel,sothe

granddaughterthoughtshewouldgoandgetherblessings.ShrimatitooktheHubli-Dharwadlocaltrain.Aftertheofficerushhour,the

trainwasusuallyempty.Shrimatigotintoadesertedcompartmentandsatbyawindow.Sinceitwasquiteaboringjourney,shehadbroughtabookalongandassoonasshesettleddown,openeditandstartedreading.Justasthetrainwasabouttostart,Shrimatirealizedthatonemorepersonhadenteredthecompartmentandoccupiedtheseatoppositehers.Shelookedupandtohersurprise,founditwasherclassmateShrikantDeshpande.Foraminute,shewastakenaback,butshesaidnothing.ShrikantwasequallysurprisedtoseeShrimati.HewastravellingtoDharwad

tomeethissister’sin-laws.WhenhelookedatShrimati,hedidnotknowwhattodo.Thiswasthefirsttimebothofthemwerefacingeachotherwithouttheirrespectivefriends.Shrikantwasquicktoobservethatshewassimplydressedasusual,withnojewelleryexcepttheglassbanglesonherhandsandthestringofhisfavouritebakulaflowerstuckedinherhair.Themildfragranceofbakulapervadedthecompartment.Helookedather

faceandsawshehadanaturalsmile,whichwasneitheringratiatingnorcondescending.Shrikantmusteredupenoughcouragetotalktoher.‘AreyougoingtoDharwad?’heasked,knowingverywellthatthetrain’s

destinationwasonlyDharwad!‘Yes,tomeetmygrandmother.ShelivesinMalmaddi.Whataboutyou?’‘IamgoingtomeetsomerelativesinSaptapur.’Theconversationstopped

there.AlthoughShrikantwasgregariousbynature,thatdayhedidnotknowwhatto

say,eventhoughhereallywantedtotalktoher.HefeltdrawntoShrimati,butcouldnotsaywhy.Perhapsbecausetheywereoppositesinnature,orbecauseshewashisrivalorbecauseforbiddenfruitisalwaysmoredesirable!Suddenlyherememberedhehadnotcongratulatedher,soheextendedhis

handandsaid,‘Congratulations.’Shrimatiwasconfusedforamoment.Agesture,likeshakinghandswitha

man,wasnotcommoninthesocietyofthattime.However,shereluctantlytookhishandandshylysaid,‘Thanksand

congratulationstoyoualso.’‘Whyareyoucongratulatingme?Forhavingstoodsecond,isit?’

‘No,Shrikant.Believeme,Ithinkyoursuccessismoredeservedthanmine.Thereisnogreatdifferencebetweenthefirstandsecondrank.Itisonlyamatteroftheexaminer’smoodandafewbetteranswers.ManyatimeIwantedtotalktoyou,andtellyouhowmuchIappreciatethequalitiesyouhavewhichIdon’t.Youaresofocusedandhardworking.Overaperiodoftime,thesequalitieswillfetchyouwhateveryourwant.Unlikeyou,Iamhappywithsmallthings...’Shrikantwassurprisedbyherwordsandhappytoo.Agirlwhowasbrighter

thanhimhadappreciatedhisqualities.Hefeltelated!Suddenlyheknewhowtheconversationcouldcontinue.‘Shrimati,whichcollegeareyougoingtojoin?’‘Ihavedecidedtotakeuparts.’ThatmeantShrimatiwouldnotbeaclassmateanymore.Morethanthatshe

wouldnolongerbehisrival!Thethoughtcheeredhimup.‘Whydoyouwanttotakeupartswhenyouaresogoodatscience?’‘Iammoreinclinedtowardshistoryandliterature.Moreover,Ihavea

principleofmyown.Weshoulddowhatwereallylike.Fortwothingsinlifeitisveryimportantforustomakeourowndecisions.Oneiseducation.Ibelievewemuststudyonlythatsubjectwhichwelike.’‘Whatabouttheotherone?’‘Theotheroneismarriage,becausepartnersremainwitheachotherforeverin

life.Otherthingslikechoosingasareeorbuyingahousecanbereversed.Butnotthesetwothings.’Shrikantagreedimmediately,aslongasshewastakingadifferentstream!Buthewasreallypuzzled.ItwasveryunusualofshyShrimatitotalkso

frankly.ShrimatitoobegantofeeluncomfortablebecauseherhandwasstillinShrikant’shand!Hehadnotleftit.Gatheringuphercourageshesaidsoftly,‘Willyouletgoofmyhand,please?’Shrikantquicklydroppeditandlookedveryembarrassed.Hehadn’trealized

howlonghehadbeenholdingontoherhand.ThetrainhadnowreachedAmargolstationandtherewasnosignaltogo

ahead.Sothetrainhadtohaltthere.ItwasgoingtobelatereachingDharwad.ShrikantfeltthatthiswasagoodopportunitytogettoknowShrimati.Already

hehadrealizedthatshewassodifferentfromwhathehadimagined.Whatevershesaid,itwassimple,straight,clearanddirectlyfromtheheart.Therewasno

artifice,noattempttoshowoff,nothingputon.Muchashedidn’tliketoadmitit,heknewthatshewasdefinitelymoreintelligentthanhim.Andallthiswhile,hehadbeenhearingonlynegativeremarksaboutherfrom

hissisterandmother.Perhaps,theywerenotevenawareofhertruenature.Howwouldanyoneknowherwithoutbecomingfriendswithher?‘Shrimati,nowourpathswillbedifferentandourfriendswillbedifferenttoo.

Inourschoolwecouldhardlyspeakbecauseofournames.Nowonwards,letusbegoodfriendsandtalktoeachother.’ShrimatilookedintoShrikant’seyes.Shelikedthisstraightforward,good-

naturedboy,shedecided.Whatwastheharminbeingfriends?‘Wherecanwemeetandtalk?Youknowthebackgroundofourfamilies.My

grandmotherandyourmotherarealwaysaround.Icannotmeetyououtside,’Shrimati’sfacewastroubled.‘Don’tworry,Shrimati.Everyproblemhasasolution.Andthisisnotagreat

problematall.YouknowthateverymorningmymothergoestotheRailwayEshwartempleandittakesheratleastanhourtogothereandcomeback.YourgrandmotheralsogoestotheRayaraMatthaatthesametime.Thatisthebesttimeforustomeetandtalk.’ShrimatiwassurprisedatShrikant’sobservation.Evenshewasnotawareof

suchdetails.‘Butwherecanwemeet?’‘Godiskindtous.Wehaveabakulatreeincommon.Earlyinthemorning,

theflowersarefreshlyfallen.YoucancometocollectthemandsowillI.Isitnotarightplace?’ShrimatilikedShrikant’sstrategyandnoddedherheadwithasmile.

S IX

Shrimati,VandanaandSharadajoinedtheartscollegewhileShrikant,RaviandMalleshjoinedthesciencecollege.Twomonthslater,Mallesh,findingthesciencecoursetough,joinedthe

commercecollege.Sincetheclassmateshadallgonedifferentways,nooneteasedShrikantorShrimatianymore.Shrimatilovedthecollegemorethanherschool.Ithadanexcellentlibrary

andshecouldborrowthebestbooksfromthere.Asherclasseswereinthemorning,shewasfreeduringtheafternoons.Soshewasabletohelphermotherathomeandhaveenoughtimetostudyandread.Kamalawouldhavelikedherdaughtertostudymedicine,butshedidnotsayanythingknowingherdaughter’sinclinationtowardshistory.Shrikantraowantedhisdaughtertobecomealawyerbuthedarednotsayanythingtoher,knowingherscantrespectforhim.ShrikantandShrimatiwouldmeeteverydaynearthebakulatree,andtalk

aboutvariousthings.Shrimatiwoulddiligentlygatherthebakulaflowers,whileShrikantwouldtalkabouthiscollegeandhisdreams.Duringonesuchconversation,Shrikanttoldher,‘Shrimati,Idon’tlikeyou

callingmeShrikantlikeeverybodyelse.IwantyoutocallmeShri.’ForamomentShrimatididnotunderstandwhathemeant.Butwhenshe

realizedit,sheblushedandnoddedherhead.Nooneineitherhousewasawareoftheir‘flower-gatheringmeetings’.ThetwoyearsofPreUniversitypassedwithoutanydifficulties.Andsodid

theirfriendship.

Shrikanthadgrownmoreconfidentandmature.Hedidverywellintheexamsandgotagoodrank.Withhismarks,hecouldgetadmissioninanyoftheengineeringcollegesinKarnataka.ButhehaddecidedtositfortheentrancetestforIIT.OfthefivepremiertechnologyinstitutesinIndia,theIndianInstituteofTechnology,Bombaywashisfirstchoicesinceitwasclosesttohome.Buthewastakingabigchance.Theentrancetestwastoughandthecompetitionwasstiff.RaviPatilalsodecidedtojoinShrikantinpreparingfortheentrancetest.Shrikantmetoneoftheirseniors,VasudevShenoy,whohadgonetoIITthree

yearsago,andgotalltheinformationandtipsonhowtoprepare.HewasdeterminedtogetintoIIT.BothRaviandShrikanthadfinancialproblemsbutthatdidnotdeterShrikantfromhisambition.Hetoldhismothertosellapartofthelandifneeded.TheirfriendMalleshalsodidfairlywellinhiscommercecollege.Shrimati,whosefavouritesubjectswerehistory,sanskritandenglish,had

joinedtheartscollegeforaBAdegree,muchtoeveryone’ssurprise.Shewasknownasanextremelybrightstudent,sootherstudentspointedtohersaying,‘See,that’sShrimatiDeshpande.ThoughshestoodfirstintheBoardshehasjoinedtheartscollege!’Shrimatiwouldsmiletoherself.HerfriendSharada’sfamilywantedhertogetaBAdegree.Thesubjectdid

notmatter.Adegreewasararethingintheirfamily.Vandana’sfatherwantedhertodoanMA,likehehaddone.Evenaftertheyjoinedcollege,therewasnochangeinShrimati’sdaily

routine.She,VandanaandSharadawenttocollegetogetherastheyhadgonetoschool.Thoughshewasveryfrankandfriendlywiththesetwogirls,shehadnottold

themofherdailymeetingswithShrikant.Infact,shehadnotwantedtoshareitwithanybody.Shecouldnotexplainwhy.SoontheIITresultswereannounced.ShrikantandRavibothgotthrough,and

securedadmissiontoIIT,Bombay.Shrikantevengotthesubjectofhischoice,computerscience,unlikeRaviwhohadwantedmechanicalbutgotmetallurgy.ShrikantwasgoingtostayawayfromHubliforthefirsttimeinhislife,and

hewasfeelingalittleuneasy.HewouldhavetostayinBombayforthenextfiveyears.Hewassurethathewouldmisstheearlymorningmeetingsunderthe

bakulatree.Inthelasttwoyearshehaddevelopedastrongattachmentfor‘hisShrimati’.Itwasmorethananadolescentcrush,heknew.Shewasveryspecialtohim.Shrimatiwassadtoo.LikeShrikant,shehadalsogotusedtomeetinghimin

themornings.Now,forthenextfiveyears,thatwouldnotbepossible.Thoughhewouldcomehometwiceeveryyear,thelongabsencecouldchangehismind,shethought.WhatifhemetsomesmartbrightgirlsinBombay?Wouldhisaffectionforherremainthesame?Whenravishinggladioliandfragrantrajanigandhaswerearound,wouldherememberthetiny,self-effacingbakula?Thedayoftheirlastmeetingdawned.Shrimatididnotsayanything,butshe

waspale.Shrikantknewshewasupset—hecouldreadhermind.‘Shrimati,’hesaidtoherinanassuringvoice,‘youknowthatIamhighly

focused.Iamgoingthereonlyforstudies.Iwilllookneithertotheleftnortotheright.Nothingmatterstome.IamandwillalwaysbeyourShri.’‘Willyouwritetome,Shri?’‘OfcourseIwillwrite.Inthesecondandfourthweekofeverymonth.And

youmustwritetomeeveryfirstandthirdweek.’Shrimaticouldsaynothingmore.Sheloweredherheadandbentdowntopick

upthedelicatebakulaflowers.Shrikantsaidtoher,‘Shrimati,I’llmissyourcompanyandourflower.’‘ThenIwillencloseaflowerineveryletter,’Shrimatipromised.Bothofthemweresoengrossedintheirconversation,theyhadforgottenthat

theyhadcrossedthetimelimit.Rindakkawasbackfromthetemple.NotseeingShrimatiinthekitchen,shehadstartedyelling.‘Shrimati,whereareyou?Themilkisboiling.’Shrimatiwasstartled.‘Shri,Ihavetorunnow.Whenwillwemeetagain?’SmilinglyShrikantsaid,‘InDecember.Buttellme,Shrimati,towhich

addresscanIsendtheletters?’‘Thereisalwaysasolutiontoeveryproblem,haven’tyoutoldme?Writeto

myaddressbutdon’twriteyouraddressattheback.Nobodywillcometoknow.’Shrimatidislikedsuchdeceitfulmethodsbutinhercircumstances,shehadno

choice.

SEVEN

NeitherhadShrikanttravelledmuchnorhadhehadmuchexposuretotheoutsideworld.SinceallhisrelativeslivedinandaroundDharwad,hehadnotgottheopportunitytogoanywhereelse.OnlyafterjoiningIITdidShrikantgettomeetandknowaboutpeoplefromdifferentpartsofthecountry.IIT,Bombayhadasprawlingcampus.ItwaslocatedinPowai,asuburbof

Bombay.Theatmosphereinsidetheinstitutewasastarkcontrasttothecrowded,bustlingcityoutside.Thecampushadalotofgreenery,andthemanybuildings—offices,classrooms,labs,auditorium,canteen,hostels—werespreadoutoveralargearea.Therewasnodistraction;itwasanidealplaceforstudies.Therewereveryfewgirlsintheengineeringcourse.WheneverShrikantcameacrossagirlinthecampus,hewouldthinkofShrimati.Withherintelligenceandcapacityforhardwork,shewouldhavedefinitelygotaplaceinIIT.HeoftenimaginedwhatlifewouldhavebeenlikeifShrimatiwasalsothere.AtfirstShrikantwasveryhomesick.Hemissedhisfamily.Hefeltamisfitin

thecosmopolitancrowd.Butasthedayspassedhebegantoenjoythecourse,hemadefriendsandgotusedtothefood.Allhisclassmates,nomatterwheretheycamefrom,whatlanguagetheyspoke,weretherebecausetheywerereallybright,andveryfocused.Beforelong,hefoundhewashappyinIIT.Ashehadpromised,hewrotetoShrimatieverysecondandfourthweekofthe

month,andsharedallhisfeelingswithher.Hedescribedinhislettersthecoursehewasdoing,thefoodinthehostelmess,thenewfriendshehadmade.Throughhiswords,heintroducedhertotheirworld,andtothecharmsofBombay.Shrimati,ontheotherhand,didnothavemuchtosay.Therewasnogreat

changeinherlife.Yetsherepliedregularlytohisletterseveryfirstandthirdweekofthemonth.Sheneverforgottoencloseabakulaflower.WheneverShrikantreceivedherletters,hefeltasifShrimatiwasstandingnexttohim,thegentle,mildlyfragrant,homelybutextremelyaffectionateShrimati!Oneday,ashewasholdingthebakulainhishand,hesuddenlyrealizedwhy

theflowermeantsomuchtohim.Thebakulawasnow,forhim,asymbolofShrimati,apersonificationofher!Shrikantcollectedallthebakulaflowersinasmallbagandplaceditbeneath

hispillow.Heknewthatthescentfromtheflowerswouldnotfadewithtime.Timemarchedon.ShrimaticompletedherBAdegreesuccessfully,getting

twogoldmedalsinhersubject.SharadaEmmikerimanagedtogetthrough,whileVandanapassedwithasecondclass.ThenextstepwastoapplyforanMAcourseatKarnatakaUniversity,Dharwad.VandanaoptedforpoliticalscienceandShrimatiforhistory.Thetwofriendscommutedtotheuniversityeveryday,coveringthetwenty-

fivekilometredistancebytheuniversitybusratherthanbythelocaltrain.Bothofthemenjoyedtherideandusedthetimetocomparenotesontheirrespectivecoursesandclassmates.ShrimatiwaseagerlylookingforwardtoDrRao,thepresentVice-Chancellor,returningtohisparenthistorydepartmentthefollowingyear.Shehadheardsomuchabouthisbrillianceasascholarandhiswonderfulteachingskillsthatshewasconfidenthewouldinspirehertogiveherbesttothesubject.However,theydidmisstheirfriendSharada.Aspromised,ShrikantvisitedHublieveryDecemberbutinthesummer

holidayshewouldtakeuptrainingwithdifferentcompaniestogetpracticalexperienceandgreaterexposure.Onlythelasttendaysofhisvacation,whichinvariablycoincidedwiththebeginningofthemonthofShravan,wouldhespendinHubli.ThosedayswereforShrimati.GangakkalookedforwardtoShrikant’svisitstoo.Shewouldcookavarietyof

dishestomakeupforthetimehersonmissedhomefood.Shebelievedthathecamehometobewithher.GangakkaneverdreamtthatitwasShrimatiwhodrewhimtoHubliandthatitwasherheyearnedtosee.Now,althoughtheycouldmeetattheUniversitycampus,theycontinuedthe

ritualoftheirearlymorningchatunderthebakulatree.Thetree,solewitnesstotheirconversations,smiledindulgentlyonthem.

theirconversations,smiledindulgentlyonthem.VandanasooncametoknowaboutShrikantandShrimati’sfriendship.But

shedidnotmentionittoanybody.SheknewthatifGangakkafoundout,theconsequenceswouldbeserious.WheneverShrikantcametotheUniversitytomeetShrimati,Vandanawould

returntoHublialone.IfRindakkaaskedwhyShrimatihadn’treturned,Vandanawouldcoverupforherfriendandsay,‘Sheisstudyinginthelibrary.’ShrimatifoundUniversitymuchmoreexcitingthancollege.Shelearnedthat

historyisnotmerelyconcernedwithmenoranation.Everythinghadahistory.Music,dance,artandevenhistoryhadahistory.Graduallyshedevelopedafinecriticalsensibilityandtrainedherselftothinklogicallyandreduceemotionalidealism.Bytheendofthefirsttermitselfsheunderstoodtheimportanceoffieldvisits.Theymadeeverythingshereadintextbookscomealive.ThedepartmentorganizedmanysuchtripsasaresultofwhichShrimatisawanumberofhistoricplaces.Shewasamazedtofindhowacountry’spresentculturedependedonitspasthistory.Thewell-manneredShrimatiendearedherselftoherteachersandclassmates

alike.Theprofessorsweredelightedtohaveanintelligentstudentlikeherinthehistorydepartment.Inthemeantime,Vandana’slifewastakinganewturn.Asshewasneithera

verybrightstudent,norkeenonacareer,herparentswereplanningtogethermarried.Theyfoundaneligibleyoungman,Pramod,anengineerworkingwithLarsen&Toubro,awell-knowncompany,inBombay.PramodwasoriginallyfromBelgaum.HewastheonlysonofhisparentsandtheyownedasmallhouseinBombay.Sincehedidnothaveanyfamilycommitments,waswellqualifiedandheldagoodjob,hewasmosteligibleinthemarriagemarket.Aspertradition,thetwohoroscopeswerematchedandPramodcametosee

Vandanawithhisfamily.Helikedherandthemarriagewasfinalized.BythenVandanawasinthefinalyearofherMA,sobothsetsofparents

decidedthatthemarriagewouldtakeplaceafterherexams.ButafterPramodcametoHubliafewtimestomeether,Vandanalostinterestinherstudies!ShrimatiwascurioustoknowwhatVandanaandPramodtalkedabout.Theirs

wasanarrangedmarriage,theydidnotknoweachother,sowhatdidtheysaytoeachother?‘Vandana,whatdoyoutalkaboutwithPramod?Youdon’tevenknowhim.’‘WhatdoyouspeakwithShrikantforhourstogether?’Vandanacountered.

‘WhatdoyouspeakwithShrikantforhourstogether?’Vandanacountered.‘Well,hewasourclassmate.Moreover,wehavebeengoodfriendsforalong

time.’‘Oh,don’tgivemethatexplanation!Itisnotmerefriendship.Askyourself.

Nobodyspendssuchlonghours,withouttellingpeopleathome,withjustafriend!’Shrimatifellsilent.Suddenlyshebegantofeelastrangeloneliness.Itwasnot

thatshehadnotthoughtofmarriage.ButnowshecouldnotthinkofanyoneotherthanShrikantforahusband.Havingseenherincompatibleparentsandthekindoffamilylifetheyledshe

wassureshewouldonlymarryapersonwhowouldunderstandherfeelingsandhaveconsiderationforher,unlikeherfatherwhoonlythoughtofhimselfallthetime.AlthoughShrikantandshewereclosefriends,theissueofmarriagehadnot

yetcomeup.Shefelttherewassomethingbetweenthemthatwentbeyondfriendship.Evenifshehadnotshownanyemotionoutwardly,inherheartshewasquiteattachedtoShrikant.Whatwasonhismind,shewondered.Whileitwasnaturalforhertothinkofmarriage—shewasofmarriageable

ageafterall—ShrikantcouldnotthinkofanythingotherthancompletinghisB.Tech.andgettingagoodjob.Marriagewasfar,faraway.InoneofherusuallettersshecasuallymentionedVandana’sengagement.OnedayaftertheDecembervacations,whenexamswereroundthecorner

andShrimatiwasbusywithherseminars,ShrikantsurprisedShrimatiwithanuntimelyvisittoHubli.Shrimatiwasoverjoyed.TheydecidedShrikantwouldwaitforShrimatinearthetownclocktowertill

shefinishedherseminar.‘Shri,’shesaidtohim,‘Idonothaveclasstoday.ShallwegotoAtthikolla?Itisnothotoutside.’AtthikollawasapicnicspotinDharwad,knownforitsmangogroves.Atthis

timeoftheyear,earlyFebruary,allthetreeswerecoveredwithtender,newleaves,reddishgreenincolour.Itwasaverypleasantseason—winterwasoverandtheheatofsummerwasyettobegin.UsuallyShrikantwouldneverdisagreewithShrimatiinsuchmatters.Butthat

dayhesaid,‘No,let’sgotoThackerayPark.’‘CallitChennammaPark,’exclaimedShrimati,hersenseofhistory

promptingheroutburst.

promptingheroutburst.Centuriesago,theBritishcollectorofDharwad,amancalledThackeray,had

foughtabattlewithChennamma,thequeenofKittur.Theofficerhadlosthislife.TheBritisherectedamemorialinhisnameandbuiltapark.Beforeindependence,itwasknownasThackerayPark.Butafterindependence,thepatrioticpeopleofDharwadcalleditChennammaParkbecauseitwasQueenChennammawhohadkilledThackerayinthebattlefield.‘It’sallthesame.Willtheplacechangewiththename?Let’sgo.’Shrikant

wasnotbotheredaboutsuchthings.Vandana,havingseenthemfromadistance,wentbacktoHublialone.

ShrikantandShrimatiwenttoThackerayorKitturChennammaPark.ItwasoppositetheMentalHospitalontheHubli-BelgaumRoad.Therewereveryfewpeopleinthegardenandmostofthemweresleeping,usingtheirhandasapillow.Theychoseabigbanyantreeandsatbeneathitssprawlingbranches.Shrimatiwasingreatspirits.Notonlyhadherseminargoneoffverywell,

she’dalsohadthissurprisevisitfromShrikant.Shewaschatteringcontinuously,whilethenormallytalkativeShrikantwasindeepthought.Shrimatididnotnoticeanythingamiss.‘Shri,todayIhadaseminarandeveryoneappreciatedmywork.Ispokeon

Ashoka.Doyouremember?Ihadwrittenanessaywhenwewereintenthstandard.Today,Icanwritebetter.Thattime,IhadlessaccesstobooksandIwasmoreemotionalaboutAshoka.Evennow,wheneverIreadaboutAshoka,myrespectforhimgrowsandhefascinatesme.Shri,isthenameAshokanotbeautiful?HistorianscallhimDharmashoka—thevirtuousone...’ShrikantinterruptedShrimatiandwithamischievoussmileasked,‘Itseems

youlikethatnamealot.So,ifyouhaveason,willyounamehimAshoka?’Shrimatilookedathimwithsurprise,wonderingwhythesubjectofnamingan

unbornsonhadcomeup!Smilinglyshereplied,‘Yes!What’swrongwiththat?Iwouldnotthinktwice

beforedoingit.Butsinceyouaskedaboutnames,Shri,letmetellyouthatIalsolikethenameAdityavikrama.Vikramadityawasatitleintheolddays.Wheneverakingachievedsomethingextraordinarythroughbraveryandadventure,hewasgiventhetitleVikramaditya.DuringtheGuptadynasty,

ChandraguptaIIwascalledVikramaditya.IfIhaveanotherson,IwillnamehimAdityavikrama...’Shrimatispokeinallinnocence,likeahistoryteachertoherstudents.‘Shri,SiddharthaGautamaisanotherpersonIreallyadmire.Heunderstood

thenatureofsorrowandknewthetruevaluesoflife.Hegaveuphiskingdomandhisfamilyforthesakeofhumanity.Hismessageisfullofloveandcompassion.Heneitherwonanywarnordidheestablishagreatempire.However,hewontheempireofhearts.MaybeifIhaveonemoreson,IwillnamehimSiddharthaGautama...’ShrikantmovedclosertoShrimati,heldherhands,andwhisperedsoftlybut

clearlyinherear,‘Shrimati,whenIbecomeanengineer,don’tyouthinkthatitwouldbetoomuchtoaskforSiddharthaGautamaalso,onmymeagresalary?’‘What?’Shrimatiexclaimedflustered,butinaflurryofjoy.

EIGHT

ItwasthebeginningofMarchandtheUniversitycampuswasnormallydeserted.Studentswereathome,preparingfortheirexaminations,andprofessorswerebusysettingquestionpapers.OnlythosescholarswhoweredoingtheirPh.DorsomeacademicresearchcametothelibraryintheUniversityduringthistime.ForapersonlikeShrimati,anexaminationwasacakewalk.So,eveninMarch,shecametotheUniversitytohelpherprofessorswithsomeprojectortheother.Sheenjoyeditanddidnotmindcomingallthewaytothecampusforthis.Vandanawasextremelybusypreparingfortheexaminationandday-dreamingabouthermarriage.OnedayShrimatiwasinthelibrarymakingnotesforherprofessorwhowas

goingtoJapantoattendaninternationalseminaron‘BuddhisminIndiaandJapan’.ShrimatihadreadsomuchaboutBuddhism,howthoughithadoriginatedin

India,ithadspreadtomanycountriesinSouth-eastAsia.China,JapanandSriLankawereallBuddhistcountries.AndIndonesia,onceaBuddhistcentre,boastedofoneofthegreatBuddhistmonuments,Borobudur.Shewouldhavelovedtotraveltoalltheseplaces,butfinancialconstraintshadmadethatimpossible.However,nowthatherprofessorwasgoingtoJapanandafterthattoIndonesia,hewoulddescribeitalltoherwhenhereturned.Eventhatwasenoughforher!Whileshewasthinkingthesethoughts,thedepartmentpeonSiddappacameandstoodinfrontofher.‘Madam,Professoriscallingyou,wantsyoutocomeimmediately.’‘WhySiddappa,whatisit?HeknowsIamdoingsomeimportantwork!’‘SomewhitemanwhomIhaveneverseenbefore,mustbeafriendofthe

‘SomewhitemanwhomIhaveneverseenbefore,mustbeafriendoftheprofessor,hascomeandtheyweretalkingaboutyou...maybethat’swhytheyhavecalledyou.’Shrimatiwaswonderingwhoitcouldbewhensheenteredherprofessor’s

room.Therewasanotherpersonthere,anelderlygentlemanwithgreyhair,wellbuilt,aroundsixfeettall.Helookedatherandgaveherafriendlysmile.‘ComeinShrimati.MeetmyfriendProfessorMikeCollins,’ProfessorRao

introducedhisguest.Shrimaticouldnotbelieveherears.Anystudentofhistorywouldknowhis

name.IftherewereaNobelPrizeforhistory,itwouldcertainlyhavegonetoProfessorCollinsalongtimeback.ManyatimesShrimatiandtheotherstudentshadheardProfessorRaotalk

aboutProfessorCollins.HewasanAmericanandcamefromaveryaffluentfamily.Hisfatherwasawealthybusinessman.ButthesonhadbeenpassionateabouthistoryandhadgonetoOxfordtostudy.HegothisPh.Dfromthere.HiswifeJane,whomhehadmetatcollegeandlatermarried,wasalsoahistorian.Theyhaddonesomefascinatingresearchworktogether.Theyhadadaughter,Dorothy,andshetoo,likeherparents,hadchosen

historyashersubjectandwasworkingtowardsadoctorate.Unfortunately,JanehaddiedofcancerrecentlyandProfessorCollinswas

alone.HehadbeenonatourofSriLanka,andonthewaybackhadcometomeethisoldfriend.ProfessorRaohadbeenhisstudentatYaleUniversityandaspecialaffection

haddevelopedbetweenthetwoofthem.ShrimaticouldseethehappinessonProfessorRao’sfaceonseeinghis

teacher.‘Mike,Shrimatiisanexcellentstudentandoneofmyfavourites.Herinterest

inhistoryissimilartoDorothy’s.ShehaspreparedextensivenotesonBuddhism.Youcanseehowshewrites.’Shrimatiwentred,hearingherteacherpraiseherinfrontofsuchawell-

knownperson.‘Hello,Shrimati!Itisnicetomeetyou.Iwouldlovetoseeyournotes

sometime.IamnotanexpertonBuddhismlikeyourteacher,’hespoketoherinAmericanaccent,whichwasalittledifficultforShrimatitounderstand.Shrimatiwasembarrassedgivinghernotestosuchafamousperson.

However,sheplacedthemonthetablenexttohim.

However,sheplacedthemonthetablenexttohim.ProfessorRaotoldher,‘Shrimati,MikehadcometovisittheCalcutta

museumandhehasfinishedmuchofhiswork.Itwasveryniceofhimtocometothissmalltowntomeetme.ThoughKarnatakahasfamoushistoricalmonuments,hedoesn’thaveenoughtimetoseeallofthem.ButhecannotgobacktotheUSwithoutseeingatleastacoupleofthem.SoIhavesuggestedthatheshouldvisitBadami,AiholeandPattadakal.Itcanbedoneinoneday.’‘Yes,Sir,theyarereallywonderfulplaces.Everyhistorianwillenjoythem.’‘ThatiswhyIsentforyou.Youmustaccompanyhimonthistour.’Shrimatiwassurprised,‘Whyme,Sir?Hewouldliketospendmoretimewith

you,Ithink.’‘IwishIcouldgowithhimbutsomeoneiscomingtomorrowwithamarriage

proposalformydaughter.Andyouknowthatitwouldn’tlookgoodifthegirl’sfatherisnotthere!SoIwantyoutotakehimaround.Besides,youareanexcellentguide.’‘Whoelsewillcomealong,Sir?’‘MysonShashiwillaccompanyyou.Mikedoesn’tstandonformalities.After

all,itisaone-daytrip.Mydriverwillalsobewithyoupeople.’WhiletheconversationwasstillgoingonbetweenShrimatiandProfessor

Rao,ProfessorCollinswasgoingthroughShrimati’snotes.ShehaddescribedbeautifullythedifferencesbetweenViharaandChaitya,the

originoftheJatakatalesandthedeclineofBuddhism.AfterShrimatihadbeengiveninstructionsforthetrip,sheleft.ProfessorCollinsturnedtoProfessorRaoandsaid,‘Herideasareveryclear

andlogical.SheisprobablybetterthanDorothy.Nowonderyousaidshewasanexcellentstudent.’ProfessorRaobeamedwithpride.Thenextday,Shashi,ShrimatiandProfessorCollinsleftatthebreakofdawn.

AsProfessorCollinswasscaredofdrinkingwaterinIndiaandhefounditdifficulttoeatthespicyfoodatthevariouseatingjoints,theycarriedbottledwater,fruitandsomebreadandjamforhim.ButregularlunchwaspackedforShashiandShrimati.ThestaplefoodofNorthKarnatakaisjowarroti.Anotherfavouriteis

avalakki,adishmadewithbeatenrice.ThereisasayingthatifyougotoNorth

Karnatakaanddon’teatavalakkithenyou’vemissedsomethinginlife.Peoplethereareveryfondofsweetstoo.ItwasthebeginningofMarchandthesunwasnotharshyet.Theroadwas

fairlyfreeoftraffic,sothemorningjourneywaspleasant.‘Shrimati,myfriendsaidyouareanexcellentguide.Butyoudon’tseemto

speakatall!Whydon’tyoutellmethehistoryofthisplace?’saidProfessorCollins,withasmile.‘Sir,howcanIguidesomeonelikeyou?’‘Comeon,Shrimati!Don’tcallmeSir.CallmeMike.InAmericaweaddress

everyonebytheirfirstname.’‘ButSir,youareoldertomeinageandmoresoinknowledge.Inourculture,

addressingelderlypeoplebytheirfirstnameislookeduponasrudeness.Icanneverdothat.’‘Allright,then,callmewhateveryouplease.Moreover,what’sinaname?

Now,tellmeabouttheplaceswearevisitingtoday.’‘Sir,everypersongrowsupwiththehistoryoftheplacetowhichheorshe

belongs.WheneverIusedtocomehereasalittlegirl,mymotherwouldexplaintomeitsimportance.Sheusedtotellmethatmanywarswerefoughthereandmanykingshadruledtheplace.Thestonemonumentsaresilentwitnessestomanymomentousevents.Atthattime,Iusedtofeelhappythatmyancestorswereapartofthebattlesandapartofthekingdomtoo.IstillfeelthatIbelongtothisarea.Theeventsmighthavetakenplacetwelvecenturiesback,butwhenIclosedmyeyes,Icouldvisualizemanythings.Itmademeveryemotional.Later,whenIgrewup,Ibecamepassionateabouthistoryandstarteddetachingitfromtheemotionalpointofviewandbecamemoreawareofthefacts.’‘That’sright,Shrimati.It’strulyahistorian’sview.Howeverunpleasantit

maybe,oneshouldnevergiveupthecriticalattitude.Wheretheheartrules,therethemindgrowsdull.’‘Sir,sorry.Ididn’tansweryourbasicquestion.Thisareawasruledbythe

mightyChalukyadynastyandtheplacenowcalledBadamiwasknownasVatapi.TheChalukyasruledintheeighthcenturyandatthattime,thisareawasveryprosperous.Therearemanystoriesregardingtheoriginofthisdynasty.Thefounder’snamewasPulakeshiandtheysayhewasnurturedontiger’smilkontopofthehill.FromthatIconcludethathewasaverybraveman.Thegreatest

ruleroftheChalukyadynastywasPulakeshiII.HedefeatedHarshavardhana,apowerfulkingofthenorth,onthebanksoftheriverNarmada...’Shashi,asciencestudent,hadbeenreluctanttocomeonthishistoricaltour.

HewouldhavepreferredtospendthedayinDharwad,watchingthelatestmovie.Hewasboredandkeptlookingathiswatch.TheyreachedBadami,asleepylittlehamlet.ItwasnolongerlikeVatapi,the

capitalofthegloriousChalukyaempireofthepast.Theyparkedthecaratthebottomofthehillsandwentuptoseethecaves.Therearethreehugegranitehillsinthemiddleofthetown.Thecavetemples

arecarvedoutofthesehills.Probably,thisisoneoftheplaceswheretheconceptofcavetemplesoriginated.ThereareJainandHinducavetemples.Thestepscarvedinthehillleadtoallthetemples.Whenseenfromtop,Badamilookslikeavillagethatwillnevereverwakeup,

shrivelledinitspoverty,havingforgotten,forever,itsgloriouspast.Shrimatiexplained.‘Sir,whenyoulookatthecaves,youcanseethepillarsandoneassumesthat

thepillarstaketheweightofthetemple.Butinreality,thatisnottrue.Thepillarsareallfalsepillars.Thisconceptwaslatercopiedinmanycavetemples.YoucanseeLordGanapati,thefamousdeitywithahumanbodyandelephanthead.HeisknownasVatapiGanapati.’ProfessorCollinswasobservingeverythingkeenly.Shrimaticontinued,‘Intheoldendays,theceilingsofthesecaveswere

coveredwithbeautifulpaintings.Butnowtheyhavedisappearedduetothelackofprotectionandignorance.’‘Shrimati,tellmemoreaboutthepaintings.’Shashirealizedthatiftheconversationwentonthisway,theywouldn’treach

Dharwadbeforemidnight.Hecouldnotunderstandwhytheyweretalkingsomuchaboutsomeinvisiblepaintings.Hedecidedtogositinacanteenandreadamagazine.Sayinghewouldbebackinaminute,heslippedaway.ShrimatiandProfessorCollinsdidnotnoticehisabsence.‘Sir,thetechniqueofthistypeofpaintingwasunique.Itmusthavebeen

difficulttopaintinthesecaveswithoutproperventilationandlight.Theartistreallyhadtostruggletoreachtheceilingandpaintonit.Theyusednaturalvegetablecolours,powderedcolouredstones,molasses,limeandothermaterial

fromnature.Theywouldfirstpreparethesurfaceofthewallusingamixtureofearth,powderedstone,somehusklikematerial,molassesandcowdung.Theywouldthenapplyacoatoflimeonit.Afteritdriedtheywouldusethecoloursandfinallypolishitsmooth.ThepaintingsoftheAjantacavesusedthesametechnique.Amongthem,theCourtofParameshwaraPulakeshi,theDarkPrincessandmanyotherpaintingsremainasbeautifulafterallthesecenturies.’Shrimatipointedoutthesculpturesoftheeighteen-handeddancingShiva,the

CavesofMangalesha,andnumerousyaksha-yakshinis,theSleepingVishnu,andmanymoreartisticdepictions.Beforetheyknewit,lunchtimehadlonggoneby.Thesunwasalittlehotter

buttheenthusiasmofthesetwopeoplewasnotdampenedbythetemperatureorthetime.InspiteofhisageandthehecticmorningProfessorCollins’sspiritswereas

highasateenager’s.TheyhadalatelunchandheadedforAiholeandPattadakal.Badami,AiholeandPattadakalareknownasthegoldentriangleofNorth

Karnataka.Theyarealsoworldheritagesites.ThewordPattadakallumeansaplacewherekingswerecrowned.Theseareasareknownasthecradleoftemplesbecausedifferenttypesoftemplearchitectureweretriedhere.Evennow,youcanseetheNagara,DravidaandChalukyastyleoftemplesinoneplace.Papanatha,DurgaandLatsabtemplesareexamplesofit.Theycontinuedwiththeirsightseeinguntilitbecamedark.Bythetimetheyreturned,Shrimatihadovercomehershynessandwasableto

speaktoProfessorCollinswithoutanyhesitation.‘Sir,youmustseethetempleofKailasanathaatEllora.Itisasbeautifulasthe

TajMahal.Historiansbelievethattobuildsuchatemple,theRashtrakutaswouldhaveprobablyspentalot,moremoneythantofightawar.Thefactthatthislovelymonumentwascarvedoutofasinglerock,fromthetopdownwards,makesitevenmoreamazing.Sir,anotherthingonemustnotmissisthestatueoftheenigmaticallysmilingBahubaliatShravanabelagola.Thattooiscarvedoutofasingleboulder.AndthentherearethetemplesofBelurandHalebeedu,withwhichtheartofsculpturereacheditspinnacle.‘Youneedatleastsixmonthstoseemycountryproperly.Youshouldvisitus

again,tocomprehendtheexcellencemycountryhasachievedinthecreationofbeautyinartandarchitecture.’

beautyinartandarchitecture.’WhentheyfinallyreachedHubliitwastenatnight.WhileShrimatiand

Collinsweretired,butextremelyhappy,theyhadupsetallofShashi’splans.ThenextdayProfessorCollinswastoleaveandShrimaticametoseehimoff

atProfessorRao’shouse.‘Sir,I’vebroughtasmallgiftforyou.Ihopeyouenjoyedyesterday’strip.To

appreciatehistory,oneneednotbeahistorian.TherewasafamousmathematicianinPunewhowroteabouthistory.Ihavealwaysadmiredhiswork.HisnameisDamodarDharmapalKosambi.Ihopeyouwilllikethebook.’ShrimatipresentedacopyofAnIntroductiontotheStudyofHistory.‘Shrimati,studentslikeyouwhoarepassionateabouthistorymustdo

research.Ifyouwish,Icangetyouascholarshipatouruniversity.YoucouldeitherstudyarchaeologyorAsianhistory.Youhavenoideaoftheamericansystemofeducation.Itisheavenforstudents.Youwillfindmanyfacilitiesandexcellentlibraries.Studentslikeyoucandoverywellinthatkindofatmosphere.’Shrimatiwaspleasantlysurprisedbythisofferandshylybowedherhead.‘Sir,thankyouverymuchforyourgenerousoffer.Itisverykindofyouto

makesuchanoffer.ButSir,thoughIwouldliketocome,Icannotacceptitnow.Iamgettingmarriedthisyear.’‘Congratulations.MayIaskyouapersonalquestion?Whoistheluckyman?’‘Heisaschoolmateofmine,ShrikantDeshpande.’‘Idon’twanttointrudeinyourpersonallife.Butdon’tyoufeelthatifyou

don’tpursueyourloveofhistory,youwillgetfrustratedandbored?’‘Sir,IdolovehistorybutIloveShrikantaswell.Icanalwayscontinuemy

studieslater.Ibelievethatitisnotnecessarytohaveadoctoratetogainknowledge.Forme,degreesdonotmatter.’‘Verywell,then,Shrimati.Allthebestforyourfuture.Iwillsendyou

photographsofourtrip.Goodbyeandgoodluck.’ProfessorMikeCollinsleftHubli,thinkingabouther...Researchwasnot

merelystudying.Itdemandedmanysacrificesandhardwork.Wouldthatbepossibleamidstthehundredresponsibilitiesofafamilylife?ThattooinIndia?HesuddenlythoughtofhiswifeJane.Howhadshebeenabletocontinuewithherresearchthoughshewasmarriedtohim?Perhapsbecausetheyneverhadanyfinancialconstraints.Moreover,theywereco-travellersonthesameroad,

passionateaboutthesamesubject.Dorothywastheironlychild.Shetoofollowedinherparents’footsteps,butdisagreedwiththeirviewsonmarriageandfamily.ShewaslivingwithherboyfriendTony,whowashercolleague.Althoughhermotherhadwantedthemtogetmarried,Dorothyhadsaidafirmno.Herargumentwas,‘Dad,whydoweneedtogetmarried?Whosaysthatthe

ultimateaimofawomanshouldbemarriage?Ifmarriageisonlyfortogetherness,thenaren’twetogethernow?Assoonasyougetmarried,expectationsriseanditmayormaynotbepossibletomeetallthedemands.Itcouldresultinadivorce...Iamhappierthisway.’Ofcourse,itdidnotmeanthatshehadnorespectorloveforherparents.Only

hervaluesweredifferent.ProfessorCollinsfeltthatShrimatihadthepotentialtobeanexcellent

researchscholar,butshewassodifferentfromDorothy.Shewasreadytosacrificeeverythingformarriage.Cometothinkofit,ShrimatiwasabetterstudentthanDorothy,Professor

Collinsrealizedsuddenly.Fromaveryyoungage,Dorothyhadhadtheadvantageofabetterenvironmentandexcellenttraining.Shehadtouredtheworldwithherparentsandinteractedwiththebestscholarsinthesubject,whereasShrimati,whocertainlypossessedasharperintellect,hadneverhadsuchadvantages.Atthistime,shewasnotawareofwhatshewasgettinginto,butastheyearspassandtheattractionbetweenhusbandandwifewaneandthedemandsofmarriageincrease,shewouldrealizewhatshehadgivenupwasimmense.ProfessorCollinswasconvincedthatShrimatishouldnotgiveupherstudiesbutthen,hethought,itwasherdecisionandherlife.PerhapswhatshewasdoingwasnormalinIndia.

NINE

KamalanoticedShrimatigrowingincreasinglywithdrawn.ShewonderedwhetheritwasbecauseVandanawasengaged.Itwasnaturalforanygirlofmarriageableagetothinkofherselfinthesamesituation.TherewasnodoubtthatShrikant’srecentvisithadmadehermorerestless.Kamalawasawareofherdaughter’sfriendshipwithShrikantandalsooftheir

meetingsandletter-writing.Butshehadneitherencouragednoropposedit.Sheknewverywellthatherdaughterwasasensibleandmaturegirl.Shewouldnotdoanythingfoolish.Likeallmothers,shealsothoughtaboutShrimati’smarriage.Andifby

chanceKamaladidnot,hermother-in-lawRindakkawastheretoremindheraboutiteverypassingday,withataunt.Kamalasighed,wonderingwhomshecoulddiscussthismatterwith.Herhusbandwasquiteirresponsible.Itwaspointlesstalkingtohimaboutit.Itwasafull-moonnight.Everythingwasquiet.Kamalawassittingaloneona

stonebench,deeplyimmersedinthoughtsofherdaughter.‘Avva,whatareyouthinking?Isitaboutme?’ShehadnotseenShrimati

comeup.‘Unh,yes,yes.Aboutyouandyourfuture.Youareabouttocompleteyour

MA.Whatnext?’‘Avva,thatiswhatIwantedtodiscusswithyou...’‘Isitaboutyourmarriage?’KamalainterruptedShrimati.Shrimatiwassurprised.‘Howdidyouguess?’‘IsitwithShrikant?Didhesayanythingduringhisrecentvisit?’‘Yes.’

‘Yes.’Kamalafellsilent.Shrimatiwasperplexedsinceshehadbeensurehermother

wouldagreeatonce,andwithpleasure.‘WhyAvva,don’tyoulikehim?Isitnotcorrect?Heisagoodboy.Wehave

knownhimforseveralyears.Areyouworriedthatheisstilltooyoungformarriageorthatheisnotyetworking?Hewillspeaktoyouwhenhecomesnext.’Shrimati’sanxietypouredoutinherwords.‘Shrimati,IamnotworriedaboutShrikant.Iknowthatheisagoodboyand

youwilllivehappilywithhim.Iamonlyconcernedabouttheirfamilyandourrelationshipwiththem.Shrimati,morethanamother,Ihavebeenlikeafriendtoyou.Iwouldliketogiveyousomeadvice.‘Inoursociety,youmarrynotonlyanindividual,butalsohisfamily.IfIhave

understoodthemwell,theywillneveracceptyouasapartoftheirfamily.Theywillneverloveyou.’‘Avva,that’snottrue.Itwasprobablysoinyourtimes.Thosewerethevalues

ofabygoneage!Thingshavechangednow.Moreover,afterthemarriageIamnotgoingtolivewiththem!IwillbewithShrikantandawayfromthem.’‘Shrimati,somethingsinlifehaveremainedunalteredfromtimeimmemorial.

Therelationsbetweenamother-in-lawandadaughter-in-lawarealwaysstrained.Youhavegrownupasafreeindividual.Youdonotpossessourpatience.Iwanttotellyouthateverydaughter-in-lawalwayswantstobeappreciatedandlovedbyherin-laws.Inyourcase,youwillnevergetthat.YouwillbelovedonlybyShrikant.’‘Whydoyousaythat?’‘Becausetheirexpectationsfromadaughter-in-lawareverydifferentfrom

Shrikant’sexpectationsfromawife.’Shrimatiwasdisappointed.Overthenextfewdaysshecouldonlythinkabout

hermother’sadvice.Whywouldhermotherhavesaidthat?Shewasusuallyverysilentandneversaidanythingbadaboutanyone.ShrimatimadeuphermindtowinoverRamaandGangakka.

MyShrimati,

Thisisthefirsttimeinfiveyearsthatyouhavemissedourletter-schedule.Whatisthematter?Iwasexpectingadetailedletterfromyouaftermyreturn.Butyouhavenot

writtenatall.Youmayhavebeensurprisedbymyproposalofmarriage.AfterknowingthatVandanaisgettingmarried,Iwasworriedthatyourpeoplewouldalsostartsearchingforsomeoneforyou.Ifthathappened,thenmyShrimatiwouldslipawayfrommyhandsandbecomesomeone

else’sShrimati.Inthisfear,Iproposedtoyou,thoughIamstillastudent.Youareveryprecioustome.WehavebeengoodfriendsandIwantthatthisfriendshipshouldendinmarriage.InnormalcircumstancesIwouldhavebroachedthistopicacoupleofyearsaftergettingajobandsettlingdown.Butbythen,accordingtoourHublistandards,youwouldhavecrossedtheageofmarriage.Thepressureathomewouldhavebecometoomuchforyoutobear.

Shrimati,Iamawarethatourmarriageisnotgoingtobeasimpletask.Theenmitybetweenourtwofamiliesiswellknown.Theoppositionwillcomefromboththefamilies.Iunderstandthatmymother’sandyourgrandmother’sspectrumdoesnotstretchbeyondDharwad.Butlifemustmoveforward.Today,thingsaredifferent.

So,Ihopewewillbeabletoconvincethemandsuccessfullycrossthishurdle.

Icouldn’ttalktoyoumuchaboutmyfutureplansastherewasverylittletime.IamsurebynowyouknowthatIamambitious.Idon’twanttobeanordinaryengineerwithagovernmentjobinHubli.Iwanttopursuemycareerinthefieldofcomputers.Itisnotnecessaryformetogoabroadforit.IcandoitinIndia,learningthelatesttechnologiesrighthere.

Wehadcampusinterviewsrecently.IhavebeenselectedbyABCTechnologyLtdasasoftwareengineer.Theyhaveofferedmeagoodsalary.Fortunately,myseniorVasudevShenoyownsahouseinBombay.Heisgoingabroadforthreeyearsandwantstogivehishouseonrent.Heiswillingtogiveittome.

IwanttobeinBombay.Iaminlovewiththecity.Foranoutsider,itisamechanicalcitywithnohumanrelationships.WehavetostruggletogetevenordinarythingsinBombay,includingbasicentertainment.ButstillIlikeBombay.Itisprofessional,itrespectshardwork.ThebeautifulandeasylifeofHubliwillnotbefoundhere.Willyoulivewithmewithallthesethings?

Ihavewrittentomymothergivingahintaboutmyjob,myhouseandmydesiretomarry.ButIhavenottoldheryourname.IamsupposedtojointhejobinAugust.WheneverIaminHublinext,Iwillspeaktomymotheraboutit.Ihaveasmallrequest.Ourmarriageshouldbeverysimple.

Alwaysyours,Shri

TEN

Gangakkatooreceivedaletterfromherson.Itwasaspecialletterinformingherthathehadgotagoodjobandhadalsofoundahousetolivein.ReadinghislettermadeGangakkaveryhappy.ShethankedtheirfamilydeityLordMylaralinga.Butattheendoftheletter,therewereafewlinesthatdisturbedher.Shrikant

hadwritten,‘Avva,Iamtiredofhostelandhotelfood.Now,IwouldliketogetmarriedandmakeahomeinBombay.’Gangakkadidn’tlikethat.Accordingtoher,therewasnohurryforhimtoget

married.Hewas,nodoubt,good-looking,hadjustfinishedhisB.Tech.,andalreadyfoundajob.Buthewasonlytwenty-threeyearsold.Twenty-threewasamarriageableageforagirl,butnotforaboy.Ifhewasfedupofhostelandhotelfood,hecouldalwaysmovebacktoHubli,Gangakkathought.ShedidnotunderstandwhyhehadtobeinBombay,anunknownplacefor

her.ShethoughtofherdistantcousinShyamwhowasaPWDengineer.HewasleadingacomfortablelifewithacarandservantsinDharwad.Shrikantcoulddefinitelytakeupthatkindofjob.Butitseemedthathe

wantedtobeinBombay.GangakkadidnothavetheslightestinklingaboutShrimati.Whenaboyshowsaninterestinmarriage,thenitisunfairforamotherto

keepquietaboutit!GangakkawasextremelyclosetoherdaughterRama.Theythoughtalikeand

spokealike.Theonlydifferencewasintheirage.SheimmediatelywrotetoherdaughteraboutShrikant’sdecisiontogetmarried.ForRama,itwasamost

importantoccasion.ShejumpedwithjoyatthenewsandsooncametoHubliwithhertwochildren.Anyway,itwasthesummerholidays.Motheranddaughterstartedplanningastrategytofindthekindofgirlthey

wouldwantforShrikant.Firstofall,shehadtobeveryobedient,extremelygood-lookingandfromanaffluentfamily.Buttheycouldnottellpeoplethat,theywouldhavetoputitdifferently.Gangakkausuallymetotherwomenofherageatthediscoursesonthe

Puranasatthetemple.Atthesediscourses,givenbyapanditorthetemplepriest,elderlypeoplemet,exchangedideasandexperiencesandgottoknowabouteachother’sfamilymatters.Suchgatheringswerealsoabroadcastingcentreofnewsinthecommunity.Atonesuchmeeting,Gangakkaannouncedthatshewaslookingforabrideforherson.‘Wearelookingforagoodgraduategirl,butnotformoney.Ifaneligible,

adjustinggirlcomeswithjustacoconut,wewillstillbehappy,’washerstatement.Butthosewhoknewher,knewverywellwhatsheactuallymeant.Rama’sin-lawsweregreedypeople.InordertopleasethemGangakkaoften

sentthemexpensivegiftssothatherdaughterwouldhavemoreprestigethantheotherdaughters-in-law.Ramahadasister-in-law,Rajani.Now,Rama’smother-in-lawwasafterRamatogetherhoroscopematchedwithShrikant’s.Ramadidnotliketheideaatall.Tellingaliewaseasyforthemotherand

daughter.Puttingonanact,Gangakkapretendedasifshewasverysad,andtoldthem,‘IwishRajanicouldhavebeenmydaughter-in-law!Iwasprayingtogodforthat.Butunfortunatelythehoroscopesdidnotmatch.Howcanwegoahead?’Ahoroscopemismatchwasoneofthebestexcusestowithdrawfroman

unwantedproposal.AndGangakkausedthisexcuseasandwhenrequired.Sheenappa,Gangakka’selderbrother,waswaitingforthischance.Hewanted

hisdaughterRatnatomarryShrikant.Itwascustomaryforaboytomarryhismaternaluncle’sdaughterinNorthKarnataka.SheenappacamewithlotsofgiftsforhissisterandRama.Heknewthatif

Ramawashappy,shewouldpushhermother.NoonecouldbeatSheenappainsweettalk.Hestartedbutteringuphissister.

‘LookGangakka,ifastrangercomesasadaughter-in-lawtoyourhouse,thenwillshetakecareofyouinyouroldage?Youhavealreadysufferedsomuchinyourlife.Shouldn’tyoubehappyandgetsomerestatleastnow?OurdaughterisveryfondofyouandsheresemblesRamainmostrespects.ShemightnotbeasfairasShrikantbuttheirhoroscopeshavematchedverywell.Pleasedonotlookdownuponus.Wewillperformthemarriageinthebestway.Youtellmewhatyouwant...gold,cash...ahouse?’ItbecamedifficultforGangakkatoresistSheenappa’soffer.ShelikedRatna

asaniecebutdidnotwanthertobeadaughter-in-law.Ratnawasarrogant,uneducatedandordinarylooking.HowwouldShrikantagreetomarryher?ItwasafactthatSheenappahad

helpedGangakkaindifficulttimes.Still,shedidnotwanttoconveyhergratitudebygettingintoamarriagerelationship.TeachingGangakkatotalksweetlyisasunnecessaryasteachingafishto

swim!‘Sheenappa,withoutyourhelpIwouldnothavesurvived.Weallareindebted

toyou,andwillremain,throughoutourlives.Ratnawasalwaysonmymind.ButShrikanthascategoricallytoldmethathedoesn’twanttomarrywithinthefamily.HefeelsRatnaislikehisownsister.Icannotgoagainsthim.Iamhelpless.’SheenapparealizedthatitwasnotShrikantbutGangakkawhodidnotwant

thealliance.ShrikanthadhardlyspokentoRatnatohavedevelopedbrotherlyfeelings.SheenappaknewGangakkawastryingforbiggerfishandShrikantwasjustanexcuse.ItwascleartoSheenappathattherewasnousetalkinganyfurther.Ashewas

leaving,hesarcasticallysaid,‘Okay.Marriagesaremadeinheaven.LetusseewhatkindofagirlShrikantwillmarry!’AtoneofthePuranareadings,Vandana’smotherhadcometoknowthat

Gangakkawassearchingforadaughter-in-law.Vandana’ssister,Kavitha,wasinhersecondyearofBA.SotheirmotherdecidedtoproposeamatchbetweenKavithaandShrikant.Sheknewthatexceptforthesharptongueandquarrelsomenatureofhismotherandsister,Shrikantwouldbetherightcatch.ShetoldVandana,‘Shrikantwasyourclassmate.Whatdoyouthinkof

suggestingKavithaforhim?’Vandanawastakenaback.‘NoAvva,pleasedon’tdothat,’sheblurtedout,

Vandanawastakenaback.‘NoAvva,pleasedon’tdothat,’sheblurtedout,butdidnotsayanythingmoreasthatwouldhavegotShrimatiintotrouble.‘Why?Theboyisverygoodandanywaytheyaregoingtostayseparatelyin

Bombay.Youwillalsobethere.’‘NoAvva,whateveritis,pleasedon’tproceed.Shrikantwillsayno.’‘Howdoyousaythat?Wewillgivethemdowry.AndKavithaisalsogood-

looking.Letusgivethemthehoroscopeandsee.Itdoesnotmeanthatthemarriagewilltakeplaceimmediately.’Vandana’smothercouldnotunderstandwhyVandanawasresistingsomuch.AllparentswhohaddaughterssuddenlystartedpayingattentiontoGangakka.

Theyhadnotbotheredtosayevenahellotoheralltheseyears.Nowtheywouldgooutoftheirwayandtalktoherandinvitehertotheirhomes.OneofthemwasAnnaChari,thepriestwhogavethedailydiscourseatthetemple.Oneeveningafterthediscourse,heinsistedthatRamaandGangakkacometohishousefortea,thoughinthelasttwentyyears,hehadhardlyevennoticedthem.Gangakkawasthrilled.WhensheandRamawenttohishouse,theyreceivedroyaltreatment.AnnaChari’swifeChampakkabroachedthetopicinaleisurelymannerassheservedthevarietiesoffoodshehadprepared.‘Gangakka,youneverknowwhenandhowfortunesmilesonaperson.You

areawarethattheDesaifamilyofNavalgundisveryfamous.Theyareverywell-offpeoplewithplentyoflandandtrunksofgoldintheirhouse.Theyhaveonlytwodaughters.TheelderdaughterismarriedtoaveryrichpersonfromBijapur.TheirseconddaughterIndiraisofmarriageableageandsheisverygood-looking.ShewentuptoBAbutsomehowdidn’tcompleteit.’AnnaCharicontinued,‘Whatdoeseducationmattertosuchpeople?They

don’tneedtotakeupajob...TheyarethinkingaboutShrikant,ofcoursewithmyrecommendation...’Gangakkawasoverjoyed.HowonearthdidwealthypeoplelikeDesaithink

ofanalliancewithherfamily?Ifitcamethrough,Shrikantwouldbeveryfortunate.Butthensherememberedthattheybelongedtoadifferentsect.‘Aren’ttheyVaishnavas?’NormallyAnnaChariwouldmakeafussaboutsuchthingsbutthatday,he

wasveryliberal.‘HowdoesitmatterGangakka?Godhastwofaces.Oneisof

LordShivaandtheotherofLordVishnu.Botharejustdifferentnamesforthesamegod.Intoday’sworld,youshouldnotmakesuchdifferences.’Buthedidnotrevealthathewouldn’tevendrinkadropofwaterina

Vaishnava’shouse.‘Whataboutthehoroscope?’Ramaraisedapoint.‘Oh,Gangakka!ImyselfhavematchedShrikant’sandIndira’shoroscopes.

Theyhavematchedexcellently.Indirawillbringhimgoodluck.YoushouldconsideryourselfveryluckythatyouhavegotsuchaproposalforShrikant.’Motheranddaughterwerethrilled!RamastartedimaginingShrikant’s

marriagewithIndira.Shehadheardfrommanypeopleaboutthepompandgrandeuroftheirfirstdaughter’swedding.Shewassurethatherstatuswouldalsogoupifthismarriagetookplace.AnnaChariwasashrewdman.Henoticedthetwowomensofteningtothe

idea.Hewasjustwaitingforthechance.‘IwilltellDesaitobringhisdaughtertoyourhousethisSundayandIwillalsoaccompanythem.Letusseehowsoonthebestcanhappen.’Themeetingendedingoodspirits.Ramaandhermotherstarteddoingupthehousetoimpresstheguestson

Sunday.Sundayfinallyarrived.TheDesaiscameinabigcar.Eachoneofthemlooked

likeroyalty.MrsDesaiandIndirahadwornasmanyornamentsaspossible,toshowofftheirstatus.RamaandGangakkatookgreatpainstoofferthebesthospitality.The

formalitiesofteaandsnackswereover.TherewasadisappointedlookonMrsDesai’sfaceafterseeingGangakka’s

house.Itwasveryordinaryandtherewasnosignofaffluence.ShefeltthatGangakkaandherdaughterweretooeagerforthisalliance,thattoo,justforthemoney.ThoughGangakkaobservedthatthegirlwasabitslowandveryordinary

looking,shewastemptedbyherfather’swealth.AnnaChariwastheonlyonewhowastalkingnonstop.‘Oh,Shrikantisavery

brightandsimpleboyandtherearenotwowaysaboutit.IfheappliesfortheIAS,heissuretobecomethecollectorofDharwad.HeisasobedienttohismotherasShriRamachandra.Definitelyhewillkeepyourdaughterveryhappy.’

AnnaCharididnotevenknowthatfortheIASonehadtoappearforanexaminationandnotjustapply.MrsDesaiputthebrakesonAnnaChari’schatter.‘Moneyisnotatallan

importantfactorforus.Wehavebroughtupourchildreninluxuryandourdaughterisnotusedtohardwork.Wehavesufficientfacilitiesathome.Wewilldefinitelyhelptheboytothebestofourabilitybutheshouldkeepourdaughterhappy.’Gangakkadiplomaticallysaid,‘EverythingdependsonShrikant’sdecision.

Lethimcomeandwewillletyouknow.’

ELEVEN

MyShri,IreceivedyourletterandIamsorryIbrokemyscheduleforthefirsttime.Thereasonsare

numerous.Iwishyouhadstayedalittlelongerandwecouldhavetalkedabouteverythingindetail.

Shri,Itoldmymotherandhesitantly,shehasagreed.Shehassomequeries,though.Mymother’sacceptanceofourmarriageisveryimportanttome.Whenyoucomeherenexttime,youcanofficiallytalktomyfatherandgrandmother.Letmenotcreateascenenow.

Areyouawareofwhatishappeningatyourhome?Itisreallyscaringme.Yourmotherhasstartedsearchingforabrideforyouwithgreatvigour,afterreadingaboutyourjobandallthat.Everydayshehasanappointmentatoneortheothergirl’shouse.Shehasnoclueaboutus.Thisistheresultofyournottellingher.Ramaisalsoheretohelpyourmother.Shri,Iaminnoconditiontobringalotofgoldandsilver,tomatchyourmother’sexpectations.

Regardingyourself,youknowShri,thefigureofyoursalaryisimmaterialtome.Thefoundationofmyhappinessisnotthedigitsthatyouearn,butthedigitsofyourlove,affectionandcompanionship.

IamawarethatlifeinBombayistough,stillonepercentofIndia’spopulationlivesthere!Wewillbeapartofthat.

Whenyouarewithme,

Howdoesitmatterwherewelive?

Letitbeadesertoraforest,

Letitbepouringrainorscorchingsun,

Thatisheaventome!

Shri,Ihaveasmallwish.OurmarriageshouldbeperformedintheSomeshwaratempleinDharwad.Ihopeyouwillunderstandmyfeelingsandagree.

Waitingtobeyourshrimati,Shrimati

ItwasthebeginningofJune.Thehumiditywashigh,makingpeoplesweatprofusely.BustlingBombaywaitedimpatientlyfortherainstostart.

ItwasthelastdayatIITforShrikantandhisbatchmates.Examinationswereover,joboffersandscholarshipstogoabroadhadbeenreceivedandeveryonewasdreamingofthefuture.Thiswasprobablythelasttimethattheentiregroupwouldbetogether.Theyhadallenteredthiscampusasteenagersandtoday,theywereleavingas

youngandconfidentengineers,hopingtoachievefameandfortuneintheoutsideworld!Manyofthemgotquiteemotionalwhentheyweresayinggoodbyetotheir

hostelmates.Butitwasallpartoflife.ShrikantandRaviwereleavingforHublibytheMahalakshmiExpressfromVTStation.Someofthehostellershadcometoseethemoff.Asthetrainstartedmoving,manyhandswavedgoodbye,untilthetraincould

beseennomore.WhenthetraingottotheoutskirtsofBombay,acoolbreezestartedsettling

in.ShrikantandRavioccupiedtheirseats.Inthelasttendaysbothofthemhadbeenbusypackingupandsortingout

last-minutepaperwork.Sotheyhadnotspokenmuchtoeachother.Now,theyhadthechancetocatchup.‘Shrikant,youarewellsettledwithajobandahouse!Sowhatisyournext

goal?’askedRavi.‘Ravi,Iamclearaboutmypath.IdonotwanttogototheUS,getagreen

cardandsettlethere!WhenIlookatyoungenergeticdirectorsofcompanies,Ifeelthatwecanstayinourowncountry,workhardandachieveexcellence.Thereisnoshortcuttosuccess.Hardworkandbeliefinoneselfcantakeonetoanyposition.Whataboutyou?’‘Well,youknowIgotascholarshiptogototheUniversityofPennsylvania

forthewinterterm.SoIamplanningtogototheUSbyendDecemberorearlyJanuary.IhavetogototheUSandearnmoremoney.Ihavetwosisterstobemarriedoff...Thatremindsme,Shrikant,whenareyougettingmarried?’‘Howdidyouguessthat?’‘Ididn’tguess,Iknew!Agirlwhowritestoyousoregularlyoughttobemore

thanafriend.Ialsoknowwhosheis.ButShrikant,howwillyoutellyourpeople?Abigbattlemightstart.’Raviwasawareofthefamilyfeud.

‘Ravi,Iknowyouarenotonlyanengineerbutalsoagoodpsychologystudent.Youhavefoundoutoursecret.IdonotknowwhenIchoseShrimatitobemywife,butunconsciously,IknewthatshewastheonlygirlIcouldmarry.Youtellmewhy.’‘Maybebecauseweusedtoteasebothofyouduringourschooldays!Whenis

theweddingandwhereisit?’‘Oh,it’sgoingtobeasimpleceremonyatatempleandyoumustattend.’‘CertainlyIwill.’Shrikantgotcompletelyimmersedinhisownworld.Hehadtoworkandlearn

likethelegendaryEkalavya,withsingle-mindeddevotionandperseverance.Ekalavyawasagreatstudent,heexcelledinarcherynotwiththehelpofateacher,butbyobservingandpractisingwiththedeterminationtosucceed.Shrikantfeltthathetoohadtoperfecthisart,notgivinguphisambitioninlifeorthedesiretoexcel.

TWELVE

Itisoneoftheironiesoflifethatthepersonwhoisdearesttoyouoftenhurtsyouthemost!FortwodaysGangakkahadnottalkedtoherson.Thesilencewasdreadful.

Thesilencethatcomesfrompeaceissodifferentcomparedtothesilencethatcomesoutofsorrow.Shewasdevastated.HeronlysonShrikant,onwhomshehadpinnedsomuchhope,hadsuddenlybecomeherenemy.Theshockhehadgivenherwaslikeabombshell.HowcouldhehavedecidedtomarrythatgirlShrimati?Shrimatiwashardlytenmonthsyoungertoherson,ordinarylooking,without

moneyand,morethananything,herenemy’sdaughter!Howwouldshefacepeople?Whatwouldtheysay?Theywouldmakefunofher.AndtheDesais,SheenappaandRama’sin-lawswouldmockher.WorsethanthatwasthefactthatherownsonhadgonetoRindakka’shouseandbeggedfortheirdaughter.Normally,agirl’sparentsapproachedtheboy’speople.Hereitwasthe

reverse!Gangakkaknewtherewasnowayshecouldstopthismarriage.Herprevious

excuses,thatthehoroscopesdidnotmatchorthattheybelongedtodifferentsects,wouldnotaffectShrikant’sdecision.Gangakkawassoupsetthatshewasnotabletoeat.Shesobbedcontinuously.Shehadexperiencedthiskindofsorrowforthefirsttimeafterherhusband’sdeath.Shrikanttriedveryhardtoconsoleher.‘Avva,youhaveawrongimpression

aboutShrimati.Sheisaverynice,kindandbrightgirl.Shewilllookafteryouverywell.Pleasedonotdependupondowry.Howevermuchmoneyyouwant,I

willgiveyouonceIstartearning.Ifyoucareformyhappiness,pleaseacceptShrimatiasyourdaughter-in-law.Iwillbeunhappymarryinganyoneelse.’‘Sheisourenemy’sdaughter!’‘Avva,Iamnotmarryinghergrandmother.HaveyoueverfoundShrimatior

hermotherfightingwithyou?Notevenonceprobably.Thenwhythisobjection?’‘TheybelongtotheVaishnavacommunity.’‘Avva,thinkoftheoutsideworld.YouhavenotthoughtbeyondHubli-

Dharwad.Peoplemarryfromdifferentcountries.Ourswouldonlybedifferentsectsofthesamecommunity,afterall.Ourlanguages,ourfoodhabitsareallthesame.’ButGangakkawasnotwillingtolistentoanything.Shrikantgotfrustratedandwentout.Gangakkawassleepingonamatonthefloor.Shelookedlikeshewason

strike.Ramacamein.Shewasequallyfuriouswithherbrother.Thoughshebelongedtotheyoungergeneration,shewasworsethanGangakkainherold-fashionedviews.Sheevenoutdidhermotherwhenitcametoplanningandscheming.AssoonasGangakkametherdaughter,bothofthembrokedownineach

other’sarms.Ramatriedtocomforthermother.‘Avva,don’tcryandwasteyourenergy.Yourtearswillnotchangehis

decision.Ifhehasdecidedtomarryher,thenletusthinkoftheotherthings.Firstofall,telleverybodythatthegirlisintelligentandsmart,andthatwehaveagreedtothismarriage.Don’tevertellthemtherealreason.Second,Iknowthatyouhavekeptmoneyandsomegoldforhismarriage.Youneednotgivethemtohiswife.Thirdhehastoldyouthathewilllookafteryou.Youneednotgoandstaywithhim.Justtellhimtosendmoneyeverymonth.’Atthesewords,Gangakkawasalittleconsoled.Ontheothersideofthecompound,inShrimati’shouse,herfatherand

grandmotherwerealsostronglyopposedtothealliance.TheyfelttherewasnothingspecialaboutShrikant.Hehadjustgotajob,wasnotyetproperlysettledandtheirShrimatiwasanydaymoreintelligentthanhim.Moreover,hewastheirenemy’sson.

Despitethesemisgivings,Shrimati’smarriagetoShrikanttookplaceonarainydayinShravanattheSomeshwaratempleinAtthikolla.Atthikollawasfullofwildflowersandtherewasmuchgreeneryaround.Amongtheveryfewpeoplewhoattendedthemarriage,mostofthemweretheirclassmates.Normally,weddinggarlandsaremadeofjasmine,rajanigandhaorsevanthige.

Butforthiswedding,thegarlandsweremadeofbakulaflowers.Shrimatilookedherusualself,only,shewaswearinganewcottonsaree,

greenglassbanglesandlotsofbakulastringsinherplait.ShehadthesameenchantingsmilethathadcaptivatedShrikant,andpreventedhimfromseeinganyothergirl.Afterthesimpleweddingceremonywasover,RaviPatilshookhandswith

Shrikantandsaid,‘Shrimati,todayyouareofficiallyShrimatiShrikantDeshpande.Ourprophecyhascometrue.’Shrimatismiled,withablush.

THIRTEEN

Asexpected,ShrimatiwasmadetofeelunwelcomeinGangakka’shouse.Still,shewantedtowinoverhermother-in-law.Soshetriedtohelpherinthekitchen.ButGangakkamadeitclearthatthekitchenwasherdomainandshedidn’twantShrimatitoenterit.Shewouldsay,‘Youhavejustmarried.Youdonotknowourcustoms.So

pleasedon’tbotheraboutcooking.’Withinaweek,Shrimatigotbored.Whenshewenttoherhouse,her

grandmotherwouldaskherinnumerablequestions,‘Shrimati,whatdidyourmother-in-lawgiveyouinmarriage?Isawherinasareeshoptheotherday.Didshegetyouasaree?’Shrimaticouldnotansweranyofherqueries.WhenShrikantwasthere,Gangakkawouldbecordialbutwhenhewentout

shewouldshowhertruecoloursbysayinghurtfulthingstoShrimati.‘Ireallydon’tunderstandyourcustoms.YoucallShrikantbyhisfirstname

andthattooinashortform.Webelievethatifyouaddressyourhusbandbyhisname,youshortenhislifespan.Yourmothershouldhavetaughtyouallthesemanners.Thereisasaying,Thequalityofthesareedependsonitsthreadandthenatureofadaughterdependsonhermother’s.’Inthepreviousgenerations,whenthehusbandwasusuallyolderthanthe

wife,hewouldnotbeaddressedbyname.ButShrikantwasonlytenmonthsolderthanShrimati.Besides,theyhadgrownuptogether.SoitwashardforShrimatitochange.Whenevershetried,Shrikantwouldnotallowit,saying,‘Shrimati,getoutofthatoldcustom!WhenIcancallyoubyyourfirstname,

youshouldalsobeabletodothesame.First,weweregoodfriendsandnow,Ihavebecomeyourhusband.That’sall.’Shrikantwouldalsoteasehersayingthatheknewshewouldsomeday

becomehiswifeandthatiswhyhewantedhertocallhimShri.ShrimatiwouldbecomeverydejectedwheneverGangakkahurtherlikethis.

Hermotherwassuchagentle,docileperson,shewouldneverhavetaughtherdaughterwrongthingsorgivenherbadadvice.ShrimatifeltveryhelplesswhenhermotherwascriticizedbyGangakka,butshesaidnothing.Tendaysafterthemarriage,ShrikantandhisShrimaticametoBombay.It

wasthemonthofAugust.ThemonsoonhadsetinanditwaspouringinBombay.BombayrainsaresodifferentfromtherainsinDharwad.Thecontinuousrainwoulddisruptlocallife,butthedisciplinedcitizensofBombaynevercomplained.Shrimatiwasshockedtoseehersmallsingle-bedroomapartmentatBandra.ItwasprobablysmallerthanaroomintheirHublihouse.Therewasno

questionofagardenorabakulatreeinaplacelikeBombay.‘Shri,whyshouldwepayathousandrupeesrentforsuchasmallhouse?’Shrikantlaughedatherinnocence.‘Shrimati,itisverydifficulttogetanapartmentinBandrawithoutpayingan

advance.Behappyaboutthishouse.ItisonlythankstoVasudevthatwegotit.’‘Shri,what’ssogreataboutBandra?’‘Shrimati,Bandraisaveryexpensivearea.Itisverywellconnected.

Gradually,youwillunderstandallthat.’Shrikantreportedforwork,asasoftwareengineer,ontheappointedday.He

wasonprobationforsixmonths.Amongthemanypeoplewhojoinedthecompanythatday,hewastheonlypersonwhowasmarried.Thoughitseemedalittleodd,Shrikantwasneverembarrassedaboutit.Shrimatiwasleftaloneathome.Shewouldkeeprememberinghermother,

herHublihouse,andthequietatmosphereoftheirhometown.Allthesememorieswouldmakeherhomesick.Hereyeswouldwellupwithtears.Kamalahadnotshedasingletearatherdaughter’smarriage.Shehadhelditinwithsheerwillpower.NowShrimatistartedseeinghermotherinanewlight.Atleastforher,life

wasfunwithalovinghusband,anewcity,newexperiences...Butforher

mother?HeronlyfriendwasShrimati!Howisshemanagingwithoutme,Shrimatiwondered.Thiswasthefirsttimeintwenty-twoyearsthatShrimatiwasawayfromhermother.ShealsorememberedGangakka’sfrequenttaunts.‘Shrimati,thecolourofthesareeyourmotherhasgivenmeisnotgood.’‘Avva,forthatprice,itwouldhavebeenthebestone,’Ramawouldadd.‘Howmuchmoneydidyourparentsspendforthemarriage?’Shrimatididnotknowwhattoanswer,butRamawouldsupporthermother

saying,‘ItwouldhavedefinitelybeenlessthanwhattheDesaiswouldspendononedayofDiwali.’Shrimatiwassosoft-spokenandwell-behavedthatitwasdifficultforherto

answerback.Besides,shehadjustgotmarried.Shedidnotwanttocreateanyproblemsforanyone.AfterhermarriageVandanatooshiftedtoBombay.Butshelivedfaraway,

neartheArlandChurchatMalad,anothersuburbofBombay.UnlikeHubli,inspiteofbeinginthesamecity,itwasnoteasytomeether

often.ShrimatifounditdifficulttoconfideinVandanaaboutherproblemsbecause

Vandana’sin-lawswereveryaffectionatepeople.WhenShrimatiwenttotheirhouse,shesawVandana’smother-in-lawgiving

herasareefortheGowrifestival.Thoughitwasnotanexpensiveone,itwasatokenofaffection!Wheneversomethingwastobegiventoherdaughter-in-law,Gangakkaonthe

otherhandwouldsay,‘Ohthatisnotourcustom’or‘Youaretoomodern,soIhavenotgivenyouanything.’Irrespectiveofallthis,lifewasveryhappyforShrimatibecauseofShrikant.

Theywereyoung,theywerestartinganewhomeandGangakkawasnotpresentphysically!Soon,ShrimatistartedgettingusedtoBombay.Shetookupcookingforthe

firsttimeinherlife.Shrikantwasahardworkingpersonandadutifulhusband.Rightatthebeginningofthemonthhewouldhandoverhisentiresalarytoher.Hehadtoldher,‘Shrimati,mymotherhassufferedalot.Shehassacrificedsomuchformyeducation.So,everymonth,youmustsendherthousandrupees.Thenwiththerest,youmanagethehouse.Iwon’taskyouanything.’Shedidnothaveanyexpensivehabits,soShrikant’ssalarywasmorethan

Shedidnothaveanyexpensivehabits,soShrikant’ssalarywasmorethanenoughforher.Withoutfail,shewouldsendthousandrupeestohermother-in-law.Shrikanttoohadsimpletastes.Hisonlyluxurywastechnicalbookswhichhe

wouldbuybecausetheywereessentialforhiswork.Shrimatiknewaboutitandwouldkeepsomemoneyaside.Onhismodestsalarytheyhadenoughfortheirneeds,butnotforluxuries.Someweekends,ShrimatiandShrikantwouldvisitnearbytouristsitesliketheElephantaCaves,Bhaja,Karlaandotherplacesofinterest.ShrikantwasnotreallyinterestedinthesehistoricalplacesbutforShrimati’ssakehewouldgo.SixmonthsaftertheirweddingShrimatigotaletterfromProfessorCollinsin

replytotheweddinginvitationshehadsenthim.HewrotethathehadbeenavisitingprofessorinSouthAmericaforsix

months.AsaweddinggifthesentherasetofRomanandGreekhistorybooks.ThiswasthebestgiftShrimatihadreceived.Shrikantwasconfirmedasapermanentemployeewithinthreemonthsofhis

traininginsteadoftheusualsixmonths,sincehisperformancehadbeenverygood.Asaresulthebecamebusierbytheday.Hiscompany,whichwasofamoderatesize,wasgrowingrapidlyandShrikantstartedgrowingwiththecompany.Withinayear’stime,everyonehadheardabouthim.Hisgeneralmanager,MrVishwasKelkar,hadtakenagreatlikingtoShrikantbecauseofhishardworkingnature.HewouldworkevenonSundays.Heneverutteredthewords,‘Sorry,Icannotdoit.’Sometimes,Shrikantwouldworktheentirenight.Atsuchtimeshewouldask

Shrimatitocarrydinnertotheofficeforhim.Bombaybeingasafeplace,Shrimatiwouldtakealocaltrain,givehimhisdinnerandcomeback.Initially,shewouldwonderhowpeopletravelledinsuchcrowdedtrains.Butnow,shewasoneofthem.Itwasthecustomforanewly-wedcoupletogototheparents’placeforthe

firstDiwaliaftermarriage.ShrikantandShrimatiweresupposedtogotoHubli,butbecauseofsomeurgentassignment,ShrikantcouldnotgoandShrimatihadtogoalone.ShehadmadeitapointtotakegiftsforGangakkaandRama.Evenafterallthesemonths,thetreatmentshereceivedfromthemwasnodifferent.ThefirstyearofShrikantandShrimati’smarriageflewbyandShrimatihad

becomeaBombayite.ThecharmofdiscoveringBombayhadwornoffandshe

hadstartedfeelingalittlelonely.SheseriouslybegantothinkofcontinuingherstudiesandShrikantwelcomedtheideawhole-heartedly.Attimes,ShrikantwouldfeelbadthathisintelligentwifewaswhilingawayhertimeinBombay.So,heencouragedhertostudyfurther.ButaletterfromGangakkajeopardizedeverything.

FOURTEEN

Gangakkahadwritten,‘Foryourstudies,Ihadtakenaloanofonelakhrupees.OnepartofthatmoneyItookfromyouruncleSheenappaandtheotherfrommycousinShyam.NowSheenappa’sdaughterRatnaisgettingmarriedandShyamisbuildinganotherhouse.Bothofthemhaveaskedforthemoneyback,attheearliest.Maybeyoucansendteninstalmentsoftenthousandrupees.Theyarenicepeopleandhavenotaskedforanyinterest.MaybeSheenappaisaskingforthemoneybecauseheisupsetthatyoudidnotmarryhisdaughter,Idonotknow.However,Ifeelthatitisyourdutytoreturnthemoneynow...’TherealreasonforGangakka’sletterwassomethingentirelydifferent.

Gangakkawasextremelymiserablethatherdaughter-in-lawwashappy.ShecouldseethehappinesswhenShrimatihadcometoHubliforDiwali.ShewasenviousofShrimati.Allthesedays,Shrikantwassolelyherproperty.

ShecouldnotbearthefactthatnowhealsobelongedtoShrimati.Gangakka’shappinesswasinverselyproportionaltoShrimati’s.AsShrimatiwasphysicallyfarawayfromher,Gangakkahadtofindother

waystotroubleher.ThoughShrimatiinvitedGangakkatoBombaymanytimes,sherefusedtogo.Shesaidshewouldgetboredthere.Besides,itwasShrimati’shouse,afterall.BombaywastoofarforRamatovisitthemoften,butshedidspendalotof

timewithhermother.ItwasRama’sideatoaskShrikantforthemoney.‘LetusaskShrikantfora

hugesum.ThatwillmakeShrimatistruggle.’‘ButonwhatpretextcanIask?’‘Tellhimthatyouhadtakenaloanforhiseducation.’

‘Tellhimthatyouhadtakenaloanforhiseducation.’TheyknewthatShrikantwouldbehurtintheprocess,buttheyfeltthathe

deserveditbecausehehadmarriedShrimati.Shrimatiwasscaredwhenshereadthatletter.Howonearthwouldtheygeta

lakhofrupees?Neitherdidtheyhavesomuchmoneynorcouldherparentsaffordtolendit.Shrikantwasworriedtoo.Hecouldnotaskforaloanfromhiscompanyinthesecondyearitself.Afterhehadbeenmadepermanent,hissalaryhadincreased,buthealsohadtosetupanewhouse,andbuyeverythingfromscratch.Shrimatisuddenlyfoundasolution.‘Shri,canIgetajob?’‘Yes,youmaygetone,butnotinanyhistorydepartment,whereyouwillbe

paidverylittle.’‘Don’tworry,Shri,Iwilltakeupanyjobanywhereforayearandsave

money.’‘Butyouwantedtostudy,Shrimati!’‘Thedaywesendthelastinstalment,Iwillstopworkingandpursuemy

studies.Itdoesn’tmatterifIamlatebyayear.Canyoupleasefindajobforme?’‘Shrimati,youcangetanadministrativejob,butitisnotreallymeantfor

peoplelikeyou.Youareadifferentkindofperson,yourtalentsareinatotallydifferentarea.Morethanthat,whyshouldyourepaymyloan?’Shrimatismiledandanswered,‘Whenyouaremine,yourloanisalsomine.It

comesasapackage.IcannotsayIwantonlymyhusband.Hisjoysanddifficultiesarealsoacceptabletome.’Shrikantwastoomovedtospeak.Heactuallybelievedthathismotherhadtakenthathugeloan.Henever

suspectedanyfoulplayonherpart.Hetrustedhismotherandstronglybelievedthatshewouldneverdohimanywrong.HewasalsohurtthatShrimatihadtoworkformorethanayearforhissake

andpostponeherPh.D.Hewasawarethatitwasunfairtoher.WiththehelpofMrKelkar,Shrimatigotajobwithasmallimport-export

companyintheFortareaofdowntownBombay.Thesalarywasgoodbutthejobwasmechanical.Shrimatihadtoleavehomeatseveninthemorningandreturnedatseveninthenight.Withsomehesitation,Shrimatijoinedthe

company.HerParsiboss,MrFarooqModi,wasadecentman.HewasagoodfriendofMrKelkar.BothofthemweremembersofthesameclubonCharniRoad.TherewasapredominanceofwomenintheofficeasMrModifirmlybelievedthatwomenworkedharderthanmen.Shrimatisoonbecameverypopularintheofficebecauseofhernon-

interferingnatureandherhabitofworkinghard.Shedidnotenjoythejobmuchsinceitwasmonotonous,butshedidenjoythecompanyofallhercolleagues.TheycamefromdifferentpartsofBombay.Shrimatibecamefriendlywiththreeofthem—NaliniBapat,MarukhandShantaIyer.Sheoftenwentshoppingwiththembutshewouldn’tspendarupeeonanything.Hermaingoalwastosaveasmuchasshecould.AllthemoneyNaliniearned,shespentongoldornaments.Marukhwould

spendher’sonclothes.Shantahadabigresponsibility,asshelookedafterahugefamily.Everymonth,ShrimatiwouldsendGangakkaherentiresalaryalongwith

somesavingsfromShrikant’ssalary.WhenGangakkareceivedthefirstinstalment,herjoyknewnobounds.She

hadnotexpectedherobedientsonandsinceredaughter-in-lawtotakeherdemandsoseriously.Theysaidtheywouldsendherthemoneyinteninstalments.Sheregrettednottellingthemthattheamountwastwolakhsinsteadofone!Nowthatshehadexcessmoneyinherhands,Gangakkadecidedtousethis

bonusamounttobuyornamentsforRama.Ramawasthrilled.NeithershenorhermotherrealizedthatthismoneywasatthecostofthebrightyoungShrimati’sfuture.Afterfifteenmonths,Shrimatidecidedtoresign.Allherfriendsfeltthatshe

wasbeingimpractical.Nalini,inparticular,toldher,‘Shrimati,youmustalwaysearnyourownmoney,irrespectiveofyourhusband’sincome.Hismoneycanneverbeyours.AdaycouldcomewhenhemaysaythatthisismymoneyandIwillspenditthewayIwantandsupposeyouwanttospendsomething,youwillbeathismercy.’Shantaadvisedher,‘Shrimati,bepractical.Youdon’thaveworkathome.

Extraearningisalwaysagreatincentive.Youneverknowhowthedaysareahead.Thisisagoodcompany,trytocontinueaslongaspossible.’

Shrimatiknewthatitwastheiraffectionforherthatmadethemadviseher.InanimpersonalplacelikeBombay,nooneadvisedanyoneonpersonalmatters.Shrimatisaidtothem,‘Thankyouforyoursincereadvice.Forme,thereisnodifferencebetweenShrikant’smoneyandmymoney.Iamnotinthehabitofspendingmoneyonmyself.Besides,ifIdidwantto,hewouldneverobject.Actually,IwanttoregisterformyPh.Dinhistory.’MrModi,herboss,triedtopersuadeher,‘Shrimati,whydoyouwantto

resign?Ifyouwant,Iwillraiseyoursalary.Youareagoodworker.Idon’twanttoloseyou.’Shrimatipolitelydeclinedhisoffer.Whenshecamehomethatday,shewas

sorelievedandhappy.Withthelastinstalment,Shrikantwroteanotetohismother,thankingherforprovidinghimwithagoodeducation,inspiteofallthedifficulties.HedidnotforgettomentionthatitwasonlybecauseofShrimati’shardworkthathehadbeenabletosendthemoney.Gangakkawasfuriouswhenshereadhisletter.‘Whatissogreatabout

Shrimati?Shedidnotbringanydowry,soshehasrepaidhisloan,that’sall.’

F IFTEEN

Oneevening,ShrikanttoldShrimati,‘Don’tcookathometoday.Wewillgoouttoeat.’‘NoShri,itwillbeexpensive,’Shrimatireplied.‘It’sallright.Onedaywecanaffordtoeatoutside.’‘Areyougettingapayrise?’‘Ofcourse.Iamgoingtobeamanagernow.’‘Oh!Withintwoandahalfyears?’sheaskedwithsurpriseandhappiness.‘Don’tgobythenumberofyears.Ihaveprobablyworkedasmuchasa

normalpersonwouldinfiveyears.Mysalaryhasincreasedbutthecostoflivingalsohasgoneup.Soweshouldsendmoremoneytomymother.AtleastnowshecangetsomethingforRamawithoutaskingme.Letherbeeconomicallyindependent.’Shrimatibecamesilentforamoment,beforeagreeingtowhatShrikantsaid.ShedidnotwanttocurbShri’shappinessbyspeakingwhatwasonhermind.

ShrimatirememberedtheingratitudeofGangakkawhohadn’tsaidasinglewordtoherabouttheloan,knowingverywellabouthercontribution.Thiswasthefirsttimethetwoofthemwerehavingdinneroutsidehome.

BothofthemwalkeduptoDhanarajRestaurantinBandra.WhileShrimatiwaslookingatthemenucard,Shrikantwarnedherplayfully,

‘Atleasttodaydon’tlookattheprice,Shrimati!’Shrimatiputthemenucardasideandasked,‘Shri,whatareyour

responsibilitiesinthenewjob?’

‘Imayhavetotravelmore.Agroupwillreporttome.MybossMrKelkarhasgreatconfidenceinmeandheexpectsthatIshouldworkwithtotalconcentration.Thesalaryhikecomeswithmoreresponsibility,ofcourse.’‘Hey,Shri,whenyoutalkaboutconcentrationIamremindedofoneofthe

stories...’‘Hopeitisnottheusuallonghistoricalone!’Shrikantinterrupted.‘Yes,itis,butyoumustlisten.’‘Idon’thavemuchchoicewhenIammarriedtoahistorian,’Shrikantjoked

andgotreadytolistentoher.‘Longago,therewasayoungsagewhowantedtowriteacommentaryonthe

Dharmashastra.Hewassofocusedinhisworkthathehadforgottenabouttheoutsideworld.Hispoormotherusedtolookafterhimandwhensherealizedthatshewasgettingolder,shewenttothenextvillageandchoseabrideforhim.Asanobedientsonshould,hewentthereandgotmarried.Evenafterhismarriage,thissageremainedbusyinstudyingandwriting,notbotheringabouthisyoungwife.’‘Thatsoundsabitunusual,notbotheringaboutawife!’Shrikantmadefunof

thestory.‘No,Shri,itcanhappenwhenoneistotallyfocused.Whenthesage’smother

died,theyoungbridedidnotwaitforherhusbandbutcameonherowntohishouse.Sheunderstoodthesituation.Sheusedtoworkoutsideandgetmoney,cookforherhusbandandlookafterhimlikeamother.Thismancontinuedhiswork.Timepassedbyandonenight,afterhehadcompletedthelastlineofthebook,henoticedanoldwomansleepingonthefloor.Herecognizedherfacebutcouldnotrememberwhoshewas.Hewokeherupandasked,“Lady,whoareyou?Whendidyoucomehere?”Sherepliedpolitelythatshewashiswifeandexplainedthatshehadbeenwithhimforthelastfortyyears,eversincehismotherhaddied.‘Thesagewaswonderstruck.Hecouldnotbelievethatthiswomanhaddone

somuchforhim.Heaskedherwithgreatrespect,“Whatisyourname?”‘“MynameisBhamati.”‘Thenhewroteonthefirstpageofthetext,“Bhamati”.Tilldate,thebook

BhamatiisreferredtobymanySanskritscholars.Bhamatisignifiesallthose

womenwhosacrificetheiryouthforthebettermentoftheirhusbands.Nobodyremembersthatsage’snamebutBhamatistandsout.’Shrikantwaslisteningverycarefully.‘Shri,whosesacrificedoyoufindmorepraiseworthy?’Shrikantthoughtforaminuteandsaid,‘Ofcourse,bothofthem,butIfeelthe

single-mindedperseveranceofthesage,withoutgettingdistractedbytheworldlypleasures,ispraiseworthy.’‘Idon’tagreewithyou,Shri.IthinkthesacrificemadebyBhamatiis

unparalleled.Shespentherentireyouthwithoutaskinganythingorcomplaining.Hisworkwouldnothavebeencompletedbutforher.Morethanthat,Ilikesomethingelse.’‘Whatisthat?’‘Thefactthatthehusbandrecognizedhiswife’ssacrificeandnamedthebook

afterher.Thatiswhatappealstomemore.’‘OhShrimati,intoday’ssocietyitisverydifficulttofindwomenlike

Bhamati.Theyhavechangedsomuch.’Itwasthreeyearssincetheyweremarriedandnow,Shrimatiwaskeento

enrollforherPh.D.Butaroundthattime,ShrikantwaspostedtoDelhi.Shrimatiwassad.ShedidnotwanttopartwithShrikantorthePh.D.Shrikant

reasoned,‘EitherIrejectmyoffertogotoDelhioryoustayaloneinBombaytodoyourPh.D.IfIgotoDelhi,Icancomehereonlyonceamonth.’‘NoShri,neitheroptionisacceptable.Idon’twantyoutoforgoyour

promotionbyrejectingthisoffer,nordoIwanttostayalone.WewillstayinDelhiforoneyearandIwilltakeupmystudiesnextyear.AnywaynorthIndiahasalotofhistoricalplacesthatIcanvisit.’Shrimatihadstartedcompromising.‘Shrimati,thereisonemoreway.Wecanaskmymothertocomeandstay

withyou.’Thoughshedidnotsayit,ShrimatiknewverywellthatGangakkawouldn’t

agree.Inthemeantime,Gangakka’slifehadalsochanged.Therewasaphoneat

homenow.WhenShrikantcalledheruptoaskheraboutcomingtoBombaytostaywithShrimati,Gangakkasaid,‘IwishIcouldcomeandhelpyourwife.Sheisjustlikeadaughtertome.ButIamplanningtogoonapilgrimagefortwo

months.Sheenappa’swifeisunwell.HehashelpedmewhenIwasaloneandyouwerestillachild.SoIhavetohelpthemnow.Rama’schildrenmayalsocomeheretostudy.YoutellmewhatIshoulddo.Iwilllistentoyou.’So,Gangakka’scomingtoBombaywasruledout.ShrimatileftforDelhiwithShrikant.Forapersonlikeher,neithervery

ambitiousnorverycourageous,suchsituationsmeantthatherownprioritieswerealwayspushedtothelowestrung.SpendingayearinthehistoriccityofDelhididnotprovetobeverydifficult

forShrimati.Itwasanewplaceandshemadenewfriends,soshedidnotgetbored.‘Shrikant,afterwegobackfromDelhi,theleaseperiodofourpresenthouse

willbeover.Wherecanwetakeupanewhouse?Canweaffordtobuyone?’‘Shrimati,don’tworry.NowIcanaskforahousingloanfrommycompany.’‘Inthatcase,let’sbuyahouseinVersova,onethatfacesthesea.’‘Whythere,Shrimati?Itissofar.’‘Somehow,Iamfascinatedbythesea.Icansitinfrontofthewaterforany

numberofhours.Icanviewmydreamsintheriseandfallofthewaves.’‘OhShrimati,pleasedon’tgetsopoeticanddreamy.Icannotunderstandyou.

Butonethingiscertain,IcannotstayinVersova.’‘Shri,withoutdreamslifeisnothing.Don’tyoudreamofbecomingthe

directorofacompany?’‘Comeon.Thatisapracticaldream.’‘Okay.Whereshallwebuythehouse?’‘Letussee,somewhereinSantaCruzorBandra,maybe.’Manyunexpectedthingshappeninlife,andShrikant’slifewasnotan

exception.Hiscareerhadgoneverywell,hisbosswasextremelyhappywithhisperformanceinDelhiandnowhewasbeingpromotedasaprojectmanagerandsenttoLosAngeles,USA.ShrikanthadbeentotheUSafewtimesbeforebutthistime,hewasgoingto

staythereforthreeyears.MrKelkarhadassuredhimthatthecompanywouldtakecareofhiswife’s

travelaswellastheirlivingexpensesforthreeyears.Shrimatiwasthrilled.ShetookloadsofpresentsfromDelhiforherparents,

RamaandherchildrenandGangakka,beforeleavingfortheUS.

Withthesuddenaffluence,Gangakkacouldaffordtomakesomechangesaroundher.Shegotthehouserepairedanddiditupwithmoderninteriors.Sheacquiredseveralnewhouseholdappliances.Shehadmoretimetogossipnow.ButherfeelingstowardsShrimatihadnotchanged,evenafterfiveyearsofhermarriagetoShrikant.ShehadnevershownanyaffectiontowardsShrimati.Thoughtherewasaphoneathome,shenevercalledher.Shrimatitriedherlevelbestbutfailedmiserablytowinhermother-in-law’sconfidence.Gangakkanolongertauntedheraboutdowry.Nowitwasaboutnothavingchildren.‘Shrimati,wasn’tSharadayourclassmate?Itseemsshedeliveredherthird

childlastweek.IhadgonetoVandana’sson’sbirthdayandshetoldme.Hersonisverygood-looking.’Ramapouredfuelontheconversation,‘RememberIndira,Desai’sdaughter

whomAnnaCharihadproposedforShrikant?Shegavebirthtotwinboys.Herin-lawsareindeedverylucky.’Shrimatifeltsuffocatedinthisatmospherebutdidnothaveanyanswerto

theircomments.Manyatimesshewouldfeelliketellingthemtoadvisetheirsoninstead.Buthershynesswouldn’tallowher.ShrimatihadoncesaidtoShrikant,‘Shri,wehavebeenmarriedforfiveyears

now.Allourfriendsarealreadyparents.Ifeellikehavingachildnow.’ButShrikantwasveryadamantregardingthemhavingchildren.‘Sowhat,Shrimati?Wegotmarriedatanearlyagebecauseourcircumstances

weredifferent.Iamhardlytwenty-eightyearsold.Letusfirstsettledown.Manyofourclassmatesarestillnotmarried.LookatRavi,Anthony...Let’snotbeinahurrytohaveababy.’HowcouldshetellGangakkaallthis?Kamalawasveryhappyandthankedgodthatherson-in-lawwasdoingvery

wellandherdaughterwashappy,unlikeherself.Shrimati’sfatherShrikantrao,ontheotherhand,boastedsayingthatthoughShrikantwasn’tthepropermatch,stilltheygottheirdaughtermarriedtohim.HeclaimedthatShrikant’sprosperitywasbecauseofhisdaughter’shoroscope.AttimesKamaladidfeelbadthatShrimatididnothaveanychildrenyet,but

shewasnotlikeGangakka,totalkdirectlyaboutit.ShewasawarethatShrimatiwasverysensitive.Sosheindirectlytoldherdaughterthatitwastherighttime

tohavechildren.Shrimatireplied,‘Avva,Iamawareofitbutforthis,Shrikantshouldagree.’Gangakkawasveryhappythathersonwasdoingwellbutatthesametime,

shewasextremelyunhappythatShrimatitoowasgoingabroad.SowhenShrimatiwouldvisitHubli,Gangakkawouldfindsomereasontogooutofstationandwouldn’treturnuntilShrimatihadleft.Shejustcouldn’tstandShrimati’spresence.IfatallGangakkawaspresent,ShrimatiwasnotallowedtoworkinthekitchenbecauseGangakkaneverlikedVaishnavafood.ThesituationinShrimati’smother’splacewasnodifferent.HergrandmotherfoundfaultwithherandsaidShrimatihadtakenhermother-in-law’ssideandbecomeaSmartha.ButtherealreasonforShrimati’sunhappinesswasthelackofloveand

affectionfromGangakkaandRama.Nomatterwhatshedid,itwaswrongintheireyes.Shrimatiwasupsetbecausesomewherewithinherselfshefeltshehadfailed.SheacutelyfeltthatshewasanunwantedmemberinShrikant’sfamily.Andyet,shehopedthattheywouldloveherandaccepthersomeday.Sheknewloveandaffectioncannotbetaughtorpurchasedwithmoney.The

sincerefeelingoffondnessshouldcomefromwithintheheart.Itdoesn’tmatterifthepersonhaswealth,intelligenceorbeauty.Inhercase,thoughitwasafutileexercise,stillshewashopefulthatsomedaythingswouldchange.Sometimes,whenshewasaloneinhermother’splace,manythingswouldcometohermind.ProfessorRaoandhiswifeknewShrimativerywellandtheyhadbeenvery

keenthatShrimatishouldmarrytheireldersonwhowasadoctorintheUS.ButShrimatihaddeclinedthatproposalpolitelybecauseofhercommitmenttoShrikant.Perhapsifshehadmarriedsomeonewhoseparentslikedher,thingswouldhavebeendifferent.Ofcourse,sheneverregrettedmarryingShrikant.Hisloveandaffectionwascompleteandhewasloyaltoher.Buttoliveinsociety,onerequiredalotofsupportfromthefamilytoo!EvenaftersomanyyearssheneverfeltathomeinGangakka’shouse.Shewasstillanoutsider.ButhowcouldsheexplainallthistohermotherortoShri?Vandana’smotherwasnicetoherbutbecauseShrikantwasdoingsowelland

Shrimatiwasverywell-offnow,shewouldtauntherinadifferentway.‘OhShrimati,wespentsomuchforVandana’swedding,butyouarevery

lucky.Evenwithoutspendingapaisafromyourfather’spocket,youhavecaughtholdofaniceguy.IhopeKavithawilllearnalittlebitfromyou.’ItwastruethatVandana’shusbandwasnotassmartasShrikantandhadnot

ItwastruethatVandana’shusbandwasnotassmartasShrikantandhadnotgoneaheadinhiscareer.ButShrikantwasnotonlyintelligent,hewasalsohard-working.That’swhyhewassosuccessful.ShrimatiwenttomeetSharadaatherin-laws’place.Theirswasajointfamily.

Therewashardlyanyprivacy.Sharadawasbusywithallthehouseholdchores,butshewasveryhappytoreceiveheroldfriend.Unfortunatelytheyhardlygotanytimetotalk.‘Shrimati,doyourememberhowyouusedtoinsistthatIshouldcompletemy

BA.AttimesIfeelwhatisitsusenow?IhavenottouchedabookeversinceIfinishedtheBAexams.Buttellme,Shrimati,youmustbehavinglotsoffriendsinBombay?’‘No,Shari,Idon’t.Actually,Ihaveveryfewfriendsnow.Weallgrewup

togetherwithoutexpectinganythingfromeachother.Todaythingsaredifferent.’Thenchangingthetopic,Shrimatiaskedherfriend,‘Shari,whydidyouhaveathirdchildinthisdayandage?’ThisremindedShrimatioftheconversationshehadhadwithShrikant,howhe

hadproposedtoherandsaidthattheycouldnotaffordathirdchildwhomshehaddeclaredshewouldcallSiddharthaGautama.‘Itwasmymother-in-law,shewantedamalechild.Itisverynecessaryfor

ourbusiness-orientedfamily.Andasyouknow,myfirsttwoweredaughters.’‘ThenyoumusthaveprayedalottoBhandiwadMarutiandofferedpedas!’

Shrimatisaidwithalaugh.

S IXTEEN

ShrimatiwasthrilledthatshewasgoingtotheUS.ShehadbeenintouchwithProfessorCollinsthroughlettersbuthadnotmethim.ThiswasagoodopportunityforhertogotoChicagoandmeethimandhisdaughterDorothy.Shrikant,nowoneoftheseniormostinhiscompany,washappythathecould

understandtheglobalmarketandexploreglobalbusiness.Heknewthatifheworkedharderandprovedhimself,hewouldbemadea

vice-presidentinacoupleofyears.Rightnow,hewaspostedasheadoftheAmericanoperations.Shrikanthadplentyofresponsibilities.HisbossMrKelkarwaspinningallhis

hopesonShrikant,soShrikantmadeitverycleartoShrimatithatlifeinAmericawouldbehecticandshewasnottoexpectanythingfromhim.Hewouldlikehertobeonherown,hesaid.WhentheDeshpandesarrivedinLosAngeles,theyweregivenawell-

furnishedtwo-bedroomapartmentbythecompany.Afterayear,theycouldconsidermovingtoanotherplace.ForShrimati,everythingwasnewandfascinating...themarket,theroads,thepeople,everything.Andshewaskeentolearnaboutallthosenewthings.SincethepublictransportsysteminLosAngeles,orLAasitispopularlycalled,wasnotgood,ShrimatiandShrikanthadtolearndriving.Theypurchasedtwosecond-handcars,anabsolutenecessity,ratherthanaluxury.AftertheyhadsettleddownandShrimatifeltmoreconfidentabouttravelling;

onherown,shewenttoChicagotomeetProfessorCollins.ThereshealsometDorothy.DorothyhadfinishedherPh.DandwasworkingintheUniversity.

ProfessorCollins’shomewasfullofbooks,journals,researchpapersanddocumentsonhistory.Theatmosphereintheirhome,theconversation,thefascinatingworktheydid,wastrulyatreatforShrimati.AsDorothywastravellingtoEurope,shesuggestedthatShrimatishouldjoin

her.Theentiretourwouldtakethreemonths.Shrikantwasmostencouraging.Hewantedhiswifetobeboldand

independent.SoShrimatiwentonthetourandthoroughlyenjoyedherself.Oneyearwentbyveryquickly.Shrimatiwasbeginningtofeelquiteathome

inLA.Butasuddenphonecallupseteverything.TheygotthesadnewsthatVishwasKelkarhaddiedofaheartattackand

ShrikantwasrequiredtoreporttotheIndiaofficeimmediately.ShrikantleftShrimatitowindupeverythingandreturnedtoIndiaalone.It

wouldtakeheracoupleofmonthstocompletealltheformalities.Heknewshewascapableofhandlingthemonherown.OnhiswaybacktoIndia,ShrikantkeptthinkingaboutMrKelkarandhis

suddendemise.Hehadbeenamanofcleanhabits,alwaysonhistoes,workingrelentlesslyallthetime.Hehadsufferedfromagastriculcer,caused,asheusedtosay,bytension.Hewoulddismissithumorouslyasan‘executivedisease’.Whatwasthecauseofthestress?TherehadbeenrumoursthatVishwaswas

nothappyathomeandhadsomemaritalproblems.Didthataffecthishealthandcausetheheartattack?Shrikantcouldnothelpwonderingwhyhehadbeencalledbackwhenthere

weresomanypeoplemoreseniortohimintheBombayoffice.Wastheresomethingspecialawaitinghim?Yes.Therewas.Theboardofdirectorsfeltthathewouldbetherightperson

tosucceedMrKelkar.Thoughhehadspentonlysixyearswiththecompany,theygavehimthe

generalmanager’spost,onprobationforsixmonths.Dependingonhisperformance,hewouldbeconfirmed.Shrikantwasextremelyhappy.Thenextdayhewenttothegeneralmanager’sofficeandsawtheempty

chair.Foraminutehewasscared,thinkingofthetensionthepersonwhooccupiedthatchairhadtoundergo.Theprice,foranambitiousperson,isheavy.HerememberedVishwas’swordsandrepeatedthemtohimselfagain.‘Thegoddessofsuccessdoesnotknockonyourdoortwice.Everyopportunityshould

becompletelyutilized.Asmartpersonisonewhoconvertseveryfailureintosuccess.Successdoesnotalwaysmeanknowledge.Therearemanyfactorsthatmakeapersonsuccessful.Hardwork,couragetotakerisks,andalsotheabilitytomakepeoplerealizethatyouworkhard.Thepersonwhoworksfromninetofivewillneverbecomesuccessful.Onlyhewhothinksaboutthecompanyallthetimeandfocusesonhiswork,canbesuccessful.’Now,allthatShrikanthadtodowasconcentrateandfocusonhiswork.He

hadgothisopportunityandhehadtosucceed.Hewouldshowhisseniorsthathewasindispensable.Thatwasnotdifficultforhim.

SEVENTEEN

ShrimatiarrivedinIndiathreemonthsafterShrikant’sreturn.Shrikantwenttotheairporttoreceiveher.Hewasoverjoyedtoseeheraftersuchalongtime.Whentheycameout,

Shrimatisawanewcarandadriverwaitingforthem.Shrimatiwassurprised,‘Hey,Shri,what’sthis?’‘Shrimati,thecompanyhasgivenmeVishwas’sposition,’Shrikanttoldher

beamingwithhappiness.‘Theyhaveconfirmedmeasgeneralmanagerafterjustthreemonthsinsteadofsix.’‘Congratulations!Butwhydidn’tyouinformmebefore?’‘Iwantedtogiveyouasurprise.Areyouhappy?’‘Shri,Ihavealwaysbeenapartofyourlife.Yourachievementshavealways

beenmine.’Shrimatinoticedthecarwastakingadifferentroute.‘Shri,wherearewegoing?’‘Ihavepurchasedanewthree-bedroomflatnearBandstandinBandra,facing

thesea.Youwillloveit.’Shrimatilookedworried.‘Shri,howmuchmoneyhaveyouborrowedforthat?Wewillhavetowork

throughoutourlifetorepaythatloan,isit?’‘Shrimati,areyoumad.Iamgeneralmanagernow.Ihaveadifferentstatus.

Thecompanyhasgivenmeaninterest-freeloan.’‘Whatisthenameofourapartment?’‘SeaWaves.’‘Shri,howdidyoumanagethesethingsallbyyourself?’

‘Shri,howdidyoumanagethesethingsallbyyourself?’‘WhenImanagedtogetthefirst-rankerShrimati,thisisnothing.’‘Oh,comeon,Shri,tellmeseriously.’‘Successisneveraccidental.Onehastoplanforit.’Whentheyreachedtheapartment,Shrimatiwasamazed.Theplacewasway

beyondherimagination.Itwasaveryposhandwell-furnishedhouse,befittingShrikant’snewposition.Therewerethreebalconiesandfromeverybalconyshehadaviewofthesea.Withthenewdesignation,lifehadchangedenormouslyforShrikant,butnot

forShrimati.Hehadbecomeextremelybusyandwastouringalot.Hetravelledtwentytotwenty-fivedaysamonth.Hislifeonlyrevolvedaroundhiscompany,nothingelse.OnemonsooneveningShrimatiwassittinginthebalcony,staringattheroad.

Therainwassplashingontothebalconyandshewasgettingwet.Butshecontinuedsittingthere,withnoinclinationtogetup.Thatmorningshehadnoticedafewgreyhairsonherhead.Suddenlyshebegantofeelagewascatchingupwithher.Everythinghadworkedoutwellforthem,financiallyatleast.Buttheystill

didn’thaveanychildren.Thepreviousevening,VandanahadcometovisitShrimatiwithhertwo

children.VandanastillstayedinMaladbutinatwo-bedroomapartment.Onceinawhiletheywouldmeet.Theyearsoffriendshipbetweenthetwowomenallowedthemtodiscussevenintimate,personalmatterswitheachother.‘Shrimati,Ihopeyoudon’tmindmeaskingthisquestion,butdon’tyouget

boredwithoutchildren?’‘OfcourseIgetbored.Ihavegonetoagynaecologistandshesayseverything

isnormal.’‘No,youshouldgotoaspecialist.Youdon’thaveanyshortageofmoney.

YoubettergotoHindujaHospitalatMahim.Thereisaverywell-knowndoctortherecalledDrPhadke.Don’tgoalone.TakeShrikantwithyou.Butdon’tdelayitanyfurther.’Vandana’sadvicewaswhatShrimatihadbeenthinkingaboutasshesatonthe

balconythatnight.Asusual,Shrikantcamehomeatnineo’clockinthenight.Afterhisdinner,he

quicklysettleddowntoreadtheFinancialExpress.Shrimaticameandsatnext

tohimonthesofaandbroachedthetopic.‘Shri,Iamgettingboredathome.’Withoutevenlookingather,Shrikantsaid,‘Ihavetoldyouseveraltimesto

registerforaPh.Dbutyoudon’tseemtobebotheredatall.’‘No,Shri,Iwantsomethingmoreimportantthanthat.’‘Thentakecomputerclasses.Thatwillhelpyoualotandonceyoustart

surfing,youwouldn’tevenknowhowtimeflies.’Shrimatigotreallyupset.Howisitthathedidn’teventhinkofchildren?‘Shri,thecomputerisnoteverythinginlife.Ifyouwantmetolearnabout

computers,thenyoustudyalittlebitaboutmysubject.Moreover,Iamnotinterestedingettingadegreeforanyfinancialgain.Iobeywhatmyhearttellsme.’Shrikantfoundherwordsstrange.‘Shrimati,inreallifeyoushouldalways

decidewithyourhead,notwithyourheart.Ifyoudon’tdothat,it’sdisastrous.’‘Thatisyourwayofthinking,Shri.Ineednotlearncomputersbecausethere

isanexpertathome.Idon’thaveanyinclinationforit.Justbecauseyouhavearopeathomedoyougoandbuyabuffaloforthat?Educationandmarriagearethetwothingswhereyouhavetoobeyyourheart.IntheWest,youcanchangeyourmarriagepartnerandyoursubjectofeducationwheneveryouwant,butnotinourrigidsociety...’Shrikantstoppedherspeechbytakingholdofherhands.‘Now,whatdoyouwant?Tellmestraight,’hesaid.‘Shri,letusgotosomespecialist...’‘Why,what’swrongwithyou?Areyouunwell?’Shrikantwasperturbed.‘No,Shri,Iamperfectlyallright,butdon’tyouthinkweshouldhavechildren

now?Wearewellsettledfinancially.Bothofusareoverthirty,andthirtyislateforawoman.’Shrikantwassilentforaminute.Thenhesaid,‘Okay.Makeanappointment

andwewillgo.’ThefollowingweektheymetDrPhadke.DrPhadkewasaseniordoctorwith

morethanfiftyyearsofexperience.Hehadseenmanychildlesscouplesandcouldunderstandtheiranxiety.Shrikantdidthetalking.Heaskedquestionsaboutwhytheywereunableto

havechildren.Wasthereanythingwrong?WasthedefectinhimorinShrimati?

Coulditbecorrected?DrPhadkesmiled.‘Well,MrDeshpande,whereareyouworking?’Shrikantrepliedconfidently,‘Iamthegeneralmanagerofasoftware

company.’‘Thehumanbodyisnotacomputer.Manyatimeswedonotknowwhy

thingshappeninaparticularway.Wecangivetheprobablereasonbutnottheexactone.Wecanalsoprescribeamedicinethatmaypossiblyrectifytheproblem,buteachhumanbodyreactsdifferentlytothesamemedicine.So,itisnoteasytogivedefiniteanswers.However,Iwouldlikeyoubothtoundergocertaintestsandgetbacktomewiththeresults.’Thewholeofthefollowingweek,ShrikantandShrimatispenttakingallthe

teststhatwereadvisedbythedoctor.ShrikantshowednoemotionoranxietyduringthetestswhereasShrimatiunderwentaturbulenceofemotions.Sheprayedforgoodresults.WhentheymetDrPhadkethenexttime,theycouldnotmakeoutwhatwason

thedoctor’smindbylookingathisface.Aftergoingthroughallthereports,DrPhadkesmiledandsaid,‘MrandMrs

Deshpande,bothofyouareeducatedandintelligent.So,itshouldbeeasyforyoutounderstandthis.Neitherofyouhasanyproblem.Butinordertohavechildren,eitherthefieldortheseedmustbeverypotent.Ifbotharepotentthenitisveryeasy.Butinyourcase,bothhaveordinarypotency.Inmedicaltermswecallthis“sub-fertile”.Thatdoesnotmeanthatyoucannothavechildrenatall.Itmightperhapstakelongerforyoutoconceive.’Shrimati’seyesfilledwithtearsofdisappointment.Butshetookholdof

herselfandasked,‘Doctor,youmusthaveseenmanycasessuchasours.Howlongcouldittakeforpeoplelikeustohavechildren?’‘Shrimati,otherpeople’sexperienceisirrelevantforyou.Itdependsuponthe

individualbody.Forsomepeopleitmaytaketenyearsandforothersmaybeonlyfive.Youshouldnotloseheart.’Shrimatiwasholdingbackhertearsuntilshereachedhome.Assoonasthey

reachedhome,sheburstintotears.Wouldn’tAshoka,Vikramaditya,SiddharthaGautama,aboutwhomtheyhad

talkedsomuchbeforemarriage,bebornintheirfamily?WouldtherenotbeanyheirtoShrikant’sandherintelligence?Wouldtheirfamilyendthere?Shrimati

heirtoShrikant’sandherintelligence?Wouldtheirfamilyendthere?Shrimatifeltutterlyhopelessandhelpless.Thegatesofherdamofsorrowsbrokeopenandtearsgushedoutasfloods.Allthechildrenshehaddreamtofwouldremainonlydreams.She

rememberedGangakkareferringtoherasabarrenwoman.Howcouldsheconvincetheuneducated,unsympatheticGangakkathatshewasnottobeblamed,butneitherwasShrikant.Shecontinuedsobbing.Shrikantcameandputhisarmsaroundher.Histouchonlyincreasedher

sorrow.Itwasgettingdark.Shrimatihadnotyetputthelightson.Shefeltthatherlifewasfullofdarknessnow.Shrikantconsoledher.‘Comeon,Shrimati,takeiteasy.Thisisnottheendof

ourlives.Idon’tbelieveinsuchthings.Ifwedonothavechildrenthenwewillhaveonlyoneworry.Onthecontraryifwehavechildrenandiftheydon’tcomeupwell,thatwillbecomeaconstantworry.Wedonothaveanyempirethatweneedsomeonetoinherit.Andifyouthinkthatyouneedtohavechildrentolookafterusinouroldage,forgetit.WhatthehellhaveIhavebeendoingformymotherotherthansendingmoney?Ifyouareworriedaboutwhowillperformourshraddha,thenitisafoolishthought.Ididnotperformmyfather’sshraddha.Letusworkhard,andstartacharitabletrustthatcanhelpmanyneedychildren.Besides,thedoctorhasn’tsaidthatitisimpossible.Weshallwaitandsee.’‘Shri,Idon’twanttowaitanymore.Canweadoptachild?’Shrikantsuddenlybecameveryserious.‘Shrimati,thinkagain.Otherpeople’s

childrenwillneverbeours.Wenaturallytendtopardonourownchildren’smistakes,butitwillnotbepossibletodothatwithsomeoneelse’s.Iamnotcomfortablewiththatidea,somehow.Shrimati,youareanintelligentperson.Useyourenergyformoreconstructivework.’ShrimatiwasstunnedbyShri’swords.Theverythoughtthatshewouldn’texperiencemotherhoodwashurtingher

deeply.

EIGHTEEN

Afteraverylongtime,ShrikantreceivedaletterfromRaviPatil.ShrikantwasnowoneoftheprominentpersonsinhisfieldinIndiaandabroad.Hehadasecretary,MsPriya,intheoffice.Overaperiodoftime,herequiredsomeoneathometoo,whowassmart,reliableandabletotakeresponsibilityandmostimportantly,intelligentandobedient.ShrimatisoonbecametheextremelyefficientpersonalsecretarythatShrikantDeshpandehadwantedathome.Shrikantdidnothavetocreateanofficialpositionforher.Itwastheobedient,understandingandhelpfulnatureofShrimatithathadmadeShrikanthandoversuchgraveresponsibilitiestoher.ShebelievedthatShrikantwasdoingagreatjobanditwasherdutytohelphim.Inadditiontolookingafterhispersonalcorrespondence,shehadtobeagood

hostesstoShrikant’spersonalandofficialgueststoo.ShrikantwouldmerelysignallthelettersthatShrimatiwouldprepare.Shrimatihadlearntbasiccomputerskillsandwasabletousetheinternetande-mailtoo.Aftermuchcoaxing,GangakkahadbeenpersuadedtovisittheminBombay.

Thereafter,shemademanytrips.Herfavouritepartofthehousewasthebalcony.Shewouldnottravelbybusortrainanymore.Shewouldonlyfly.ThesuccessandprosperityofhersonhadmadeGangakkamorearrogant.

However,shedidnotchangehermindaboutShrimati.ShestillthoughtitwasbadluckthathersonhadmarriedShrimati.AssheheldRavi’sletterinherhands,Shrimati’smindwentbacktothegood

oldHublidays.

Onceuponatime,allofthemweresoclosetoeachotherbutnow,everyonewasintheirownworld.Malleshwasmarriedandhadtwodaughters.Hewasrunninghisfather’soilshopsuccessfullyandhadamassedalotofblackmoney.HehadgoneonaworldtourwithhiswifeandonthewaybackhadstayedwiththeminBombay.Theyhadtalkedabouttheirschooldaysandtheboys’vsgirls’teamjokes.Jokingly,Malleshhadsaid,‘IhavetwodaughterssoIaminthegirls’team

now.’ShrimatinoticedthatthoughMalleshhadoncebeenaveryclosefriendofhis,

ShrikanthardlyspoketoMallyainafreeandfrankmanner.ItwasShrimatiwhospokeallthetime.RavihadbeenintheUSforalongtimenow.Hisfatherwouldstillconvert

thedollarsalaryintorupeesandtelleveryonehowmuchhissonwasearning.Shrimatistartedreadingtheletter.

DearShrikant,

Idon’trememberwhenIhadwrittentoyoulast.Thegaphasnotbeenintentionalbutonlyduetothechangesinouraddress.Myfatherinformsmeonceinawhileaboutyourprogress.ButtheotherdaywhenIsawyouat

theconferenceonsoftwaretechnologyatSFOonCNN,Iwasdelighted.Youhavenotchangedmuchphysically.Butyouhaveachievedgreatthingsinlife.YourtalkonthecomputerindustryintheThirdWorldwasgreat.Myheartycongratulationstoyou.Yourspeechhadsuchauthorityandwasveryeffective.Irememberedourconversationonthetrain,thedayweleftIIT.

Shrikant,thereareveryfewachieversinlife.Thosewhoachievewhattheysetoutto,areevenmorerare.Whatyouhavedreamt,youhaverealized.Myheartjumpswithjoy.Ialsoremember‘theotherhandofyours’whoisbehindyoursuccess.Shehasbeenunassuming,undemanding,andtotallysubmissivetoyourneedsandtoyourachievements.Shrikant,withouther,youwouldnothavebeenwhatyouaretoday.

Letmewritesomethingaboutmyself.Perhapsitisnotanachievementatallintheworldlyway.Asyouknow,IusedtoreadaboutpsychologyalotinmyIITdays.Aftercomingtothiscountry,Istartedstudyingmorepsychologythanengineering.Inourcountry,thefutureofchildrenisdecidedbytheparents!Thereasoncouldbeoureconomicandsocialconditions.Parentsfeelthatifthechilddoesnottakeupengineeringormedicine,thenheorshecannotsurvive.Theydon’tcarewhatthechildreallywants.Aftercominghere,IrealizedthatIpreferpsychologytoengineeringandsoIchangedmysubject.Mydecisionmademyfatherveryangry.HethoughtIhadgonemad.Mysisterswereequallyupsetandsentmetearfulletters.However,Iaminacountrywheresuchpressuresarenotimportant,soIdidwhatIliked.

IhavecompletedmyPh.Dandamworkingasapsychologyprofessorinacollege.Inthisrichcountrywherepersonalfreedomismoreimportant,thereareweaksocialbonds.So,therearealotmorepsychologicalissues.ThoughIwouldliketocomebacktoIndia,myprofessionmightnotfetchmetherightjob,soIamcontinuinghere.

IhopeyoureceivethisletterbecauseIhavepickedupyouraddressfromComputerWorldmagazine.Kindlyreply.

WhenIthinkofShrimati,Icontinuetobeamazedbyherclearthinkingandherwisedecisions,likewhenshechosetojoinartscollegeinspiteofgettingthefirstrankinhertenthboardexams.Doyourememberthatwehadlaughedather?NowwhenIlookback,Ifeelshewasthebrightest.Sheknewwhatshelikedandshedidexactlythat.Shrikant,youareveryluckytogetsuchacompanion.

Whatisthenewsoftherestofourfriends?Anthonyisinthemerchantnavy.Imethimtwoyearsback.VasudevShenoyleftengineeringandjoinedtheIAS.HeisinDelhi.IheardthatyouvisittheUSoften.Thenexttimeyouarehere,pleasecallmeonthisnumber,215-386-6660.IwouldliketomeetyouandShrimatiwheneverIaminIndia.PleaseremembermetoShrimati.

Yoursaffectionately,Ravi

ShrimatiwasdisturbedafterreadingRavi’sletter.Oflateherself-esteemhadgonedownsomuchthatshewonderedwhethershereallydeservedallofRavi’scompliments.Ifshewassoclearinherthinking,thenwhywasshesodisturbed?Shedidn’tknow.ShrimatiwantedShrikanttoreadRavi’sletterandtalkaboutit.Soshekeptit

nexttohisplateonthediningtable.InherheartofheartsshehopedShriwouldreadthecomplimentsthatRavihadpaidherandsayafewwordsofpraisetoher.Shrikantdidreadtheletterandwithoutanyemotion,hesaid,‘Pleaseenterthe

contactdetailsinmypersonaldiaryandoursystem.’Shrimatiwasdisappointed.

NINETEEN

Shrikantgotbusypreparingthestatisticaldataofhiscompanyashewastoleaveforabusinesstourroundtheworld.Afterthistripthecompanywasplanningtolistitssharesonthestockexchangesofothercountries.So,thistourwascrucial.Recently,thecompanyhadadoptedtheESOPplan.TheESOPconcepthad

beenrecentlyintroducedinIndia.Whenacompanywentpublic,allemployeesgotastockoption,asaresultofwhichtheyallbecameshareholdersofthecompany.TheemployeesofShrikant’scompanywereveryhappybecauseitwasseenasagreatincentivetocontinuetoworkinthatcompany.Shrikantbeingoneoftheoldestemployeeshadbeenofferedaverylargechunkofthestock.BecauseofthatShrikanthadbecomeamillionaire.Itwasveryrareforalower-middle-classpersontobecomesorichinsuchashorttime.Itwasironicalthatthoughhewasnotobsessedwithmoney,ithadcometohim.Shrimatiwasunwell.Shewassufferingfromtheflu,andithadlefther

extremelyweak.InspiteofthatshehadtodoShrikant’spacking.Hewasgoingtobeawayforamonthsoshehadtomakesurehehadeverythinghewouldneed.ShrikantandShrimatihadnowmovedupintotheneo-richcircle.Shehadtwo

drivers,acookandamaidtohelpwiththehousework.ShrikantnowownedabrandnewMercedesBenz.Shrimatitoohadherowncaranddriver.ShrikanthadwantedtoshifttoSouthBombay—theprestigiousCuffeParade

orMalabarHill—ashisstatushadchanged.ButitwouldtakealongtimetofindaproperhousewithallthedocumentsinorderandShrikantdidnothavesomuchtime.HeaskedShrimatitotalktoagoodrealestateagentandcheckout

whatwasavailablewhilehewasaway.However,Shrimatididnotshowmuchinterest.ShrikantnoticedthatShrimatiwasveryunwellandwasquiteupset.‘Shrimati,

youdon’tlistentomeatall.Allthetimeyousitinthebalconyandwatchthesea.Theseabreezehasaffectedyou.Ifyoufallillnow,howcanIgo?Myschedulewillbeupsetandourcompanywillsuffer.Doyourealizehowimportantthisis?’‘Shri,thereisnoconnectionbetweenmewatchingtheseaandyougoing

abroad.Regardlessofmyhealth,youmustgo,’Shrimatitoldhimpatiently.TowhichShrikantrepliedinagentletone,‘Shrimati,thatwasnotthereason.

IfyouareunwellandifIamoutoftown,itworriesme.However,ifyouneedanything,pleasecontactHarish.’HarishwasShrikant’sjuniorcolleagueinthecompany.Buttheywerecloseto

eachotherastheyhadbeenclassmatesatIIT.Suchthingshappenedinthecorporateworld.Yourclassmatescouldbecomeyoursubordinates.Capabilityismeasuredintermsofthesuccessinone’scareer!Shrimatiherselfwastheprefectexample.OnceuponatimeshewasconsideredmuchbrighterthanShrikant,butnowshecouldnotbecomparedwithhiminanyrespect.AfterShrikantleft,Shrimatiwenttobedagain.Silentlysheprayed,let

Shrikantcancelhistourandcomeback.LettherebesomeproblemwiththeaircraftsothatShrikantisunabletogo,shethought.Thatdayshewantedsomeonetositnexttoherandcomforther,someonewhowouldcomeandstaywithher.Shemissedhermother.Thenextday,hertemperatureincreasedandShrimatifounditdifficultto

breathe.ShewassupposedtovisitVandanathatweek,butknewshewouldnotbeabletogo.Shewassleepingallaloneinthehuge,beautifullydone-upbedroom.Thecookwasonleaveandthemaidwentawayintheeveningaftershe

finishedherwork.Shrimaticouldnotsleep.Shekeptthinking,ifIdie,noonewouldevenknow.

Whatkindofalifeisthis.Itwassoempty,solonelyinspiteofallthewealththatShrikanthadearned!Thenextmorning,hermaidChampacameasusualandrangthedoorbell.But

nobodyansweredthedoor.Champagotscaredandwenttotheneighbour,Mr

JamshedMehta,ashehadanextrasetofkeysforthehouse.MrsMehtacamewiththekeyandopenedthedoor.ShewasshockedtoseethatShrimatihadaveryhighfeverandwasinastupor.ShecalledupNanavatiHospitalandShrikant’scompany.Arrangementsweremadetoadmitherimmediately.Harish,hiswifePrabhaandVandanarushedtothehospital.DrPatel,oneoftheseniormostdoctorstoldthem,‘Nothingtoworry.She

needspropermedicationandrest.Cananyonestaywiththepatient?’VandanagotworriedandtoldHarish,‘PleasecallupShrikant.Ifsomething

goeswrong,then...’ButHarishknewShrikant’snatureverywell.Hewouldn’tcomeunlessthere

wasanemergency.Sohetoldthedoctor,‘MrDeshpandeisoutofthecountryanditwillbesometimebeforehecancomeback.Pleasearrangeforaprivatenurse,andnevermindtheexpenses.’Vandanawasshocked.Inhermiddle-classcircleshecouldnotimagineany

husbandleavinghiswifewhenshewassosick.Sherememberedherowncase.Whenshehadgoneintolabourandthepainwasunbearable,herhusbandPramodhadstoodbyhersidecomfortingherandencouragingher.Afterthedeliveryhehadtakenamonthofftostaywithher.ThedoctorsinthehospitalteasedhersayingthatPramodhadsufferedmorethanVandana!Vandanalookedatherdearfriendlyingthere,almostunconscious.Forthe

firsttime,shepitiedShrimati.Ahandsomeyounghusbandwhowasextremelyambitious,travelling

throughouttheyear,andin-lawswhoonlyspokeillofher.Notevenachildforcompany!Vandana’smotheroftenenviedShrimati’slifebutVandanahadneverfeltthatway.TodaymorethaneversheappreciatedherluckandwasgratefulthatherlifewasamilliontimesbetterthanShrimati’s.Therewassomuchlove,affectionandkindnessinherlifeunlikeShrimati’s.ShewonderedhowShrimatihadlivedwithsuchodds!Afteracoupleofdays,Shrimatirecoveredherstrengthandwasoverjoyedto

seeherfriendVandananexttoher.VandanainsistedthatShrimatishouldcometoherhouseandrestforafewdays,butShrimatirefused,knowingitwouldmeanextraworkforherfriend.Also,Vandana’schildrenweresmall.Afteraweekinhospital,Shrimatireturnedhome.Thefirstthingshehadtold

HarishwhenshefeltalittlebetterinthehospitalwasnottoinformShrikant

aboutherillness.Sheknewitwouldaffecthisstateofmindandhewouldnotbeabletoconcentrateonhiswork.Harishwassurprised.IfhiswifePrabhawereinthesamesituation,shewould

havecalledupatleasttentimes,scaredhimandcreatedascene.Andhetoowouldnothavestayedawayfromheronofficeworkinsuchacase.ButherealizedthatShrimatiwasanexceptionalwoman.Shecaredsomuch

forherhusbandandrespectedhisworkthatshenevercreatedanyproblemthatwouldaffecthiscareer.Hethoughtshewasliketheladywhocarriesatorchandremovesalltheobstaclesontheroadtosuccessforherhusband.Shrikanthadtakenherforgranted.Hehadararediamondinhishandbuthe

wassearchingforaworthlessglassofachievement.

TWENTY

DearShrimati,Sorryfornothavingrepliedtoyourearlierletter.AsusualIwasinsomepartoftheglobedoing

somework.IreceivedyourNewYearcard,andthoughlate,DorothyandIthankyouverymuch.OurwarmregardstoyouandShrikant.

Shrimati,alongtimeagoyouhadtalkedaboutthehistoricalandarchitecturalmonumentsofyourcountry.YoumaynotrememberitbutIdo.Youhadtoldmethatonerequiresatleastsixmonthstotakeatourofyourcountry.Rightnow,Ihavethreemonths’timeandIhavedecidedtovisitIndia.Myheartyearnstoseetheplacesthatyouhaddescribed.

Itwouldbeagreatpleasureifyoucouldaccompanymeonmytravels,butifyouhaveanywork,thencanyoupleasearrangemyitineraryandaccommodation?IamcomingtoBombaydirectly.

Iwillwaitforyourreply.

Yoursaffectionately,MikeCollins

Shrimatiwasdelightedtoreceivethisletter.Probablyhewastheonlyforeignguestwhosecompanysheenjoyed.MostoftheguestsshehadtoentertainwereShrikant’sbusinessassociateswholookedatIndiafromaverydifferentangle.Forthem,Indiameantcheapsoftware.TheiritinerarywastosunbatheinGoa,

seetheTajMahal,buytonnesofsilverjewellery,stayatTheOberoi—that’sall.Theydidn’treallyunderstandwhatIndiameantnorweretheyinterestedinknowing.Shrimatidislikedpeoplelikethat,butitdidn’tbotherShrikantverymuch.

Whentheywereinvitedfordinner,thehandsomeShrikantwouldsmilecharminglyandsay,‘Ohitwasagreatpleasuremeetingyoutoday’or‘Youhavemademyday’.Shrimatiwouldfeellikewalkingoutofthedinnerpartybut

shewasawarethatasMrsShrikantDeshpande,thewifeofthecompany’sdirector,herpresencewasimportant.SinceShrikantwasgoingtobeoutofthecountry,Shrimatiwashappythat

shecouldjoinProfessorCollinsonhistrip.Suddenlyshefeltshehadgrownwings.Herspiritssoaredandshefeltlikesingingwiththekoelinspringtime.EnthusiasticallyshemadeallthetravelplansandwaitedforProfessorCollins’sarrival.ShewenttotheairporttoreceiveProfessorCollinspersonally.Shewas

meetinghimafterfiveyears.Helookedalittleolderbutwasasenergeticasever.Thepursuitofknowledgehadkepthimyoung.ShrimatihadplannedfortheirjourneytostartatDelhiandendinBombay.

TheirfirstdestinationwasFatehpurSikri,Akbar’scapitalcity.Whentheyvisitedthefortthere,ShrimatidescribedtoProfessorCollinsseveralsignificanthistoricaleventsthathadtakenplaceatthatfort.‘Sir,don’tyoufeelthatthereisadifferencebetweentheAgraFortandthis

smallfort?ItseemstheMughalsshiftedtheircapitalfromheretoAgraduetoshortageofwater.WhenAkbartheGreatdidnothaveamalechild,heprayedtotheSufisaintSalimChishtiforason.Hedidgetasonandoutofgratitude,namedhimSalim.Eventoday,peoplecomeandprayatthetombfortheirwishestobefulfilled.Theymakeaknotwithapieceofthreadandtieitonthewindowgrilleandwhenthewishisfulfilled,theycomebackanduntietheknot.Thissaint’stombishere,inthefort.’FromAgratheywenttoUjjaininMadhyaPradesh.Sheexplainedthe

importanceofthiscitytotheprofessor.‘Sir,Ujjainisaplacewithaveryrichhistory.Ifoneknowsandloves

Sanskrit,onecannotmissreadingaboutUjjain.ItappearsinallofKalidasa’splays.KalidasawasagreatSanskritscholarwhobelongedtoUjjain.OnceuponatimethisplacewascalledAvantika.GoddessAvantiwasthepresidingdeityofthisarea.ThisisalsoaplacewheretheromancebetweenPrincessVasavadattaandUdayanabloomed.Inhisyoungerdays,EmperorAshokawasthegovernorofthisland.ItseemshisbeautifulwifeVidishawasfromtheneighbouringtown.HisfamouschildrenSanghamitraandMahendrawerebornhere.ThisplaceisextremelyimportantforHindus.TheMahakaleshwarJyotirlinga’sshrinein

UjjainisoneofthefamousjyotirlingasofIndia.Themythssaythattherewasamysteriousauraoflightaroundthelinga...’ProfessorCollinsinterruptedher,‘Shrimati,isUjjainnotastrangename?’‘Yes,Sir.SomehistoriansbelieveUtkarshaJaya,thatis,“thegreatvictory”

wastherootnameforUjjain.OthersbelieveitwasUdattaJain.’FromtheretheywenttoMandu.ThereShrimatirelatedtoProfessorCollins

thefamouslegendofRajaBajBahadurandRaniRoopmati.TheirstoryisoneofthegreatestromancesofIndianliterature.MandualsohasbeautifulpalacesnamedafterHindustaniragas,shetoldhim.AstheywentalongShrimatiexplainedeverythingfromtwoperspectives,one

fromthelocalfolktalesandtheotherfromimportanthistoricalevents.BythetimetheyfinishedthenorthIndiatour,almosttwomonthshadpassed.

Meanwhile,ShrikanthadreturnedtoIndiaandwantedShrimatitocomebackhome.HehadsomeimportantguestsandShrimatiwasrequiredtoreceivethem,andbethehostesssincetheywereimportantclients.Shrimatiwasdisappointed.Shearrangedforaproperguideandmadesureall

thearrangementsfortheremainingonemonthwereinplacesothatProfessorCollinswouldhavenodifficultiesbeforehereturnedtoBombay.WhenhecamebacktoBombayafteranexhaustingandexhaustivetour,

ProfessorCollinswasalittletiredphysically,butmentallyfeltfullycharged.Hedeclaredthatthoughhewasseventyyearsoldhewasstillyoungatheart.ProfessorCollinshadmadeextensivenotesduringhistravels.Hehadsome

ideasaboutwhathewoulddowiththem.Shrimatihadgonethroughallhisnotesandsomeofthemshehadappreciated

andsomeothersshehadcriticized.Shewasveryhappyabouthisvisitbutnowshewassadthathewasleaving.Shewouldgobacktobeinglonelyonceagain.ProfessorCollinswastoleaveforKarachithenextdaybutsinceShrikantwas

inBangkok,theywereunabletomeet.Aftersupper,ProfessorCollinsandShrimatisatinthebalcony,watchingthe

sea.Today,theseadidnotsootheShrimati.ProfessorCollinsbrokethesilence.‘Shrimati,whatareyouthinkingof?’‘Myloneliness.Sometimesitisverydepressing.’‘Shrimati,mayIgiveyousomeadvice?Hopeyouwillnotmind.Oneshould

havethebasichappinesswithinoneself.Thathappinesscomesfromconfidence,

andconfidencecomesfromthekindofworkonedoeswhole-heartedly.‘Ihavenoticedthatyouhavenotlostyourloveforhistory.Ihavebeen

observingyoueversinceIhaveknownyou.IrememberhowyoudescribedBadamiandSravanabelagolaandAjantaandElloramanyyearsago.Howyouapproachedthemonumentsandplacesofhistoricalsignificanceonthistripwasalsocommendable.Youhavebecomemoremature.Youarenolongerasemotionalabouthistory,youhavedevelopedacriticalandanalyticalapproach.‘Ihadthoughtthatmarriage,thiskindofwealth,familyresponsibilitieswould

havemadeyoudull,lazyandarrogant.Butyouarestillverysensible,yourattitudetolifehasnotchanged.Ifanything,yourthoughtsseemtogodeeperandhavebecomeclearer.‘Shrimati,ifyouwanttodoaPh.Devennow,youcandoit.Ageisnotabar.

Iwillgetyouascholarship.Apersonlikeyoucanalwayspickupthethreads.‘Butthedecisionhastobeyours,yourpersonalchoice.Ionlywantedtotell

youtothinkitover.’ProfessorCollinspausedandlookedatherface.Therewassadnessandthere

wasimmeasurablehelplessness.Hecontinued,‘Inlife,everyoneisnotblessedwithintelligence.Peoplewho

haveintelligencedonotuseitproperly.Iamsurprisedtoseethatyouareleadingsuchafruitlesslife.Ifyouholdwaterinyourhandittricklesaway.Yourintelligencetooistricklingawaywithtime.IfDorothywerehere,Iwouldhavesaidthesamethingtoher.MaybemycultureisdifferentsoIvieweverythinginthatway.Livinglikethismaybeverycommoninyourculture.’ShrimatididnotreplyandProfessorCollinsdidnotcontinue.ShrimatiwenttotheairporttoseeoffProfessorCollins.Whenthesecurity

checkannouncementwasmade,shelookedathim.Hewasoldandtiredbuthislifewaspureandclean,likeahermit’slife.Thethirstforknowledgewasthebreathofhislifeandtherewasnoguile,deceitormanipulationoranyotherdesireinhim.Thatiswhyhecouldlookateveryonewithacompassionateheart.Thoughhewasn’trelatedtoher,norbelongedtohercountry,thekindof

concernProfessorCollinsshowedherremindedShrimatiofhermotherKamala.Unknowingly,tearsfilledhereyes.SheopenedthebagthatshewascarryingandpresentedProfessorCollinswithabeautifullyembroideredKashmirishawl.‘Sir,whenyouareworkingonyourresearch,orwheneveryoufeelcold,you

canusethis.LetitremindyouofmethoughIstaythousandsofmilesaway.’

canusethis.LetitremindyouofmethoughIstaythousandsofmilesaway.’‘Shrimati,Idon’trequireashawltorememberyouby.WheneverIseeany

studentwhoisbrightandsharp,Ithinkofyou.’Therewasafinalcallforpassengerstogotosecurity.SuddenlyShrimatibent

downandtouchedhisfeet.Itwasaspontaneousgesture,showingalltherespectandregardshefeltforhim.ProfessorCollinswastakenaback.Hepattedhershouldersandsaid,‘May

godblessyou,mychild,’andwalkedaway.

TWENTY -ONE

JacobandDollyLyneswerecomingtoIndia.JacobwasthepresidentofanAmericancompanywithabusinessinterestinShrikant’scompany.MostoftherevenuethatthecompanyearnedcamefromAmerica.SoShrikantwasverycarefulinthewayhetreatedhisAmericanclients.HewasawarethatasoftwareprojectthatwasdesignedinIndiawouldfetchmuchmoreprofitthanitwouldifitwasdoneinAmerica.Shrikant’scompanyhadtosetagoodtrackrecordifitwantedtobelistedontheNewYorkStockExchange.ShrikanthaddecidedtohostadinnerinhonourofJacobandDollyLynesin

oneoftherestaurantsattheOberoiTowersatNarimanPoint.Tosuchparties,Shrikantwouldinviteleadingbusinessmen,industrialists,governmentofficials—allthewho’swho.Thepurposeofthesedinnerswasnottoeat,buttodevelopcontacts.Normally,theinviteswereprintedinthenamesofShrimatiandShrikant.

Shrimatihadtoplaythedutifulhostess,welcomeeveryonewithasmileandseethatalltheguestswerecomfortable.Shehadtotalktoeverybodyandmakethemfeelimportant.AweekhadpassedsinceProfessorCollinshadleftIndia.Shrimatistarted

thinkingmoreandmoreabouthistory.Sherealizedthatshemissedstudyingthesubject.Athome,searchingforsomeimportantpapersshecameacrossRavi’sletteronceagain.Thatdisturbedherevenmore.RavihadwrittenthatShrimatiwasclearinherthinking.Wasshereallyclear?Ifthatwasso,whywasshegettingsoupsetoflate?Shefeltavacuumwithinherself,thattheworkshewasdoingwasagainstherwishes,thatshewasn’tenjoyingit.Sheaskedherselfthe

reasonforfeelingthisway.Thenshesuddenlyrealizedthatshehadneverenjoyedattendingparties.Butshecouldnotstayawayfromthemeither.Likethatevening’sdinner.Thethoughtmadeherevenmoreunhappy.Itwasadifficultsituation.Ifsherefusedtoattend,Shrikantwouldgetupset,andifshewentshewouldbeupset.Thatday,forthefirsttime,shedecidednottogoforthedinner.Shecalledup

Shrikant’soffice.Priyaansweredthephone.Priya,Shrikant’ssecretary,wasextremelyefficient.Shelovedherjoband

workedashardastwopeople.‘Priya,willyouputShrikantonthelineplease,Iwanttospeaktohim.’Shrimatiwasawarethatpersonalmessagesshouldnotbepassedthroughthe

secretaryasitcouldleadtogossip.‘Sorry,madam,sirisonavideoconference.’‘Allright,Priya,butinformhimthatIhadcalled.’Shrimatiwasangry.Washiswife’scallnotimportantenoughforhim?He

couldhaveexcusedhimselfandcomeoutforaminute.Therewereotherstherewhowerealsopartoftheconference.ForaminuteshewasupsetwithPriya,butshesoonrealizedthatshehadjustbeendoingherduty.Shrimatiwassousedtodoingwhatevershewastoldthatbeingobedienthad

becomeahabit.Itoftenupsethergreatly,yetshecouldnotdisobeyinstructions.Shrimatiwasexhausted—mentallyandphysically.Shefeltshehadtogetout

ofthehouse.Shetookhercaroutandwasabouttodriveoffwhenherdriver,smokinga

beediwiththeotherdriversinthebasement,camerunningtowardsher.Shewavedhimoff,sayingshewantedtodriveherself.Shedidnotknowwhereshewasgoing.Withoutthinkingshefoundherselfon

theroadtoJuhubeach.Oncethere,sheparkedthecaranddecidedtotakeawalkalongtheshore.Itwasafternoonandtherewerehardlyanypeopleonthebeach.Haditbeen

eveningtherewouldn’thavebeenanyplacetostand!Shesawafewteenagecoupleswhohadobviouslybunkedcollege.Probablyitwasthebesttimeoftheirlives.Shrimatitoorememberedhercollegedaysandshebecameevenmoreupset.Shrikantwouldmakeupexcusestotellhismotherandcometomeetheratthebotanicalgardens.TheywouldwalkuptotheTaiwacwatchcompany

compound.Shrimatiwouldhaveherclassesonlythree-timesaweek,butwhenShrikantwasintown,shewouldcometocollegeallthesixdays.WhenShrikantwasintownhewouldnotmissgoingtotheUniversityevenonasingleday.Theywouldtalkendlessly.Thoughtheydidnothavemoneyatthattime,theyhadsomuchtotalkabout.Shrikantdidallthetalkingandshelistenedtohim.Shrikantwouldtellherabouthiscollege,hisfriendsandprofessors,hisstudies,theextracurricularactivitiesandallabouthislifeatIIT.ThoughShrimatihadn’tmetanyofthepeoplehetalkedabout,shefeltsheknewthembecauseshehadheardsomuchabouteachperson.Thosehadindeedbeenbeautifuldays.WhathadhappenedtoShrikantnow?Thelove,affectionandsharingofideas

anddreamshaddisappeared.Hehardlytalkedtoheraboutthecompanyorotherbusinessmatters.Theonlytimehespoketoherwastoassignalistofchoresforhertodo.Forhimshehadundergonesomuchopposition,criticismandnastinessfromherin-laws.Shehadevengivenuphercareer,onlybecauseshereallylovedhim.ButShrikantwasnotthesamepersonsheknewbeforetheirmarriage.ThisShrikantDeshpandewasonlyinterestedinname,fame,positionandstatus.Inbuildinguphisbusiness,hehadforgottenhisdearwife.ThisShrikantappearedastrangertoher.Wherecouldshefindherold‘Shri’?Shrimatisatonawoodenbenchandgaveventtohergrief.Shesobbed

uncontrollably,unmindfulofthepeoplearoundher.ButthiswasBombay.Nobodywouldcomeandaskherwhatthematterwas,ortrytoconsoleher.Shrimatirealizedthathermemoriesweremakingherunhappy,insteadofsoothingher.Shefeltshecouldnotsitonthebeachanylonger.Shewantedtogosomewhereelse.Shewipedhertearsandwenttothecar.Itwaslikeaheatedoven.ShefeltlikegoingtomeetVandana.Butshedidnotwanttogounannounced.SherealizedthatPramodmighthavetakencasualleavefromworktobewithhisfamily.Shedidnotwanttodisturbthem.Shrikantneverusedhiscasualleave.Heworkedallthedaysoftheweek.Evenhisearnedleavewashardlyevertaken.Heavingadeepsigh,Shrimatidecidedtogobackhome.Whenshewalkedin,hermaidChampatoldher,‘Madam,therewasaphone

callfromsaab.’ShewasinnomoodtotalktoShrikant.Butherduty-conscious

minddidnotallowhertoignorethemessage.Maybehehadsomeimportantworkforher.Otherwisehewouldnotcallherfromtheoffice.Whenshecalled,ShrikantwasnottherebuthehadleftamessagewithPriya.

‘Sirwantsyoutobringhiswallet,whichhehasforgottenathome.’HearingthatmadeShrimatimoreupset.Whenshedidnotsayanything,Priyaasked,‘Madam,areyouthere?Iseverythingallright?’Quickly,Shrimatireplied,‘Yes,Priya,thankyou,’anddisconnectedthephone.

TWENTY -TWO

BythetimeShrimatireachedOberoiTowers,someoftheguestshadalreadyarrived.ShrikantlookedveryannoyedbecauseShrimatiwaslate.Itwasherdutytocomeearlyandreceivetheguests.Shrimatinoticedhisexpressionbutignoredit.Shelookedpaleandtired.Andunenthusiastic.ThatmadeShrikantevenmoreangry,thoughhedidnotshowit.Heintroducedhertosomenewguests.Insteadofshakinghandsasusual,thatdayShrimatifoldedherhands,said‘Namaskar,’andsmiled.Shrikantadded,‘Wearepleasedtomeetyou.’Shrimatiwasverytemptedtosay,‘Iamextremelyunhappyatmeetingpeoplelikeyouandwastingmytime.’Butshecouldnotsaythat.Shewas,afterall,thewifeofthedirectorofthecompany.Shesmiledartificiallyandsaid,‘Iamgladtomeetyou.’Waiterswithdrinksweredoingtheroundsamidstthegroupsofconversing

menandwomen.Diningwasamereformality.Afterherfirstsuchparty,Shrimatiwastakenabackatseeingthebill.‘Isn’tittoomuch,Shri?’sheasked.‘Thefoodwasn’tverygoodeither.’Laughingatherignorance,Shrikanthadreplied,‘Don’tapplyyourHubli

normstosuchaparty.Theamountofmoneywespendatthesepartiesisapittancecomparedtothebusinessweget.’Everydinner,everyconversation,everyrelationshipwasbasedonprofitand

loss.Whatawaytolive,shehadthought!Shrimatiwasremindedofthatconversationonceagain.Shewaslostindeep

thoughtwhenHarish’swifePrabhacameandtappedhershoulder.‘Shrimati,whereareyoulost?’Prabha,anMAinsociology,wasfromAgra.Shehadasix-year-oldson,Amol,whowasinaboardingschoolinKodaikanalinTamilNadu.‘Ohhello,Prabha,Ididn’tseeyou,’Shrimatisaid.‘HowisAmol?Doyou

‘Ohhello,Prabha,Ididn’tseeyou,’Shrimatisaid.‘HowisAmol?Doyoumisshim?’sheasked.ShehadmanagedtoevadePrabha’squestion.ThetalkativePrabhareplied,

‘Tobeveryfrankwithyou,Shrimati,Iamhappythatheisinboardingschool.Itisaverydisciplinedlife,andhehaslotsofcompany.Asanonlychildhegetsboredandwasbeginningtogetalittlestubborn.Besides,weonlytalkinHindiathome.TherehewilllearntospeakexcellentEnglish.’Prabhawasafriendly,open,person.ThoughShrimatiandsheweredifferent

innaturetheywereverygoodfriends.Prabhadidnottakelifeseriously.Shedidnotthinktoodeeplyaboutanythingeither.WheneverHarishwentontour,shewouldgotoAgra.Shehadabigfriends’circleeveninBombay.Allofthemwouldoftengooutforlunchorshopping.‘Prabha,whydon’tyouhaveanotherchild?Amolwillalsohavecompany.’‘Areyoumad,Shrimati!IhadalotofproblemsduringpregnancyandIdonot

wanttogothroughitagain.‘TheconversationwasinterruptedbyMeherEngineer.‘Hi,Shrimati!Youarelookingsobeautiful.Howdoyoumanagetostayso

slim?DoyougotoFiguretteatBandra?Itseemsallfilmstarsgothere.IwishIwereinBandra,’MrsEngineersaidwistfully,lookingdownatherobesebody.MrEngineerwasawell-knownbuilder.TheywerejoinedbyPremaMalhotra,wifeofanadvertisingexecutive.

‘Shrimati!Hownicetoseeyouagain.Whatareyourplansfortheweekend?ItseemsthereisadiamondjewelleryexhibitiononatTribhuvandasZaveri.Allofushavedecidedtogo.Whydon’tyoucomewithus?’shesaid.‘Sorry,Imaynotbeabletocome.Shrimightbeathome.’‘Ohc’monShrimati!Youbehavelikeaperfecthousewife.Whenourmen

don’tbotheraboutusandtravelallthetimefortheirwork,wealsoshouldspendourtimethewaywewant.’Thatwastheadvicegivenbytheelderly,infactseniormostlady,IndumathiSukhtankar.Shrimatiwasfeelingsick.Sarees,jewelleryalwaysbroughtherbad

memories.TheywouldremindherofGangakka’staunts.Gangakkawantedherdaughter-in-lawtobesimplebutherdaughtercouldwearthebestofsareesandloadsofgoldornaments.IfShrimatiboughtanexpensivesaree,GangakkawouldshoutatherforwastingShrikant’smoney.Ramahadanindirectwayofmockingher,‘Shrimati,foryourcomplexion,

pearljewellerymightbebetterthangold!’suggestingthatShrimatiwasdarker

pearljewellerymightbebetterthangold!’suggestingthatShrimatiwasdarkerthanShrikant.Butthereisnousethinkingofallthatnow,thoughtShrimati,andwentbacktotheguests.Shrikanthadnoticedthathiswifewasnothernormalselfthatdayandonthe

pretextoftakinghiswalletfromher,hewentuptoShrimatiandsoftlybutfirmlytoldherinKannada,‘Shrimati,what’swrongwithyou?YouhavenotspokentoJacob!Goandtalktohimandhiswifeimmediately.’Thechiefguestsfortheevening,JacobandDollyLynes,hadarrivedafew

minutesearlier.Dollyhadanartificialsmileonherlips.Shewasapartyperson.Sheattendedandhostedahundredsuchpartiesthroughouttheyear.Shrimatiwentuptothemandwithasmile,greetedthem.Aftersomesmall

talk,DollysaidtoShrimati,‘Itseemsyouareveryknowledgeableinhistory?YoumusthavegotyourdoctorateinAmerica.‘Shrimatirepliedcurtly,‘No,IamjustanMAfrommyhometown.’‘Oh,isthatso?Thenhowdidyoumanagetoacquiresomuchknowledgeand

sophistication?’Shrimatididnotbothertoanswerthatquestion.ForDolly,theanswerwasnotimportant.Shewasjustmakingconversation.‘Well,Shrimati,thenyoumuststudytheancientandsplendidhistoryof

America.’‘Excuseme,Dolly.Yourhistoryisneitherancientnorsplendid.Thesuccess

ofAmericaistheresultoftechnicalprogressandimplementationoftheinnovativeideasthatwereborninsomeothercountry.Yourcountry’shistoryistheyoungestintheworld.’‘Idon’tunderstand...’‘TaketheexampleofSAPsoftware.ItwasinnovatedinGermanybut

implementedintheUSandtodaythewholeworldthinksitisanAmericaninvention...’Shrikant’ssharpearscaughtShrimati’scoldandharshremarks.WhatwasShrimatitalkingabout?Thiswasnotthekindofthingtosayata

party.DollywasthepowerbehindJacob.Whyarguewithsuchaperson?Herehewastryingtopleaseeveryone,andtherewasShrimatibeingsoblunt.

Shrikantwasworriedthatshemightspoilthingsforhimandruinhisbusiness

dealings.Amanofgreatcommonsense,heknewthatifsomeone’sclotheswerestuckonathornbush,itwasbettertogentlyfreethegarmentthanpullitoff.Shrikantjoinedtheconversation.‘Hello,Dolly!Youlookwonderful!HowwasyourtriptoJaipur?’ThiswasanindicationforShrimatitostopbeingblunt.Butshedeliberately

ignoredit.‘Oh,Shrikant,itwaslovely.IcanseesomuchWesterninfluenceinIndia.

Lookatthenameofthisroomforinstance.ItissuchabeautifulFrenchname.’NeitherDollynorShrikantknewwhatLaGiacondameant.Shrimaticouldnotresist.‘ItisnotamereFrenchname.Itisthenameofthe

world-famouspaintingofLeonardodaVinci,theMonaLisa,theladywiththeenigmaticsmile.Itishertheroomisnamedafter.IfonegoestoParisandonehasthetimeandtheinclinationtovisittheLouvre,onecanseetheMonaLisathere.’Shrikantwastakenaback.HefeltthatthiswasaninsulttoDolly.Shrimati

wasnotbehavinglikeacharminghostess.Onthecontrary,shewasbeingrudetohisguest!HowdiditmatterifitwasLaGiacondaorMonaLisa.Gettingbusinesswas

Shrikant’sultimateintention.Thepartywentonasusual.ShrikantdidnotdisturbShrimatiagain.

TWENTY -THREE

Whilereturningfromtheparty,Shrikantwasnothisplacidself.Hewasfuming.HewantedtotalktoShrimati.HecouldnotwaittilltheyreachedhomesohestartedtheconversationinKannada.EveninthatsituationhetookcarethatMaruthi,hisdriver,shouldnotunderstandthecontentsoftheconversation.‘Shrimati,whatisthematterwithyou?WhydidyouinsultDolly?Who

wantedyourknowledgeofhistory?’‘Shri,Ididnotgotheretoexhibitmyknowledge.Forthatmatter,Ididnot

evenwanttogo.EvenifIhadwantedtoshowoff,therewasnoonetherewhowouldhaveunderstoodit.LookatDolly!Lookatherarrogance!ThewayshelooksdownuponIndia—shebelievesthatwehavetolearneverythingfromtheircountry.LookatProfessorCollinsorDorothy.Theyaresoknowledgeableandyethumble.Educationshouldbringsimplicityandmodesty.’‘Enoughofyourlecture,Shrimati.Don’ttalkaboutyourworthlesssubject.

Theworldofbusinessissodifferentfromyours.Historycannotfeedyou.Don’tbehavelikeahistorianatsuchparties.Youshouldrememberthatyourepresentourcompanyandmustbeloyaltoit.Afterall,whatisthereinIndia’shistorytoboastsomuchabout?’Shrikantpaused.Shrimatiwastremendouslyhurt.Shedidnotanswer.Whateverlanguagethey

hadspokenin,Maruthiwouldknowthathusbandandwifewerequarrelling.Whentheyreachedhome,Shrikantchangedintohisnight-dressandpickeduptheEconomicTimes.Heusuallyglancedattheheadlinesinthemorningastherewasn’tenoughtimetoreadindetail.Butatnighthereaditcarefully.Thatday,

hewassoupsetbytheincidentthatthoughhewasholdingthepaper,hewasunabletoread.Shrimatiwasmoreupsetthanhim.Hermindwasseething.Forthefirsttime

intenyearsofmarriage,Shrikanthadattackedherindividualfreedom.Whathadhesaid?Shrimatirecalledhiswords.Don’ttalkaboutyourworthlesshistory.Theworldofbusinessissodifferentfromyours.Historycannotfeedyou.Don’tbehavelikeahistorianatsuchparties.Youshouldrememberthatyourepresentourcompany...Afterall,whatisthereinIndia’shistorytoboastsomuchabout?Shetoocouldhavesaidmanythingstohim,‘Shri,donotforgetthatyouare

notonlythedirectorofacompany.YouarealsothehusbandofShrimatiwhoissensitiveandsentimentalaboutIndianhistory.Donotmeasureeverythingintermsofprofitandloss.’Butshehadnotsaidthat.Shehadnevertalkedillofanybody,ordeliberatelyhurtShrikant.Buttodayhissharpwordshadchoppedthetendertreeoftheirrelationship.ShrimatisnatchedthepaperthatShrikantwastryingtoread.‘Shri,tellmewhatwasyourintentioninsayingallthatinthecar?Ihavenot

doneanythingtobringdownyourprestige.’ThenormallyquietShrimatiwasburstinglikeacrackertorchedbyaflame.Shewassoupsetandemotionalthatherhandsweretrembling.Shrikanttookherhandsandmadehersitnexttohim.Hewascoolandcalculativeinhiswords.‘Shrimati,weIndiansliveonourpastglory.Onceuponatime,itissaid,Indiawasthemostprosperouscountry,thelandofhoneyandnectar.DiamondsandpearlsweresoldonthestreetsofHampi.ThedoormenofNalandaUniversitywouldconducttheentranceexaminationsforstudents.Whetherthereisanytruthinthatornot,Idonotknow.Butthesearethingsofthepast.Forgetthepast.Whatwearetodayiswhatisrelevantandimportant.Wehaveaveryrigidcastesystem,superstitionsaboundandtotopitall,ahighlycorruptsociety.LookattheWest.Theyarescientific,systematicandprogressive.Youtalksomuchabouthistory,letmeaskyouasimplequestion.Whichismoreimportant,theKalingawarwhichyourEmperorAshokafoughtorpresent-dayterrorismwhichwehavetostop?WemustthinkofthewaysbywhichwecanmakeIndiaamodern,scientificanddevelopedcountry.‘Shrimati,youtalksomuchaboutAshokaandidolizehim.Whathashedone?

HeembracedBuddhism.Hence,hisarmybecameweak.Subsequently,henever

HeembracedBuddhism.Hence,hisarmybecameweak.Subsequently,heneverfoughtawartoprotecthiscountry.Eventually,hisempirewasdestroyedbyhisenemies.Becauseofhisattitudewelostourcountrytoinvaders.’ShrikantwascriticizingShrimati’sfavouritesubjectandbelittlingherhero,

Ashoka.ThoughShrikantdidnotknowmuchaboutAshoka,hesaidallthatbecausehewantedtohurtShrimati.Businesshadtaughthimthat.Toinsultaperson,youdon’tneedtoattackhimorherdirectly,onecandothatinsteadbyattackingwhatthatpersonadmiresorrespects.ThoughShrikanthadspokencalmlyandcoolly,hewasstillfuminginside.Hewenttotherefrigeratoranddrankaglassofwatertohidehisanger.Shrimati’sfuryknewnobounds.‘Shri,whatareyoutryingtosuggest?Do

youmeanhistoryisasubjectofthedead,thelostandthedefeated?Doesthepastnothaveanyrelevancetothepresent,accordingtoyou?Youarewrong.Itdoes.Acompany’spastcansaywhatacompany’sfuturecanbe,onlyinyourlanguageitiscalled“trackrecord”!YougavemetheexampleofAshoka,butwhatdoyouknowabouthim?Oneshouldn’ttalkaboutanythingwithoutknowingenoughaboutthesubject.Forapersonlikeyouwhoalwayscalculateseverything,understandingsuchagreathumanbeingiswaybeyondyourability.Ashokanevertriedtoimmortalizehimself.Hisdeedsmadehimgreat.Whenanempirefalls,therearevariousreasonsforit.Thesuccessorsoftheemperormightnotbegood.Theinvadermightbemighty.Justastrongarmycannotwinawar.WhathappenedtoAllauddinKhiljiwhoextendedhiskingdomfromDelhitoRameswarambysheerpowerofthesword?Hisempirevanishedwithinfouryearsofhisdeath.AbenevolentkinglikeShivajimadeagreatimpactwithhissmallarmyagainstthemightyMughals.Forafailure,therearemanycomplexreasons.Andforyourinformation,warisnottheonlysolution.‘Shri,youhavevisitedBoston.YouhavevisitedDelhi.Bostonisnotolder

thanDelhi.ButthehistoricalsenseofAmericansmakesthempreserveallthehistoricalmonumentsofBoston.HaveyounotseentheFreedomTrialinBoston?Howmanyofuswouldliketokeepourmonumentslikethem?EverysmallcountryinEuropeisextremelyproudofitshistoryandwillmakeeveryefforttopreserveandshowcaseit.’Shrimatipausedandswalloweddeeply.Herfacewasflushedwithemotion.

Shethencontinued,‘Overaperiodoftime,thesuperstitionsofaculturegrowontobecomeahabit.Theolderthecivilization,thegreaterthesuperstitiousbeliefs

andhenceslowertheprogress.Itislikeawave.Oldercivilizations,likeEgypt,ChinaandIndia,arerigidunlikeAmerica.Justasthereareupsanddownsinthelifeofanindividual,thesameistrueforacountry.’ShrimatipausedandlookedatShrikant.Shehadneverspokensomuchwith

suchfeeling.Shrikantwassurprised.Helookedatherasifhewasseeingherforthefirsttime.Shrimatihadnotfinished.Sherememberedthewayhehadwhippedherwithhiswordsandshecontinued.‘Don’tthinkWesterncountriesdonothavesuperstitionsandthattheyare

alwaysrational.Whyisnumberthirteenconsideredabadnumber?Whydotheysaywalkingunderaladderbringsbadluck?Andwhydoyounggirlsrushtocatchthebride’sbouquet?Oneshouldthinklogicallyaboutwhywehaveremainedeconomicallybackward.Abrightpersonlikeyouwhoisinbusinesscanunderstanditverywell.Youdon’trequireahistorian’shelp.WhentheIndustrialRevolutiontookplace,wewereslavesoftheBritish.Theydestroyedourhomeindustriessothatwewouldhavetobuytheirproducts.Astepmotherwillneverloveherstepchildren.SotheBritishneverbotheredabouttheindustrializationofourcountry.Pleasedonotthinkthatindustrializationissuchagreatthing.Itloosenssocialbonding,bringsinadisparitybetweenthehavesandhavenotsandmostimportantly,leadstopsychologicaldisorders.’Shrimatistoppedtalking.Shrikantwasstilllisteningtoher.Thistime,

Shrimatidrankwater.Shecontinued,hervoicesoftening.‘Shri,pleaselookatyourdress,andthe

Englishlanguagethatyouspeakmostofthetime.IsitnotawitnesstothevictoryofBritishcolonization,evenaftermanyyearsofindependence?’ThiswastoomuchforShrikant.Hewasdumbstruck.Hehadneverexpected

Shrimatitolashoutathimwithsuchharshwords.Shewouldusuallycryandkeepquietbutneverarguewithhimsofiercely.Asanindividual,hewasawarethatShrimati’sargumentswereclear,preciseandlogical,butasahusband,hewasunabletodigestit.ItwasprobablythefirsttimeinthetenyearsoftheirmarriagethatShrimatihadshownherunhappinessanddisagreementwithShrikant’swayofthinking.InthatinstantShrikantfeltthattheyweretwostrangerslivingunderthesameroof.

TWENTY -FOUR

ShrikantreceivedaletterfromGangakka.Shewrote,oncewhenShrikantwasillasachild,shehadprayedforhisrecoverytoLordMylaralinga.Now,theLordhadappearedinherdreamsandhadremindedherofherdues.SoshehaddecidedtogiveagoldencrowntotheLord.Sheorderedhersontotakeafewdays’leaveandmakethepilgrimagewiththecrown.TherewasnomentionofShrimatiintheentireletter.ThetempleofMylaralinga,anothernameofShivaorEshwara,issituatedon

thehillsofDevaragudda,aroundahundredkilometresfromHubli.GangakkahadgreatfaithinthefamilydeityandbelievedthatunlessLordMylaralingablessedhim,Shrikantwouldnotprosper.Shrikantknewthathismotherwasverysuperstitiousandgodsappearingin

herdreamswasacommonoccurrence.Hewasveryhappythathismoneycouldbeusedtofulfilhismother’swishes.Moneywasnotanissueatall.ButShrikantbeinganatheist,neverwentwithheronpilgrimages.HethoughtthatthenexttimehewenttoBangalore,hewouldvisithissisterandmotheratHubli.ButtravellingtoHubliwouldtakeupanextraday.WhilehavingdinnerthatnighthetoldShrimati,‘Onmynextvisitto

Bangalore,marktwodaysoffforpersonalwork.’Shrimatiimmediatelyrealizedthereason.Itirritatedher.Thoughshetriedto

hideit,herunhappinessshowedonherface.‘So,youaregoingtoHubli.Isthereanyspecialreason?’‘Notreally,butIwantedtoseeAvva.’‘ButShrikant,Iwantyoutotakeacoupleofdaysoffandsitwithmetotalk

overmanythings.’

overmanythings.’‘Whatistheretotalkfortwodays,Shrimati?’‘Whenyoucanspendtwodaysforyourmother’ssake,can’tyouspendtwo

dayswithme?Iamallalonehere.’‘Thatisnotanewthingforyou.Ifyouwant,youcancometoHublitoo.’‘Whenyourmotherhasnotcalledme,whyshouldIcome?WhyshouldIstay

alonehere?Hasyoursisterstayedaloneanytimeinherlife?Yourmothergoestokeephercompanyevenifsheisaloneforaday.’‘Shrimati,don’tcompareyourselfwithRama.Youaremoreeducatedthan

her.’‘Shrikant,youhaveonesetofrulesformeandanotherforher.Everytimeshe

getstheupperhandonlybecausesheisuneducated.IsitwrongthatIameducated?WhyshouldIhavetosufferlikethis?’Actuallytheissuewasnotaboutstayingalone.ItwasGangakka.‘Shri,youhavetimeandmoneyforyourmother.Idon’twantyourmoney.

ButIwantyourtime.’Shrimati’sangerwasragingandherpatiencewasbreaking.ShecouldnottakeanymoreinsultsfromGangakka.‘Avvaknowsthatyouarenothappythereandyouwon’tcome.Soshehasnot

invitedyou.’Shrimatistartedsobbing.Allsaidanddone,ShrikantwasGangakka’sson.

Evenaftertenyearsofmarriage,hehadneverbeenShrimati’shusband.Itisthedutyofeverymothertoeducateherchild,regardlessoftheodds.Shrikant,however,believedthathismotherhadmadeanextraordinarysacrificeforhim.Ontheotherhand,allthatShrimatihaddonewasmerelythedutyofawife,andtherewasnothingspecialaboutit.Shrikantpickeduphisfilesandwenttohisstudy.Shrimatiwashopingthathe

wouldtalktoher,consoleher.Buthedidn’t.Shrimatifeltsuffocated.ShecouldnotstayinthesamehousewithShrikant.Shetookthehousekeysandwalkedout.Itwasnightandshewasallalone.Hearingthesound,Shrikantknewthat

Shrimatihadopenedthefrontdoor.Heshouted,‘Shrimati,don’tgooutalone!’Sherepliedcoolly,‘Icanmanage.’Shrikantwasrelievedthatthequarrelhadended,andimmersedhimselfinhis

files.Shrimatigotoutofthebuildingandstartedwalkingdowntheroad.

Thisprestigiousapartmentblockhousedexecutivesofmanycompanies.Shewonderedwhethereveryfamilyhadfightsliketheirs.Wasthererealpeaceinanyfamily?Werealltheseambitiousmenasunconcernedabouttheirwives’feelings?Whoknows!Nobodytellsthetruthabouttheirfamilylife.Mosthusbandsandwivesputon

theappearanceofbeingperfectlymatched!Shrimatiwalkeduptotheseasideandsatontheconcreteembankment.Atthis

hour,veryfewpeoplewerearound.Undernormalcircumstances,Shrimatimighthaverealizedthedangerincomingoutaloneatnightandfeltscared.Butthatdaysuchthingswereofnoimportance.Shejustwantedtobealone.Hereyesfilledwithtearsandrolleddownhercheeks,wettinghersaree.Sherememberedallthefightsathome.Thecoolseabreezeruffledherlonghairandtouchedherface.Itbroughtbackmemoriesofthehappydaysofthepast.Shewasdreamingoncemore...SomanyflowersofsplendidcolourswereinbloominthemonthofShravan.

Shecouldsmellthefragranceofthechampaka,jasmine,rajanigandhaandaboveall,thedelicatebakula...Hermindwasfullofsensation.Herheartwasfullofhopeandlonging.She

wouldgatherallthebakulaflowersandmakeastringthatwouldadornherplait.Shrikantwouldcome.Hewouldtakethestringofbakulafromherhairandinhaleitsfragrance.Hewouldn’tletherwearanyotherflowerinherhair...Hewouldalwayssaythattheflowersinherhairsmeltdoublysweet...Thewaveswerecrashingagainsttherockwithoutrest,andsowereher

dreams.Shesatthereforalongtime,andthenwithoutwarningitbegantorain.Itwas

anunseasonableshower.Shrimatiwasdrenched.Therewassomuchwaterintheseaandtherewassomuchwaterinthecloudsbutshefeltthirsty.AllsheneededwasafewkindwordsfromGangakkaorafewwordsofappreciationfromherhusband,toquenchherthirst.Thenightpolicemanwhowaspatrollingthearea,calledouttoher,‘Madam,

pleasegohomenow.Itisdangeroustosithereallalone.’Shrimatiwasinnomoodtoargue.Soshegotupandstartedwalkingback.Whenshereturnedhome,Shrikantwasstillbusywithhisfiles.Bythistimeshehadcalmeddownandwantedtotalktohim.‘Shri,canyoudomeafavour?’

‘Shri,canyoudomeafavour?’Shrikantwashappythathiswifewashernormalselfagainsothathecould

workmoreefficiently,withpeaceofmind.‘Whatisit,Shrimati?Isitsomethingimpossible?’‘Ifyoumakeupyourminditisnotdifficult.’‘Whatisit?’‘Shrikant,youhaveachievedalotinlife.Wehaveenoughmoneyfortherest

ofourlives.Giveupthisjob.Let’sgobacktoHubli.Thereyouhadsomuchtimeforus.Wecandowhateverwewant.’Shrikantlaughed.Hepushedthefilesacrossthetableandcameroundto

whereshewas.Puttinghisarmsaroundher,hesaid,‘Shrimati,areyouawareofwhatyoujustsaid?Thinkrationally,andbepractical.Youwantmetoretireattheageofthirty-three!Amanisinhisprimeatthisage.Itisthetimeforhimtogrowprofessionally.Besides,IstillfeelthatIhavenotachievedmuchinlife.IcannotliveinHubli.WhatwouldIdothere?Hubliismypast.IwillbelikeafishoutofwaterinHubli,thoughIwasbornandbroughtupthere.MypresentandfutureisinBombay.Idonotwasteevenamomenthere.’Shrimatididnotknowwhattosaytothat.‘Shrimati,thepastisalwaysbeautifulbecausewecannotgetitback.

Childhoodlooksbeautifulwhenyouareyoung.Youthlooksromanticwhenyouareold.Whateverweloseisalwaysprecious.Thinkofadjustingandlookingforwardtoanever-changingworld.Don’tgetintothepast.’ShrimatiwasspeechlessatShrikant’swords.Shrikantlookedatherandsaid,‘Whyareyounotsayinganything?’Sherepliedsadly,‘Shri,ifyoucan’tunderstandmysilence,thenyouwillnot

understandmywords!’Shrimaticouldnotsleepthatwholenight.ButShrikantsleptsoundly.Things

likethisdidnotaffecthim.Hewouldfallasleepassoonashehitthebedsinceheworkedhardallday.Unabletosleep,ShrimatigotoutofbedandwenttotheGodrejalmirahinthe

room.ShetookoutthebundleoflettersthatShrikanthadwrittentoherduringhisIITdays.Shehadwrappedthemneatlyinasilkclothandhadkepttheminasandalwoodbox,asiftheywereagreattreasure.Shethoughtifshereadthemshewouldfeelbetter.Also,itwouldhelpherfindoutifitwasthesameShrikantwhowasnowherhusband.Sheopenedoneofthelettersandstartedtoreadit.It

wastheonewrittentoherwhenhehadseentheTajMahal,duringthefirstindustrialtourfromthecollege.

MydearShrimati,IsawtheTajMahaltoday.ThecityofAgraisverydirty.Idonotknowwhatyoufeelwhenyouseeitfromyourhistorian’sviewpoint.Buttheimmediatethoughtthatcametomymindwashowmanymarbleslabsthebuildermusthaveused!HemusthaveemptiedmanymarblequarriesinIndia.NoonecanbuildanotherTajMahal,becauseobviously,therewon’tbeenoughmarble!Iwonderhowmanymenworkedrelentlessyforthisprojectanddidtheemperorreallypaythemall!IamsurethatyouandIwillvisitthismonumentsometimeinourlifeandwhenwedo,Iknowyouwillbeamazedtoseeit.TheTajMahalissurroundedbyahugegarden.Whenwecomehere,Iwanttoliedownunderashadytree,myheadrestingonyourlap,readingacomputerbook...

Shrimatismiled,forgettingwhereshewasrightnow.Shefeltthateachwordinthatletterwasfilledwithaffection.Affectiondoesnotrequirebeautyorintelligence.Itonlyrequiresmutualloveandintensefaith.Thatiswhatultimatelybuildstrustinanyrelationship.Shrimatiputthelettersaway,switchedoffthelightandtriedtosleep.

Shrikantwassnoring.Shrimatiwantedtoask,Shriwherehaveyougone?WherehaveIlostyou?Shefeltshewassearchingforapathofloveinthedarkness,withoutatorch.

TWENTY -F IVE

Shrikantwokeupatfiveinthemorning.Hisdisciplinedmindcouldwakehimupatanytime.Heneverrequiredanalarm.Butthatday,eventhoughhewasawake,hedidnotgetoutofbed.Wasitmorethanjustlaziness?Wasitbecauseofwhathadhappenedthepreviousnight?Aftertossingandturningforfifteenminutes,Shrikantfeltthathecouldnotaffordtowasteanymoretime.Hegotupandwenttothekitchentomakehimselfacupoftea.HedidnotfeellikedisturbingShrimati.Whilehavinghisteainthebalcony,helookedatthesea.Afreshcoolmorningbreezewasblowing.Thoughitwaspleasant,hefeltthechill.HepulledhisgowntightaroundhimandwentinsideandbroughtShrimati’sshawltowraparoundhimself.Onceagainhefeltlikewatchingthesea,standinginthebalcony.Normally,hewouldneverwastetimelikethisearlyinthemorning.Hewouldrathermakeoverseascallsatthathour.Butthatday,hedidnotfeellikedoingso.Probablythiswasoneofthefewoccasionswherehelistenedtohisheartratherthanhismind.Inthedawn,Bandralookeddifferent.Thefisherwomencarryingtheirbaskets

offish,walkedbrisklytowardsthemarket.Theywereslim,welldressedandhardworking.TheyweretheKolicommunitywhohadonceuponatime,occupiedallofBombay.However,itwasnotjustacityanymorebutamegacityandtheeconomiccapitalofIndia.ShrikantcontemplatedhowinfifteenyearsBombayhadchangedandsohad

hislife.Inspiteofalltheproblems,Bombaywasmostdeartohim.Heappreciateditscosmopolitannature,itsprofessionalapproachandworkethic.Hethoughtifhehadn’tleftHubli,hewouldnothavebeeninthisposition!

Whilewatchingthesea,Shrikantrememberedhischildhood.Hubliwasaninlandtownsotheseawasunheardof.Herememberedthefirsttimethathehadseenthesea,whenhewasabouttwelveyearsold.HehadgonetoGokarnawithhismotherononeofherpilgrimages.ItwasthefirsttimehehadgoneanywhereoutsideHubli.Hehadveryfewrelativestovisit.TheonlyplacehecouldgotointheholidayswashisuncleSheenappa’shouse.Alongwithmemoriesofhischildhood,camethethoughtofhismother’s

hardshipsduringthattime.Belowhim,theroaringwavesweredashingagainsttheblackrocksandthenreceding.Whenonewaveflowedback,itmergedintoanotherone.Thiswenton,continuously.SodidShrikant’sthoughts.Onceagainherememberedhismother.HeronlydesirewasthatShrikantshouldbecomeanengineerandjointhePWD.ItwasbecauseGangakka’srolemodelwasShyam.Shyamusedtolookdownuponthem.Thingshadturnedaround,Gangakkawasthesuperioronenow,thankstoherson’sachievements.ThesunhadalreadyrisenandBombaywasbustlingwithactivity,destroying

themorningpeace.ButShrikant’smindwasstillinturmoil.Bombay!hethought.Withmoney,onecouldbuyanythingandeverythinghere,exceptamother’slove.Shrikantknewthathismotherwasnoteducatedandsoshewouldmakesomerudecomments.Shrimatiwouldn’tunderstandthat.HefeltthatbothGangakkaandShrimatiwerenotrational.He,ontheotherhand,wasalwayspractical.ActuallyBombaymadeeveryonepractical.PeoplefromNorthKarnatakaareveryemotional,Shrikantthought.Where

peoplearesentimental,emotionhastheupperhand.Whenpeopleareemotional,practicalityslackens.Whenapersonisnotpractical,heorsheisnotabletodoanybusiness.Whenthereisnobusiness,thereisnoeconomicgrowth.HismindwentbacktothefamilyfeudbetweenhisfamilyandShrimati’s.No

onereallyrememberedthereasonforit,butitstillcontinued.Shrimati’smotherKamalawasdifferent,though.Thebakulaflowercametohismind.Hethoughthowhehadnotseenanyfor

alongtime.Wouldhebeabletobuysomehere?HewantedtotellShrimatitogetafewforhim.Anefficient,resourcefulpersonlikeherwoulddefinitelyfindthem.Onceshetookresponsibilityforajob,shemadesureitwascompleted.AsusualShrikantleftforofficeateightinthemorning.Duetotheheavy

traffic,ifhedelayedleavinghomebyevenfiveminutes,hewouldgetlateby

halfanhourinreachinghisoffice.ForShrikant,whoweighedeveryminute,timewasprecious.HisdriverMaruthilikedtotalkbutShrikantdidnotencouragehim.Hebelievedthatadistanceshouldbemaintainedbetweenhimandthedriver.However,Shrimatididnotbelieveinbarrierslikethisandwouldchatwithdriversandmaids.Normally,Shrikantwouldlookatfilesormakecallsfromhismobilephoneas

hedrovetooffice.Butthatdayhefailedtodoanyofthesethings.Hetriedtofigureout

Shrimati’sbehaviouroflate.Shewasnolongerhercalmanddocileself.Shewouldargueoversillythings.Shehadeverythinginlife,allthecomfortsandconveniences.Hermother-in-lawwasnotstayingwithher,shecoulddowhatsheliked,buywhatevershewanted.Tothisday,Shrikant’schequebookwaswithher.Hewouldaskherformoneywheneverheneededsome.Hehadnobadhabits—hedidnotdrinknordidhewomanize.AndyetShrimatiwasunhappy.Shedidn’twanttogotoanybusinessdinnersanymore.ThelasttimeshehadgonetoGermanythreemonthsago,shehadspentthreedaysthereandenjoyedseeingtheBerlinMuseum.Shehadskippedeverysinglebusinessdinner.Shrikantcouldn’tunderstandwhattherewasinthemuseumthatsofascinatedher.Shehadseenthebestmuseumsintheworldandyetsheinsistedongoingthereeveryday.ShrikanthadgonetoParisforthreemonthsbutnotoncehadhethoughtofvisitingtheLouvre.Suddenlythecarjolted.Thedriverhadappliedtheairbrake.TherewasahugetrafficjamonthebusyPeddarRoad.ShrimatihadsooccupiedShrikant’smindthathehadnotnoticedit.Herbehaviourwasbotheringhim.Wasitherextremelysensitiveattitudethatwasmakingherunhappy?Recentincidentskeptsurfacinginhismind.LikewhenRamahadcometo

Bombayalongwithherchildren.ShrikanthadtakenallofthemfordinnertotheTaj.Lookingatthebill,Ramahadcommented,‘Shrikant,thecostofyouronenight’sdinnerisequaltoamonthofours.’ShrikanthadlaughedbutShrimatihadinterpreteditasRamaindirectly

hintingattheirlavishspendingonluxuries,whiletheyweresufferinginasmalltown!Shrikanthadtoldher,‘Shrimati,Ramahasneverseenafive-starhotel.So

don’ttakehercommentsseriously.’

Whenhewasyoungherememberedhismotherspendingenormoustimeandlabourcookingwithfirewoodandusingthegrindingstone.Shrimatihadneverhadtodothat—shehadacook.AndtheamountShrimatihadtravelled!Probablyonlyabirdwouldhave

travelledasmuch!ItwaspossibleonlybecauseShrikantearnedthatkindofmoney.Todoso,he

hadtoworkthewayhehadbeenworkingalltheseyears.Evennow,unlessthecompanydidwell,theycouldnotaffordtopaysuchsalaries.Ifthecompanyhadtobewell-off,thenbusinesshadtobebetter,andtodogoodbusiness,entertainingwasamust.ButShrimatirefusedtoattendsuchparties.Wasitnotwrong?WhileShrikantponderedthesethoughts,thecarreachedNarimanPoint.

ShrikantsawhisofficeandGangakka,RamaandShrimati,allvanishedfromhismind.Computers,competitionandproductsoccupiedthatspace.

TWENTY -S IX

AssoonasHarishsawShrikant,hefeltrelieved.Hehurriedlycameandsaid,‘Shrikant,IamextremelysorrybutIforgottoinformyouthatthestateITministerissupposedtovisitourofficetoday.’Shrikantwasupsetforasecond.‘Howcouldyouforgettotellmesuchan

importantthing?Itisunpardonable.’Shrikantrushedtohischamber.Hisroomwasspaciousbutspartan.Hehadan

excellentaestheticsensibility.Anyonewhowalkedintohisoffice,couldmistakeitforanAmericanoffice.Normally,Shrikantdidnotmeetallthevisitors.Onlyifthepersonwasvery

importantdidShrikantgivehimanappointment.Whenhecametoknowthattheministerwassupposedtovisit,hestartedchalkingouttheprogramme.OvertheyearsShrikanthadacquiredextraordinaryknowledgeindiversefields.Hehadalsodevelopedgreatconfidence,probablytheresultofhisphenomenalsuccess.Successmakesapersonconfident.ButShrikantputitinadifferentway:Repeatedsuccessmakesapersonarrogantandoccasionalfailuremakesapersonconfident,hewouldsay.HarishcouldnothelpnoticinghowmuchShrikanthadchangedoverthelast

fifteenyears.WhentheyhadjoinedIIT,HarishwasaBombayboyandShrikantwasasmall-townboy.Buttoday,Shrikantwassmarterthananyoneelse.Hewasgoingfromstrengthtostrengtheveryyear.Hehadalsobecomeaworkaholic.Initiallymenworkformoneybutsoon,moneybecomesunimportant.Itis

power.Thereisnothinglikepower.Powerislikeliquor.Oncetheintoxicationofpowercatchesholdofanambitiousperson,thereisnoescapefromit.Itisa

viciouscircle.Likeinawhirlpool,itisdifficulttocomeoutofit.Morework,moreinvolvementandmorepower.Theindividuallosestheabilitytoseeandenjoyanythingoutsidehiswork.Heisimmersedinworkthroughouttheday.Workishisbreath.Whathappenswhensuchpeoplegrowold?Allthepagesintheirbookoflifewillbeempty,exceptthepageofachievement.Shrikant’sbookwillcontaindifferentcomputerlanguages,differentspecificationsandproducts,butnothingabouthiswife,familyorfriends.Toachievethatkindofsuccess,onerequiredasupportive,intelligentbut

docileandunambitiouswife.Intelligentwomenarenormallyambitious.SomeonelikeShrimati,whonevereverdemandedanythingfromherhusband,wasrare.Harishthoughtforamoment.WhatwouldhavehappenedifShrikanthadmarriedapersonlikePrabha,whowasnotverysupportiveorRekha,whowasanexecutiveinthecompany?Theanswerwassimple.Shrikantwouldhavedesertedherorshewouldhavedesertedhim.Theminister’svisitwasover.HarishnoticedShrikant’sexpressionofpurejoywhentheministerleft.‘Hey,

Shrikant,howdidyoumanagesowell?’Harishasked.‘Harish,experienceismyteacherandanexpensiveonetoo.Tenyearsago,I

joinedthiscompanyasatraineesoftwareengineer.TodayIhavebecomeadirector.Ididnothaveanygodfathersoranypoliticalsupporters.ThecompanydoesnotevenknowtowhichcommunityIbelong.Ihaveworkedhardandsincerelyforthebenefitofthecompany.NotforadayhaveIputmypersonalneedsorhappinessbeforethecompany’s.Thecompany’ssuccesshasalwaysbeenmoreimportanttomethananything.Thereisnoshortcuttosuccess.’Shrikantwentbacktohischamber.Priyawascheckinghisdiary.Harish

followedhim.‘Shrikant,wewantedtoarrangeaseminarforallourprojectmanagersatKodaikanal.Canyouinaugurateit?’‘Whysuchanoddplace?’‘Shrikant,everyoneisnotlikeyou.Theywanttotakeabreakfromtheroutine

andspendtimewiththeirfamilies.Butwecannotaffordtogivethemleave,sothiswillserveboththepurposes.’‘That’sokay.Iamnotthebossofmydiary.CheckwithPriya.’Priyasaid,‘Sorry,Sir.Kodaiisnotconnectedbyplaneandhenceitisnot

possible.Forthenexttwomonthsyouarebusy.’‘Then,IamsorryHarish.Bytheway,howisAmol?’

‘Then,IamsorryHarish.Bytheway,howisAmol?’‘Oh,heisfine.Wevisitedhimrecently.Hedoesnotevenwanttocomehome

foravacation.Hefindsitboringhere.Hecomplainsthatneitherofusisathome,sohepreferstobeinthehostel.’EvenbeforeHarishhadfinishedhisreply,Shrikant’smindwentbacktohis

work.‘Harish,weshouldhavearoadshowintheUSsometime.Iwantitontop

priority.Weshoulddoitbeforeourcompetitorsgetintothemarket.Kindlygetbacktomeattheearliestonceyouhavemadethepreliminaryplans.’Shrikantimmersedhimselfinhisworkonceagain.Heseldomspokewhile

working.NormallyShrikantwasnotdistractedbyanything.Hecouldfocusfullyas

soonasheopenedafile.Butthatdayhefounditdifficulttoconcentrate.HefeltlikespeakingtoShrimati.Theirfrequentquarrelswereincreasingthedistancebetweenthem.Itisnaturalforanytwohumanbeingstodiffer.Ahusbandandwifeareno

exception.Infact,iftheydidn’tdiffer,thenthereprobablywassomethingwrongwiththemarriage.Thepreviousnight,Shrimatihadquestionedhisbasicpurposeinlife.She

showedthatshedidnotbelieveinwhatheconsideredessentialinlife.WheneverhewantedtotalktoShrimati,ShrikantdidnotaskPriyatoconnect

him,buthewouldcallhimself.Justashepickedupthephonetodialthehomenumber,Priyabuzzedhimandsaidthatthechairmanwantedtomeethimurgently.Shrikantputthephonedownandwalkedtothechairman’schamber...

TWENTY -SEVEN

Onthewayhome,Shrikanthadtoomanymattersweighingonhismind.Hewasmullingoverthelatestfiguresofthecompany’ssalesandbudget.Theywantedtohavearoadshowbutduetothecrashinthecomputermarket,ithadtobepostponed.InthissituationitwasessentialforhimtogototheUS,spendatleasttwotothreeweekstheretalkingtothemanagersandbankerstogaugethesituation.Heneededtobesuretheywerestillinterestedinhiscompany.HiswasnotthefirstIndiancompanytobelisted.Severalothercompanieshad

beenlistedandwerealsodoingwell.Shrikanttookeverychallengeasanopportunity.Hefeltthestrongerthe

hurricane,thegreaterthechallenge.Shrikantbelievedchallengesmeantopportunitiesforgrowing.Itwaspointlessworrying,actionhadtobetaken.HecalledupPriyaandtoldhertocancelallhisappointments,however

important,andinformedhertobookaticketforDelhithatnightandtotheUSafteracoupleofdays.Whenhereachedhome,hisheadwasheavy.HetoldhisdriverMaruthithat

hewouldbereadyinanhour’stimeandaskedhimtostaybacktodrophimattheairport.HeknewthatShrimati’sdriverwouldhaveleftbythen.Withoutevenlooking

forShrimati,hewenttohisstudyandpickingupsomepapers,calledouttoher,‘Shrimati,ImaybeofftotheUSfortwotothreeweeks.Kindlypackmybag.IthinkourfriendVasudevShenoyandhiswifearecomingfromDelhionapersonalvisit.Theyareourguests.Letthemstayhere,notinthecompany’s

guesthouse.Pleaselookafterthemandorganizealltheirtripsatourexpense.Heisanextremelyusefulpersontous.‘Pleasepackanextrapairofspecsandbootsforme.‘IwassupposedtogotoHubliforadaynextmonth.Butnow,Iwillnotbe

abletodoso.Informmymotheraboutthischangeofplan.Bytheway,shehasaskedforsomegolditem.Ifpossible,arrangeforitorsendthemoneyforit.’Shrikantgavealltheseinstructionswithoutoncelookingupfromhispapers.Maruthi,whohadfollowedhimintothestudywithhisbriefcase,was

surprisedtohearhimtalklikethistomemsaab.HethoughtShrikant’sbehaviourresembledhisdrunkardfatherTukaram’s.Theywereintheirownnasha,withoutbeingbotheredaboutothers.Underintoxication,theybehavelikethat.Lookatoursaab,Maruthithought.Hedoesn’tdrink.Buthebehaveslikehedoes.MaruthithoughtofhisyoungwifeTulasi.Hehadpromisedherthathewouldtakeherforamoviethatnight.Butbythetimehedroppedhisbossattheairportandreturned,allthetheatreswouldbeclosed.Tulasiwouldbeupset,butalsohappywithhisovertimeallowance.Maruthiwentdownstairs.Shrimatididnotmoveaninch.Shrikantlookedatherandsaid,‘Shrimati,

hurryup.Servemydinnerquickly.Icannoteatontheplane,youknow.Iforgottotellyou!Packtwoofmysuitsaswell.’‘Shri,whereareyougoing?’‘Didn’tyouhearme?IamgoingtotheUS,Isaid.’‘ButShri...’‘Pleasedon’twastetime.Iamgettinglate.’‘Icannotdoyourwork.Iwillgetboredbeingaloneforthreeweeks.Youhad

promisedthatyouwouldtakeleaveforthreedaysnextmonth.Andthosethreedaysyouwouldnottakeupanyofficialwork.BecauseofthatIbookedourticketstoLadakh.’‘Cancelthem.Idon’tevenhavetimetotalkaboutitnow.Ihavetremendous

pressurefromoffice.’‘Please,Shri,can’tyoupostponeyourtouratleastthistime,formysake?’SheknewShrikantwouldnotdoit.Ithadneverhappenedbefore.Butstillshe

wantedtoputherdemandforward,tolethimknowthatshedidnotwanttobethelowestpriorityanymore.ShrikantrealizedthatShrimatiwasnotgoingtodoanythingforhim.Hehimselfwenttothewardrobeandstartedtakingouthisclothes.

clothes.‘Shrimati,don’tbeirrational.TellPriyatosendyoumyitinerarytomorrow.

Packinsomeaspirinandsulphurtablets.Ihavetoleaveinthenexthalfhour.’Shrimatiwasstandingasstillasarock.Butinsidehermind,shewas

explodinglikeavolcano.ShehadbeensohappythatShrikanthadatlastagreedtospendthreedayswithher.Shewaslookingforwardtothetripwithmucheagerness.Now,shefeltlikeatiredtravellerinadesert,lookingforanoasis.Herheartdidn’twanttoacceptthatShrikantdidnotcareforher.Butbyhisbehaviourtodaysheknewshewasright.Shrikantwasonlylivingforhimselfandhisambitions.Hewasusingherasapersonalsecretaryathome.Atleastforhisofficialsecretarythereweretimings,butforheritwasanall-timejob.Herangerwasincreasingbyleapsandbounds,supercedingreason.‘Shri,youcannotgoanywheretoday.Youalwaysthinkofyourself.Youare

soselfishthatyouthinkonlyofyourposition,yourcompanyandyourmother.Youneverthinkofmeasahumanbeingorwhathurtsmeandwhatmakesmehappy!Youtreatmelikeamachine.‘Yougiveappointmentstoeverybodybutyoudon’thaveanytimeforme.

Don’tIdeserveone?Don’tyouhaveanydutytowardsme?Youspendalldayoccupiedbyyourcompany,physicallyandmentally.Whatisleftforme?YougivemefalseassuranceseverytimeandIbelieveyou.Iamneitherabanknorapostofficetosendmoneytoyourmother.Sheisrelatedtomethroughyou.Whenyoudonotcareaboutme,whyshouldIcareabouther?Shri,tellmenow.Whoisimportant,yourwifeoryourprofession?Askyourheartandtellme.‘Iamawarethatthevalueofapersonisknownonlyduringacriticaltime.

Thetimehascomenowandyouhavetodecidetoday,nowandatthisverymoment.’Shrimatiwasovercomewithemotion.Shecaughtholdofhisshirtand

snatchedthesuitcase.Thesuitcasefellopenandallthethingsscatteredtotheground.Shrikantwasstrugglingtocontrolhisrisingtemper.‘Shrimati,Icannotanswersuchanonsensicalquestion.Idon’twanttotravel

atmyownwillbuttheworkdemandsit.Itisyourdutytosupportahusbandlikeme.Now,youareemotionalandbeingsilly.Notonlyareyouwastingyourtimebutyouarewastingmyprecioustimetoo.Ihavemanythingstodo.Iamalreadylate.Pleaseletmego.’

Helplessanddisappointed,Shrimatistartedsobbing.Shedidn’twanthimtobehappywhenshewassounhappyinthismarriage.Shewantedtheheatofherunhappinesstotouchhimtoo.‘Shri,ifyouconsiderthatyourtimeismorevaluablethanmine,ifyourwork

ismoreimportantthanmyinnerhappiness,Iwillallowyoutogo.Youdoyourdutiestoyourcompanybecauseyouarepaidandgivenastatus.Whataboutmywork?Andwhatismyroleinthismarriage?Justthinkitover,whetheryouhavedischargedanyresponsibilitiesasahusband.Hasyourmotherperformedherdutiesastheheadofthefamily?Youdecideonewayortheother.Youhaveanobligationtoyourwife.Ifyoudonotfulfilit,Iwillnotstayinthishouse.’Shrimatiwasholdinghishandfirmly.ThiswasthefirsttimethatShrimatihadtalkedsoopenlyaboutGangakkaand

inrelationwithShrikant’swork.Therewasnologic.Bothwereentirelydifferentissues.Hewassurprisedbyherbehaviour.Hiswatchshowedthathewasgettinglateandhewouldmisshisflight.Hecouldnotaffordtospendonedayquarrellingwithhiswife.Heforcefullyfreedhimselfandsaid,‘Shrimati,thinkwhateveryouwant.Ihavetoldyoumyopinion.Iamnotgoingformyownpleasureorforextramoney.NeitheramIcheatingonyou.Shrimati,thewholeworldsaysthatyouaremoreintelligentthanme.Youthinkoveritandwhateveryoufeelisright,goaheadanddoit.Iamleavingnow.’ListeningtoShrikant,Shrimatifeltasifshehadtouchedalivewireandstood

dumbstruck.Shrikantdidnoteathisdinner.Hetookhisbagandleft.NowShrimatididnotcarewhatotherswouldsay.Sherantothebalconyand

shouted,‘Iwon’tbeintownforamonth.Iwon’tlookafteryourguests.’ThoughShrikantheardithedidn’trespondandjusttoldMaruthitodriveto

thedomesticairport.Heknewverywellthatshewouldbeathome,doallthework,becausedutyhadbecomeherhabit.Shewoulddowhateverheaskedherto.

TWENTY -EIGHT

Shrimatilookedattheseawithsorrowandbewilderment.Thegriefthatwasinherheartwasasdeepastheocean.Despiteherargumentsandhertearshehadnotlistenedtoher.Shesatonachairandfeltasifallherenergyhaddrainedout.Whathadsheachievedinherlife,sheaskedherself.ShehaddoneeverythingforShrikantbuthehadnotnoticedhersincerity;hedidnotvaluehersacrificesforhim.Hehadtoldherthathistimewasveryvaluable.Yes,hewoulddefinitelygrowinstatureandrisetoamoreprominentposition

overaperiodoftime.Butwhatabouther?Shehadtolivelikehisshadowallthetime.Shewouldn’thaveanyidentityofherown.Herlifewouldbethatofaplanetwhichshineswithreflectedlight,ratherthanthatofastarwhichradiatesitsownlight.Shealsorememberedthewayhehadsneeredather,Thewholeworldsays

thatyouaremoreintelligentthanme.Youthinkoveritandwhateveryoufeelisright,goaheadanddoit.Indeed,whathadshereallyachievedinlife?Nothing.Abigzero.Iftheyhad

children,thingsmighthavebeenabitbetter.EvenifShrikantspentallhistimeinoffice,shecouldspendhertimewiththechildren.ButShrikanthadrejectedtheideaofadoptiontoo.Maybeeveniftheyhadchildren,ShrikantwouldhavesentthemtoaboardingschoollikeHarishhaddone.OnecouldneverknowhowShrikant’smindwouldwork.Shethoughtaboutherlifetenyearshence,andshivered.Shehadalwaysdislikedbeingdependentonanyone.Livinglikethiswasworsethandeathtoher.

Shrimatitriedtoanalyseherfeelings.Whatcouldmakeherhappy?Herhusband’slove,andhistory.Sinceherhusbandhadmadehisfeelingsclear,onlyhistoryremained.Shethoughtofhercollegedays.Notforasingledaywassheunhappy.Inspiteofgettingallthosegoldmedals,beingofferedascholarshipbyProfessorCollinsandtheopportunitytogoandstudyabroad,shehadrejectedthemallbecauseshewasmadlyinlovewithShrikant.Shehadvoluntarilyclosedallhercareerpaths.Shenowfeltthathergreatestshortcomingwasthatshewasnotambitious.Hadshebeenso,perhapstodayshewouldhavebecomealeadinghistorianofthecountry...HermotherKamala’swordssprangupinhermind.Whenthetopicof

marriagewasraised,hermotherhadsaidtoherthatherin-lawswouldneverloveherandShrikantwouldnevertreatherbetterthanhispeople.Isitnottruethatbloodisthickerthanwater?Shrikant’slovehadevaporatedlikewaterfromacup.Nowthecupwasempty,andsowasherheart.Howtruehadbeenhermother’sprediction!ShrimatirememberedtellingShrikantafewtimesthathismotheralways

boughtthecheapestofgiftsforher,butforRamashewouldbuythingsworththousands!AndShrikanthadlaughedandsaid,‘Youhavemorethanenough,Shrimati,whyshouldmypoormothergiveyouanygift!’Shrikantwouldneverunderstandthatagiftisnotmeasuredbyitsprice,rather

bythefeelingsbehindit.WhenGangakkawouldgiveheranything,shewouldpurposelykeepthepricetagonandinfrontofoutsidersshewouldsay,‘Anyway,sheischildlessandmysonisapotofgoldtoher.Helistenstoeverythingshesaysandasksfor...’OnlyShrimatiknewhowshrewdShrikantwasandhowhemadepeoplethink

thathewasajorukaghulaam,aslaveofhiswife.Itwasalwayshisdecisionthatprevailedoverhers.Whyblameothersiftheybelievedit?Whenherhusbanddidnotcareforher,whywouldanybodyelse?Shrikant’swordskeptgoingroundandroundinShrimati’shead.Youthink

overitandwhateveryoufeelisright,goaheadanddoit.Shrikanthadneverusedsuchwordsbefore.Shehadalwaysthoughtthat

Shrikantwasproudofherintelligence.Sowhyhadhetalkedlikethat?Wasittohurther?Ifthatwasso,thenwhyshouldsheremainhere?Ahouseismadeupofjustfourwallsbutahomeiswherethereislove,affectionandameaningful

relationship.Whenthatwasnotthereitwasonlyahouse,andthebestthingwastogetoutofit.Butwherecouldshego?ShecouldnotgobacktoHubliandmakehermotherunhappy.Theonlywayforherwastogosomewhereshewouldfeelcomfortable.Shrimatihadalwaysenjoyedtheacademicatmosphereandthecompanyof

teachersintheUniversity.Theonlyoptionleftwastobecomeastudentonceagain.Eventoday,Indianhistorywasatherfingertips.Allthefacts,dates,events

werefreshinhermind.WhenshereadanybookonhistoryherconcentrationwasasgoodasShrikant’swasincomputers.SherememberedProfessorCollinsandhislastvisit.Probablyhehadmadehisoffertoherbecausehehadsensedherfutileexistence.Shrimatigotup,tookapenandstartedwritingtoProfessorCollins.Shedidnotmentionawordaboutherpersonalproblems.Shestatedhowstudyinghistoryhadalwaysmadeherhappy...Theletterexceededtwopages.Attheendshewrote,‘Sir,yourloveforhistoryisnotaffectedbyyourage.Apersonlikeyouisalwaysarolemodel.Itwouldbeanhonourformetoworkunderyou.Thetimehascomenow.Iwanttodomydoctorate.ButSir,withoutascholarship,Icannotcome.Ibelieveeconomicindependenceisoneofthemostimportantcomponentsoffreedom.Kindlyletmeknowyouropinion.PleaseconveymyregardstoDorothy.’Bythetimeshefinished,itwaslongpastmidnight.Shrimatifeltcalmandat

peace.Sheslept.Thenextmorningshewentandpostedtheletterherself.

TWENTY -NINE

Shrimati’smindhadbeeninturmoilforthelastthreeweeks.Attimes,shewouldfeelthatProfessorCollinswouldarrangeascholarship.Butthenuncertaintywouldcreepinandshewoulddoubtherownability.Ithadbeentenyearssinceshehaddiscontinuedherstudies.Couldshecatchupandcompetewiththestudentswhoweremuchyoungerthanher?Woulditbepossibletoconcentrateonherstudies?Hadshetakenthedecisionmerelyinanger?Wasitaproperdecision?Therewerethousandsofquestionsinhermindandshewasnotabletoansweranyofthem.Shrikanthadcalledhermanytimesinthosethreeweeks,butherreplieshad

beentothepoint.WhenVasudevShenoyandhiswifevisitedBombay,ShrimatidulytookcareofthemasperShrikant’sinstructions.Andthenonedayallherdoubtsweresettled.ShegotareplyfromProfessor

Collins.Sheopenedtheletterimpatiently.

Itisquitenaturalforascholarlikeyoutowishtobecomeastudentagain.Gettingascholarshipforyouisnotdifficultatall.Astherearemanythingsweneedtodiscuss,Ifeelthatyoumustcomeatleastoneweekbeforethetermbegins.Pleasedonotdiscardyourwritingsthinkingtheyareoutdated.Dobringthem.IhaveaskedDorothytolookforasmallapartmentforyouneartheuniversity.Beingavegetarian,itwouldbebetterforyoutobeonyourown,thaninadormitory.Untilyoufindsomething,youcanstayinourhouse.Iconsidermyselfluckytohaveastudentlikeyouatmyage.Itisratherdifficulttohave

goodresearchstudents.Dorothyisexcitedatyourarrival.Shrimati,thereisnoagelimitforlearning.Onewhohasathirstforknowledgeisatruestudent.Ifyouhaveanydoubtsinyourmindaboutyourcompetence,pleaseforgetthem.Americaisnotanunknowncountrytoyou.Iamsendingyouthevisapapers

sothatyoucancomeattheearliest.

Shrimatireadtheletteroverandoveragain.Yes.Shecouldbecomeastudentagain.Shefeltlifehadopenedanewdoorforher.Thistime,shewasmakingadecisionwithherhead,notwithherheart.Sittinginthebalcony,shedaydreamedaboutbeinginauniversitycampus,readinginthelibrary,studyingintheclassrooms,discussingintheseminarhall.Insuchplaces,onlyknowledgeisrespected.Thereisnobusinesstalkorpretensions.Thereisnoprofit,noloss.Howbeautifulherlifewouldbe!Howhadshenotconsidereditbefore,shewondered.Inlife,beauty,power,money,health,youtharenotconstant.Realwealthis

knowledge.Themoreyougive,thewealthieryoubecome.Thatisthereasonwhyteachersaregreat.Becausetheyspreadtheirknowledgeeveryyeartomanymanystudents,withoutexpectinganyrewardsorreceivinganyfavours.Butaftertheexcitementhaddieddown,Shrimatibecamealittleworried.

Onceshewasgone,whowouldlookafterShrikant?Oflate,duetocontinuoustension,hishealthwasnotsogood.Ifshewasn’tthere,itwouldcauseaproblemforhim.ShefeltsorryforShrikantashehadnoideaaboutmoneyorhouseholdmatters.Hewouldjustsignwhereverneeded.Hehadsomuchfaithinherthathewouldnotevencarryawallet.Ifshewentaway,whatwouldhermothersay?Whatwouldpeoplesay?Wouldtheygossipabouttheirmarriage?Theseconflictingthoughtspulledherindifferentdirections.Herfingersbegantopainfromgrippingthearmsofthechairsotightly.Finally,shemadeuphermind.Shecouldnotstayhere.ShehadtogosomeplacewhereshecouldgetthesamejoythatShrikantgotfromhiswork.Thatpleasurewasmorevaluablethanmoney.Shewasgoingawaynottoearnmoney,buttofindherownindividuality.ThestoryofBhamatithatshehadtoldShrikantlongago,camebacktomind.

EverywomancouldnotbecomeBhamati.EachwomanhadherownlimitsandShrimatitoohadcometotheendofherpatience.Wasitthedifferenceintheir

personalitiesthathadmadeShrimatitakethisdecision,shewondered.Orwasitherunbearableloneliness?Sheknewthatmanywomengointodepression,becomealcoholics,andinsomecasesbecomekleptomaniacs.Psychiatristsbelievethatwomendothisinordertodrawtheattentionoftheirbusy,ambitioushusbands.Shrimatithoughtofhermotherandgrandmother.Hergrandmotherusedto

saythathergrandfatherwasaterroranddidnotbelievethatwomenwerecapableoftakingdecisions.Henevergavewomenanyfreedom.AndyetRindakkahadneverspokenillofhim.Herownmotherwasmarriedtoaworthlessman,butshestillshowedhimrespectandneverspokeharshwordstohim.Hersituationwassodifferentincomparison.Shrikantwasunlikeeitherofthesetwomen,butshedidn’twanttostayonwithhim.Hergrandmotherhadneverhadeconomicindependencesoshemighthave

stayedbackbecauseofthat.Hermotherwasthesolebreadwinnerofthefamily.Butshestillcontinuedtostaywithherhusband.Thatwasbecausetheywereconditionedtobelievethatawomanshouldstaywithherhusband,irrespectiveofwhathewas.Shrimatididnotagreewiththatbelief.Shefeltthattherewasalimittowhich

onecouldbeobedientandsubservient,butoncethatlimitwascrossed,theindividual’shappinessbecamemoreimportant.Shrikantwasduetocomebackthefollowingweek.NowthatShrimatihad

madeuphermind,hermainconcernwashowtobreakthenewstohim.

THIRTY

Shrikantreturnedfromthehecticfour-weekbusinesstrip.Hewasextremelytiredandsleptforawhilebeforegoingtooffice.ItwasimpossibleforapersonlikeShrikanttostayathomebecauseofjetlag.HedidnotnoticeanythingwrongwithShrimati.Hesawthatshewascleaning

upsomething,butthatwasnotunusual.Shrimatiwasextraordinarilyneat.Heoftenjoked,‘IfIdon’tholdontotheshirtthatIamwearing,Shrimatimaygiveitawaytosomebodywhilecleaningthecupboard.’Beforeleavingforoffice,hehadtoldShrimatithathewantedtohaveanearly

dinnerthatday.Shrimatisaid,‘Shri,doyouhavetimenow?Iwanttotellyousomethingvery

urgent.’‘No,Shrimati,Iamlatealready.Wewillspeakoverdinner.’‘But,incaseyougetdelayedincomingbackfromyouroffice,itmightbetoo

late.’‘Oh,that’snotaproblem.Iwillcomeearlyforyoutoday.’Heleft,noteven

botheringtoaskwhattheimportantmatterwas.Hethoughtitwouldbeoneofherimpracticalideas.Therewasavastdifferencebetweenpromisingsomethingandexecutingit.

Butaspromised,Shrikantcamehomeearlythatday.Heseemedveryexcited,jubilanteven.Shrimatiwassittingonthesofa,staringattheceiling.Shrikantdidnotnotice

that.Hecame,threwhiscoatonthediningtableandsatnexttoheronthesofa.Holdingherinhisarmshesaid,‘Hey,Shrimati,todayyoumustcongratulate

me.Ihavebecomethemanagingdirectorofthecompany.Ihavebeenchosenasoneofthetopexecutivesofthecountry.Shrimati,whenIwasinIIT,myclassmateswentabroad.ButIhadsaidthatIwouldstayinIndiaandachievemoreherethantheydidthere.TodayIhaverealizedmydream.Nowyouarethewifeofamanagingdirector.Letusmoveoutofthishouse.WewilltakeupaplaceinMalabarHillmaybe,overlookingthesea,asperyourwish.Shrimati,IdonotliketofightwithyouandIfeelextremelyunhappywhenwequarrel.Youshouldunderstandthatmyprofessiondemandsallthesethings.Youcannothavethericeandeatittoo.Now,Iwilltakesometimeoff.Whereveryouwant,Iwillaccompanyyou.IwillnotgotoHubli.Thistime,youaremypriority.’Liketheolddaysheputhisheadonherlapandcontinuedtochatter.Shrimatiremainedsilent.Whateverhewassayingwasfutile,likepouringwateronastone.Normally,

Shrimatiwouldhaverejoicedathispromotion,asifitwasherown.Forthefirsttimeshedidnotfeelshewasapartofhissuccess.Shrikantfoundhersilencestrangeandthoughtshewasstillangry.Hegotupandturnedherfacetowardshim.Henoticedthattherewerenotearsorangerinhereyes.Onthecontrary,therewasadeterminationandsadness.Shrimatistoodupwithoutsayinganything.‘Shri,thisisthekeytothehouse,andthisonetoyourGodrejalmirah.Thisis

thefinancefile,asoftoday.Pleasekeepthemallcarefully.’Shrikantwaspuzzled.Hedidnotunderstandwhatshewastalkingabout.‘Shrimati,whydoIneedallthesethings?Areyougoingsomewhere?Even

thenIwillnotneedthesethings.’Shrimaticlosedhereyes,usedallherwillpowerandansweredslowly.‘Shri,IamleavingandIdon’thaveanyplanstoreturn.Iamhandingoverall

theresponsibilitiesofthehousetoyou.’Shrikantwasbewildered.‘Whereareyougoing?’‘IamgoingtotheUStodomydoctorate.Iwasjustwaitingforyourreturn.I

havecarriedoutalltheinstructionsthatyouhadgivenme,completedalltheassignmentsthatyouhadsetforme.’Shrikant’sexcitementwasflattenedatonce.Hejustcouldnotcomprehendthe

newsituation.HefeltasifsomeonewaspushinghimfromMountKailash.

‘Shrimati,ifyouaregoingtodoyourPh.DintheUS,thenwhenwillyoureturn?Howcanyoutakesuchamajordecisionwithoutevenconsultingme?HowwillyoumaintainyourselfintheUS?’SuddenlyShrikantfeltutterlytiredandhelpless.‘Shri,Iamgettingascholarship.Ihavethoughtoverthismatterforthelast

fourweeksbeforetakingthisdecision.IdidnotbringanythingwithmewhenIgotmarriedtoyou.Nowalso,Iamnottakinganythingfromthishouse.Myflightisscheduledfortonight.Iwaswonderingincaseyoudon’tturnuptoday,howIwouldperformmylastduty.Anyway,youhavecomeandnowIcanleavepeacefully.’Shrikant’smindhadgonenumb.Nothingshesaidwasregistering.Ina

disbelievingvoicehesaid,‘Shrimati,areyoujoking?’Butthenhiseyesfellonherpackedsuitcaseandherealizeditwasnojoke.Aftertakingadeepbreath,Shrimaticontinued,‘Shri,youhavereachedthis

positiontodaybecauseyouarehighlyfocusedandyouworkveryveryhard.Youhavededicatedthemostimportantpartofyourlifeandallyourtimetoachievingthisgoal.Itisnoteasy,Iagree.Lookatyourfriendswhowereasbrightasyou.Theyhavenotachievedwhatyouhave.Youhavesurpassedeverybodyinyourbatch.Youstartedasasoftwareengineerandreachedthepinnacleofyourcareerwithintenyears.Intheoldendayspeopleusedtocallthistapasya,penance,andforthattheywouldhavetogototheforest.Youhaveachieveditwithoutgoingtotheforest...’Shrikantstoppedher,‘Butthathasnothingtodowithyourleaving.’‘No,Shri.Listentomepatiently.Veryfewpeoplecanworklikeyouto

achievewhatyouhave,notbotheringaboutmaterialbenefitsorhappinessinlife.Butnothingisfreeinlife,Shri.Inachievingyourposition,youhavelostyourShrimati.‘Icannotliveinthiskindofanatmospherewiththeseartificialvalues.I

requiretobreathefreshair.Idonotwanttoliveasyourshadow.Iwanttofindmyownhappiness.Shri,ifIhadnotbeensensitiveandbright,Iwouldn’thavehadtosuffersuchloneliness.Icouldhaveenjoyedyourwealth.WhenIwasthinkingaboutmylifesofar,whatmygoalhasbeen,IhaverealizedwhatIwant.’Shrimatistopped.ShewaswaitingforShrikanttosaysomething.Buthewas

silent,stillinshock.

silent,stillinshock.Shrimaticontinued.‘Shri,IlovedhistoryandIlovedyou.Infact,onceuponatimeIlovedyou

morethanhistory.Butwhenyoulostyourfinersentiments,chasingyoursuccessintheworldofbusiness,Iwasleftwithnothingotherthanhistory.Forme,theglamourofmoney,house,carisimmaterial.Shri,askyourself.Ifyouwereinmyshoes,whatwouldyouhavedone?ThesamethingthatIamdoing.DoyourememberwhyyoudidnottakeupajobinHubli?Becauseyouknewyourgoal.Now,IamalsoclearaboutmygoalandIwanttoachieveit.Shri,youaremyguru.Ilearntthisfromyou.Wheneversomethingnewhappens,peoplecallitarevolutionintheperspectiveofhistoryandonlylaterappreciateitssignificance.Arunningmancannotchangehisdirectionallofasudden.Inphysics,youcallthatinertia.IknowthatifIleavenow,itisverynaturalforsocietytotalkaboutme.Butletmenotworryaboutthat.Apersoncanliveonlybyhisownfaith.Heneedstotravelonhisownpath,whetherithasstonesorthorns.Hecannottakesomeotherpath,eventhoughitissmoothandrosy,andthatisexactlywhatIamdoingtoday.’Shrimatitalkedasifshehadnevergotachancetospeakbefore.Itwaslike

liftingthevalveoffapressurecooker.ShrikantjustkeptlookingatShrimati,hismindcompletelyblank.Shecontinuedtospeak.‘Shri,whathaveIdonealltheseyears?Iusedtowelcomeyourguests,keep

youraccounts,lookafterthehouseandfulfilthedutiesjustthewayyourpersonalsecretarydoes.Iwasyourvaluable,glitteringornamentinthesocialcircuit.Inolongerwanttobethat.IwanttolivethewayIwant.Shri,Idon’twantadivorcefromyoubecauseinmyviewdivorceismerelyadocumentthatpermitsyoutoremarry.Ithasnoothersignificance.Idonothaveanysuchintentions.Youcannotchangeyourlifestyle.Youareboundbythat.Yourjobrequiresthatkindofcommitmentandyoucannotlivewithoutit.ButIcannotadjusttothat.Inthebestinterestsofbothofus,thisistheonlysolution.Shri,youtoldmetheotherdaythatIammoreintelligentthanyouandIcandecidewhatIwant.ThisiswhatIhavedecided.’Shrikantmovedforthefirsttime,fromhislongsilence.‘Shrimati,don’tmakeanemotionaldecision.Isaidsointheheatofanger.

Areyouawareoftheconsequencesofyourdecision?’

‘Shri,Ihavethoughtabouteverythingcalmlyforthelastfourweeks.Youcandefinitelylivewithoutme.Youwillfindanexcellentsecretarywhocandoallthisworkforyou.Youmaymissmeforsometimebutyouwillgetusedto.Shri,ifyoureallyneedmyhelp,pleasecallme.WhereverIam,Iwillcomeandvisityou.Itisverydifficultformetoleaveyou,butIhavenootheroption.ImarriedyoubecauseIlovedyou.Iamnotleavingyoubecauseofourquarrel.Iamnotgoingawaybecauseyouareangrywithme.Iamnotdesertingyoueitherformonetarygainorsomeothertemptation.IamgoingawayonlybecauseIwanttobelikeyou.Youarenotlikeanormalhusbandwhowouldcontrolhiswife...’Shrimati’seyeswelledupwithtears.Shebecameemotionalandtherewasa

catchinherthroat.Thoughshehadthoughtoveritandhadtakenaconsciousdecision,itwasverydifficultforhertotalkanymore.Shewasscaredthatifshestayedalittlelongershemightchangehermindandgetintothesametrapagain.ShecamenearShrikantandsaid,‘Shri,Iamleavingnow.Myhouseisalwaysopentoyou.WhenyoucometotheUS,donotgoawaywithoutmeetingme.Pleasekeepintouch.Takecareofyourhealth.Don’tforgettodrinkskimmedmilk.Iwillnotaskyoutocomeandsaygoodbye.Itwillbetraumaticforbothofus.Iwanttogoodbyehereitself.Shri,Icannotgetabetterfriendthanyou.’Shekissedhisforeheadgently,huggedhimwarmly,thentookhersmallbagandwalkedout.Sheleftwithouteventurningback.Stunned,Shrikantcontinuedtogazeatherback.Hefeltthatshewastaking

hisspiritawaywithher.

THIRTY -ONE

TheclickofthedoortoldShrikantthatShrimatihadgone.Buthejustcouldnotbelievethatsuchathinghadhappened.TheShrimatihesawthatdaywassodifferentfromtheShrimatihethoughtheknew.Whatshewasandwhathehadthoughtaboutherwasentirelycontradictory.Hehadthoughtthatshedidnothavethestrengthtowithstandsocialstigmaandlackedgreatwillpower.Shrikantwascaughtinawhirlpoolofthoughts.WhydidShrimatidothis?As

farasherememberedherfromtheirchildhooddays,shewasshybutdifferentfrommostwomen.Shewasbrightand,mostimportant,shewasobedient.Andthatcouldbethereasonthathehadignoredher,becauseshewasnotaggressiveanddemanding.WhileothermenintheofficewouldsaythattheyhadtogohomeearlyandtheycouldnotworkonSundays,heusedtomakefunofthem,‘Oh,youdonotknowhowtotellyourwife.Lookatme.Mywifewillneverquestionme.’HerememberedthatonceHarishtoldhim,‘Shrikant,neitheryounoryourwifearenormal.Youarealuckyman.Youdonothaveanyfamilyproblem.’Butnow,hecouldunderstandwhatithadmeant.Whenhischairmancalledhimpersonallytocongratulatehimafterhis

promotion,hewasveryproudofhissuccess.Hethoughtallhissuccesswasduetohisownefforts.NowhethoughtofShrimati.Whatwashershareinhisachievement?Shealwayswishedhimprogress,silentlyandconstantlysufferedherloneliness.Actuallyshehaddeservedalion’sshareinhisachievements.Butheneveracknowledgedit.Today,shehadbrokenhispridebyrejectinghisposition,hisachievementsandleavinghim.

ShrikantwasamazedtoseethepapersthatShrimatihadleftforhim.WhydidShrimatileavehim?Shehadsaidshewantedcleanair.Wasthisatmospheresuffocatingher?Inanybusinessparty,lookingatprofitandlossisacorporateculture.Itisnotphilanthropyorhistory.WhydidShrimatitakeitpersonally?WasShrimatiscaringhim?Hadshegoneforafewdays?Thoughhisheartwantedittobethatway,hismindsaidthatitwasnottrue.Hethoughtonceagain.Nooneinthismale-dominatedsocietywould

appreciateherstepbutShrimatihadlefthimwithoutevenbotheringaboutwhatpeoplewouldthink.Shehadactedonwhatshefeltwasright.Manymorethoughtswereconstantlybreakinglikewavesinhismind.WasithismotherwhousedtodeliberatelyinsultherandhissisterwhowouldtauntherthathadmadeShrimatibitter?Itmighthavebeenoneofthereasonsforherdecision.Hefeltguiltyaboutitforthefirsttime.HecomparedShrimati’sdifficultieswithRama’s,forgettingtheirlevelofsensitivity.Ramawassoinsensitivethatshecouldquarrelwithanybodyandstillgotothatperson’shousefordinner.Howhadheneverthoughtaboutit?HismemorywentbacktothestoryofBhamati,thewomanwhohaddedicated

herentirelifetoherhusbandandhefeltShrimatiwasashadebetterthanBhamati,whohadneverseentheoutsideworldanddidnotknowhercapacity.Shrimatihadservedherhusbandwithsingle-mindeddevotionknowinghercapabilitiesandbeingawareoftheoutsideworld.Herhusbandrecognizedhiswife’ssacrificeandnamedthebookafterher.

Thatiswhatappealstomemore.ShrikantrecollectedwhatShrimatihadsaidlongback.But,inherreallife,herhusbanddidnotevenrecognizehersacrifice!How

cruelitwasforShrimati...Shrikantfeltpained.‘Oh,Shrimati,Icannotlivewithoutyou.Youaremy

sourceofenergyandinspiration.Icanseetheinfluenceofyourpersonalityinallmywork.Withoutyou,Iamincomplete.’Butheknewthatitwastoolate.Thereweremanypicturesthatcametohismind.Whentheyhadhadlessmoney,shewouldalwayssaveenoughforhimtobuy

books.Eventhoughtheywerenewlymarried,shewouldn’tdisturbhimwhilehewasreadingathome;rather,intheirsmallhouse,shewouldsitinthekitchenandreadsomebooks.Herememberednowhowmuchsheusedtogooutofher

waytopleasehismother.Inreturn,whatdidsheget?Sheerrejectionfromhisfamilyandhisnegligence.Ourmythssaythatduringthechurningoftheoceans,thedangerouspoison

haalahalacameout,buttherewasnotakerforthat.Then,LordShivadrankitforthebenefitofmankind...PoorShrimatiswallowedeverypoisonousinsult,justtokeepShrikanthappy.Probably,childrenwouldhavebeenthelinkthatwouldhaveheldtheir

marriagetogether.Buthemighthavekepttheminaboardingschool,likehiscolleagueshaddone,andpushedShrimatitofurthersorrow.Hewasamanwhocouldnottake‘anegativeanswer’foranything.Beitanymatter,itwashisdecisionthatwasfinal.Hewantedtowinineverysituation.Hewasaheadstrongpersonanditwasawonderhowshehadcopedwithhim.Thecoolbreezefromthebalconyblewintothehallandthekeysonthetable

felldown.Thepapersflewindifferentdirections.Shrikantdidnothavetheenergytogetupandcollectthem.HewasworriedabouthowshewouldliveintheUSwithoutmuchmoney.Shedidnothaveanyexpensivehabitsthough.Ifshehad,shewouldnothavelefthim.Hewasamazedathermeticulousentriesofalltheaccounts.Whenhelookedatthedifferentkeys,hedidnotknowwhichwaswhat.Everythingwashurtinghimnow.Hehadtreatedherjustlikeanassistantandshehadtoldhimthathecouldgetabetterone.Wasiteverpossible?Nobodywoulddothiskindofworkformoney.ShrimatihaddoneitoutofsheerloveforShrikant.Shrikantcouldhearthesoundoftherain.ItwasShravan,therainyseason,

anditwaspouringcatsanddogsinBombay.Hereturnedtotherealworld.Hewasamanofaction.Whateverhadhappenedhadhappened.Hefelthehadtosetthingsright.HehadtotellhismothertoloveShrimati.Thenherealizedwhatafutileexercisethatwouldbe.Peoplecannotbetaughtortoldtolove;itshouldariseonitsown.WherewasShrimatinow?Hadshereachedtheinternationalairport?Hefelt

likegoingandbringingherback.Buthisenthusiasmdisappearedlikeabubblewhenhethoughtaboutitrationally.IfhebroughtShrimatihome,couldhebethesameShrikanthewastenyearsago?Thatwasimpossible.ShrikantwasincapableoflivingthekindoflifeShrimatiwanted.Hehadlosttheabilitytoloveanyoneselflesslyortoopenuptoanybodybecausetheworldofbusiness

hadchangedhimdeeply.Hehadreachedsuchaheightthathecouldnotcomedown.EvenifShrimatihadstayedinBombayanddoneherdoctorateshewouldn’tbehappyashewouldnotbeabletochangehisways.Shewaseducated,knowledgeableandgood-natured.Hehadusedherforhis

advantage.ThatwasthereasonShrimatihadgoneaway.AllthesethoughtsrevealedthemselvestoShrikant,layerbylayer.Hebecameextremelyangrywithhimself.Hefelthelpless.Hewasavictimof

power,ambition,statusandsuccess.Theseawasroaringasifithadwitnessedtheterribletragedy.Suddenly,

ShrikantrememberedRavi’sletter.WhenIthinkofShrimati,Icontinuetobeamazedbyherclearthinkingandherwisedecisions,likewhenshechosetojoinartscollegeinspiteofgettingthefirstrankinhertenthboardexams.Doyourememberthatwehadlaughedather?NowwhenIlookback,Ifeelshewasthebrightest.Sheknewwhatshelikedandshedidexactlythat.Shrikant,youareveryluckytogetsuchacompanion.Heregrettedhisactionsnow,afterlosingthefortunehehadforgottenhe

possessed.Heexperiencedthesameshock,thesamedisappointmentandthesameagonythathehadfeltwhenhehadlosthisfirstrank,seventeenyearsago.AfteralltheseyearsShrikantfeltthathehadthenlostameaninglessrank,buttoday,hehadlosthismostpreciousShrimati.WhatwouldShrimatibedoingnow,hewondered,lookingathiswatch.

Maybethemandatorycustomcheckingisover.Hiseyeswerefulloftears,realizingthattherewouldbenobodytoevensaygoodbyetoher.Shewasallalone.Whatwouldtheirmothersthink?Butitdidnotmatterwhatpeoplethought.WhatwasimportantwasthatShrimatihadmadeherdecision.Healwaysthoughtthathisownlifewasmuchmoresignificantthanhersand

hisownwillstronger.ButnowhestooddisheartenedwithoutShrimati.Thetelephonerang,wakingShrikantupfromhisthoughts.Thesoundofthe

roaringseaandthepouringrainwasringinginhisears.ItwasHarish.‘Shrikant,congratulations.Itseemsourroadshowhasbeen

cleared.Ifallofusparticipateinthat,thenprobablywemaybelistedintheNewYorkStockExchange.Itisallbecauseofyourhardwork...’Sensingthesilencethatwasunusual,Harishcontinued,‘Shrikant,canyouhearme?’‘Yes,Ican.But...’‘Thereisnobutforyou,Shrikant.Youaretheleaderofleaders.Withoutyou,

‘Thereisnobutforyou,Shrikant.Youaretheleaderofleaders.Withoutyou,theroadshowwillnottakeplace.’Shrikantfelttheoldexcitementfloodthroughhim.‘Hey,Harish.Iwillcome

toofficerightnow.’‘Atthisoddhour?’‘Forsuccessthereisnooddandevenhours.Everyminuteisprecious.Iwill

gotoofficeandworkonthat.Iwantthelistoftheplacesthatwearegoingtovisit,thebudgetandotherdetails.Ihavebeenthinkingaboutthepremiumontheshareissue...’Shrikantwenton.Ashetalked,heheardaplaneflyingoverBandra,andheforgotwhathewas

saying.Thereceiverwasinhishandbuthewaslookingatthesky.Hesawtheredtaillampofaplaneinthedarksky.Shrimati,whohadwalkedwithhimsidebysideinthesameShravanrainfor

tenyearshadnowlefthimallalone.

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Thisisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,placesandincidentsareeithertheproductoftheauthor’simaginationorareusedfictitiously,andanyresemblancetoanyactualperson,livingordead,eventsorlocalesisentirelycoincidental.

ISBN:978-0-143-10377-6

Thisdigitaleditionpublishedin2013.e-ISBN:978-9-351-18339-6

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