My Life! My World!

Sshhhhh!

// April 17th, 2008 // Comments // Short stories

It was 11 30 AM. The sun was closing on at its scorching best. The air was sultry and droplets of sweat were dripping over my eyebrows. One of the thara thappattai guys had just begun his rhythm and his other partner was holding his drumstick looking closely to what his senior partner was getting at. The slick old man on the urumi was not done with his beedi yet. It had been a tiring day for me, running from burial ground to cab service to the Government hospital.

“Mama, I need to buy flowers and garlands. Amma asked me to tell you” Viji, one of Muthu’s two sons tucked at my shirt. He was 6 and resembled his dad in appearance. I handed him over the smeared and crumpled hundred rupee note from my khaki shirt and the kid ran along the street towards the corner shop. I had just expired the last paise I had. But my temporary bankruptcy seemed to be nothing when compared to the loss of Muthu.

It has been 12 years since I have known him. I still remember the day when both of us were standing in front of the skeptical eyes of Ravi anna, our then area councilor and the owner of the autos we wanted to hire. He has been a pillar of support for us ever since and the one we look up to in case of any need we have. He was now sitting in a corner chair under the shamiana, clad with white shirt and white dhoti. He had lost most of his hair and weight but still held an aura that is truly his. He was rimmed by wannabes listening to him intently. I was not sure what they were talking about; perhaps, about the sewage canal project that has been in the pipeline for more than 4 years now. His eyes occasionally gazed at Akila, our area’s sweetheart. She had moved into the area with her elderly father 6 months back. She was slender and of average complexion. Her eyes more than made up for her medium height but it was her voice that drove men crazy. She had an accent and tone that would melt the toughest rogues in seconds. This, combined with her coy smile, made her simply irresistible. And Ravi anna was no exception.

The junior thappattai guy had now joined the party. They were complementing each other with their seemingly random beats as the music slowly took over. I moved my hips and neck minutely on either sides holding my chest still, taking inside the timing and pace of their music. A half of Kalyani I had gulped an hour earlier was slowly showing its effect inside my head. I remember someone removing my slippers from my feet and placing them aside. I was not in a position to acknowledge the gesture as I continued to sway slowly with the beats.

Muthu was living in a small house on a narrow road paying nominal rent. I stay a couple of streets away, although one could hardly differentiate the streets in our area. He had recently painted his house light green saying it was his wife’s favourite colour. Now, he was lying there motionless, near the small grill gate under the shade of the shoe flower plant his wife was so fond of. He was encased in a glass box, his feet tied together and nose stuffed with cotton. He was covered fully with a white sheet except for his face. There were garlands all around him, a couple of incense sticks supported on a small stand taking their time to fade away. He was surrounded by women sitting in the ground, their faces swelled due to long spells of crying. Sundari, my wife, was consoling Raji. Raji had a crush on Muthu right from her childhood days and she had moved out of her family to marry him. She had never expected Muthu would desert her. She was still in a state of shock and disbelief, her expressions not very different from her 4 year old younger son Balaji. Balaji could not understand the sudden attention his home had received nor did he realize he was seeing his dad for the last day.

The urumi man was now done with his beedi. He was rubbing his stick against his melam to produce a sound akin to a raging bull as he crushed the remnants of his beedi with his right foot. As he too joined the mini orchestra, the output sound sent my blood gushing to my head. I started drawing semi-circles in air with my half bent arms thumbs up, my entire body accompanying my hands’ motion and my feet following in small unsteady steps. I could feel the rhythm building inside me. The thappatai and urumi guys surrounded me and continued to slowly increase the tempo, my body ever wanting it more. They were nodding their heads to acknowledge my dance as it started blending with their beats. Raghu anna, the owner of “Star Fast foods” residing in Muthu’s street, arrived there with a soda in his hand.

Star is a special place for me. In fact, for almost every auto driver in our locality. After a tiring day of driving around, it was the place where we unwind ourselves over a couple of parottas or biriyani, chit chatting about the day’s events. The adjoining Kumar wines would ensure we have a deep sleep every night. I remember in one of the days, I was furious at the other driver who took a savari who was supposed to be taken by me. Although I did not create a scene at that moment, I could not control my feeling of being a victim of injustice when Kumar wines opened my eyes. It also made me feel the strongest person in the world as I decided to take on him, a 6 ft 80 Kg hulk. Just when I realized I was going to be in for some thrashing, Muthu came to my rescue from nowhere. When both of us started to get a measure of him, our fellow drivers pulled us away as the other guy had a lucky reprieve that night. I still remember the shy look on Raji’s face when she was watching all the events unfolding from her friend’s house through the window. I knew she had feelings for him but whenever I tell him, he just brushed aside the topic saying it’s only my imagination. Later, when we came back to our senses, I was proud of him when I came to know that he did not even know why I was fighting with the other guy the previous night.

The thappattai guys were now competing with each other. One played a beat for about 6 seconds and the other guy responded with one for another 6 seconds. As they both were looking at each other’s eyes with their hands rolling around the melams independently, the urumi guy was pitching in at the right times to add flavour to the music. Balaji, seemingly bored with all that has been happening around him, came running to me with an innocent smile in his face. He shrunk his eyes and smiled wide to create cute dimples on his cheek as he called me out “Mama” with a question mark. I was not in a position to appreciate his beauty either. My pulse was rising. I started moving faster looking towards the sky this time, tilting my head slightly above. Balaji, being the good boy he was, started trying to mimic my actions. The music was deafening enough to suppress the sudden outcry among the women in the house.

Sundari was crestfallen as she was very fond of Muthu and Raji. During our courtship, she used to get pretty annoyed when Muthu took most of my time. She was possessive to an extent that she wouldn’t even say a ‘hi’ to Muthu when he came across to see us. Matters got worse when Muthu and Raji gifted us a silver lamp during our marriage last year. That night, she was fuming at my friend’s parsimony. She made good use of that opportunity to pour her hate out. But in the next morning when I saw the new look my auto had got, with my dream speaker adorning my auto’s rear, I was speechless. Muthu and Raji were smiling shyly as they stood on each side of the auto. When Muthu asked me if I liked it, I turned to Sundari who was now counting her toes. Sundari never spoke a word against my friend then on. She also grew to be a good friend of Raji, as both of them spent most of their day time together in one of our houses.

The urumi guy was rocking. I never knew one could make so many variations with that seemingly simple instrument. The three were now matching each other in skill and variation. I shook my pelvis to the front and back as I started chopping mutton in air. I could see two other auto drivers, in their early twenties, dancing their way to the act. I also peeked at Akila, who stood beside the gate looking at Muthu.

She was in a yellow saree, the one she wears every Friday on my request. No one ever suspected anything between us until the other night when ill luck struck me. This Wednesday, I took her as usual to Anna Park after her work. I never expected Muthu to arrive at the same park for a savari, that too without my notice. He had been there spying on me for almost an hour before I caught his eye. I did not know how to react, but Muthu silently sat in his auto, ignited it and sped off. I left Akila right there as I ran to my auto to chase him down. By the time I hit the main road, the traffic was too high that I could hardly move an inch. When I stood in the same place for close to 30 minutes, I grew suspicious. I was right. Talks traveled around that there had been an accident a few minutes earlier. So I got off my auto to go have a look a few hundred meters ahead. As I reached the crowded spot, I noticed a damaged tempo traveler and an auto I could hardly identify. As I walked closer, the vehicle looked familiar to me. The harsh truth then struck me. I lost my balance for a second, and then quickly ran to the nearby Government Hospital to which people directed me. When I reached the hospital, I was informed that Muthu was in ICU unconscious. He never regained his consciousness again.

The two youngsters added their part to the music with loud whistles to complement the beats as they brought in fresh energy. The vision around us was getting blurred due to the dust off our feet as we danced to the beats aggressively. I looked at the white cloth draped around Muthu’s head to keep his mouth from opening. A truth buried. I took my lungi in my mouth and started flying kite now as Balaji was jumping around me.

The Mantis Magic

// March 27th, 2008 // Comments // Short stories

“Oh no, not again!” she thought to herself as she rushed to the corridor. Bob was holding the straps of Tim’s shoulder bag and swaying him across as a bunch of other guys were enjoying the act. This wasn’t new for Emily, to rescue Tim each time he ran into such trouble.
As she approached Bob, Tim looked up at her.
“Em!” he called out to her feebly. His voice was obviously tired and a small film of water had accumulated in his eyes.
“Take your hands off him. Now!” Emily said sternly as she pulled Tim away from Bob’s clutches.
“Here comes your guardian angel, you mommy’s boy!” hollered Bob as Emily hurried Tim away to avoid him any further embarrassment. They could hear Bob and the other guys laughing hysterically as they walked away.

Both of them did not utter a word as they were trudging along the pathway across the school. It was half past 3 and Emily’s mom was to pick her up from the garden where they were heading to. Tim would have to walk a further 10 minutes to the bus stop from where he would board a bus home.
“Would you like to stay for a while?” Emily asked Tim who was still sober.
“Never mind, am fine!”
Emily knew he was not. “I have to wait for mom anyway for the next half hour. Would you like to hang around until then?” Emily asked expectantly. She knew Tim would not want to bother her, so she tried to make him comfortable by asking for a favour. Her plan worked, as Tim relented.
“Alright then, let’s go in” They both walked inside the garden and sat in a bench.
“Banana?”
“No thanks.”
“Did you watch the game yesterday between Wellington and Palmerston North?”
No answer.
Emily tried to ease up the tension. “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing” Tim’s face was still grim.
“Do you want to talk about what happened today?” Emily wished he would speak out.
There was silence for the next few minutes.
Just as Emily was about to give up, Tim spoke.
“I am weak” Tim was twitching a piece of grass in his fingers as he continued to look down.
“You just think you are” Emily tried to reassure him. “I am no stronger than you are, nor is Bob.”
“This would go on forever. I hate coming to school” Tim’s eyes were fixed on the ground.
“Tim, you just have to stand up for yourself.” Emily gently held his hands.
“Hey, Em!” Emily heard a voice from behind. She turned to see Linda approaching them. Linda was her mom’s colleague, working with her at the ministry of social welfare. “It’s a pleasant day, isn’t it?”
“Yes it is! How are you?” Emily tried to reciprocate Linda’s cheerfulness.
“Am great! Just came for a walk with Apu.” Linda bent down to fondle her cat. “Isn’t he cute?”
“Yes he is” Emily smiled. “This is Tim” Emily introduced Tim to Linda.
“Hi Tim, am Linda. Nice to meet you!” Linda stood up to shake hands with Tim.
“Nice to meet you too!” Tim smiled so as to not show out his mood.
As Linda started to converse with Emily, Tim noticed Apu running towards a small bush. Tim followed Apu to find out what Apu was curious about. Apu poked in to the bush and tried to play with a praying mantis that was hidden in the bush. The mantis looked much like its surroundings, green and slender. Tim could not immediately figure out its presence until it made some swift moves to avoid Apu hurting it. Apu continued to push and prod the insect, with the insect trying to hide out wherever possible. Apu, being a clever cat he is, continued to dig out the insect from its hideouts. As Apu was beginning to enjoy the game, Tim saw something strange happen. Apu started taking some evasive actions whenever he tried to nudge the insect. When he looked closely, he could see the mantis standing tall and spreading its forelegs with its wings fanning out. That made the little insect look scary. Apu continued trying to poke the insect and each time he had to withdraw quickly as the mantis struck with its forelegs and attempted to pinch or bite the cat. Tim was getting astonished by what he was seeing. He could not believe his eyes. He could not believe Apu was being kept at bay by a creature that is hundreds of times lesser in size than the cat.
“What are you looking at?” Emily propped over his shoulder, getting puzzled over Tim’s curiosity.
“Shh!” Tim held Emily behind signing her not to make any noise and turned again to the scene of action. Apu was growing impatient, and started to get a bit violent. He tried to pick up the mantis using his teeth in order to hurt him. But to Tim’s surprise, Apu had to retreat in a flash when he tried to do that. Apu tried again. This time, Tim sharpened his observation to see why the cat was reacting that way. His astonishment grew bigger when he saw the way the mantis stood right up and used its forelegs to attack Apu. It reminded him of the stance he takes to defeat Kokomo the giant in his video game. With the palm at right angles to the forearms, the stance resembled very much a snake fanning out its hood ready to attack. Apu tried again a couple of more times to poke the insect, but the mantis was in no mood to give in. It was clear the Apu wasn’t enjoying it anymore. As Tim was wondering what would be on Apu’s mind, Apu turned back and walked away to Linda. The mantis stood there for a while and then tramped to its hideout.
Tim was stunned by what he saw.
“Incredible, isn’t it?” Emily asked as they turned back to walk to the bench. Emily was equally amazed by the act.
“Yes” Tim seemed to be lost in deep thought.
Emily’s mom arrived just as they reached the lawn seat.
“Thanks for staying, Tim” Emily hugged Tim “See you tomorrow!”
“Thanks to you, Em” Tim seemed to be much more relaxed now. Emily was glad Tim was ok. Emily bade good bye and Tim started his walk back home. His head did not seem to be as heavy then.

Emily was packing her bag to leave home. She was thinking about what had happened the day before; the way Bob tormented Tim, the time she spent with Tim in the garden. She was wondering what Tim would be doing now. She did not want Tim to fall into trouble again. She thought it would be a better idea to check the school corridor before leaving. As she approached the corridor, to her dismay, she found Tim’s lunch bag’s straps once again in Bob’s hands. “I am not letting this happen again” she said to herself as she swiftly started walking towards Bob.
“Take your hands off me.”
Emily could not believe what she heard. It was Tim’s voice. The same voice which had called out her name for help the previous day.
“Bob, I think you should let go of me. Now.” Tim was stern and clear. He looked straight into Bob’s eyes. “Did you hear what I said?”
Bob was startled. Of all the kids in the block, he least expected Tim to stand up against him. “And what if I don’t?” Bob was trying to salvage his pride. After all, he is an inspiration for his fellow wannabe bullies.
“You don’t like yourself going home wet, do you?” Tim took his water bottle in his hands and opened it.
“Calm down kid! Okay, Okay!” Bob let go of Tim’s bag’s straps. There was a look of disbelief in Bob’s face as Tim walked away from him.
“Hi Em! How was your day?” Tim approached Emily who was waiting for him off the corridor. They could hear the chuckle of guys around as Bob left the spot hurriedly.
“Fantastic!” Emily replied enthusiastically. Both of them knew what she meant.