Thorns & Flowers, A.Vamanacharya [i can read with my eyes shut TXT] 📗

accepted by the bank after two years, when I was working in Bangalore. Thereafter, I was compelled to live alone.” She concluded her sad story
“I felt very sad on hearing your painful experiences. We could not contact each other during this period. When my first wife died, I was not in a position to lead lonely life. I was moved by and took decision to marry Sujata. To my good luck, she proved to be best life partner to me and I am leading a peaceful life.” He said
“Sir, I pray God to bestow a long happy married life.” She said
“Why did you come to Bangalore again?”
“The city is most suitable for a people like me. After resigning from service, I came here and rented two bed rooms flat on Bannerghatta Road.”
“Madhura, you took a hasty decision by resigning bank service. You could have sought suggestion from the well-wishers. Why you didn’t inform me after coming over to Bangalore?”
“You know I have given promise to Soumya not to contact you.”
“Okay! I am happy that you have come here. Let us forget our previous experience and be good friends.”
“Sir, you didn’t tell me about your whereabouts from New Delhi Head 0ffice.”
“I was posted in and around New Delhi and stayed there for many years. I came back to Bangalore, just before retirement.”
Madhura gave him some items kept in her bag. These items include a book titled ‘Memories of Malgudi’ edited by S.Krishnan, and a gold ring presented by him on the occasion of her birth day.
“Please do not return the gold ring presented to you on a special occasion. Moreover it is a token of love and affection.”
“Sir, if I keep the ring with me it will remind me of our love. When love does not exist such things should not be kept.”
“Accept it as a gift at least presented by a close friend.”
“Anyway, it will haunt me the unforgettable moments between us. Please do not insist to keep the ring with me.”
He took back the ring with great disappointment. Their conversation continued for sometime. He had totally forgotten that he was in the company of his wife and other friends, who were waiting for him for vanabhojana.
-2-
Sujata was waiting her husband Purohit, who left alone about one hour back. She had told him not to walk aimlessly and return early. All the group members brought adequate sumptuous food. The closing time of the park main gate was 8 p.m. When group members entered the park the time was 6 p.m. They decided to spend at least one hour for sharing humorous jokes. Some of them were eager to gobble food early as it was mouth watering. Before leaving alone to have rounds in the park, Purohit shared happy moments for some time with the team members.
“Sir, it appears your wife want to hear a good joke from you, so that everybody can laugh.” Said Srinivas Potdar a long time colleague of Purohit
Purohit was waiting for such an opportunity so he said, “Once, I was insulted by a lady co-passenger in a city bus. My nature of offence was simple. I had occupied a seat meant for ladies. It was not a big issue to create hue and cry. Even after vacating the seat, she continued harping on high indiscipline of educated gentlemen and tried to project herself a champion of women cause. After one month, I was surprised to know that the same adventurous lady was proposed to me for tying a knot. I gave approval for the marriage. You may ask me why I consented for marriage in spite of humiliation.”
“Madam Sujata will give appropriate humorous reply. All of us will derive joy after knowing the answer from her.” Said Potdar
Turning towards Sujata, Purohit asked her to reply ignoring his presence.
“Lakshman Purohit, who was proposed to me for tying a knot, visited home on one day with mutual consent. He was to clear some points. He was unwittingly looking at me for few minutes. His only son Srivatsa, who lost his mother, cautioned him to stop staring at me. At that particular moment, my mind went to the movie world wherein I and Purohit as lovers were in a beach. We were exchanging pleasantries on the future married life. Immediately, I came out of my movie scene. It appears Purohit also might have experienced similar feelings. He gave instant approval because of my fair complexion and bravery to face the situation. He was under the impression that I resembled to former miss universe Sushmita Sen. Even he told me to change my name as Sushmita. With these in his mind, he forgot to ask questions to clear some points on me. I may be looking like former miss universe. But in reality I am neither fair like Sushmita Sen nor bold in facing the situation. I get terribly scared when I see rat, lizard, and cockroach.” Sujata said with a loud laugh.
This was a laughing moment for all. Others too joined the jokes to enhance the mood. Purohit wanted to spend quite moments in the divinely heaven. He informed the same to Sujata.
“Madam, do not allow your husband to have rounds in the park. Probably, he may be recollecting his younger days. Young girls will be in confusion and in dilemma by seeing him in his latest fashionable dress, curly hairs with dye, talcum powder applied on face, costly spectacles, perfumes sprinkled on the dress and attractive personality. Your husband being an actor fully aware of the technique of how older can become younger by costumes and makeup. His purpose of going on rounds is suspicious. Please beware of him.” Potadar said in a joking mood
Others also joined to create the joyous ambience.
Purohit knew well with Potdar’s nature. He cautioned him smilingly not to make comments on others, when he doesn’t know the meaning of romance.
“See, my husband Purohit may be looking like a young man. But he will not create any embarrassing situation being a respectable man. I have full confidence in him.” Sujata expressed in a lighter way
She didn’t forget to caution her husband not to move aimlessly and return early.
Sujata asked team members to find out her husband as it was already 7 p.m.; the time for closure of main gate was fast approaching. Sujata was too much worried about her husband for the delay. Observing the seriousness of the situation Potdar told her to have patience.
“All of you accompany me. I will show you the place where Purohit is taking rest.” Said Potdar
Sujata was surprised to hear this from him.
“Let us make a move with Potdar without wasting time. I am too much worried.” Said Sujata
“Madam, you need not worry and be happy.” Said Potdar
Everybody followed Potdar carrying food bags and water bottles. After covering few yards, Potdar asked them stop for a moment.
“Sujata Madam, look at the scene. He is holding her hands firmly like lovers. I don’t know for how long this fun was going on.” Said Potdar
Sujata could not tolerate this and angrily told, “Potdar, tell me who is this lady? I will go and slap her.”
Sujata was virtually weeping after observing the scene. The lady members of the group were consoling her. The others were silent and waiting for the outcome.
“Madam, please do not get excited. She is Madhura retired employee of our bank. She retired from the bank two years back. Purohit and Madhura were working in the same branch for more than three years. Her husband Sripati Rao died due to cardiac arrest. After three month, Purohit’s wife Mangala died due to severe stomache. Both became friends and then loved each other. They even decided to marry. Their marriage could not take place for the reasons well known to them. This is a closed chapter for both. It is a surprise meeting for them. At present both are just friends. Do not take it otherwise on your husband holding her hands. You may raise this issue at an appropriate time and clear your doubts. Please restrain from taking any action at present.” Potdar requested with folded hands
When Sujata heard the name of Madhura Sripati Rao, she again became angry.
Potdar approached the lovers with all the group members. Purohit was shocked and perplexed to see all these persons at a time. He was not in a position to defend him for a moment. To calm the situation, he wittingly exploded a joke that did not produce any humor. The situation became very serious when Madhura and Sujata recognized each other. Sujata revealed that Madhura’s late husband Rao is her own elder brother and they were not keeping good relationship. Rao did not honour the commitment in settling Sujata’s stake in the hereditary property. He was also failed to provide her good education being a guardian. He refused to arrange her marriage at young age to a lover of her choice. She was forced to live unmarried for a long time. Sujata became disgusted with all these developments and decided to live independently. Purohit loved Sujata at first sight, when he met her in the city bus. Sujata did not disclose her relationship with Rao and Madhura at the time of marriage.
A scene was created when both the women entered into heated arguments.
“How dare are you to hold my husband’s hand? I am ashamed to say you are civilized educated woman.” Said Sujata.
“Sujata, get lost. You need not teach me. I am not here to listen whatever you say. I know my limits.” Said Madhura
During the scuffle Madhura unknowingly hit on the forehead of Sujata. She fell on the ground. Madhura had to face embarrassing situation. Everybody looked at her as a culprit. Purohit was a silent spectator to the scene. He could convince Sujata to stop fighting and be ready to face the situation. He told Madhura with folded hands not to complicate the issue further and forget him for ever. Sujata told Madhura leave the spot. Madhura left the place with heavy heart. With all this unexpected developments, the other team members, who had no links with the episode, had the taste of sumptuous food. The purpose of visit to park was different and the end was quite different. Disturbed Sujata could not eat properly. It was clearly evident from her face that she was unhappy. Knowing the reason of her gloomy face, Purohit did not force her to have food. He too did not touch the food. By the time the vanabhojana was over, it was 8 p.m. Watchman told to leave the place immediately. All the members packed up the empty vessels and left home.
Sujata was unhappy with her husband for his acquaintance with Madhura. Lot of misunderstanding erupted between the couple. They had to spend many sleepless nights. He was unable to find early amicable solution. Sujata went to the extent of filing divorce petition in the court. He took the help of his son Dr. Srivatsa and daughter in law Dr. Ragini. Both came to India to help Purohit. Hectic discussions and arguments went on for a week. Purohit’s home was converted as a battleground. The powerful weapons were in the shape of abusing words. It was a hell of job for young doctor couple. There was no