The Next Garland

03^rd January 1989, Morning 11:00am

Vijay got a visitor for him at school at an unusual time. His mom had come to take him home for an important function. Vijay was studying 5^th grade at a boarding school away from his native town. His school does not grant leaves or encourage visitors on working days. Vijay was quiet surprised with his mom’s visit and confused at what important function she has mentioned that his school has allowed him to go home.

Kavi was the only child of Vijay’s cousin sister. His cousin sister had died a year back having suffered from a mysterious disease for more than 5 years. Kavi is under the care of her Father now. Kavi’s family has been one of the richest in town. She was few years elder to Vijay. By relation Vijay is the only maternal uncle for Kavi.

His mom has not mentioned anything about the function throughout their journey to their hometown. When they arrived at Kavi’s place, Vijay got a sense of what the function is. Kavi has attained puberty and it’s a celebration for that. Her house was fully decorated and filled with relatives and friends. It was festive mood all over with the food and snacks being served at all times.

Vijay had never seen Kavi before, though he had heard a lot about her and her richness thorough his mom. He was curious to see her. He went searching for her, but could not find her anywhere.

His mom came searching for him. “I was looking for you for long, where have you been. There is an important issue to sort out” his mom kind of yelled at him.

“Important issue that I have to sort out?” Vijay thought. He asked his mom “What is it? How can I sort out?”

“Just come with me and be by my side.” His mom told and dragged him along with her.

She took him to the hall where few elderly people had gathered. The only one that Vijay could recognize was Kavi’s dad.

“What is this all about” Vijay thought.

One among the elderly men started “Whatever you say is correct. But look at him. He is too young to be bothered with this responsibility.” He told Vijay’s mom.

“What is there in age? He is the one who has the 1^st right and if they wish, he has to be given the responsibility” replied another.

And it went on this way for another 30 minutes. Throughout this Vijay’s mom was silent. Vijay was wondering what responsibility these people are talking about. He was thinking if he has to intervene and say no and go out to play with his friends or go in search of Kavi.

And finally one of the men said “They have the 1^st right. It’s their decision”. He turned towards Vijay and his mom and asked “What do you want to do”.

Vijay was thinking if he can say ‘No’ now, but instead looked up at his mom’s face. She said to the elders “We want to do this. It’s our right”.

Vijay wanted to know what it is. He started pestering his mom to understand. She simply said that he has to garland Kavi at a ceremony to be conducted the next day.

Vijay had never seen Kavi and the first time he is going to see her, he is going to garland her. Is this a sort of marriage? Is this an engagement for him and Kavi? He could not understand, but did not ask for any more details.

The next day, there was a grand ceremony. A lot of customary activities were taking place. Vijay’s mom had asked him to be present at the next room and not to go anywhere else. And he has been waiting there for more than an hour now. He was getting restless when his mom appeared.  She gave him a garland, asked him to keep it carefully and bring it to the adjacent hall where the ceremony is taking place when called for.

And finally after what seemed to be a wait for eternity Vijay was called in. Everything was hurried when he went in. He just has to go, garland Kavi and come back, he was told. And he did the same. He could not see her for long. But what he saw in those few seconds was a beauty he has never seen before. Not in his entire school. Not in his entire town. 

20^th August 1997, Afternoon 3.00pm

Vijay was in college doing 1^st year. He got a letter from his mother asking him to come home the following weekend. She has written that it’s very important and has to do with Kavi’s marriage. Vijay was appalled. He has not thought much about Kavi after the function many years ago. 

Now he has got this letter from his mom. Has she mentioned about his marriage with Kavi. He was just doing 1^st year engineering. He waited for the weekend to go home.

At home, he soon realized that Kavi’s marriage has been fixed with someone else. As custom had it he has to garland her on the day of the marriage. And as happened last time, there is somebody else claiming responsibility and Vijay’s mom wanted to fight it out, the reason why she has asked him to come home. Vijay was sure that he has the 1^st right. He has seen it all the last time around.

That evening there was a gathering of elders to which his mother took him. This time the talk went on for more than an hour but finally Vijay got the responsibility. He will garland Kavi on the day of the marriage.

Vijay had thought the marriage would be very grand, may be the grandest that he has ever witnessed. But to his disbelief, the function was very modest. There were only a few hundred guests. The marriage hall itself had just the essential facilities and hardly any decoration could be seen around.    

His mother explained him what has happened.

“Kavi’s family was not doing well these days” his mother told. “Her father got married the second time and all hell broke loose”.

“Her step mother started ill-treating Kavi. Her father could not tolerate this. He could not focus on business. He incurred huge dept. He sold all his properties to repay dept.” his mom told. “Finally he somehow managed to get Kavi’s marriage arranged. May the girl live in peace at her in law’s house” she added.

“May she live in peace at her in law’s house” Vijay thought. “Whom is she getting married to? What is he doing?” He asked his mom.

“Oh… she is getting married as a second wife to someone who is good for nothing. Whatever it is she has to take it in her stride and find peace.” His mom told. Vijay was shocked.

He felt genuinely sorry for Kavi. He has not seen her much. In fact he had seen her only once. Years ago.  When he garlanded her at a function. But somehow he felt that he had a very intimate connection with her. He felt that something which is his very own is going away. Getting ruined.

He waited with patience for the time to pass. To garland Kavi. To see her. After this, she will be married to someone else. She may not be his anymore. He may not get an opportunity to garland her again.

And the time came. He saw Kavi. She no longer had the glow that he once saw in her. She is clad in a simple silk sari. She has turned a bit dark, had become thin and her face looked a little rough and sad. She managed to put a smile on her face.

He went closer to garland her. He could see her face clearly. Is this the same girl he had seen years back? She has changed so much. He looked into her eyes. It still had the same sparkle and innocence. Only it’s laced with sadness and it was searching. Searching for someone who can rescue her. Something that would free her.

Vijay quickly garlanded her and moved off stage. He is too young to do anything. Or too afraid. Or would it turn out to be a mistake if he tries to do anything or try talking to her. He knows that though he had the 1^st right to honor Kavi, his family has not been in good terms with Kavi’s family. And that’s the reason why every time there is a big discussion if he should be allowed to garland her. And that’s the reason why he could see her only twice in his entire life and have not spoken to her even once.

“May she live in peace with her husband and her in laws?”

17^th March 2002, Night 9.00pm

Vijay had completed his studies and is now employed in a small firm in a big city away from his home town. He was staying in a rented house along with his friends. That night, he came back from office a little late. His friends had gone out for dinner. He had asked them to get him something to eat. Just when he reached home, he got a call on his mobile. His mom is calling. He had spoken to her just 30 minutes back when he started from office. What’s the matter she had called again? Reluctantly Vijay took the call. “Yes mom” he said softly.

“Just got to know this. You remember Kavi. That girl whom you facilitated with a garland on her marriage years back” his mom started

How can he forget Kavi? Though he had seen her only twice and he rarely thinks about her he can never forget that face he had seen long back. Even the sparkling innocent eyes that he has seen in her on the day of her marriage had him a million stories. Or so he had thought.

“May be she had given birth to a child this time. Should I garland her daughter as well” Vijay thought and told her mom “Yes”.

“She is dead. She is no more” his mom blurted out.

“What!” Vijay was shell shocked.

“Yes. She has not been keeping well for the past few months. Rumor is that she contracted the same disease that killed her mother” his mom retorted.

“Anything could be cured these days. Medical facilities had improved so much. There are huge hospitals here in the city. If only she had been brought to a big city like this she could have been saved” Vijay could only mumble these words.

“Who is there to take care of her? Poor soul. Even god has not been kind on her. She did not get any joy in her lifetime”

“Did his mom say there is no one to take care of her?” Vijay was wondering. “Her husband was there. Her in laws were there. And of course her father who is once the richest person of the town is there” Vijay thought.

“I only called to inform you. We are not even in talking terms with their family. You don’t have to come here wasting your time. Even I won’t be going for the funeral. They don’t give us any respect these days and with this girl passing away whatever little was left of the relationship is also over” his mom told.

“Ok... hum. How is your job? Have you had your dinner…” his mother was continuing.

Vijay did not answer. How could not. He was not evening hearing what his mom was telling. He disconnected the call. He was thinking about the 2 instances when he had seen her. How he had felt that she is his very own, both the times that he garlanded her.

Vijay realized that he had never spoken to Kavi. He has not even uttered a single word to her. He has not heard her talk either. Yet he felt he had a strange and intimate connection with her.

This girl is no more. His mom who had always fought to get the right for him to garland her at the most important moments of her life –when she attained puberty and when she got married is saying now that it’s a waste of time to go for her funeral.

Vijay was alone in the house. His friends had not come back from dinner yet. He went into his room. The mirror on the wall reflected his face. He looked at his reflection intently. Is he sad? Is he worried? Is he feeling sorry for Kavi? Strangely he felt that he did not have any feelings for Kavi. Not anymore.

It has been a heavy day for him at office. He was having a minor headache. He went to the nearby park to take a stroll, to take in some fresh air. He was sitting on the park bench for a long time.

His mobile started ringing. It is his friend calling.

“Dude, where are you. Still in office? We are going to sleep. Have kept your dinner on the table in the hall” his friend was saying.

“I am going to my native town” Vijay replied.

“What. You have not told us before. Any problem” his friend was enquiring.

“Nothing. Just have one final responsibility to fulfill. Will be back soon” Vijay told and disconnected.

“Will he be allowed to see Kavi? Will anyone respect him? Will her relatives now recognize him? He had not seen any of them after her marriage. Would his mother approve of his action? She has told that we are not in talking terms with Kavi’s family” a million thoughts flooded Vijay’s mind. But none of this seems to matter.

He was at Kavi’s place the next day morning. With a garland in hand. It was very early in the morning. He entered the hall. Kavi’s body was placed at the center of the hall. Few relatives were sitting around the body. Most others are yet to arrive. He went close. Saw her. Her eyes were closed. The only sparkle that was left is now hidden. Maybe it’s gone. Everything is gone. Everything is finished. He looked at her face one final time. He placed the garland on her and turned back.

He had fulfilled his responsibility. 

A day in his life

At last, he woke up. Life sucks. Life really sucks. Life really sucks for him. It was already 6.30. The alarm started blaring from 5.30. After 10 snoozes, he finally got up. He has to get up atleast now. He has been wanting to get up at 5.30 so that he can do an hour of exercise before leaving for office. He will for sure getup at 5.30 tomorrow, he promised himself as he got up. A promise he has been making daily for god knows how long.

Getting up is the most difficult part. Other morning rituals follow at lightning speed. In 20 mins, he is all dressed up, had a quick breakfast and is ready to leave for office. He leaves home at 6.50 every day to a catch the train that leaves at 7.00. And as usual he catches the train just as it was leaving. As usual the train was very crowded today as well. What a great way to start the day. And his life has been the same way for the past several years. Infact it has been the same right from the day one of his office going life.

It was a hot day. Sun is already shining bright. The hurry with which he has come running to catch the train made him sweat profusely. What is this life. Why it has to be this way for me. He stared thinking thus. He felt a little breeze as the train started to leave.

He is the manager at a big multinational company. He has had a very good start at the career. Having not so bright in studies, it was a dream come true for him to get this job. His friends had envied him then. He was a role model for them then.

Times have changed. His friends have followed different paths. Most of them have settled abroad.  Ramesh was the last one to join others in US. He left about 4 months back. He had gone to bade him farewell. Last week he saw the photo of Ramesh with his new black BMW on facebook. “Dream fulfilled” read Ramesh’s comment on the photo.

The others – Mani, Suresh, Raja, Ahmed, Vijay, Karthi, Ganesh, Guna... the list goes on. They are his classmates. All of them have moved to US at different points in time. They all have settled there. They have a very good life there. Their families are happy. Their children get to study at schools of international standards. They all have got their dream car. They are all having the time of their life...

Take his cousin for instance. He has been living in Singapore for the past 8 years. Or Ranjith, his other cousin. He went to Australia for studies. But he never came back. He managed to get a job there and is living there happily. Rumor is that he is in a live in relation with a local girl there. Last when they chatted, Ranjith had confirmed this. What’s wrong with it? Ranjith had queried. All he could respond with is “So… when are you getting married”. “Are you nuts… We like it this way man. Have not thought about marriage yet. First will have to check if both of us are compatible. That’s the way it works here man.” was the reply.  Want to check if you both are compatible. Whatever that means…

The train came to a stop. He looked out. He looked around. God!!! What sin have I done. Why life had to been so hard for me. The train had stopped at a signal. With the train fully crowded, heat going up and with no sign of any breeze around, he can only dream of his friends going around in swanky cars in countries where temperatures hardly touches the 2 digit mark and curse himself. It would be another one hour by the time he reaches his final stop. From there, he has to take an auto to reach his office. An ordeal he has to put up with every day.

By the time he entered his office it was already 8.30. He was late by 30 mins and he was fully exhausted. He was looking if he can take some rest. He took a look at his calendar to see the schedules for the day. There was a review meeting with his boos. Its starts at 9.00. Oh god…he thought. His work had begun. And it went on & on & on. Finally when he looked up to leave, it was 6.30 in the evening. He thought of his travel back home. To the station, by the train that is always crowded. It would be 8.30 in the night by the time he reaches home. At home, it would be watching television late into the night and finally when he could not take it any longer, he would go to sleep.

This has been the routine for him for a long time now. And he hates it as much as he could.

That night, he got a call from an unexpected number. It’s a US number, he could guess. It was from a HR of a company in US. The voice at the other end apologized for calling late and its inevitability as the day has just started in US. The call is about a job offer. One of his friends has referred him and the HR has called to check if he would be interested in the position.

He answered firmly that he is not interested in the position and he wanted to stay here and cannot travel to US. And he went to sleep to start another day of the same routine.