Dwaraka -7

 Gacchibowli Hyderabad -  Dwaraka Villa is built aloof from the dense concrete forest. It is a villa built over five years. It has the look of a country house for the elite. The luxurious villa is surrounded by a high compound wall and studded with expensive imported granite stone on the facade.  There is a lush green garden in the front with tall trees and small bushes, flowering plants and creepers. It is the dwelling place of Arunatara the famous classical dancer and once actress of the silver screen.  

Dawn broke into Dwaraka. The stars that glittered like  diamonds in the sky faded out in the crepusculum, (twilight - latin)  The sky is cloudy . In the eastern sky below the horizon  the sun  is hidden behind the clouds.  The  crepuscular rays, the shafts of light pass through a cloud in bands.  the rays extend across the entire sky appear to converge  on the eastern horizon. A splendid atmospheric phenomenon that mesmerizes and transfixes the beholders.  

A gentle breeze enters the garden from the west. The wet green tender leaves in the garden started quivering. The pink roses and yellow chrysanthemums sway their heads  to the gentle breeze. The breeze  carrying all the fragrance enters Lakuma's bed chamber through open window. Lakuma was sleeping in transparent pink mini nighty and a comfy sleep bra for her large breasts. She looks like a well polished inverted Veena on the bed. Her large shining thighs look like trunks of the plantain trees. Her beautiful back which she raised in her sleep looks like the resonator ( the large cup like part) of the Veena. The cool breeze tickled her. Lakuma snuggled the blanket. She hugged the pillow and squeezed it between her breasts which are in the size of extra resonator ( the smaller balloon shaped  situated at the other end of the Veena). Her teenage curves suffered more rigor as the breeze continues to blow across the window. She turned and tossed on the bed invariably. She turned her face up and lay a few seconds like that. Her stomach looked like the finger board and her naval like nada randra of the Veena.   It  is the precious Veena many teenagers crave to have a glance. Some teenagers even tried to play but could not lay hands on the fingerboard. 

Unable to stand the breeze she jumped off the bed like a fawn in the forest. She did not know that her mother has opened the window panes and removed the blanket for the breeze to wake her up. Now she is in the pooja room. Lakuma realized that her mother promised to visit Hyderabad.  She instantly ran to mother's bedroom but did not find her there. " Oh!  Has she not come yet? or is her trip cancelled? She won't disappoint me! She is a mother who always keeps her promise. Why did she do like this? I have been waiting here for two days only to see her. " Lakuma was talking to herself. Her eyes are getting wetter and wetter. They are now filled with tears. Where is this little scamp Kesava? This haphazardous kid is missing at the right moment. When she was about to roar she heard the gentle and rhythmic sound of Mrudanga.  The mrudanga nada is so sweet that her anger was instantly mitigated her pain. She pushed the door of the other room. There sat a teenager of 16 years playing the instrument with devotion. He stopped playing when the door was opened. " By the time Amma came last night you were fast asleep! " said Kesava. Lakuma hated kesava not waking her up at night. She heard the bell sound. It was pooja bell. Wow! she exclaimed and ran into the pooja room. 

Aruna  was irrirated to see Lakuma dashing into pooja room without taking a bath. She was displeased with Lakuma's night dress! Stay there! don't enter pooja room without bath. Aruna showed mock anger. Her eyes are red. But she could hardly deter Lamuma from hugging her mother.  Aruna understood daughter's longing for the mother. After all She is the her only daughter. She is a fatherless girl too. When these things flashed on her mind she became soft.  She took Lakuma into her arms and kissed her "Oh! my Mysore sandle It is difficult to handle. You are my damn cute devil. She gave a kiss for every phrase. I over pampered you it is my mistake. Are you staying in the hostel with this kind of night dress. Did Damini agree?    I will live in an independent house. I won't stay at Damini's hostel. I have no freedom at Damini. complained Lakuma. You must learn discipline. 

You are so lackadaisical. At what time you get up usually. Look at the time it is going to be seven now. You must wake up with the sun. He must be your role model.  "Udaye savita rakto raktastha astamaye tatha sampattu cha vipattu cha mahatam ekaroopataa"  You must be equanimous and thoroughly balanced.   

Lakuma left her embrace and stood at a distance. Sahe said " I don't understand your quotes from scriptures and puranas. You have good signs of becoming  an astrologer.  Thanks for not asking me to run with the sun."  saying so Lakuma started running. Aruna was after Lakuma with a ruler in her hand. Lakuma ran around the tables, sofa. She ran onto the bedroom. I must give you a good wash today. said Aruna Why washing me. I can wash myself said Lakuma and got into the bathroom. 

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Lakuma came out in tight denim jeans and a tight top. She looked like a seductress. Kesava felt very confused and went into the garden.  Oh Lakuma wear a normal dress. This is too ultramodern. scolded Aruna. " Mom you acted in films and I saw you wearing dance attire. you looked sexy. Now is the time to wear jeans, You too must wear jeans for your extraordinary charm but you wear out dated sarees. 

 I am not in films now I quit films. I don't want to remember my filmy life. It is full of acclivity and hardships. It is like chasing the glow worms for light. You are dissuading me. You enjoyed the film career and life as a star. you are denying the same to me. why? asked Lakuma seriously. 

You see the external life of the star and desire to join films but remember it is not a path as soft as it looks. It is full of thorns. Lakuma was upset with her words. just then Kesava brought the news paper. Lakuma saw the Maya 100 episodes success celebrations in Mumbai. Arun's pictures were all over. Her beauty spreads across the sheets. The lens men centered her beauty.  Lakuma turned on the LED television. Maya celebrations were showing up.  The glory of her mother beauty and art of her dance are moving frame by frame on the screen. Suddenly Naidu appeared on the screen. Lakuma raised her voice and said " Mom has Mr. Naidu participated in the program? He met me in visakha twice and asked me promised make me a heroine. He always says that I am a replica of you in the beauty. " she was saying. 

Aruna felt a bomb blast under her feet. Her head was reeling. The room was turning round and round faster and faster. She collapsed in the sofa.  Kesava came running to the sofa. He sprinkled water on her face and started calling Amma, Amma. Aruna opened her eyes and looked at Lakuma and kesava.  "Mom are you alright ? Stop doing fasting. Listen to me at least now. Aruna slowly got up and sat in the sofa.  She touched the sofa with her palm and signaled Lakuma to sit beside her. My Mysore sandal  I will  stop fasting.  Will you stop thinking about cinema?  Lakuma looked grumpy. She turned her face sideways.  I wish you recommended to me Naidu who is going to make a movie shortly. said Lakuma For years he has been harping on the same string. He is a bankrupt producer and a failure director. Nobody opens the door for him and nobody answers his call because because everybody knows about him.  What about your studies? Education  shows you a right royal path. You can live with respect.    

Mom if we have money you can buy a doctorate and keep it before your name. You get respect too. Don't be recalcitrant. You have a fancied over film career. I walked the same path. It is full of thorns. " "you are lucky mom you never had a mom who discouraged you and dad was a great director who always helpful"    What is written in your stars  nobody knows. What in store for you  God knows.  I have to move. I have party meeting today. This meeting decides whether I should continue in the party as woman wing leader?  Aruna went into the bedroom to change. When she came out  Kesava was telling Lakuma " Amma had bitter experiences in cinema she wants her daughter's  security and future.  So she proscribes films. More over people can not use honorary doctorate as a qualification.  Lakuma was mad with kesava.  While he was still telling, Lakuma slapped Kesava.  The driver came and stood at the door. Before leaving for the party she warned Lakuma against her impulsive behaviour.