Oh! Cozy Coromandel, Oh! Rosy girl. What a journey! A wonderful tourney! said Agastya. " You said it looked like a philosophical discourse." asked Varsha. " No no, it is a romantic music concert !" replied Agastya. The coromandel has gone, it is all over ! said Agastya who was apparently disappointed.
Coromandel express has dropped us in Coromandel (Cholamandel or Chennai). We are in Coromandel. The romantic poems have not gone anywhere. They are with in us. I know your problem is something else. Where should you go? I have to go to the Madras university. It is not far from here. The university sends car. Car is not enough for me. I must go to star zone. said Agastya joking. I think you need rocket. It seems that your time to go up has come near." Varsha also joked. " Holy crap! I only joked I must go to Taramani, It is an area in Chennai. It is where my mother lives. When he spoke about his mother Agastya's voice dulled down. Varsha walked towards the coffee shop and Agastya followed him. The shop is very small but neat. The man in the counter showed them the chairs. Agastya and Varsha walked in and sat at a small table. They started sipping coffee. " How would the university people know that you are here?" said Agastya. Varsha took out a mobile phone from his pocket , showed it to Agastya and put it back in his pocket. The pocket of kurta ( loose collarless shirt worn on dhoti) is so deep that the small phone totally sank and disappeared. "I never know that you have a phone." said Agastya. I use much less and never display at all." replied Varsha.
It was 6.00 PM. when they finished the coffee. Agastya put his hand in the pocket. suddenly he felt the Malavika's card in the pocket. He was contemplative. Varsha paid the bill and laughed " If One worry has gone. you got the other worry. " he said. They came out of the coffee shop and stood in a corner. I have no worries, said Agastya. " you first worried about your mother and then about Ragini." Said Varsha. Both are unwise and utter waste. You are meeting your mother after years. You have heard that your mother had a male friend. You don't know what kind of relation it is. Your mother has fortitude and she knows the ways of the world. She is a noble and responsible mother. You have stewed up your brain enough." scolded Varsha. Agastya looked somewhat relieved. " I must confess something , I had love at first sight" said Agastya.
You are an honest stupid. still I must appreciate your honesty. I can advice you against the adversary in advance but I am not a stupid to believe that you will follow my advice. A man bitten by love bug will never listen to anyone."
Agastya: I will listen to you , please tell me Is my love false?
Love may be born on track
but fair love is not a snack
to happen just in minutes
infatuation goes by glitz
and never heavens splits
love many needs wits
infatuation is instant
but it is not constant
She is a girl out of blue
who are you she has no clue
you feel you are blessed
only a few minutes passed
you haven't stayed even a day
love doesn't happen this way
Agastya: So you don't believe love at first sight?
Varsha: Because there is no love at first sight. Love takes time, knowing each other, and a lot more effort. The thing that happens at first sight is mere physical attraction! You probably love her eyes, physical features, her hair, her voice or just the fact that she is the only single girl around. Or you are desperate! Love is too epic a thing to happen to you in a moment! Lust is the falsified notion of being in love. That can happen at first sight. Varsha noticed a black car coming to them. "My program is at Madras university. I must go there." said Varsha.
The university car came and stopped in front of them. There are two people in the front seats. Varsha asked them while getting in " How far is the University?" It is 4kms from here. Agastya stood waving his hand. The driver asked Agastya "You too get in.
Agastya: I have to go to Tidel park. It is far. I will go by bus. The program is at 6.00 PM. You are already late to the program at the University." replied Agastya. " The program is at 6.00 PM but tomorrow." said Varsha. Agastya got into the car. It is a surprise to Agastya, how they spotted them. They got into the car and the car moved.
***
Hundai Creta black car was shooting past Marina beach , the second largest urban beech in the world that stretches over 13km. Varsha and Agastya are sitting in the back. The driver and his assistant ae sitting in the front. My name is Annayya said the driver. My name is Tambi said his assistant. Agastya said " Annayya is big brother , Tambi means little brother. So you are brothers. What is your name ? asked the driver. I am Agastya replied Agastya. We are going via Merina beech it is a risk with Agastya? Tambi asked Annayya . Agastya did not understand. Then Varsha said " Mythology says Agastya drank the oceans. Agastya understood that they were joking and laughed whole heartedly. He asked Annayya you did not even call directly you stopped the car in front of us. How did you know that we are the two you came for. " Because of the Telugu traditional clothes Dhoti and kurta Mr. Bharatavarsha is wearing." replied Annayya. Agastya is shocked. "Do you want to see your uncle ?" said Tambi "Who is my uncle ? How do you know? asked Agastya.
The car passed a temple on which ten head Ravana's figure was embossed. Varsha showed Agastya the figure and whishpered in his ear " Ravana is Agastya's father's brother. " Agastya was really amused. "Here is the coromandel coast." said Annayya. The road was empty and the car was shooting like an arrow. In a few minutes the car reached Napier bridge built on coovum river. "It was built in 1869 by Francis Napier who was the Governor of Madras from 1866 to 1872." After listening to this Agastya was consumed with jealousy because Annayya and Tambi display knowledge out of his reach. So he decided to pull their leg and quickly said " Annayya you forgot to tell me about Marina beach when we were crossing it." Annayya "About Marina beech!" exclaimed Tambi.
"Yes, how did Marina beech get its name?" asked Agastya.
Neitheir Annayya not Tambi had any answer. They were contemplative. Hello Madras brothers tell me how did Marina beech get its name?" poked Agastya.
Annayya: I told you that it was Coramandel coast. I will tell you about the Chola king Rajaraja Chola. Raja Raja Chola I was one of the greatest monarchs in Tamil history. He had built a strong and powerful kingdom that had a century-long control of the entire island. Visakha the place from where you came was under the Chola kingdom. He also invaded Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
Agastya: Very good to listen to, but it is not the answer to my question.
Varsha: In 1881 the British Governor of Madras Grant Duff was captivated by the beach at Madras. He constructed a promenade along the beach by extensively modifying it and layering it with soft sand and was named "The Marina".
Agastya : It is a pity that we forget the great rulers of our country.
Annayya : We are approaching Tidel park. Where should we go?
Agastya: Where is the park here? We have all skyscrapers.
Annayya: Tidel park is an IT park. It is the 13-storied building, rated as the single largest IT park in the country built on a land covering 8 acres. It is surrounded by huge buildings. Top ten star hotels are around Tidel park, Taj Wellington is the nearest. Do you know the address?
Agastya: You know writer's cafe ? Vikram Estates!
Annayya : Are you serious ? You are in Vikram Estates?
Tambi : Who is living in Vikram Estates?
Agastya : My mother. Why?
Tambi and Annayya were speechless. After a while they slowly recovered from the shock and said " sorry sir, we were cracking jokes with you. I thought of asking you to accept our accommodation." Agastya didn't understand anything.
Agastya : Neither my mother nor I am the owner of the apartment. My mother lives as a tenant, she pays rent and lives there.
Annayya: The rent ranges from one lakh to two lakhs.
Agastya and Bharatavarsha looked at each other in faces trying to find the feelings of the other. The car crossed writer's cafe. Agastya's upset mind was straightened by Varsha's counsel, his heavy heart was cheered up Annaya's humour. He acquired a new spirit and became his real self. Varsha noticed that spirit is gradually vanishing. The smile in his face vanished when the car reached Vikram estates. Agastya looked through the window of the car. His lips uttered " Oh! I feel that I were in Singapore!
He went out in to the garden. walked in the lawn. He walked around the school and saw the horse track and swimming pool. He entered the school building. Hunger was playing fiddle in his stomach. Beauty can fill the eyes not the stomach. The school canteen was not open yet. He saw the school library on his left. His legs carried him into the treasure house of knowledge. He went near the rack and picked some books and carried them to the table. He sat in the chair and saw them. One was stock market secrets by Matthew. He hated stock market. "I would never read this book even at the gun point." He said to himself. The next book was “How life Imitates Chess” written by Garry kasporov. The Russian grand master. I don’t need to play chess. He said to himself. He took the next book into his hands. It was "Hunger" written by a Norwegian writer KNUT HAMSUN. Who is going to read such books? He chuckled and chortled. He looked out the canteen was visible. He put the book down and moved to answer the physiological reality.
He entered the canteen and sat at a table. A man came to his table. " Are you a parent or staff?" " Neither " said Agastya. I am Meenakshi's son. The hotelier's eyes glowed. Agastya tried to order what he wants but hotelier said that each day a different dish is prepared and that will be served to the guests. He went back to the server and announced that the guest was Meena's son. He sounded that he has discovered something important and felt it like a great achievement. Agastya was noticing everything. " Does she have such a big son?!" mean time two staff members - a black chap and a white chap, entered the canteen through the glass door and sat behind Agastya. The black chap looked like a physical trainer. The server brought a plate of Kichidi and put it on Agastya's table. He signalled them to the counter. They asked him to get the breakfast to the table as he brought it to the boy (Agastya).
NO, you have to serve himself and showed them the board " Self service" Agastya understood that his mother commanded special place. Yet it was not clear what special place it is until he heard the people sitting behind him.
Black chap "Meenakshi is on leave today, I come to school everyday to see her"
" Even the Principal is coming to see her." Said the white chap and laughed
Black chap: Oh! Meenakshi is in the school. Her husband Varadachari is not seen.
White chap : Husband Varadachari , then you must be talking about Angayar kanne.
Black Chap: Yes Angayar Kanne in Tamil means a woman with fish like eyes
Meenakshi in Telugu also means the same. I like Tamil Meenakshi.
But I like Telugu Meenakshi. She is a full moon. A full breasted woman.
She is matchless beauty with glossy radiant face, lotus eyes and round breasts.
Agastya finished eating and was about to wash his hands. He rose from the chair.
None in the school has booty as rotund and as big as hers.
Agastya could no longer wait. He wiped his hands with hanky and moved out.
When his hunger is quenched, his desire woke up. Desire is also hunger. Like sleep and food sex is also a physiological requirement. Anyway mine is not lust. It is love. He proceeded to Nungambakkam to meet Ragini. She was not at Nungambakkam home. She went to The Government medical college at Triplicane. "He wandered lonely as a cloud.. cursed his ill fate and returned to Writers cafe had coffee and reached Vikram estates.
***
Agastya came home in the evening. His apartment door was locked. He was confused. Where did she go at this time? He was at sea as to what he should do? without telling his mother he went to Nungabakkam but his mother would never do like that. He went to the lift to go to the ground floor" The lift was coming up from the ground floor. Agastya stood watching the counter. When the lift opened he saw a lady coming out. It was the lady he met last night. Hs mother's colleague Angayar.
She said "Your mother sent me with the key. She went to Madras University to attend Bharatavarsha's program. She asked me to pick you up. I had been waiting until ten minutes. I should never lose faith in my mother. He said to himself and asked Angayar kanne why did she send you with the key? what is the need for the key? Angayar laughed and said "because she is a mother, if your health is not good and if you need some rest." Agastya had no answer. He felt like a stupid at that moment. Angayar said " Let us go the car is waiting at the gate." They both got into the lift and the lift was sliding slowly down. Agastya took a clear look of her in the mirror. He remembered the comments in the school canteen " Umm.... great figure! what I heard about her is right" Angayar saw him watching her in the mirror. " Good god Meenakshi's son is not innocent." she told herself.
They go into the car and the car moved. The programme at the university was was attended by Scholars from all over the city. It was even bigger than Bhuvanavijayam that took place in Visakha municipal auditorium. People forgot hunger while Varsha was answering hundred scholars in a large auditorium. Meenakshi and Dr. Malavika were absorbed. When the program was over Bharatavarsha extripated himself from the admirers and lensmen and came to Meenakshi for blessings. Meenakshi blessed Bharatavarsha with motherly love. She invited him to her house. Bharatavarsah said that he has college the next morning. You have come to the program it is enough said Bharatavarsha. Meenakshi said " How can we miss his program when he is doing it in our place. A good friend can not be forgotten. Above all your erudition in Telugu gave us unmatched pleasure." For Agastya the happiest thing is that Ragini and Malavika also attended the program. When the program was over Dr. malavika , Ragini and Angayar and Varadachari went to the railway station to see off Bharatavarsha.
***
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