Eazy Foreign Languages

This blog is about German and French Language in Vijayawada. Articles, poems, songs and experiences of poolabala

Saturday, September 3, 2022

Meenakshi -15

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!  


Annayya stopped the car and Tambi got got down from the front seat and opened the back door for Agastya to get down. Agastya got down uncomfortably with a melancholic smile  as the truth a Annayya and Tambi dawned on his head. They are ordinary men but great scholars.  He took Tambi's hand into his hand and shook it gingerly. Bharatavarsha and Annayya also got off the car.  " Madras brothers" He said emotionally putting them together watching them with owe and wonder.  He invited all of them to visit his house. 

Bharatavarsha was first to respond " Agastya never mind you are visiting your mother after long time . You have so many things between you. This is not the time." They bade goodbye. The car has left. Agastya walked towards the massive skyscrapers with heavy heart  "What is my mother doing after all?! She is only a music teacher in a school!" His conscious murmured. 

                                               ***

There are five residential sky scrapers. Living king size. Life looks different from these towers. Life is different from different perspectives. There is nothing in life without a perspective. The way you look at is , what your life is. Agastya had a premonition that he will encounter something grave. He thought of going back to Visakha. What a predicament. I should have gone to University along with Varsha. He is attempting sataavadhaanam. I can watch and enjoy.  Hello sir, which flat you are going ?  who are you visiting?  The security showed the book. I want to meet Meenakshi. I don't know in which tower she is. She is the music teacher. The security greeted him politely. She is in the Lotus tower seventh floor. 

I am going to take you please come with me sir. He instantly called Meenakshi and informed about the arrival of Agastya. It was more embarrassing to see that people are extra nice to her Mother. "Is she the owner of the project?" Those words came out of his lips loud. Yes it belongs to her.  This project  belongs to Vikram saab. Madam belongs to him. said the security. Agastya felt the lightning shock. He said to the security you need not guide me. I can go said Agastya.  He has pendulation in the mind  whether to go see his mother or go back to Vizag. I did not inform her before coming. May be she is with her friend.  His mind was confused. He walked to the swimming pool. He loitered indecisively in the lawn and saw the swimming pool. Many beautiful girls are swimming in the pool along with their moms. The mothers' beauty vied with that of daughters. Mothers are ripe fruits and daughters are tender flowers. He looked at a teenage girl with big breast.  It is bouncing like that of Ragini. Oh Ragini! You gave me unforgettable soft touch. You sliced my heart with your eyes. I will meet you. He touched his pocket and felt Dr. Malavika's card. He found one valid reason for not going back. 

He looked up and saw the security. The security is watching me.   It is not good to stare at girls.  Agastya left the pool and walked towards towers. He entered Lotus Tower lift and pressed seven. The lift started moving up. Meenakshi was waiting at the door for her son. Her wide and beautiful lotus eyes became wider when she was waiting for her son. The mother hugged him and took him in. Agastya has never seen such houses in real life. He has seen such houses only in films. The imported tiles,  African black wood furniture and carvings , the furnishings! He He went into the bath and lost himself to its beauty. He got fresh and it took half an hour. He wore fresh clothes form the bag he brought. He saw six bedrooms, large filled with soft light and well decorated. The wall colours and the lights. Agastya looked at the big Roland keyboard. He kept staring. Everything in the house was rich. "What a decor! Is it a house or a Tokyo bank! " said Agastya a bit loudly.  

Vikram's words. "The beauty of this flat can hardly match your beauty! Nothing can match your beauty!" rang in her ears. A few snap shots of Vikram moved across her mind. When she was ditched by her husband in the middle age she left her son Agastya in Visakha for his studies and came to Chennai where she was born. Vikram is her friend for two years. He knows her story and helped her and regarded her as his life.  He never laid hand on her nor looked at her with desire. A more decent guy than Vikram is impossible." For a few seconds Meenakshi was lost in  thought. Agastya started playing the keyboard. The blaring noise disturbed her thoughts. 

It is 8.00 PM come on I will serve you supper. Meenakshi called. Agastya sat at the dining table. It was so expensive , that at the sight of it a revolutionary poet like Srisri would write a poem on it blaming Meenakshi as the robber of a forest who robbed forest of its treasures. "How many trees have you felled? the poem might begin.   The dining table  looked like it is made of ivory.  He remembered Madhurakavi  Devulapalli who wrote 162 songs for 71 films. He would describe this table as made of moonlight. Agastya admired the beauty of the flat but Meenakshi did not mind it.  She started serving food and started asking questions. " Which train did you take? when did you reach?  why did you not tell me that you are coming? Is everything ok?' Agastya was railed by series of questions.  

I am fine mom. How much does the flat cost? " he asked.  

I don't know. said Meenakshi. She was grumpy" 
Agastya  realised that he did not answer her questions. Oh mom I came by Coromandel.  
I started at 4.30 in the morning with Bharatavarsha. He has Avadhana program  in Madras University tomorrow. Is it enough?  said Agastya and asked the same question 
Agastya: Now tell me  how much does this flat cost? 
Meenakshi: I don't know 
Agastya :  It must cost some crores. I came to know that is yours.
Meenakshi looked seriously. she served rice and curries. She sat on the chair next to him at the table. "Eat "  she said. Agastya started eating. " How much rent you pay for this flat? Meenakshi said " How is your studies?" Agastya said " fine!,  

 How many day you are going to be here?" asked Meenakshi. 
Agastya: I have holidays for a week but  I'll go back to my hostel tomorrow. Bharatavarsha has program in the University tomorrow. After the program he starts. I will go with him. 
Meenakshi: When you have holidays why should you go tomorrow? stay all holidays here.
Agastya : Why should I be a spoil sport? You are so busy with your ...Agastya stopped there but Meenakshi made out what damn doubt was ticking in his mind. Tears swelled in Meenakshi's eyes. She kept quiet. Agastya finished dinner. He noticed that his mother has not eaten. "Mom why don't you eat? "said Agasthya. " Why did you not ask me when you were eating?" Agastya had no answer. After a pause Meena said "I am not hungry." 

 Agastya coaxed her and served food. After she finished the dinner. She was washing the dishes. Agastya asked her " Mom how much is the rent?" Meenakshi said " we don't pay any rent here" Meena did not want to lie to her son. This house is not my own. It is given free for living. Agastya was not satisfied but rather got surprised.  He wanted to ask more questions but had no guts. His mother raised him with discipline and obedience. So he said but if this flat is ours my life is settled. Said Agasthya. Life will not be settled with money. Life settles with honest love. You are too young to understand. Meena understood that her son was too curious to know much more.   Somebody is knocking at the door. Meena went and opened the door. It was her colleague Angayar kanne. 

She came with her husband. Who has long hair up to shoulders. His hair was combed in highroad fashion. He has white mark on his forehead. His wife too had the same mark. She was looking at Agastya rather strangely. Agastya went into the bedroom.

Meenakshi: Uḷḷē vā  ( come in )   Nīṅkaḷ eppaṭi irukkiṟīrkaḷ? (how are you?)
Angayar: Nāṉ nāḷai paḷḷikku varamāṭṭēṉ. Nāṉ maṉanala maruttuvariṭam celkiṟēṉ
Tomorrow I am not coming to school. I am going to psychiatrist. 
Meenakshi: Inta muṟai uṅkaḷ kaṇavar naṉṟāka varuvār eṉṟu nampukiṟēṉ. Uṅkaḷukku ārōkkiyamāṉa kuḻantai piṟakkum.
I hope this time your husband will get better. you will have a healthy baby.
Eṉ vakuppukaḷai nīṅkaḷ kavaṉittuk koḷḷuṅkaḷ  (you take care of my classes)
No problem, I will take care. ( This she said only in English) 

Agastya over heard but understood nothing except the last sentence. Meena came after ten minutes. Agastya asked his mother " Who is she? what does she say?" " She is my colleague. It is a family problem" said Meenakshi. "And you promised to solve it." said Agastya, critically and satirically. and continued " Mom don't help everyone. It will coil over your head. Meenakshi laughed and laughed. Agastya asked "why are you laughing?" Meenakshi said between bursts of laughter " She has no children and she wants to go to psychiatrist." How can I solve that problem? said Meenakshi. Meenakshi was still laughing. How can a psychiatrist solve that problem they should go to gynaecologist. Meenakshi's laughter vanished. Her face showed feelings of confusion and hurt. " you are too young to discuss such things. Her voice sounded seriously.  Agastya with a dazed face said" women can not mingle with men. God has unnecessarily created  ... he stopped abruptly and looked at his mother. Her caustic looks showed up  like red lamp to Agastya. He stopped suddenly.  He moved to living room and watched TV form sometime. When he stopped TV and went to his bedroom, Meenakshi had already slept. Sleep was not easy with troubled mind. Of course he had many questions in his mind besides the thoughts of Ragini surrounded him like flies. Her haunting eyes did not leave him that night.  He slept draping the thoughts of Ragini.

                                                         ***

The next morning the sun rose in the Vikram estate with golden rays. Menakshi was preparing to go to school. She came into the balcony with violet colour saree and gold border.  Her face often challenges the full moon. Her bosom challenges shaddocks and her waist vies with slender veronica plant stem. She put her hands on the balcony parapet wall and bent on her hands. Her raised back looked like two inverted big round cups. The half moons are what men prefer to die for. If you look at her waist curve she looks like a vase.  Her posterior looks like the resonator of Veena. She has the curve of the Vase and music of the Veena. Meenakshi went in hurriedly and woke up Agastya. "Agastya I must go to school. Take rest I will come early." she said. " Mom, Can not you take leave?" I can but tomorrow, not today. Last night Angayar told me that she was going on leave. She asked me to take her classes. I agreed." Agastya was disappointed. but asked his mother "Can I see your school?" Meenakshi read his mind. She thought it was good.  Agastya got ready within no time. He is wearing loose pants and white shirt. Menakshi was surprised. A year ago he was wearing mostly jeans or gaudy clothes. "Tell me about your friends I will tell about you" said Meenakshi. "What do you mean? asked Agastya. I noticed that you are speaking your mother tongue more clearly completely.   Your language and your clothes show your confidence in your culture. This is the influence of good friend like Bharatavarsha. In this age friends have utmost influence. Don't ever leave the company of good friends" said Meenakshi and locked the door.  They both walked to the lift. The lift interior was decorated with mirrors. The lift was sliding down smoothly. Agastya and Meenakshi stood side by side. He was nearly six  but not taller than her mother. Meena looked like a butterfly in purple saree. Meenakshi said "You can have breakfast at school." When they came out of the lift Agastya was dreaming of going by a the most luxurious car. What car it could be ? Ferrari or Lamborghini? BMW or Mercedes? But Meenakshi was walking to the gate. Agastya followed her. They both boarded the school bus. Agastya felt like a deflated tube. He collapsed in the seat beside his mother. Thus Agastya accompanied Meenakshi to  Jasmine International school. 

                                                                   ***
The bus entered a different world.  Agastya stuck his head out of the window as the bus was climbing the hill. It looked like a different planet to Agastya's eyes.

What divine hand had sculpted thou
to your beauty the beholders bow
your gigantic structure is aesthetic 
your architecture is beatific 
your aura is overwhelming 
your flora is compelling
the distant hills your boundary circumscribe
that can feast the eyes of every tribe
While the beauty allures as the bribe
only a scribe can your beauty describe
while your  unmatched radiance
inspires and serves as guidance 
Oh jasmine your great symmetry
issues a clarion call for poetry


Agastya's  heart sang the silent song  while the beauty of the school is exposed through the moving window. The bus stopped at the portico of the school. The teachers and students started getting down. Meenakshi got down from the bus. Agastya too got down. just then came another bus a young teenager girl. She looks like Anglo-Indian. She came to Meenakshi and greeted her. Meena also greeted her. They started walking in. Meenakshi told Agastya " She is Diana. She teaches rhymes to kindergarten children. He is my son Agastya from Visakha." Diana greeted him with eyes and Agastya did the same. Meenakshi entered The principal's room after the greetings she introduced her son to the principal. Who officially allowed him to go round the school. Meenakshi and Agastya walked through the corridor after coming out of the principal's room.  Meenakshi  entered her classroom and Agastya  walked straight. The classrooms were not only big and spacious but also stunningly elegant. The furniture and the toys around. The seamless patterns of wall and  floor designs are creating a spell of  Maya Sabha - a very mysterious beautiful palace.

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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