It was 2.00 AM Laxmi was mooing. Then cried the baby cow. The bleat was not normal it was trying to communicate some emotion. The calf engage in repetitive crying. Vidisha was awakened by the bleating of the calf. She got off the bed and came out of her bedroom and walked to the entrance door. Seshachalam was fast asleep in his room. Everything was silent. She gathered courage and opened the door. The breeze was cool. She saw Laxmi and her baby were on their legs - dozing. ( only for deep sleep cows lie down)
Vidisha was walking to the well Seshachalam was watching from behind. The sky was just star-lit. There was no moon in the sky. It was dark out side. Vidisha peeped into the well. and started walking towards the backyard. Seshachalam came out of the house. Vidisha walked towards the cowshed. Her mother appeared with a smiling face. Her spine shivered. Her heart skipped a beat. She walked two steps nearer. She vanished leaving Vidisha in dismay.
Vidisha stood there and looked around - found nothing except darkness. Hardly had she turned back when her father ran into his room. Vidisha walked to the entrance door while watching around at the door she ran into her mother. She felt that someone has dashed her. She came in and closed the door. Her father coughed and twisted on the bed. Vidisha lay on the floor in the living room. Her gaze was fixed on the ceiling. Seshachalam came into the living room calling her " Hum.. hum ha... Hum ..hum ..ha...They are drinking rum, smoking cigar. Hum.. hum ha... Hum ..hum ..ha. laughing at the witch house. They are rolling out in woods. The hunters want his head. The hunters want his blood. Hum.. hum ha... Hum ..hum ..ha. Their death is waiting on the road. Ha hha hha hha!!!!" Vidisha was singing. Seshachalam was frozen in the living room with his eyes fixed on the wall clock.
***
Simhachalam phone rang several times before he picked up the receiver from his bed. He sat on the bed and saw his lungi slipped off his wait. He was semi nude. He turned his head and looked at Michelle. She was nude. He was listening to the voice while looking and her beautiful body" They must finish him. Lest I should finish them." " He put his mouth to the receiver and said "Don't worry. It will be done but I got him terminated from his job. I don't understand why you are so serious" "He kidnapped my daughter." The voice on the phone was emotional." OK. Our men started. you will hear the good news by tomorrow."
Michelle was aroused by the talk. She found herself nude and pulled the blanket over her body. Simchalam pulled down. She sat on the bed covering the blanket again. Simhachalam gave one more peg to her lips.
Sim: Please one more
Michelle: I never drank so much. Don't force me to drink more."
Sim: Ok, Then. I too don't drink, Your beauty is enough to give me the kick!
Michelle: You are the demon among men!
Simhachalam: But you are Apsara
"I want my land." She said firmly
Simhachalam: I want pleasure. Take what you want. You want money?"
"I want nothing but land" she repeated.
Simhachalam: ----------------------------------
Michelle: I am gong to be engaged soon. Leave me!
Simhachalam: Our friendship will continue only until you are engaged
Michelle: "Friendship? Your shitty friendship. I am the victim.
***
The people of sabbavaram gathered around three dead bodies on the road at 8.00 AM. Seshachalam was among the bystanders. He was doubtful when Vidisha was singing the previous night about their deaths. They was killed by a truck. somebody said. Seshachalam was so tired as he was sleepless. He was taking Vidisha to the Raghavendra hospital. He did not go to the doctor he returned home. The road was waiting for their death. it is true but who are they? why did the road kill them? He had no answers to those questions.
***
The lecturers saw Syamala coming out of the Telugu department with her lunch box. Physics Lecturer Kameswarrao and Botany lecturer Krishnaveni smiled at her. The first class after the lunch was physics She directly went into her class room. She put the box on the table and sat next to Vindhya. The bell rang and the students started coming into the class room. The commotion is increasing by and by. Symala was drowsy. Kameswarrao started the class. He explained the Niels Bohr model of hydrogen atom. Her friends who saw Syamala sleeping tried to wake up. They were very apprehensive about the consequences because Kameswarrao is damn strict a lecturer. But luckily he did not see Syamala as he spent of the time drawing the diagram of Atom. Vindya pinched Syamala. Syamala woke up and saw the lecturer. " Who proposed the theory of hydrogen Atom model?" His metallic voice sounded rough. Syamala was frightened. She did not understand anything. To ease the question he asked again " Is it Bohr? " Yes sir bore sir , Physics is utter bore sir!" The class broke into laughter. The bell rang. Kameswarrao went out and Chemistry lecturer Parameswarrao came in with Chaitanya. He was drawing something on the board. Why did you not come to physics class? asked syamala. Why are you taking lunch in Telugu department with Rameswarri? asked Chaitanya. She is not leaving me during the lunch break. She is spoon feeding me on her lap. said Syamala.
Thank God She is leaving you for classes. The chemistry lecturer is not leaving even for the classes. He is taking me to his classes and to the staffroom. He tied me to him. What a pity! What a pity! Where has Nandini gone! You became sick after she ran away from home." said Vindhya. " She ran away and she is safe! We got caught as we could not" said Chaitanya and Syamala. The bell rang. The chemistry class is over. Paramewsarrao has come to chaitanya and caught him by hand. Telugu professor Rameswarrai was coming. " Syamala come to the staff room once" She called.
Syamala said " I have next class madam" she said. Look Syamala, today before you go, tell me if Nandini had told you anything. Where did she go? A girl running away from home is not a small thing." They were walking ahead. Chaitanya and Vindhya were laughing watching them from behind. "See how clever the professors are they rubbing Syamala and me to get the truth" said Chaitanya. " yes, they are rubbing on the wrong side." Said Vindhya. " Men are fools! He.. hee.. hee" laughed Chaitanya thinking that he commented the professors. " I am afraid you are a man" Said Vindhya. Chaitanya was dazed.
"She was disappointed when she knew that the Telugu teacher left the college. She was distraught when she came to know that he was sacked she broke her heart when she learned that she was used as a pan in the game. She told me that she would teach her father a lesson for conspiring against an inspiring teacher, after all he is her lover." said Vindhya. Oh! She must have told you where she has gone , please tell me." said Chaitanya. " I can not trust you , You will tell the Chemistry lecturer that hurts her very badly. She feels total betrayal" said Vindhya. " You know what dangers are awaiting a girl who ran away from house, in this vile world?" Chaitanya attacked Vindhya with logic. Don't worry about her safety , I have told Bharatavarsha where she has gone." said Vindhya at the same time Syamala came to her and said " If you confide in me tell me where she has gone?"
Vindhya looked at Chaitanya. He understood that she wants privacy and moved away.
Vindhya " She has gone to her Kakinada friend Sundari."
Syamala: You mean the famous kuchipudi dancer whom our college invited and felicitated on the last year annual day?"
Vindhya: Yes , She is Nandini's friend.
Syamala: So Nandini is in Kakinada?
No, She is in Hyderabad with Sundari who got a chance to dance in Navya art Productions"
Navya Arts Naidu and Kashyap are very famous. Wonderful!
Naidu and Kashyap are lechers. They are the infamous duo. They are danger not wonder
our Nandini is in danger too because they are living in the same apartment.
How do you know all these things?
Sundary gives me three online dance classes a week.
How long the shooting will go? What danger comes in her way? Will Nandini come back ?
I am not a foreteller, I don't have divya shakti. I have told Bharatavarsha he has sent a girl to Hyderabad to save her from danger and bring her back as soon as possible.
He should have gone himself or he should have sent a man!
You are too intelligent Syamala. You are a genius! She has to live with her in her place.
Syamala was convinced with Vindya but Chaitanya was not. From a distance he was watching their conversation. When the conversation is over he came to Vindhya and said " I have a straight question , I want the straight answer, when you can't trust men how did you trust Bharatavarsha? Isn't he a man?"
"He is not a man. He is a gentleman." cut short Vindhya. Chaitanya was dazed again.
***
Gadiraju Palace is the spectacular beach palace, a15 minute walk from Kailasagiri Park. The luxurious hotel on Visakha beach is an elite space with unparalleled aesthetics. It is the place for grand weddings, great exhibitions and product launches. It resembles Meenakshi palace in Mysore.
In the 25,000sft Convention hall Alekhya homes launches a new venture. It is also the property exhibition show. The city mayor lighted the lamp and started the exhibition. Several developers, stake holders and new reporters participated in the show. The lights were turned off in the big hall. The video of the township was shown to nearly thousand audience sitting in the large hall.
Later the lights were on. "We have already started construction of Yakshini township spread across 30 acres near Bheemili " said Sundar the Chairman of Alekhya homes. "We can hope to start allocating the apartment by March next year,” said Alekhya the director of Alekhya homes.
"We've opened a website and started e booking also. We will float bids for the commercial spaces only after the residential part is completed. We will we invite applications for civic community sites, and then e-auction the commercial sites." Said the marketing Manager.
Factors like delivery rate, location of the projects developed, after-delivery services, on all these parameters Ahalya homes is the best. said the Mayor.
The meeting was over. Alekhya, Sundar, Adya, Syam Grace and Timpany sat one side of the ten seater table. Shivani developers chairman Teja and his wife Shivani. Margaux and her husband were seated on the other side of the table. The lunch was being served.
Alekhya introduced Grace and Timpany to Sundar. Adya introduced them to her husband Syam. Margaux and her husband to all. "He is alloy steel manufacturer Deshpande "
Sundar: What do you do Syam?
Syam: I have a microbrewery.
Alekhya : You have to take property Syam
Syam: I will try. but what is the price?
Sundar: The price begins at 50 lakh.
Alekhya : Grace what about you?
Grace: I will ask my husband.
Sundar: Did you not invite her husband?
Alekhya : He is very reserved.
Sundar : Mrs. Timpany what about you?
Adya : She is the wife of a shoe mart owner. He suffered a loss and closed the shop.
Adya said to Alekhya. Alekhya said the same thing to her husband.
Sundar : If she is financially not doing well , It's ok. Her sister Grace has a big company. Her husband is the biggest acqua culturist. We can count on her.
Alekhya: You started the company in my name and gave me the position of a director.
Adya: Grace's husband started her business with his ex wife's name " Meenakshi exports"
All people laughed. Timpany and Grace were taken aback.
Teja: He must have started the company before he married Grace.
Adya : No after his marriage with Grace he started Meenakshi exports"
All the guests laughed again. The sisters felt like slapped.
Sunder quickly stopped laughing and said " Ok, stop laughing. Who knows she will be the CEO of the company. Alekhya "She was not educated enough to be the CEO.
Sundar looked at Grace and Timpany. Grace was felling small but Timpany looked proud.
She looked at Adya and Alekhya and said "I will offer something bigger you can ever ask"
Everybody was surprised to listen to Timpany's words. "What is the cost of the Yakshini project?" She asked. Alekhya and Adya were shocked at her audacity. " It is 100 crores." said Alekhya. " I will take the entire venture" said Timpany. This time all people broke into laughter. Timpany and Grace walked away.
***
Anandalnilayam Garden. Basava, Kesava, Agastya, Manjusha sat amid flowers. It was a colorful moment. The master of the day who set the sky ablaze is tired and retiring to the western horizon. The sky was aglow with his orange light. White clouds drifting lazily in the gentle breeze. In that colourful moment Kesava was playing Mrudanga looking at the sky.
"Is there a grenade blast in the sky?
or a colourful smoke bomb?
Are they colours god's moods?
Lo! the clouds spread all over the sky
Are they really clouds or thick cotton balls?
The sun isa fire ball or a brandy drop
burning down the throat of sky." Said Basava.
Agastya" Basava you have a tree in your heart. It is the beautiful poetry"
Basava " Yes! poetry without rhyme scheme" He laughed at himself.
Agastya " you are a pandit of blank verse"
Kesava began playing the gentle beats gradually he reached rapid beats and played Mrudanga groves (combined effect of beat and rhythm) on Mrudanga that surrounded the garden of Anandanilayam. Basava and Agastya are transfixed to the beauty of sound.
"You have chosen the path of music. You have gone very far." Said Basava.
"You have magic in your fingers. You are a Maestro" Said Agastya.
Kesava was unmindful of the comments he is totally immersed in the groove. He produced a mrudanga loop with unparalleled gusto for a few minutes. Finally when he stopped Munjasha came into the garden with tea. "Is it Druvatala or Aditala?" asked Basava.
" The clouds and your verse enthused me. The music I played is groove. The Mrudanga loop is wave of rhythm which is the response to the inspiration. Are you inspired by clouds? asked Agastya.
"Why not? Cloud inspired Kalidasa. It is the chief element in his literature Meghadhoot. So is it the chief element in my Rhythm. Clouds have the beautiful symbolism. They charge our heart with emotions." said Kesava.
Wow! Kesava what happened to you? you are describing the beautiful symbolism of clouds?! Do you have Nephophilia (love of clouds)?" said Manjusha. All the friends laughed. "Have you stolen your Guru's heart? " said Agastya.
"Why stealing his heart ? His heart is here. He left his heart here and went away." said Kesava showing Varsha's latest poems. Agastya took the book of poetry and opened it. It was full of hand written poems. He started reading the first poem.
Solitary Poet
Oh solitary poet in the gloomy graveyard
why hangest here for a promenade
The night is cold and the scene is dreadful
Why is the smile on your lips so wistful?
flickering flame all hopes in wrecks
what of your fame that reached apogee
why wanderst thou like a refugee
Abundant tombs, withered wreaths
souls sauntering without sheaths
This is what remains when life ends
No one ever death transcends
Too short is life's window
Bygone is all but a shadow
When Agastya finished reading Basava said "The astounding spray of emotions. He imparted sweetness to melancholy. Manjusha brought tea into the garden a while ago. She was only waiting to give them tea overhearing the poem. She said looking at the sky "
It is the cosmic art exhibition
presided over by the sun
relaxing after day long run
It is the visible manifestation
of the invisible force
the golden verse of the universe
"Cosmic art exhibition is a nice word. said Manjusha. "Where is Varsha? we have come here to invite him to farewell Raghava who is leaving for Bangalore " said Basava.
"He went to the art exhibition. I mean Vidisha's art exhibition." Said Manjusha.
Neither Basava nor Agastya understood what she meant. They looked puzzled. At the same time Malini was seen coming out of the door with her childhood friend Damini. They were walking towards the gate. Malini was giving a send off. Manjusha said " Lakuma's mother Aruna is coming tomorrow. Lakuma has left home. It causes concern to my mother. The second concern is Vidisha who is not normal. The third was Varsha who is going about Vidasha. His poems reveal his heart and his experiences.. before Manju stopped Basava said " You mean the solitary poet is his experience?" Agastya said " He must have gone to the grave? If so why did he go?" " Vidisha was going to grave my brother Varsha and her father both followed her. " said Manjusha. "What Raghva said was correct." said both Basava and Agastya. What did he say? asked Kesava.
***
It was an ordinary house in Madhuravada , housing board colony. Savitri is on tape bed. Timpany ( Tejovathi) and Gayatri ( Grace) were at the bedside. "Amma , please come with me to my place. While I can take care of you in my palace why should you endure this hardships in this old age?" Said Grace. Savitri did not speak. Timpany said "She will not come to either of us because we are not settled in life" " uh! settling in life is too small a word. I am filthy rich." Grace gave an anguished cry.
Savitri saw her daughter in distress and began to tell her " Do you know why you are crying?" Grace looked surprised. " You don't know nor your sister (Tejovathi) knows. Grace looked bewildered. Savitri smiled and continued...
" Look Gayatri, ever since you married I started living in the charitable old age home. You and Tejovathi have asked me several times to come with you. I never opened my lips though you have asked me several times. Gayatri you think that Tejovathi is not rich so if I don't go to her it is okay for you. But you don't for sufficient reasons.
I am not in thirties like you. You are searching for meaning of life in money and status. You are searching for satisfaction in luxuries. I am neither looking for money nor luxuries at the age of 70. I want to discover the meaning of life in peace and penance. I need loneliness for freedom for repentance.
My young age was taken over by troubles because I married an uneducated man who spent most of his life as lorry cleaner. He became a driver but his joy was short lived. His death left us in the lurch. The Christian missionaries helped us but took advantage of our poverty and converted us to Christianity. My middle age was taken over by fears. I was afraid of your safety and your future.
I adjusted my self to Christianity reluctantly. The missionary died. Looking at Grace Savitri said "She ( Tejovathi) married three times no marriage stood for her. The three husbands are the same. This is the third marriage he has financial acclivity.
Tejovathi dissolved in tears. "No one was financially strong."
I was in the Christian old age home until a week ago but I was not happy there. She said and suddenly stopped when she saw a young man with coffee. He has an interesting face , brilliant eyes and a cheerful voice. He placed the coffee flask on the table and offered coffee to all. He said " Amma why did you stop telling."
Who is he said Tejovathi looking at the young man of 25 years " He is joseph" said Savitri.
I am joseph Venkateswarulu. I am an irreligious man. Religion is an occupation to me.
Who are you what are you doing here? What happened to the old age home? asked Tejovathi. "He came three days ago to this place. He does not know anything." said Savitri.
I am a servant of Anandasadan. Off course people call me manager. The missionary old age home was closed a week ago for want of funds. For two days 40 members of the old age home stayed under a tree here. A kind hearted man saw these people and shifted them to a four storied building. said Joseph Venkateswarulu.
What is this house ? why is my mother here? asked Grace.
This is my quarter. I live in the near by village. You mother wanted to live alone. There is a temple in the opposite street. She spends her time in the service of God. Since I don't live here your mother is here. said Joseph Venkateswarulu.
Who's the kind hearted man behind this Anandasadan? asked Grace
His name is Bharatavarsha. Said Joesph Venkatswarulu.
Bharatavarsha is a familiar name. His name is familiar in news paper , radio and television said Grace. "He is reconverting the old age people into Hindu dharma." said Savitri.
Have you gone back? We have no problem we can bear Hindutva. said Grace.
"But I can not bear Christianity." Said Savitri sharply. Grace was startled.
Savitri smiled and said "That's why I want to be here." Grace was struggling to understand.
Look Gayatri your lives are lawless (disorderly without peace) but you need some time to realize and accept the truth. your heart has hopes. you have the age. you have bodily needs, I have spiritual needs. Don't worry. go in your way. You can visit and go. Don't cry for me.
***
Psychiatrist Rajendra looked at Seshachalam “The patient's mental state examination (MSE) score was 17/30. She showed no bradykinesia, muscle rigidity, or finger tremor. She has no emotional problems. MRI revealed bilateral parieto‐occipital and mild left temporal cortical atrophy. CT perfusion showed decreased cerebral blood flow in the bilateral parietal and frontal regions. CSF showed no abnormality.”
Seshachalam had a terrified look. Vidisha sat beside her father. “Nothing to worry about. She is normal. she has hallucinations due to sleeplessness and weakness.
He looked at Vidisha and smiled " Eat well, sleep well. Don't think too much. Do meditation and when use the sleeping tablets." He later looked at Seshachalam and said " No spirits , no predictions , nothing.
The road death of the three people" stammered Seshachalam
Doctor: It is a mere co incidence. Don't bother about it.
When they were about to go doctor's assistant came in. The doctor asked him have you found it? His voice showed anxiety. " No sir , I have searched for your car keys everywhere. I have searched in madam's desk, pharmacy , even the operation theatre. I don't think you have brought they keys to the hospital. You must have forgotten at home!
The doctor got very angry " I came by car to the hospital." His assistant was dazed.
Vidisha : The yellow shirt patient who came to see you has taken it.
Seshachalam : How do you know?
Doctor : Ha hha.. hhaa. This is called hallucination.
While he was laughing a man wearing blue shirt brought the key and gave it to the doctor.
The Assistant : You said yellow shirt? Doctor is correct. It is hallucination!
Blue shirt man : My brother came to hospital. He picked up your keys on your table thinking that they are his car keys. He has asked me to hand over the keys to you.
***
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