The Destination

          Evenings in the Natesan park always used to see him. Energetic, ever-smiling and a brisk walking personality. He used to be the center of attraction for his folks in the park. His friends in the park are mostly youth and of both genders. He spoke a lot. A lot!! He cracked jokes every now and then. He explained the methods used in Vedic Mathematics. When someone asked him how he was so fresh, his reply was, "I am seventy eight years old, but I still feel young and energetic. Fear of aging stops my same aged friends to stop. There is no limitations to be happy and there is no limitations to fear as well. I am happy. I like to be more happy and I don't fear thinking about my age. So the freshness." He used to be such a source  of energy. He - Krishnan.

                     

                           

           Krishnan's wife died four years ago. When one of his relatives asked him about how it was been without his wife. He replied, "She is not physically present anymore here. Don't ask me if she is still present as some spirit. I have not felt it. But the memories are always present. It is not difficult so far for me since I live with my son and his family. Also, I am not sick. So, no troubles for people around me as well."

          "What do you see in a dream? Sorry Subhash. I should not ask you this. But I like to know.", asked Krishnan to his then classmate. Subhash lost his vision sixteen years back due to diabetes.

          "Oh Krishna. A thesis on a blind's dream, is it?"

          "Yeah the same one. We used to discuss the same during college days. How could I go and ask it to a blind man?"

          "And you are asking this old blind friend of you, now."

          "I didn't mean any ..."

          "No. No. No. No hard feelings!! A man without a leg can dream of him running hundred meters in eight seconds. But blind....., I don't how I look now. Did my skin shrink? In my dreams my look is still 62 years old. But born blind, should be seeing nothing. They may not visualize stuff. In their mind, Sridevi may seem ugly. They should feel the touch in the dream. Would they dream? No idea."

         "You have the same skin as you had eight years back and your hair is still shiny and black." Both laughed.

          Krishnan used to play cricket on Sunday evenings with the kids in his colony. He used to walk three steps for his run-up and can spin the ball 15 degrees in both the ways. Kids fighted to have the old man in their team. He taught the art of spin to the kids over there.

          Krishnan spent his time in social networks in the evenings. He had contact with most of the friends in Facebook. He got a call in his cellphone.

          "Hello Mahadevan."

          "I am Gurunath."

          "Yeah, Gurunath. How are you? How is Mahadevan."

          "Appa is bed-ridden since two days. He is restless. He wants to see you. He is saying your name and he is saying his young days with you. Can you come over here?"

          "I will. I will say to my son and try to be there immediately. I will give you a call."

            Krishnan last cried on his father's demise at his age of 24. He never cried then. When his mother passed away, he did not shed a single drop. Same happened during his wife's demise as well. His son asked him the reason why one day.

       

           "My mother would have definitely cried when I entered this world. Your mother's entire family cried when she stepped into the car to start to Erachakulam from Shenkottai after our wedding. The pain. First one is of body and the second one is pain of separation. I used to kid your mom. I used to ask her was she dead, (Laughs). Life didn't stop there. The destination is not still met. Many miles to go. When do you think we reach the destination? Or else what is the destination of life?"

             "Destination...... Death?"

             "That is for unworthy bunch of people. I am a mathematics teacher. I taught my students something. Some became doctors. Some became engineers. Some teachers. Some financial experts. Some.. Some... There is a lot of such somes. One doctor student saves many lives. One teacher inherits many such teachers. So I can say I inherited knowledge. I inherited hope to my friends. I say not to fear death to my friends. They won't. Death is not such a fearsome one when we stop thinking about it and concentrating on something else. I inherited that thought as well. I have leukemia friend in my walking team. What will happen if she fears death? Sorry, I didn't give answer to your question. I am saying something else."

             "It is okay. I got the answer."

             Krishnan went through his childhood memories with Mahadevan. They used to fight for Sunday in perumal kovil on chathurthi days. Compose new songs to sing on Margazhi Bhajans. With this month being Margazhi, he started to revisit those days.

             Kannan, his son reached home. Krishnan went to him asked him to book a Tatkal ticket for him. Kannan was hesitant to send his father to Erachakulam alone. 

             "You are seventy eight. You can be healthy and still feel young but I am not sending you alone. I cannot take leave. I have people coming in from Korea for meeting. Radha has her concerts. I am concerned."

              "I have 12 days of leave left for the year daddy. Lemme go with thatha. It has been seven years since I have been to Erachakulam." Krishnan smiled at Nithya. 

             "Ok book and pack.", said Kannan.

             "Have you not coming for Vani Mahal kucheri?" Asked Radha.

             "Overdose of your Thodis and Kuntaravaralis, lemme spend some time with thatha."

Kannan became happy with Nithya's reply and booked them the tickets himself.

              

              Krishnan and Nithya boarded the train. Both were allocated lower birth. One old pair came and sat along with them. Time crossed 9. The lady came to Nithya and requested if she could take the upper birth since her husband could not climb to upper birth.

             "What about you?", asked Krishnan. 

             "I too cannot climb up there. I will sleep in the floor. If there are some youngsters in the near seats, I will ask them to change."

             "Why should you sleep in the floor? Sleep comfortably in the lower birth. I will take the upper.", said Krishnan and started to climb.

             "Why difficulty in the old age?"

             "See. Railways is not seeing age for allotting births and all. They believe people are like me. Grey hair but strong knees. No worries. Sleep well."

               Train reached Nagercoil and they went to Erachakulam by auto. Krishnan went to Mahadevan's residence. He sat near Mahadevan's legs.

                "Mahadeva!!" Mahadevan started to cry on hearing his friend calling him in a friendly way.

                "I will return back in evening Kanyakumari if you cry like this."

                "I have become like this. Not able to wipe my own ass."

                "Have you not been like this before?"

                "Who would want to be like this?"

                "Oh! Did you wipe your own ass when your six or seven months old?"

                "Am I a kid?"

                "Sure not. You were till three days before. But not now."

                "Son of a. Stop speaking philosophies."

                "Stop crying. Let me try to stop."

                "I won't cry till you leave back." 

                Both laughed.

                "My father is smiling after four days", said Gurunath. Krishnan patted his back and went to other houses in the street.

                

                 Nithya and Krishnan started to Suchindram to visit Thanumalaya temple. While waiting for bus in Erachakulam bus stop, Krishnan saw a scooter going towards the village. Krishnan called Nithya and showed her the number. He asked the significance.

                 "1729. You have said 246 times. It is Ramanujam number. My friends. My friends of friends. Whoever came  to our house knows it. Also 2592. Mahaveer's garland."

                 "Yeah 2 to the power of 5 multiplied by 9 to the power of 2 is 2592. You see the beauty."

                 "Seventieth time."

                  In the two days, Krishnan spoke with Nithya whenever he is out travelling to Kanyakumari and other places. Not a single moment of silence was there. It was like two mid twenties friend speaking with each other.

                   In Nagercoil bus stand, one man of mid thirties came and greeted Krishan.

                   "I am Shenbagam pillai, your student. Now I am teaching mathematics in SLB, the same school where you taught me Mathematics and life."

                    Krishnan smiled and congratulated him. He felt proud the entire evening and explained inheritance of knowledge to Nithya.

                   After finishing the morning Bhajans in the temple, Krishnan went to meet Mahadevan. Mahadevan was alone.

                  "Gurunath and his wife started to work early. Ramal has gone to Siva temple. Akilash went to play cricket."

                  "Okay. Good to see you being confident."

                  "Krishna!! I want to urinate."

Krishnan searched for urine bag and kept it under Mahadevan's private part. Drops came out of Mahadevan's eyes.

                   "I am a sinner.", said Mahadevan.

                   "Is urinating a sin?"

                   "You always speak like this. What is the prasadam today?"

                   "Venpongal."

                   "How we fight for Thanu mama's pongal those days. Nowadays, they are doing it just for doing. There is no sincerity at all."

                    "Who is coming to temple?"

                    "Entire street would be there at 4 for Margazhi Bhajans. Those are the days. Who came today?"

                    "Four. Five including me. Hari's son played harmonium. I can hear only air and no music. Girija is singing well. As long as she is there, it will be good. Who are ready to come at 4? Those days are gone. Nithya is still sleeping. It is 7 already. No one is wishing to see sun when it rises."

                   "Yeah", said Mahadevan. 

                    

In the evening, Krishnan saw the Ramanujam number scooter and stopped the person.

                   "I am Krishnan. I am from Perumalcoil street. Now I reside in Chennai. I have not seen you before."

                   "Yeah. I am not native person of this village. I shifted here since I was posted to SBT Erachakulam branch. I am cashier there."

                   "Oh good. I am a Mathematician and taught Maths. I am asking this on curiosity. Do you know about the number on your number plate."

                   "My son wanted this number. He said this is Ramanujam number and insisted on this."

                   "Oh good. What is your son doing?"

                   "He is studying eighth standard at SLB."

                   "Good. Convey my wishes to your son and (took the pen from his pocket) give this pen to him."

                   "Thanks", said the cashier and left. The words of inheritance ran through Krishnan's mind. He felt a satisfied teacher in himself. 

                    Next day Krishnan wanted to bath in the pond. He went to pond in the evening and started to swim. Nithya searched for Krishnan everywhere. Someone said her that Krishnan was in pond. She came there and asked him to come back. 

                    "Thatha, you are not a teenager. What if something bad happens?"

                    "Nothing has happened."

                    "Thatha. I am responsible now. Why are you doing like this?"

                    "Nithya! What will happen? I may stop breathing. What is the guarantee for a fifteen years boy to comeback safely? Is it there I should not swim on 78. Here is where I bathed all days. Those days we did not have bathroom. This pond will not take me inside. It is more than a pond for me. We used to bath here 3 30 in the morning and used to go for temple sharply at 4 for Margazhi Poona. I see my gray hair on mirror daily. That is why I am here at 5 in the evening when there is more light. Somehow I too started to fear. Isn't it? Tomorrow we will be leaving back to Chennai and u wanted to take bath in the pond atleast once."

Nithya gave the towel to him to get dry and they started to room to pack stuffs.

Next day morning, Nithya too joined Krishnan in morning Bhajans. Krishnan went to Mahadevan's home.

Mahadevan was reading newspaper.

                "Mahadevan! What is the news for the day?"

                "Modi lost in Delhi. Someone, Kejrewal won. Educated person is becoming CM. Good sign for the country."

                "Good. Kamaraj. Didn't he do well. Nice and pure persons become CM. Education is just an advantage."

                "You become CM Krishna." Both laughs.

                "I am leaving today. Be brave. Ramal is always there. Call me two three days once.". 

                "Your visit helped me better than doctor's medicines."

                "Ok see you."

                "Come for Panguni utharam."

                "Definitely."

 

Two months later,

               "Hello. Good evening Gurunath"

               "Good evening mama. One good news mama. Appa started to sit in the bed."

               "Oh. Is it? Give the phone to him."

               "Mahadevan! You sat. You have to walk when I come for Panguni utharam."

               "Why walk? Let us swim in the pond."

               "Good. I have booked the tickets already. This time Kannan and his mistress will come with me. No leave for Nithya."

                "Ok. Shall I cut the telephone?"

                "Ok."

Krishnan called Nithya and conveyed the news. Kannan and Radha went on a trip to Korea and would be coming only on the next day.

Kannan came the next day and went to Krishnan's room. He used to walk in the park by this time. He went near his father and found him no more. All his relatives came for his last rites. Everyone was seen crying except Nithya. Krishnan inherited some of principles to atleast one in the crowd.

   

Zero, the price of love

   "Somebody said to me that love is priceless. It is infinite. I replied to them, 'Yes it is priceless. But it should imply zero. Love at no cost. Affection at no cost. What we need is readiness from within.' That is why I am planning to name the trust 'zero, the price of love'", said Ashok to his father.
  "Anbin vilai suzhiyamaa?" (Zero, the price of love in Tamil)
  "Yep. Sounds better in Tamizh.", replied Ashok.
  "I am very proud that you have these kinds of ideas and thoughts in this young age. Carry on. But be transparent with the members".

Six months ago,

   "Ashok, do you know about the Olimayamana Deepavali, we used to organize every year?", asked Ashok's cousin Rajesh in telephone.
   "Yeah, I do. Deepavali with orphans."
   "You have joined in an IT. Contribute something."
   "Ok. My contribution is thousand rupees. I will pay to you once I come over there."
   "Great. We are having it next month second Saturday. Be here."
   "I will do."

Ashok, a recent engineering passed out and have just joined an IT firm in Bengaluru. The call was from his cousin who along with badminton friends involve in social activities. Ashok knew few members over there. He donated his blood once in a blood donation drive conducted by them. He didn't find the Deepavali incident that important to attend but he decided to go since he can see relatives over there.

   "Wear this kurta, Ashok", said Rajesh.
   "Yes."
   "You have to take care of hospitality"
   "What?"
   "Can't you give chocolates to children?"
   "How many of them will be coming?"
   "One twenty children from three different homes."
   "Okay."
   "Chocolates?"
   "Buy them.", said Rajesh and started to the marriage hall where the event was planned.

Ashok had a good time over there. Couple of female singers for Super Singer Competition were there! Two chocolates went their way.  Children from two homes were already present. Finally arrived the children from third orphanage.

After giving away the chocolates, Ashok moved to the row behind the super singer candidates. Two girls whom the television shows one minute once even when they are not performing. The compere, a middle aged enthusiastic bald gentleman started to carry the mike and went to each children and started asking their names. Names started like Vikash, Antony and he reached the final home. The kids started to tell their names, " R. Adhavan, R. Akilan, R. Tamizh, R. Ilakkiya, R. Parimalam and the name list continued and ended up with R. Poongothai."

A child from the third home came to the stage. The compere asked her name, she replied R. Inbaselvi.
"Everybody from your home has same initials. What is that R?"
"Raghunathan, my dad's name."
"Good. What are you going to do?"
"I can say capital of any country. I can identify the country from its flag."
"How old are you?"
"Six" she replied.
"Give a big round of applause to this little girl.", said the bald head compere.
The compere started to ask her the capitals.
He started with Kuwait.
"Kuwait city."
"Nepal"
"Khatmandu."
He continued to ask for twenty to twenty five countries. The child replied the answers in fraction of seconds.

After that, the compere said, "What a girl! She said her father's name is Raghunathan. He is father of all people sitting over there(pointing the third home). He is here sitting there. Sir, could you please?"
When the compere pointed at Raghunathan, Ashok felt that he is pointing to him. Raghunathan stood and everybody clapped for him,. He was seated very next to Ashok.

Next came the super singer candidates to the stage. Ashok shook hands with Raghunathan and thought to speak a lot with him. He became silent and his thoughts went towards Raghunathan and friends group like his cousins. Children from each home performed. Ashok has not spoken a single word with Raghunathan. Function got over. Children moved to have lunch. Youngsters over there took snaps with the super singers. Ashok searched for Raghunathan at every corner of the hall and found him in wash basin.
"Sir. You are great.I want to hug you. Shall I?", asked Ashok.
"Yes, please.", replied Raghunanthan.
The hug was very tight. The hug itself said many things, "When people asked what is the purpose of life? I had no answers. You showed me today. Thank you! Boss."
"Shall I take a snap with you?"
"Yes, sure. How about with boys as well?"
"Definitely and you have done something to me.", said Ashok.

Ashok returned to his cousin's home.
"Rajesh! Rajesh!!"
"Yeah."
"Chhhp. You guys are great. Appreciate. Give your hands."
Ashok shook Rajesh's hand.
"Why? All of a sudden."
"Appreciation can be given free of cost. Zero"
"Hmm. Hmm."
"Great!!"

Ashok had lot of questions in his mind. What if he does similar activity with his school or college friends? It seemed the idea did not come from within. It is just coming out since he saw these kinds of people. If he saw, group of friends chilling out in Goa, the idea might not have come. He was not able to figure out if the idea was from his heart. It should not start like his mridangam class which he joined just because his friend joined and discontinued in couple of minutes. He kept his thoughts aside and proceeded his routine.

Six months then,

Ashok went for a relative's wedding at a small town called Arcot in Tamilnadu. His father had a friend. He ran a school for mentally challenged. From his father's compulsion, he went over to the school and met his father's friend Srinivasan. He worked as an officer in one of the companies over there and also ran the school.

Ashok wanted to speak something and wanted to show off that he is a responsible person. He asked Srinivasan, " Uncle, I want to see the students and classes over here."
 "Definitely. I would love to show you our children. Come!"
Srinivasan started towards the first class. Children stood up and wished.
 "These are the children who can understand things.But needs to be taught very slowly. They can be said as  slow learners, rather. But still not normal. If a normal child can learn a stuff in 5 minutes, these kids may  need 25 minutes." He introduced everyone in the class.
Then he moved to the next room,"The second level.", said Srinivasan while entering the room. The room is full of handicrafts. Kids were making designs in soap and few were making agarbathis.
 "For these people, the power of understanding is lesser than what we saw in the first class. These kids are  taught with making agarbathis and forming designs in soap. It will help for atleast moving their life in future." A girl came and gave Ashok a designed soap. Ashok started to have the same feeling that he had in Olimayamana Deepavali. 
"You saw a care taker outside my room. She used to be in this class. Their parent didn't take care of her well. See the god's play. You can witness. Most of the kids over here are poor. Adding fuel to the fire. They didn't want her to be with them. She used to roam here and there. Bad society. They just need a lady. Leave it. Then I appointed here as a caretaker."

They went into third class. There were about ten kids and about four teachers inside.
"These kids are even special."
Ashok nodded his head.
"Do you read books?", asked Srinivasan.
"No."
"There is a book called, 'Tuesdays with Morrie' Good one. Read it."
"Definitely."
"The writer wrote in that book, 'the life literally ends once when a person is not able to wipe his/ her own ass.' "
"Sir."
"Yes, that is true! The writer has been realistic there. These kids most of them are ten. Pity,they don't clean theirs after toileting. Some don't even know that they have to go to toilet for urgency. We teach these kids to say if they have the feel of going to toilet. Atleast they can do their basic needs and do not want to depend on others. You see, there are couple of kids who were promoted from this class to handicraft class in the past three years. That is my victory.
"Great sir.", said Ashok in the lighter voice.
"There used to be teachers before who came for these class. But they are not nurse to wipe the ass of ten and thirteen years old when needed. Now, I have volunteers. Mothers of few kids over here. They know the pain involved. They are trained and appointed as teachers for this particular class."
Ashok had no words. He nodded his head.

Pic Courtesy: nesam.org

Srinivasan took him to the last class.
"The last one. Very special kids. They need attention all time."
Ashok saw the kids and went speechless. He controlled himself from crying. Kids were sitting in wheel chair like seat and were tied with belt in legs and hip area.
"We cannot say these people are mentally challenged. But someway. Yes, they are. They can eat if we give if we feed them. We cannot find if they are thirsty. We have to give them water in regular intervals. They are tied for safety purpose. They will try to walk but it will be difficult for them. They get fits regularly.We are trying our level best and would love to see atleast one person to improve.".
He said names of the kids one by one. He went to the last kid, "His name is Srikanth. His father KV Srinivasan - myself.". He went closer to the kid and had a close loving look  "Fourteen years old."
Before Srinivasan turned at  him, Ashok wiped his tears.

They came back to reception and Ashok asked,"I know you work here in Ranipet. But with that salary, how you are running a school."
"People. They help me. My staff give me Rs. 1000. I even get it from them during their birthdays and anniversaries. We run a trust from which funds come in. You see the board there. These people paid for today's lunch. This is how it runs. I pay two rupees a month as rent for this school. The owner took one rupee before. I said to him the land rates were increasing and he should get more rent. He replied as you were compelling, he was increasing the rent and asked to pay two rupees. Such a nice person and there are very nice people in this globe to make it balanced."
Ashok replied, " I like to contribute every month. I will pay 5% of my income every month for this children."
"Thanks a lot, Ashok.", replied Srinivasan and their conversation continued.

On the way back to Bengaluru,

"Dad! I had an idea today after meeting Srini uncle."
"What is that idea?"
"I am going to start a trust with my willing friends. We are going to give five percent of our income to needy. Fifty percent beneficiary is Nesam of Srinivas uncle and 50% others."
"You have just started to earn. Why now itself? Why suddenly?"
"Just like Rajesh . How he does good things with his badminton friends?"
"You are taking decisions in haste. You are just doing things because someone is doing it. I don't think. It comes from your heart."
"It is not like that. See, Srinivas uncle has started Nesam  because his son Srikanth had that problem. But it is benefiting many people over there. Put the same logic here. Also, I had the same question inside. But I am very clear now. We will be rolemodels for many group of friends to stand in the society than just group of friends."
"Hmm. Hmm. It is upto you then. What will be the trust's name?"
"Somebody said to me that love is priceless. It is infinite. I replied to them, 'Yes it is priceless. But it should imply zero. Love at no cost. Affection at no cost. What we need is readiness from within.' That is why I am planning to name the trust 'zero, the price of love'", said Ashok to his father.
  "Anbin vilai suzhiyamaa?" (Zero, the price of love in Tamil)
  "Yep. Sounds better in Tamizh.", replied Ashok.
  "But you are paying five percent."
  "Wrong inference. A person who gives his heart is more powerful than than one who gives his money. For example, a reader for a blind, a person who gives his water bottle seeing a person breathing hard after trying to catch a bus,
Caring smile
Pleasing speech at the right time
Good heart
Soothing talk
Helping hand
Showing affection to remove ones distress. It can all come free of cost. What we need is readiness from within."

  "I am very proud that you have these kinds of ideas and thoughts in this young age. Carry on. But be transparent with the members", said Ashok's father.

Three months later

Ashok and his father were travelling in a town bus in Chennai. Both were seated and the bus was free. In the next stop, crowd got into the bus.
Suddenly, Ashok's father stood up.
"We are still six to seven stops away. Why are you getting up?", asked Ashok.
"There is a old pair standing next to you and they are elder than me. My son runs a trust called 'Zero, the price of love'. I am going by its way. I am giving my seat for one of them."
"That is like a slap on my face, daddy", said Ashok and stoop up to give the seat for the old pair.
"Thanks.", replied the pair.
"Now I got a practical example of 'zero, the price of love' and got the greatest reward ,'the thanks' form those elders."
"Exactly, dad.", replied Ashok.


The story is over with this. I want to give you further information on Olimayamana Deepavali and Nesam. They both are the true ones.

There is a badminton club based on T Nagar, 'Mahalakshmi Badminton club' which is formed by group of friends comprising business persons and important officials. They do many social activities like Blood donation, eye donation and this Olimayamana Deepavali. You can get to know about this event from Chennai Plus. It happens usually in second or fourth Sunday of a month before Deepavali. People interested to be there, can ping me. I will arrange for you to be present over there during the event either as volunteer or spectator.

Then, Nesam. Me and my friends visited there during our final year project in Ranipet. The personnel department HOD of the industry where we did our project is Mr. Srinivasan of Nesam. Ashok is exactly we who went there. The same experience is replicated. Nesam can be reached at http://nesam.org/. Mr. Srinivasan's contact is available in contact us. You  can contribute to them in various ways as in help us page. The photo above is of students over there.  You can see about the profile of each student at http://nesam.org/articles.htm You can visit Nesam any time after speaking with Mr. KV Srinivasan.

Zero, the price of love is still a dream to me, a one man group now, I can say :) . If a group of friends or like minded people start trusts like in the story, slowly there will be a societal and economic balance. Thank you.

He lives in Internet

The weekends call for going out. When there is a car and two friends who like to drive long distance, the weekends will be booked for travelling. These friends - Ananth, Mithun, Sanjay and Gaurav, engineers and roomies from Bengaluru. Saturday morning 7 AM, when most of the engineers were sleeping due to the hangover from work or hangover from pubs of the Friday night, these friends started towards Hoggenakkal.

The gang used to travel to Coorg, Chikmagaur or atleast to Sivasamudram every weekend. They read about the beauty of the falls in rainy season and decided to visit there.

'Get Set Go. On the way to Hoggenakkal with Ananth Shriram, Mithun Muthusamy and Gaurav Kumar', read Sanjay Subramaniam's facebook status once they boarded into car. Mithun has an SLR with him and he has a facebook photography page. Gaurav and Ananth are the two who drives in shifts to their weekend destination.

'Dosa Single Vada at Sukh Sagar. Unless for Sambar which resembles the payasam my cousin makes, the bestest.', Sanjay Subramaniam's updated his next status.
Gaurav saw his status in his iphone and asked him, "Sanjay! You went to piss after your breakfast. You forgot to update this in facebook. Why are you doing like this? Why should you update all this?"
" Gaurav. This is a popularity check. See this.(He opened his wall and showed the people who have liked the status.) Kamala Raju, Priya Baskaran and Lalitha Vasudev -  three girls. These three girls used to like whatever crap I update on facebook. These three are not closest to me as well. They are indirectly saying to me something. I will wait for hundred statuses, if they like all of them, then I will start chatting with them. This is called as Sanjay's theory of acquaintance to chat friend. How is it? If one put status on importance of education and importance of gender equality, they will keep him in good books but they will still remain 'know him but not friend/ boyfriend' kind. If someone continuously likes these kind of status, then chances of couplehood are there."
"Crap."
"Just kidding. It has become an addiction."

The car went past Hosur. Tamil film songs of 1980s were played on the audio system.
"Hoggenakkal is such a scenic beauty. I visited three to four years back. But there is no such crowd over there. People are very minimal. I don't know why people are not coming out there in numbers.", said Ananth
"How many people in the state knows that there is a place called Hoggenakkal? It is good that the crowd is less. Let it be less polluted.", said Sanjay.

'Reached Hoggenakkal. This place is awesome. Next - Coracle ride and some photos for dp in facebook. Feeling excited.' updated Sanjay's facebook status.

The gang went on coracle ride. Mithun clicked the scenic beauty though his SLR.
'This is too good. Wow! Will you take us to that place where water falls ' asked Ananth. Water started to sprinkle on them when they went closer. The coracle paddler made the coracle to rotate exactly where the water fell. This rotational movement added fun.

Thanks Arjun Samy Photography (facebook page)

Then the coracle reached a small island where people took bath.
The friends spent nearly thirty minutes in the river and started to head back to starting point by coracle.
'Saw group of youngsters pouring beer at the river in Hoggenakal. When I asked them why, they replied that they are making everyone drunken by adding it to water so that many people will drink beer. Where is our youngsters heading to? Our nation wants to know', updated Sanjay's fourth status of the day.

"Ananth, what about a profile picture sitting on that cliff?", asked Sanjay.
"Sure. That will be great."
They reached the starting point and started to walk to bathing area in the falls. They saw people taking photographs near the cliff .

Thanks- Sankara Subramanian

Sanjay and Mithun decided to go there. Sanjay started to go near the cliff.
The lady who sells Guava and cut mangoes over there stopped him and cautioned, "Son. Don't go too close to the cliff. Couple of weeks back, a boy of your age came with camera. To take photograph, he went closer to the cliff. Seeing the place through lens, he did not see the tip and fell into the water. Still now, their family have not got his body."
"Granny. I know swimming.", said Sanjay and went to the cliff. He felt something flying in head as he went near the cliff. He sat there and asked Mithun to take the photograph.

Thanks-Arjun Samy Photography (Facebook page)

Mithun took a snap of him and asked Sanjay to get back. When Sanjay stood up, a small piece of stone near his leg fell down to the river. Seeing that somehow, he lost the balance and fell into the river.
"I warned him twice. I warned him twice. Go and meet the rescue people immediately atleast to get his body.", yelled the Granny.
"Don't say that old lady. He knows swimming."
"Did you see the force of water? It is also full of rocks over there? Don't mistake me. Go to the rescue team. Let his parents see atleast his body for one last time."

Mithun ran to the rescue team and informed the incident. Knowing the incident, Ananth and Gaurav came to the spot. The search went on for two hours.

After two months, Mithun opened his facebook wall.
It said Sanjay Subramaniam updated his profile picture four minutes ago. The photo that he took in Hoggenakkal. When he was seeing this, he received a message in chat from Sanjay Subramaniam, "Hi. How are you? Two days since it has been. Long gap. Isn't it? Sorry for that."

In his room's wall, there was a photo of Sanjay Subramaniam hanging (taken in Hoggenakkal) and it is printed like, "You might have gone to grave. But you live with me forever."

The Wedlock

April 28, 2012
             "Is she sleeping?"
             "Yes."
             "Good. The cake is ready. Come let us stick the decorative stickers."
             "She made superb arrangements for Ramya's birthday.We have do go one step ahead for her.", said one of Subha's friends. Subha had not slept. She was hearing all these. A happiness hearing all these about the preparations for her birthday. Who will sleep at 11:45 PM in this particular day? Most of the people do so to get to know how people think about them and do stuff for them for their birthdays.
               Clock turned 12. Ramya came to wake up Subha. Ramya went close to Subha's ear and said, "Happy birthday Subha." Subha said, "Hmm" and turned herself 180 degrees.
              "What Hmm? Get up see who are all came."
               Subha continued to act as she was deeply sleeping.
               "Subha. Wake up."
               Subha opened her eyes suddenly and got up. Ramya hugged her. Friends who had come there wished her and the birthday celebrations went well.

April 29, 2012 7:30 AM Sunday
             Subha's phone started to ring. Subha who was sleeping well picked the phone.
              "Happy birthday Subha.", wished her father Krishnan.
              "Thank you dad."
              "Had your breakfast?"
              "No, dad. Just woke up."
              "Okay. Go to temple today."
              "Sure, dad."
              "And you have turned 24."
              "Yes.", laughed Subha
              "I wish your twenty fifth birthday will be with your husband."
              "No haste dad. I am planning for my MBA."
              "Subha. Your mom married me when she was 32. She did not want your wedding to be postponed. Late wedding has its own drawbacks. Mark my words as it come from your own father."
              "No dad."
              "I am giving phone to mom."
              "Subha!! Happy birthday. Wear that yellow saree which I couriered you. Go to Birla mandir and pray to Narayana."
             "Thanks mom. I will do."
             "I hope you understood what dad have conveyed."
             "Mom, but."
             "Don't worry. We shall discuss on your next visit here. Some one else is calling. I will call you back."

Subha got ready and went to temple as instructed by her mother. Her mind was wavering. Subha, a easy go lucky girl. She likes to be with fiends all the time. She wants atleast two to three people to sit around her. She is a chatter box. She never thought about wedding till date. She was preparing for CAT and GMAT exams.She had some personal goals and she was very well in line towards her goals. The wedding talks made her confused.
           
The next day
            "Ramya. My parents are planning for my wedding."
            "Super de."
            "What is super in it? I don't want to marry now.  You know about my MBA plans."
            "Yes, I do. But why not? Subha, it is not easy for a woman to set goals and go through it in this particular age. Of course parents will think to settle her girl child by doing wedding for her. This is India. Did you say your plan?"
           "I said. Of course, they do know this before."
           "But why they want you to get married now?"
           "My mom is worried. She thinks I will also get married late like her."
           "You take your time. It is your life."

Subha's parents did not speak about wedding still her GMAT and CAT exams got over. Subha went to her hometown to see her parents. She took vacation for a week. She had her breakfast and sat in the sofa wither her mom and dad.
          "Subha. I have a friend here in Coimbatore. You do not know him and I haven't said about him to you as well. He know you well. He has seen you in Pavithra's wedding last year."
          "Is he coming here?"
          "No. What I am coming to say is, he has a son. His name is Deeraj."
          "Dad.....", Subha understood what her father coming to say.
          "Brilliant girl. You got my point,"
          "Why are you doing like this?"
          "See. I am fifty nine already. I don't want to wait longer to see my daughter's  wedding."
          "Dad. I have just finished my CAT exam. I will definitely get into IIMs."
          "Okay. But I have to wait for two more years. You will also be two years older. Will you marry immediately after your MBA? Definitely not. You will be atleast four years older from now. I as a parent want you to see as an MBA. I also don't want to see my daughter getting married late. Deeraj is a nice guy. I don't know if I can get another Deeraj after five or six years."
         "Give me some time to decide, dad".
         "Take your own time upto day after tomorrow morning", said Krishnan.
         "Look Subha. We asked you about wedding after your engineering. You said you wanted to see how to be far from home. We said yes. At the age of playing with grandchildren, taking them to school and helping them in studies, we are having a daughter of 24. I will be a proud mother to see my daughter as an MBA. But. I think you would have understood what I am trying to say."
        Subha was confused. As an independent woman she wanted to pursue her MBA. But as a daughter of her parents, she wanted to go by their words. She is their only child as well.

After 2 days,
        "Dad and Mom."
        "Yes Subha", replied her mom.
        "I don't want you to wait longer."
        "Come.", called her mom. She opened the vessel and fed Subha with a spoon of sugar. Tears came out of her. Krishnan went to pooja room and did a namaskaram.
        "Shall I call Raman?", asked Krishnan.
        "Yes, dad"
Krishnan called Raman
        "Hello. Raman. My daughter Subha has come for vacation. I said about your interest. She said yes. Today is apt day to start wedding talks. If you come by evening, you can see my daughter and we can confirm the wedding dates."

Subha still had confusion. The two girls inside her, MBA girl and the daughter fought hard. MBA girl succeeded some times and the daughter succeeded some times. Since daughter had emotional support, it always had the upper hand. The fight happened continuously.

Evening
          Raman came with his wife.
          "I saw your daughter in Pavithra'swedding. She is brilliant and caring. Even tall. Perfect match for Deeraj."
         "My husband said that you liked her and wanted Deeraj to marry her.", replied Subha's mom.
         "She sang a song in the Anthakshari. Wow. Beautiful."
         "She learnt music. I taught her Barathanatiyam as well.  She is really good dancer. She danced in her school, college and fine arts functions in Peelamedu."
         "Does she dance as well? Great."
         "Shall we see her?"
         "Yes."
Subha came to hall. She wore the yellow saree which her mom bought for her birthday. She was like a goddess. Any parent with a son for wedding would like to make her their daughter-in-law. Subha came and got blessings from the elders.
          "I am Raman. I am very straight forward person. I saw you in Pavi's wedding. I liked your character. My son is tall, Even you. I thought you would be a perfect match for Deeraj, my son. I conveyed this to your father. And we are here to hear your say. As I said, I am straight forward and practical. I will take your answer and proceed further. What is your say?"
          The daughter in Subha came to say yes. But the MBA girl fought with her to make to say her no. Subha replied, "Yes."
         "Good. Deeraj is lucky. You liked him. Krishnan, did you show his photo to her?"
         "No, not yet", replied Krishnan.
Raman took his mobile and showed Deeraj's photo to Subha.
         "He is not as fair as you. Half feet taller than you and of course good looking and person with good behavior. Do you like him?"
         Subha waved her head as a symbol of yes.
         "Subha, sing a song.", said her mother.
         "No. No. No. No formalities. I have heard her singing in Pavi's wedding. I have even seen her dancing in Peelamedu Fine Arts function. Elegant dancing. Perfect lady you are Subha."
         Subha's mom amazed at the way Raman impressing Subha. She was the one who said about her dancing skills few minutes back.
          "Today is apt day. Let us finalize the wedding day as well. I checked with astrologer. He said April 17th is perfect date. As you know, my son is coming to India only on April 14th. So we can have betrothal day before wedding."
         "As you say. We will start searching for marriage hall and start invitation printing works.", replied Krishnan happily

A week later

Deeraj called Subha from his mobile. He saw the videograph of Pavi's wedding. Deeraj completely fell in love seeing her and he is the one who insisted his father to talk for wedding.
        "Hello. This is Deeraj"
        "Hello. Subha here."
        "My father said about you and the wedding. First, I was hesitant. He said about your character and sent your photo. I am very happy, I am going to marry you."
        Subha wanted to speak a lot. The MBA girl developed an ego and stopped the lover girl to talk a lot.
        "I am also very happy. I am in meeting. Please call this Sunday.", said Subha and cut the phone.
        The lover girl wanted to know more about Deeraj. She went to Deeraj's facebook profile and gathered all information about him. The MBA girl always stopped her from clicking the Add friend button. She saw all the photos of him. She came to know from his posts that Deeraj's interests are like her's. Movie fanatic, Ilayaraja, Sachin, Dhoni and Ajith fan. More friends like her. Not too much posts. Not too much shares, The quotient of lover girl developed. But the MBA girl made sure that the lover girl did not occupy Subha completely. Their calls did not have love. It was just hi and hello. It was only weekly calls till arrival of Deeraj. Meanwhile Subha got good marks in GMAT and CAT but she did not apply  for admissions.

April 17,2013
Couple of hours before wedding. MBA girl inside Subha came out with anger
       "You grew me. I was not at all there. You developed goal within yourself. But when I was about to emerge, you killed me. Think of the fame of you in society after MBA. You killed me.", said MBA girl.
       "But my parents desperately wanted me to get married. They think Subha remaining unmarried as a burden. I stayed with them for long time than you. We have to understand the parents", said the daughter.
         "And this Deeraj. He is a life breaker for Subha. Subha will not be happy after wedding. She will ask for permissions. Permissions for everything. Even to buy dress.", said MBA girl
        "He seems to be straight forward and practical like his father. His facebook profile is an evidence. Lively and charming person. Subha is lucky", said the lover girl.
        "You just came few months back but stopping Subha to take firm decision to pursue MBA.", replied the MBA girl.
        "Hey. You stop. She is doing what I wanted.", replied the daughter.

         Somebody knocked the door. Subha opened the door and it was Deeraj at other side of the door.
        "Subha. The day. The day I waited for. I am really happy. So will be you. (Imaginery face of lover girl came out) This is the start. We have to be together at all circumstances. We have to be rolemodel for future pairs. I wanted to speak a lot with you. But you were always busy. We can speak a lot here after. I can here you sing. I can see you dance. I will give my fullest to you. Let gods wish us all the best.", said Deeraj
        Subha waved her head.
        "You look beautiful in saree."
        Subha smiled.
         The words of Deeraj suppressed MBA girl and the lover girl took maximum precedence over Subha.
       
Wedding
         It was maximum lover girl then. Subha's face was full of smile. People came to Wedding was amazed by the pair they make. "Deeraj is brownish, tall like Rama. Subha is fair, humane like Sita. ", said one of the elder persons seeing the pair. The wedding went on well. It is a formality in Tamil weddings that bride will go with bridegroom family after wedding and bride's family members settle things in wedding hall and leave later. While bride leave with bridegreoom, the bride and entire family of bride will cry since bride no longer live continuously with bride's family. It is where daughter of every bride comes out intensely preceding over lover girl/wife. Same happened to Subha. She cried like a child. Deeraj held the hands of Subha tightly which indirectly said he was there for her. He understood the feeling of her. Thinking about her separation from her parents, tears came out of his eyes. The first drop fell on Subha's hand. Subha saw his face and there came a smile amidst the cry from her. The vehicle started and slowly daughter in Subha settled down.
             Next ten days, the pair used to roam around places to visit their relatives.

April 26, 2013
             
            Subha and Deeraj reached Chennai airport to board the flight. Here after it would be only Subha and Deeraj in New York. The flight took off. The pair reached New York the next day morning. Subha and Deeraj had heavy jet lag and slept.

April 28, 2013
         
            "You can use the internet and TV. So that you will not feel alone. Call me now and then. I will be back at 6. See you.", said Deeraj and went to office. Next day is Subha's birthday. Every year she celebrated it with their loved ones. This time it would be with her husband. She was not sure whether Deeraj knew that it is her birthday the next day. She thought, when she had visited his facebook profile umpteen time, he would have also done so. She opened facebook and gave friend request to Deeraj.
             Deeraj did not reach home at 6. It was 7. But still Deeraj did not reach home. Subha called him and Deeraj replied that he had more work since he was back from vacation and it would take more time and to sleep. Subha opened facebook to see if someone wished her for birthday since it is already 29th in India. No one wished her in facebook as well. Couple of banks and few shops sent her wishes in gmail but not a single person.
             The MBA girl started to emerge as clock neared 12 AM.

29th April 2013, 12 AM

             The MBA girl emerged suddenly and preceded over lover girl. No one is talking about her. No celebration. No phone calls, not even a facebook wish. Her husband did not even know her birthday.
             "You made Subha feel bad. If I was there in her, it would be double treat in India for birthday and IIM admission."
             "She didn't say her birthday to Deeraj. What should I do for that?"
             "Second day in US. Look at her face."
             "When Deeraj shed tears for her in wedding, did you see Subha's face. That is love."
             "Birthday is more important. Look at her face. She is thinking about her previous birthdays. She will cry now."
            "Stop the nonsense. Don't make her to cry."

1.40 AM
            Deeraj came to house.
            "Sorry Subha. I didn't know it will take this time. Why didn't you sleep?"
            The MBA girl took the precedence and Subha started to say something and the calling bell sound came. She moved to the door and opened it. Deeraj's friend came in with the cake. Deeraj came from behind and wished "Happy birthday Subha". The three year old kid of Deeraj's friend gave rose to Subha. The celebrations went well. Deeraj gave a gift to Subha. It was videograph of all Subha's known persons wishing her. Ramya called her and wished for her birthday.
             When Subha asked why didn't she wish even on facebook for this time. She replied,"Because of Deeraj. He called all our friends and said that his wish has to be first. And he said about delayed celebration. We shot our wishes and sent to him. We called others and asked them not to wish you till evening even in facebook. Lovely idea. Isn't it?"
              The lover girl's quotient went very high. She hugged Deeraj. There was love in it. Deeraj gave a cover to Subha.
               "Interview letter for MBA from Stern school of business .", amazed Subha.
               "Yes."
               "But I didn't apply."
               "I did."
               "I had to sign the application."
               "Your signature is pretty easy, Subha. I practiced just twice."
               "How did you know about my MBA plan?"
               "I knew it. I had to. You were my future wife then. I have to know your likes, dislikes, your dreams. Your fb status, Subha. I saw the posts about your GMAT and CAT scores."

               The MBA girl mingled with lover girl and became wife. Subha, the wife hugged her husband. In this hug, there were love and also affection.
         
                The brown and tall Rama had to break heavy bow to live with fair and humane Sita. The brown and tall Deeraj had unknowingly killed the ego called MBA girl to live happily with fair and humane Subha. Every male has to do something to make the person who he married as his wife.
    

The Billiards Girl

Chapter 1: The foundation

                              One hundred girls gathered in the hall. All between the ages 18 to 25. It was an interview for sale girls to work in Dubai. 

                              "Good morning girls. Welcome to this grand interview. You people are going to have international exposure. From the part of small dots in the world to experience something different. All supermarkets, food courts, hospitals, companies everyone need Philippines Girls over there. That is all because of people who have gone before you. They have rendered their work with full satisfaction and you will be paid 2000 UAE Dirhams per month. There many Filipinos do part time jobs and earn a lot as well. We are going to select 50 people out of you for 8 different companies Dunkin Donuts, McDonald, Carrefour, Pizza Hut, Subway, KFC, Texas Chicken and Zoom. We want people who are good at English and good looking. We shortlisted you hundred people from many. In today's interview, we are going to select 50 of you. And you will be leaving in couple of weeks. All the best. Get ready to exploit.", said the person in the hall.

                               The interview process went on for three hours. People came back to their seats and were waiting for the result. The person came and started to read out the names "Anlayn- Zoom, Cocha - Zoom,..". He read out 49 names and everyone wanted their name to be the fiftieth. He announced the name, "Lisa - Dunkin Donuts." Lisa, 22 year old from a poor family. What she had is school education and English. She worked in a beauty parlor in Manila for 6000 Peso. A chance had come to earn approximately 20000 peso per month. They would be providing free accommodation and food. She was very happy as she could support her family well financially. 

                              Lisa started to get ready to go to Dubai. She never had been away from her parents. She had to leave them for the first time. The day came. She boarded the flight for the first time. The 49 co-selected Filipinos boarded with her. Ice was broken already among them since they used to talk with each other after the selection process. Lisa was going to share her accommodation with Lina, Sara and Presty since they were to go to same food court for work.

They reached the airport and to the accommodation. International City- China Cluster. The cheapest decent accommodation people can get in Dubai.

Chapter 2: The Donuts Girl

                               First day of Lisa in the Donuts shop. Lisa was a beautiful girl. The makeover of her made her even more beautiful. The Black T shirt of Dunkin donuts made her look more sexy. She started to like the city and the job. People started to come in more numbers just to see her. The food court was located in a petrol bunk. The business of the petrol bunk doubled. The Donuts shop saw a huge turn over in a single month. 

                               She went out for the weekend with their room mates to the nearby mall in Mirdif. There were lots of Filipinos in the mall. She already saw more Filipinos in the work time. Her room mates already got boy friends for them. The boy friends of her room mates also came to mall. Letting them roam together, Lisa went to the movie. People who seated near were also Filipinos. She wanted to acquaint with them and started to talk with them. She came to know that they work on the massage center in the same place where she resides,
                               "I use to see lots of massage center cards hanged on my room door daily with nude Filipino girls photo on them. Are all massage centers like this? Do you do sex jobs in the name of massage centers?". asked Lisa.
                               "Shut up and see the movie. Do what you have given money for.", replied one of the girls.
                                Lisa was upset with what she had said. She continued to watch the movie.

                                Suddenly her neighbor said, "Necessity."
                                "What?", asked Lisa.
                                "Necessity", replied her again.
                                "Why?"
                                "How much do you earn?"
                                "2000 AED a month", she replied.
                                "I make 5000 AED a month."
                                "Are you ashamed of selling your body?"
                                "Where do you work?"
                                "Dunkin Donuts."
                                "Are you the manager there?"
                                "No, sales girl."
                                "Lots of men come there. Is it?"
                                "Yes."
                                "Did you ever say that no one have seen you in a sex point of view?"
                                "I never mind that while I work."
                                "People use your beauty to sell their product. I am selling my body. That is the difference."
                               "Shut your mouth. You bitch.", shouted Lisa and walked out of the theater.
                             
                               Next week Lisa went to Bur Dubai to get her a new mobile. She got frustrated by seeing most of the sluts standing in the streets are Filipinos. She was worried that the people felt that all the Filipino girls are sluts.
                               
                                Eight months passed by. She continued to work for Dunkin Donuts. A call came from Manila that her brother passed away. Lisa then became the bread winner of the family. She started to work overtime to earn more money.
                                Some days after,
                                "Paul! I just got call from my mom. She needs 10000 Peso. It is very urgent and I don't have money right now. I have to send it through Western Union. Could you please give me 1000 AED? I will give it back to you by lending money from my friends."
                                "I don't have money, Lisa. 1000 AED during 28th of month."
                                "Do you know anyone in the friends circle who can lend me money?"
                                "I don't know someone who can give 1000 AED during last week of the month. But I have an idea. The manager comes here to collect the sales money only on 2nd of next month. We shall take money from the collection. You can keep back back the money once you get your salry this 30th."
                                "That was wrong."
                                "You are not going to run away with the money. You are going to keep it back. "
                                "I don't feel this is correct."
                                "The choice is yours."
                                Lisa called all her friends. She was not able to get the money from them as well. Since there were no other options, she decided to take the money from shop. She took and transferred the amount to her mom.
                                Next day, when Lisa was about to close the shop, the surprise inspector came in. He started to check the collection box. Before he started to count, Lisa interrupted him.
                               "Sir, I took thousand Dirhams from the collection since I had to send it to my mom for an emergency."
                              "How dare you can take the money?"
                              "I will keep it back when I get the salary tomorrow."
                              "Yeah. You can keep it back tomorrow and get out of Dunkin Donuts and never comeback. You can't be a sales girl in any other entities in United Arab Emirates. Get out of here after paying back 1000 AED tomorrow."
                             "Sir, sorry. It was not intentional."
                             "No more arguments. Book your tickets to Philippines.", said the inspector and went away.
                             Paul came near Lisa and said, "Sorry Lisa. I never thought this would happen. I am so sorry. Thanks you did not say to inspector that it was my idea."
                            "Never mind, Paul. I am leaving. Bye.", said Lisa and walked out of the shop.
                            She searched for job couple of weeks but was not able to find one. She was only belief to her family and she did not want to go back without a job as well. The wait went to two months and she did not get a job. She was asked to move out of the apartment as well. When she came out of the house, she saw a massage center card. She dialed the number printed in the card.
                            "Hi Sir. How can we help you, Sir?", asked the lady.
                            "Hi. I want to come there in direct. May I know where is it located?"
                            "Cluster B 23, mam.", replied the lady.

Chapter 3: Slut

                           Lisa reached the massage center. The lady inside came and said, " Hi Mam. For ladies, it is 6 to 8 PM. Please come back tomorrow, mam. This is peak business hours for men."

                           Lisa realized that the lady was the same who she talked with in the movie theater. She repled, "I did not come as a client. I came here to seek for employment."

                           "It is not as easy as you think. We just don't do massage. We even sleep with the people in the name of massage parlor. Literally it is prostitution center. Why do you join here. There are hell lot of respectful jobs outside?", asked her.

                           "Necessity.", replied Lisa.

                           The lady realized that she was the one from theater. She called the Lebanese owner and said about Lisa. The owner came and sat near Lisa.

                           "What is your name darling?", asked the owner.

                           "Lisa."

                           "Your name as sexy as you. You are so sexy. You don't work here in this parlor. I have a billiards club over in Deira. You can work there. 3500 Dirhams a month and 200 Dirhams per each customer. If you can get 2 customers a day, you can end up in salary of 9500 Dirhams a month. You can join tomorrow. Do you have accommodation?"

                          "No. But with this income, I can find my own."

                          "Good. Get ready baby. No need of these dress from tomorrow during work. Ha ha. Lucky customers of mine."

                           Lisa was given a violet dress in her first day. She was pretty and every customer's attention went on her. Seeing people's attention over her, the Lebanese owner raised her price to 5000 Dirhams. Still she had three customers in the first day. People use to have intercourse with her in the billiards table. 

                           Lisa earned 12700 Dirhams in her first month. Everyone sought for her. She became the most wanted slut of the club. The club owner raised her price to 8000 Dirham per hour seeing her popularity. Lisa bought a car in couple of months. She even started to go home of the customers in the weekends for a huge price. She wanted to earn a lot of money. Only that was going in her mind. She used to sell her instead of using it to sell others product. Lisa became a common name among rich men. They had to wait for eight months in advance booking if they had to sleep with her in their home. Some people wanted that privacy. They did not want to show up that they are sex longing morons by going to parlors and clubs. She took twenty five thousand Dirhams for home visit and the club owner gave her 25% share for what she earned. Her price in the bar went to fourteen thousand Dirhams.  She bought a home for her in Philippines and her family moved to the new home with what she earned in just five months. She said to the family that she got a respectful job  and the salary is huge.

Chapter 4: Emergence of the billiards girl

                           Lisa had a desire of playing billiards. She not just wanted to sleep with men on the board. She started to learn the the game. She started to come early to the club. She used to play billiards from 4 to 8 PM before going into her regular business. She mastered in the game of billiards as well. There came the moment when her coach also was not to defeat her in at least one board. She liked the game of billiards very much. One of her client came by 7:30 and Lisa was playing billiard then. The client wanted to play billiards with her.

                          "Hey Lisa. I wanna play billards with you."

                          "Ten thousand Dirhams for five matches.", replied Lisa.

                          "What?"

                          "Don't worry. Even if I lose a single match, you can fuck me for free."

                          "Ooh. Ooh. Come on Lisa. Lemme hit you for free."

                         

                           

                         The match started and Lebanese owner started to watch the match. Lisa won all the five boards. The client tried it again for 5 more matches and lost again. He tried it again for 6 more instances and lost all the 30 boards. Lebanese owner got an idea of it. He discussed it with Lisa.

                         "Lisa. I got an idea."

                         "What Omar?"

                         "More money out of you and more money for you. Yeah. I am going to make you billiards girl."

                         "What?"

                         "Pay Ten thousand Dirhams. Win the billiards board and sleep with Lisa for free or fuck Lisa for Twenty five Dirhams. What do you say, Lisa."

                         Lisa lighted the cigar and replied," Great idea Omar so that I can raise my weekend home delivery for forty thousand. Thank you for making me richer day by day."

                         Lisa became famous throughout. The club earned more money so did Lisa. Billiards Girl became more famous and there were only three instances Lisa lost out of thousands of matches in four years. She built a bungalow in Philippines and in Dubai as well. She said to her family that she was doing cosmetic business and was earning more money. The poor family believed her words. Out of the three matches she lost one was against the world champion who was also her customer. He fought hard to defeat her in the particular match. 

                         One day when she came out of club after business, one young Filipino lady ran to her and shouted, "You bitch. Because of people like you, everyone thinks all Filipino girls are sluts. Stop spreading your legs for money. Stop plating bad colors to our flag and bad name to our country. You bitch."

                         "Necessity.", replied Lisa.

                         The Filipino girl said, "What necessity bitch?", splat on her face and walked away.

                         Lisa continued her job and the words of the Filipino girl struck her well on the mind. It came to her mind like a voice recorded in tape every now and then.  Five years since Lisa came to Dubai and she started for the vacation to her home.

Chapter 5: The Billiards Girl

                          Lisa reached Manila. Two years since she been there. She went to her bungalow in the city outskirts. Two days later, she saw a news in the newspaper about national selection for billiards for world championship. Her inner being wanted her to go and participate and she started to the venue.

                          She went to the venue and said to the selector over there, "Sir, I wish to represent our country. Please add my name as well."

                           "Hey lady. This is not a joke. Only national players can participate in this event."

                           "I have experience of playing billiards of over five years in the clubs."

                           "This is not a club. Please leave and don't waste our time."

                           "Challenge Sir. Ask every one here to play with me. If anyone of them beat me, I will give five million Peso to you. But if I win all the matches, you have to select me."

                           "Ha, ha. This young lady has desire to make me rich. Why should I stop then? Chance is a chance. Let start."

                           Lisa defeated everyone easily. The selector was amazed at her skills. She got a brilliant talent. He selected Lisa for world championship.

                           "Where were you before? Why did you come here all of the sudden? With this talent, you definitely will win the world championship. Why you do all these all of a sudden?", asked the selector.

                          "Necessity. Necessity for this Billiard girl to do something good for Philippines."

                          "Good. I want girls like you. Get ready for the championship."

                          Lisa once again came to Dubai. This time to play in Billiards board. The World Billiards Championship at Dubai. Lisa's first round is against defending champion. Lisa fought a lot and won at last.The newspapers started to write as the emergence of Filipino billiards girl to rule the world. Lisa became happy and she went on to win the semi-finals. 

                         Seeing her photo on the newspaper, her old friends form the club, Lebanese owner, Paul, her old room mates and the massage parlor girl came to see the match. The indoor stadium was filled Filipino supporters. They were happy to see one representing their country winning millions of hearts. Lisa felt proud seeing Philippines flags throughout. She won against her counterpart easily. She became the world champion. She saw the faces of people waving their national flag happily. She thought of the worlds the Filipino girl outside the club.

                          Omar went to the hotel where Lisa stayed. He said he was very happy to see her in this respectful position and also said that his turnover would not be as high as she was world champion and no more the billiards girl in the club then.

                          Lisa replied, "Time has gone Omar. The time when I licked the balls of the men in the billiards board are gone. Time had come to hit the billiards ball. Thanks for giving me chance to work in your club or else I would not have discovered a billiards girl in me."

                          Omar hugged Lisa and went back.

                           Next day the Filipino girl who scolded Lisa saw her with the world championship trophy and felt proud of her nation. She forgot the face of club girl then.

  

 Note: The story is purely fictional. The player in the photo Shanelle Loraine is for depiction purpose and it is not a biography of her.                        

The Journey - Nandini S7 34 F 36

            Chennai Central. The railway station carries not just people and trains. It carries the feelings and emotions of the people as well. Happiness, Sadness, Enemity, Friendship, Fatigue, Eagerness,  Love, Sex, Infatuations.

             It was a Friday evening. People floated in and out of the station with incoming trains and trains which were ready to go to its destinations. In second platform, there stood the train Chennai - Nagercoil weekly express. People started to get into the train. Different characters, different reasons - Students who were about to go home for long weekend. Corporate employees who were about to go to their native for holidays with their family, regular travelers and many more.

             A lady got into the train. S7 Coach. A man came with him. He should be her husband. Bald head with gray hair here and there. The lady was pregnant then. Seemed like six to seven months. Her husband  sat opposite to her. 

"God grace Nandini. God grace. In next four months I will be a father. The 14 years wait. I am feeling young again. Young and energetic. You can take the child to school. We can go to any function. 

We need not answer to anyone that we don't have child. Take care. I will call you daily. Will be there in Sucheendram every weekend. Text me once you had your dinner. Ask for lower berth. Don't risk by climbing up. Lemme see the passenger chart.", said Nandini's husband and went down to see passenger chart. 

"Hey Nandini. Old persons. Male of 60 and female of 58. They are boarding at Katpadi. Ask then for lower berth. Let see and call me to update."

"Don't worry Vishnu. I will ask them. See announcement has come about the departure. I will manage even if is middle berth. Get down now or else you have to come with me till Arakkonam."

Vishnu started from there and came near the window where Nandini was seated. The train started to move from the station. Nandini settled down in her seat. 14 years since her marriage. Number of treatments. People considered her unlucky. Some even directly conveyed it to her. Whenever she went to functions, people threw her questions and suggestions. "I know a nice doctor near my place.", "Are you undergoing regular periods?", "Visit this astrologer.", "Visit this temple in Kerala.", "Do this pooja for fourteen months." Lots of suggestions. People poured in suggestions. All the humiliating talks came through her mind.

Nandini went to restroom and saw her gray hair in the mirror. Her age came to her mind. 36. If she had her child right after her marriage, she would have been a mother of 10 year or 11 year old by now. She came back to her seat. She faced similar problems in her teenage. Nandini's parents got married during their mid thirties and she felt generation gaps in many instances. She went into a trans-world where she ran through her past days.

The train reached Katpadi station. The 60 year male and 58 year female boarded in the train. Ten to fifteen people came to send off the old couple. They came and seated in their respective seats. Both of them looked very tired. The old lady said something to her husband. 

"Child. You are pregnant. Isn't it?"

"Yes, uncle. Can..", replied Nandini and started to ask question.

"You sleep in the lower berth. My wife will sleep in middle berth."

"Thank you uncle."

"6 to 7 months. Right?", asked the old lady.

"Yes aunty. Six months."

"Good. Have you come alone?"

"Yes aunty. My husband has to go to office this weekend. Half yearly closing. My mom wants me to come there since there is no elder one to take care in Chennai."

"Where are you going? Nagercoil?"

"Yes to Suchindram."

"Good. It is good to be with them during pregnancy."

They arranged the berth. The old lady gave tablets to the old man and took hers too. She moved to the middle berth. 

Nandini laid down and the memories started to flow. The humiliations, her days with aged parents, happiness of going to be a mother, sadness of being aged mother everything in glimpses. After couple of hours, she slept. 

                          

It was Saturday 6:30 AM when the train reached Madurai. Nandini woke up and saw the old couple sitting in the opposite seat. The old couple were having coffee. Nandini brushed and came back to her seat. Still 5 hours to travel. Something in her wanted to know more about the couple.

"Aunty, sorry I made you to climb to middle berth." , said Nandini.

"No problem. Did you sleep well?'

"I slept well,  what about you aunty? "

The old couple started to discuss about something and Nandini started to read the novel with her. 

"Uncle, lot of people came to send off you people. Any special occassion.", asked Nandini out of curiosity.

"Yes, those were my colleagues and friends. I'm moving to my native after retirement."

"Oh good uncle. You are going alone. What about your children, uncle? "

"We have a son. He is in USA."

"USA. Where does he work?"

"Work. No. He is doing his first year Masters in Florida."

"Late marriage", smiled the old lady.

Nandini became curious to know more about them and wanted to know the disadvantages of being an aged mom. 

"Aunty, I am 36. I was childless for 14 years since my marriage. Now I am pregnant. Even my mom was 37 when I was born. In many instances, I had disadvantages of being a child of aged parents. Don't feel bad since I am asking this. You should be a successful mother. Your son is studying in USA. I am more concerned of being an aged mother."

"Why should you have concerns? It is always a nice feeling of being a mother."

"My parents were also aged. I felt many times that my parents were old."

"You felt. Our son directly asked us once why did we marry very late and torturing him not understanding his feelings. That is due to his age. Even if I was 40 at that time, I would have questioned for some things. He got our age as reason. She cried the entire day feeling for that", said the old man. 

The old lady stared at her husband for showing off her son in a bad note.

"But he sent us a letter on his 60th birthday. He wrote that he felt sorry everyday for saying that. He also wrote that he got best parents one can ever get. See, those words have wounded him this long. He very well knows that we married late because of our family situation. But he said those words. He was preparing for his exams late night that day. I said to sleep every five minutes or so. He went out of control. He might have had difficult paper next day.", stopped the old lady.

"When he was 21, last year he did heart surgery for his father. All the money, he paid with the help of insurance he got from his company. He did not ask for single paisa to go to US. I said about that letter right. The last lines of that letter is 'I scolded you that day, I forgot to thank you. I feel more responsible, I saw you were old but not your living experience in the earth. You were very careful in shaping me. If some one says I am a good guy, credit is yours.' I am a proud aged mother."

"She cried that day as well", said the old man.

Nandini went to the restroom. She saw her face in the mirror. She touched her stomach and felt the breathe of her foetus. She had a sense of relief. The old lady was like a moral boosting medicine to her. The train was nearing Nagercoil station. She came back to her seat. The old couple were taking the luggages. 

"Don't ever feel worried.", said the old man.

"I won't uncle."

"May I know your name?"

"Nandini. Your name, uncle?"

"Venkatesh."

"Aunty, your name?"

"Rajeswari.", replied the old lady.

"May I know your son's name, aunty?'

"Krishnan."

The train reached the station. Nandini hugged the old lady. She wanted to see her mom, desperately.

Nandini's mother was waiting outside her home to welcome her. 

The first word came out of her mouth - "Sorry".