Love and Resurrection

Posted by Subhajit Ghosh on Monday July 31, @03:08PM

A story in 5 parts

CHAPTER 1 COLLEGE DAYS

Suresh and Pinky were inseparable. They were students in the Economics Deptt. of Mumbai University. They also happened to be in the same class. They sat in close proximity to each other during classes. Both had a middle class upbringing. Now, in the final year of their Master's programme, they dream of a happy life together. They cherished plans of tying the nuptial knot as soon as one of them finds a good job.

After classes, they would regularly spend a few hours together. Some days they would amble towards Jahangir Art Gallery, or Nehru Planetorium. On other occasions, they would go to 'Taraporevala Aquarium' or just laze around in 'Chowpatty.' Sometimes they would see a movie at the 'Eros,' a theatre in Mumbai. However, their favourite haunt remained the 'Hanging Gardens,' as here they could spend a few hours in quitetude.

"How much do you love me?," Pinky often asked.

Suresh would reply "Really, I don't know." And then getting somewhat serious, he would say " I love you more than anything else in this world."

That year, during summer break, they decided along with their friends, to visit a few nearby places. Their trip was roughly planned for a week. They decided to see the famed 'Ajanta and Ellora caves.' So they headed straight for Aurangabad. They managed an accomodation in a dormitory in the Youth Hostel there. It was early morning when they reached Aurangabad.

Firstly, they decided to see the caves that day. Foremost on their itinerary was a trip to Ajanta, a hundred kms away. They booked tickets for themselves in a tourist bus bound for Ajanta.

The trip to Ajanta took a couple of hours. When they reached there, they found there was no trace of sunshine. It was rather cloudy, and the prospect of an imminent shower was looming large. While they were progressing from one cave to another, and were held awe-struck and mesmerized with the magnificent rock cut images of the Buddha, all of a sudden it started raining. Initially, it was just a drizzle. By now, Suresh and Pinky found they had got separated. Their group members are now in different caves, as the ones who were keenly studying the carvings on the rocks got left behind. Suresh and Pinky stayed together. The drizzle turned into a downpour. To escape from the rains, they took shelter inside a cave. They found they were the sole inhabitant in that cave at that hour.

"It is so dark in here," Pinky said. She appeared frightened, and Suresh's conditions was no better. The rains showed no sign of abatement. Pinky moved closer to Suresh, and held his hand firmly. Suresh pulled her closer, and put his hand around her shoulders. Even though they were friends for quite some time now and always moved together, yet Suresh has never held Pinky so intimately. He felt a sudden surge in his emotions. He felt a peculiar passion grew within himself. He could understand what that feeling was - he wanted to hold and 'kiss' Pinky. Suresh wasn't aware, but Pinky too was in the throes of a similar passion, as she has never been held so passionately ever before. The inevitable happened. Suresh planted a kiss gently on Pinky's lips. The smooch extended for a few seconds. Then Pinky, quite coyly, withdrew. It was their first ever 'kiss,' and that occured in one of those caves of Ajanta. After a while, the rains stopped. They ventured out, and carried on with their journey of discovery.

When they had completed, they began retreating. Soon, they reached the spot where their bus was waiting. After refreshing themselves with cold drinks, they boarded the bus. By evening, they were back in Aurangabad.

The following day, they went to 'Ellora.' They were spellbound with the intricate artistry with which the images were crafted. Ellora houses caves where influences from Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism can be traced. 'Kailash' cave, in memory of Lord Shiva, impressed them highly.

They also visited 'Daulatabad' and marvelled at the ingenuity with which the defence mechanism of this fort was built in medieval India. They also visited 'Bibi ka Maqbara,' a replica of Taj Mahal, which is said to be built at one-tenth the cost of the Taj. Finally, a visit to 'Aurangzeb's tomb' and 'Panchakki' brought an end to their tour.

And before long, they were back in Mumbai.

CHAPTER II THE SEPARATION

The next few months passed in a daze. They were involved with their academics. Exams came, they appeared and did fairly well.

Pinky performed slightly better, and armed with a good grade card she left for doing Ph.D at the Delhi School of Economics. Suresh enrolled for Ph.D at Mumbai University. Initially, they maintained 'contacts' through regular exchange of letters. However, after awhile, Suresh found Pinky's letters coming in at wider intervals. Then, it totally stopped. Even though Suresh wrote several letters to Pinky, there was no response from her.

Time passed. Quite naturally, Suresh couldn't erase memories of Pinky from his mind. He did manage to complete his Ph.D and landed a job in a college as a Lecturer. But he was very lonely otherwise. He appeared forlorn most of the time. Some of his friends cajoled him to take refuge in the elixir of life -- 'wine.' They claimed it will help him drive away his blues. What started as a freak foray became a 'habit' and within no time, Suresh became alcoholic.

In the meantime, he heard that Pinky had got married to an eminent Professor of DSE ( Delhi School of Economics ). She was also working as Lecturer at DSE.

The world crumbled for Suresh. His consumption of the brew grew. He began neglecting his job, and abstained from taking classes. Even though some of his senior colleagues tried to mend his ways, their attempt proved abortive. After a few years, when Suresh's condition deteriorated and he became a wastrel, he was thrown out of college.

Booze and drugs held him in total captivity. At times, he could be seen prostrate on the ground in front of his University in an inebriated condition.

CHAPTER III THE REUNION

A few years later, Pinky visited Mumbai. She also went to the University. It was not before long she heard all about Suresh from her friends. Luckily, she also stumbled upon Suresh. As usual, Suresh was quite intoxicated. Yet, he made no mistake in recognizing Pinky. Even though she had changed considerably and had put on weight.

"How are you, Suresh?" Pinky asked.

"Never better," came Suresh's reply.

Pinky remained silent for a moment. Then, she invited Suresh and took him to Hanging Gardens.

Pinky unfolded her life before Suresh. She said she was compelled to marry against her wishes. Her husband Maniram was a Professor of repute and also her guide. He had fallen head over heels in love with her. He impressed upon Pinky's father, and got him into making Pinky succumb to their wishes. Pinky couldn't resist for too long.

Her husband Maniram is a good man. He loves Pinky dearly. Pinky has been blessed with a son lately. All in all now her husband and her baby means the world to her.

Suresh heard in silence.

"Why didn't you get married?" Pinky asked.

For a while, Suresh stared blankly at Pinky and then, quite suddenly, started sobbing.

CHAPTER IV DELHI

Pinky invited Suresh to accompany her to Delhi, and stay with her for a while. She promised she would take care of him, and will try her outmost to nurse him back to good health. She said her husband Maniram is a very understanding man, and would love his presence in their house.

Maniram was indeed a likeable man. He put Suresh completely at ease and made him feel as a family member. Also, he was a busy man. He and Pinky would leave early in the morning for their college. Pinky returned in the afternoon. She had to atend to her baby, who remained under the care of an Ayah while she had to be in college. Maniram returned late in the evenings.

Staying under Pinky's regimen, Suresh's conditions improved. But occasionally, during evenings, he was given to maniacal fits. Pinky and Maniram struggled to rein Suresh on those occasions.

A reputed doctor was consulted. His treatment began showing results. Pinky took leave from college for a few days. She began looking after Suresh with meticulous care.

"What's his problem, doctor?" Pinky asked one day.

The doctor replied, " all of Suresh's problems stems from a sense of utter loneliness. He has developed a feeling of being unwanted by others. I sincerely feel he needs a woman, who can love him dearly. He needs a loving companion, who may even have to be involved physically with him, to inculcate a feeling that he is still cared for. I think only 'Love therapy' can bring him back to life."

CHAPTER V THE MISSION

Pinky held back this from her husband. That night, she could not sleep. She kept tossing and turning in her bed. She remembered the film 'Awakenings' where Robert De Niro played the victim of a peculiar mental ailment. With care and warmth from the doctor, De Niro had showed amazing signs of recovery. However, when that freedom that was given to him during the treatment was lifted by another doctor, De Niro slipped back to insanity. It showed how all human beings, especially patients, need love and warmth from mankind.

The next day, after seeing Maniram leave, Pinky quickly completed her remaining chores. Lunch was served around 1 p.m. After the meal, Suresh retired to his room. The Ayah also left after a while. Then, Pinky peeped inside Suresh's room. He was relaxing on the bed. After a pause, Pinky entered the room and bolted the door. Suresh turned around, startled. Slowly and gently Pinky began unwrapping her saree. After she had fully completed, she inched forward. Suresh was astonished, and too shocked to react. Pinky gave Suresh a hard kiss. Also, she began disrobing him. It didn't take much time for passion to develop. Lust overpowered any guilt feelings in Suresh.

This routine continued for a few days. Gradually, Suresh began displaying a zest towards life. His bacchanalian habits waned, and his drunken antics became a thing of the past. Even Maniram was surprised at Suresh's sudden improvement. He showered Pinky with praises. He said, "your care and affection has brought about this miracle. From tomorrow, you take him outside and show him all the lovely things we have here in Delhi. It will do him a world of good."

Pinky did exactly as she was told. Suresh and Pinky saw the 'Lal Qila,' 'Qutab Minar,' 'Jantar Mantar,' 'Rashtrapati Bhavan' and so many other places. Their amorous relationship also continued covertly.

One day, while they had gone out on their routine sight-seeing, it started raining. By the time, they reached home they were soggy. Immediately, they went to Suresh's room, and undressed. Then, they were in the throes of passion again.

Suddenly, Pinky noticed someone standing near the door. Soon, she let out a cry "No !!! ." It was Maniram.

That evening, Maniram didn't appear at the dining table. When Pinky went to sleep on her bed, she found Maniram blankly staring at the wall.

Pinky began " I have committed a sin. But I am not ashamed. I had to undergo this for the sake of Suresh. Doctors have told me that he needs someone who can make him feel he is wanted. And for that purpose only, and only to make this illusory act convincing, some amount of physical relationship was necessary. I loved him very much during my University days. Apart from me, he has no one to look after and care for him in this wide world. And so, I had to indulge in this game to make him kick his drinking habits. All I wanted was Suresh to get well, and lead a normal healthy life. I am eager to see him settled in life. I am partly responsible for his conditions. Hence, I owed it to him. I am willing to accept any punishment you give me."

Maniram heard in silence. Then quite astonishingly he asked "Are you going to college tomorrow?" Pinky was stunned and managed a vague reply, as Maniram turned around and prepared himself for some sleep. A hectic day awaits for him tomorrow.