3. Two fairy tales and a ride....... (Short Story)

Seema and Anita share their fairy tales.....one that came out of the blue and the other, spun with dreams.....

Two fairy tales and a ride…

 

She wobbled in painstakingly, leaning hard over the crutches gripped in her armpits and at the elbows, as she shuffled into the lounge, where I sat leafing through a journal, waiting for my turn.

   

I jerked imperceptibly, to reach out and lend a hand.  Something held me back…Was it the determined jaw line or the resoluteness of her fragile frame, as it twisted and turned in rhythm with the movement of her crutches?  Intuition whispered aloud, "Hold it!  Don't you dare affront her with your good-Samaritan act."  Such was the confidence and willpower she exuded then. 

 

And so I sat there, in an uptight state of suspense, perfunctorily turning the pages of the journal, throwing furtive glances in her direction, ready to jump to rescue, just in case…..

 

After what seemed like painful eons, she tottered right up to the couch across the carpet.  Then with practised (and another prolonged) ease, she disengaged herself from the crutches, leaning them against the couch armrest, and lowered herself into the couch.  Aaah!....I heaved a deep sigh of relief, totally unaware of the surroundings.  She looked up suddenly even as I, caught in the act, blushed hard, and presented me with the brightest of smiles, her friendly eyes dancing…….

 

I was only too glad to return the smile.

 

“Hi, I’m Seema”. She chirped with a breath of cheerfulness, knocking the wind off my sails! 

 (….did I expect her to be mourning over her pitiable state??)

 

“Anita”.  I stammered trying to sound normal as I struggled to gather my wits… and my composure.

 

“I’m a doctor here in the Pathology dept, actually the HOD”.  She gushed, the radiant smile lingered, lighting up her face even more.

 

Strangely it dawned on me that I was the one in in dire need of  therapy, to calm my nerves!!

 

“Ah nice to know”  I mimed in, trying to match her tone.  “I’m a nurse, a Nurse educator.  HOD with the Child Health Dept”.

 

“That’s great!  So we are in the same boat”.  She gushed.

 

The conversation took off from then on, and soon we were like a house on fire. Both were here apparently for the same reason…. to get done with some official works at the University office.  Both of us had been with the organization for approximately four years, and not surprisingly, we hadn’t met each other even once, though it was never too late.  We were talking now, like old friends meeting after a long gap...my heart warming up to her…..

 

Seema was a pleasant contradiction, to the numerous physically disabled, I’d met in my long career, who mourned their fate and led miserable lives, feeding on compassion of fellow beings.  She sat there, gushing as if all that mattered was just THAT moment.  A discerning eye could catch the magical transformation of a seemingly dismal and fragile figure into a confident and capable individual, right at the moment!  Her persona dazzled with every passing moment…..the unsightly crutches, the slow unsteady wobble, the accompanying dismal feelings dwindling into oblivion ….! 

 

Yes, that was Seema, the intractable one, whose feisty approach to life put destiny to shame!

 

Soon, the two of us were called to the respective offices.  I helped her gather her crutches and breezed out with a ‘nice knowing you’, and she began her slow wobbly stride in the opposite direction. Honestly I lacked the guts to offer her any further assistance.

 

Done with my work, I rushed out and took the lift down.  The heavy rains had abated.  I waited optimistically in the light drizzle for an auto rickshaw to take me home.  Time crawled on and I shifted feet growing impatient..

 

“Hey Anita, you here?  We meet again.”  There she was, flashing her infectious smile as she painfully shuffled her 5 ft 3 something frame towards me. “You going home?”  

 

“Yea.  Waiting for the rick.”   I smiled to her

 

“Come along.  Let me drop you on my way home.  I’ve a long way to go after that.”

 

She headed for a Verna car.  Wow..!  So that’s it.  She could afford a chaperoned car, which of course made her mobility easier.  Hmm…..

 

We walked on making small talk, with me glancing about impatiently for the driver….who was invisible and unavailable at the spot.  As I stood there mentally chiding the careless man for his slip up, she balanced on one crutch, and with some effort extricated a remote control device from her handbag.  Keeping up a running commentary about the weather conditions, she pressed a button and the car doors unlocked with a beep. 

 

“Come on.  Let me open the door for you.”  She leaned frightfully forward and opening the door, maneuvered herself into the driver’s seat.  Giving up on the hunt for the non-existent driver, I hastily made for the passenger side and eased myself in, as she pushed open the door.    

 

With bated breath, and a prayer in my heart, I waited… as the engine came alive and the car glided out of the parking lot.  Appearing casual though with my insides doing the somersault with morbid thoughts, I leaned back and buckled the seat belt…  Wriggling out of the offer then, would’ve been an utterly discourteous act on my part! 

 

We continued talking as she deftly steered the car out of the gates and into the crowded street.  She explained how the controls had been engineered to suit her needs to manage with her short-comings.  I watched with awe as she effortlessly accelerated, held the break and changed gears, my disquiet dwindling... 

 

“So your son would’ve reached home by now, right?”

 

“Yea.  And he can take care of himself.” I smiled visualising the imp sitting at the computer, playing those crazy games….

 

“And your husband?  Is he here too?”

 

“Nope.  He’s in Delhi.  A management consultant.”  I cringed within. 

 

“Oh, so you guys might be enjoying travelling up and down during vacations and holidays hm?”  She mused.

 

“Huh?.. Ah yes.  What about your family?”  I hastily veered the conversation her way.

 

“Oh that’s nice.  My hubby is an engineer.  Strange combination you might think hm?  And we have two sons.”  She smiled to me.  Would you believe, mine was a fairy tale come alive… though I didn’t even dream it.”

 

I looked askance at her.  “So was mine, the difference being that I dreamt it up…”. I said to myself.

 

“What did you say?”  She was all ears, “Tell me Anita wasn’t yours a love marriage?”  Her eyes twinkled.

 

I smiled ruefully, “Yes, love marriage.”

 

“Ahaa, just as I guessed…a fairy tale come true.” She laughed.  “But what are you trying to hide?”

 

“No no, nothing.  Tell me about it…your fairy tale .”  I hauled her far away from mine ….my heart thumping hard, this time for the narrow escape I had…

 

* * * * * *  * * *

 

(Seema’s Fairy tale )

Seema was the eldest of three siblings, in a well-to-do family.  When she was struck by polio at a tender age of 5, despite taking the protective vaccine.  Her parents were heartbroken.   The little girl blissfully remained unaware of the gravity of the situation then. 

 

It was much later as she went through several tendon lengthening surgeries and crutch training that she realized to her utter dismay that this was to stay.  She began to hate her parents and envied her younger siblings, who were out of bed in the morning and came back only when it was time for bed.  She hated the world and everything around her.  Her parents stood by her. putting up with her tantrums and giving her the courage to come to terms with the handicap.  She grew up leaning on her crutches, tolerated by classmates, sometimes even shunned…for being a ‘freak’.  She wondered if destiny had anything good in store for her…...

 

Gradually and unconsciously she retreated into a shell of her own, working hard at what she could do best, under the circumstances.  So when her sister and brother had fun playing football and badminton, she buried herself in books.  Of course her siblings were loving and considerate, but there were limitations.  Obtaining the MBBS degree and an MD in Pathology was a cakewalk for her.  She had obviously nothing else to do.  Both her siblings promptly fell in love and were married soon.  

 

She was happy for them, and stoically brushed off the sense of loss that tugged at her heart.  Falling in love or even getting married otherwise was off the cards for her.  Hence she denied herself the pleasure of even dreaming of a prince charming on the proverbial horseback who would sweep her off her feet. 

 

She busied herself presenting papers at seminars and conferences and won accolades, but no hearts! PhD was another quick achievement.  She was then working as a pathologist in her hometown.  She did take time off to spend time with her nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. 

 

Years passed and then she turned 33.  That was about a week ago.  She sat in the balcony working on a new project, when she heard some excited talk from within…    

 

Ramesh Nair, her father was gushing with excitement,  “He’s an engineer! No, he doesn’t want any dowry or anything.  He simply wants to have her as his wife”.

 

“There must be some problem with him.”  Ranjini, her mother was sceptical as always.  She had shielded her daughter always and wouldn’t let her be hurt ever. 

 

“No dear, he’s a strapping young man of 35 and in the best of health.”  Ramesh Nair at 67, seemed to have suddenly turned young…!

 

“Are you sure?  Oh then let’s check it out.  Our daughter deserves a soul mate… one who really cares for her.”  Ranjini’s anxiety and haste surfaced at the sudden god-send offer.

 

--------------------------------

“Seema, what do you have to say?”  Ramesh wanted to know his daughter’s mind. 

 

She remained in denial mode…refusing to believe what she'd heard.  She didn’t deserve this, so why was this happening to her?  In the depths of her heart, she so badly wanted it, yet didn’t want it.  A smart, healthy and handsome engineer for her?  This just couldn’t be true.  How could this even happen?  He hadn’t even seen her.. or had he?  But she hadn’t seen him.  And what was he looking for in her?  Was this some kind of a practical joke?  Why would someone play such a dirty prank on her?  She had no contenders or enemies… Her cheeks burned with the humiliation of it….

 

“Seema?  Child, say something..”

 

“I am not interested.  Tell him that.” She said calmly. 

 

“Child, the truth is, we told him just that.  But he is persistent.  And I feel he is genuine.  He wants to meet you once, before a decision is made.”

 

“Ok, I’ll talk with him.”  She looked vacantly into the horizon, stillness deep within, and no rising excitement at landing such an opportune package.  Everything lay dead inside her…

 

--------------------

 

“Mr David, tell me what brings you here from miles across to my doorstep, seeking my hand in marriage?  I’m fully aware of my crippling handicap.  So please come clean about your intentions”.  She was deliberately rude, more with herself, by her abruptness at flouting the customary protocols.  She wanted to be done with the meeting at the earliest.

 

“Ms Seema, it’s not like that….” 

 

“...Let me finish.  If you are here out of pity for me, then I am not looking for it.  If your intention is some charity service or to play the hero to a damsel in dire need for a groom, well I’m not impressed.  And if you’re here with dreams of carrying home a basket full of dowry in return for favours, you are looking in the wrong place.  And I’m sure that a handsome and well placed man like you would have girls making a beeline for you……”

 

The silence was deafening…..

 

“Now you may have your say Mr David.”  

 

Her bleak facade failed to shake his confidence. He smiled warmly and soon put on a serious expression, “Ms Seema, by normal terms I should take offence over your accusations and make for the door…...”

 

She dared him to leave, but he stood his ground.  He leaned forward in his couch…..

 

“But I shall not do it.  Not until I’ve convinced you of my true intentions.  I want to love you.”  He whispered earnestly

 

“What rubbish!  You have no right to humiliate me….” she shouted, her cheeks burning with shame. 

 

“That was the last bit.  Let me begin at the start……I have a younger sister with similar problems as you.  I love her dearly and have often prayed earnestly to God to give me her handicap and make her well, which of course is stupidity.  It was unbearable for me to see her retreating into herself with each passing day.  Hopes of her living a happily married life were already dashed and she begged me not to ‘buy’ her a groom, which would only add insult to injury.  So I did the only thing I could do…. I pledged to remain a bachelor and look after her till the end.”

 

“And so I guess, she’s married….now,”  It was more a statement.

 

“Yes.  It’s been exactly 2 years now.  Vinod married her for love and she’s very happy with him.  He’s perfectly normal and is a business consultant.  They have a son, now 8 months old.”

 

“So why didn’t you get married soon after?  I’m sure you would’ve had alliances pouring in.”  .....Her rudeness unknowingly giving way to curiosity.

 

“You are right.  But I turned down all of them. I was in love….”

 

“Oh.  And she wasn’t reciprocating?”  …Her curiosity rising.

 

“No, she wasn’t there…”

 

“Stop talking in riddles and tell me.  I don’t like jokes either.”  Her voice was firm.

 

“That’s the truth.  I was in love with an imaginary girl like my sister.  Someone the society shunned… someone with a large unselfish heart.  I could feel her around me, but I couldn’t see her.  So I went about seeking her, asking around, over the past one and a half years.  Then I came across you, at your hospital when I came to meet a friend. That was my first glimpse of you….. I got this uncanny feeling that my search had ended.  Cut the long story short, I asked around and got in touch with your father.”

 

“Hmm, so, now that your sister is not there, you want me to fill the void?”  She was being deliberately sarcastic, wishing that he would leave her alone.

 

“You got it wrong.  I want to love a girl and give her all that she never expected in life, like my sister did.   I don’t believe in fairy tales, but having seen one, I too want to write one.  I want to write that tale for you and make it come true for you.  Don’t thank me for it, because it will be in your joy that I’ll celebrate my life….. I want us to live that fairy tale.  Oh I’m sorry …!”

 

Reaching out, he held her hands, as the dam burst and unshed tears of countless years cascaded down even as she fought in vain to stop it……

 

* * * * * * * *

 

Seema accelerated on…savouring the nostalgia…

“The marriage was a solemn affair and it’s been 16 years of sheer bliss.  We are going steady like on our first day together.  David’s an ardent lover, and has kept his promise of the fairy tale.  Not once has he complained.  But my elder son observed recently, that I don’t reciprocate warmly enough to his father, and that I am the stone hearted one.”  She laughed, “Strangely I still feel like I don’t deserve all this.  The coldness somehow refuses to leave me.  I still wonder how God wrote my story.”

 

“Seema, I guess you are being unfair.  Allow me to intrude.  Its ok if you wish to think that you don’t deserve.  But think about David.  Doesn’t he deserve… after all these years?”  I sounded exasperated, as if I was living the ‘Fairy tale’…

 

She started… and was lost in thought.  “Oh oh, I didn’t think like that....Was so wrapped up in myself!  He has it all going so well and so I never felt like that… I’d often wondered as to what kept the marriage going, when all I did was retreat deeper into my shell even as he remained an open book…”  She leaned over and squeezed my hand,  “Thanks Anita, it’s never too late, hmm?” 

 

“That's the spirit!  Do it and this time give him that surprise which he perhaps gave up on, over the 16 years.  Complete that fairy tale for him.”  I smiled into her perplexed eyes…

 

“Hey this is again God’s hand… we met and had this little talk, and I get that little hint of adding spice to my fairy tale.”  A naughty grin lit up her face,  “Hope your fairy tale also reaches new heights dear…”  She whispered in earnest.

 

This time I braced myself to come clean.  Did she think that I was ….

 

“Know what Seema”,  I looked squarely into her eyes, “my fairy tale crashed, long ago.”  I’d reached my destination. "Yeah, I'll get off right here.  Hey, and thanks a heap.  Was a pleasure knowing you".  I presented her with the warmest of smiles.

 

The shock on her face was indescribable.  Her knuckles paled on the steering as she braked to a halt.  I  quickly added, “Not to worry.  I got over it and I don’t dream it anymore.  Now, I weave another fairy tale, for my child...”

 

She was perhaps struggling to say something, but words seemed to fail her.  Sliding out and waving a bye, I turned away, my eyes dry. I headed for my apartment,...footsteps echoing in the stillness of my heart.  Yes, even I had woven a fairy tale 16 years ago, and even before I could actually step into it, it had vanished into thin air….and all that remained was ...stillness and an emptiness…

 

I opened the door to a new world, ..”Mama you are late!” ...and was wrapped in a bear hug. 

 

But that’s another story………. 

2007

 

 

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