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VIVEK
Vivek freshened up and chose to wear an informal short sleeved blue shirt and cream-colored pants.
Arjun would arrive, and Vivek needed to take him to the coaching centers. He wanted to understand how the existing institutions were performing; he wished to know the courses offered and the fee structure.
He stood in front of the large square mirror; his face appeared cheerful. He buttoned his shirt sleeves and combed his hair before he retreated to the living room.
He had come out of his mother’s hospitalization blues, and things had settled down. His mother was in the kitchen. She wore a light purple cotton sari with a gold border. Her grey hair was well combed and tied into a small braid. The whirring sound of an exhaust fan and the whistle of the pressure cooker filled the air.
The previous day, Vivek took his mother to the hospital for a weekly checkup. The doctor had told him she had recovered well. He admired Vivek for his decision to settle in Hubli and care for his mother.
Even though Vivek’s mother appeared happy, perhaps her mind was still filled with the memories of Vivek’s father.
His chest lightened seeing his mother active in the house as before. She had recovered from her depression in two weeks, and Vivek’s presence had made a difference in her life.
Arjun had been his best friend. They both prepared for the examination studying overnight and competed for the highest grades. Vivek and Arjun considered studying together as a win-win situation. They helped each other out if they had trouble in the subject matter.
The door bell rang. It must be Arjun. Vivek opened the door.
In his white checkered shirt and a beige pants, Arjun looked handsome. His fair and wide forehead was prominent under his black close-cut hair. His shirt matched his fair skin and his button nose contrasted with his flat and fair cheeks.
“Hi, Arjun. Come in,” Vivek stepped back.
“Hi.” Arjun adjusted his glasses with the golden frame. He removed his footwear. “How are you? How is aunty?” His glance shifted to the dining hall.
“We both are doing well.”
Arjun had been concerned about Vivek’s mother after Vivek’s father died. He had helped him in arranging the rituals along with the relatives. I’m lucky to have a friend like Arjun.
Vivek ushered him to a sofa and they both sat.
“Are you sure about shifting your stay to Hubli?” Arjun turned to him.
“Yes,” Vivek nodded curtly. “I can’t leave my Mum alone. She doesn’t want to come to Bangalore, either.”
Vivek’s mother stepped into the living room; her eyes ran over Vivek and Arjun; she gave them a faint smile.
“Hello, aunty,” Arjun smiled. “How are you?”
“I’m doing well. It’s good to see you,” She sat beside Vivek. “Vivek told me you were coming.”
“I’m glad Vivek decided to live with you,” Arjun said, his tone soft.
“I wanted him to return to Bangalore,” Prabha said. “But he doesn’t want to leave me alone here.”
An unusual silence hung in the air.
“Mum, we’re going to visit some coaching centers,” Vivek said. “What do you suggest, Arjun?” He looked into Arjun’s eyes.
“It’s a good idea.” Arjun crossed his arms. “You’ll get useful information out of your visit. I know about a couple of them.”
“Shall we meet their owners?” Vivek asked.
“Yes, we can.”
“I’m sure owning a coaching center would give me enough work.” Vivek looked at Arjun. “What do you think?”
Arjun nodded. “I too think so. But we get a clear picture only when we survey the existing ones.”
Vivek nodded.
His mother went to the kitchen and came back with two cups of coffee. She gave the drinks to them.
“How is your wife doing, Arjun?” Prabha raised her eyebrows.
“Doing well, Aunty.”
“Which month is she carrying? Seventh?”
“That’s right.” Arjun sipped the drink.
“I’m sure you’re going to have a baby boy this time.” Her face lit with a smile.
“I am also hopeful, Aunty.” Arjun grinned. “All are waiting for the D-day.”
Arjun didn’t want to pursue his career in engineering; he wanted the engineering degree for the prestige of it.
“It’s good that you have settled well with your family,” Prabha said. She looked at Vivek, seemingly expecting him to speak.
Vivek’s chest tightened. He took a sip and then said, “Mom, Arjun had his business set up by his ancestors. I needed to stand on my own before I see the girls.” He turned to Arjun. “I studied hard, you know. How can I get married without a job?”
Arjun put the empty cup on the table. “Your father has left you with enough real estate. You can settle down here without worries.”
Vivek leaned back. “But my knowledge in computer science will be wasted.”
“You can continue working with married life, can’t you?” his mother said, smiling. “I don’t’ think you need to postpone the marriage just because you haven’t settled. You have been working in Bangalore for two years and you’re earning well to support your family.”
“I agree with you, Mum,” Vivek said, his voice flat. “But the software jobs are challenging. I wanted to gain enough work experience.”
“Don’t you think two years were enough?” Arjun asked.
“Yes, but Dad’s incident made me not to think of my marriage. And now, I’m planning a new venture and I need to make it a success before I tie a nuptial knot.”
“It’s okay,” Prabha said. “Let’s not talk about it. Your father wanted to see you happily married to a beautiful girl.”
She was disappointed over the matter. Vivek needed to convince her and win her heart. She had been recovering from the depression in the last two weeks. She should recover fully and become cheerful as she used to be.
“Mum, I need some time. Let me make my current undertaking a success. We’ll think over the marital matter after I settle with my business.” Vivek held her hand and smiled.
Prabha nodded crisply. “That’s a good vision, Beta. I know you won’t disappoint your father’s departed soul.”
“Vivek,” Arjun said. “I’ll help you to whatever extent you need. I am glad that you have set two goals this year – starting the coaching center and getting married.”
“How about starting a software development centre here?” Arjun asked, his eyes glowing.
“I think that’s a good idea,” Vivek grinned. “But our town lacks the required infrastructure. We need a high speed internet and an uninterrupted power supply. The working atmosphere should be on par with that of Bangalore.”
“You’re correct,” Arjun said, his voice lowered. “I heard that the government is planning to set up a software technology park in the outskirts of the town. We can think of the software startup company when they really make it ready.”
“Vivek, I suggest you work as a mentor and educate youngsters,” Vivek’s mother said. “As your uncle said, teaching is a noble profession. Young students will benefit from your knowledge gained in the industry.”
At times, his Mum spoke philosophically. She came from an orthodox family and believed in good deeds. She told him he’d teach youngsters.
“You’re right, Mum,” Vivek said.
“So, what’s our next plan?” Arjun asked.
“We’re going to my uncle’s place. We will take him with us. He will share his experience and gives us useful suggestions.”
“That makes sense,” Prabha said. “He will be of much help, being an elder. Let him discuss the details with you guys even though he doesn’t have much technical knowledge.”
Vivek nodded. He walked Arjun outside.
He removed the car cover and wiped the dust off the vehicle. It had been a while since he had used it. He had mostly used his motorbike when he went out alone. He sat in the driver’s seat and opened the door for Arjun.
The street was crowded with motorbikes, cars and a couple of green city buses. A hoard of buffaloes obstructed the traffic. They soiled the road and made the street a mess. A few pedestrians crossed the road amidst the still traffic.
Vivek struggled to drive through an unmanned intersection. Motorbikes slid through the spaces between the cars, and loud honks of the vehicles fell on Vivek’s ears.
He waited for the traffic to ease up and raised his car windows to avoid the pungent smoke. After a few minutes, a policeman arrived and eased the flow.
Vivek parked his car outside his uncle’s house, just before the iron gate.
“How is your aunt doing?” Arjun asked as Vivek turned the engine off.
“Not bad, but dementia is still an issue with her.”
“Is she under medication?”
“Yes, she is under his care. My uncle has consulted a few doctors outside Hubli to treat her.”
They stepped out of the car and walked towards the gate of Pankaj’s house.
The verandah had beautiful blooming jasmines and daffodils. The red and white roses, grown near the porch caught Vivek’s attention. Two coconut trees stood tall at the corners of the building, and a blooming bougainvillea draped the top of the wrought iron gate. The smell of flowers and wet soil permeated the air.
Vivek looked forward to taking his uncle to the training centers.