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VIVEK
Vivek splashed cold water on his face, contemplating. The events in the last few days had changed his mood. He decided to remain calm because he liked Snehal and loved his mother. He ignored Ranjit’s ill-treatment, hoping Ranjit would learn a lesson soon after Snehal told him she disliked him.
Vivek couldn’t fathom why Snehal avoided conveying her interest in him. Does she love me? His assumption might be wrong as Snehal hadn’t expressed herself explicitly. She wanted to come out of her relationship with Ranjit, but she’d never told Vivek what her next plans were. Vivek would wait until she spoke about her future. Snehal had worked hard to make his business successful. He wanted her to stay in the business. Ranjit had threatened to stop her from working with him. Vivek would persuade her to continue teaching students at his institution.
Vivek chose to wear a white shirt and navy blue pants; he picked a pale blue tie and combed his short, black hair. After spraying almond cologne, he went to the living room.
His mother was seated on the couch, watching a news channel. She wore a pale blue Mysore silk sari with a green border.
“Breakfast is ready.” His mother rose and went to the dining table. “Have it before you go.”
Vivek followed her and sat at the dining table.
His mother opened the lid; the smell of hot dosa wafted in the air.
“I’ll eat a little.” Vivek folded his sleeves. “I’m not hungry.”
“You said the same thing last night.” His mother stared at him for a while. “What has happened to you? You’re eating less these days.”
Vivek thought he’d lost his appetite ever since he’d clashed with Ranjit. He had lost his charm and wasn’t enthusiastic. At times, he had tried to encourage himself in the presence of Snehal. She had supported him and her companionship gave him the required confidence.
Vivek took out his hanky and blew his nose. “I’m suffering from a slight cold, Mum. Should be all right very soon.”
“Avoid getting drenched in the rain.”
“I know.” Vivek swallowed, heaving a sigh of relief.
“Have you met Snehal’s parents? I didn’t ask her what her father does when Snehal was here.”
Vivek coughed and reached for a glass of water. Her mother’s interest in Snehal puzzled him. He was caught in a dilemma as Snehal was engaged, but she hated her fiancé. Until Snehal revealed her interest in him, Vivek wouldn’t tell his mother about Snehal’s background.
“No, I haven’t met her parents.”
Prabha remained silent and removed her hands from the table. Vivek needed to calm her inner conflict.
“How did you feel about Snehal?” he asked.
Prabha’s face lit with a smile; her eyes widened. She indeed liked Snehal’s beautiful looks – petite and fair.
Vivek finished chewing his food. “She is quite intellectual and friendly, correct?”
“Yes, Vivek.” She paused. “Why don’t you get to know her parents?”
He stared down at the plate. He didn’t want to ask Snehal until her matter with Ranjit was resolved.
“Sure.” Vivek didn’t want to disappoint his mother. “Give me some time. I’ll get the details.” Snehal wouldn’t delay revealing her interest in Vivek if she loved him.
His mother’s motive was clear; she wanted to make an alliance with Snehal. Though it was impossible with the current circumstances, Vivek hoped Snehal would make some decisions in his favor.
He put on his shoes and walked out of his home.
The morning temperature was moderate. A light breeze swept through the street while Vivek headed down the main road. A few buses and motorbikes speeded down the road, overtaking Vivek’s car. He stopped at the intersection; the smoke from the vehicles filled the air; the red signal counter started descending as Vivek waited with patience. Just before the signal turned green, the vehicle’s in the front started moving. Vivek drove out of the intersection and arrived at his institution.
Pooja was seated on her chair. Vivek pulled open the glass door and entered. A few of Snehal’s students were waiting in a classroom. Vivek had noticed the number of students in his class had also come down in the last few days.
He went to Pooja. “Snehal hasn’t come yet?”
“I called her, and she is on her way,” Pooja said. “She had been stuck in the morning traffic.”
“I see only a few students in the class. Where are the others?”
“I’m not sure, sir.”
“Can you get me the students’ attendance register?”
Pooja came back with two large notebooks and handed them to Vivek.
Vivek opened the books. His class size had been reduced to three-fourths and Snehal’s to half. “After today’s classes, call those students who are consistently absent and find out the reason.”
“Okay, Sir.”
Vivek went to his cabin and sat on his leather chair. He opened his book and started preparing his class scheduled in the afternoon. His glance shifted towards the door. Snehal, in her dark pink mixed blue sari, entered. She hurried to her cabin and grabbed her book and notes. Vivek was astonished when she came to him instead of going to her class.
“Good morning, Vivek.” She smiled.
Vivek’s heart raced. Her neck was adorned with a gold necklace. Her fair face was applied with talcum powder, and her hair was adorned with a small jasmine string. Two diamond earrings tilted on her earlobes.
“Good morning,” Vivek said.
“I’m sorry for coming late. Got stuck in traffic.”
“It’s okay.” Vivek grinned.
“I’ve something to talk about after the class,” Snehal said.
Vivek looked into her glistening eyes. “What’s that?” He sounded curious, but he understood the reason. She might propose to him.
“I’ll tell you after class.” Snehal hurried to her classroom.
She had been so close with him unlike her previous behavior of a few months ago. She had called him sir before, but now, she boldly said Vivek.
He closed the book, gasping. He closed his eyes shut for a moment. Snehal came over to him and told him why she was late. Her face was lit with a wide smile, and she was contented after meeting him.
When Snehal came back, Vivek waved a seat in front of him. He finished reading the final paragraph of his book before he inserted a bookmark in it.
He looked at Snehal. She was exhausted. Her makeup was erased because of the sweat and her lips had lost their gleam after an hour-long lecture. Her chest wavered to her heavy breath.
Vivek waited for her to compose herself.
Snehal cleared her throat. “How many more classes remain on your subject?”
Vivek took out his lesson plan and answered. “Another twenty classes and I’m done.” He put the book back on the shelf.
Snehal had told him she wanted to talk about something important. Before she spoke, Vivek needed to speak to her about the decreasing student’s attendance.
“Snehal, have you noticed something in the classroom?”
“Um...Like what?” Snehal shifted her eyes.
Vivek waited for her to answer.
“Are you talking about the number of students?” she asked.
“Yes, I’m worried about it. Your class had only fifty percent of the total registered students. Where were the rest?”
“We need to tell Pooja to call them.”
“I’ve already told her.” Vivek straightened.
“But students may not tell us the real reason. They may also avoid answering the phone call.”
“They have yet to pay the remaining tuition fees.” Vivek sighed. He bit inside of his cheek. “We’ll be in trouble if they don’t turn up and pay.”
“Let’s hope for the best, Vivek.” Snehal drew in a heavy breath. “I had told you to collect the fees in full when the classes began. You never listened to me.”
“Yes, I made a mistake.” Vivek lowered his gaze. “I thought of giving some flexibility to them, but it backfired on me.”
“It’s all business, Vivek. Your philosophy and compassion don't work.” Snehal propped up her elbows on the table and clasped her hands.
“Don’t worry,” Snehal said. “My friend Priya’s brother works at my previous institution. I’ll talk to him and find out the reason.”
“Do you think they are also facing a similar situation?” Vivek raised his brows.
“Maybe.” Snehal took her water bottle and sipped. “We won’t know until I speak to him.” She placed the bottle back on the table. She paused for a few moments before she said, “Vivek, we’re having lunch at Swagat today.”
Vivek’s chest lightened. She might propose to him and hoped she wouldn’t continue blaming Ranjit. “Why? Is there anything important?”
“Yes. It’s important.”
“Hope I’m not confronting Ranjit,” Vivek chided.
Snehal coughed. “Come on, Vivek; let’s not recall the bitter incidents of the past.” She stretched her hands on the table. “We’re going out after you complete your lecture.”
“Um...okay.” Vivek smiled. “Are you sure you’ve something important to talk about?” He needed her confirmation and find out if his assumption about her proposal was true.
“Yes, I told you already.” Snehal sounded confident. “It’s going to be a vital get-together.”
Vivek drove his car to Swagat and parked in a crowded parking lot. The smell of flowers – fresh, blooming roses and jasmine permeated the air.
Vivek led her inside the air-conditioned hall and waited for the host to usher them to empty seats. Muffled conversations of customers could be heard.
A waitress in uniform escorted them to a corner table. Vivek sat opposite Snehal. Snehal ordered a vegetable corn soup, to begin with.
Vivek remained silent, his hands on the table. His heart raced to know what Snehal would tell him. When she too sat silent, he wished to break the silence. “How are things going with Ranjit?” He didn’t want to tell her about his skirmishes inside the bar.
Snehal remained silent. A moment later, teardrops touched her lashes. Vivek shouldn’t have mentioned Ranjit.
“Vivek,” Snehal held his hand and pressed. “I love you.” She locked her eyes onto his.
Vivek’s breath caught in his chest. He sat in silence for a moment before he pressed her hand. Snehal needed his support. She was alienated from everyone at her home and she wondered what would happen with her engagement. Vivek needed to help her and encourage her to remain positive about her future.
“I know the situation you’re undergoing, Snehal,” Vivek said, his tone reassuring. “I too love you. And I’ll help you to whatever extent it’s possible.”
Snehal wiped the rolling teardrops from her cheeks. “Thank you, Vivek. I somehow want to get out of the relationship with Ranjit. Please help me.”
“I told you not to worry.” Vivek firmly pressed her hands.
She opened her bag and took out a greeting card. She looked at it then gave it to Vivek. The card had two red roses on it. Vivek opened it. The message read – “Every day I spend with you becomes the new best day of my life.”
“Thank you, Snehal.” Vivek folded the card. “You’re such a nice girl.”
Snehal’s face lit up with a smile. She cleared her throat.
Vivek glanced at the card a couple of more times and then said, “I’ll talk to my mother and my uncle. We’ll plan something together for our future.”
***
ON THEIR WAY BACK TO the institution, Snehal, seated in the passenger’s seat, called Priya’s brother.
After exchanging some small talk, Snehal said, “How is your institution performing?”
“Not good,” Priya’s brother said. “The students have discontinued their classes after the first half.”
“We too are facing a similar problem.” Snehal’s chest constricted. “May I know the reason?” She sounded curious.
“Students are taking online courses on the internet. The courses are available at a lower price and are taught well.”
“What is your boss planning next?”
“We’re going to Bangalore and trying to get more information about the online courses. We may have to shift the current classroom teaching to an online teaching method.”
“Please let me know whom you’re consulting at Bangalore.”
“Sure. I can give you the details.”
Snehal told Vivek about the matter as he parked his car at their institution.