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VIVEK
Vivek hadn’t expected he would return from his Bangalore trip with such a fresh enthusiasm. Even after two weeks back in Hubli, he was still brimming with confidence. Snehal’s affection throughout their visit and the meeting with the website content provider had been encouraging to him.
He was astonished because Snehal hastened to make love at the hotel. She was hurt by her parents’ continued insistence on her marrying Ranjit. She needed Vivek’s affection. Vivek didn’t want to hurry and get into trouble. He would seek everyone’s blessings and would get married before he made love.
He finished his lecture and left his institution, heading home. The evening traffic was lighter. A few vans hurried past his vehicle, and men on their two-wheelers carried bags of vegetables and groceries to their destinations. A few people took a leisurely walk down the street, and a couple of them jogged on the road. Some folks had their evening tea and snacks, standing in front of the roadside eatery. Crows cawed and birds chirped in a nearby banyan tree.
Vivek parked his car and entered his home. Red and white roses swung to the mild evening breeze which swept down the veranda. The smell of wet soil and flowers permeated the air. He rang the doorbell; his mother, in her cream sari with a green border, opened the door. Her dark, small eyes stood out on her fair face. Her not so long nose, smallmouth, short chin with not so puffed cheeks suited her short height of five feet and two inches.
Her face lit with a smile as she went and sat on the couch.
“You have been working hard ever since you turned from Bangalore. Why don’t you rest at home today?” She paused for a moment. “How is Snehal?”
Vivek’s chest constricted. He hadn’t expected his mother would ask about Snehal. He nodded. “Yes, she is doing well. Attended her work today after a gap of two weeks.”
“I am sorry about what happened to her friend Priya.”
Should Vivek tell his mother Snehal proposed to him? His mother hadn’t come to that matter yet. Vivek would tell her at an appropriate time. His shyness made him reluctant to reveal the matter.
“You said you went to Bangalore to attend a business meeting.” Prabha mother straightened. “How did it go?”
“It went well. I spoke to the product owner, and I am planning to buy it. I need to talk to Uncle and Arjun before I make a final decision.”
“I’m glad to know.” His mother rose. “I know you’ll be successful in your endeavor. Go and freshen up. I’ll prepare some snacks for you.”
Vivek went to his room. The bag which he’d carried to Bangalore was lying on the floor. He opened it and took out the novels he had purchased at the Sapna Book Stall. He sniffed a fresh paper smell before he arranged them on the shelf.
Vivek was an avid reader when he worked at Bangalore. He had gone to Sapna, his favorite book shop, every weekend, and bought the books of his interest. He mostly liked romance fiction, but he read books of humor and fantasy genre also.
A hot bath relieved his fatigue. He needed a rest and chose to wear a white, cotton night suit. His mother was busy preparing coconut chutney. Vivek put his hands on her shoulders. The smell of sambhar masala permeated in the air.
“What have you prepared, Mum?” He put his hand on her shoulder. “I’m hungry.” The whirring sound of the mixer filled the room.
“It’s your favorite.” His mother stopped the mixer. “Idlis with chutney and sambhar.”
“Umm...I like it the most.” Vivek went and sat at the dining table.
His mother placed the dishes on the table. She made a plate for him. “You told me business has slowed down.”
Vivek took a bite. “That’s the reason why I went to Bangalore.”
“Your existence is not dependent on its income. If it’s not doing well, just close it and we’ll look for something else to keep ourselves busy.”
“Let’s hope for the best, Mum.” Vivek shoved a spoonful of idlis into his mouth. “The new product will bring my business back on track.”
Prabha’s face lit with a grin. “I know you’re wise.” She served some more sambhar. “Vivek, I was thinking about your marriage.”
He remained silent. His mother had raised the matter after a few months. He had told her he needed to stand on his own, and marry after his business settled. Things had changed and the business was not that encouraging these days. Should he consider his mother’s request and get married? His mother was getting aged, and she’d gone through bypass surgery. Vivek should keep her happy in her final days.
Should I tell her I’m interested in Snehal? What if mother refused her, and has someone else in her mind? He coughed and his mother gave him the water. “Yes, Mum. It’s the right age for me. I should make a decision about it.”
“You’ve already delayed for two or three years,” his mother said in a raised tone. “Let’s not postpone any longer. We will decide about it before the new year.”
Vivek nodded.
“Are you in love with someone?” Prabha’s lips quivered into a smile.
Vivek blushed. Did she guess I love Snehal? Should I tell her? He preferred to remain silent. He finished eating before he went to the living room.
The doorbell diverted Vivek’s attention from the TV. He reduced the volume and opened the door. His uncle, in his white pajamas and gold Nehru shirt, smiled. “Hello, Vivek.”
“Hello, Uncle.” Vivek swung the door open and stepped back to let him enter.
Pankaj’s fair complexion with small eyes, flat cheeks, not so prominent chin, and long nose suited his round face. Vivek sat on the smaller couch. Pankaj sat beside Prabha on a larger one.
“So, how was your trip?” Pankaj stretched out his legs. “Will the product be useful for us?”
“Yes, Uncle. I would like to start it with my brand name and start teaching online.” Vivek looked at his mother then back to his uncle. “What do you suggest?”
“Do you know how the web-based product works?”
Vivek explained in detail about the online teaching and how students were benefitting.
“Go ahead and buy it. Some institutions here are already trying to adopt it,” Pankaj said. “It will lessen a lot of burdens that the classroom teaching method has.”
“I agree with you. Online teaching is going to be the future of education.”
“Did you ask how much it cost?” his mother asked.
Vivek told her the price and said he could afford it with the remaining money he had.
His mother cleared her throat, looking at Pankaj. “I told Vivek to get married by this year-end.”
“Yes,” Pankaj said. “It’s the right time for Vivek to see a girl and get married.”
“Vivek,” Prabha said. “Are you in love with someone? You remained silent when I asked you before.”
He didn’t want to remain quiet. He should reveal the fact. His uncle’s presence gave him enough courage to speak his mind. “Yes, Mum.” Shyness coursed through his mind and he lowered his gaze.
“Who is she?” His mother asked. Her eyes widened; her lips quivered into a smile.
“My colleague, Snehal.” Vivek’s controlled his surging emotions. He was eager to know how his Mom and Uncle would respond.
“I guessed correctly you are in love with each other,” Prabha said. “Have you met her parents? What about her father?”
Vivek needed to avoid talking about Snehal’s engagement with Ranjit. Her mother would reject Snehal if she got to know the truth. “I don’t know about her parents. I’ve not met them. We started dating a few months ago.”
“Snehal is a good girl,” Pankaj added. “But you must know her background before you make your decision.”
“What kind of background, Uncle?” Vivek said, keeping his voice low.
His uncle forced a smile. “Caste, and about her parents.”
“Snehal is beautiful,” Prabha said. “If their parents agree, I don’t have any objections even if their caste is different.” She looked at Vivek. “Why don’t we have a get together with her parents? We can sort out the differences.”
Vivek’s heart raced. Arranging the meeting would be a difficult task as Snehal was engaged. What should I do then? He would speak with Snehal first and then would seek his Uncle’s help. “Sure, Mum.” Vivek couldn’t help but lie to her.
Vivek needed to call Arjun. He had told him about his skirmishes with Ranjit, but not Snehal’s proposition. Vivek needed Arjun’s help if things went awry.
He picked up the phone from the table and swiped on Arjun’s name.
“Hello, Vivek,” Arjun answered. “How was your trip to Bangalore?”
“It went well,” Vivek said, his voice down. “How are you doing?”
“I’m doing well,” Arjun said. “Are you going to buy the product?”
“Yes, and I wanted to ask your opinion before making a final decision.”
“You must go for it if you’re interested in the teaching business,” Arjun said.
“Yes, you’re correct.” Vivek needed to come to the point. “I’ve something important to talk about.”
“What is it?” Arjun asked.
“Can we meet?”
“Um—-Can’t you talk over the phone?”
Vivek understood Arjun would be busy. It would be better if he spoke over the phone, provided the privacy was maintained. He went to the door and locked it. “Are you alone?” He whispered.
“Yes, I am.”
“A couple of weeks ago, Snehal took me to Swagat once again.”
“What did she say?”
“Well, she became emotional and then proposed to me. She loves me, not her fiancé Ranjit.”
“Oh, what a surprise.” Arjun raised his voice. “And that’s the reason she wants to cancel her engagement.”
“Yes, you’re correct.”
“What do you think?” Arjun sounded curious. “Are you interested in her?”
Vivek needed to tell the truth. He didn’t want to leave Snehal stranded. She was dependent on him, and she would be disappointed if he refused her proposal. “After working together so closely, I too am attracted to her. I need your help to solve Snehal’s problems, and unite with her.”
“We will help you. Don’t worry,” Arjun said.
“Thank you, Arjun. We can meet at my home and talk about it then.”
“Sure. We will.”