Bhavna

By Prof. A. Subbarao

Sai pressed the doorbell knob. Capt. Shashank opened the door and ushered in Prasad and Sai into the flat.
“Shall we sit there?” he pointed to the place where sofas are located.
“ I have no problem but Bhavna prefers to leave the shoes right here” Shashank indirectly indicated the norms of the house .The room had in one corner two sofas and a love seat arranged in an arch with egg shaped teapot located on a six feet carpet. A television set, and stereo system with extra speakers are located at an ideal distance for comfortable viewing from the sofas. An oval shaped dining table with lace tablecloth on top and four chairs is at a close distance to the kitchen entrance. Two Raja Ravivarma paintings and two batik paintings hanging on the walls showed that the room is very well but modestly decorated. The showcase had variety of articles of different sizes arranged with dexterity. Even with four fans running at full speed and good air circulation the room had a “curry” smell. As Sai, Prasad and Shashank were settling in the sofas the bedroom door opened and the curtain with glass beads chimed musically. A lady wearing a silk sari and with the physique of an advertisement model came out. The sari was worn like the ones worn by plastic models in show room cases of quality dress shops. She approached the trio with a light walk in which there was a hint of music emanating from her anklet. She may be about five feet four inches tall and weighed around 125 pounds. “Bhavna”, “Sai”, “Prasad”, captain Shashank completed the introduction in a hurry. Sai, Prasad greeted Bhavna and she reciprocated. “She looks so elegant and dignified”, Sai thought about her.
“I am sorry for the slight delay. We can eat the dinner first and play cards afterwards. Shashank prefers early dinner. According to him it is healthier to eat early”. Everybody agreed.” If you want to wash your hands you can use the wash basin over there” Bhavna pointed to the washbasin. Sai and Prasad washed their hands and wiped them with the napkin kept hanging nearby. They all sat down for dinner.
“I wonder whether you like the preparations or not, but just incase you have any problem with the items, we have variety of pickles as a backup” Bhavna said.
“Come on Bhavna, I do not think there will be anybody who would not like your preparations” Shashank said.
"I would like to have the recipe you have used for this coconut chutney and the rice pilaf. The preparations are very good. I rarely get a chance to eat this quality of tasty food”, Sai said.
After the completion of the dinner, Shashank helped Bhavna in the kitchen to clean the dishes.
“Even though I discourage you everyday, you won’t heed my advice” Bhavna was rebuking Shashank when he wiped the dining table with a wet cloth.
After 20 minutes the table was dry. Bhavna brought two sets of playing cards and spread them on the table.
"I understand that you like to play Contract Bridge, and we like it too. If it is agreeable to you, let us play at one rupee per point. We follow Culbertson convention. How about you? Queried Shashank.
“We also follow Culbertson,” said Prasad.
After one hour of play two rubbers were completed and the scores were almost even.
“I have to catch an early train tomorrow morning. We will play one more rubber and then we will disperse” Sai said. Each side won one game and Bhavna bid a little slam in spades and Sai doubled it. All of a sudden the atmosphere in the room was charged with excitement.
“Will you play this Shashank?” asked Bhavna.
“No, no. You play better than me” Shashank said and adjusted his chair next to that of Bhavna.
With two successful finesses working to her advantage, Bhavna fulfilled the contract. She took out the kerchief tucked to her sari and wiped the mild sweat on her forehead and neck. Shashank looked at the scores and announced you both lost 20 rupees “. Sai and Prasad took out their wallets and placed 10 rupees each on the table. Bhavna took ten rupees and Shashank pocketed the remaining ten rupees.
“I am leaving for Delhi in the morning and I will not be able to see you. Thanks for the evening” Sai said.
“Thanks for helping Shashank on the train when he fell sick. Please visit us when you come next” Bhavna replied.
Sai and Prasad walked out of the apartment and the cool breeze from the sea caressed them.
“They have good understanding between themselves. She played well and luckily the two finesses worked, otherwise they would have been down in the contract” Sai said. A heavy breeze from the sea picked fine dust on the road and they had to wipe their eyes to clear the dust, which fell in them.
“Shashank must be about 60 years of age and her age could be anywhere between 45 and 55 years. How long do you think they are married?” asked Prasad.
“How does it matter to us?”
“Did you notice the way they address each other by their first names? It is odd. This is not America!”
“Whether it is America or Africa it is immaterial. They are addressing each other the way they like and comfortable to them. Why are you bothered about it?” Sai started to show his irritation.
They walked in silence for a while and when they found an unoccupied auto rickshaw they got in.

* * * * * *
Gin rummy session was in full swing in the club. Sai and Prasad were playing while Murty watched their game.
“It looks Ramana is in town. Shall we go and visit him?” asked Sai.
“I sent word for him to come here. As soon as he arrives we will head towards the beach” answered Prasad. After ten minutes Ramana walked in. They all headed towards the beach and settled in a less crowded place. As an indication of the approaching winter the intensity of light has gone down considerably even at 06.30 p.m. The sun is struggling to keep afloat before sinking into the sea. The air from the sea is gradually cooling off. Some of the elderly people walking on the beach were wearing half sleeve sweaters.
“My grand father has become a problem to me. He does not want to leave the village and give up cultivation. He wants to remain there and supervise the farming of the 4 acres of land,” complained Ramana.
“What is his age?”
“Sixty eight”
“How is he managing in the village?”
“A widow used to cook and live there. Recently she died of snakebite. I have to look for a similar person now. If he stays with me I do not have to worry like this. He refused to come to Hyderabad and live with us even when my father was alive. I do not think he will do it now” Ramana explained his problem.
“ I do not know about the rural area but here in Visakhapatnam the going rate for a cook is 1500 rupees per month just for cooking, nothing else” said Prasad.
‘Leave alone the financial aspect, life is uncertain for a person of that age. He needs constant attention and I have to find a solution for this problem before I go back to Hyderabad” said Ramana.
“People of your grand father generation have different life styles and they are fit even at 68 years of age. Nowadays people are getting heart attacks even at 50 years of age ” said Murty.
As the darkness is growing it appeared as if the sea has decided to change her wear from blue to black dress. There is no sign of moon. A pair emerged from Vuda Park and walked past the group and slowly headed towards the road. The male is of medium height and built, neatly dressed with the shirt tucked in the trousers. The lady who was walking next to him is lightly built and the bangles on her hands produced pleasant tinkling sounds as she walked slowly and majestically. In the darkness the group could only see the physical profile of the couple and nothing else until the light from a vendor boy fell on them at close quarters.
“My goodness! I did not recognize captain Shashank in the darkness” exclaimed Sai.
“How do you know captain Shashank?” asked Ramana.
“One night I and Prasad were traveling in Godavari express and were in the same cabin in which captain Shashank was also traveling. Suddenly he developed fever and we escorted him to his flat the next morning. Do you know him?” asked Sai.
“Yes, he is a distant cousin of my father. They used to play cards”
“Shashank and Bhavna won twenty rupees from me and Sai” said Prasad and described their visit to Shashank’s flat.
“Unless things have changed recently, Shashank was considered to be a permanent bachelor”, said Ramana.
“So, who is she? Is she wife of Shashank or what?” Prasad murmured.
“Their relationship is no concern of ours,” said Sai.
“That is the problem with you Sai. One can imagine the type of relationship between a young male and female. Shashank age is around 60 and she as you people say is around 55.So, how can “That” type of relationship possible?” Murty asked.
“Shashank was injured in action and had to retire prematurely. My dad mentioned that he gets pension,” said Ramana.
“Shashank told us that he is in residing in a rented flat”
“I do not believe in that "love" garbage. That is all trash and that too at that age! Even if one concedes about” love” why will she opt for a person of Shashank’s age? She would go in for a younger person. It is strange. There is something here, which is not right. Shall we enquire?” argued Murty.
“Don’t be stupid. Who gave you the right to interfere in their affairs? Will you go to them and ask,” Are you married?” If I am in Shashank’s position, I will retort and say,” Get out!” But if Shashank is a soft-spoken person he might say,” Yes, why did you ask?” then how will you feel? You have to hang your head in shame. If Shashank and Bhavna are not married, Shashank may reply,” we are not married, but how does it concern you? Then what will be your reaction? Do not unnecessarily meddle in unconcerned matters of yours” Sai chided Prasad.
“Passive people like you are causing irreparable damage to the moral values cherished by this country for so many hundreds of years. If they are living together in a flat without marrying, how will others living in those flats feel? This is open debauchery. Wait until RSS comes to power. We will clean up all this type of obnoxious life style”, Ramana thundered.
For a moment Sai kept his cool and then,” Without knowing any details you are accusing them. I want to ask you a simple question. Do not get angry. I do not know the age of the widow who was helping your grand father in the village. You mentioned that she was sleeping on the verandah and what happens if severe rains come? She must have slept inside the house. Did your grand father had physical relationship with her?” asked Sai.
Ramana could not answer it at once. His face gradually puffed with anger. Slowly he recovered.” He was 68 and she was a widow. How could you ask such a question Sai?” replied Ramana controlling his emotions. Obviously Ramana was hurt.
“Even though you are not living in the village you have great belief in your grand father and it is natural for you to get hurt with my question. I am sorry for that. You do not know anything about Shashank and Bhavna. Then, how could you imagine wild things about them? Two people may get married with pomp and gaiety in front of hundreds of people, or get married in front of a registrar of marriages. One may even get married in a temple in front of god. Or, for that matter
The male may tie the so-called ceremonial knot and whole-heartedly say
“ With this I marry you” in private. Even if he does not tie the knot will it not constitute a marriage? Without completing that formality can they not live happily? When those two people are living in a flat without hating each other, you should feel happy and admire them. Why worry us with the irrelevant question, “what is their relationship?” It is getting dark; let us go, said Sai.

* * * * * *
After Sai and Prasad left, Shashank changed his dress and opened the book
“ Razor’s edge” by Somerset Maugham. Bhavna is watching Television serial with rapt attention. Shashank observed Bhavna. The changing light from the television made her earrings shine with great radiance. The facial features and dress attire are perfect and Bhavna always surprises me with her specialty, thought Shashank. He got up, went into the bedroom and came back with a pillow.
“You forget about everything when you start watching the television. If you are watching it you can as well watch it comfortably” and handed over the pillow to her and tried to adjust it behind her back.
“Don’t disturb me” she said and continued watching television. Shashank resumed the novel reading. After one hour he noticed that Bhavna was fast asleep in the sofa and in her sleep she was shivering mildly. Shashank went into bedroom once again, came back with a blanket, covered her, and switched off the television set.
Despite of his best efforts sleep eluded Shashank. In the novel which he read just prior to going to bed, the main character looks for an answer to the question “what is the meaning of life?” and he travels all round the world seeking an answer. Somerset Maugham describes very well the desperation and restlessness of the character seeking that answer.
Restlessness! Yes, he can understand the intensity and how much loneliness can shake a person. While passing through the restlessness and loneliness phase, all of a sudden Bhavna entered his life. There is no semblance of any resemblance between the Bhavna sleeping peacefully in the sofa and the Bhavna stood at the door 5 years back.
“I am Bhavna and I came from the village Vasanta,” she said with rainwater dripping slowly from her dress. The water has wetted her sari; blouse and she tried to wipe her face with the wet sari. He stood aside and said,” please come inside”. With a small suit case in hand, wetness written all over her body, she hesitatingly stood at the entrance not knowing what to do.
“The bath room is over there. First change your clothes, otherwise you may catch cold, do you drink coffee?” he asked. Bhavna nodded and went into the bathroom. By the time Bhavna came out of the bathroom with a dry white Venkatagiri sari with green flowers, he prepared the coffee and handed a cup to her.
“ By the time I paid money to the auto rickshaw driver and entered the building I got drenched completely. This is an unnecessary burden for you” she said and took the cup from him.
“They say the early morning rain and visiting relative won’t leave easily” he said and laughed.
“May be, but I am not your relative” she replied and laughed too. What a laugh it was! It was like the glow of light from a Diwali flowerpot and it illuminated her face and transformed her expression completely.
“For some lucky people laugh on the face can bring about a positive significant change,” he thought.
“I hope you have received my letter. The 700 rupees rent which you have been paying is very low” she said without mincing words.
“I agree and I will increase it”
" After my father’s death I do not see ay reason to stay in the village. If I decide to leave the village, this is the only other place I got. I have nowhere else to go” Bhavna said.
“After the receipt of your letter, I made enquiries about renting other places here. I will know about them in one week’s time. I have a prior engagement and I am going to Vijayawada today and I will be back in one week. We will finalize everything then. Where are you staying in the city? He asked.
“I have some distant relatives in the city but I do not exactly know about them. I thought that I would complete this job and go away in a day or two. What can I do now?” she wondered with wide-open eyes. The roundness of the eyelids and their color made a great impression on him.
“I have a wonderful solution for the present problem. I am going to be away for a week and since this flat belongs to you, you can use it during my absence. When I comeback, we will settle the other issue. I have two keys and I will give you one. You can cook here and reduce your expenses,” he suggested. Bhavna agreed. Instead of one week it took ten days for him to return and he was afraid that Bhavna would be very unhappy. He opened the door and to his utter surprise he heard a very serene, and pleasant hum from the kitchen. He silently sat in the sofa and waited for her to come out. After 10 minutes of wait, Bhavna came into the hall and said,” Oh! How long you have been waiting here?”
“I came just now”
“I will get coffee for you”
He was surprised to see the way Bhavna got acclimatized to the flat. Her behavior was more like that of a permanent resident than that of a visitor.
“Wait a minute, I will be back soon” she said and went into the bathroom after handing him a cup full of coffee. Bhavna returned after half an hour.
“The coffee is good. I will shower and then go out to enquire about those flats I mentioned” he said and started getting ready. He came back around 3.00 p.m.
“Have you had your lunch?” Bhavna asked looking at his tired face.
“Yes”
Bhavna was watching him with great interest and anxiety. She was eager to know the outcome of his trials for flat.
“No flat is available for less than 1200 rupees and that too they are away from the beach. I have time until tomorrow to decide about them. If I vacate your flat, will you rent it to a new person and then go back to Vasanta? He enquired.
“I will do that only if there is no other way and as a last resort. My income is only the rent from this flat”
“I cannot afford to pay more than 1200 as rent with my limited income”
Both of them were rocking their brains for a solution.
“Keep my problem aside for a moment. Let us think about your situation. If you come and live in this flat, you will not get any rent money. You have to look for a job for your livelihood”
“I do not have any work experience and will not get any job with my high school qualifications”
“I agree. I do not want to vacate the flat. You do not want to go to the village. We have two rooms in the flat. We will share this flat. Both will gain economically,” he said.
Bhavna was looking at him critically and was sizing him up. She was silent for few minutes.
“I promise and see to it that you are not put to any inconvenience,” he reiterated.
“I have that belief in you. But until now you are staying alone in this flat and suddenly if a female comes and starts living in the same flat, what would people think?” Bhavna raised an honest concern.
“I do not know. I am a loner and I do not care. You have to think about it much more carefully. But tell me, if you are hungry will anybody invite and feed you? But in this arrangement, you are the most affected person. So it is for you to decide about it,” he replied. On one hand Bhavna was happy that a solution was found and on the other hand she is worried about the indefinite future. The mix of happiness and worry clearly reflected on her face. He remembered her troubled expression clearly.
“You are living in this flat for the last 5 years and you have maintained it well. It is unfair to ask you to leave. Your proposal to share the flat is acceptable to me. We will work out the details later” she said.
“Thanks”
"I should thank you,” Bhavna laughed heartily. The happiness brought a sudden rush of blood to the face through the swollen pronounced neck artery and it showed the relaxed excitement running through her mind. That is how Bhavna’s Visakhapatnam life started and after 4 months, Bhavna found a job in a school nearby for tiny tots. As the days rolled by, her acquaintance turned into a pleasant monolithic friendship. He was a chronic Malaria patient and even though he got used for the severe attacks, the high fever at the time of attack worried Bhavna. She used to put uducologne-dipped cloth on his forehead and change it very often to control the 104 degrees temperature. There were several instances when she fell asleep tired in the chair next to the bed with her head resting on his arm. She nourished him well. He can never forget her worried expression on her face during the attacks and her relieved happy face when the fever has ebbed. His admiration of her has moved up one notch. His other world gradually melted after the friendship with Bhavna grew steadily. The days have passed happily thought Shashank before slowly sinking into sleep.

* * * * * * *
Shashank entered the flat with a puppy in hand. Bhavna rushed towards him and ignoring his warnings tried to snatch the puppy from Shashank’s hands. The involuntary reaction of the puppy during the exchange caused scratches on Bhavna’s hands.
“Ouch!” she screamed and Shashank noticed that blood started appearing from the scratches.
“I was warning you that the puppy’s nails are very sharp, but you did not hear. Now you see what happened” Shashank said and started applying ointment on the wounds.
“You make a fuss for everything” Bhavna said and ignoring the scratches, she started playing with the puppy. “This is a wonderful surprise” she exclaimed.
“I had a hunch that this will make you happy”
Bhavna’ s face resembled that of a freshly blossoming flower and radiated happiness.
“They say next to a human, dog is human’s best friend. Let us go, it is time for our evening walk,” said Shashank.
“You please go for the walk alone today. I am not coming. I want to play with this puppy”
“This is not fair” Shashank said and got up reluctantly. Bhavna noticed the disappointment on Shashank’s face and even though she was playing with the puppy her mind wandered into the recent past. She is fully aware of Shashank’s likes and dislikes and his attitude. Likewise he knew about her. She never indicated that she likes a puppy. I wonder how he guessed it! The sharing of the apartment based exclusively on financial constraints has grown into a deep understanding and mutual appreciation of each other’s difficulties and happiness. Even though there were a couple of misunderstandings, they did not affect their friendship even a bit. A female they say requires help at the time of childbirth, and at the time of death. But what happens when she is seriously ill? She has to depend on others. In her case, she needed help when she fell from the dining table and broke her leg and hand. She was in plaster and Shashank attended to all her needs. During that one month when she could not go out, to give her company, he stayed home. We will not realize that there is void in our life until someone comes along and fills it. My life in the flat is an example for that, Bhavna reminisced. The husky bark from the puppy broke Bhavna’s thoughts.
* * * * * *
“Three cups of strong coffee” Murty placed the order with the bearer at Daspalla restaurant.
“Get one order of sweet pudding also” Prasad added another item to the coffee.
“What is the reason for this sudden trip? How is Hyderabad?” Murty asked Ramana.
“Six months back I managed to find a cook and help for my grand father. That person’s daughter got a job in Rajahmundry and she quit the job. So the problem has resurfaced again”
“Even if you are ready to shell out money these days not many are people ready to work as cooks”
“I do not know about my grand father but it is costing me a bundle for each trip and I am also wasting my hard earned leave” Ramana said and sighed.
Murty, Prasad did not say anything.
“The temperatures in Hyderabad are very high and in addition there is severe water shortage. Other than that everything is same. By the way how is Shashank? Did you dig anything about him?”
“I did not see them again. But a friend of mine who works in the municipal office found that the flat belongs to Bhavna”
“Really? How is it possible? Are you by any chance mistaken?”
“No” Prasad replied. They drank the coffee in silence.
* * * * * *
“I am feeling lazy. Shall we cancel today our evening walk program?” Asked Shashank.
“Nothing doing. It we want to get over that lethargy, evening walk is the best answer. Not only that, puppy Raju needs its walk. Come on, be a sport, let us go” Bhavna got up from the chair. The puppy barked in anticipation. Shashank looked at Bhavna admiringly and said” What is the matter? You chose to wear green parag sari for the evening walk?” and followed her lazily.
“ Sometimes it is embarrassing if you observe critically what I am wearing, and how I am dressing. By the way it is not a parag sari but it is a paragon sari” and smiled. She liked his comments and they brought inner cheer to her. Bhavna, Raju and Shashank came out of the flat and started walking on the pavement of the beach road. The late sparse monsoon has not brought down the temperatures. The high humidity filled air from the sea is not conducive for evening walk. Both Shashank and Bhavna are perspiring and they walked to Apughar. The perspiration has become intolerable. The clothes they wore were struck to the skin. The time was around 7.00 p.m. The cloudy sky reduced the visibility considerably. Some vehicles have switched on their headlights. Bhavna tried to wipe her hands with her handkerchief and change the leash of the puppy from one hand to another. The leash slipped from her hand and Raju experiencing the freedom, started crossing the road. Bhavna went after Raju to prevent any mishap. One auto rickshaw without lights was heading towards Bhavna at 50 kmph and was about 10 meters away from the spot where Bhavna is standing. Bhavna was preoccupied with Raju and did not realize that there is an impending danger to her. But Shashank suspected that Bhavna was about to be hit by the vehicle and he shouted, “Bhavna, auto rickshaw is behind you” and stepped down from the pavement on to the edge of the road. The auto rickshaw driver noticed that Bhavna is very close to him and to avoid her swerved the vehicle to the edge of the road where Shashank was standing. The auto rickshaw hit Shashank with full force and catapulted him into air. Shashank landed on the pavement with a thud and a piercing agonizing cry emanated from him. Bhavna realized what happened and ran towards Shashank. She took his head into her lap. Blood was oozing out from every part of Shashank’s body and not knowing what to do; she used her sari to wipe the blood from Shashank’s forehead and eyes. She was trembling all over seeing the plight of Shashank and tears were rolling down like water coming out of a burst dam. The trickling blood from Shashank is wetting her and when she held Shashank’s face close to hers, blood smeared on her face too.
“Shashank, Shashank” she whispered in his ear. Shashank opened his eyes slowly and extended his hand and held Bhavna’s hand firmly and said” Thank you” and his eyes closed forever. Tears dripping from Bhavna’s blood-smeared cheeks are washing Shashank’s face. She held firmly Shashank’s hand and hugged him tightly with warmth, affection and deep agony. She did not want to let go the ideal companion she ever had. Not knowing what happened Raju continued to bark. The paling sun sank into the earth in a hurry and complete darkness engulfed the entire sky.
* * * * * *
“It appears as if it is yesterday but it is one year since you visited Visakhapatnam” Murty observed. Sai nodded in agreement.
“Ramana is taking his grand father to Hyderabad” said Prasad.
“Is it? What persuasion method you have used now to change his mind?” Sai asked.
“I did not use any persuasion. It is pure necessity man. He developed serious cataract problem and staying alone in the village has become impossible for him. He agreed for the shift,” Ramana explained.
“Sai, do you know that captain Shashank died in a road accident?” asked Prasad.
Sai recalled the pleasant evening they spent at the flat and the fine understanding between Bhavna and Shashank. Has the pair of calm Shashank and excited, lively Bhavna got separated? Life is so cruel, he thought.
“How is Bhavna? Shall we go and convey our condolences to her? Sai asked.
“I saw her one month back on the beach with a puppy. I waived my hand but she did not respond. She appeared absent minded and lost” Prasad replied.
“I know Shashank’s lawyer. It appears Shashank has left everything that belongs to him to Bhavna”
“How much is the money involved?”
“One and half lakh rupees” Murty announced.
“Not bad! She managed it very well” said Ramana.
Sai has been listening to the exchanges in disgust and he could not control himself anymore.
“They say nature is cruel. It has no eyes or ears. You are all literates and have eyes and ears. But you are ten times crueler than it. What good is your education? It is a disgrace. You are speaking about two people whom you do not know, nor they ever caused any harm to you. You are imparting your own nasty, mean, dirty, stinking and polluted thoughts to them. You are incorrigible and worse than dirt” said Sai and left them in surprise and walked away.