One by Seven Series

Crescent Moon Teeth

Annual exams just passed by, summer vacation had started for Rajiv, Ranjitha, Kripa, Vikram, Kailash, Bhuvana and Akshay. Seven cousins who used to visit each others’ place, for every summer vacation. Those were the golden, mischievous and happy days of their childhood.  Even though they quarrel all of them liked and loved each-other dearly, that was the uniqueness of their relation. Their childish-quarrel never lasted more than an hour or so.

Rajiv the eldest of all of them was the gang leader and the creator of all wired ideas (which was innovative and thrilling to the rest). They used to play from sunrise to next day sunrise! Apart from normal hide and seek, running and caching, cricket, shuttle, and various indoor games, they had their own innovative games; Water-filter (ghost hunting), Whale (catching and pulling down under water), corner-shoppe (selling), 7c Bus (running and climbing an imaginary bus), Military Academy (fighting-hitting). Favorite of all of them is re-enacting of action movies. Every vacation had a memorable story.

One afternoon in Rajiv's and Ranjitha's home Allahabad:

 Rajiv “hey since all of you have come to north India, today we will try to play famous kite fight, what to you say?”

Kripa “not a good idea, because none of us know how to fly a kite.”

Rajiv “I will teach you all, it’s not a big deal.”

Kailash “but will there be sufficient space in the terrace for all seven of us, to fly the kite.”

Ranjitha “I am not interested, it’s very hot.”

Bhuvana “even I am afraid to handle that kite thread, it may cut my fingers.”

Vikram “Another problem will be pooling the money for seven kites; I don't think it will easy to persuade   our parents.”

Kripa “Akshay, what do you say?” Akshay “since I am the youngest I will not get a kite for my own, so what the big deal about my opinion.”

Rajiv “cha, I have never seen a spoil-sport like you guys. Chalo I have an idea! We will divide into 2 groups and have kite fight, so we have to purchase just two kites, and can over come the constraint of the space in terrace. What do you guys say?”      

Kripa and Kailash “uhmm ok.”

Some how the money for two kites (Rs 2, each) was conquered and two medium size, pretty kite were ready to fly. Wind and Rajiv’s teaching techniques were helping, and the kites started to rise up! All of them were surprised by their kite-flying art, and slowly the kite fight started, competition geared up. All of them were involved and trying to fly their group higher and higher, Rajiv's group was about to be out-beaten by the other, which would be a humiliation to him. So Rajiv was trying to elevate the kite.

Bhuvana 'hey Rajiv, you better climb-up over the water tank, so we can beat them”'.

Rajiv 'Cool bhubs'

Ranjitha 'Rajiv! Be careful, it’s just a game, if next door uncle sees you, we will land in big trouble'

Rajiv climbed up and the kite took a great elevation, they there applauding and Rajiv to prove his might further stepped behind for stabilizing the kite.

Alas! Rajivvvvvv

Rajiv was falling down from the water tank.

Rest of them ran for his rescue, without any success Rajiv hit the ground facing down. To their surprise he was conscious and moaning with pain.

Ranjitha 'Rajiv...blood'

Rajiv was like a Dracula with blood pouring form this mouth. His Tee was soaked in blood.

Bhuvana 'Patti, amma, mani.....rajivku.....”

Kripa, Vikram and Kailash rushed to shut her mouth and in the attempt fell on Ranjitha and who in turn banged on Rajiv.

Rajiv ' hey stupid people keep quite, if you shout like this our parents will come to know. Be silent. First any one of you get some water for me, then we will decide what to do.'

Akshay went to get water for all. In the mean time the strategy plan was unfolded.

Ranjitha ' you are losing lot of blood, do something soon'

Kripa ' we can’t hide this from our parents, wound is visible'

Kailash 'no plan, no thinking, come we will go to doctor first'

Rajiv ' guys please understand the situation, after this do you think they will give us this much of freedom to play?'

Vikram ' I agree Rajiv,…..I think this is the first time I agree with you.'

Dup-DUP-DUPPP..GHRRR

All of them turned back to see five big monkeys, landing next to them from near by tree. They now knew what to do next, RUN.

Rajiv was the one to lead followed by Kailash, Bhuvana, Vikram, Kripa and Ranjitha...all were running downstairs yelling at their might...”aiyo monkey...aiyo monkey varudhu..”

In the second flight of stairs Rajiv fainted and the rest of them stumbled over him.

Patti 'Oh GOD! Look out you all are falling over each other. Don't worry, monkeys will not harm you. Don’t panic, Rajiv, Rajiv...'

Two servants came with a stick and chased the monkeys out. Rajiv was rushed to hospital.

Evening when all of them went to visit Rajiv, in his room, he smiled and greeted them with a crescent- blue moon shaped teeth!

Rajiv’s Mom ' I don’t know what will happen to you kids, whenever you all are together all of you act strangely. What was the need to panic so much when monkey was chasing you? At least for Rajiv and Ranjitha it is a common episode, how many times Rajiv himself have chased those monkeys away? But I don’t know why, today he was the first person to run downstairs? What was the need? See because of panic he fall down from the stairs and broke his tooth. Please kids from next time act wisely'

All of them were nodding their head vigorously to their aunt and were hiding their smile.

During dinner Patti was narrating the monkey chasing the kids and how Rajiv broke his teeth because of that, to Rajiv's father.

Akshay 'What? Monkey chased and broke Rajiv's tooth...?'

Vikram and Kailash ' Yes Uncle'

Kripa and Bhuvana 'dai Akshay'

Akshay ' Oh, yes I remember, I came down to fetch water, because Rajiv was bleeding. I was not there when monkey chased them'

Rajiv grinned at his father with crescent-blue moon teeth...

Rukmini's Love

Oh! He is the handsome boy I have ever seen;

He is the world most adorable boy;

His vivacious, expressive black eyes will behold our senses,

His innocent smile will make one insane,

These were the comments Rukmini heard about Nandha.  His complexion was dark, with dove-like eyes, chubby checks with dimple, rosy lips-which arouse senses of his admirers. Hearing Nandha's virtues, which on entering through her ears, generated bliss in her whole being. Rukmini fell in love with this dynamic personality. Her love was true. 

Nandha was her distant relative, whom she had never met in person, she had heard of him through her relatives, so who ever visits her home, she used to enquire about every detail of Nandha.  If they happen to tell Nandha is learning music, immediately she will start learning music, like this she mastered in music, dance, literature, and various skills. She wanted to copy and match Nandha in all the ways, so when time comes she can present herself to him as an equal match. But there was a problem!

Rukmini was far more beautiful and kind hearted than Nandha. She had a milky white complexion!

How much ever she tried she was not succeeding in loosing her color!

Years went by, but Rukmini didn't reveal her interest on Nandha to anyone. Rukmini's father had matched an alliance for her and to her dismay fixed the date of engagement.

Rukmini built up her courage and told her father the truth. But he was not interested in his daughter’s wish.  How can she love a person without even seeing or speaking or being with? It was a mystery for him. Only Rukmini understood this phenomenon; for her it just happened!  She couldn't explain to her father's questions of when? Why? And how?

Her love towards Nandha was like a breath, it existed, and it was in-born. She was not able to identify herself without this emotion. She was that love - her personality, her outlook, her in and out was governed by her love towards Nandha. When people pointed out her mistake/ foolishness, she was unable to understand that. No one understood Rukmini and neglected her interests saying it was childishness, and not practical. Rukmini was left alone with her pain. She doesn't know how to make her parents and relative understand her love and devotion. Slowly she lost herself in misery and pain. The marriage was scheduled next week and she thought of committing suicide. But her wisdom and love prohibited her and gave her courage to find a solution to the problem

She taught first she should know what Nandha thought about her that is what it all matters. But, how to inform him about her love? This was a big question. Even after informing, will he accept her? This was another question. The question of acceptance was immediately ruled out by her, because she had confidence that her true and unconditional love will win Nandha's kind heart.

Rukmini's friend came out with a plan that she can send Nandha a letter addressing her love and explaining the situation, and then they can pin it along with her wedding invitation and send to him, by this they can escape Rukmini's  parents’ screening.

The next immediate problem of Rukmini was drafting the letter to Nandha. She taught and taught, ruled and scratched, tore and re-wrote again and again. She didn't want to address Nandha as 'Dear', because it was so common, and their relationship was not beyond that. She ruled out addressing him by name, because it was against culture! 'Hi' was not that respectful. Beloved seems to be misgiving, because he doesn’t know anything about her. 'Sir' was formal, 'Dear love' was normal.

Finally she drafted as;

BHUVANASUNDHARA,

(It means most handsome person on this world, which was true to her)

I am Rukmini, born for marring you, as a daughter to Bhishmaka in the province of Vidharabha desam. M y love towards you is unexplainable, I have not seen you, nor talked to you, but I fell in love with you by hearing about you through our relatives.  I am not even sure whether you are aware of my existence, but my destiny is our union. You have entered into my whole being, over- coming my bashfulness, I am asking you to come and accept me. I am in deep love with you with you and will not breathe if my marriage happens with anybody else other than you. I tried hard to convince my parents by expressing my interest on you, but they don't understand the reality and fantasy.

 My marriage is scheduled on Monday. On Friday, along with my family and friends I will be visiting MA-Gowri temple for Gowri puja in the city. I find it as an appropriate place to me you. Please do come to my rescue and accept me as your bride.

Yours

Rukmini

 Wednesday...

            Thursday...

                        Friday...

                                    No response from Nandha, Rukmini was doubtful whether her letter reached him or not! She was angry on herself for foolishly accepting the idea of her dumb friend. And now she is running short of time, and there is nothing to do much. But her heart which was Nandha's told her “He will come”.  Friday evening Gowri puja too got over, but there was no shadow of Nandha, Rukmini planned and equipped her self for suicide.

Then like a thunderstorm a vehicle came, the person riding was as beautiful as Nandha, but Rukmini knew it was not her Nandha!  When she raised her head to see who is behind the driver, her purpose of birth was attained; at last she had the vision of her bhuvanasundhara. She fainted!

Even though she had faith in her love, she was a girl, when she met the reality, she couldn't stand, to digest the truth, she was overwhelmed by Nandha's love towards her.

His vision and the thought, that he had come for her, was more than enough. All her wishes were fulfilled; she couldn't stand the ecstasy and fainted!

Nandha had come all the way to acknowledge her love. She couldn't stand the reciprocation of love, so she fainted!

Why Nandha had come all the way to acknowledge her love? What was she for him? For this dynamic personality, wealth and fame, he could have married any one, why me? At least I have heard about him from his childhood to youth, what does he know about me? Has he come all the way just by reading my letter?  All these puzzles and the anxiousness to know what Nandha thought about her brought her back to consciousness.  When she opened her eyes, she was in Nandha's lap, resting in his bed at his home!

 Rukmini wanted to capture this moment for eternity and stared at Nandha without even blinking her eyes. She couldn’t succeed, because he smiled at her.  They got married and happily lived for each other.

But still now Rukmini ponders over the fact, how Nandha came for her? May be like Rukmini, Nandha is born for her. He need not want the letter to understand her. Their hearts belong to each other, it knows!