SUN STILL SHINES BEYOND THE CLOUDS

        Sanjeev brought out a post card sized photograph for the 11th time. Divya was a BE graduate with large eyes, long lashes, sharp nose, thin lips, round cheeks with a shallow dimple. His uncle in Bangalore knew her family and had recommended her.

“Whose photo’s that?”, peeped in Manoj, who was always inquisitive about everything. “Hey show that”, he insisted, wanting to know more , having got only a glimpse .

Sanjeev extended the snap. Manoj was his workmate. He raised an eyebrow as if to ask, ‘What’s all his about?’

“I’m going to see her this Sunday”, Sanjeev replied.

“So getting married!”, he observed.

“Yes , everyone must at some point, no?” was his opinion.

Manoj looked at the girl; she was good looking.

“She looks ok, but don’t know how she’d be in person”, he commented. “Where does she stay?”

“5th Cross St in Sudarshan Avenue”.

Manoj, along with his parents visited Divya’s house on Friday for the girl-seeing event.

“I like the girl”, Manoj gave his opinion instantly. “What has she to say?”he wanted an answer immediately.

Mr. Moorti, Divya’s father had been informed of Sanjeev’s visit the following Sunday.

“We’ll inform you soon after a talk with my daughter”, Mr. Moorti convinced Manoj.

Sanjeev , his parents and his uncle and aunt turned up on Sunday.

“What will you have?” Mr.Moorti asked the party .

“Coffee ofcourse, that’s the formality”, Sanjeev’s uncle, Mr.Abhinay answered.

Divya brought a tray that handled 5 sets of coffee.

“Can I get something cool?” Sanjeev asked her as she came to him.

“Yes , why not”, answered Mr. Moorti.

Sanjeev wanted to see what she would bring.

Divya brought a glass of iced orange squash.

“Can I get a straw?”his demand again.

Divya went in and returned with a straw on a plate.

“Thanks”, he sucked a mouthful. “I need a little more sugar.

Divya brought sugar and added to the drink. He looked at her and waited. She stirred the drink.

“”You think it should be enough or shall I get a fresh drink?”She asked .

“No need for a fresh glass, ….check it yourself”, he said. She poured a small quantity into her mouth .

“What do you feel?”he asked.

“I usually don’t take so much sugar”, she answered.

“My taste is such…only for soft drinks, for coffee and tea I take much less sweetness”.

She looked at him, said nothing, retreated to the inner room.

Sanjeev’s uncle and parents exchanged glances understandingly.

The talk then was mostly on usual procedures. Sanjeev kept glancing at the doorway through which the girl disappeared and once caught her peering into the hall where they sat; she retracted her head at once.

Mr. and Mrs Moorti were satisfied and agreed to make Sanjeev their son in law.

“What do you have to say?”, her father asked her.

“As you say Pa”, was Divya’s answer.

“Can I take her out for a few hours,uncle?”, Sanjeev phoned 3 days later.

“Yes , you may , if Divya does not object”, Mr. Moorti replied.

“I’m taking you out this Friday, be ready at 6.30 in the evening, I’ve talked to your father”, it was Sanjeev to Divya.

“But my office closes only at 6. I can’t be ready in 30 mins… ok I’ll try”, she hung up; he would probably take her to some restaurant she thought.

He arrived at 6.30 sharp. She had just come 15 mins ago. She did a hurried washup; made a quick plait; as she bent the nail in the dressing table pulled her hair; she swore , combed back and put a clip , it never the less did not give a neat finish. She quickly dabbed powder, snatched her hand bag and went to him.

“Do we have time for coffee here?” she asked Sanjeev.

“You just come out”, his voice carried a tinge of sternness. He looked at his watch. 6. 35, then at her.

“Sorry”, she apologized . He ran his eyes on her, saw the puckered hair pinned at the back and patchy powder on her face.

“Don’t you have a mirror in your house?”,

“Sorry, I was in a hurry”.

He pulled out his kerchief , wiped the excess powder and smoothened it out. She gasped.

Mr. Moorti came hurrying to see why they had not yet started.

“Just starting, uncle, no problem”, he gave a grin.

Mr.Moorti waved to them, his eyes lingered on his daughter.

“Don’t worry uncle, I’ll bring her back safe”, he grinned raising a brow.

He started the car. “Where’re we going ?”, she asked.

“Watch”, was all he said. She began to feel uneasy at his sharpness. He observed it.

On the way he bought an arm-length jasmine stringed together and gave it to her.

“It’s for you”, he said. “Want me to help?” “, he asked , when she held it in her hand not knowing what to do.

Further up he slowed down near a temple, closed his eyes momentarily,touched his forehead and chest in obeisance. She sat still. He drove for 10 mins.

“Hungry?”he turned to her.

“Eh, no”, she lied.

“Your face speaks of your appetite”, he drove towards a restaurant.

“1 upma, 2 veg-cutlets, 2 tea, one with less sugar”, he ordered. He ate in silence, eyeing her now and then if she felt alright.

By now she began to feel queer, unable to judge him right away.

He drove on. “How long have you been working?”

“1 yr and few months”.

“2 months.. 3.. 5 .. 8?”

“4 months”.

Hm, 1 yr and 4 months”.

“Yes”.

He drove without speaking further; halted at a woody place, got out .”Nice place , silent and aloof, …..nice on a full moon night”, he said coming to her side. “Want to come out ? It’s full moon tonight,… I love it”.

She felt uneasy. “Let’s go home”.

“Wait”.

“Let’s go home”.

“Yes we’re going home”, he got into his seat.

“To my house”.

“Yes, to your house”, his voice louder than before.

He parked the car opposite her house, it being one way. He led her across the road holding her hand and released it as soon as they were on the other side.

“Good night uncle”, he smiled at Mr.Moorti and left.

“Ma, he is very bossy, I think Manoj, who came on Friday is much better”, she complained.

Mr. Moorti spoke to Mr. Abhinay in Bangalore.

“Sanjeev’s a good boy, responsible and takes care of those under his care. There shouldn’t be any complaint about him as far as I know him. Your daughter is lucky to marry him”, he spoke.

Mr. Moorti thought he should consider and give some more time . He thought a lot and came to a conclusion. He spoke to his daughter, “Abhinay’s a good friend of mine; he can’t delude me. Sanjeev’ll be alright after the marriage, I feel”.

“Ok pa, as you say”, she consented.

Manoj brought a little object in the name of presentation, exhibiting his displeasure.

“Sanjeev, we are men. We shouldn’t drool after women. They should long for our love for weeks, months, before we give them. There’s a kick in itself,” Manoj spoke into Sanjeev’s ear while he posed for a group photo, intending to poison his mind.

“My friends have made decent presentations, let’s see yours”, Divya said with pride….playfully. Many of his presents were same as of Divya’s, some were comical.

“That’s ok, they gave what they could afford”, she expressed her view, but Sanjeev did not take it as her opinion..he felt she was trying to pull him down. He remained silent, piled away the gifts and went out without informing. When he arrived past midnight she was asleep. He left early again before she woke up the next morning. She looked for him; his parents gave varied answers when asked about his whereabouts.

He returned in the evening. “Where did you go? I looked for you, you did not answer my calls either”,she was exasperated.

“Don’t look for me or wait for me? I Have plenty of work”, that was not a friendly answer.

She half wondered if there was a mistake in their marriage.

Before long she found out Sanjeev had cancelled his leave and had joined duty. Having no work at home she too joined duty. Invariably he left before she was up, returned late in the evening and would go straight to his bed. About his dinner, he said he ate at his friend’s birthday party, acquaintance’s marriage, relative’s home or in a restaurant, just on the way home. Her attempts to make him consume home-cooked food was futile so she cooked just for herself.

One day she did put forth her apprehension, “Are you angry with me?...You don’t like me?”

“No”, Sanjeev resumed reading the news paper.

“You want me to go to my parents?”

“Do what pleases you “, he spoke without looking up from his paper.

“I thought you were going to your parents!” he asked, surprised to find her at home.

“I know you want me gone. I too wish to put an end to my life. But if I did so soon there would be an inquest and it’d be dubbed as dowry death. I don’t want uncle, aunt and you to face such harassment…. I’ll try not to intervene in your work or your affair…but if you need my help , I’d be glad to do it…for you”, she concluded.

He laughed. He noticed her face droop.

6 months elapsed. There was no improvement in their relation.

Sanjeev was working with his co-workers on a new project..an important one.

5pm. “Sanjeev , I’ve to go; I promised to take my family out today..it’s my wife’s birthday..please friend! I’ll do my share of work tomorrow, but I’ve to leave early today”, Raj Kumar, a coworker, implored.

“Ok, have a good time”, Sanjeev wished him.

As he was scaling his work, Sanjeev remembered what Divya told him 2 weeks ago, ‘If I die now there’d be an inquest as dowry death….’

He chewed his pen, began to feel vaguely uncomfortable. 'Did my ego overdo?'he asked himself.

He reached home at 6.30 . Divya had not arrived ; he phoned , her cell was switched off.

He rang up to her office at 8. The peon answered, “Mam left at 6.15 sab”.

Divya did not show any haste to reach her house ; she used the bus to spend more time outside.

She found him in the hall watching tv and was surprised to see him so early but did not speak to him.

“Divya!’, it was a hushed up voice. Her ears pricked , she presumed it was her hallucination and resumed her work.

“Divya..”it was louder this time. She turned. He stood there. “Can you make some tea for me?”

“Now? It’s time for dinner!..Ok I’ll make”, she went into the kitchen.

“Are you not well?”she hid her anxiety, handing him the tea.

“No”, he said rubbing his forehead.

“Headache?” she walked hastily and came back with analgesic and water. He took it and placed it on the table.

She walked away leaving him to himself as he often wanted.

She woke up at the sudden spurt of sound .. it was from the hall; he was still watching tv.

“It’s 1.30. It’s not good to keep awake so late!”, she suggested.

“Can’t sleep, Took tea late ..so..”, flat voice.

She came with sleeping tablet and water. “Take this, you’ll be asleep in ½ an hr! It’ll help”. He looked at her. She turned her eyes away.

So she had frequent headaches and sleepless nights that she equipped herself with a good stock of pain killers and sleeping tablets!

1 hr later the lights were still on ; she heard him pacing up and down the hall. She worried something was disturbing him , the cause could be herself, something in the office, health of his parents or may be, he was having some affair with someone.

Next morning he did not leave early as before..

“There’s toast, tomato chutney and omelet , if you’re staying home”, she informed before leaving for work.

“Sir phoned, madam.. he asked if you are in the office, he phoned at 8, I said madam left at 6 .15”, peon informed her.

She went home at 8.45.

Sanjeev was at home. “What’s your office time?”he asked.

“9 to 6”.

“Don’t stay out so late”.

Was he suspecting her, she doubted.

“Want tea?”she asked.

“It’s 9. Too late for tea”.. She wondered if he wanted dinner but was reluctant to ask him.

He sat at the dining table, “Do you want me to order dinner?” he asked.

“No, I had rice.. you order for yourself if you want or I will make toasts and omelet”.

“No rice?”

“No, I cooked only for myself… you don’t like my cooking”.

“Your tomato chutney was nice this morning”, he remarked expecting her to brighten up.

“Chappati and potatoes will be alright for now?”

“Ok”,

“I want breakfast tomorrow, can you?”, he asked her as she moved to her room…. “and dinner also, please”. She thought she saw a slight smile round the corner of his mouth.

Both finished breakfast together.

‘I’ll drop you in your office”, he suggested.

“No.., I’ll manage “, she tried her best to evade him.

“Come “, he said. She blinked uneasily.

“You hear? Get in…”, he talked with a frown but his voice was soft.

He waited in the evening. She walked on the pavement , past him. He whistled. She turned to look .

“I’ll go by myself,, no problem..I have to do some shopping at the terminus”, she gave an excuse.

He simply held her hand, led her across the road to his car. She thought she saw a faint smile at the corner of his lips. She looked away. None spoke during the drive.

Sanjeev stopped for a drink. He finished his juice quickly, she sat fiddling with hers. He poured half of her drink into his glass.

“I don’t like food stuff being wasted “,he said , again she saw a faint smile on his mouth.

“I’ll take a bus from here”, she insisted.

“You don’t want to shop?”, he asked as she tried to walk away.”

“Divya!” he called,in a reflex she stepped into the car. He noticed she used her hanky frequently on her eyes and her neck was turned to 90 degree till they reached their house.

“Divya!’ he called suddenly. She had not expected this call, she met his look. He noticed her flooded eyes. She turned quickly away, ashamed that she could not hide her emotion.

“What did you want to buy?”his voice was barely above whisper.

“WAIT”, he held her from moving forward just as a van whizzed past them.

“He would have run over you , you mutt!”, his eyes widened for a brief moment, he shuddered at the thought.

“So what! Why did you stop me?” she asked angrily. “It was a nice chance. It can’t be dubbed as dowry death. It’ll be called only an accident,”, she spoke in suppressed anger.

He was still holding her hand ; “What’re you talking?”,his grip on her hand tightened. She quickly released her hand and was soon off to the other side of the road scarcely missing another hit by a 2-wheeler. Sanjeev stood stunned.

15 mins later he phoned, she did not answer expecting him to close after sometime. The cell continued to ring. Few heads turned towards her. She clicked open the cell.

“Divya, are you alright?”

“Yes”.

There was a long silence, then he cut the call.

At 5 he rang again.

“Divya, stay in your office , I’m coming to pick you up”.

“No need , I’ll manage”.

“Divya, I’m coming, wait in your room”.

Sanjeev was there at 6 sharp, his hair in disarray.

She met his eyes for a brief second; they were soft. He continued to look at her.

“Let’s go if your work is over”, he said.

“No, I’ve work to last for1 hr; please go, I’ll take my time”, she said.

“Take your time ..I’ll wait….They’ll allow me to wait here , no?”he added.

She swallowed..looked at him once again; soft look, she missed a beat. She wanted to push back his hair.

She gave another look. He was still looking at her. She missed another beat.

She fumbled with papers, faking work, but could not continue the drama.

“I’ll complete it tomorrow”, she said rising. He looked into her eyes. She missed a beat one more time.

“Then can we move ?”he spoke softly

“Yes”, she breathed. He lifted her lunch-bag , they moved together down the stairs.

“Divya”, his voice. She turned to him. He drove on. “I’m sorry”, he spoke.

“Why?”

“I was very tough with you all these days”. She remained silent. He stopped the car by the roadside. She was still. He heaved a sigh. She looked away quickly, dabbed her kerchief into her eyes hurriedly, repeated it several times.

“Divya”.

She gave him a quick look and looked away just as quickly, not wanting him to know her emotions. He did not miss to notice her tear-flooded eyes. He clutched at the steering wheel and accidentally hit the horn button that did its job. Both jumped at the sudden blare. He began driving towards his home.

He stood watching out from his balcony . She extended the cup of tea.

“Just tea ? nothing else?”he demanded, his tone held a strange texture.

“You want some snack?”

He looked into her eyes, said nothing yet his face carried some mischief...

“Don’t…Don’t make me weak”, she mumbled.

“What?”he asked.

“Nothing”, her reply. She went in. He followed her.

“What did you say in the balcony?”

“Nothing”.

“Nothing has only 7 letters. I heard 5 words”, he came close.

“I said , don’t make me weak”.

“That’s still 4 words ..I heard 5”. He was looking at her, the mischief in his face intensified ...

She swallowed. He came closer. She closed her eyes. She felt his strong arms go round her and his lips touch every inch of her face. “ I should have done this on the eve of our wedding…I'm sorry....but I can compensate for all the lapses, you know! ...Shall I?” he spoke caressing her. 

She opened her eyes, found his eyes passionately looking into hers.

“Don’t.. It’s weakening me.. I …can’t stop…….. loving you”, she muttered.

"Then what I should do with my wife you think?", he asked, pressing his forehead against hers, his arms still  encircling her.She made no attempt to free herself, feeling sure he  felt her heart-beat just as she was feeling his.

" I know my wife wants me", he uttered , "......and I know I'm not wrong", it tapered into a whisper . He was irresistible....

…Concluded.