Divine Puppets 3

DISCLAIMER:  Some readers may find this post absolutely unnecessary or maybe even foolish. My sincere apologies to them for wasting their precious time.

For the rest, especially those who had read and enjoyed the prequel(s), here I go...

Hello friends,

Stern. Laconic. Disapproving. Bad tempered.

This is He’s image of She’s dad. He had never met him...ohh c’mon...why would he want to meet him...the man who conjured images of Amrish Puri of DDLJ ? He was the last person He would like to go and meet. Ha ha !!!

Its a pleasant evening in Summer 2009. He and She had spent another blissful evening together. They have just come back from Bhopal’s Bada Talaab. Its time to depart. What an evening it had been. They had watched herons wade in the great lake, talked about the dwindling water levels, and had sang songs while riding the scooter back home. Earlier, that evening, he had also said, “ Hey ! Imagine what would happen if your Dad sees us together !! ” She laughed and said, “ Don’t even say that !!”

The sun had set and it was getting dark. He had dropped her home. Oops, not home. Some distance away from home, from where, she would walk her way home. With a heavy heart, they bid just bid each other goodbye, when suddenly a figure appears out of the darkness. The thing had a petrifying effect on both of them. Their faces turned white. It wasn’t a ghost. It wasn’t some dangerous animal either.   IT WAS DAD.

Getting back to his senses, and with great effort, He could collect only the following words: “Namaste uncle....” Dad nodded his head. Even dad was equally surprised. But, he hid his surprise, and instead looked more angry and disgusted. What happened next is not known clearly, primarily because He’s senses had failed to log on any data after that point.

He returns home. She returns home with Dad.

Late that night, He receives a message from Her :  “You’ll have to come to my place tomorrow. My dad wants to meet you. I have told him that you wanted to come to my house, that’s why you were spotted in my neighbourhood. Please, you have to do this.....please.”

Dilemma. He doesn’t know what to do. If he goes to her home tomorrow, in the best case, he might be reprimanded by a person whom he fears so much. If He doesn’t, he’d be putting down the earnest request that his best friend had made to him.

Finally, He decides to go for it.

Next day, he went to the temple, before setting off for Her house. “God, protect me”, he had prayed to Lord Hanuman. He finally reached Her house. She was waiting for Him downstairs. He parked his scooter. He didn’t smile. He didn’t even say “Hi”. He just said, “ Lo...I’ve come. Where’s your dad?”  She burst out, “Have you come to meet me, or my dad? Can’t a friend simply visit a friend’s home?”  That did it. He was suddenly feeling a lot better, confident in fact. He entered her house and sat down on the sofa. She grinned and said, “Relax!! You can recline your back on the sofa. You’re sitting in attention posture!!” In the moments that came, He eased out a bit. He asked curiously, “ But, where’s dad?”

“ He is bathing. He’ll be here shortly.”

“ Ohh !! Ha ha !! He’s washing himself now. Then he’ll be washing me..huh!!”

After a few minutes, Dad walks into the room. Boom Boom..wooosh !! All circuits – fused. Again ! The brain is blank again. There’s this ominous silence. He doesn’t know what to say...or how to react. Somehow he utters the silly words, “Hello Uncle. I am Anirban. I was the one who was found at the corner of your street with your daughter yesterday...” 

“ Hmmm.....what’s this thing” , Dad said, pointing to He’s beard.

“ Uncle....its my style....”. Then He instantly realized that it was inappropriate answer.

“ Hmmm....ok...well, you two carry on. Tulika....I’m in my study. And have you offered him snacks ??”

Dad exits.

Later that evening, while leaving, He and Dad had a small conversation. A friendly one. Dad had asked him about his college, studies, academic projects, and life in general. All this while, She had been standing behind Her father, with a sweet (and victorious) smile on her face.

“All the best, son.  Do visit again. Good night”

PS: Glory to Lord Hanuman !!!

PPS: (Bhimbetika, Summer 2009) “I had to come.....How could I put you in a false position at home?”