A Love-ly Night..

(This is the last part of the short story series. I would like to thank my friend, Tarun Bansal for providing me the plot for this part. Please read the 1st, 2nd and the 3rd part also)

Part 1 - Lonely Night

Part 2 - The Accident

Part 3 - The Siamese

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“Remember me?” spoke Janavi’s lover.

Anusha recovered from her mini shock and replied “Ya.. I am good. How come here?”

Janavi’s lover looked at Janavi and spoke “I came to see my sweetheart!!”

Anusha could see her sister’s eyes light up. She gently moved forward asking her sister to come out and closed the door.

Janavi’s lover was a little surprised and spoke “Are you going somewhere?”

“Ya.. My husband has met with an accident.. Both of us are going to meet him in the hospital”

Janavi’s lover became little concerned. “Can I come with you?”

Anusha looked at Janavi. She could see her sister’s eyes pleading for the permission to take her guy along with them.

She smiled at her sister and turned to Janavi’s lover “Ya.. You can come”


“She is back..Your wife” the nurse spoke as she exited from room 302. “Don’t try too hard with that.. be careful”

Anusha asked her sister and her lover to stand outside the room. Anusha entered the room and was pleasently surprised to see her husband standing up on a crutch. He is getting better now.. I hope he is not much shocked to see Janavi..

“Come in Janavi..” spoke Anusha. As Janavi entered the room, Rajeev looked at her and screamed “Ya..Yamini..” and fell to the floor. Anusha quickly grabbed him and balanced his hand on her shoulder.

Janavi’s lover came into the room hearing the noise. Rajeev looked at him and his face went pale. He passed out!!

“Move away everyone” ordered the nurse as she checked his pulse and sprinkled some water on the patient’s face. “Low on energy.. ” she declared. The nurse looked at Anusha and advised her “Give him some good food and water. He will be alright”

Anusha nodded her head. Rajeev looked around. He still could not believe his eyes.

As soon as the nurse left the room, Anusha went near her husband spoke gently to him. “She is Yamini’s twin sister. She is my sister too. You did not see her during our marriage”

Rajeev was more interested in Janavi lover. Why is he surprised to see her lover? thought Anusha.

“Machi.. How are you da?” spoke Janavi’s lover to Rajeev.

“Where were you so long? No calls.. No mails..” replied Rajeev.

Anusha was totally confused. “Do you guys know each other?”

“He is my best friend.. Vignesh”

Anusha and Janavi were shocked!! What a coincidence..

“How come you both together?”

“That’s a very long story.. You get well.. I will tell you later.”


The next day Rajeev got discharged and Anusha, Janavi and Vignesh accompanied him to their home. They all sat together in the main hall. Rajeev was still confused and wanted to hear the full story from Vignesh.

As they sat on the sofa.. Rajeev could not take his eyes off Janavi. It’s like Yamani sitting alive in front of me.. I loved her so much.. his thoughts recollected to the last few minutes of that horrible accident. He closed his eyes and lay back.

“Coffee..” his thoughts were interrupted by Anusha’s voice. As he took the cup of coffee from Anusha, Vignesh spoke “You ok machi?”

“I am ok da.. Where were you machi? What happened to you after college?”

“You remember that after Yamani’s death all of us were shocked. None of us could come back to our normal life. Then both of us somehow got through our campus interviews.”

“Ya da.. I remember you got into IBM..”

“Ya..” Vigensh sipped his coffee as Anusha and Janavi intently listened to their conversation. “After college, I went to my hometown..”

“Kalladai Kurcuhi” Rajeev interrupted.

“Yep. As I enjoyed there, roaming around the city with my friend, I saw her” Vignesh looked at Janavi.

“When I first saw her, I was shocked. I just could not believe that Yamani was walking alive right in front of my eyes. I was too shocked to speak with her.”

Rajeev sat there trying to absorb every word of this conversation.

“I then searched for a week and found her name and address. I was about to call you when I found out that she was not Yamani, but her twin sister Janavi. The more I started following her the more I started liking her.”

Janavi blushed a little.

“She would stay indoors mostly and I had absolutely no chance of meeting her expect on the way to her college. One day it so happened that I entered her college in a rush of adrenaline. There was a major reshuffle in their classes as there had been some strike in that college some days back. I quickly went into her class pretending to be a student.”

Anusha could scarcely believe that. She didn’t know this. “So you stayed the whole day in the college?”

“No. I would be there for first 2 classes and then would come out by jumping the wall. I was in there for only a week before I gave the love letter to Janavi.”

Janavi started blushing a lot more. Anusha also felt a tinge of blush. I wish I had such a love story.. wished Anusha.

“Then suddenly Anusha called me that evening and everything happened so fast that I was in no control of the situation.”

“What happened?” questioned Rajeev ignorant of the incidents which followed later.

Anusha quickly filled him with all information regarding the failed love incident. Rajeev got shocked on hearing that.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” spoke Rajeev angrily to Vignesh.

Not one more time in my love life da.. thought Vignesh. “Illa machi, you were down and hurt. So I didn’t want to disturb you”

Rajeev just nodded his head. In that situation he had been he would not even have attended Vignesh’s call.

“How come you married so soon?” spoke Vignesh.

“My grandmother was unwell. My mother who knew about the whole story arranged for a life partner for me thinking that it would be good for me. She forced me to marry. But I still don’t know who told my mother all the incidents about Yamini.”

Vignesh felt a tint of guilt strike his heart. He had told Rajeev’s mother everything thinking that his mother’s love and affection would help get over his problem but he least expected it to result in his marriage.

As they all sat in the hall in silence, everybody felt destiny striking them in their face. They were all amazed to see how one person had brought all of them together.

“We are going to Kalladai kuruchi today..” Vignesh spoke breaking the silence that had enveloped the room.

Anusha turned towards Janavi and questioned “What about your job?”

Janavi just smiled at her. Anusha understood that it was a lie.

“She came here to give you the green diary and to see you. She realized you could have some problems after reading the diary. I got her number after she left from Chennai. So I took the next train to your place.” clarified Vignesh.

I wish my husband could do something like that..

Rajeev spoke up “What diary?”

“It’s Yamini’s diary” replied Anusha looking at the diary on the table.

“Get me that..” ordered Rajeev. Anusha gave him the diary.

“How did you get this?” Rajeev questioned Janavi.

“I was staying at my uncle’s place where Yamani had grown up and so I happened to read it one day”

Rajeev nodded his head and started reading through it. He was startled to see so many references about him. He quickly came to the last page.

“Tomorrow is my biggest day. Rajeev had apologized to me a week ago. I am not angry with him now will I ever be. I will be meeting him at the Spencer at 10am tomorrow. I have asked Vignesh to bring him there somehow so that we both can shock him. Rajeev is not a big part of my life.. HE IS MY LIFE.. I love him..”

Rajeev saw a big heart symbol next to it. A tear fell from his eyes onto the diary. He had got his answers as to why Yamini loved him so much. Rajeev clutched the book close to his heart and closed his eyes.

Vignesh spoke up “Our train leaves at 7 pm”.

Rajeev hastily came back into reality, “That’s 6 hours from now..What will you tell your and Janavi’s parents?”

“I will handle them” Vignesh spoke confidently.

Quite brave.. thought Rajeev.

“Can I go to the station?” Anusha requested Rajeev.

“Yeah. I have to catch up with some sleep also.” Rajeev was still amazed to see Janavi. He felt as if he was sitting with Yamini.


Soon the three of them left to the station. After all the luggage had been loaded, Vignesh left the two sisters alone and went to get some bottles of water.

“Forgive me for everything..” Anusha cried as she hugged Janavi.

“Akka.. I knew you were jealous of me..” Anusha was shocked to hear this.

Janavi quickly continued.. “You are my first and only sister. I trust you more than anybody else. Your decisions have always been correct in my life. I will miss you so much akka..”

Vignesh came back clutching two bottles of Bisleri water and saw the sisters hugging and crying. Soon they all heard the train horn and Anusha quickly got down to the platform. A few minutes later she waved off to her sister and her husband’s best friend.


“Super food!!” exclaimed Rajeev. “More payasam for me..” he ordered to the cooks.

“Eat less.. You have become so fat..” spoke Anusha as she teased him for his growing waistline.

“Let sir eat everything he wishes madam” spoke the cook.

She is so beautiful in the silk saree.. thought Rajeev looking at his wife.

“Eat fast.. the marriage will be over by the time you eat” spoke Anusha’s mom sitting next to them. It was three months since Vignesh and Janavi left Rajeev’s home. After a lot of struggle they managed to convince their parents to agree for their marriage.

Rajeev and Anusha finished their breakfast as quickly as possible and headed to the marriage hall. They could see Vignesh and Janavi beautifully dressed, sitting in the marriage pedestal. A thick smoke emanating from the pooja kundali hung through the air.

Rajeev took some pictures from his digital camera. Needless to say, he took many pictures of his wife.

As the priest spoke the sacred verses.. Mangalyam thantunaena.. Vignesh tied the sacred thread around Janavi’s neck as everybody in the crowd showered them with flowers and blessings.

Then it was time for the family picture.

Rajeev stood next the groom and everyone in the family huddled together. As the photographer completed his shot everybody turned around to leave, when Rajeev whispered into Vignesh’s ears. “So what number is she?”

Vignesh was stunned! He is going to destroy my life again..

“Just kidding da.. Whatever is her number.. she is forever yours.. Take care of her..” Rajeev hugged Vignesh as he congratulated him. Vignesh smiled at him and thanked him.


It was dinner time and Rajeev and Anusha sat in a corner of the marriage hall talking with each other. Just then two kids came running up to them. Rajeev lifted the small girl while Anusha lifted the cute little boy.

“What is your name?” questioned Anusha looking at the boy.

“Ram..”

“And yours?” Rajeev looked at the girl.

“Anusha..”

Rajeev hugged the girl after hearing that name and looked at the small girl and spoke “You know what.. I loooooove Anusha a lot..”

Suddenly both the children wriggled out of Rajeev and Anusha’s hands and ran.

“Wait..” Anusha ran behind them.

Rajeev watched everything with amusement. About half an hour later, on not seeing Anusha anywhere, he called the small girl and asked her about his wife. The small girl pointed to the terrace. Rajeev climbed the stairs quickly to see his wife standing and watching the moon.

He gently hugged her from the back. He could hear her crying. He turned her around and looked into the teary eyes.

“You still love her right?”

Rajeev understood the problem. “I loved her before I saw you. If I had seen you I would have proposed to you directly..” Rajeev replied as he tried to hug Anusha.

“Don’t lie..” Anusha gently pushed him away.

“See.. love is not about our feelings.. That happens only in story books and movies. True love is when you find somebody who reciprocates your love.. I have found you and I truly love you..”

Anusha hugged her husband for she had found her true love and so had Rajeev. The moonlight shone brightly, blessing them for a happy married life.

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The Siamese.. (Part 3)

(This is the third part of the short story series. Please read the 1st and 2nd part also)

Part 1 - Lonely Night

Part 2 - the Accident

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This is not true.. Anusha stood up shaking her head. She dropped into the bed and started thinking. How come.. my sis.. I don’t believe this..

Slowly she closed her eyes and began thinking. Suddenly the thought.. the realization hit her. She opened her eyes and saw the photo. Could it be Yamini? I guess it is her.. but.. Rajeev..

She got confused again. Finally she understood the whole story. She had seen too many movies not to understand the plot. She took the photo and gently ran her fingers on it. Her eyes swelled up thinking about Yamini. She could still remember the loud wails of Yamini’s mother and father when she had gone to their home to attend her funeral.

In the silent walls of her bedroom, she could distantly hear her mom’s voice call out Anusha. That’s was about fifteen years ago.

“You care about your two adopted daughters, not me” complained Anusha.

“Who is there for these two girls except for us? Don’t get jealous ma” consoled her mom.

“Come her both of you” beckoned her mom to both the girls.

“You two girls are the most beautiful twins in the world”

“Ya akka.. Both Janavi and Yamini are so beautiful. I would have never got such a beautiful girl if not for you” spoke Anusha’s uncle.

“It’s all god’s grace” replied Anusha’s mother.


Anusha could still remember the day when her adopted sister came home. She had heard that bad times come in double packages but that was the first time she felt that.

“Why did you bring her home?” questioned Anusha.

“I and your uncle went to this orphanage. We liked a girl so much. We wanted to get that girl for your uncle when her twin came up to me and called me amma” tears flowed in Malathi’s eyes. She continued “I just could not do anything but bring her home. So we decided that Yamini will stay at your uncle’s home in Chennai and Janavi will stay with us”

Anusha had started hating Janavi a lot and now she had to deal with the double trouble whenever Yamini visited her home also.

Anusha could still remember her Chennai trip five years ago. She had hated to meet her sister’s twin. But unlike what she thought Yamini was such a nice well-behaved girl, but she was a little stubborn though.

Trriinng.. Trriinng.. Anusha’s thoughts were disturbed by a call. She looked up her mobile. It was Janavi calling her. She hesitated for a second. She finally picked up the call.

“Hello akka.. How are you?”

“I am good da.. How are you?”

“I am fine akka.. One good news.. I have got a job and I am coming to Gurgaon in two days”

“What.. When.. “ stammered Anusha.

“What happened akka? Any problem”

“No no..” Anusha spoke as she steadied her voice. “When are you coming?”

“Two days later akka.. I actually wanted to surprise you, but finally I thought that I might as well inform you”

Bad surprise.. “That’s ok da.. Come here. I will make good food for you”

“How is your husband?”

“He is.. he is good”

“Give my regards to him. Ok akka.. I have to go..Lots of work to do before I leave.. bye..”

“Bye” Anusha suddenly realized that she had not asked about her mom and dad. She wanted to call again but then realized that she had to give Rajeev the food and the CD soon. She quickly prepared lunch and left for the hospital.


Anusha could see that Rajeev was much better today. He was still in a state of semi-consciousness. He couldn’t move his leg or his hand. The doctors had later recognized a hairline fracture in his left hand. Rajeev cried out in pain occasionally. Anusha didn’t know what to do. She wanted to help her husband but she didn’t know how he would react. The nurse came in for her periodic checkup. She cleaned up the medicines on the table and changed the sheet hanging at the end of patient bed.

“Give him a hot towel bath” instructed the nurse as she started leaving the room.

“Me?”

The nurse looked at her curiously “Yes you..”

“Could you please give that?” requested Anusha.

“Who is his wife.. You or me?”. The nurse chuckled as she left the room.

Anusha slowly went near her husband. God save me.. She kept the hot towel on his forehead and Rajeev screamed out. She got scared and jumped back. Rajeev opened his eyes. He saw his terrified wife standing the corner of the room. He gently smiled at her. He asked to come near him and took her hand gently and placed it on his forehead.

Two hours later it was lunch time. “I have never eaten such good food in the last 6 months. You learned from your mom?”

I have been making this food for the last one week.. he realizes it only now.. Anusha just nodded her head in affirmation.

“Awesome.. make more good food like this when I come home..” Rajeev spoke after Anusha had helped him eat the last morsels of his delicious lunch. She wiped off his mouth with her saree.

Rajeev suddenly looked around a little tensed up. Anusha wanted to know the cause of concern. Rajeev quite shyly spoke up “Where is the restroom?”

Anusha smiled and looked to the left of the room. She gently helped him to the restroom.

“So towel bath done?” smiled the nurse as she came into the room.

“Ya ya..” blushed Rajeev as Anusha looked on as to how life had changed so much for her in a span of few days.


The next two beautiful days passed very quickly. Anusha had never seen Rajeev speak so kindly and openly to her. He would tell her about his strange stories of adapting to the new place to which we was transferred. She kept listening patiently to everything that he spoke. He is really a nice guy..

“Actually I didn’t want to marry you”

I know everything.. Anusha raised her eyebrows pretending to not know anything.

“But I feel I have done the right thing”. Anusha could see the gratitude on Rajeev face. “And I have not told this to you before.. You are .. you are very beautiful”
Anusha blushed. She really had started liking him. “Thank you.” She was thinking on what response Rajeev would give her if she asked him about Yamani’s photo. She gathered all her courage and was about to ask him but just then Anusha’s phone rang. She saw a call from her sister’s mobile.

“Hello” spoke Anusha as she moved towards the hospital window to get a better signal. Rajeev could see Anusha speaking to her sister.

“Ok.. I will come in one hour” spoke Anusha as she finished her call. She looked at Rajeev and she could see him nod his head in affirmation. She had not even told a word to her husband but he understood everything. Speaking with eyes.. hmm..
“Janavi is here.. I will receive her at the station and come back soon. If you need anything call me”

Rajeev looked at her. A nod again..

“You will be pleased.. in fact surprised to see my sister” spoke Anusha as she closed the room door and started towards the station.


“Yes..Yes.. Note down the address..” spoke Janavi hurriedly.

Anusha waded through the crowd in the station and saw Janavi speaking with somebody on the phone.


“Janavi..” waved Anusha.

Janavi immediately cut the call and waved back. Anusha rapidly walked towards Janavi and gave her a big hug. I missed her so much. They had become very close after Janavi’s tragic incident. Anusha took one of Janavi’s bags and both of them headed for Anusha’s home.

“This is my beautiful home” Anusha proudly spoke to her sister as they entered the home.

Janavi was pleasantly surprised how beautifully decorated the home was. She sat on the sofa.

“Take a shower while I prepare your lunch” instructed Anusha.

“Ok akka.” Janavi gently rose from her chair and went up to her sister’s marriage photo which hung on the wall.. I have seen him before..

“Go and get ready fast..”

“Yes akka.. yes yes..” Janavi went to get refreshed.

After the lunch, Anusha informed Janavi that her husband had met with accident and was in hospital.

Janavi was shocked “Is he ok now?”

“Ya ya.. Nothing to worry. He will be discharged tomorrow. I have to go now to hospital.”

“Oh ok akka..”

As they started to leave, Janavi took out a big green diary and gave to Anusha.
Anusha could see that it was a very old diary and could see the words “My Diary” written on it.

“Whose is it?”

“Open and read it” motioned Janavi.

Anusha gently opened the book and could see Yamini’s name written inside. As she flipped inside she could see everything.. Everything that had happened in Yamani’s life was written inside.

There was a reference to a temple trip that they had all made together fifteen years ago and she also saw some words written about her.

“After ten years, I saw my other sister today. She was so sweet to me. I have never spoken to her before. We went to the beach and Satyam theatre together…..”

Anusha read through the whole part. She then flipped through a couple of pages more and suddenly found Rajeev photo stuck in one of the pages. She was a little shocked.
Anusha looked up at her sister. Her sister nodded her head and asked her to read on.

“It was my first day in college today. I was horrified of ragging. After our bus dropped us off in our university, I and my friend started walking fast towards our class. We didn’t want to get caught by our seniors. But unfortunately for us a small gang of seniors caught us. I was horrified and started praying. They asked us our names and asked us to sing. My friend sang but I refused. One of the seniors got very angry and walked towards me… I just kept staring at him. He kept coming towards me and I shut my eyes tightly vowing not to open it. “Macha..” I could hear a voice. I looked behind to see my senior hug a boy. He smiled at me. I smiled backed knowing that he had saved my day. I quickly rushed back to class. I could see the same guy who helped me sit behind me in class. I thanked him for his help today and he just waved his hand accepting my gratitude. A nice guy..Rajeev”

Anusha flipped through the next couple of pages. Everything that was written in the diary after that was all about Rajeev. Rajeev .. Rajeev and only rajeev..

Anusha was reading through the diary when her phone rang. She saw her husband’s number on it.

“Where are you?”

“I am just coming.. I will be there in 20 minutes”

Anusha gently placed the diary on the table and asked Janavi to come to the hospital. Janavi was a little skeptical to come but Anusha forced her.

Rajeev will get the shock of his life when he sees Janavi. But few seconds after she opened her main door to leave, she got the shock of her life to see a person standing in front of her home.

I have a seen him somewhere.. Her brain was scanning through images of all the people whom she knew. Oh ya.. It was Janavi’s lover..

CLICK HERE FOR THE NEXT PART
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The Accident.. (Part2)

(This is the second part of the short story series. Please read the 1st part also)

Part 1 - Lonely Night
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Rajeev was sweating all over following the recollection of that horrible accident. I killed her.. His thoughts ran wild.

He picked up himself and opened the fridge and drank some cold water. He could feel his heart racing fast and the throbbing headache which had troubled him all day returned back. He gulped down a couple of Anacins and lay on the sofa couch. Soon he was fast asleep.

Rajeev was woken up by the alarm on his watch. It was 6 am.. He dragged himself up and checked the bedroom. Anusha was still asleep. Rajeev remembered his telecom meeting at 8 am with the client manager. He quickly took a shower and got dressed up. He made some omelets’ and hot ginger tea. He poured the extra tea into a flask and placed it beside his sleeping wife. He gently touched her hair. He really liked her and felt guilty for not speaking much to her. He had been going through some really horrid time in his work and also in his personal life. I will take her to a movie today..

He quickly walked down the road. His office was a 20 minute walk from his home. One the way he could see some people crossing the road in a hurry. He shuddered looking at them. His thought once again went back to his past.

Rajeev was horrified to see the car crashing into Yamini. He quickly crossed the road, jumped over the divider and went close to Yamini and picked her up. There was blood splashed all over the place. He checked her heart beat.. No sound.. His heart started beating fast. He quickly gathered her in his arms and called for an auto. Yamini’s friend ran and stood beside her. He gently carried her into the auto and asked her friend to inform her mom and dad and directed the driver to go to the nearest hospital.

“Yamini..” he gently slapped her. “Hello… speak up.. Yamini..” tears started to flow out of his eyes. He had never cried in his entire life. His father had told him that it was unmanly for a man to cry. But for the first time in his life, he was crying. He wished Yamini could see him and could hear him calling out for her.

“You are alive.. I know that.. open your eyes Yamini.. Please… Please..” Rajeev started crying really badly. He felt that he was losing the battle.. the battle of death. He could see blood sputtered all over her face and blood was also oozing from the back of her head. He could see her beautiful face very pale... Please god.. SAVE HER!!


The auto reached the hospital. Rajeev quickly got down and shouted for the doctor as he entered the hospital. Immediately two nurses present there helped him and took Yamini to the ICU. Rajeev walked along with her holding her hands. “You will be alright.. Yamini.. You will be alright..”. He had to leave Yamini’s hands when she entered the ICU.

He came to front of the hospital and paid the auto driver. Everybody down there was looking at him strangely. He checked his shirt and it was completely blood stained. He went inside the rest room and tried to splash water and cleaned his shirt. He went back to the ICU. Many doctors had gathered outside ICU. He spoke to one of the them.

“How is Yamini, doctor?”

“I am extremely sorry.. She is dead..”

A thunderbolt had struck Rajeev. He slowly leaned onto the wall. He closed his eyes and tears once again started rolling down his eyes. He could hear Yamini’s parents voices. They came running in and questioned the doctor about their girl. Rajeev slowly started walking towards the nearby window. I need some fresh air.. Rajeev was nearly fainting now. As he moved towards the window, he could the loud wails of Yamini’s mother. He turned back and saw her father slowly bending down towards the floor.

With tears streaming down his eyes, he reached the window sill. I HAVE KILLED HER.. It’s all my mistake.. She is gone.. gone forever..

A shriek honk brought Rajeev back from his thoughts. Rajeev froze in the middle of the road. He could see vehicles all around him. Thinking about the past accident, he had literally stopped in the middle of the road with traffic flowing all around him. He twisted, moved and rotated to avoid all the cars and motorbikes. Suddenly he felt something hit him very hard and he went flying onto the pavement.


“Are you Rajeev Shivganesh’s wife?”

“Ya, What happened?”

“I am sorry to tell you ma’m.. Your husband has met with a small accident”

“Accident?”shouted Anusha. She was sweating completely now. He could hardly hold the phone.

“It was a small accident. Please don’t panic. Please come to Leelavati hospital immediately..”

Anusha noted down the address, changed her dress and rushed to the hospital. Her mind was rapidly thinking about what would have happened to her husband. She went to reception and asked the receptionist about her husband. On getting the information that her husband was admitted to room 302, she climbed up the stairs and immediately rushed to room.

She could see a doctor coming out of the room 302. She went to the doctor and spoke

“How is my husband?”

“He is fine. Just a minor accident. Are you his wife?”

“Yes doctor”

“Please come with me”

She followed the doctor to his office.

“Your husband is fine. A motorbike ran into him and threw him onto the pavement. He has fractured his leg. He should be fine in a week.”

Thank God. “Thank you doctor. Can I see him now?”

“Sure. But he is on sedatives now. Don’t disturb him.”

“Sure doctor..”

She went into the room. Rajeev lay on the bed with his leg bandaged and hanging from a rod. She quietly sat in the sofa beside her husband. Her heart was still
beating fast.

Please god.. Forgive me for what I have done.. Please spare my husband.. prayed Anusha.

She took her mobile from her purse and scrolled to her home number. She wanted to speak with her mom. She dialed the number.. she cut the call.. and let out a deep sigh.

She didn’t want to disturb her mom and dad. As she deposited her mobile back into her purse, a photo fell out. She picked it up. It was her family photo. Her eyes swelled up thinking about her family.

She wanted to hug her mom and sis and cry. She missed her town a lot. She had grown up in the small beautiful town of Kalladai Kuruchi. It was a beautiful town with lots of trees and temples.

Her parents showered her with all the love till the small devil came by. She could clearly remember that incident which had happened on her 4th birthday. Her mom’s brother had come to their home. She could remember the conversation between her mom and her uncle. Her uncle had no children and was worried about it.

“So what is the problem? Adopt a child..” advised Anusha’s mom.

“Adopt a child.. hmm” her uncle thought out loud.

“I will come with you and your wife. Don’t worry, it will be alright.”

She could remember that shocking day. Instead of choosing a child for her brother and his wife, her mother also brought a small baby girl to their home. Anusha was very excited and loved her sister, Janavi. But as time went by her parents started showering more love and affection on the youngest member of the family.

Anusha became jealous of her so called sister. She started hitting and pinching Janavi. Her mom and dad thought that it was a normal sibling fight. But Anusha never forgave Janavi for snatching away her rightful parental love and affection.

As time went on, Janavi adored Anusha but Anusha just HATED her sister and would miss no opportunity to insult or hurt her. She wanted that devil out of her home. She got a big opportunity a few years later and she didn’t miss it.

Anusha and Janavi were studying in same college. On a clear Friday morning, they both were standing in the bus station. The bus station was pretty much empty with only a few passengers waiting there. Suddenly a young guy suddenly ran up to them and gave a piece of paper to Janavi and ran away. Anusha was stunned!!

She questioned Janavi as to who that person was. Her sister complained to her that the person was following her for a long time and that he studied in her class. Anusha took the love letter from her sister’s hand and read it and saw the guys’ phone number on it.

In the evening she called that person and spoke with him. Over the next few days, she tried to convince her sister to accept the proposal. Initially Janavi was surprised and very confused, but soon came to believe that her elder sister was doing well for her. However, Janavi knew that her father would never accept a boy from another caste and kept refusing to accept the proposal.

“He is good guy, Jan. Accept him and he will keep you like a princess.”

“No Akka.. appa will never accept him”

“That’s not a problem.. elope with him somewhere.. marry him and come back.. I will convince appa by then”

Despite Janavi’s protest, Anusha convinced her to accept the proposal and helped them elope. However, the parents of Janavi’s lover found it out and caught them eloping away. Janavi was sent back to her home with a strong warning and she was devastated. Meanwhile, her lover got depressed and drank poison and was admitted to the hospital.

“He is in very serious condition” spoke Janavi with tears in her eyes.

Anusha realized that she had spoilt her sister’s life and repented for it. Things had gone far too ahead for her to do anything. Things became worse when one of her aunt came to her home. Anusha overheard the conversation between her mom and her aunt.

“See Malathi, I understand your family is going through a bad time. Send Janavi to your brother’s place. A change of place always helps”

“Ya. I was also thinking about it”

“There is an old proverb that you have to do something good when things go south. Anusha has completed her degree. Get her married..” Anusha was shocked to hear this. She didn’t want to marry now..

“With all that has happened.. who will marry her?” anxiously spoke Malathi.

“You leave that to me..I will find the groom”


Over the next few days Janavi was sent to her uncle’s home and a marriage alliance was fixed for Anusha. All her pleas went unnoticed. Her mom and dad were bent on marrying her off. ‘It was her time to face the music.’

Janavi was told not to attend the marriage as all the relatives knew her love story and were angry with her. After all her protests went in vain, Anusha decided the see the positive side of life. She changed her attitude and was very curious to know whom she was marrying.

Strangely, the groom was in no mood to speak with anybody and was very angry.

“Hi, Can I speak with you for a minute” requested Anusha.

“Ya sure” spoke the groom, Rajeev.

Anusha tried hard to think about any topic to speak but her mind was very tensed up. It was the first time she was speaking to her life partner and she was completely stuck up for words.

Rajeev curiously looked at Anusha and spoke “So finished you B.Com?”

“Yyaa..” stuttered Anusha.

Rajeev then received a call and excused himself and took up the call. Those were the last few words Anusha spoke to Rajeev before their marriage.

Their marriage started as frosty relationship with Anusha trying to speak with Rajeev openly but ending up speaking very little. She would get terribly upset by it but thought that things would improve as times went by. She had to move to Gurgaon as Rajeev worked there. I miss my home and mom so much..

“Can you get these medicines?” questioned the nurse.

“What??” spoke Anusha trying to come back to the present situation.

The nurse was little irritated and repeated her sentence “Can you get these medicines?”

“Sure.. sure..” Anusha took the list from the nurse and went to the pharmacy and got the medicines.


Anusha stayed up awake all night to help her husband, if ever he would any help.
The next morning, Rajeev’s boss came up to meet him. He wished him good health and asked him for his project CD.

Rajeev called Anusha to his side and spoke in a feeble voice “The CD is in my brown suitcase which in the second rack of our bedroom. Bring it here and my colleague will take it to office” Anusha just nodded her head.

She went to her home, ate her breakfast and got ready to leave for hospital when she remembered about the project CD. She went inside her bedroom and searched for the CD in the brown suitcase. She found the CD and also found something else.

She saw something that surprised her. She took the postcard and read it. “I love you.. I wish you could be mine forever..”

She flipped the card over and saw a photo of a person whom she knew most. She couldn’t believe it!! It was Janavi’s photo.

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A Lonely Night.. (Part 1)

This is a new story... I hope you guys like it..

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She hugged her shawl even more closely as the wind gently blew through the cold November night. Anusha had just been married to Rajeev and moved into a completely new city – Gurgaon. It so cold and I am stuck with a person who does not want to speak with me.. Wish I had been at my native place watching some good serial on SUN TV thought Anusha as she tried to pace up with her husband. She could see Rajeev walking looking down on the pavement with his hands in his pocket.

Rajeev had been working for an IT firm in Gurgaon and Anusha had to move from her beautiful town, Kaladaikurchi into this buzzing city. I don’t understand what people speak.. where am I stuck up.. Anusha felt a tinge of hunger biting her.. It was dinner time. She jumped 2 steps and started walking along with her husband.

She disturbed the long silence “Can we eat somewhere? I am hungry..”

Rajeev’s thoughts were disturbed and he looked at her strangely. I have not asked for a diamond necklace.. just a dinner... thought Anusha. He then looked behind her and moved past her and started crossing the road. She was confused for a moment and then looked back to see a small dimly lit restaurant. She crossed the road and joined her husband at the door of the restaurant.

Suddenly a big burly guy wearing a purple turban shouted Rajeev’s name and came and hugged him and spoke “Rajeev Bhai.. Kaise ho? Bahut dino se dekha nahi..” Rajeev spoke back something in Hindi. Anusha could hardly understand anything. She stood there blank. Completely blank.. The turbaned man then folded his hands in front of her.. she did the same… I need to learn Hindi fast..

The Sikh then led them to a corner seat inside the restaurant. Rajeev then ordered some dishes. The Sikh man took the orders and left off.. I wish I could have something that I like, to eat..

“Can I have a plate of idlis?” Anusha spoke up.

Rajeev looked at her. He smiled. “No Idlis’ here.. They have only chappati and naan”
He smiled at me.. wow.. “A plate of chappati then..”

Rajeev ordered some chappatis.

They ate in silence. Anusha wanted to speak a lot.. but she could never gather her courage to break the silence.

After the dinner, they started walking to their home. Anusha could not bear the silence around her. She remembered her mom’s words that people start speaking a lot more after having some food.

“So how was your day at office?”

“It was good.”

Just a short answer.. Now what do I ask..

“So what did you do?”

“Nothing much. Some work.. and some meetings”

Anusha could take it no longer. She burst out.. “If you don’t want to talk with me.. you should have not married me..”

Rajeev stopped walking. He looked at her.. shook his head and started walking.
I am never never going to speak with that person again.. decided Anusha.

She hugged her shawl even more tightly and started walking rapidly towards their home.


Rajeev opened the door with his keys. Anusha followed him into their home and went to her bedroom and banged the door shut. She fell on her bed and hugged the pillow. Tears streamed out of her eyes.. Where have I got myself into.. I wanted a simple husband who would just talk with me.. Is this the punishment for the sin that I have done in my life.. Save me god.. Save me..

Rajeev was pretty upset with what had happened. He had too much on his head to worry about anybody else. He wanted to divert his thoughts and switched on the TV. He watched all the news channels. Half an hour later, he got up and opened the bedroom door. He could see that Anusha had fallen asleep but the bedroom lamp was still on. He quietly changed into his night dress. He gently lifted her and laid her properly on the bed. He took a bed sheet and gently slid it over her. He looked at her for a second, switched off the lamp and then came out of bedroom.

He sat in his easy-chair and closed his eyes. His thoughts wandered into his past life. It has been a year since tragedy struck his life…

“Machi, dum iruka?”

Rajeev looked at Vignesh. Vignesh was his best friend and college mate. Rajeev fumbled into his bag and got a pack of Wills. He lent it to Vignesh.

“Illa machi.. Vaendam da..” Rajeev looked curiously at Vignesh, but Vignesh was looking somewhere else. What the…

Suddenly she walked past by.. Now Rajeev could understand the whole story. He took out a cigarette and lit a matchstick.. Rajni style.. and puffed.

“Cigarette smoking is dangerous to health” spoke Vignesh. Rajeev gently slapped Vignesh on the back “Smoke if you want to… Don’t act in front of girls..”

The beautiful girl stopped and looked at Rajeev and smiled. He could see her beautiful eyes twinkle. She is an angel man..a very beautiful angel..The girl then walked to her college bus.

I like her.. but she is too high for me.. in beauty and in academics thought Rajeev.

And he had also heard of her stubbornness.. Some of her friends even complained that she would not listen to anybody.

“Machi, It is ok to smoke in front of girls da.. but.. not in front of THE most beautiful girl on planet earth..” argued Vignesh.

“She is not beautiful and neither are you Mr.Handsome..” lied Rajeev. He turned back and started his Pulsar. “You coming? Or do I have to go alone?”

Vignesh rubbed his back and sat on the bike. Vrroom.. they sped off.. Rajeev could not help but think about those beautiful eyes.. Wish they were mine..

Rajeev was the king of last bench. THE undisputed KING.. and Yamini was the perfect good girl aiming for the gold award in studies for 3rd consecutive year.

It was a boring day in college. The Data Structure ma’m had not turned up for class.. Everybody was chatting or doing some work..Rajeev glanced at Yamini. She was writing something down. Vignesh looked at him in surprise. Rajeev just nodded his head and smiled at him and then put his head down on the bench. Just then a piece of paper reached him. It was a long poem. He recognized it as one of the Shakespeare’s love sonnets. He could find some letters underlined in it. He turned the page and found ..”from Yamini”. He looked at her in the first bench. She just smiled at him.

He scratched his head.. Vignesh was even more surprised than him. “Machi, enna da..?”

“Don’t know mams..” Rajeev then wrote down all the letters that were underlined. They were all jumbled.

“Let me help you..” Vigensh spoke up.

“Thanks.. I can decipher it alone..”

Rajeev worked through all combination of words. He thought it would be over in 5 minutes. But it took him 2 hours to figure out the first 2 words. He worked though all evening, even missing him gym and guitar classes. He tried many combination of words and finally got it.. He could believe what he had figured out.. He realized that he might have made a mistake. He wanted to clarify the issue with her. He couldn’t sleep the whole night.


He got up all excited in the morning. His mom had never seen him so enthusiastic before going to college. He rode his bike to his college. As soon as he entered his class, he noticed Yamini sitting on the first bench. She smiled at him. He didn’t want to let her friends know what he had deciphered. He could have made a mistake and he could be the laughing stock of the class. He went up to Yamini and cleared his throat and spoke.. “Can I speak to you for a minute?”

Yamini stood up and walked out of class. Rajeev followed her. Outside the class, he handed the paper to her and questioned her with his eyes. She took the paper and wrote.. “It’s true”

Rajeev was even more surprised. He had deciphered the message which read..Hi Darling, I love you.. Rajeev pinched himself.. It was not a dream.

“So where are we going on our first date?”

“Whhaatt.. Date??”

“Yeah”

“See, we don’t even know each other.. I have not even agreed to what you have told me..”

Yamini frowned. She never envisaged that Rajeev would say something like that. “Do you like me or not?”

“I do.. but..”

“But what..?”

“I don’t know what to say.. Give me sometime..”

“You need time?? wow.. I just cannot believe it.. All the guys in the class would be on cloud nine if I told them this..”

“Then please tell them this..” Rajeev then turned back and walked into the class. He could see a horrified look on Yamini’s face. Beauty or no beauty.. that girl has got a big head weight…

He went and sat in his place. He could see a visibly stunned Yamini enter the class. She gave him a cold stare as she sat in her place. Vignesh took the paper from Rajeev’s hand. He was shocked to see what Rajeev had deciphered and even more shocked to see what Yamini had written on it.

“Congrats machan..” Vignesh tried to hug Rajeev.

Rajeev shrugged off the hug. “I didn’t say yes to her”

Vignesh literally dropped on the floor. “What.. You didn’t accept?? What
craziness..?” he shook his head.

“You are crazy.. she is crazy.. What makes you think that I would have accepted?

“Machan, she is the most beautiful and studious girl that you can ever see in your life da..”

“And that is precisely what I fear.. You know about me la da..”

Vignesh could now see some reason into why Rajeev had refused the proposal. Rajeev had just 5 arrears and was not the most handsome guy with his big beard and moustache. In fact he looked like a local don and he did behave like one.

“Let’s not speak about this anymore da”


On the way back home, Vignesh wanted to stop at a place to meet somebody. Rajeev stopped at a tea shop near the place and ordered for a cup of hot tea. Sipping the hot tea, his thoughts still went back to the day’s event and he could not stop wondering as to why such a beautiful girl would want to love him. A really mad girl..

Just then a girl came on a black scooty and stopped near his bike. She smiled at Vignesh. Rajeev saw her and thought I have seen her somewhere.. hmm.. oh ya.. she is the first year student.. what is she doing here…

Vignesh looked at Rajeev. “I know you don’t like love and stuff.. but I wanted to tell you something.. I love this girl..”

Rajeev literally laughed out.. Both Vignesh and the girl were stunned. He placed his hand around Vignesh and took him about 10 feet away as he sipped his tea.

“How many gals have you proposed before her?” chuckled Rajeev.

“Dei.. I brought her to show you my love and you are making fun of me..”

Rajeev didn’t understand the seriousness of the situation and continued joking, “See.. Love does not come on seeing hundreds on girls.. It’s a feeling dude.. ok leave all that.. Is she number 6?”

“Am I number 6?” spoke a voice from behind.

Both Rajeev and Vignesh were stunned to see the girl standing right behind them. Vignesh tried to pacify her.

“Tell me Vignesh.. tell me now.. Am I the sixth girl you are proposing to?”

“No da.. see..” Vignesh tried to calm her down…

“Yes or No?”

“Listen..”

“You guys simply don’t understand what love is” fumed the girl as she turned back and started her scooty and sped off.

Vignesh was very angry now. He looked at Rajeev. “You never know what love is.. machan.. I have proposed to many girls.. But has any girl accepted me?” Rajeev stood there thinking…

“She was the first girl who accepted me and she is gone now.. Love is not about our feelings and stuff.. that’s only in movies and story books.. real love is one when you find somebody who reciprocates your love.. You better understand that..”

Vignesh's scathing words really hurt Rajeev. It was as if a bolt had struck him from the sky. He called out to his friend but Vignesh just kept walking away from the place. He was visibly shaken from the day’s events and really started thinking about love and this thoughts on it. His opinion on that slowly started to change. Its all about the right person who reciprocates.. hmm.. These thought continuously ran through his mind.

Vignesh did not attend a whole weeks’ classes. Rajeev really missed his friend and went to his home and apologized.

In class, the next day.. He wrote “I am sorry” on a piece of paper and gave it to Yamini. She looked at him and just shook her head. He really had learnt his lesson. He really started liking Yamini.. but she was still angry and would not look at him.


It was a cool Saturday morning and Vignesh had called him to Spencer plaza to meet his girl again. Rajeev got ready as quickly as possible. He really wanted to get there fast. He searched for his bike keys and then remembered that he had given his bike for service. He quickly grabbed his valet and ran towards the bus stand.

He sat in the bus stand for about 15 minutes. I wish I had my bike.. I would have been there in no time.. He could see lots of cars and buses and many people crossing the main road. Suddenly he saw somebody familiar cross the road. He saw Yamini with her friend cross the road. He desperately wanted to speak with her and shouted her name waving his hand. She saw him and stood there right on the road while her friend crossed the road. Just then something happened.. something he had never dreamt off in his wildest dreams.

I one swish of a second.. a car crashed into Yamini..

Nnnoooooo… Rajeev fell off his easy chair and onto the floor.
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