US Syndrome.. (Part 2)

(This is the second part of the short story series. Hope you guys like it. Do leave your feedback and comments. They really inspire me :) )

Please read the 1st part also.
Part 1 - Back to Home
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Arul picked himself up and slowly slid the greeting card into the bed sheet. His first love failure was the last thing Arul wanted his mom to know at this time. He looked at his mom and declared “I am going to meet Anjali”

If there was one thing that defined Arul, it was his attitude of persistence. He never gave up anything without a fight. Perhaps, he faced his biggest challenge of his life after his first love failure.

“No pa..” His mom tried to stop him. My son never listens to me.

“I have to speak with her and understand her problem amma”

His mom gave a hard thought to it. She also liked Anjali and felt that Anjali would help Arul bond with their family. She then nodded in agreement to his proposal.

“But you have to change your hairstyle” smiled his mom as she walked her way out of the room.

Arul went to dressing table and peered into that large dressing room mirror. He could see what his mom had meant. He had a good physique with regular gym workouts. It was something else that bothered his mom, and now him.

A lengthy oiled hair ran down his shoulders. A big moustache and french beard were hardly the features any prospective groom would have. Mom is always right.
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“Vanakkam” the pot belied barber folded his hands.

Arul too folded his hands. This was perhaps the most dirty hair salon he had seen in a long time. He was pretty much used to a blonde, Jessica, giving him regular haircuts. He considered leaving for another saloon. But considering the fact that he had his haircut in that saloon for nearly 20 years before his US journey, he stepped inside. Two tube lights shone brightly and he could see mirrors both on the front and at the back. The mirrors created a strange effect that he felt he could peer as far as into Alice’s wonderland.

He sat in one of the chairs. He looked at the barber and said ‘Size 2’. That was all what he needed to tell Jessica.

A confused look crossed the barber’s face. He politely replied in his broken English “No machine sir. Only hand and scissors”.

Arul had no choice. He just could not believe that his marriage would depend first on his changed looks, and now on the barber. He prayed to god and just closed his eyes. The barber moved Arul’s head gently to a certain position and started his work. Soon Arul could feel his locks of hairs slowly diminishing in size. He vowed to never open his eyes until the barber finished.

“You want shaving also sir?” asked the barber in his broken English.

Arul just nodded his head in agreement. After 45 minutes into the work, the barber stopped to examine his prototype model. “Open eyes sir”

Arul prayed to all the gods he knew and slowly opened his eyes. He was expecting a Ghajni type hairstyle. But to his amazement, he looked a stud. That’s freaking awesome.

“Ok sir?” enquired the barber.

Arul was too dumbstruck for any answer. He just nodded his head as the barber powdered his neck giving it his final touches. Arul got another shock of his life when the barber told him that the haircut just cost Rs50. Arul just smiled as he calculated how much a similar hair cut would have cost him in US.
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“You look so handsome. My chamathu boy..” Arul’s mom spoke to him. “But you need to get your head bath first and.. and your dad has got a ticket through tatkal to Tirunelveli”

Arul eyes expressed his sense of gratitude to his father. He had never spoken to his father in a long time. His father had beaten him a lot when he was a child and Arul felt that nothing in this world merited for him talking to his dad.
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“Ticket sir” asked the TTR.

Arul pulled out the ticket and a small photo fell to the ground with the picture facing the ground. As the TTR checked the tickets, Arul bent down and picked up the photo. It was the beautiful picture of Anjali that his mom had given him. One of Anjali’s relatives had given it to his mom and his mom gave it to him But now she asked him to return it to their family if she didn’t accept him.

He safely deposited it in his pocket and wondered why all the beautiful women didn’t want to be a part of his life.
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He stood in front of a majestic ancestral home of Anjali. He had been too nervous in his first visit to notice any of the structural beauties of this beautiful building. It was a simple single storied building painted in black and white. An imposing gate with two marvelous white elephant statues at the sides guarded the home. As Arul stood there studying the architecture, he heard a familiar voice.

“Vaanga Mapilai” spoke Anjali’s father as he rushed out from his home.

Hmm.. He has called me maapilai.. So no problem from parents side.. I have to meet Anjali then. Arul thoughts raced fast. He had always prided himself in understanding people’s thoughts.

A hot cup of filter coffee served by Anjali’s mom tasted heavenly for Arul. His eyes searched for Anjali but she was nowhere to be seen. Noticing this Anjali dad told him that his daughter was at terrace and also mentioned apologetically that she was in pretty bad mood.

Arul walked up the 22 steep steps and reached the terrace. As he reached the terrace he stopped for five seconds to catch up with his breath. He could see Anjali sitting on a marble slab reading some book. A gentle breeze blew right across the terrace.

It was difficult for him to describe Anjali as downright beautiful. She was very slim and that made her look taller than what she was. He could notice that the flowers that would normally adore her hair were missing. She was differently beautiful. Perhaps it was just her beautiful eyes which resembled Meera a lot.

He walked up to her and wished her. To his amazement, she turned her head away. She’s got real attitude problems. Arul was very much taken aback by this. He understood that it was time for some silence.

He quietly walked a little away from Anjali and gazed at the railway tracks that ran behind that home. Beyond the railway tracks, beautiful green fields spread far and wide. A passenger train passed through the tracks. I have always been respectful to all the women in my life but this is damn too much.

As Arul turned around to leave the place, he saw Anjali stand before him with folded hands. Tears streamed from her eyes. Arul felt bad for making a quick decision on Anjali. Perhaps she had a problem. Perhaps we have to talk it out..

Before Arul could say anything, she spoke. “I cannot come with you to America. I cannot leave my family, friends and my beautiful city.” That sounded like a nice argument to Arul. He had had his apprehensions when he started for that strange land.

Arul wanted to convince her and opened his mouth again to speak but Anjali continued speaking more. “Please don’t convince me. I have heard many things about USA. I don’t want to come there.”

Arul just crossed his hands and looked into her beautiful eyes. Anjali started to speak again but Arul raised his hand and she stopped.

“Would you allow me to speak?” Anjali smiled sheepishly.

Arul continued “If you don’t like US, its fine. We can settle in Chennai.” Anjali smile widened more.

“But.. But just give it one try” Arul had presented this sales pitch many times to his clients and he had a very good success rate in it. He had thrown a pretty good bait and waited for his catch.. Anjali’s decision. Dilemma and anxiety gripped Anjali.

She went back to her marble slab seat and sat there. I have got her. Arul went and sat beside her. He caught her hands softly “You will be my princess dear. Your happiness is my happiness”.

She looked at his eyes and knew that he might never come back from US. All women know that men lie.. but they still like it.

She just smiled at him. He smiled at her.
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“Mom.. Hello..” He lost the connection. He tried to call up again and cursed the bad mobile connection.

Damn.. bad mobile.. bad connection. He looked angrily at his age old mobile. It showed no traces of any signal or life.

“You can call from the landline” offered Anjali’s father.

Suddenly the landline rang. Anjali picked it up and spoke happily for about two minutes. She called Arul and told him that it was his mom.

“Amma.. “ that’s all he spoke, the rest of it was just him listening as to how the marriage celebration were supposed to happen. He looked at Anjali. Women communicate so much faster. Just two minutes and she had told my mom everything.

She was talking excitedly with somebody on her mobile. How can only her mobile work??
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“I have to leave now” spoke Arul to his future father-in-law. He never wanted to be perceived as a person who overstayed.

“You have just come. Stay for a day more” spoke Anjali.

Arul just could not refuse such an offer. He nodded his head and it was in synchronization with all the heads nodding around him.
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“No aunty.. I just cannot eat anymore..” Arul spoke as he loosened his belt. Just a simple reaction of eating too much good food.

“Eat well mapilai” Anjali’s mom kept more food on his plate. I am going to die. He looked pathetically at Anjali to save his somehow. She just winked at him.

Not having many options, Arul reluctantly started to eat when he heard a beautiful voice interrupt his lunch.

“Is this the way to feed our guest?”

Arul turned back to look at the voice and felt something sweet being thrust into his mouth. He just closed his eyes. A sweet piece of laddu.. Awesome.

He opened his eyes to look at the beautiful girl who fed him that. She was much more sweeter than the laddu. Anjali introduced her sister to Arul. She was much fairer and definitely more beautiful than her sister. God always shows the most beautiful things a touch late.

“Mridula..” she extended her hand for a handshake. Realizing that Arul had his hands and mouth busy, she smiled sheepishly.

As Arul settled on the big oonjal after the sumptuous lunch, he looked at Mridula. She was Anjali’s sister but in no way resembled her sister. She was way too beautiful and studious. She studied at a famous university in Thanjavur and he heard that she sang amazingly well. I have made my choice for my life partner and I better stick to it, as he felt really attracted to Mridula.

“I heard you sing well” Arul offered to start the conversation.

Mridula just smiled. Anjali spoke in between like always “Wait for the evening occasion!”

“What’s special for the evening?” Arul just imagined another round of damn good food.

“That’s a surprise” laughed Mridula.
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“Alaipayuthae.. “ started Mridula and the crowd fell silent.

It was a huge crowd at the Nellai-appar temple. The crowd swayed mesmerizingly to Mridula’s voice. She continuously increased her voice pitch and ended each song on a feverish pitch. The crowd roared in applause each time a song finished. Arul clapped his hands as hard as he could. He had never seen such a performance in his lifetime.

Mridula sang her last song and got up with folded hands. As she climbed down the stairs, tens of hundreds gathered around her. Soon, Arul could hear another performer take the stage but he was no match for the awesome singing abilities of Mridula. Arul could see the crowd slowly melt away. Pretty disheartening if I were the singer. Unmindful of the people leaving, the singer continued.

Where is Anjlai.. Arul’s eyes searched for his girl. Somehow all he could see was Mridula and the crowd around her.

He spotted Anjali sitting in front a small statue, skillfully threading the flowers. He sat near her.

“Can I help you?” he offered his help.

Anjali smiled at him. She taught him how to do it. Waste of time.. Arul thought to himself.

About 10 minutes later, Anjali gave up. Arul just smiled at her and could see her focusing hard in her jobs. ‘Anything to be offered to GOD had to be done with complete concentration and focus’ Anjali had told him.

“Did you like my singing?” Mridula spoke as she came running towards Arul and Anjali in her green silk saree with gold colored layers on it. It was as if the goddess of voice had herself landed on earth. She looked even more beautiful in her gorgeous dress.

Arul opened his mouth to speak but could hear Anjali’s voice “The second song was very slowly sung and the third one was just ok.”

What?? Just ok? You must be kidding.. Arul tried to control himself. “She was pretty good” he muttered under his breadth.

Both of them heard it and that brought some cheers to the downcast Mridula.

“Shall I show you around the temple?” offered Mridula.

Arul looked at Anjali. “I have to finish this flower garland in 15 minutes. You should go with her”

“Come.. Come..” pushed Mridula. Arul got up dusting off his jeans. Anjali could see her fiancé and her sister walk off together. She didn’t like it.
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“You won’t believe it, this temple was built 1000 years ago. God appeared in the king’s dreams and ordered him to build this temple… and this place..” Mridula continued as Arul was lost in his own thoughts as to how Anjali would perceive him with her sister. He knew clearly well that she didn’t like them to be together.

“Which world are you in?” spoke Mridula as she snapped her fingers over his face. Arul came back from his thoughts. I am standing with one of the most beautiful girl I have ever seen and I am having to think what her sister is thinking about us. How strange..

“Nothing. I was awestruck by the architectural splendor” lied Arul. As they walked past the beautiful arches and statues and hordes of Lord Shiva’s Lingams several people came and spoke to Mridula. Arul guessed that she was very famous in that place.

A small boy ran up to her and gave her a piece of paper and asked her to put her autograph on it. She gladly signed it. The small boy took the piece of paper and gave her a small photo upside down on her palm and ran off. She upturned the photo and tore it onto two pieces. Arul stood there shocked by the sudden change of events.

Suddenly from the shadows emerged a slender dark youth. A pure white body-tight t-shirt and branded black jeans fit him perfectly. He took the autographed paper and held it to his heart. Mridula turned her head away in a sign of disgust. Arul got mentally ready for a fight. He was not pretty sure whether a temple would be a right place for a karate fight. Given his long association with the craft he was confident that he could pin him down in 10 seconds.

Suddenly the person disappeared into the same shadows he had come from. Glad that he didn’t have to fight, he picked up the two pieces of the photo lying down. Joining them together he could easily spot the slender youth along with Mridula. He just could not help but notice the difference in color spectrum between the guy and Mridula. He held the photo up to Mridula and raised his eyebrows questioning the authenticity of the photo.

“He is my classmate. We had a photoshoot last year with all our batch mates. He has just blown up both of our pictures and created a new photo”

Arul was satisfied with the explanation. He had always wanted to get things clarified as soon as possible. He started to walk when Mridula clutched his left hand and held it closely to her head.

“I am afraid. He is MLA’s son and capable of doing anything. I want to somehow get out of this place. Perhaps to Europe or US..” her voice trailed off. Arul was struck hard by these words. Why is she mentioning about US to me.

Arul asked her to sit down. He sat beside her. He could feel Mridula grabbing his hand even more tightly. She was much tensed up and her mind, very agitated. Arul in a fit of reaction placed his hand on her temples and gently pressed it three times. He would do that whenever he was tensed.

“I feel much better now. I get so… so tensed up seeing him. I hope appa and amma don’t get to know of this”

Arul nodded his head. “Shall we go? Its getting late.”

They reached the entrance of the goddess’s temple and could see Anjali praying. As soon as Anjali opened her eyes she could see Arul walking towards her with
Mridula’s hand clutching his hand. Jealously bit her.

“They make a lovely pair” spoke Janaki aunty standing beside Anjali.

“He is the person I am going to marry” spoke Anjali coldly. Janaki aunty was taken aback. Anjali moved a few steps towards them and stared at Mridula. Mridula slowly released her grip and then let go of Arul’s hand completely. “Let’s go home” Anjali declared.
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“How is she?”

“What do you mean how is she? You have seen her right” protested Arul to his mom.

“Ya ya.. but tell me her character. Is she your type of girl?” continued Arul’s mom
not wanting to let her son off the hook so easily.

“She is.. amma.. and I have nothing like my type of girl amma” stressing on the last few words of his reply.

“If you like her, that is great with me” declared his mom as she got up to leave, muttering why her son does not even want a small conversation with her.

Arul hated to discuss his personal things with his parents. ‘Generation Gap’ was how he put it.

His mobile rang. It was Anjali’s call.

“Hello darling!!”

“I don’t want to marry you” spoke Anjali.

Arul froze. He didn’t want a repeat of the situation that he thought he had just successfully solved. “What? Why?” A stream of sweat ran down his temples to his cheek.

“Mridula wants to marry you” Anjali banged the phone down.

A mixed feeling ran down Arul’s spine.


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