REVELATION- A SHORT STORY

Vanessa walked into the club house of her apartment .She was very new to the place, had just moved in, and this was her first residents meeting there. She looked around to see anyone she could befriend and her eyes alighted on a lady clad in a pink salwar. She smiled at her and the other lady smiled back hesitantly.

Being a naturally friendly person, Vanessa decided to sit next to the lady and try making friends with her.

“Hi, I am Vanessa; I am in B Block, 3 rd floor.”

“Hi, Iam Paddy, I too am in B block, but on the 4^th floor’.

They exchanged pleasantries, and they found out to their surprise that both their daughters had the same name. Paddy’s child was just in the 5^th while Vanessa’s was completing her Masters.

After introducing their husbands to each other, they promised to keep in touch and took leave after the meeting.

A week later, , Vanessa felt lonely waiting at home for her husband. Her daughter had been her best friend but now she was miles away at Pune and suddenly, while sitting at her desk at home, she felt very lonely and felt like reaching out to someone. Her new found buddy Paddy came to mind. They had exchanged numbers the other day and Vanessa decided to ping her.

Paddy answered on the second ring-“ah! Vanessa, I am a little busy right now, I will call you back in a while, let’s go veggie shopping’.

“Ok Paddy, let’s do that”- Vanessa smiled.

Slowly, as days rolled on, Vanessa and Paddy became good friends. Vanessa was a voracious reader, loved watching movies but Paddy just loved to talk, and talk she did, all the time, very loudly. It was mostly about her husband, her family and how she was very proud of the fact that her husband was a senior official in the UNO, and so on.

Even though Vanessa felt claustrophobic at times talking to Paddy, she kept her cool and was very tolerant about her.

Things came to a head one day when Paddy barged in on Vanessa.

“Van, you must come home, we have bought new furniture. And here’s some foreign shampoo for you. Iam sure you don’t get to have any foreign products to use since your hubby is in the media here”.

Even though Vanessa felt her temper rise, she managed to stave off sharp words in order not to offend her.

“Pads, I really don’t want these. My hubby has been travelling extensively on tours all over the world, and foreign goods do not hold any special allure for me”.

Paddy just smirked and walked off.

A week later, Paddy invited Vanessa out for lunch. While returning, Paddy asked-“How much does your hubby earn? I am sure he earns 2 lak per month. I just won’t allow my hubby to work in India. What do they pay here? Just a pittance. How can anyone live like this in India earning just 1 0r 2 laks? When we were married he was working for the CBI and it was me who pushed him off abroad.”

Vanessa was a patriotic soul and it hurt her sentiments to listen to Paddy. From then on, she devised excuses to avoid meeting Paddy. When Paddy asked her out, she politely declined.

One evening, Paddy dropped in at Vanessa‘s place. Over tea, Paddy opined,’ Vans, I have noticed that you are very careful in your spending.”

“Yes, I am, Paddy, I don’t believe in splurging and wasting money”.

“You know something, Vans, My brother also feels so. He is one happy soul who is content working for a pittance in India. He has a small flat that he owns, he is happy that his kid studies well, and he has a car. That‘s it. I asked him point blank, that once he retires, how is he gonna live? He might get his daughter married off with the money we throw at him but then what happens after that? I am happy that my hubby is working abroad and that I have enough and more to spend”.

Vanessa felt disgusted listening to this soliloquy. She felt that Paddy had stooped so low to be making such remarks about her own brother. Indeed, Vanessa knew Paddy’s brother was well settled in a good job right here in Chennai.

“Paddy, I don’t think you should be speaking about your brother that way. He has a good job, and he is well settled in life. Stop making derisive remarks about others.”

‘What derisive remark? Let me tell you, once he retires he won’t even have money to feed himself!”

Vanessa felt sick to her stomach, but thankfully, her hubby walked in and Paddy made her graceful exit.

Months passed by, and except for a cursory hello, Vanessa decided to stay clear of Paddy.

Once while discussing Paddy with her psychologist friend Ann, the latter was intrigued and wanted to meet Paddy. Since Ann was dropping in to have lunch at home the next day, Vanessa promised to take her to Paddy’s place.

The next day, before Ann dropped by, Vanessa rang Paddy on her mobile.

“Hi Pads, how are you? I have a friend who is dropping in for lunch... Why don’t you join us too?”

“Hmm.. no Vans, I don’t think I will.. I am busy’.

“Ok, if you are busy, can I bring her over to your place? After lunch?”

“Ok, do come’.

After a fruitful afternoon of chatting, laughing and having lunch, Ann and Vanessa decided to drop in at Paddy’s place.

Paddy welcomed them warmly. Once seated, Paddy asked Ann, “So, tell me about your hubby. What does he do?”

Ann was amused by her question and with a smile curling at her lips, replied,’ Paddy, ask me first about myself. I am a psychologist. My hubby is a film director.”

Paddy’s face flushed in excitement.” Wow! Vans, you never told me that your friend’s hubby is a film director! I would have definitely come to your place for lunch”.

Noticing how shallow Paddy could be, after the initial pleasantries, they took leave.

“Well, what do you think of her?’ – asked Vanessa.

“Isn’t it obvious? She is pretty shallow. I just hope that life doesn’t hand out a blow to teach her a lesson”.

Months later, Vanessa got a call from Siba, a neighbor and a common friend.

“Vanessa, did you know? Paddy’s hubby had a cerebral hemorrhage and is critically ill and in ICU”.

Vanessa was shocked. Paddy’s husband is a truly nice person with no airs or attitude, a down to earth, good human being.

 She frantically dialed Paddy’s number but it kept ringing. Early next morning, she rang again, and this time, it was Paddy’s brother on the line.

‘What happened to Paddy’s husband Jo? I just came to know yesterday.”

Her brother replied in somber tones-“Jo was returning to Chennai from Kerala when he had a stroke on the train. He has been hospitalized unconscious for over a week. Doctors have given him just 1 percent chance of survival. He has been placed on the ventilator.”

It was a sad day for everyone at the apartment, especially for Vanessa and her family. However shallow Paddy had been, her husband Jo had been great friends with both Vanessa and her husband Harry. They had shared moments of great camaraderie

Vanessa refused to believe that Jo would not survive and for the entire day and night, she spent in prayers. She spoke to her sister and all those who had known Paddy and Jo and asked them to fervently pray for Jo.

Vanessa got up very early  the next day and with great trepidation, called Paddy’s brother.

“He has been taken off the ventilator. It’s nothing short of a miracle, but the worst is over. Now we just have to wait patiently for him to recover and regain all his faculties”- Paddy’s brother informed Vanessa.

She felt weak with relief. Every day, she continued to pray for Paddy’s family and for the two young children of hers. Every week she diligently called Paddy’s brother and asked about Jo. He was indeed on the road to recovery.

Months after Jo was discharged from the hospital, Paddy dropped in at Vanessa’s place.

On seeing Paddy, Vanessa rushed to hug her and Paddy collapsed crying into her arms.

“Vans, I have learnt my lesson, a very hard lesson; remember how I used to look down on others? On my brother? Now he is my sole pillar of strength. Jo can’t work for at least two years, and after that, God knows... But I am happy; it’s my brother and mom who are supporting me. I have realized that life is not about earning in laks, it’s the quality of life that we should uphold.

I knew you used to disapprove of me at times, when I used to say all that, but I used to think I was above all of you. I’m partly to blame for Jo’s illness. Despite knowing that he had high BP, I neglected his health and was focused only on him working and earning a fat pay packet abroad. Now I just want him to recover and be normal again. I don’t even care what happens to my kids; whether they learn and get good jobs or anything.” – Paddy kept sobbing

Vanessa‘s heart went out to Paddy and hugging her, made her a cup of hot tea. Then she made Paddy sit down beside her and said-‘Pads, stop blaming yourself. Just be grateful that Jo is on his road to recovery. He will be fine in no time. As a mom, as a wife, you need to be strong. For your Jo. You need to motivate your kids, be there for them and see to it that they excel in studies and in life. Years later, when Jo is fine again, he will be proud of you for having been supportive and caring and inspiring in these trying times.”

Pads was silent for a while, then with tears in her eyes she hugged Vanessa and said’ Yes, Vans, I promise, I promise to do just that. Thanks for being there for me.”

Vanessa hugged her in return and said, ‘I am always there for you dear”.

by

Valsala Menon

RENEWED HOPE- A SHORT STORY

Valsala Menon

Vibha stood by the window fiddling on her sari. She was in a daze, thinking back to her luncheon with her old school mate Jyothi.

Vibha had found her long lost best friend from school Jyothi on Face book, and immediately they had connected, exchanged numbers and promised to meet. Surprisingly enough, Jyothi was in the same city as she was, and they  had arranged to meet up the very next day for lunch.

Vibha had dressed in a simple yet graceful kurti and jeans and had arrived early to meet Jyothi at her favorite eat out in the city.

“Wow! Vibha, you seem to grow gorgeous with age! “– smiled Jyothi as she hugged Vibha. Jyothi had trooped in unobserved and had given her a shock by exclaiming thus.

Vibha smiled back placidly; Jyothi looked the same, but over the years, her graceful slender figure had rounded out and she looked every bit a motherly matron, even though she still displayed a grace and elegance in her style. After exchanging pleasantries, both of them launched into animated conversation, catching up with all the news over the years. Jyothi had given up teaching to be a full time wife and mom, and while Vibha had held down several jobs, she was yet to catch up on her dream….

As Vibha gently tasted her dessert, she caught Jyothi looking wistfully at her.” Vibha, do you realize how pretty you are? More pretty than you were back at college; your eyes still have the same sparkle and your face radiates the same innocence.”

Much to Jyothi’s horror, Vibha‘s lovely eyes welled up in tears.

“What happened, Vibha? Did I say something wrong? “

“No Jyothi, let’s go, I need to get back home.”

They paid their bill and walked back home in silence. “I will call you in a while, Jyothi, please, I am upset. You know I have never been pretty; you are just being kind to me. Please don’t be. I know what I am. “

Jyothi looked at her in surprise.” Vibha, don’t tell me that even after all these years, you haven’t gotten over what your mom said long back!”

Vibha couldn’t speak, she knew that if she continued to linger, she would break down in loud sobs. She just hailed down a nearby cab and got into it and hurried away, leaving Jyothi standing at the kerb.

Vibha got back home and cried her heart out.

It was all because of her mother. Her thoughts went back to the day when she was  13 years old. She had just got back from school and noticed that her mom was busy folding a brand new silk sari.

“Wow! Whose is that? Amma, is it yours? New sari?”- Vibha asked in wide eyed innocence.

“No, not mine; Shubha is getting married, right? Lakshmi Aunty brought it for her.” Vibha‘s sister Shubha was engaged to be married. There was an 11 year gap between the sisters, and while Vibha was a thin and gawky teenager, Shubha was in the prime of her youth and considered the ‘beauty’ of the family. Lakshmi, her mom’s aunt had just gifted Shubha with a lovely Kanchipuram sari.

“Oh! Why dint Lakshmi aunty bring me something too? She always does.”- pouted Vibha.

“Why on earth should Lakshmi aunty get you anything at all? Do you deserve anything? Look at you! Scrawny rat! Compared to Shubha, you are nothing! She is so pretty, while you look like a scrawny spider!”

Vibha stood rooted to the spot, shocked beyond measure. She gazed at herself in the mirror, and found her mom to be true. Yes, she was all angles, while her lovely sister was curvaceous and graceful. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she wept her heart out.

It was only to her best friend Jyothi did she confide about her mom, and her very unkind remark.

Years later, Vibha had grown into a slender graceful woman, with lovely dark eyes and a beatific smile, but her mother’s words continued to mar and blind her vision to the truth. She continued through college without ever allowing herself to fall in love. She had internalized her mother’s opinion and continued to live through it.

Vibha got married eventually to a journalist, and she too was a gifted writer. It was her pet dream to be a recognized writer of renown and pen down her own novels but something kept holding her back from accomplishing her dream.

Jyothi did not contact her over the weekend. On Monday morning, Vibha had a call from Jyothi.

“Vibha, I am coming over. We need to talk”.

At 11, her doorbell rang and Vibha smilingly opened the door to her best friend.

“Get dressed. We are going out”- Jyothi

“Where to?”-queried Vibha in surprise.

“Hmm, to exorcise some of your ghosts. Come on, hurry up… I am gonna take you to a friend of mine.”

Jyothi gave no time for Vibha to protest. She bundled her into her car and drove down to Jyothi’s friend Anita’s place.

“Anita is a clinical psychologist, Vibha, and a close friend of mine. I have spoken to her about you, and how you need to get over your mother’s comments long back. It’s hampering you, Vibha.”- Jyoti

Vibha felt suddenly light and relieved at the same time. She had needed help but now she was happy that her best friend had initiated the process.

 Anita looked just like anybody’s friendly neighbor, and after serving cups of hot tea, Anita invited Vibha to her room.

“Vibha, you seem to  be a very nice person. Jyothi told me that it’s your greatest dream to be a writer. I know too that you have enrolled for a creative writing course with a foreign university. Tell me, I am your friend. Shall we talk? Just think of me as a friend and keep talking.”

Anita gazed at Vibha with so much compassion and understanding, that Vibha could hardly prevent her tears from flowing unhindered. All her pent up feelings and frustration and the layers of hurt that had accumulated deep within her as a child welled up  in tears and amidst crying, she managed to talk and let the past flow out of her .

After an hour, Anita smiled down at her kindly.

“Vibha, you need to bury the past. For your own good, forgive your mom and let go. I know that it was a very unkind and thoughtless remark that your mom made, , but internalizing it has prevented you from growing as a person, as a writer. I know you write well, I have read several of your blog posts on FB. Jyothi sent me the link. What you need to do, is to get to work on your self esteem. Believe that you do not need any body’s approval. All the approval you need is from yourself.

Remember, you are not the thin gawky teenager you were so many years ago. Now you are a matured and graceful young woman, with a family of your own. Next time someone compliments you, accept it. Just say, Thank you.

Now I want you to write your mom’s hurtful comments on a piece of paper and before you leave this place, burn that piece of paper.  Let go. Forgive your Mom as the paper burns

Go home, and work on your writing. Believe in your heart that you are born to be a great novelist. Good luck”- Anita hugged her while seeing Vibha off

Vibha made up her mind to do as she was instructed and for the first time in years, she felt light. Jyothi drove her back to her apartment, and while getting out, Vibha hugged Jyothi and whispered a tearful ‘thank you”.

“Don’t thank me, pretty lady, go work on your dreams. Let me see your short story in print”- grinned Jyothi.

Vibha smiled back happily and Jyothi drove back home feeling relieved that Vibha was on the right track after all. She was letting go of those hurtful comments.

Two months later, Jyothi received a call. It was from Vibha.

“Jyothi, can you believe this? I am getting my first book of short stories published, by Random House.!And one of my short stories has been selected for the Chicken Soup series.” Vibha’s voice displayed her emotions.

“Wow! Great news Vibha! I am so happy for you. Let’s celebrate. I am coming right over”

Vibha was waiting with her husband at the gates of the apartment, as Jyothi drove down. She got down and hugged Vibha.

“I have dedicated my book to you, Jyothi. If not for you, I wouldn’t have penned all this down “- happy tears glistened in Vibha’s eyes, and it was all Jyothi could do to hug her tightly.

Vibha was now truly flying high on the wings of self confidence and renewed hope.