The Mridangist - Part 4

Disclaimer: The story is a figment of my imagination. The characters and incidents does not relate to anybody.

Please find the previous parts here (Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 )

Vidhyuth frowned a little and continued the conversation with his sister through gestures and actions. “You talk diii!!” - he mouthed at her and she spoke on the phone.

“Vidhyuth is busy taking class. I am his sister, Vidhya. You can talk to me if you want to know about his kutcheri dates. If you are his friend, I'll ask him to call you later.” - she said breathlessly.

Sathvika listened patiently and answered - “Oh no. Not a friend. I just wanted to know whether he'll be able to play for my dance program. Its on March 14th.”

Vidhya pointed at March 14 on the calender and mouthed - “Kutcheri!!”

Vidhyuth thought for a moment and said in a whisper - “Run and check my kutcheri dates. If I don't have any other concert on that day, accept this offer. Ask her about the rehearsal dates as well. Should I tell you what to do every time?”

Vidhya gave him a look of deep disgust and stomped out of the drawing room, talking on the phone as she went - “Just a minute. Let me check his kutcheri dates and let you know.”

While Sathvika waited with her fingers crossed on the other end, Vidhya checked the calender notes on Vidhyuth's iPad and said “Looks like he's free on that day. Is it a chalangai pooja or an arangetram?” - his sister asked politely.

“Chalangai pooja!!” - Sathvika said.

“He charges 5k for chalangai pooja. Is that okay with you?” - Vidhya.

“Yeah. No problem.” - Sathvika said without any second thoughts.

“That's great!! when are you holding up the rehearsals?” - Vidhya asked.

“Day after tomorrow. Will he be able to come?” - Sathvika asked anxiously.

“Yes. I will tell him.” - Vidhya said, smiling.

Sathvika thanked her and disconnected the call.

***********

The next day, Abhi arrived at Sathvika's dance hall holding Archana's tiny hand and carrying a bag full of vethala, paaku and pazham.

“My mom said today is a good day. So, I brought her here.” - he said, his charismatic smile in place, pushing the kid slightly forward.

Sathvika beamed at the little girl and extended her hand for hi5. Archana slapped Sathvika's hand softly, grinning. After the initial formalities of Guru Vandhanam,“at what time should I come to pick her up?” - Abhi asked.

“In an hour.” - said Sathvika in an expressionless voice.

He left after wishing Archana good luck with her first class. Sathvika started the class.

“Achu, do you know the route to your house? Or your house address?” - Sathvika asked the kid in a worried tone. Sathvika and Archana were sitting outside the dance hall, after the class. All the other kids had left but Abhi had not turned up to pick Archana.

Archana nodded vigorously and started - “We should get out of this gate, take a right, go straight, left, right, straight...” she swayed her hand this way and that to show left and right.

“Ok.. Ok.. Come let's go. You tell me the route while I ride. Ok?” - Praying that it should be the correct route, Sathvika rode her black Activa on the streets that Archana's tiny hand pointed to.

“There!! There!! That yellow house. See!! my Chithappa akka!!” - Archana shouted excitedly, pointing at a pale yellow house where Abhi was hurrying towards the legendary Black Pulsar, tousle haired, wearing a battered old shorts and T-Shirt.

Even before Sathvika could brake completely, Archana jumped off the bike and sprinted into the house, clearly overwhelmed about the idea of getting dropped by her new dance teacher. “Paati, my dance akka has come. She dropped me in her bike. Zzzzzzzoooinnngg we came.” - she roared happily as she rushed past Abhi.

“I am sorry. I slept off. Thanks for dropping her home.” - Abhi hastened towards Sathvika, scratching the back of his head, smiling embarrassedly.

“That's alright. Thank God she knew the route.” - Sathvika said. She tried to smile but ended up in a grimace.

Abhi opened his mouth to say something but Sathvika's mobile rang loudly and cut him short. She pulled her mobile from her hand bag and looked at the screen.

“Vidhyuth Mridangist Calling” - the screen displayed.

To be Continued...