Disclaimer: The story is a
figment of my imagination. The characters and incidents does not
relate to anybody.
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...
Thrilling !!! Waiting for the next part.... make it soon....
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