Sweet memories from the past!!!!!

As she opened the screen of her apartment located opposite to the Marina Beach,

A bright sunshine welcomed her to the outer world with

The atmosphere being filled with the chirping sound of the birds and

High tides brushing aside the shores……

Even though the nature’s beauty was at its best, this beauty’s face looked sad for unknown reasons.

It was their first marriage anniversary, but she has to spend the day alone, as Ajay was not able to come back from Singapore due to official work.

Two years ago, a mom was trying her level best to wake up her 23yr old kid.

“எழுந்திரி மா, atleast உன் பிறந்த நாள் அன்னைக்கு நாச்சும் கோயில் போக வேண்டாமா", mom pleaded her daughter

“அஞ்சே நிமிஷம் தான்...நான் கண்டிப்பா எழுந்திடுவேன்", replied the sleepy voice

 

“இந்த அஞ்சு நிம்ஷம்கர கதைலாம் வேண்டாம், சோம்பேறி கழுத, எழுந்திரி", mom pleaded again.

“bad mummyyyy, கணவுல சூர்யா வரச்ச disturb பண்ண வேண்டாம்னு எத்தன தடவ சொல்லிருக்கேன்", சிரிச்சுகிட்டே  she got up.

The young couple had a heated argument on the previous night, as Ajay was stuck up in client’s meeting due to which, he would not be coming to India to spend time with her during their first anniversary.

A year ago,

“கல்யாண பொண்ண எழுப்பி விடுங்க...மணி அஞ்சு ஆச்சு...ready ஆக வேண்டாமா..முகுர்த்த நேரம் வேற நெருங்கிடும்..மாப்பிள்ளை வீட்டுகாரங்க கத்த போறாங்க",  a mom was shouting at the top of her voice to wake her daughter.

“அதுங்காட்டியும் விடிஞ்சிருச்சா, என்ன கொடுமை டா சாமி", murmured the sweet voice.

“சமத்து பொண்ணா எழுந்து ரெடி ஆகு மா, உன்ன கட்டிக்க போறவன் கடல் தாண்டி இன்னும் கொஞ்சம் நேரத்துல வந்திருவான்", அம்மா கிண்டல் பண்ணிட்டே பொண்ண எழுப்பி விட்டாங்க....

“அதான் மாப்பிள்ளை சிக்கியாசுள்ள, then y worry, no worry ma", சொல்லிட்டே அம்மாவ பாத்து கன்னடிச்சிட்டு she got up

9.30 AM…..As she was wandering inside the house wondering what to do,

The silence in the air was  broken by the constant buzz of the bell.

As she opened the door,

A cake box was lying in front of her door, and as she touched the box, 
voices screamed from everywhere,

“Happy Birthday”, 
as friends appeared in front of her and said,
 “23 வயசாச்சு போல??”

She was surprised to see Ajay kneeling in front of her with a bouquet in his hand. With a smiling face, in a lovely and composed tone he said, “A happy First Anniversary on your 25th Bday, Dear"

As tears rolled down her eyes, she hugged Ajay and said, “போடா, நீ வர மாட்டேனு சொன்னதுனால, எவ்வளவு feel பண்ணினேன் தெரியுமா"

“ஒரு surprise than மா”, replied Ajay

“surprisa, அடி வாங்குவ; இன்னொரு தடவ இப்படி ஏதாவது பண்ணு , ஆப்பு வைக்கிறேன் உனக்கு", சொல்லிட்டு சிரித்தால் அவள்.

As she was sipping the coffee along with Ajay, seated on a sofa, she wondered about the bonding of the number 27 and the month, November, while the memories from the past appeared in front of her.

It was the same date, a year ago, when she got married to Ajay….

It was the same date, two years back, when she celebrated birthday with her friends…..

Thousand miles away, Rahul woke up suddenly from his sleep to realize that the clock had ticked 9.30 AM. Remembering the celebrations during the past two years, when Rahul was able to meet her friend on bday as well as marriage, he cursed himself for not being able to meet her in person on her first marriage anniversary this year.

Feeling sad, he took his phone and dialled her number to wish her……..

Time and Tide waits for none!!!!! (Part 3)

Those who have not read Part-1 &and part-2, Do read it @ http://karthikponnusamy.blogspot.com/2011/11/time-and-tide-waits-for-none-part-2.html before continuing with Part-3


“Hey Rahul, Board a taxi to Zuhu and you will reach here by 8 PM”, replied the excited voice at the other end.

Been caught in a drastic situation, with a trembled voice, Rahul replied, “Listen, I know that the word “sorry” would not console you, but the fact is that am not coming to your marriage”.

Before he could continue speaking, the line went dead and tears started falling down from two persons.

“இந்த பொண்ணுங்களோட Friendship வச்சாவே

இப்படி தான். என்ன தான் க்ளோசா இருந்தாலும், கல்யாணதுகப்புரம் மீட் பண்ண முடியாது", thought Rahul and got immersed in deep thoughts. He was not able to concentrate on this work any further on that day and booked tickets to Mumbai for 28^th Morning from the flight list, which  he had checked sometime back.

Rahul left the office very much dejected, cursing at how bad he is at managing the gap between personal and professional life.

He tried calling her after going home and also left umpteen messages, but not even a single reply from her. It continued in the same way for nearly a week and whenever his phone rings or beeps for a message, he would look at it eagerly expecting a reply from her, but his expectations went in vain always.

D-day (27^th) arrived. Rahul was able to complete the work in the given time and got the much awaited onsite opportunity. As fate would have it, he never made it to his flight for Mumbai due to official reasons.

Rahul spent the entire 28^th thinking about her best friend and the missed chance to meet her during marriage. The thought of having disappointed her made him feel guilty and he was not even able to celebrate the client’s appreciation and the onsite opportunity earned by him.

Rahul left office feeling very lonely. As he entered the house, he saw his friend being immersed at some news in the TV. 

Looking at Rahul he told, “வா மச்சி, ஏன்டா இவ்வளவு சோகமா இருக்க. Flight வெடிச்சது நாலையா??"

Rahul with an astonished and serious look asked, “என்ன டா ஒளருற??"

“Oh, உனக்கு விஷயமே தெரியாதா. Mumbai to Tokyo flight burst off in the mid air due to technical snag da. 

"இப்ப தான் பிளாஷ் நியூஸ் ஓடிட்டு இருகாங்க. பாரேன்....", replied his friend

Rahul’s heart missed a beat looking at the flash news as she and Raghu were travelling in the same flight. Sooner he got a call from one of her friends regarding the mid-air mishap and the loss of their friend.

Rahul burst down into tears…….

As tears were rolling down his face, Rahul was brought back to the present world on hearing the young girl sitting next to him, telling her friend that her marriage is on 22^nd Feb.

It has been nearly thirty five years, since Rahul resigned his job on the very fateful day, his friend had met with an accident. It took time for Rahul to come out of the bizarre incident and he started an NGO thereafter. Till date, it has become his daily routine to come for a walk in the evening and on this particular day, looking at the best friends, he got back the painful memories from the past…. 

Time and Tide waits for none!!!!! (Part 2)

Those who have not read Part-1, Do read it @ http://karthikponnusamy.blogspot.com/2011/11/time-and-tide-waits-for-none-part-1.html before continuing with Part-2

A month back, when the situation was completely different, Rahul had applied for vacation from 19^th Feb to 23^rd Feb to attend her marriage in Mumbai. As the scenario has changed after the new requirement, Rahul had to change his actual plan and re-booked flight tickets to start on 21^st evening by 5 PM.

On 21^st, Rahul woke up early, packed his clothes and reached office by 8AM to complete the work to catch the flight on time. At 2PM, with only half of the work completed, Rahul was about to shut-down his system, when the phone rang loudly.

“Hey Rahul, the clients are very much impressed with your work and a serious discussion of your onsite opportunity is on the cards”, was the first sentence from Ajay.

Rahul was overjoyed on hearing the words, as the news could not have come at a better time than during his friend’s marriage.

Ajay continued, “By the way, the client needs a demo on your module at 11 AM tomorrow. I know that you would deliver your best”.

Rahul’s heartbeat stopped for a moment, as it’s her marriage day and he cannot even have the slightest thought of missing it at any cause. Having caught in the situation like a cat on the wall, his mind started thinking without listening to what Ajay was telling. Finally Rahul realized the necessity to bargain time from Ajay.

“Hey Ajay, I need a favour from you”, Rahul interrupted Ajay’s speech. I hope that you still remember about the marriage which I need to attend tomorrow and this sudden demo plan would ruin my travel. Can you speak to clients and get it postponed by a day, as I will be able to give more than 100% in work, after coming back from marriage.

“Rahul, you are kidding right”, was the reply from Ajay. Rahul was shocked on Ajay’s reply and replied in serious tone, “No Ajay, It is important for me to attend this marriage”.

A heated argument followed and after two hours of call, Ajay slammed the phone telling Rahul, 

“This is the time of your career to be flexible in work. Decide what you want. A client demo tomorrow, which earns you a direct ticket to onsite or attend the marriage and stay in offshore forever. Make your choice”.

Rahul was dumbstruck as Ajay has never spoken to him in this way. Ajay has been a well-wisher for Rahul, right from the time they started working together and this onsite opportunity for Rahul was partly due to the influence of Ajay too.

Rahul realized that fact that he could not board the flight at 5PM, as it takes one hour to travel from his office to airport and the clock had already moved past 4PM.

Rahul still had a choice to make.

He can leave the onsite opportunity for the timebeing, hoping that the doors would open once again (or) he can continue his work and earn the onsite opportunity now.

 For Rahul, it looked as if the decision is a matter of life and death. 

Rahul is also clear on the fact that it is very difficult to meet her after marriage, as she is moving to Japan with Raghu. Raghu started working in an electronic firm after completing his Masters degree there. Raghu has made complete arrangements for them to settle in Tokyo after their marriage, until he changes his company back to India.

Having immersed in thoughts, he opened cleartrip site and checked for flight tickets. It was 7PM and he realized that the reception would be in process and she would be busy with her new in-laws. Still he dialled her number........

Was Rahul able to attend the marriage???

To know the story more, read Part-3

Time and Tide waits for none!!!!! (Part 1)

It was the month of January. Busy traffic was seen on the roads at 6PM as people was happily returning home thinking of the long weekend that followed.

A cool breeze was brushing aside the people sitting on the shore of Marina Beach, Chennai.

Having bought an apartment in Santhome, Rahul had the pleasure to take a walk along the sea shore every evening after working in his NGO. 

He spotted his usual bench being occupied by a young couple. After giving a thought, he decided to occupy one corner of the bench. The young couple were discussing about their work and friends. Listening to their conversation, he realised that they are good friends and not lovers.

Rahul was busy working in his office, when a chat screen popped on the window – “Hey you”.

A broad smile filled his face and instantly he replied, “இன்னைக்கும் நீ லேட்டா, அந்த ஆளு உன்ன கத்த போறான்" 

 “இதெல்லாம் நமக்கு சகஜமப்பா, Bfast வறியா", she replied

Rahul replied, “எத்தன தடவ உனக்கு சொல்றது, காலேல Bfast சாப்பிடனும்னு. மணி 12 ஆகுது....இது தான் Bfast சாபிடற நேரமா? As every other tech geek would do, he sent an angry smiley along with the message and typed, “Meet me outside”

Rahul immediately got up from his cube and walked towards the exit, where she was already waiting for him and the lift. One of the issues of working in a multi-storeyed building is that the lift stops at each floor before reaching their office at 22^nd  floor.

Reaching the food court, Rahul got mini-tiffin for her and a cup of coffee for himself. “ரெண்டு வருஷத்துக்கு முன்னாடி தெரியாம உன்ன பாத்துட்டேன். அன்னைக்கு சிக்கினது தான், இன்னும் உன் Friendshipa கட் பண்ண முடியலையே",started Rahul with a smile and told her, I still remember the client’s question in my first interview, “What is J Unit?”

“இப்படியே சொல்லு, ஒரு நாளைக்கு உன்னால என்ன பாக்க முடியாம போய்டும்" , she replied with a jerk.

“அப்படிலாம் கனவுல கூட நடக்காது", "சரி சொல்லு, கல்யாண date பிக்ஸ் பணிட்டாங்க போல!!!!!!",asked Rahul

“ஆமாம் பா, சொல்லவே மறந்துட்டேன். Its on 22^nd of Feb”, she replied.

“எல்லா newsum  வந்திரிச்சு....இதெல்லாம் நாங்களா கேட்டு தெரிஞ்சுக்க வேண்டியதா இருக்கு....நிலம அந்த அளவுக்கு ஆச்சு....இரு, Raghu கிட்ட நான் கம்ப்ளைன்ட் பண்றேன், உங்க wife இப்பயே ப்ரிண்ட மறந்டுட்டானு", replied Rahul.

“Raghu தான, பாக்கறேன் யாரு பேச்சை அவன் கேக்கறான்னு", she replied 

The conversation went on, before we realized that she was sitting with an empty plate and me with an empty cup. As always, we didn’t realized that we had chatted for nearly an hour and started moving towards office.

Days rolled on and Rahul was engrossed with his work after being promoted as a Project Lead.

15^th Feb was a Monday and Rahul was as usual immersed in his work, when suddenly he got a call from Ajay (onsite manager) in the mid of the day. Nearly two hours of discussion made things clear for Rahul. A new, tough client requirement has to be submitted by 27^th and this is the gateway pass for his onsite opportunity.

The project estimate bemused Rahul, as he realized that he has to spend atleast 10 hours of his daily life in office till the completion of this project. Even a small deviation of work on any single day would cancel his onsite opportunity, his long awaited dream.

Also, Rahul worked on his personal time estimate side by side, on the amount of efforts to be put in, if he has to still make it to his best friend’s marriage on 22^nd . 

According to his estimate, he has to spend atleast 14hours in office for a vacation on 21^st & 22^nd.  She has already gone for her marriage vacation starting from 13^th. Rahul spoke to her explaining the situation and assured that he would make it to her marriage at any cost. 
She felt really happy looking at the care and efforts being shown by Rahul to attend her marriage. 

Due to the increased demand in work, Rahul was not even able to attend her calls and even if he attended, he was not able to dedicate more than 5minutes for her. Finally on 20^th (Saturday), around 11PM in office, Rahul got a chance to talk to her.


After a heavy bashing, she replied, “Enough of all these non-sense. No more phone calls. Come and meet me in the marriage hall tomorrow”.


What happened exactly on the day of marriage???????


To know the story, Read Part-2