Friday, January 23, 2009

...of a different kind

It was the month of March,and the place Atlantic city.For a guy from southern part of India,Rajamanikkam was already numb with the temperature being sub zero.The time 7 pm.He had come for a conference and found all the hotels near the convention centre just impossible ,for his company had given him a princely $40/day.The year 1985.He was guided to a motel & was assured there would be a free pick up from the motel to the convention centre.

As he walked in ,he found an Indian face at the counter & felt very relieved.Mukesh ,as the guy at the counter called himself, was the owner ,receptionist & perhaps all in all of the motel.Pleasantries exchanged and Raja booked himself for 6 days & was led to the room by Mukesh,in his wheel chair.Raja wanted to sleep off but the time difference kept him awake. He walked down to the reception & Mukesh welcomed him with his trade mark smile.What started as a small talk soon drifted into all kinds of topics & they chatted away like long lost friends. Mukesh mentioned his wife,Parimal, was working in O'Briens and would be back by 2 AM & his only daughter Prerna, was 3 old years.It was close to midnight & Raja excused himself and hit the bed.

Morning went off to the convention centre & spent the whole day there. The sheer size of everything in USA was sheer delight & he was awestruck. As he was returning back saw a huge hoarding which said: O'Briens,nothing to top this,everything topless :Evening as he was talking Mukesh ,he mentioned about this & wanted to know what O'Briens did.Mukesh replied it was one top class Bar cum restaurant housed in a famous casino.

On the third evening it was Mukeshs birthday and evening he wanted Raja to join him.Parimal had taken off that day & they sat for a quiet dinner.By then all the three had bonded well as good friends,though they knew each other just for three days.Mukesh had fallen in love with Parimal but his family had rejected his idea of marriage to her,for they didnt approve the nature of her job. So he had walked out & got this motel as his share of family business.Parimal joked,:: We were thrown out,rejected & when mukesh was seriously injured in a pile up,the blame also came on to me. I am so damn lucky,you got it!! :: Prerna was very attached to Raja.

Years started rolling at their own pace,Raja visiting USA every year,and became ANNA ( elder brother ) to Parimal.When Prerna turned 10 ,Mukesh & Parimal wanted to put her in a boarding school in India.After several rounds of discussion with Raja, decided to enroll her in a wonderful school in Kodaikanal. Raja obviously was the local guardian.Every six months Prerna was back in USA to her parents and everything appered fine. Meanwhile Parimal took over O'Brien & became very busy.

Prernas Tamizh was as good as locals & she was part of Rajas family in every function and festival.One Diwali Prerna ddnt turn up at Rajas house & spent it in her schoolmates house. Later Raja came to know it was at Kulasekhara Pandians house & whose only son Adhitya Pandian was her schoolmate. The Pandians were one of the biggest business houses in Southern Tamizh Nadu.

Soon out of school and into college,Prerna shifted to Chennai. Adhitya & she continued to be in touch and love naturally bloomed. Raja kept Parimal & Mukesh informed of this,& they seemed to be quite happy about it & wanted their daughter to take her own decision.

One fine day,Prerna sat across Raja .

Prerna : Uncle I want to marry Adhitya.

Raja : Thats a good news ma,Have you discussed this with Adhitya.

Raja was worried that the Pandian family was too rich and they may be looking for family of equal status.

Prerna : yes ,uncle, Adhitya has spoken to his family too and they have accepted his idea.

Smart girl, Raja thought to himself

Raja : Thats fine then, Lets break the great news to Mom &Dad .

Prerna was silent & after few seconds said

I have told Adhitya ,everything for me is my Uncle i.e you ,besides they may not accept what my Mom is doing back home..Sorry Uncle

Raja was stunned..It was Rejection of a different kind

TC
CU

100 comments:

Fantasies of a Lifetime said...

welcome back :). . .Nice story as always,

Its sad how society comes before a relationship :-( .

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Fantasies of a Lifetime
Welcome..
yes, Society is a strange thing & rarely one is able to go against the pressure it exerts
TC
CU

Gomathy S said...

Priorities differ with time..a good example here..

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Daisy Blue
True,priorities change & who cares trampling on emotions
TC
CU

bindu said...

Your short stories explore many social taboos. Very interesting pieces.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@bindu
Thanks for being here.. many things affects us,and perhaps get expressed in Blogs..
Tc
CU

Jaanvi said...

very nice post.. society has different yardsticks and its a pity that we always stick to them no matter how rotten they are.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Jaanvi
True Jaanvi ..Sometimes we also assume society will not accept it
TC
CU

Preetilata【ツ】 said...

ohh the end of d story just ripped my heart apart. m i over reacting CU?

love this story. through this short story u have put forward u have reflected so many things.true that prerna's priorities changed but what forced the change to occur society.moreover her education, her growing up lessons and her sorroundings did not teach her to care about...........
rather she did not even try to break d rules but did not hesitated to break her parent's heart :(

khub bhalo laglo.

sorry as i am stuck in my xms preps and thats y d delayed visit.

bhalo theko CU sir. :)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Preetilata【ツ】
Dhonnobad
First, Good luck for your exams

Whatever is our background,education or otherwise,most of us retain the selfishness & are ready to trample upon others,whoever they are,very easily..
Bhalo theko
TC
CU

PurpleHeart said...

Life rolls on, let's hope there comes a time when Prerana says "Uncle, I want my husband's family to meet my mom and realise how fascinating she is in her own way" ! :)

anits said...

hi cu...as usual nalle kathai..i enjoyed it! keep up your creative ideas!
valge

anitha

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@PurpleHeart
welcome here PurpleHeart ,after a long time..
True,that will be a great day when Prerna is able to come out in open
Tc
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@anits
Vaanga,nandri for comments
TC
CU

SandyaS said...

nice one.. felt sad in the end.

really shameful that at times with growth, the young ones, fail to accept their own parents. something that everyone shud put a thought into and see what you have paid back for all that the parents sacrificed.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@SandyaS
Welcome Sandya ,But these things happen & then whats the reason,one wonders
TC
CU

Aarthi said...

@CU
Really stunning..Though it happens or might happen I really don't want to even hear any similar kinda real-life stories.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Aarthi
Welcome here Aarthi .long time..
I agree,these things should not happen,too shocking
TC
CU

Keshi said...

WB!

Loved this one CU...some day I hope that mum will be accepted for who she is?

Keshi.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Keshi
Thanks Keshi
Social Stigma & acceptabilty play a significant role in how we exist..seldom one has the strength to go against
thanks for being here
TC
CU

Anonymous said...

Came across your blog thru 'Rosemilkinabottle.wordpress.com'. Mostof the creative writing pieces i have seen are either sad love stories or some kinda mystries...yours is miles away from either. I loved the way you write.

Blogrollin you.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

Welcome here..Thanks for the nice words though its a bit embarrasing for me !
Thanks again
TC
CU

ceedy said...

:) first off...you have been here many times...description was apt and precise....I felt the chill ;)

About the story...its interesting....and sad when kids don't appreciate that their parents did what was best possible by them to bring them up in life...

also this reminds me of a thing which my friend told me....a kid was with a babysitter for always since he was born...as the mom was a real career woman...but when she lost her job and they no longer wanted the expense of the babysitter....the kid would not stay with her....for him "mom" was the babysitter...

happy weekend

Dhivya said...

Very interesting- What a topic! I do feel sorry for the mom- to be rejected by your own child has got to be the worst feeling. It sucks what ppl end up doing due to social pressures.

I'm coming back here after a while and loved this post!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@DHIVYA ARASAPPAN
Welcome here DHIVYA . Its been ages since you have been here.In this blog world people do easily get bored & drift away.. Its wonderful to have you back here..
Social pressure & its sphere of influence, oh my,its just terrible
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ceedy
Welcome ceedy..
Society is always an issue.. TO BE OR NOT TO BE...
Can we exist without society & its tentacles..
More than society ,when the not so subtle pressure comes from within the family,the shattering effect is impossible to withstand
Thanks for being here ceedy
TC
CU

Dhivya said...

Yeah its good to be back and I'm blogrolling you btw- luv ur short stories

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@DHIVYA ARASAPPAN
Thanks DHIVYA ..
Me too will blogroll you.Thanks
TC
CU

Unknown said...

Thanks for the visit :-)
Society pressure n all :'( Sad but true.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@akanksha
Welcome ..The question is,is the pressure permanent ? Is there a way out ?
Thanks for being here
TC
CU

மங்கை said...

Hmmm..

//it was Rejection of a different kind//


hmmm...this line...after reading...கொஞ்சம் வலிச்சது... hmm afterall she is already tuned up by our soceity...

Goodone CU...

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@மங்கை
Vaanga மங்கை ..Vetthilai paakku vecchu kooptathan vareenga..
Sila valigal samudayatthinaal,sila valigal sirusugalinaal...enna seyya

Nandri for encoraging words
TC
CU

மங்கை said...

ayooo CU..வெத்தலை பாக்கெல்லாம் வேண்டாம்.. நீங்க எழுதாம இருந்தபோ பல தடவை வந்து பார்த்துட்டு போனேனே.. இப்ப winter சீக்கிரம் பெட்டுக்கு ஓடீறது.. அந்த்தே..:-)

I had already this.. i think on the day u had posted only...but was not able to comment on that day

Vidya said...

Hmm...Ironic how kids seem to forget what their family has done for them. What goes around comes around!!

The story is true enough to stir emotions! :D

Vidya

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@மங்கை
kuttu pattalum modarakkaiyala kuttu padanum..Adhukkuthan ungaloda comments ethirpaarpu ellam..
Santhosam ,neenga sonna vaarthailiye
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Vidya
Very true..but at the same time should there be expectation from the elders too ,I wonder
TC
CU

anits said...

Hi CU...nalema?

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@anits
Nalam anits..Neengalum nalam thane..
Velai,alaichhal, romba travel..will be like that till March.. thanks ma
TC
CU

Keshi said...

I agree..thats the biggest barrier to cross.

Keshi.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Keshi
Thanks Keshi
TC
CU

aMus said...

good descriptions, nice story...sad too...

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@ Suma
hopes too get stonewalled sometimes
TC
CU

venuss66 said...

Nice story. Thank you for your visit. Been a long time since I came here. Sorry about that. Hope you are pretty well there. Take care.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@venus66
Welcome venus.. true ,ages since you had been here..hope everything with you too

TC
CU

anits said...

lets b proud to b an INDIAN...A.R. Rahman has proven it! valge TAMIL valge TAMILAN

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@anits
aamaam anits..Santhosham,miga miga santhosham.
Vaazhga
TC
CU

Preethi said...

very interesting tale CU... my mind is reeling with too many thoughts.. I am not sure who to blame, the daughter, the society or the parents who let her go so far away they practically lost her?

Preethi said...

Whoops! I meant to say literally!!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Preethi
Welcome Preethi . Long time..
A perfect catch 22 situation..Why blame anyone ma..its how the many real life situations are turning out to be..life has to keep going on
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Preethi
Literally,Practically..all the same..lol
TC
CU

PreethZzZ said...

Hmmmm what a story... highlights the differing priorities!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@PreethZzZ
Nicely worded.thanks
TC
CU

Gomathy S said...

You have an award in my blog..

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Daisy Blue
Thats nice of you,Thanks a lot
TC
CU

Ponnarasi Kothandaraman said...

Well written story! :) The flow was really good.. the part where Raj describes abt his feeling abt US is 2 good!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Ponnarasi Kothandaraman

vaanga Princesss..nandri Vaarthaigalukku
Tc
CU

Priya Sivan said...

Thanks for your comment on my post. Been long since I visited your blog. Will read them at leisure:)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Priya Sivan
welcome PS, Its been ages you have been here.Please do visit when time permits
TC
CU

Meghna said...

Lovely....i went through it twice!!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Meghna
Welcome here & thanks for the comments Meghna
TC
CU

Preetilata【ツ】 said...

helloz. kamon accho?? :)

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Preetilata【ツ】
Bhalo,thumi kemon acho.Porikka Sesh hoyegeche na ki ?
TC
CU

Priyamvada_K said...

CU,
I am stunned at Prerna. She told Adithya that her Uncle Raja is everything to her.

Will a marriage based on a lie like this feel comfortable? Will she be ok with ignoring her parents for the rest of her life? If not, when the truth comes out, will Adithya be able to trust her again?

Hmmm.

Priya.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Priyamvada_K
welcome here.. time will answer the many unanswered questions !!
TC
CU

anits said...

hi tamila...nalem nalem ariye avel...valga valemudan!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@anits
Varugha Varugha,Naan nalamaga ullen,neengalum nal;am ena nambugiren, Vaazhga
TC
CU

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anits said...

hi CU....how r u? new post kanum...hv a great day tamila

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@anits

Vaanga anits..Velai romba adhigam..Neenga eppadi irukkeenga, sowkyama
TC
CU

Anonymous said...

aairam poi solli kalyaanam seilam nu sollirka...

but wat u have written represents a perfect ethical dilemma... on one hand mom's job and the other hand life's love...

intha maadhiri nelamai yaarukkum vara koodaathu!!!

and i really wanna know wat u wud have done as the uncle...


-anush

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@anush

Welcome here,.first time I guess.

The parents always wish the best for their kids.They wanted & continue to remain anonymous..The uncle merely executed their wishes
TC
CU

Gayatri Bhadran said...

oh lord, what a horrible daughter :|

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Gayatri
Hmmm..thats one view ,I guess
Tc
CU

rayshma said...

long time.. hope all's well with you.
take care.

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@rayshma
welcome rayshma & thanks for concern. Everything fine just over worked. But have been reading all friends posts.
U 2 TC
TC
CU

Cinderella said...

Nice message there CU.

I somehow felt I was running as fast as I could from one scene to another without halt. Too many elements to engulf in one small post.

But the point drove home none-the-less.

I just wished it to be move at a more leisurely pace.

anits said...

hi tamila...nalem nalem ariye avel...valge tamil valge tamilan

Compassion Unlimitted said...

Nalam inge, neengal eppadi irukkireergal
TC
CU

Gayatri Bhadran said...

waiting eagerly for your new post sir :)

Ponnarasi Kothandaraman said...

Long time no see??? :) Hope u r doing good!

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Gayatri
Welcome Gayatri ..just not able to sit & pour out here..me too missing blogging though
TC
CU

Compassion Unlimitted said...

@Ponnarasi Kothandaraman
Vaanga Princess..Velai illa Kaalatthil ,velayai Thedi alaindhu kondu irukkum kaalam idhu.. inge nalam,neengalum nalamaga irukkireergal ena nambugiren

TC
CU

Preethi said...

hello.. enna post ee kanam.. write fast!!

Fantasies of a Lifetime said...

wakey wakey . . .

Anonymous said...

Good story!

Preetilata【ツ】 said...

kothay harale CU?

i hope bhalo accho. miss u around.

parle amake mail koro.

khub bhalo theko :)

rayshma said...

hello!
wish you a wonderful b'day!! :)
long time... so hope all's well too! :)

anits said...

enne nanba puthu post kanum? rombe busy yo?

Vidya said...

You have been out of the circuit for a long time. What is going on?

plush said...

comps...everything alright?? where are u?

m.flowerr said...

Hey CU! No updates for a longtime? Is everything fine?

Raghavan alias Saravanan M said...

Hi CU sir,

How are you doing? Looks like you too were absent for so long! !@#!!#!@

Just a casual visit and greetings. Hope to see you back soon.

Take Care.
Cheers,

anits said...

hi nanba vanakam..enna rombe naala aale kanum?busy?
anyway hv a nice day!

Ponnarasi Kothandaraman said...

No update for a long time? :)

Vanjula said...

@ CU Sir,
epdi erukeenga? romba romba naal aachu unga pathiva padichu? comment a padichu? Hope everything is well with you..Ethavathu solunga sir!!!

Preetilata【ツ】 said...

tumi to hariyei gecho CU. ki byapar???? :(

anits said...

hi tamilan...rombe naala achi blogging panni..very busy is it?anyway have a nice day n happy new year to u! valge valemudan

Lakshmi said...

oh the ironies of life...happy new year and thanks for the wishes

Preethi said...

after a long time here.... nice story

If Parimal has a right to reject the norms of her society and work at a topless bar then Prerna has a right to reject her mother's choice of her society too. ... i think it is only human to feel an aversion especially since she has been sent to a boarding school and away from Parimal for so long. I'm with prerna here.....

Compassion Unlimitted said...

OOPs,so many of my friends comments I have missed.my apologis
TC
CU