Finding solace
Story by
Dhanraj P
Published by Smashwords
Copy right@ 2010, Dhanraj P
“What’s in your glass daddy?” questioned Meenu en-route to kitchen after her playtime outside. She is only seven years old.
“Apple juice, off-course!” I replied immediately.
“Umm,..Ummm..”
With a mischievous smile she went inside.
Prabhakar laughed loudly. His pot-belly jumped up and down along with his laughter.
“My Raju is also just like her. Smart” he said.
It was 7 O-clock in the evening. Prabhakar and myself were sitting in my living room and having drinks. He is a new friend of mine; Just met a few days ago in a small party. In fact he is actually a friend of my dearest friend Susheel. When Susheel introduced him to me, I saw a special twinkle in his eyes which I liked instantly. Susheel told me Prabhakar is a writer and a thinker. Before the party ended, Prabhakar and I became very close; Just like lost and found brothers!. Over the Booze, we talked about every thing under sun. We went outside basking in the moonlight and talked about anything and nothing. Late in the night while parting, I invited him to my house someday. As promised, he came here today-
Prabhakar wore an extra long khadi kurta and pants. He took out beedis frequently from his pocket and lighted it. His eyes became red. He sat back as if in a deep thought and looked at the ceiling.
“Shekhar,.. I like children very much. They are the light of our lives” his voice was tired.
“Prabha, I forgot to ask you about your family. How many children do you have and what are they doing?”
To this question he hesitated a little. He looked into my eyes. In a low and quiet tone he said.
“My Raju is only eight years old. He is studying in third standard. He is my only child”
“Your wife?”
Prabhakar looked at the ceiling again. Then he said,
“Yes!,.. Shobha! She is in my native place… yes,...both of them…!” His head sank.
I felt that alcohol has overcome him. I stood up and told my wife to prepare the dinner. Prabhakar was silent over the dinner. He ate only a little. After dinner we sat in the living room again. He was back in his mood. He talked a lot about the current scenario in literature and about the so called pseudo-intellectuals in the field.
During the summer vacation, Meenu insisted to go for a picnic. She was feeling bored because all of her friends have gone to some place or other. We decided to visit the famous cave temples which is around 50 km from our place. We booked an Indica car for the trip. Meenu was delighted.
On the eve of the trip, I got a call from Prabhakar. His voice was jubilant. He had got some local award, for one of his books. Prabhakar told me he is coming next day to meet me. I told him about the trip. Instantly he said; he is also coming.
Early in the morning, Prabhakar materialized with a small carry bag. He took out a cute Barbie doll set and called loudly.
“Meenu….”
Meenu had just got up and was behind her mummy, nagging her in the kitchen. She came running. She was delighted to see the Barbie set.
“Thank you uncle!” she took the doll set and ran back to the Kitchen.
Prabhakar sat on one of the sofas.
“I presume that you won’t mind my coming along with you. I want to celebrate my achievement with you” he smilingly said.
“You are most welcome yaar” I told him.
The cave temples were located in the interior of the forest on the western ghats. Indica climbed up the forest road, effortlessly. The sun shone brightly through the gap between the tree tops. Meenu looked out of the car and animatedly pointed out, at the sight of monkeys, squirrels, rabbits and other small creatures. She was apparently the happiest of the group. Prabhakar sat in the front seat and was silent. At times, he looked back and watched Meenu’s amusement.
We reached there at around 10.30 in the morning. The atmosphere was very cool. There were some tea and cool drinks shops lined up alongside the road. Apart from us, there were only a few tourists. We have to climb down around 50 steps to reach the caves. Meenu took hold of Prabhakar’s hand and enthusiastically ran down the steps. We trailed behind. Meanwhile, we got a guide- a very old man, who explained in a very native accent. He said that there are 1000 stone lamps sculpted on the walls inside one of the caves. Lighting those lamps is considered as an offering. Those who light all the ‘diyas’ are ensuring long lives of their children.
It was damp inside the caves. There were some sort of puja for the mountain deities going on in the corner. There were altogether six caves. The largest of them had the stone lamps. Prabhakar suddenly turned around and told me,
“Shekhar I want to light the lamps”
The guide took us to a pujari of the temple, who tore a receipt of 500 rupees. With some difficulty he got up from his seat, went behind and brought a can full of oil and a packet of wicks. Prabhakar gave the money and took the oil can and wicks. Meenu enthusiastically accompanied him. They poured oil in the diyas and put one wick in each lamp. We also joined them.
It was a simply a very beautiful and delightful scene to see all the lamps burning. In that background, I took many snaps with Prabhakar holding Meenu in his hands. I saw a feeling of contentment on his face.
By evening 04.00 pm. we started our return journey. When we reached home we were terribly exhausted. Prabhakar held my hands for some time and looked at me in my eyes. It appeared that he wanted to say something. But he turned around and walked away immediately. I watched him vanishing around the corner.
Days passed by. One morning I was shocked to see an obituary photo in the news paper. It was of Prabhakar! He died three days ago! I immediately called Susheel.
“Prabhakar had been a heart patient for years. He had suffered two attacks earlier and he couldn’t survive the third!” Susheel told me.
“What about his wife and child?”
“Who? Shobha and Raju? Oh! That is the tragedy of his life! He lost them in an accident ten years ago. But, he tells most of the people that they are staying in his house at his native place.”
I stood speechless.