LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDOURED THING !!! OR IS LOVE BLIND ??

LOVE   IS A  MANY  SPLENDOURED THING !!!  or

 IS  LOVE  BLIND ??

[The writer wishes to state that any resemblance  of the  characters in this blog, to persons, living or dead is purely, accidental or coincidental]

Shalini   was     born   in a   poor  orthodox  Hindu  family;  

but  what  she lacked in wealth,  she made up   with her beauty and  intellect.    

Her parents  could   just  educate her  up to secondary  school level;   

they  wanted  her to take up a job,  and earn  sufficiently
to support them in old age  and provide funds for her marriage.  

Being a brilliant student, Shalini  passed  her school exams with distinction.  

She , then  did  a course on computer programming , and  applied for a job, in reputed  software  companies.

She  got  immediate   responses, from reputed, firms  for interviews   and got job offers from almost all of them. 

She selected  a  reputed  multinational  company to start her carrear.   

It was here that  she met  Stevens;  

He was  born in a rich orthodox Indian  Christian family. 

Though not as clever as Shalini,  he was intelligent;   

Moreover the Creator  made him  an Adonis!!  

Combined with his impeccable manners, few of the opposite  sex could resist him.  

 Shalini and  Stevens[ who had also joined  recently]   were  given a critical time bound assignment on programming.

There was a gentle reminder  that their confirmation, future prospects  in the Company, depended on how well they performed in  this assignment.

Soon, they got into their jobs;  

New  brooms always  sweep very well !! They divided the
task between them ;  There were weekly reviews with their manager;  

They were often required to sit late hours at their work.  

It was thus, they got to know each other well.

At the review meeting, their manager was highly satisfied with Shalini's work; 

He gently reminded Steven, that he has to catch up in his work !   

Steven nodded his head in confirmation.

Shalini, could now go home early, ;  while Steven continued with his job.

One day, Shalini, told Steven "I will stay behind for some time and help you Stev"

No, no Shal,  Please carry on , I will handle it myself," replied Steven.  

"Its alright Stev, anyway I don't  have much to do at home now, let me help, please," she said.

Their bonding at work, only drew them  together;  

They started , discussing [between themselves] their likes and dislikes in their personal life.  

"You know Stev, fifteenth of next month is my birthday", Shalini said;  

What do you say, same here!" replied Steven; 

"But Stev, I can't celebrate in a big way", Shalini moaned. 

"Let the fifteenth come, and we will see", replied Steven. 

Then he whispered something in her ear.

* * *  * * *

"Did your parents agree?"  asked Steven.    

"What about yours?" asked  Shalini;

"Well our parents must be thinking we have urgent work in the Company; Hope they dont find us at the theatre"   said Shalini.

After the show, they went to a reputed  restaurant  for dinner.

It was time to say good night; 

"Stev  do you know something, , You have not wished me happy birthday  yet". 

"Oh sorry,  Happy birthday  Shalini!"  he said.  

"Is that all, Stev?", she asked;

Oh----hh    What do you want me to say,  Shalini?", he asked.   

Stev,  you are an " ANARI' a buddhu, a child, even a boy will understand  more than you, what is meant by love,"  said Shalini.

And Shalini stormed  out of the meeting.    

"Shalini,  wait, wait",said Steven, as he ran after her, and
took her hands, gently.  

Their eyes remained fixed at each other for sometime followed by smiles and a gentle hug and kiss. 

"I have to go home now, Stev", Shalini  said. 

"I will drop you", replied Steven

* *  *  * * *

Their assignment was nearing  completion.  

"Stev..." said Shalini.  

"Yes dear?",  replied Steven.

"Stev,  have you thought of us, after, the assignment? There are rumours  that we may be transferred to seperate locations"  

"Yes, dear  I have also heard it";  

Then,  Shalini looked at Steven  in his eyes."What do we do?",  Shalini  said "I cant dream of even opening the topic to my parents".  

"Same here", replied Steven;  "But  I have  a solution", 

Then he whispered at length in her ears.  "What, are you crazy, do you realize what you are saying?" said Shalini

"Well if you  agree, then  let me know in advance", Steven replied  .

* * *    * * *

The media , both  electronic and printed  splashed the news prominently:

"Young  brave heart resists  molestation and rape  by her colleague  in a reputed I T organisation; The accused  surrenders in the police station. The girl  escapes with minor injuries". 

The news sent shock waves to the  affected  families, relatives  and friends.

The elder  Silveira told his wife, "Sylvia, I don't want to see  Steven anymore in this house;  I don't know how society will treat us henceforth.  However  I will arrange for his best defence".

Shalini's family was already in the hospital. After her recovery,  she went back to her company,with  her resignation letter.  

The general manager received her, expressed  regret to what had happened.  

He did not accept her resignation letter, but conveyed to her the good news, that she is being transferred to the parent company in England.

* * *    * * *

The trial of Steven Silveira was held in a sessions  court;  It was completed within  a month,;

The accused pleaded guilty to the charges, stating it was a moment of madness;

The judge  after hearing the arguments  pronounced him guilty. but he concluded, in view of his past exemplary behaviour  with the victim, that he would undergo a sentence of 3 years in prison; 

Both the State and Defence  preferred not to appeal in the higher courts.

* * *    * * *

Two  years  later, Steven landed at Heathrow  airport , London.  

After baggage clearance, he walked to the arrival counter. 

Their eyes met.  

"Stev", Shalini said, "You have not changed one bit!"

"You too dear!" replied Steven as they went into a tight kiss and embrace . 

Steven said : "Frankly I liked the prison  experience" 

"What are you saying?" asked  Shalini.

Steven continued, "The jailor was a nice man and he requested me to teach the inmates a little of English, arithmetic and computers . The inmates were also well behaved ; they gave me a lot of respect. The jailor recommended that my sentence be reduced to two years. On my discharge day the inmates hugged  and wished me best of luck".   

"Come, lets start a new life", she said; 

"Hmmmm..",   replied   Steven.


* * *   * * *

Many years later, there was a knock at a house in 10 Chiswick Square  Cheltnam,  Essex.

"Papa,  Mom!"  exclaimed Steven;  "Ayee  Wadil!"said Shalini; 

"Mama who are they?" asked Rohan.

"Why did you do this to us?" The parents asked their offsprings. "If you had only uttered a word we would have understood!!"


G.Venkatesh