SRIPATI IS SCARED

Sripati is scared.

It is pitch dark all around him. And he is alone. He has no idea what the time is or for how long he had been trapped there! He is sweating profusely. He is thirsty too and his mouth is parched. He is not able to see anything around as there is no light at all. He is feeling suffocated as there is absolutely no breeze at all!

He felt like screaming. But is there any use in calling aloud? Is there anyone who will hear and come to his rescue? He doubted whether his voice will reach anyone outside.

He panicked. Is it the last day of his existence? If nobody comes and saves him in time, he is sure to breathe his last. Either due to suffocation or thirst or hunger or sheer fear or all those together. What can he do now? Other than waiting for any saviour or death....

He tried to divert his mind to other things. But again and again his mind went back to his plight. He remembered his family.... Will he ever see them again? Will he ever get out of this ordeal safe and sound? His eyes watered and tears rolled down his cheeks. His heart wailed.

'But this is not the first time for me to face similar calamities.' He thought bravely. 'And I came out of them alive and kicking. So hopefully this time also I may turn out lucky!'

His mind went back to his childhood.

When he was 9-10 years old, he accompanied his uncle to the riverside. Uncle was much against the idea of babysitting the little nephew. Sripati started wailing loudly and his mother, chided her brother for making the little boy cry and ordered him to take him along. The sulking uncle had to oblige. He left him on the banks with a strict warning not to come anywhere near the water and went into the water for a swim and a quick bath.

The boy did not bother to obey his uncle's instructions. Without knowing how and when, the adventurous Sripati found himself drowning in the water. Scared out of his wits, he swallowed much water and passed out. But the uncle and others in the vicinity dragged him out and after vigorous first aid, he came back to senses. He can never forget those few moments of panic, suffocation and fear.

Another time after their marriage, Komali and he went to a park. As is common with the newly weds, they chose a secluded corner away from the public view. A hefty man suddenly appeared, brandishing a knife at them. Sripati out of fear, remained rooted to the ground and just gawked at him. Komali, in tears, handed over her bangles, chains etc. to the attacker. Satisfied, he turned to go. But meanwhile, other people gathered and a policeman also materialised. They all caught hold of the thief and Komali got back her gold.

But the most amusing part is that she mistook him to be brave and courageous to remain unfazed and unmoved, even when accosted by such a cutthroat robber. She projected him as an unflinching hero to all and sundry. He enjoyed the scenario and adoration and never tried to contradict. To this day, she considers him as a hero. But in his heart of hearts, he alone knows how scared and panicked he felt at that moment. He always shudders even to this day, trying to guess what would have been his fate if the thief had different plans or was in a more violent mood and disposition!

But now things are different. There is no one around to rescue him. He started praying to god.

He again and again kept remembering the horrid stories either heard from others or read in the newspapers. Of a little boy who was locked in the classroom as a punishment and was forgotten by the teacher over the vacations. Of little kids who fell in the borewells. Of people who were stranded in the lifts and suffocated to death. Maybe tomorrow or day after, his case also will be reported in some paper or by some channel! He felt like crying in despair. Is his end destined like this? Is it written in his fate to die alone and helpless and weeping? Will he come out of this suffering, safe and sound?

He did not realise but he dozed off sitting upright in the sofa.

But suddenly  he was awakened by some vague sounds. Then there was a big flash of light, followed by loud sounds. His eyes which were in the dark for so long could not adjust to the sudden light. But he could make out three figures, shining and sparkling. He closed his eyes tightly and screamed. Three more screams echoed, two female and one male.

Then a voice said in relief, "It is only your son, aunty."

"Yes, Komali, it is your husband!" The second voice replied. It was followed by another voice, male this time, saying, "Yes, Savithri, it is our son, Sripati!"

Sripati came out of the shock and daze. He opened his eyes and noticed that both the women were bedecked in silks and fine jewellery. Hence the shining and sparkling!

"What is this sound?" Komali went and switched off the blaring TV. "When did the power go? We noticed our street is dark and guessed it is power cut. Why didn't you switch off the lights, fans, TV before going to sleep?"

"Why is it so stuffy here?" Savitri frowned and opening the curtains and windows, chided, "Why did you close them? There is no current also all the while! Didn't you find it hot and humid?"

Narayana sat down to remove his shoes and asked his son, "What are you doing here, Sripati? Why are you dozing off in the sofa? You could have gone inside to your bedroom."  

Sripati glared at them. "Are you done with your queries? I was watching the TV after you people left and the power went off at about seven O' clock.It was you both that  closed the windows and curtains in the afternoon, don't you remember?..."

"But can't you open..."

"No, I can't! How can I open the windows or switch off the things or go to the bedroom in pitch darkness? That's why I remained in the sofa waiting for the lights to come." He did not mention about his scared state of mind.

"Ridiculous! It is our house and you are familiar with it. Can't you walk a few steps in the dark?" Narayana stared at him in disbelief.

He scratched his head. "I was afraid. Suppose if I stumble on the glass top teapoy and the glass breaks and I hurt myself? Suppose..."

Savithri and Komali looked at each other. "But where is the glass top one? You yourself broke it two weeks back and we replaced it with a wooden one with decolam top..." Komali wondered.

Sripati looked at it in disbelief as if he saw that for the first time. "I completely forgot about that! Still, suppose if I fall down hitting even that? Suppose if I am obstructed by some other furniture? Suppose if I hurt my head? Suppose if I bleed to death before you come back?..."

"Oh, shut up." Narayana shouted. "Just shut up and stop that nonsense."

'Did he guess that I felt scared in the darkness? Did he think of me as a silly coward?' Sripati's face reddened with embarrassment.

He changed the topic. "Why did you come so stealthily? Like thieves? I was startled when you all appeared so suddenly!" He pouted.

Komali said, "We thought you must be deep asleep and we did not disturb you with any sound. So I turned the key as noiselessly as possible and we entered carefully without making any noise."

Narayana yawned and stretched and went to his room saying, "Ok, folks, I am tired. I will go to bed."

"But don't you even remember that your cell phone has a flashlight too..." Komali wondered.

Sripati looked at her angrily. "It is in the bedroom and I am trapped here in the living room for eternity..." He looked at the clock. "Oh, it is eleven O' clock now. Why are you all so late? Forgot about me left alone at home while you people are making merry at the function and gossiping with each and every damn person you come across?.."

Savitri looked at him. "You know the marriage is at 9:30. After that we hurriedly grabbed some food at the buffet worrying about you all the time and came back. We did not loiter around as you accuse. We don't even remember what we ate," She said sharply. Then she softened her tone a little and said, "You also should have come, Sripati, everyone was enquiring about you."

Sripati glared at Komali and she replied.

"How can he, aunty? Till yesterday he was having fever. And you know how uncontrollable he is with those dinners. He cannot resist the temptation and if he falls sick again?"

Savitri shrugged and went inside.

Komali said,"I will also go and get rid of this fancy stuff." She emerged after a while and was about to clear the dishes on the dining table and shrieked. "Didn't you have your dinner? Why? Are you not well? No appetite?"

Savitri came out running. "What happened? Why are you shouting?"

Sripati looked at them angrily. "So at last now you bother about me! I told you I was confined to that cramped sofa in the living room for the past four hours or so. And you ask, 'Didn't you have your dinner' " He mimicked her.

Komali started settlg his plate and serving. "Come, come. It is already late."

Savitri rolled her eyes. "What a son! Why don't you behave in a grown up and mature way befitting your age? Your son and daughter in law are about to have their child in around ten days. But you are still like a baby! Sulking when left alone for a few hours!" She boxed his ear in a playful manner.

He thought, 'It is better to let her think whatever she likes. I should take care not to let others know that I was at my wits' end when there was only darkness all around and that I was scared to move even a finger. They will make fun of me and ridicule.' He is still at a loss and unable to fathom why on earth he felt so vulnerable and scared all the while and why his mind repeatedly kept foreseeing some drastic calamity instead of thinking rationally and facing the situation sensibly! He felt silly. 'I should not let it happen again.' He resolved strongly. 'Fear in the dark doesn't have any age limit. It is the same for all ages. But I should come out of it in time to collect myself and react properly. At the same time, I need not expose my weakness and fear to all.'

CHANGED IMPRESSIONS

The marriage function of my daughter, Jyothi is going on. I and Padma are on the dias performing the pre-marriage rituals. I had been very tense and nervous right from the day the match is fixed. As a father of the bride, I am worried whether the function will be over smoothly without any hiccups.

My brothers, Hari and Madhu, along with their wives and my son Kiran assured me of their help and support several times over previous two weeks or so. But I never could feel enough confident about their involvement and capability. In my opinion, they are all carefree and irresponsible fellows. I notice them roaming around most of their time with friends. My son, Kiran more so. Madhu and Hari are also the same type. But now that they are married, they slowed down a little, but only a little! Still not at all dependable with any responsibility. Being in the same city, we meet very frequently. In fact during any functions in their homes, they leave everything to Padma and me without bothering much. Of course I feel elated with the importance given to us. But sometimes I tend to feel they should get more involved at least in their matters instead of being lazy and take-it-easy types.

Our Kiran is a typical jolly and carefree boy. Padma often tries to pacify me saying that once he settles down, he will be more mature and responsible. But I have my own doubts. In fact I hold the same impression about his friends and the present younger generation in general. Padma on the other hand, feels I overreact.

But now, I am forced to change my opinion. Those three turned out to be excellent event managers. Card printing and distribution, shopping, packing and shifting to the marriage venue, all are over very smoothly and systematically with their help. Now while Hari and Sunitha are in the dining hall supervising the buffet, Madhu, Leela and Kiran are at the entrance receiving the guests. I relaxed for the first time and tried to concentrate on the rituals going on.

After a few minutes my eyes again wandered to the entrance of the hall. To my surprise, I found only Leela. No sight of either Madhu or Kiran! I frowned. Those useless fellows must be hanging around somewhere ignoring all my instructions to be there throughout. In fact I am not surprised much. It just proved my original impression about them once again. I am a fool to be impressed with them initially. But now I am worried more about the proper reception of guests.

I noticed two young men came and after wishing Leela, stood there receiving the guests. I looked at Padma and she mumbled they are friends of Kiran. So this idiot passed on his duty to them! Very clever! As if he is too busy, he needed assistants too! Alas, the marriage of my only daughter and the guests are being received and attended by some unrelated youth! They also must be wayward like my own son! How long will they remain here? I felt like screaming!

Then Kiran came running with his cellphone glued to his ear. He was talking animatedly with someone. Nodding at the reception party, obviously satisfied, he again disappeared. I was seething with anger. But the priest asked something and I had to force my attention back to the rituals.

After a while I noticed Leela also disappeared and two young women, probably the boys' wives or girlfriends took her place. I am becoming impatient at the goings on. But I had to control myself with great difficulty. The function is more important. I continued observing from the dias. It was like a game of musical chairs. The young men were replaced by another pair and the girls too. Kiran was giving flying visits now and then and gave satisfied nods. And disappear! Sunitha came for a brief period and left. No sign of either Madhu or Leela or Hari! I was puzzled and decided mentally to give them all a good dressing down at the immediate available opportunity which they will remember lifelong.

When we got a short respite in between, I ran down from the dias and approached the youth. They were scared at my sudden appearance and mumbled something to my queries about Madhu and Kiran. I ran to the dining hall where the buffet was almost concluding. Hari was not there. Only Sunitha was there grabbing some lunch hurriedly. I spotted Kiran at a distance but before I could catch hold of him, he ran out with his cellphone to the ear in a hurry. I was about to call him but someone came to tell me that I was required on the dias.

It was almost four O' clock in the afternoon by the time the function concluded. The groom's party left along with Jyothi. The trio did not even bid farewell to Jyothi! Most of our guests too took their leave and we relaxed in our room. But the behaviour of the trio was pricking me a lot. So I wanted to give them a piece of my mind and sent for them. Surprisingly none was available. "Must be making merry in some theater or mall" I said contemptuously. Padma put her hand on my arm and tried to calm me down.

Then Sunitha entered the room timidly. "Did you call me?" She asked.

I looked at her searchingly. She avoided my stare. "In fact I called those three idiots. Where are they, do you have any idea? May I be enlightened about their whereabouts?" I could not hide my contempt. She raised her head and about to say something but kept quiet. I am convinced that she was trying to cover them up. I am too tired to stretch things further. "Just tell those fellows to be courteous enough to meet me when and if they come back." I yawned and closed my eyes.

"Don't be so rude" She almost shouted. "Don't say such inauspicious words, for God's sake. Let us wish they will come back, especially Madhu!" She started crying.

Both Padma and I startled at her outburst. I sat up and stared at her. "What? What do you mean?" I almost shrieked. My heart was beating fast. Padma made her sit down and drew her close, wiping her tears.

"Yes, don't blame those poor souls. You can't imagine what they are going through all the time! If only you knew what happened.." She started narrating....

The function just started. Madhu, Leela and Kiran are receiving the guests botn from the bride's as well as the groom's side. Some very close people are keen to watch the marriage rituals but many are interested in completing the lunch first. Accordingly Kiran is directing them to the dining hall.

Suddenly an elderly lady approached Kiran. "Look, young man, my husband is a hypertension patient. We misplaced his medicines in the hurry. Can you get them urgently, please?" She gave him a slip of paper with the names of the required medicines.

Kiran was about to go but Madhu took it from his hands. "I will get them, Kiran. You remain here. It is essential that you should be here."

But almost half an hour had passed. He didn't come back. Meanwhile the lady came and told him in a happy tone that she found the drugs in one of the bags. She left, apologising profusely.

Kiran and Leela were worried when they could not get any response from Madhu's mobile. Hari was also informed and all of them were panicked. But they did not make it known to anybody else as they did not want to spoil the function.

Suddenly Kiran's mobile rang. It was from Madhu. But an unknown man spoke. It seemed Madhu met with an accident and the man saw him on the road unconscious and brought him to an hospital. He got Kiran's number from the missed calls list on Madhu's mobile and wanted to inform him.

Kiran did not know what to do in his initial shock. Later he recovered and told only Hari as he did not want to scare Leela without knowing the full details. Hari immediately rushed to the hospital. Kiran called some of his close friends and requested them to help Leela and Sunitha who were left alone. He himself started shuttling between the function area and dining area supervising both and in between inquiring from Hari the position at the hospital too. Madhu was seriously injured and said to be in a critical condition. Then Kiran ensured that Leela had some food and sent her to the hospital along with a couple of his friends. All the while he managed here without arousing any suspicion in anybody. Like a pendulum he ran about hiding his own anxiety and tension from others.

Sunitha wiped her eyes.

"He didn't tell even me the whole story until the function is almost over excepting that Hari had gone on some errand and I did not have a clue to the actual happenings. Only after I finished my lunch, he told me briefly and he also left for the hospital. He managed so well and he has some very good friends who immediately came to do his bidding. I really wonder whether it is the same Kiran, whom we always treat as an irresponsible, childish and playful boy!"

Padma and I listened dumbstruck. I did not know what to say! How I cursed them all, and Kiran in particular! What tension the poor boy must be suffering all the while! He, who is just out of his teens! Still he managed so well orchestrating everyone! My heart felt heavy.

Padma recovered first and asked in a quivering tone, "How is Madhu now?"

Sunitha is still gloomy. "Not yet regained consciousness. That's why Kiran also ran there."

We immediately rushed to the hospital.

By that time Madhu was declared to be out of danger to the relief of all of us. When I saw Kiran there, he appeared to be haggard and tired. "Kiran, did you eat anything?" I enquired fondly. He gave me a surprised look. I gave him a big hug.

"Well done, my boy! I am proud of you." I said with all my heart.

It took almost one week for Madhu to recover completely and get discharged. All the time, Kiran and Hari were constantly on their toes while Sunitha helped Padma at home. After everything returned to normal, I told Padma, "I have been under wrong notions all these years, Padma. Our young man proved his worth, though in a tragic circumstance." She nodded.