The Invincible Moonsheen
Part – 30
(Telugu Original “Venutiragani Vennela” by Dr K.Geeta)
English Translation: V.Vijaya Kumar
(The previous story briefed)
Sameera comes to meet her mother’s friend, Udayini, who runs a women’s aid organization “Sahaya” in America. Sameera gets a good impression of Udayini. Four months pregnant, Sameera tells her that she wants to get a divorce and the circumstances are conducive to it. Udayini asks her to listen to the story of “Tanmayi” and pursue her to make her own decision after listening to the story. Tanmayi and Shekhar, who met at a wedding ceremony, go to marry with the permission of their elders. After the marriage they started their new life in Visakhapatnam. A boy was born to the couple in a year of their marriage. Tanmay engages in her studies deeply and enjoys the friendship with her colleagues forgetting all about her household disturbances. Her parents came to stay with her for a month while Shekhar is away on his long-term camp.
***
Ananta, Raju, Divakar, Karun, and Tanmay gathered under a tree in front of the University Canteen, sitting on rocks.
Tanmay shot questions from the JRF book. Tanmay jotted down essay type and short bit answers and whatever she found information from various sources. This note-making helped like a good source for JRF’s first paper preparation. These 500 questions were repeatedly asked weekly three times by everyone in the batch so everyone was well acquainted with the answers for each question.
Divakar remarked, “Can…anyone dare to go beyond these…questions?”
While the preparations were going on, the department head, Chidambaram, came there with a coffee cup from the canteen.
Everyone stood up respectfully.
He smiled and said, “Oh…something is going on here…Well, what about everyone around?”
Divakar tried to say falteringly, “J…RF…preparation Master!”
“Well, can I look into them once?” He took papers from Tanmay.
“How can you gather this much material?” He expressed his surprise.
Tanmay replied, “Master…we collected from last year’s syllabus”
“So…you are well acquainted with this material already?” He was in great surprise at their collective work.
Ananta said proudly, “ Ah master! Under the able guidance of Tanmay and Karun, we were collectively working to master the material.”
“Well, why did you gather here under the scorching heat?”
Karun said, “Ah master, we have no option except here since the department was closed due to holidays.”
He said, “Come with me!”
Then he called for an attendant and opened a classroom.
He said, “You can continue your preparation here till lunch hour. I’m available here, in case of my absence you can come to my house and make use of my books available there. But of course not allowed to take them home!” He smiled and added, “Once the book…money…woman…falls into others hands…they never come back!” Then he laughed.
They nodded excitedly, and with great admiration, they walked out.
Divakar’s house is located in the same surroundings.
He never preferred home for his studies. Raju and Ananta had to come a long way.
Tanmay said, “It’s a good idea. We can take his help for reference.”
Karun was almost tight-lipped these days. He was maintaining distance from Tanmay, a positive sign to her indeed, though sometimes it was a deterrent to her.
The next day, she would attend court, so she rose and said, “It’s okay, I have some work at the hostel tomorrow; we can meet the next day.”
She loathes lying but sometimes she is compelled to go against her wish. At certain times, she felt ashamed and faltering.
Ananta smelled it, approached her, and asked, “Are you Okay, Tanmay? She looked at her doubtfully.
Tanmay suddenly filled with tears.
“I’m sick of wandering around court Ananta!” She almost burst into tears.
“Oh, come on, Tanmay! You think you are making him revolve around the court, but you are the one who revolved I believe. He is not sensitive or emotional; he takes these things very easy and enjoys attending court. The society supports him. And everyone in society supports him. But the thing is you are not! Think of your kid. That useless bum never bothers about him, or you! Better leave that money-minded imbecile characterless scoundrel. He is fit for nothing and I suggest you think twice about it!”
Tanmay became speechless. While she was coming back to the hostel the echo of Ananta’s words reverberated all along. She thought of it and was introspective. The only bond between them was the kid. Nothing was left except it. Therefore why should I tune to his will accepting his divorce proposals? She became stern, and the next day, she attended the court with books. Soon she fell into reading, forgetting her surroundings. When her lawyer called her in, she silently went in and came out not thinking about anything or looking at Shekhar’s face. He is just a rival now.
She read somewhere, “If you are thinking of your enemy, it means he is gaining over you!”
She took a stern decision not to think of him by all means.
***
The school declared a week of holidays. The hostels were left empty. Wardens may or may not go. Caretakers went. Venkat came after two days, and Murali came on the same day.
After lunch, the three sat together between the hostel buildings.
Though Tanmay’s mind was filled with exams, She wanted to spend some time with them.
Tanmay suddenly asked Venkat, “Though you were an instructor, why did you tell me that you’re learning the alphabet?”
Venkat remarked joyously, “Oh, it’s.. it’s…” He laughed aloud.
Tanmay admires his artless laugh. How can anyone laugh so pleasantly?
Murali added, “He doesn’t have any seriousness with life”
Venkat suddenly changed his disposition to seriousness and said, “Oh come on, friends! What did both of you achieve by being serious? By the way, any movies, Tanmay?
“Movies?” Tanmay looked at him surprised.
She never went to the movies alone. It’s ridiculous to think of movies in her present situation.
“Oh, Tanmay garu! I just asked about movies, not about the roof!” Venkat laughed at her contemplative gesture.
Murali also added, “Leave it! I want to know about your background story… if you don’t mind…”
Tanmay felt surprised at his curiosity. He looks profound and peaceful and seemingly undeterred for anything.
“Ah…if you never mind only…” he added, as he took her silence to reluctance.
Venkat remarked, “I promise this won’t disclosed to anyone else”
“Oh, nothing like that, no seriousness please, it won’t fit you! You are my well-wishers…If you have patience I will…”
She recounted her story while the listeners heard empathetically.
Murali seemed greatly disturbed and showed his repugnance towards her rivalry.
Venkat said coolly, “It’s heart-melting to hear you, and yet, your tenacious efforts to live up to your goals are outstanding! It’s highly appreciable!”
Tanmay suddenly felt introspective, “Was I disturbed the composure of these people, particularly Murali?”
Murali, looking at her straight in, said with profound emotion, “Tanmay garu, My respect towards you ten times multiplied after listening to you. I honestly hope your life should be an invincible moonsheen forever! I will extend any kind of help at any moment. Your life should be an inspiring one to many! Life is a one-time gift and ephemeral. You are making it fulfilled, I bow before you”
Venkat remarked joyously, “I’ve no such language, but I can say I had never seen such a great woman like you in my entire life!”
Tanmay remarked, “Oh…thank God to have such great friends here…
Thank you…”
Tanmay went in and came out with a bag. She said holding out to Murali, “Ah Murali garu, these clothes were left at home which may be distributed to needy people…at old age home…”
When Tanmay was about to finish her words, suddenly the cooks burst out from the kitchen and yelled.
“Oh god…flames…the cylinder was in flames…” and they ran hurriedly out.
Tanmay abruptly snatched her kid and jumped out in confusion.
Everyone gathered around was appalled and waited for the consequences out of confusion. The night watchmen, gardeners, and others were awestruck and stood speechless, shocked in dismay.
Everyone was waiting for something to be done but no one was ready out of fright.
Tanmay suddenly felt Murali’s absence. She asked, “Where’s Murali Garu?”
Venkat pointed his finger towards the kitchen.
Tanmay yelled at him aloud, “Oh, it’s insane, Be careful…” She almost burst out looking at Murali who was rolling the flaming cylinder with an iron crowbar out…
Then he rolled it on a nearby sand heap, ran to a water bucket, and extinguished the flame pouring down the water. Everyone was relieved from the tension and heaved a sigh of relief.
Then Murali walked in silently keeping his burnt palms back to him.
Tanmay looked at him dumbstruck and said to herself, “Oh, how sweet he is…Usually, people save their skin when something frightful occurs. She has also flown away from the spot with her kid. But this man stood for the cause despite his safety! Great!”
She felt tears in his appreciation and she raised her hands thankfully with great respect towards him. She had never come across such a great altruistic personality in her life so far. Her heart filled with heavy gratitude and she put her kid’s hands on his feet in veneration.
Murali startled suddenly and shrank back, “Ohh…it’s…embarrassing…”
School Correspondent Raghavendra Rao Garu hurriedly came.
After learning what had happened, he appreciated Murali and patted him to take care of himself when attempting such risky tasks.
Tanmay realized that while rascals like Shekhar existed there, great Muralis also existed.
The occurrence made an indelible mark on her life.
***
Tanmay had to take the kid along with her to her combined studies.
Tanmay was already accustomed to keeping the child in her lap while she read.
The Master’s wife was kind and treated well, offering various snacks and coffee. Master was also helpful in taking care of the kid during the reading sessions. Sometimes, he took the child to the yard for guava fruits, which the child enjoyed a great later on.
Once she heard when the master saying to her wife, “See her tenacity in her studies despite her troubles”
The lady said, “Tanmay, will you wait for me 10 minutes more?”
When everyone was gone, she said to Tanmay, “Ah, Tanmay! I know nothing about your troubles, but the Master had a great sympathy upon you, particularly about your outstanding efforts in studies. During your exams, I will keep this kid with me, no problem”
It’s not an ordinary help at that moment. She couldn’t speak anything at that moment but her eyes filled with tears in gratitude. Oh my God! How do certain people show empathy for others’ problems?
Tanmay’s heart filled with delight and she enjoyed the meal they offered so lovingly.
***
When the JRF exam date approached, Tanmay dropped the child at the master’s house and was ready to face it boldly.
She stepped into the exam hall where it was conducted on a grand scale. The first paper on English and Maths was common to all. The second and third were subjective. The exam was conducted a day long with a lunch break. Though some participants felt difficulty with the first paper, Tanmay couldn’t feel that difficulty. Tanmay stepped out confident and relieved when the great task was successful.
When everyone proposed the movie, Tanmay said no, and after picking up her kid, she got on a bus to the hostel.
***
Next week, a message was sent to Tanmay from the main gate that some visitors were waiting for her.
She rushed to the office and found that Shekhar’s mother and her brother were seated there.
Devi said curtly, “We came here to see the kid!”
When she offered the kid a five-star chocolate, he threw her mother’s hand and ran to her.
Devi heaved a sigh, looking at Tanmay in a white dress like a nun.
Her brother said, pretending empathic, “Hey, listen to me! This is for your favor and a positive understanding of things. How long will you be hung with that guy who left you in reluctance and applied for divorce? If you sign the papers both of you will be benefited. The kid was the real victim of your pressures.”
Tanmay suddenly rose, snatched her kid from them, and stormed to the hostel building, not caring to look back.
Murali, who came on her way, startled her and asked anxiously, “Are you alright, Tanmay Garu?”
Tanmay stopped and said, raising her folded hands, “ Murali Garu, will you please help me to stop all of my visitors that I was unavailable on campus?” Then she burst into tears.
When Murali walked briskly to the gate she got back to her bed and fell upon. She began to cry continuously. Why do these people not let me live my life? I’m cursed. Still, these people have had an eye on me!
And they targeted my kid.
***
In the next month, Jyoti and Bhanumurthy came. The marriage of his father’s cousin’s son is fixed. Jyoti wanted her attendance a must in the marriage. Tanmay accepted her mother’s proposal and followed her. In the hostel life, no color sarees or fashion dresses were allowed except the white saree. She was accustomed to that life and now wearing a silk saree for the wedding became uncomfortable to her.
The marriage was grand and pompous. Tanmay, first of all in her life, was shocked at the waste done in the meal sessions. She suddenly remembered the starving people across the country and felt disgusted about the unnecessary wastage.
A nearby relative of Shekhar who sat beside her asked, “Ah Amma, How do you do, I saw you a long ago at your marriage…Ah…by the way … do you know your husband married a girl and set up a family in Nellore? My sister lives on the same street!”
Tanmay shuddered suddenly and a chill ran to her whole body with disgust. She got up and walked out to another place. Her words stabbed Tanmay’s heart… “That rogue used up that girl…and they sacked him”
Tanmay could understand everything now.
Why did the rascal send her divorce so hurriedly, and why were they demanding to sign the papers! The marriage will be unlawful until the divorce is sanctioned…She remembered that only girl of that Nellore house owner. This bugger might have crooked plans to usurp her property.
Tanmay couldn’t bear much more time there. She walked out, bid farewell to her parents, and started ahead.
Someone remarked it seemed intentionally behind her, “This is Shekhar’s first wife…these folks are habituated to leaving husbands…”
Her boiling heart is now fuelled more by this comment and deeply wounded.
She took a stern vow not to attend any relatives’ house ever.
The kid fell asleep on the bus.
Tanmay felt feeble with swarming thoughts. The darkness in the bus fogged her spirits. Soon, she felt her tears rolling down her cheeks continuously.
*****
(Continued next month)
A post graduate in English literature and language and in Economics. A few of my translations were published. I translated the poems of Dr. Andesri , Denchanala, Ayila Saida Chary and Urmila from Telugu to English. I write articles and reviews to magazines and news papers. To the field of poetry I am rather a new face.