All the beautiful daughters of Mara by Ashok Aatreya (beach books .TXT) 📖

the same end.


32/IN THE CITY OF NAWABS
Anand took little rest after creating sensation by his column ‘N’ and left for Bhopal to meet his fiancée to settle the long pending marriage issue.It was his first visit to the erstwhile city of Nawabs. The station was like any other old railway junction and when he came down from his three tier sleeper, there was nobody to receive him. He was not very much known in the city and except Bhairvi no one was also that intimate. He had to straight away go to some nearby hotel to settle. And after some formalities, he was supposed to reach Hamidia Hospital to meet his love.

Anand wanted to reach at the Post Office little earlier to the scheduled time. Bhairvi had been talking to him yesterday till late night. Over the telephone many issues regarding their marriage were discussed. The main emphasis of Bhairvi was on keeping the chapter of Shaheen and Ahsas closed for ever. She was not in favour to disclose the past history of Anand to her parents and expected the same from him. She thought this necessary in the interest of their happy married life.

On the other hand Anand wanted to be transparent in the matter but because of her strong objection, he dropped the idea of revealing everything to Mr Narayan Murti, The father of Bhairvi about his old relations, his illegitimate son from Shaheen and her marriage with Asad in Pakistan,


It was raining when he moved from hotel capital to Hamidia Hospital. Anand was in his glad rags, since he had come to meet Bhairavi after a gap of about six month, he made his mind to finally settle - all matters with her and her parents. He was not in a mood to delay, as already more than two years time had gone just in waiting for the confirmation from her parent’s side

He knew that Bhairvi was adamant to marry him and she declared before her mother & father that except Anand there was nobody in her mind and he was the ultimate choice, If she is not married to him, she would remain unmarried throughout her life. It was her tough decision and that kept her parents unhappy for at least one year, after they knew about the extent of development of their relationship..She became pale and weak day-by-day and due to all this, her parents after around a year and half decided to arrange a meeting with Anand, who was then in Ajmer.
Just a week back, he had put an end to his series N, not becauseof any pressure from his Chief or the proprietor of the paper but it was because, he wanted to take little rest and see what was the real feedback of his write-up.. he also wanted to take a week leave to meet Bhairvi and her parent in Bhopal for final settlement of their marriage as the matter then required urgent attention, Bhairvi became so nervous, too much tired, that she told him by telephone that any further delay in their marriage might cause her to say goodbuy to him for ever/ Her two-three earlier letters were also written in most disturbed mood which shown her losing confidence in life... she was not normal and wanted to see him immediately and settle the issue of marriage with her parents without any further delay.
From Capital hotel, he contacted Bharirvi by telephone to fix place and time for their meeting. He wanted to meet her somewhere close to his staying place, since he was not familiar with the city. She told him to meet her at the Post Office branch of Hamidia Hospital and even instructed him to come through Nursing Hostel side gate. This entry point was close for both of them.
He handed over key of his room at the reception, got some idea of Hamidia Hospital, hired a three-wheeler and reached there within ten minute. The road leading to the post office branch of Hamida was dividing the outdoor, emergency and Nursing Hostel and the main hospital complex was looking like white clothes spread over the stretched muscles of rockyland. He was moving in the upward direction of the slope and felt himself for a moment like a mountaineer.
It was another fall of Anand. For person like him there was perhaps… no code of conduct! As it was clear from this one instance that just after two minute, he was going to meet his third "love" Bhairvi but before that long awaited contact, he met anothe casuality. He faced one more attractive hurdle, and in the simplest word, it was something beyond his perception. It was again a girl; he was hypnotized by her beauty. She was in her group of five to six other white Ducks…Nurses in day to day terminology… and they were all moving on the right side of the road, perhaps to turn towards the nursing hostel after completing their night shift. The center of attraction for Anand was shinning statue like very proportionately build in her usual white tunic and long stocking shoes, descending the slope. Her eyes half slept but the moment Anand focused his eyes on her face, she became little bit conscious of her own existence as to feel his penetrating eye’s hitting directly her body heart and mind…She pushed another nurse took turn and shielded her gorgeous look. She managed to shift her face on the right side, giving Anand a hint that she was touched by his lustful attempt beholding his image in nanoseconds of her shifting eyeballs. Anand fortunately was not at a long gap and in a delightful mood asked the same young lady of his - choice-‘Madm willl you please tell me, which direction I have to go for post office..?
‘Same direction .Go straight’ - she obliged him by giving reply. Almost siding by her force another nurse, and took two-three steps little fast and looked him again from her back, when Anand himself was standing on the same place, almost free in appreciation of his thrilling new discovery.
Anand waited on the road for few minutes without taking any further step in the direction of Bhairvi.. He wanted to confirm that the group of these ducks (Nurses) moves towards the right slope... in the direction of Nursing Hostel. His expectation was true to his feeling. The ducks turned and disappeared leaving him alone in this world!
... No he was not going to be defeated like this. He knew his life and leanings very well. An idea floated in his mind that he will definitely not lose the chance to meet her new discovery- He decided to come back to explore further his brand-new game of adventure....!
Unfortunately he was moving ahead to meet Bhairvi for whom he was in Bhopal but his mind became a sandwich between two toasts.For him both were delicious but the latest 'lady-swan' was more delicious to his eye’s.
Anand met Bhairvi at the Post Office. Fortunately he was in time but Bhairvi came bit late.
"It's strange that I am in your city and made to wait for you" - Anand received her in little bit satirical manner
"Yes, This is perhaps first time in your life... hope you have not met somebody attractive in the way" - Bhairvi looked at Anand and smiled.
"Who can be more beautiful than you in Bhopal. If you feel there is anybody in your circle, you can at least tell me (incidentally the image of two minute back girl in waiting was in his mind)! well now let me know what is your programme and when I can meet your father"... Anand asked.
"I have taken leave today and informed my father about your visit. He is keen to see you today only... its better we both go home in the evening and before that, we sit somewhere and hear stories from each other... at least I have many things to tell you and also interested to hear about new happening in your life."- Bhairvi told Anand and after few minutes they left in the other direction to hire a three wheeler. Bhairvi told the taxi man to take them to new market.
They had coffee in Coffee-House… visited nearby British Council Library where Bhairvi introduced him to Mrs. Menon… their mediator of love letters in Bhopal, went to Birala Mandir, where Anand cut a joke—‘Do you have anybody of your old lover in the temple you are going to introduce me.?’ Bhairvi did not like this joke and bluntly came forward with the reaction—‘Yes there is one lady in burqua... hope you would like to see her…She is…Anand interrupted and told her—‘Sorry for my comment..! Both of them started for Kohefiza…home of Bhairvi’s father.
The meeting of Anand with Bhairvi's father was very congenial and fruitful. He along with Bhairvi reached Shiv-Villa, the house of her father little earlier then the schedule time. When he entered the main gate her father was washing his old Fiat Car. His look was like a true South Indian man and he was dressed in only one knee- half printed cloth-Lungi. There was no cloth on the upper part of the body which was showing his normal health. Perhaps he never thought that he will reach along with Bhairvi directly and also before time, but when both of them got down from the Three-wheeler, her father felt little embarrassing. Any way after a formal introduction by Bhairvi, he was greeted humbly by her father and Anand with folded hand told him Namaskar (Hello) and with regard touched his feet.
The reception of Anand in Bhairvi's house was very warm. Her mother and aunt were also there at home, already prepared South Indian dishes for him. The discussion about their marriage was also in cordial atmosphere and briefly the decision of the possible date of there nuptial-knot was also discussed and it was decided that by the end of November the marriage ceremony would be formalized. It was really a happy turning point of their life.
Beside the important decision certain other factors were also discussed. Bhairvi's father was a straight forward but simple man and he told him that their would be no pomp show of any kind in the marriage but the marriage would take place in a South Indian Temple in mixed customs. He also told him to convince and prepare his father and mother so that the marriage would solemnize with the consent of both the parties.
After all that, Anand left Bhairvi at her home and departed from there to hotel capital where he was staying. All the members of Bhairvi's home left him till the bus stop where from he had to collect taxi. Bhairvi told him separately that she would meet him nextday at the same place and same time in the Post Office.... Anand was little bit excited to hear.... same place and same time... there was one more image in his mind and that was the image of the fourth love.... perhaps he would meet her.... would he meet her? Would she be there again nextday? Would she be a part of his life?
"What happened, are you not coming tomorrow?" Bhairvi asked him lightly after seeing him little perplexed.
"No, nothing... I was thinking something else. I will be there but please ring me after an hour in my hotel, and Anand left them all waving.
Late in the night since Bhairvi was on the line over the telephone. Lot many issues were discussed. Bhairvi gave more emphasis on keeping the chapter of Shaheen and his son Ahsas closed for ever. She strongly advocated, the matter should not be discussed with