Short Story by RANJIT SINHA ROY

Aravind jogged around the park five times. Now sweating and feeling tired he looked for a place to sit. But all benches were occupied except one where two elderly women were busy talking. With their permission Aravind occupied the vacant place.

He was fifty-two. Took voluntary retirement two years ago. He was a bachelor and lived alone. Before sunset he would go for daily jogging to the nearby park. He would be there until dark. Aravind maintained himself fit and agile. Except for few gray strands, the age did not show. His body was trim, more active and agile than many young were.

Arvind liked this part of the day most. He watched children playing and liked the soft green grass, flowerbeds around and shady trees over the jogging track. The park was small compared to other city parks. But, it was well maintained. This particular park was a favorite of small kids. Playing football or cricket or such other games were not permitted. Baloon and icecreme vendors were not allowed in. One watchman at the gate and other inside strictly followed the rules. The park was kept open from four to eight in the evening. Aravind liked the place.

With amused smile he watched the kids playing. They walked with unsteady steps, giggling, tried to run away from parents and tumbled on the soft grass. Some had large colored plastic balls and they played with other children. One would feel refreshed watching the kids.

After sometime the two elderly ladies finished gossiping for the day and left. Aravind was absorbed in watching the kids, when someone said,
“May I sit here, sir?”
Startled, he looked to the side and saw a smiling young girl of about twenty-five asking him. A small kid with a large red plastic ball in one hand was holding her finger.
Arvind said,
“Oh, sure. Please sit down.”
The girl sat on the bench and the child played on the grass. He tried to kick the ball and fell. Both Aravind and the girl were smiling. After several failures, the girl asked him to throw the ball to her and they played back and forth. Few times the ball fell on Aravind and he returned with smile. He also enjoyed playing.

Aravind had seen the girl with the kid earlier also. There were so many like them coming to the park and there was no reason to remember them. But this particular girl had something indefinable in her face or stature that made her distinct from others.
The boy and the girl played with the ball and enjoyed. After sometime the boy was tired, stopped playing and quietly sat beside the girl.
Aravind asked,
“Your son?”
The girl blushed.
“Oh no sir. He is my brother’s son. I am not married yet.”
Aravind felt slightly embarrassed. He should have noticed.
“I am sorry.” He mumbled.
They silently sat for some more time and when the streetlights were on, the girl said,
“Sir, we should go now.”
Aravind nodded and said, “OK” and they went away.
He sat for some more time and when it was dark, he walked back to his apartment. For some unknown reason he felt elated that evening.

Next day the girl with the child was there again. One space was vacant in the bench and she sat there. Smiling she said,
“Good evening sir. How are you?”
“I am fine, thank you.”
They played with the child. After sometime he played football with another boy of his age. Several times they tumbled on the grass, but they giggled and laughed. The girl kept an eye on him. Aravind asked,
“Do you come to the park every evening? I have seen you earlier also.”
“Yes, he will start crying if I do not bring him here. Both my brother and sister-in-law are working. I look after the child all day. There is no one else and by evening he gets bored and wants to come to the park. It is alright, I also get some fresh air.” She smiled.
“By the by, I do not know your name.”
“I am Nandini.”
Aravind told his own and then said,
“Excuse me, you said whole day you are alone with the child. Do you not work or go to college?”
“No sir, I have completed my Post Graduation in Comparative English Literature and have not joined any service.” Then shyly added, “My brother is trying a good match for me.”
(Arranged marriages with elders fixing the match are common in India)

“What your parents say?”
“They are no more. I stay with my brother and sister-in-law. They are very nice. I never felt the absence of my parents.”
Aravind thought about his own brother and sister. How much he loved them. He even sacrificed his personal pleasures for their sake. He said,
“In absence of father, the elder brother should look after the siblings. But few only do that. You are very lucky to have a brother like him. You are doubly fortunate to have a sister-in-law like yours.”
Nandini’s face became soft. “Yes I am very fortunate. She is like my own elder sister.”
After a pause she asked,
“Sir, I find you here alone everyday. Where is your better half? Why do you not bring her along? I would like to meet her.”
“There is no other half, Nandini. I am a bachelor.”
Surprised Nandini asked,
“Why did you not marry sir?”
Aravind softly smiled at her, and then said, “It is already late for you Nandini. I shall tell you tomorrow.”
“Promise?”
“Yes, promise.”
Reluctantly she got up. Holding a hand of the boy started walking back home.
Once she looked back and smiled at Aravind. He watched her with a tender affectionate smile.

Next evening she came a little early and smiled when saw him from a distance. No vacant bench was available that day and they sat on the soft grass. Few feet away the boy played with his newfound friends. They sat silently for few moments and then Nandini turning towards him said,
“Sir, yesterday you promised to tell about yourself.” She was smiling with expectation.
“Yes, but there is nothing much to tell. I had a very uneventful life.”
“No! But still you say whatever it is.” Nandini insisted.

“Well, Nandini, after post graduation, I was only two years in service when my father expired. Alone I had to support my mother and two college going brother and sister. My brother graduated in computer engineering and got an opportunity in a US firm. He is now a permanent citizen there, married and well settled. My sister, also an MCA married her colleague, a software engineer. They tried and managed a posting in USA. Now, both my siblings are away from the country. We maintain regular contact over phone and e-mails. Earlier, when mother was alive, they used to visit India once in a couple of years. But now, visits are less frequent.”
Aravind was silent. So also Nandini for few minutes. Then she said,
“But, why did you not get married? Was there any heartbreak sir? You are so handsome even at this age. I do not believe that you had no affair.”
She smiled mischievously.
Laughingly he said,
“Thanks for the compliment. But frankly speaking, I never got time for an affair. None was to my liking. When alive my mother was insisting for marriage. But after her death the chapter was closed forever. Taking housing loan I purchased an apartment. I spend time reading, watching TV and listening to music. One elderly lady comes early morning, cleans everything and prepares food for me. She leaves by ten and I am left all to myself. And, now you know, I do some jogging in the evening. I am quite happy with my life.” Aravind smiled. But to Nandini it appeared to be somewhat sad.
After few moments Nandini asked,
“Why not try now sir? You may find someone to your liking.”
“No Nandini, it is too late now. Rather, we should try to find a suitable boy for you. Are your people looking for a good match?”
Nandini looked down,
“Yes sir. My brother advertised in the newspaper matrimonial column and yesterday we received few responses with details and photographs.”
“Very good. You must have seen those. Could you select any?”
Nandini blushed and then said,
“Yes sir. One of them is good. I have already given my consent. Tomorrow evening the groom’s party will come to our place and decide everything.”
“So, tomorrow evening you are not coming to the park?”
“No sir, but day after I shall be here and tell you the details. I shall bring the boy’s photograph also. Oh, I must go now, it is getting dark.” Nandini got up and smiled at Aravind. She looked very happy with the prospect of a good marriage. She left.
Aravind sat for some more time. He had a mixed feeling. He was happy that the girl was getting married. At the same time he felt sad to miss her company. She was a nice girl. He slowly walked back home when it became dark.

They met day after. Nandini showed him the boy’s photograph. A handsome young man. Tall and well built with a broad smile. While he was looking at the photograph, Nandini told him about the boy’s qualification, service, family etc. and eagerly awaited his reaction. Aravind returned the photograph and said,
“A very good match Nandini. You are lucky.”
Nandini looked happy with his comments. Then said,
“Thank you sir. I value your comments most.”
Aravind wanted to know if the marriage date had been fixed.
“Yes sir, on fifteenth of this month. Another ten days. You will attend sir. Will you not? I personally invite you.”
Aravind was silent for a minute. Then said,
“See Nandini, I do not know any one except you in your family. You will be busy with the ceremonies and can not even introduce me to others. It would be very odd. Anyway thanks for the invitation. What time is the marriage?”
Nandini told the time.
“I shall bless you both at that time.”
Silently they sat for some more time. Then with a deep sigh Nandini got up ready to go.
“Sir, I am not supposed to go out till marriage. So we may not meet again. Sir, I shall miss you.” Her eyes were moist.
“Me too.” His voice was heavy.
Nandini started walking towards the exit gate. She looked back once and waved at him.
Aravind waved back and kept on looking, as long she was visible, then got up with a sigh and slowly walked back home. He had a peculiar feeling, as though some very near and dear one had departed forever.
He unlocked the main door and entered a lonely house.

Aravind had a strange feeling. He remembered to have similar emptiness when his mother died. But that was mother. Nandini was a young girl full of hopes and going to be happily married to a handsome young man. Soon she would forget the casual acquaintance. An elderly person whom she used to address ‘Sir’. Not very successfully, he tried to put her away from his thoughts.

Aravind continued to go to the park for jogging as usual. For first few days he occasionally thought of Nandini. On few occasions, he was startled when some girl would call someone ‘Sir’. Sometimes he would remember how much he enjoyed her company. They had common interests in literature and arts and discussed various subjects. Mentally they were matching well, though she was half his age, calling him ‘Sir’ and meeting for a short time every evening. The feelings reduced as days passed.

After about six months, one day Aravind went to the bank. While coming out he suddenly noticed Nandini at one counter. Pleasantly surprised he went near her and smilingly said,
“Good morning Nandini.”
Startled she turned to him and said,
“Good morning sir. Will you be going now? My work is over, I shall also come along.”
They came out and started walking on the footpath towards their apartments that were in the same area.
While walking side by side, Aravind tried to initiate some conversation, but Nandini responded only in monosyllables. Something was amiss. She was not the usual effervescent young girl. Perhaps she became reserved after marriage. But why should she look gloom and run down? Was she not happy? He was puzzled.
They reached Aravind’s apartment building and stopped.
“Here is my apartment. Would you like to have a cup of coffee with me?” Aravind asked.
A moment’s hesitation then she nodded “Yes.”
Aravind unlocked the door and asked Nandini to come in and sit down. He went to kitchen to prepare coffee. She sat on the sofa and looked around. The apartment was fairly spacious and well furnished. But things were not arranged properly. Absence of a woman’s touch was evident.
“Should I come and help you sir?” Nandini called.
“Oh no, coffee is ready. I am bringing the cups.”
They silently sipped coffee. Aravind was watching her and she avoided his eyes.
She looked thinner and there were shadows under her eyes. She was unusually silent.
Definitely something was wrong. He was curious to know.
Coffee was finished in silence. Then a little hesitantly Aravind asked,
“Nandini, you look unhappy. Why? Are not the things all right with the marriage? Tell me Nandini. May be I shall be of some help.”
Head down Nandini was silent. When she looked up, her large eyes were filled with tear.
“No sir, no one can help me.” She started sobbing, teardrops rolling down her cheeks.
Aravind watched her silently, she avoiding his eyes. He made no attempts to console or even ask her the reason. He thought it would be better to let her cry. That way at least some of her accumulated sorrow will be washed away. She would be partly relieved.
After about five minutes Nandini wiped the tear and smiled at him. It was an embarrassed, sad and helpless smile.
Aravind watched her silently for few moments, then said,
“Unless it is an absolute secret, you can tell me now.”
After few moments of hesitation she came out with the happenings after marriage.

It seemed that despite his being handsome and otherwise healthy, the boy was incapable of performing as a man. He was a total zero. This defect was very much known to his parents and of course to himself. They consulted renowned medical experts on the subject and after conducting various tests and trials they all concluded that he could never be a man in the real sense. Marriage was meaningless for him.

“If that was the case then why did he get married?” Aravind was puzzled.
“His parents consulted their Gurudev (family priest/advisor), who advised to get the boy married. He predicted that everything would become normal then. So I was chosen to be the sacrificial animal and my life was ruined.” Nandini wiped her eyes. “My brother and sister-in-law had no inkling of the things.”
Silently they sat for sometime. Watching her sad tear filled eyes he could imagine the extreme mental torture she underwent on those miserable days.
“What happened then?”
“After a month I could tolerate it no more. My in-laws were not bad people otherwise and my supposed to be husband was a simple man. He once showed me the medical report in detail. Quietly and secretly I managed to get a copy of the report and then one fine morning I packed up my things and returned to my brother. My in-laws silently watched the departure and did not try to stop. Perhaps they were afraid of any publicity”
“Then what?”
“My brother and sister-in-law were furious on learning the things. I showed them the medical report also. My brother termed them ‘cheats’. Next morning he consulted an experienced advocate and filed a suit for concealment of facts and cheating. We asked for annulment of marriage.”
“Did they not contest?” Aravind asked.
“No sir. The medical report was proof enough. I was also clinically examined and confirmed to be a virgin. There was no contest at all. They avoided publicity. The matter was decided quickly.”
“In three months, I was declared a single woman. This is the story of my married life sir.” She smiled sadly.

Aravind was silent for sometime. Then asked,
“What will you do now. Have you decided?”
“I am trying for a Lecturer’s job. But my brother is asking me to re-marry.”
“Yes, why not. You can do both.”
“No sir once is enough. Who can guarantee that the next one will also not be same? One can not check these things before marriage. Can you!” She blushed and put her eyes down.
“True you can not, but such cases are very rare, once in few thousands. You need not be afraid Nandini.”
“No sir, I am really scared.” She glanced at the watch and got up. “I must go now.”
“OK. By the by, how far is your place?”
“Very near. Third apartment block down the road.”
“I see. Then drop in sometime. We shall have coffee together. How is your nephew?”
“He has been admitted in the Nursery. Almost every morning I take him there, and then purchase some vegetables or small provisions. Afternoon I go out again and bring him back from Nursery.” Nandini picked up a book by Ian Rand from the well-stocked bookshelf “May I borrow this book sir?”
“Oh sure. When will you come again Nandini?”
“Sir, would you mind if I come same time tomorrow morning? I am thoroughly bored alone in the house.”
“Mind! I shall be extremely glad. You are welcome everyday.” Aravind opened the door for her.

Nandini came next morning. She had a shy smile entering,
“Good morning sir. Today I shall prepare coffee. You don’t come to kitchen.”
Aravind smiled. She looked much fresh today. The sadness, the pathetic look, has vanished. She was almost her former self.
“All right, I shall only show you the things in the kitchen. It will then be easier for you.”

While sipping coffee they talked about books, films, TV serials and various other subjects. They laughed, mildly argued, expressed personal opinions, sometimes disagreed but mostly agreed. All through Aravind carefully avoided touching the topic of her marriage or future plans.
Time passed by silently. They were absorbed in talking. Then looking at the clock, Nandini jumped up.
“Sir, I shall make a move now.”
“Would you come tomorrow?” Aravind asked at the door.
Nandini looked at his eyes for two seconds, then moving a step nearer and as though consoling a small boy, she said softly,
“Yes sir, I shall.”
Nandini came next day. Then next and next. She was coming every morning except on Sundays. She would be in his apartment for about an hour. They would discuss various subjects and what not over a cup of coffee prepared by Nandini. Every morning Aravind would eagerly wait for her and feel bad when she left.
Sundays he felt dull and bored.

One day after coffee Nandini wanted to see the family photo album if he had any. Aravind took out two thick albums and gave her for viewing. He was in the opposite sofa. Nandini asked him to explain the photographs. Aravind went beside her and showed the photographs of his mother, brother, sister and their children. There were some snaps of his own school and college days with typical hair and dress styles of that time. Seeing a schooldays photograph of Aravind in shorts, Nandini started laughing.
“Sir, you look so funny. Were you really that young?”
“Yes, once upon a time I was.”
On another photograph when he was in college, she was admiringly looking at the photograph for a long time.
They sat very close. Her shoulder and thigh were pressed against his. Aravind could feel the warmth of her body through the dress. Occasionally in the fan breeze, her hair would fly over his face and he could get the wonderful feminine smell of her hair, her body and her breath. These were all new to him. Never before he had the chance to sit so close to a young, pretty girl.

“You were very handsome in your younger day’s sir.”
She looked full at him for a long time then added,
“Of course even today you are. Far better than many of the younger people.”
Aravind was pleased. He said,
“Thanks for the complements.”

Nandini continued to look at him and then asked,
“Do you not feel lonely sir, living all alone?”
“I used to. But it is alright now.”
“Why is it different now?” Nandini asked.
“Because of you Nandini. Every morning we spend some time together and that keeps me going for the rest of the day. Some nights I even dream of you.” Aravind was frank.
Nandini had a far away look then almost whispered,
“Why only for few hours sir? Can we not stay together for days, months and years?” She looked away and her lips were trembling.
“You may think badly of me, but I love you. I can not live without you.” Her voice broke.

Aravind could not speak for a long time. He had some kind of tender love, mixed with strong rousing passion, dormant for fifty-two years. He put one arm around her shoulder and said,
“Nandini you have told me exactly what I was trying to tell. For a long time I wanted to express my feelings to you. But thinking of the age difference and what you would think of me, I hesitated. Nandini you are exactly half my age. People would say that I am a cradle snatcher.”
Nandini leaned and put her head on his shoulder.
“Does it really matter sir?” She moved closer and put her face up.
Aravind was unable to control himself any more. He lightly kissed her forehead, soft cheeks, and the chin and then deeply kissed her grape soft red lips.
Eyes half-open and writhing Nandini bent backward. His strong hands moved over her soft young body.

Unable to wait any longer they stood up. Photo albums slid from her lap to the floor. Lips locked and embracing they walked to the bedroom. Aravind pulled the curtains down turning the room in semi darkness and holding each other they fell on the bed.
They forgot the world outside. It was only a man and woman, deeply immersed in the ultimate pleasure of life.

There was a momentary sharp cry of pain from Nandini and then the room was silent except for his rhythmic breathing and her incoherent soft moaning. The fan whirled above. About half an hour later satiated and exhausted they lay side by side.

Few minutes later, Nandini went to bathroom and put on her dress. She came near the bed and asked,
“Are you sleeping?”
“No,” then holding her hand he asked, “Are you alright Nandini?”
“Yes, I am perfectly alright,” then shyly added “I did not know that there is so much pleasure in pain.”
Aravind smiled and tenderly caressed her.
“I should go now.”
“Okay, you go to the front room, I shall be there in a minute.”
Aravind dressed up and coming near said,
“Must you go now?”
“Yes, it is already late.”
She opened the front door, and then turning said with a twinkle in eyes,
“Sir, this evening I am going to tell my brother.”
“Tell what?” Aravind was apprehensive.
“Tell him to arrange my marriage, I have found my life partner.”
Laughing she went out. Aravind stood speechless.