A Long Journey

NOTE: This story was partially based on Mahendra Singh Dhoni sir's love story, which I came to know from a newspaper. I have studied deeply about his love story and influenced his love story in this story...

The only thing we never get enough of is love, and the only thing we never give enough of is love. Love is always beautiful. In every human being's life, there is a love story. Some love stories become successful. While some people fail due to various reasons and circumstances.

RS PURAM, 10:00 AM 23 NOV 2014:

Near to the Golden apartments of R.S.Puram, an aged old man around 75 years of age talks with his friends saying: "Everything happens for a cause or good reason. Whatever happens in life happens for good and there is always a cause or reason behind that. He also mentioned that we all are children of God, the one creator. God is the supreme power and this world is governed by him." The house looked like a bungalow, surrounded by huge gardens, a five-step floor towards the house, which is quite bigger. This old man sits in a chair, surrounded by a Table, and is communicating with his friends.

"I told this famous quotes on life from Bhagavad Gita to him. My grandson liked that and adamantly got that book without having food and single drops of water. When I asked him about this adamance, he told me, Grandpa. There are several things in this world. But, no one can buy something, like Bhagavad Gita." The grandfather said.

"In that age itself he have been this adamant ah?" asked one of his friends.

"He has gone away from this house dad. It's almost 80 days. Two and a half months. Doesn't you care for his way back to home?" asked a man, who is wearing blue coatshoot, black pants. He holds a thick mustache and looks like a man, of age 28 years old.

"Even if it's for 800 days, I won't care. His love story is not that great da. Hmm. What happened da? Mm. It's not 80 days. Exactly, it's 82 days, I have sent him out of this house. I tell this to you. Remember this. In our life, if you go deep into any subject, the remaining would be zero only. Your brother is near to that zero level da." His father Gokul said and proceeds to leave back to his business meeting, after wearing his coatshoot.

SINGANALLUR, 11:45 AM:

Near Singanallur, a man around the age of 28 years, is sleeping in a bed. Another man approaches him and wakes him up telling, "Buddy. Hey Swaroop. It's 11:45 AM da. Wake up."

He wakes up yawning and sees the one who waked him up. He finds out the guy and asked him, "You only ah. When did you come to da Anuvishnu?"

"Haa. Before few hours only da."

Anuvishnu finds out some alcohol bottles and cigarette packets near his bed and cleans them up neatly. He takes Swaroop inside the house. The latter gets ready.

The two then reach the KMCH hospitals of Coimbatore. As Swaroop entered inside the hospitals, many get up and start to fear for him, due to his thick beards and mustaches. He is a high-functioning alcoholic surgeon in the hospital, being feared by almost many.

TWO HOURS LATER:

After finishing the surgery, Swaroop takes up drinking Alcohol and sits in a chair closing his eyes. He recalls his college life as a medical student and photographer two years ago, where he was a post-graduate student Mastering for Surgery.

TWO YEARS BACK, GRANT MEDICAL COLLEGE: 2012

J J MARG, MUMBAI- 10:00 AM:

Two years back, Swaroop is the topper of Grant Medical College, located near to J J Marg of Mumbai, Maharashtra. He is always supported and accompanied by his close friend Sakthivel and Anuvishnu respectively. Both of them were his close friends, since his childhood days.

He is always adamant, stubborn, and a tough guy. If he wishes something that's grateful to him, he never misses them and among them is this college. After scoring top marks in his NEET exams, he selected this college, rejecting too many other colleges in Tamilnadu, owing to the richness of the place.

Since childhood, Swaroop is passionate about photography and is always fond of being close to places of natural scenarios. A hater of drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and morphine. But, loves to have fun with others.

Inside the house, he is always supported by his elder brother Adhithya, who works as an auditor in his father's friend Ramanathan's business firm. Swaroop's mother and grandfather chide him with love and affection.

However, his father Gokul is constantly irritated and angered with Swaroop due to his behavioral and discipline issues. While he secretly loves him due to his immense talent and intelligence.

When being asked by his father regarding his anger towards Swaroop, Gokul replied telling: "Dad. Discipline is a must despite being good and brilliant. I appreciate his immense talent and intelligence. But, is he disciplined? He creates problems everywhere. That's why I am fearing. Someone should change his way of living."

Swaroop is now holding the top position in Grant Medical College. He holds a record of excellence with hard work and diligence. But, earns the wrath of college dean, who is his family friend. For the same reason of anger-management problems. Now, he is the final year student studying for Masters's in Surgery.

His situation takes a worse phase when he bashes up his rival student Sudheesh. Because he has been indulging in the supply of drugs and morphine to the students, getting it from the local gang of Mumbai.

The dean personally called him and asked, "What's this Swaroop? This much anger is not good for you. I really felt disgusted."

"Sir. You don't know why did he beat him up, sir. He supplied drugs to the student's sir..." Sakthivel said.

"I very well know it Sakthi. This is Mumbai. Not Tamilnadu. Here, everything is common. Smuggling, trafficking, etc, etc. We have to face everything you know! Situation changes every time and every second. We can't expect the consequences." The deen said to them.

He additionally demands an apology from Swaroop. To save the information from reaching his father's table, he accepts and gives an open statement of apology for his cruel act. Afterward, he warns his rival to stop this stupid act and additionally tells, "He knew the mixing of drugs in juices."

A FEW HOURS LATER, BOYS HOSTEL:

"Buddy. Is this necessary for us da? Why did you mess up with our senior da?" Sakthi asked him.

Swaroop then looks at him and tells, "I didn't want any of them to become like our close friend Vishal da. You remember him?"

Sakthi nods yes and Swaroop tells him, "He too started like this only. Badly got addicted to drugs at that school age. He started to supply for our friends and at last, died due to cigarette smoking and alcoholism. I didn't want anyone of them to lose their lives like such."

After a while, Akhil, one of Swaroop's college friend is surprised by this and asked Sakthi, "I actually thought that he is adamant and have anger problems. But, inside the heart is he this gold?"

"He always loved everyone da. But, don't know how to express it. Since childhood, he is like this only."

Swaroop is now more attracted to Photography and gives equal importance to both Photography and his career. Everything was mundane for Swaroop until time and situation change in his life on this particular date, 24 November 2012.

A girl named Meghana enters his life. She is his childhood friend and was a junior to him in his school days. She is quite a feared, loving, and calm girl. Knowing to handle problematic situations, she never gets angered quickly like Swaroop. His behavior initially angered her a lot and irritated her to the core at the beginning. She is also from a financially settled family. Exactly from an upper-middle-class family background in Coimbatore.

Because he was too aggressive and violent to the people, who tried to do unjust acts, that is very upsetting to him. The two roamed like cat-and-mouse, involving in small arguments in and around the college.

One day, Swaroop sees one of his junior students, stalking a girl in order to get his love to succeed. Instead of getting angered and trying to beat him up, he goes near to him and sits.

Meghana, who too was just going in that place sees this and stopped. Swaroop then asked him, "Did you see any movie yesterday da?"

"Yes, brother. I watched Remo. In that, actor Sivakarthikeyan stalked a girl. That's why I too try to do this for getting my love successful."

"Hmm. So in that movie, Stalking is to woo girls. But, you know the reality?" Swaroop asked him and the boy looked at him.

"In reality, Stalking is a serious crime. You are not supposed to follow any women inroads. In cinemas, they do this for money. We shouldn't spoof such things in real life." Swaroop said to him and further tells him, "You have come here by working hard. Parents must have spent you a lot of expenses. Make them happier. Don't make them bow their heads down."

The boy realized his mistakes. While, Meghana realized Swaroop's inner love for others and his good nature, despite his some negative sides. From his close friends, she comes to know that, "He is talented. Yet suffers psychologically due to the anger-management troubles."

Meghana slowly tried to become friends with Swaroop. But, he didn't respond at the beginning. However, he slowly becomes her friend, and both start to have a good understanding. With her guidance and support, Swaroop eventual changed his way of behavior by taking up NCC classes, doing sound healing projects, and doing yoga regularly.

His change in attitude and character made his family as well as his college dean and friends happier.

SOME YEARS LATER FEBRUARY 10, 2013:

Years later, Swaroop and Meghana meet together in Coimbatore during the holidays near Velliangiri Hills. They have completed medical courses and now, Swaroop is a surgeon in KMCH hospitals. There, Meghana tells Swaroop, "Human life is full of battles, Swaroop. We should fight till the last and stand our ground. Now, you are capable to face challenges and problems. That's Okay Swaroop. Didn't you take any photos of natural scenarios?"

"I have to take Meghana. In Himachal Pradesh. That's my dream place. Because I could feel the place much better." Swaroop said.

"I don't know Meghana. Maybe some days after...now, I have dreams to become a successful surgeon in KMCH hospitals."

Meghana proposes her love to Swaroop, who tells her: "Meghana. I am now starting a career as a Surgeon. I need some time-space to think about this."

She looks for a while and laughs telling, "Don't get tensed for everything da."

"Hey. Why am I going to get tensed? I just don't want you to get hurt!"

"You like me a lot, then?"

"I can't say like such."

"Then, you don't like me ah?"

"Hey. You are trapping me, whenever I try to say something!" She laughs.

"Swaroop. I think, I really love you. You don't get tensed. I don't need an answer."

"Do you have Sakthi's phone number Meghana?"

"Hmm..."

"If you wanted to tell something, tell it to him Meghana. I will call you back!"

"Swaroop. Confirm ah? We have lots of time right?"

"Oh yes. There's a lot of time for us "

FEBRUARY 13, 2013:

In the hospitals, Swaroop completes a heart transplant surgery for an aged patient. He then speaks with his father and family for a while back in his house. Swaroop learns that his brother's marriage has been fixed and is scheduled to happen on February 23, 2013. He agrees to come for the marriage event.

At that time, he rushes off to speak with Meghana on a telephone near to his chair after hanging his father's call.

"Tell Swaroop."

"Were you looking at the phone, like an innocent cat?"

"I hoped that you will definitely call me today. How did you feel this Ji?"

"How are you feeling this Ji?"

"I feel like traveling to the world of happiness." When he asks to her what she wanted, she asked him to come sooner for her and additionally asked him to save the life of another patient, to save the day.

When she is told that, she is going to tell their love to her parents, he fearfully objects and tells her that, "He himself will come and speak with them."

She tells him, "See how you got feared. You know. I didn't even tell to my best friend regarding, how much I liked you lot!"

"Who is that best friend?" asked Swaroop.

"You only." She said and smiled.

"Huh."

"Swaroop. Tomorrow is Valentine's day. For you, what should I bring?"

"Get a good music player for me, Meghana. To be memorable for so many long days."

"Ok. What gift are you going to present me tomorrow?"

"I am not celebrating Valentine's day Meghana."

She laughs and she asked him, "Swaroop. It's confirm right? We have lots of time right?"

"Yes. There is. We can meet."

Swaroop hangs the call and goes for his bed. The next day, he goes to the hospitals in order to complete a surgery for patient, who suffered Cardiac block. At the same time, Meghana gets ready by wearing her dress to get the gift for Swaroop.

She goes in her car after getting the gift. However, while going towards SITRA signal in Coimbatore, she meets with a terrible accident, due to a lorry, which hits her car.

In the car accident that ensued, she dies on the spot due to the blood loss. Sakthivel goes to the spot and comes to know that, she have died.

Salthivel goes to meet Swaroop in KMCH and urgently meets him. He takes him to the spot. Doubtful about the spot, he asked him: "Who da? What happened here? Any problems?"

Sakthivel shows his hands towards the car. Upon seeing it, Swaroop goes near to the car and deduces it to be Meghana's car.

"No...It's not possible." Swaroop said, by showing his hands. He tries to go and see her body. But, gets stopped by Sakthi.

"No Swaroop. Please." He said and tried to stop him. But, pushes him asides and rushes to see her. He feels heartbroken after seeing her dead.

"No Sakthi. She is not Meghana. I can't believe this da." Swaroop shouts. As police comes there he is taken by Sakthi and for three days, he remains upset.

YEARS LATER, DECEMBER 2017:

To forget her, he starts to take drinking and becomes addicted badly with Smoking. As a result of these habits, he gets feared by many hospital staffs very sooner. To his luck, the deen of hospital doesn't know his bad habits.

To forget his first love's death, Swaroop tries to take a lots of measures. He attends farewell party with his friends, tried to play music and tried to do sound healing. Everything goes in vain. Day by day, his behavior turned back to old ways and his friends Sakthi and elder brother, Adhithya worried his well-being.

Things further worsens one day in his house. Because he involved in a brawl with police and as a result, got arrested by police for a time being and came out with Adhithya's help.

Adhithya told, "Take him through back door da."

Here, his mother asked: "Swaroop. What da? Injuries all over your face! Did you again clashed with people? Aren't you ashamed da? Many people asked about you in the marriage da. You humiliated us. Why didn't you attend the marriage function da?"

"Don't talk silly, ma. Group photo ah, group photo! Keep it by digitalizing. Hey Adhithya. What would happen, if I didn't attend your marriage da?"

"Nothing would happen da."

"I want you to leave now." His father said to him, which shocks his grandfather.

"Son. Think for a while da."

"What to think dad? I was quiet and that's why he have came to this extreme. Let him go out of our way."

"I will attend the reception and go daddy."

"No reception. Nothing. Get lost da." Jis father said, despite been consoled by Adhithya. Heartbroken, Swaroop leaves from the house.

"Is first love's death that much painful da? I am unable to heal the pain da." Swaroop said to Sakthi.

His behavior worsened day by day, as he starts to get addicted to alcohol. Swaroop becomes most feared surgeon in the hospitals.

PRESENT:

At present, Adhithya comes to meet Swaroop after finding his location in a long search. The duo consoled each other after a small fight.

"As you went for forestry, I felt bored da, without you."

"Good news when da?"

"Planning after two years!"

"What? It should come by natural da." Swaroop said. They spend some memorable time together. Because, his brother motivated and inspired him since childhood days for everything.

The next day, Swaroop goes for a Surgery in an alcoholic state after been forced by his staffs as an emergency case. Despite going to dehydration, he managed to save the patient.

After his mother and sister-in-law comes to meet him. Then, one of Sakthi and Swaroop's mentor Roshan personally takes Sakthi to upstairs and tells him, "Hey Sakthi. Right away he have to stop everything. Otherwise he is in the endangered position."

"He never obeyed anyone bro."

"See da. His senior doctor told that, AIIMS have got to know the truth. Additionally, he tells his helpless situation as a result of Swaroop's professional loopholes. Is your 2008 batch a batch ah da? I have never seen such a worst batch in my life! Will you come for the hospitals by having beard to the hospitals?"

He tells the worsened problems and the things, that reached all over the country. Meanwhile, Adhithya showcases Swaroop's situation to his father, which worries him. But, he remains mute against this.

Adhithya tries to speak this to his grandfather. However, he tells him: "Suffering is very painful, Adhi. The loved one's death is different from loved one leaving us. He have been close to his dead lover. Lots of memories. Let him suffer."

He decides to help Swaroop in AIIMS. However, a guilt-ridden Swaroop admits his alcoholism and as a result of this, his license is cancelled for a temporary period of five years.

Adhithya berates him and slaps left and right, out of anger. Sakthi too leaves him after he messed with Akhil, as he is getting married soon with his first love.

Swaroop's flat owner sends him out of the house and he lands homeless in roadsides. Then, Sakthi meets him to inform about his grandfather's death.

He goes to grandpa's house and meets everyone in the family, except his father. Because, he sits outside sad. Swaroop goes to meet him after seeing everyone.

"Dad. Life is very beautiful. Surrounded by memorable days, sweet moments and happiness. I realized it now only. My mom carried me in her hip when I was a child. But, you carried me in your shoulders and till now, you are carrying our family. Same only our grandpa also did. I know you are sad, than any others. Come dad. Please come in, I say."

He hugs him emotionally and eventually reconciles with him. Swaroop plays the famous quotes of Bhagavad Gita before five minutes of cremation phase.

FEW DAYS LATER:

Few days later, Swaroop gives up his self-destructive path of behavior and slowly returns back to normal phase. He have now shaved his beard and is leading a normal lifestyle by doing photography as a full-time job, until his medical license gets validated again.

As he was about to smoke his cigarette, his father comes in between and gets the cigarette. After smoking it he said, "You need?"

"No dad."

"Before few days in college, I smoked da. Swaroop. A saying is there in Bhagavad Gita da. We wander for distraction but travel for fulfillment. I think a time have came for you to understand this."

"Dad. I am sorry. I will leave these bad habits from today. Promise."

"It's Okay Swaroop. Take a holiday. I think you deserve it. Come back and start afresh." He starts to read newspaper, while Swaroop thinks a while about the trip.

"What are you thinking da? You shouldn't remain like this. After you come back, start your life fresh." His father said, after which Swaroop plans to go for Deodar Forest of Himachal Pradesh and Idukki district of Kerala.

First, he goes to Idukki and stays in a hotel. Since, he became popular with his mesmerizing photos of Mahabaleshwar all over India, many wonders him and one of the staffs named Harini, a Tamil girl from Thondamuthur of Coimbatore. failed to recognize him. Later, she apologizes to him.

Slowly, both of them becomes friends and Swaroop starts to date her. He goes along with her to Deodar forest of Himachal Pradesh, where he takes beautiful and mesmerizing photos by staying there for three to five days. This is published by him in a magazine and he becomes popular due to the awards that came as a resultant of the photography.

Days after, media people learns about his love with Harini and goes to her house in order to question her about it. This upsets her. But, her friend consoles her to avoid the media.

ONE MONTH LATER, FEBRUARY 10, 2018:

One months later, Swaroop decides to leave back for Coimbatore and meet his family. Before going back, he calls Harini.

"How are you?"

"I am fine. You?"

"I am fine, Harini. I am leaving back to Coimbatore. That's why I wanted to tell you in phone."

"Hmm. Swaroop. Today my father asked about you and me!"

"Ok. What did you tell him for that?"

"As usual answer only. We are just friends."

"What's there to worry about it Harini!" He asked her by smiling.

"Are we just friends Swaroop? Swaroop, I like you, I trust you. But, the stupid news makes me upset da. And I love you and that's why I get hold." She said to him by crying.

"Ok. I will avoid news and make things sort of it. You too avoid the news."

"I am not like you, Swaroop. My world is different. It's very very small. I don't know how important I am to you."

"As a friend, how important you are for me you know. Still more didn't you understand ah, Harini?"

"If you tell it for sometimes only I could know it Swaroop." She wiped off her tears and said, "I am sorry Swaroop. I forgot that you are going back for your hometown and talked too much. Tomorrow is Valentine's day right. What should I get for you?" She asked him.

Swaroop reminds off the same thing, that was once asked by Meghana and he tells to Harini, "I am not celebrating Valentine's day Harini."

"Of course. Have a nice day Swaroop." Harini said and she started weeping by closing her eyes. While, Swaroop sits idle for a while and calls Harini.

"Tell me Swaroop."

"Harini. My world is not much bigger than you. It's like a work of photography. I could carry it easier. Hence, I wanted some time to think about this. Will you give me some time space to think about your love?"

"Swaroop. Are you sure?"

"If next time, I came here to this place, I would take numerous of Manali photos. I am that much sure, Harini." He said with a smile. Harini accepts and gives him one week time to think about the love.

COIMBATORE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, 7:00 PM:

Swaroop reaches back to Coimbatore International Airport by 7:00 PM and goes along with his brother Adhithya in his car. After reaching his house, he starts to miss Harini, a lot. Further, he reminds of the memorable moments that he have spent with Meghana.

He is unable to sleep well, the whole night. Henceforth, he walks in and around the house. His father notices this and goes near to Swaroop.

As he turned back, he saw his father and gets shocked.

"Come father. Didn't you sleep?" Swaroop asked him.

"What happened da? Why are you walking like this? And your face seemed to be dull. Any problem?"

Initially hesitant, Swaroop reveals about his love journey with Harini, in Himachal Pradesh and opens everything to his father, including his hesitance to accept her because of Meghana's intruding past.

"Human life is full of Battles: Never Shirk In fear – Fight To The Last, Stand Your Ground. The Supreme Power has created an even human being in a separate way – or will we say, Everyone is a MASTERPIECE. When every action you do turns negative against your goal, do not shirk in fear. This is from Bhagavad Gita quotes only da. But, this is the bitter truth, that you have to accept. God can't give you the thing, which he have taken along with him. But, he can replace it with another one right. Think by taking your own time da Swaroop. Good luck." His father said to him. Still, he is unconvinced and lays in the sofa sleeping, having felt tired.

The next day, his brother Adhithya sees him sitting ablaze and confused in the sofa even after the breakfast. He learns about the same and brings back his friends Sakthi, Akhil and his wife to guide him.

Akhil asked him: "What decision have you made now da? Are you going to accept her love or reject?"

"I don't know da buddy. I am confused."

"See brother. This is the main problem with him. He always goes confused. Why are you like this da?" Sakthi asked him.

"You wait for a while da Sakthi." Akhil's wife said and she tells to Swaroop, "Swaroop. Quite recall the memorable moments with Harini da. You like her wholeheartedly. But, the first love is stopping you to accept her. First, threw it away I say da."

He still remains idle and sits by seeing his hands. Now, Adhithya intervened and tells him: "I have guided and motivated you in as many ways as I can da, Swaroop. See da. There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved. Love doesn't dominate da. It cultivates. To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides da."

"Yes da Swaroop. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength. While loving someone deeply gives you courage." Sakthi and Akhil said to him.

Hearing this, he reminds off the immense love, that he have for Harini and vice versa. He calls her and learns from her that, she is back to Coimbatore. Henceforth, he asks her to come and meet him in his house to which she agreed to, though hesitating initially.

Harini manages to reach his house using GPS locator and meets him in the big house, surrounded by Adhithya, Sakthi, Swaroop's father, Akhil and his wife. He asks them all to go out. Because he have to talk with her personally.

"This is quite a long journey for me, Harini. I didn't experience much pain and sufferings before times, when compared with this journey. I think, I am in love with you. I love you. Love you eternal! And love you forever."

Hearing this, Harini feels happier and she emotionally hugs him telling, "I too love you Swaroop. Love you eternal."

Then, Adhithya, Gokul, Akhil and his wife enters into the house and Adhithya tells, "Guys. They have experienced a long journey of love. They have to take a breath of happy moments now. So, shall we all take a group photo?"

"Sure brother," Akhil said and everyone takes a photo after telling, cheese.

EPILOGUE:

"We are all souls, spiritual beings entitled to rejoice in eternal love.” When our loving nature is contaminated by pains, selfishness and frustration, we start loving things more than persons, especially the supreme person. This misdirected love forges our misidentification with our temporary bodily coverings and impels us to exploit others for our self-centered desires that arises due to pains and circumstances. Let's love all and let others love us. Since, Love wins all."