Bhavani

Bhavani ran up to the doctor as soon as she saw him. A moment before he had come out of the operation theatre. He had operated in a government hospital at Thirupanithura. The hospital had standards compared to that of a private one in other states. 

"Doctor, how did the operation go? She stuttered.

The doctor removed his mask and she saw his face. What she saw was a mixture of emotions both elation and sorrow. Her pregnant sister ran into a serious complication with surgery needed. The doctor had finished it.

He wiped his brows and asked, "do you want the good news or the bad news?"

"good news, of course" stammered Bhavani. Her stomach got knotted up in tension. She didn't feel in control of her tongue. She wanted to hear the bad news first. 

Doctor "You have become a proud chitta (aunt) to two beautiful twins: a boy and a girl" and he paused. He wiped his brows once again and kept quiet.

Now for the bad news thought Bhavani. She trembled inside. She whispered the words "My sister?"

The doctor didn't have to say anything as she saw the shadow of sorrow moving across his face. 

"Oh! Gayatri" she howled and fell on the floor. 

Her mother and her friend came running to her rescue, hugged her and helped to get on her feet.

This was the story Bhavani began narrating to Raghav when he first met her at his mother-in-law's house. Bhavani had been working for over a month there. Raghav heard about her from his wife. He had to see her. As a budding writer he was looking for good stories he could write. Bhavani's evergreen smile struck him on first impression. 

Next time he met her she continued. Bhavani said "Chetta, how the hell to one know that was not the end of the ordeal?" 

What? exclaimed Raghav. "more happened?" He asked with anxiety dripping in his tone.

Bhavani sobbed and then took a deep breath. "do you believe my brother-in-law committed suicide? Three... three months after my sister passed away" she whimpered. 

Oh! no. Raghav sighed in distress. 

Bhavani continued her narration. "It was then I decided I would bring up my sister's twins as my own and made a vow not to marry." 

Life is not one straightforward tale. There is always these twists and turns. 

For Bhavani, it happened in the form of Venu when he walked into her dancing class. 

This happened a few years later. Bhavani completed her degree in dancing. She had started teaching dancing to kids in a nearby school. By this time her sister's kids were already going to school. Her parents stood as a rock by her and supported her decision to bring up their grandchildren. 

There was criticism and praise from her family and friends. Some praised her decision as being bold. While others criticised her parents for sacrificing Bhavani's life. Bhavani unmindful of all this devoted her attention to the twins and her dancing. This occupation kept her mind from thinking too much. 

Venu walked into her class bringing along his niece for admission to a new session. Venu found her an epitome of grace. He thought if Ramba or Maneka, celestial dancers were true, they must have taken the form of Bhavani. Draped in a golden yellow sari Bhavani left a deep impression in his mind.

He didn't stop being wonder-struck. He enquired and found out about her history. Her story made him attracted to her even more. He told his parents about her and mentioned his marriage interest. 

On the day of Diwali after a special dancing class, Venu approached her and spilled the beans. 

"Bhavani teacher, I have something to tell you. I want to marry you. I know of your vows. But I am willing to bring up your sister's twins as my own. I have only one request from my side." 

 He paused. Bhavani amused, looked at him askance. 

He continued "If you were to agree to this proposal of mine, I would like to have one child out of our wedlock. That we can call our own." He stopped.

"Please think about this over the weekend. If you agree wear the golden yellow sari for the next class. I will take it as a yes." Venu scurried away. 

That evening Bhavani went on laughing as she narrated this episode to her best friend Sheila. Sheila in all seriousness said "Bhavani, stop this mad laughter. Venu must be serious and from your account straight forward too. You must give his proposal a serious thought."

Venu was over the moon when he saw Bhavani in the golden yellow sari. Bhavani said " I would like to come and meet with your parents with my twins. It is the three of us they must accept."

Venu and Bhavani's marriage was like a fairy tale. Now they have a son of their own and has turned four years. 

As years passed dream-like quality of life yet turned once again into a nightmare. Bhavani's father-in-law fell fractured his hips and cracked his skull. A few weeks in the hospital wiped their savings. Bhavani's in-law has started moving by himself now. They needed more income than her dancing class would give. 

Bhavani said " that is how chetta I am here to take care of your mother-in-law. I am getting Rs twenty thousand and all other expenses taken care of. I am sending nineteen thousand month home which is a big amount and much needed in these hard times."

Bhavani's ordeal didn't end there. Raghav's ailing mother-in-law passed away. Her daughters told Bhavani she could stay for a few more weeks.

"what would you do next?" asked Raghav.

Bhavani Said "Chetta, I would go home. I miss my family too. I would resume my dancing coaching. Venu enquired with the school and they are in need of a teacher." 

"Venu has started a mess outside our home on the main road itself. My mother-in-law has a way with her cooking. Business is brisk. In my free time, I would help with the mess."

"And what you would do with my story? have you written it? asked Bhavani.

Raghav said he "would publish as an anthology. Leave your number with me, in case."

Raghav saw the usual smiling face as he took leave from her. 

Six months later, Raghav called Bhavani and told her that the anthology had been published. He exclaimed "Not only that, Bhavani, a TV producer got interested in serialising it."

Bhavani could not believe her ears when Raghav told her that. Raghav continued "The best part is he wanted to know if you would act in the serial portraying yourself?"

"What? I can't believe you are saying this" exclaimed Bhavani.

Raghav could hear some commotion in the background coming from her phone. Her family sounded all anxious at Bhavani's excitement.

He asked her "Can you hear me? There is going to be money in it for you to play that role. Please discuss this with your husband. I will call you after two days. You can tell me your decision then." 

Yet again a fairy seems to have entered into Bhavani's life. Last heard Bhavani completed her audition. She has signed the agreement and got paid an advance of Rs one lakh. As far as Raghav, he is making a debut as a scriptwriter for Bhavani's episode.