Moments Of Solace

Suren had no idea about the prospects of a bachelor getting a house on rent. But, it did not take him long to find out. Everyone he approached was in denial mode. Some opened their doors to discuss, some did not bother to open the door even, did all the transactions through windows. Some went to the extent of answering from their balconies, without allowing him(an outsider) to get in.

After spending five frustrating days of search, he could elicit a response. She was a middle-aged lady and had sharp features. She was more or less shabbily dressed. Her long black mane was tied in a top knot. Her slippers were worn out and the glass of her spec was opaque. Probably, she had not bothered to clean them and the frame was on the verge of giving up. She opened the main door of the house and a creaking sound greeted him. The door having lent services for decades, perhaps was in a lifeless and poignant mode. The repair could have been thought of, but the owner was in not in a state perhaps to carry out any kind of modification-be it a door or her demeanour. He tried to mutter-" The sad song is searching for its parting tune."

"Did you say anything? "

"No madam, I was just trying to remember the topic for essay writing."

He had a close shave and thanked God profusely.

The lady started her lecture albeit in a loud voice-

"Listen to me carefully, young man... I don't give this house on rent to bachelors for obvious reasons. They don't take care of the house properly. They leave the gate ajar and let bulls and cows enter into the garden and ruin my flowers. But, you seem to be gentlemanly and I don't have an objection in renting out this one-bedroom house to you. But, you have to be regular in payment of rent, one more thing-don't try to pry into my household affairs. I don't approve of people poking nose into my personal matter. Last but not least I need two month's advance rent payment as a security deposit. The same will be refunded to you on surrender of the house. I shall deduct money from the security deposit if there is any kind of damage. Is that clear?"

"Yes, mam!" 

Saying that he breathed a sigh of relief as he could perceive her nod of affirmation.

"Thank God! Finally."

He shifted the next day after fulfilling all formalities like payment of advance rent and keeping to himself and not showing any interest in the landlady's affairs. It was evening by then and he prepared tea for himself in the gas stove. He sat near the window and began looking around while sipping his cuppa. Slowly the atmosphere was filled with the aroma of night queen's fragrance.

"Ah! soothing -it fills my heart with a sense of longing. After so many years I am having a chance to smell my favourite bloom."

He wanted to come out of the confines, mingle with the ripples of laughter of the blooms and let his soul resonate ...but then, remembered his commitment to the landlady.

Yet, he could feel his euphoric soul diving deep into ecstasy taking him on a nostalgic trail. A smile glued to his lips and he burst into a fit of laughter.

While coming he brought along his dinner pack. Now, he had ample time to finish his painting as he did not have to cook. The deadline for submission of entry for the art exhibition was drawing near, the alarm was set in the back of his mind. He arranged the canvas and paintbrushes. He had earned name fame and money as an artist and pursued his studies along. He was self-taught, yet very promising. The painting was in its final stage and needed touch up. At this juncture, Suren wanted to add a bunch of night queens as he felt this was his inner calling.

Next morning, he was sitting near the window. His inquisitive eyes roving across the flora and fauna in the modest garden. There was an arch-shaped trellis in the shadow of a row of hibiscus trees. A few green vines climbing up the timber lattice gave an artistic touch to the entire atmosphere. His delightful watch was the sunray streaming in through the branches of trees.

He could see the landlady plucking flowers from the garden. Long sleeves of her nightgown were rolled up beyond elbows. She went on sizing the pots and pruning the plants. To relieve herself from the onerous task, she was humming the tune of an old Hindi film number.

She remained engrossed in the activities, till such time she turned back and their eyes met.

"What are you gaping at? Did I not tell you to mind your own business and not poke your ugly nose in my affairs?"

"Yes, you did auntie, and I do remember. I just woke up listening to the chirping of birds. I swear, this is happening to me after a long while. The houses I stayed before were amidst concrete jungles. I was virtually deprived of this natural splendour. Since painting is my passion, it too suffered a setback due to this. I am so happy, I can open up now."

"O.k. Never mind."

"But, do not cross the limits set to you."

"I shall abide by auntie."

She left in a huff and Suren could feel his pounding heart slugging like a giant pump.

He could not discern the reason behind her ill-temper. He tried to collect his shards and tried to put a stroke or two to his almost finished painting to revive his mood. His painting exhibition was to take place shortly. His examinations too were due. He cannot afford to ruin his mood and invite misery. Last two years were a kind of disaster to his personal and professional life. He had a breakup and the hurt seeped into his dogged soul. He could not lift his brush and his source of income suffered a setback. His savings dwindled. He had to leave the rented house and survived without food. Finally decided to leave the place and come to another city where he will not find anybody known. He borrowed money from his friend Sunit and could find this place to stay. "No more" -he told to himself."It is enough to be toasted in the flares of the past. No more dissection and postmortem of days gone. Now I deserve some fair dealing."

But, can we prevent a casual invasion of a mysterious past? Perhaps "no".

He possessed the soul of an artist. So, fancied sometimes to be in orchards where sun played hide and seek encrusted with scarlet and gold blooms, stretching to infinite distance. He yearned too -to borrow, a speck of light from the majestic moon. He vied to remain drenched in its aura and flow with time. But it was not to be. He has faced abrupt negation most of his life. It has traipsed many a time in a short span. Now he has no business to look back, only forward drive with a radiant face and sparkling eyes.

Next morning he found her again in the garden, humming a tune and muttering to self. From the big windows, he could watch her activities. At that time a shrill voice pierced his eardrums."Mama, I am hungry, give me food. Where are you? I cannot find you."

The voice could be heard from the house.

"I am coming in no time. Stay where you are. Do not move. You may fall."

She started running towards the main door of the house to take the stairs. She was anxious as well as apprehensive, as he could notice. There was a loud thud, immediately after, as if someone fell down. Yes, he guessed it right.

He could hear wails and sobs and decided to enter the banned territory. He found a girl in her twenties below the stairs and mother of the girl, his landlady too morose and aghast, was crying bitterly. Suren did not waste time in requisitioning an ambulance. His presence of mind helped them reach the local dispensary at the nick of time. He sat through the entire procedure and accompanied them to the nearby hospital. Spending the sleepless night in the corridor, he ensured that the best treatment is facilitated.

He could now very well discern the change in the landlady's behavioural pattern. She seemed to be ashamed of her dealings. Though she did not open her lips, through nuances and gestures, she delivered the needful. Till such time, the landlady attended her injured child in the hospital, Suren arranged food and necessary provisions for them with his meagre resources.

                    

The long week finally ended so also the ordeal. Both the mother and the daughter returned home. The daughter took some more time to heal completely. By now, Suren had known the secrets of the house. He was fully conversant with the tragedy that had befallen the poor family. With the demise of the man of the house, the landlady was completely swept off her feet by the swelling waves of sorrow. Her only child became blind by the onslaught of a rare disease. With much difficulty, she could manage both the ends meet. Taking advantage of her pitiful condition people tried to betray and cheat her. The mould of her heart hardened and she behaved like someone possessed. The way fate kept on adding tacit notes to dismay, it was but natural for her to embrace abrupt negation. Hence she was unsocial and curt in her dealings.

Next week was supposed to be very eventful for Suren. He had geared up with enthusiasm to crack the exam as well as to top the art competition and elicit contacts and contracts to sell his paintings at a higher price.

It was past evening. There was a tap on the door. He found the landlady standing outside with a plateful of sumptuous food. She smiled and her teary eyes conveyed her gratefulness. In an exasperated and choked voice, she could utter this much-

"Thank you, my son. God bless you. You can stay in this house as long as you want to. Tomorrow I shall refund the advance amount deposited by you. I don't mind if you become irregular in paying rent. What you have done for us, no near and dear would have. I misunderstood you, my boy! You can freely come to my place. We can have tea together. My daughter will be happy to have you around. She sees through her mind and perceives things .Good night."

"Good Night auntie."

"Moments of solace amidst rattling sounds of life-finally."

"Some journeys of life, they say-rejuvenate us, if taken alone. But most journeys need a companion, a friend, an acquaintance even, for smooth sailing."

Saying this to himself Suren looked up with hands folded and sought blessings of the divine for his test.