Tapas

It wasn’t a case of love at first sight filmy style at all. First day of college she noticed him among many other boys when he introduced himself as Rajat and thought she would not mind knowing him more. He too felt the same when she introduced herself as Manjari. As they were in the same section they would meet daily and exchange pleasantries. No complimenting each other for their looks or the dress they were wearing that day. Soon it was time for the first round of class test. His name got displayed as one among the toppers. She barely passed.

Rajat took the initiative of forming a small study group as he felt it would help sharing their expertise and assisting each other. She readily joined the group and found it mutually beneficial. First term ended well for both Rajat and Manjari, while Rajat remained at the top, Manjari wasn’t struggling any more.

At the beginning of second term there was a class assignment to do in pairs. When Rajat approached her to be his partner she readily agreed to. Later she realised she didn’t even ask him about the project he had in mind. She realised she trusted him well enough to say yes readily. And so, it went on. Their friendship grew stronger.

Soon it was time for summer project. They both chose their project of their own interest and found themselves in different cities. He made the first move chess like with the intention to win the heart of the queen. She responded with the intention to exchange their pieces of heart. By the time the summer project ended Manjari was sure she had lost her heart during the game. Rajat declared the game to be a draw but he felt she was the right match for him. They found themselves drawn to each other when the classes began in the second year. They studied together and spent a lot of time with each other exchanging notes and their dreams as well. It was when they were returning from a movie Rajat asked her if she found him as someone whom she could live with lifelong. She held his hand and pressed it. He found tears in her eyes. She said it was one of joy as she confessed that she was waiting for this moment all along.

Two years later they got married when they could arrange their respective careers to be in the same city. They decided they will give their marriage another couple of years before they get into the family way. Least did they know that trials and tribulations awaited them.

At the end of one year, they weren’t successful to get into family way. That started a round of doctors. They both had problems as their work took a toll on their health. Rajat was short of adequate sperm count and her ovulation likewise failed often. Rounds of treatment followed. The treatment had side effects; irritability, fatigue coupled with their work tension life became hell for both. It was then one friend suggested ayurvedic treatment for both which involved a month long stay at the clinic. It was a total regimen that the Vaid had suggested when they had met him for a consultation. He said they were quite stressed out and the medicines they have been having too had played their part. The body needs to flush them out before new medicines can be administered. He assured them success. They arranged for leave with great difficulty from their respective work places. They had accumulated leave and barely taken a long vacation. That helped in their request for leave. Soon it was time at the ayurvedic retreat and time for rest, recover and rejuvenation, the 3 Rs said the Vaid jokingly.

Their diet and medicines had to be continued until pregnancy happens which was expected in the next three months. When Manjari skipped her period in the fourth month her heart skipped a beat too. She waited for one more month before the pregnancy test confirmed she was on the way to bear a child. It was then they had decided if child were a boy, he would be named Tapas and if the child was a girl she would be named as Tapasvi. It was Tapas that gave them joy.

Birth of Tapas brought forth changes in their career for good and they found themselves on a geometric progression. With two incomes they could afford a full-time governess who became a pivot in the family. With their careers in their mind, they failed their parental duties. Tapas grew up to be a spoilt brat as both Rajat and Manjari substituted their love and parental care for spending on him. He used his intelligence to get his way or even manipulate his parents. Overcome with guilt of neglecting him they showered him with money or objects of his desire.

Thus, for his seventeenth birth day he demanded a motor bike. He convinced his parents that he would get a license before that even though he was under-age. Tapas said he knew it can be arranged for a suitable price through an agent. Neither Rajat or Manjari could put their foot down. They feared his tantrums and bouts of anger and depression should they refuse his demand.

Next thing they did was to pay for the bike. Tapas had managed to get his license as he had vowed. Highly excitable teenage blood cruised through his veins as he raced the bike on the ring roads. On a fateful week end he had gone riding with his friends to the near by getaway.

It was about one hour later when the landline rang and Manjari who took the phone fainted upon getting the news. Rajat sprinkled water on her face when she regained her consciousness. Tapas met with a bike accident and had been rushed to the hospital. When they reached the hospital a little later and were told Tapas had died on the spot. His friends said he has swerved to avoid a stray cow and had hit the divider while losing his balance and the speeding bus had run over him. His body was a mangled mess. Doctor advised them not to look at the body even.

Tapas who were born out of their trials and tribulations had become a mere statistic in accidental deaths. Manjari was overcome with grief and depression. Rajat took to alcohol. Their best friends coaxed them to undergo therapy. Along with therapy they were exploring adoption too. Manjari had decided enough is enough with her career. She resolved to become a mother and make amends for her past mistake. It was one month since Rahat had imbibed alcohol. His therapists said it was solid progress. Police wanted to register a case of criminal negligence against Tapas and Manjari when they found out that Tapas was under aged. But some friends with influence intervened and got the case dropped with exchange of money. Police agreed that the couple had paid their price for their sins and omissions.

Last thing heard about Rajat and Manjari was that they were visiting Mother Theresa’s home looking to adopt a child. They wanted to reset their life. Will the life give them a second chance?