THE MEMORABLE JOURNEY

                      

Note: This story is based on Author’s fiction. It does not apply to any true life incidents.

CHENNAI-SALEM-COIMBATORE ROAD:

07 MAY 2022:

12:30 AM:

With no one present in the either side of roads, Sai Adhithya had been driving his car smooth, looking right and left sides of the road. There are leaves and trees on the either sides of the roads. The clouds are so darker. When reaching Thindivanam, Adhithya slowed down the speed of the car, upon noticing the heavy rains.

Turning on the wiper, there are some thoughts running inside his mind. He have to reach his destination at PSG College of Arts and Science around 3:30 AM. Now, he asked himself: “What does this rain teach us? We have several seasons. Autumn season, Winter season and Rainy season. But, what lessons does we learn through these things?”

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up. I too was in such category only.”

SIX YEARS BACK:

APRIL 2012- MARCH 2018:

I was born in a middle-class family consisting of my mother Geetharani and father Rajarathinam. My father completed his EEE at PSG Tech and M.Tech in Indian Institute of Technology. He further finished an MBA in Indira Gandhi University. He is generous, down-to-earth and loving person. While my mother had always been rude, angry and arrogant women, due to the place and surroundings, where she have grown up. I initially thought so during my school days.

In my school days at Pollachi, I was generally weak in studies. To make myself stronger in academics, I was forced by my family to sacrifice leaves and focus more on studies. This eventually created a rift between me and my father. I was unable to fight or shout against him due to the lack of boldness. During 9th and 10th grades, I had lots of friends. I have went to Black Thunder two times in those years.

Some friends include: Raghuram, Girivasan, Harnish, Janardhan, Tejas, Harsha Vardhan and Abinesh. Among them also includes a special guy named: Arun Karthick. People used to mention him as “Mental” and “Brat.” An incident happened in 9th grade with another guy called R. Adithya, that completely changed my life altogether.

For six months, we have never spoke with each other due to this particular problem. I have accidentally split water in his pants and his science book was wet with smells. He used to mock me about the same for one year. I was very much vexed with the same, feeling guilty. In schools, I used to say that: I fell in love with a girl called Janani in 8th standard. However, it’s all to forget my school memories of Pollachi. Here, I just loved a girl called Suchika Goel for time pass.

During 10th or 9th, there was no time for fun. Just studies, studies and studies. Even in the leaves, I was not given freedom to enjoy the leaves. This was the reason, which have indeed angered me and caused me to react against my mother. I created frequent rifts between my father and mother by doing various things in 11th grade.

During 2014 periods, Veeram was the first film that I watched in Maharaja Multiplex theaters of Rangampalayam. After that I never went to theaters due to the constant fights between me and my father. Although I got average marks and gave decent results, I was unable to prove myself in studies. During break times in school, it became routine for me to spend my whole-time in library. It helped me to learn the cold-blooded reality of the society.

However, I didn’t realize that Cinema is for entertainment. My father used to forbid me by changing the topic, whenever I talk about Cinemas. I doesn’t know the reason initially. Later, I know well why he said so. 11th and 12th was the golden days in my life. Here, I got two teachers as my godfathers: One was Rajagopal sir and the other was Sivakumar sir. Few more people whom I consider as my mentors include: Sridhar sir, Xavier sir and Ramesh sir.

Ramesh sir was my department in-charge, who cared and adored students with strict rules and regulations. He too was from Coimbatore district. It was during the period of 11th, where I was wholly depressed and upset because of the lost memories of 10th leave. I frequently clashed with my parents. I have to remind one more incident, which further strained the relationship with my dad.

Sridhar sir used to be strict in maintaining rules and regulations. He slapped students for being disobedient. I took him as an inspiration. Another teacher in my class was Devakumar sir. He is from Kerala. He used to punish our friends for growing up beard. He used to call my friend Haswin was: “Taller boy.” For getting low marks, my friends: Monish, Rithik Charan and Haswin got severe beatings from him. He used to ask them: “Your parents spend this much amount for your betterment. But, if you score 6 and 8 marks, what will they think da?”

They however laugh for everything. I recalled the words of my father in 11th, who asked me: “Did you score only 10 marks in Economics? Going to school itself is waste da.” He very well know that, I am taking revenge against him for curbing my leaves. I was emotionless and never cried for anything since 10th. I made up myself bolder and strong, although I was psychologically weird.

During 11th, Maareesh and I entered in frequent fights. My friend Dhivakar used to call him: “Lady Maareesh.” His roll number 11509 will be a frequent teasing by my friends as “9.” I know that they are doing mistakes. But, I am left with no ways to relax myself. Hence, I called him the same and got severe beatings from him in the chest and later, in the eyes. It all just faded away and we became thick friends now. Recalling all this, I just laugh now.

My another friend Vishal said: “If you tease him once again, I myself would beat you up da.” In 12th, I didn’t have much time to spend or talk with Maareesh because of my focus in studies. But, I used to spend more time with twin brothers: Raagul Roshan and Rajiv Roshan. Raagul Roshan is the guy, who is like an elephant. I used to tell him: “Raagul. You look so cute.”

“You are very beautiful da.” Touching his cheeks. My friends used to tell me: “You look so cheaper and idiotic da.” During the last exam probably on 23/04/2019, I ran towards him and my friend Sanjeev said: “Hey. Horse is coming fierce da. Run Raagul!” However, I hugged him and touched his cheeks. Still more, I don’t know why I behaved so with Raagul alone. Due to his body weight or due to his cheeks.

Sanjeev said: “If you do like this means, people would complain to the police. That too in the category of sex torture.” Several of my friends asked me: “If I have guts, could I do like this to my other friends? It’s impossible.” Later, I realized, it was the happy moments I spent with Raagul, which healed my pains and agony.

There is something special more than these things. Sivakumar sir read the paper of Maareesh’s answer script louder in the half-yearly exams of 11th: “Instead of sacrifice, he have written the word as secrefice. He have did several mistakes. Instead of helping, he have wrote that word as halping.” And Haswin’s Economics paper was read by Suresh sir. He said: “Water uh essential for human beings uh. Water is used for drinking. It’s used for washing clothes. Hey. What is this da?” Hearing all this I, Dhivakar and friends laughed loudly.

I am able to secure admission for Commerce group bravely. But my mother was critical to allow me spending my leave days. To enjoy her leaves, she have went to the extent of boarding me in the Ayurvedic hospitals, where I resided in anger thinking about the failure of my plans. The sound tone of buses at that time have indeed created a goose bumps in my ears. The plans to travel in those buses were spoilt by my mother and her co-family members. On the other sides, I was much more humiliated by my father in the hospital sides, which further angered me.

I started to steal his money from bags as a cause of revenge. Knowing all this, my father scolds me to the core. I almost went to the extend of becoming a drug addict and alcoholic in 11th grade periods. But, I decided not to spoil the image of my family, upon recalling how my parents have sacrificed everything for the sake of my own happiness. However, I was sooner back to anger, when my mother didn’t allowed me to attend 10B reunion considering the budgetary amount of 500. It probably happened during the 1 month leave period of 12th summer classes. It is at this period, I made up my mind to face everything bravely.

I kept the photos of my friend’s reunion party in my mind. Since, it’s a sign of depression and sadness. It fueled up my anger to study well and score good marks in 12th. Except studies and spending some time in Library, I never gave other schedules during this phase of time. I very well know that, my mother won’t keep up her promise of giving me freedom to spend the leave space. As expected, it happened. This all happened after the public exams of 12th grade in 2015.

Except for Palakkad and Athirapally, I was unable to go anywhere. And there’s of no use to regret. Since, everything was just finished. My mother took this as an golden opportunity to seek revenge against me for two reasons: 1.) For making her to fall into my feet for her mistakes and 2.) For beating her up mercilessly as a revenge for not allowing to go for the reunion party. She laughed at me wickedly for losing the precious times of leaves. I kicked her leg brutally, which caused my co-sisters to react alongside my father. He was silent when I kicked my mother during the public exams. But, he severely beat me up, watched by my family members.

I took this as a humiliation. Although I was angry and upset with my father, I adored him and loved him to the core. However, this humiliation quite irked me. I failed to attend the reunion party of 12th(1 time) and 10th(2 times) only for their sake. But, these were all not considered by them. This all created a deep wound in my mind. I started to dig deep about my real-talent. Then, I started to write stories and poems for a change of my mindset.

After completing 12 to 15 stories during the leisure time from my office works, I searched for a blog to publish. I came across Storymirror in 2021 and eventually started to publish my stories. The first Shatabdi was based on my friend’s love story. Subsequently, several of my stories: The Perennial Love(based on 2020 Delhi Riots), Knight(Based on Drug mafia) and The Coimbatore Files(Based on 1997 Coimbatore blasts) were acclaimed by the editors. I won Most consistent writer of the year award within one year of my writing career. I was very careful in picking up the subjects for my stories. Literary General means I am among the best writers in the storymirror. However, I wanted to learn a lots of things about the world, after I came across multiples of articles and newspapers.

During the college and school days, I further noticed several societal issues. Mainly drug addicts and alcoholics were the one, I came across. Vishal was a chain-smoker and alcoholic. Instagram and Facebook is another problem. People gets addicted to it and the trend now is, people falls in love in Instagram chats and feels cheated, when they realize the account was fake. As I managed to find out my real-talent, my father was happier and impressed. I further learned to speak Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam fluently due to my communications and relationship with those people in the storymirror. However, I can’t speak Hindi that much fluent. Although my father was happier, he wanted me to take up placement job at first and then join Film industry. However, I wanted to finish my post-graduation in MBA(Finance), to which he agreed.

My friends took me to theaters for more than ten times for multiples of films during the college days. I assisted some of my senior brothers as a dialogue writer for their short-films and web series, until I was forced to come out by my father and cunning mother, who and her family members are shocked with my talents.

During this period of time, Covid-19 emerged out suddenly on March 2020 when I was taking several short films with my Storymirror friend Madhav Raghavendra. We had time to shoot short-films during the weekend holidays. Since, it was the only time, where we won’t do our office-related jobs. Total lockdown was put down and we were dismissed from the job. I was subsequently bed ridden for more than one months after a C3R surgery was done in both of my eyes. I developed my knowledge about the society and world by reading lots of books and articles. Father pretends to scold me, but was happier for my change.

Mariadhas answers were an inspiration to me in Youtube for knowing the truth of my state. The main things that had been used by the TN government for the past 50 years are: 1.) Pro-Tamil policy, 2.) Anti-Religious sentiments, 3.) Cinema Industry and 4.) Drugs, Cigarette and Alcohol. From Pubg game to the other video games, everything have made our college youngsters addicted. Cinemas are just for business and entertainment. However, I was shocked to see Fans Club and banners, kept for the actor and the celebrations. I wonder why the parents of these children are not critical of this and at least, they should have beaten them up. I too was thinking those Cinema heroes as Real heroes. But, realized they are all reel heroes.

My dream is to become a Film Director. Personally, I admire Thala Ajith Kumar. He is generous and humble in nature. He was the first actor to demolish Fans club in the Film Industry. And he never attends any promotional events for his films. He established himself as an actor without any film background although he have number of flops in the list. There are a lots of surgeries in his body and he met lots of traitors than friends. Like Vadivelu’s dialogue: “What’s special in this? There’s an wonderful incident, more than these.” Yes. My friends used to clash frequently about “Who is the biggest star? Vijay or Ajith?”

I used to laugh hearing this. “Hey. They are just doing their business da. Why you fans club guys have to fight for them?” But, I would be ridiculed and mocked. For all the times, people used to talk about Cinema, it’s innovation, etc., etc. as though there’s nothing other than Cinema in this world. There are lots of other issues to talk about. Such as unemployment, Covid-19 problems and corruption. However, these youngsters including myself at times, are glued to the cinema although I am changing my thoughts about films. I have watched Kannada and Telugu films too. There’s nothing exciting or amazing about heroes. It’s all just the screenplay and storyline. However, in Tamil and Hindi films, it’s all about Hero worship and not for the storyline or screenplay. It’s not the mistake of Tamil heroes. But, the mistake of our own people. Their failure to understand about what is right and what is wrong. They make crap films all successful. But, flopped the films, that gives us relevant social messages.

I felt ashamed to know the dirty politics in the name of religion and in the name of vote banking. Such a cheap tricks. I don’t know when all this could change in our life. But, for sure, these could never ever change in our society. Madhav was my classmate in the school days. He was humble and honest in his life. Even during the interview at placement, he accepted that, he have copied in the exams of semester to score good marks. His honesty was appreciated and yet, his job was not given.

During my college days at the periods of 2018’s, I realized one thing common with everyone. Falling in love with girls for no reason. Just for their beautiful looks and costumes. Some friends were in a live-in-relationship, some friends had satisfied their sexual desires with the girl and the others considered love as for time pass and entertainment. Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same situation. My friend fell in love with a girl for time pass and ended up having sex with her. He stayed for a whole night with her.

I had three to four girls in a line since school days: Janani, Suchika Goel, Darshini and one more. But, all were just infatuation. It’s not love. My another kind request is to let the girls go, if they don’t like you. I let Darshini go off although tortured her initially. Since, I slowly became responsible during those periods of times. After the relief from Covid-19 pandemic situation, I once again tried to apply job in several companies, telling my work experience. But, I didn’t get any offers.

I once remembered telling to my father this thing when he asked me: “What would you do when you realize that money alone is not your life?”

“Don’t make fun dad. Money and Education is always ultimate in a man’s life.” I said so to him. But, when I stepped in and out for jobs, I realized there are something other than money and education. To know the physical world’s reality in employment sectors. I looked back at life once again. No one was there to help me out except for a few friends like: Madhav, my Tamil Editor from storymirror and Ayyappan Nagarajan, a politically-influenced guy. A close relative to director Hari, he aspired to become a Music director. He was ready to help me out. But, I refused and collaborated with Tamil editor for shooting short-films.

He was a great helper during the worst phase of my life. Covid-19 was a bit challenging. At that time, I got to see Christopher Nolan’s Following. He have directed, written and produced the film in a small budget with his friends as cast and crew members. Impressed with this, I developed a screenplay on drug addicts and the subsequent problems of the society under the title of Race. A story on young writer’s journey with mafia, I begged several of my friends to act. But, all opted out due to the lack of interest in acting.

My close friend Sanjay Veerarajan agreed to take up the role of protagonist Dinesh in the film. While my another friend Dhaswin agreed to play the grey-shaded character Nagoor Meeran. One of my junior friend Mardhini agreed to enact the antagonistic character Reshika, who have a twist in the climax. She is working as an RJ(Radio Jockey). She was dreaming to become an RJ since her childhood days. She further shared about this to me, during the break time in the college.

I was very fond of her and maintained a close relationship with her. The film faced difficulties in distribution due to Covid-19 issues. Hence, we have to wait for one and a half years following the Second wave of Covid-19 pandemic. Our Debut film was further postponed due to big budget film releases and the Third Omicron variant. After the release of pan-Indian films like KGF: Chapter 2 and Beast, we finally released our film Race. It received positive reviews from audience and critics, thus doing good box office collections. I made this on a budget of 15 to 25 crores. The box office collection was around 200 crores. Subsequently, now I have signed two more films: “A Telugu psychological-thriller film with an new face and a Kannada comedy-drama film with an cinematographer turned actor.”

The same phase of time, I reconciled with my family members, settling all my disputes with them. Mardhini and I fell in love slowly as we had close relationships during the post-production works of Race. I realized that True love is pulling someone else before myself when Mardhini fell in love with me. However, only 10% of the love becomes successful in a men’s life. Mardhini and I got married under our respective family’s approval. Within a few days of time, I lost my mother. She died due to heart attack. While, my father sooner died out of depression. With their absence, I realized how I lost some of the good memories and their presence in my life.

PRESENT:

I was called by my college principal, who have appreciated by motivational speeches and some of my works for the handicapped people in the college. I accepted his offer. Postponing my shooting works for the films, I am now coming to Coimbatore with my friend Madhav. Although a film director, I am disappointed about film industry and the people of Tamil Nadu.

FEW YEARS BACK:

MID-2018:

In the mid-2018 periods, I further started to read and research more on Indian Geography, Indian History and the Indian culture. I was brainwashed in the school about DMK's good policies and further about Indian National Congress. Several people are brainwashed like such. Education is not for business. It's to train and teach children about what's good and what's bad. But, here everything is just opposite. People are more concerned to be selfish. I just hate these things, when I learned. The 8-way road project was made a big politics. Now, I know what talent I have and what I am capable of. Further, I know cinema is for business and entertainment.

PRESENT:

PSGCAS, COIMBATORE:

3:30 PM:

At present, I have reached Coimbatore’s PSGCAS around 3:30 PM. There, the college principal was very happy in receiving me and my friend Madhav. At the degree ceremony, the Principal said: “More than you and our previous batch, I very well know about Adhithya. Although he is playful, he had been helping. Despite being a bright student, he likes to spend a lots of time in creating social awareness and other issues. A shrewd workaholic.”

“I think this is the best intro for me sir.” Adhithya said looking at the principal. Now, he starts to speak in the mike, as the Principal wanted him to talk in the mike. Looking at the rain sounds and thunderstorms through the windows, Adhithya asked the students: “What does this rain teach us? We have several seasons. Autumn season, Winter season and Rainy season. But, what lessons does we learn through these things? Not how long, but how well you have lived is the main thing. If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor. The whole secret of a successful life is to find out what is one’s destiny to do, and then do it. In order to write about life first you must live it. The big lesson in life, baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything. Sing like no one’s listening, love like you’ve never been hurt, dance like nobody’s watching, and live like it’s heaven on earth. Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. The unexamined life is not worth living." The Principal, Sai Adhithya's HOD and his wife Malavika clapped upon hearing his words 

Now, one of the college students asked Sai Adhithya: "Sir. How's your college days?"

Recalling his relationships with friends and people, Adhithya replied: "It's more precious and delightful days. College made me to realize my dreams. Now it had been fulfilled. Life brings tears, smiles, and memories. the tears dry, the smiles fade, but the memories last forever."