STORY-PARALYSED

I had remained a bachelor, until I was laid up with paralysis. My nephew engaged an attendant to look after my needs.

The doctor prescribed some physical exercises, for which, a special man came and I did, whatever he told, with the help of my attendant, Sasi by name. There was a maid to do cooking.

As my speech was not affected, and, as I drew regular pension, my life was not affected much. Otherwise I used to walk a lot. Now, I depend on Sasi, to walk up to the toilet. Those who heard about my fall, came to see me. As I was a teacher, there were many callers. My favourite student Shenoy came often. I have a big library of books and the best way to spend time, was reading. Life moved slowly but easily.

“I felt it very bad when I heard it. How are you?”, Shenoy.

“I do not feel so bad. But now I feel that I should have married.”

“It can be advertised” He wrote as I told:”Wanted a suitable woman, contact xxxxx”I told him to give his number. The candidates were screened by him first. When satisfied, he brought them in his car.

We never mentioned marriage.  That part of it was left to shenoy.

One day a very young woman came. She had a majestic appearance. I was stunned. She introduced herself:”I am the wife of Professor Aryan. He has given notice of divorce; I shall get a pension from him, but I need company. I have heard about you, from your students.” Shenoy talked to her outside my room. After an hour, they returned. Tea and snacks appeared and we started filling our stomach and talking general things including politics. “Were you involved in politics?”she asked.

“I was in the freedom movement ; I get pension from that source too. Every year I get first class railway pass, with an attendant . After the split in the Party, I am in CPI. By the way, what is your name ?”

“Deepika ; I was educated in convent school. I never worked; he was against it.” The conversation went on. I  felt attracted towards her.

“Can I join now itself?” I said okay and Shenoy departed satisfied.

That night we slept in the same bed. I was a bit nervous, but she handled everything expertly. Because of my handicap, I became the woman and she the husband . Both were satisfied.

The next day, she wanted to go to a temple. I asked Sasi to take her to the nearby Krishna temple on the bank  of the river. She praised the place very much. “You may not believe in Him; but I do.”

She told me to buy a car and a wheel chair. I called Shenoy and they went to Coimbatore the next day. Then we proceeded on a tour of Keralam; Sasi came with us. I still retained him.

We spent six months to return. In some places we stayed in the hotel for a week. At home, I saw an envelope. I told my wife to read it. She seemed perturbed, after reading it:”It is a love letter from one Sharmila”

I was electrified:”She was my student, now no more. This letter must have been written long ago.” There was an address of the sender:”Please find out. We can go there tomorrow”.

The place was far away. We saw a modern building.  A young girl came out. When we showed the letter, she said:”When Mummy died, I searched her diary. The letter was lying in it. I thought I must send it to you. She never talked to me about you. Who is this lady? Your wife?”

After tea, we came back.