Foreword This book contains fourteen short stories through which the author has made a sincere effort to narrate the real life of the people around us while projecting their happiness, sorrows, sufferings and of course, their loneliness. Certain are afraid to face the real life whereas some are as if ready to face the challenges whatever may. One of my friends is always in an agitated mood and running for job without rest. One day I asked him 'why are you like this. Take some rest also. He answered me "I am unable to meet our expenses on my limited earnings and hence I go for another job also. Moreover, I am the only earning member at home to look after my wife and three daughters in school Studying. In addition to safeguard my age old parents at home and also to buy their medicines. So he goes on working and looking after his family. Another person always borrows money from his friends and drinking alcohol. When asked about his drinking habit he is telling no peace of mind at home. He added my wife is a hot tempered lady and never heard my words. So I drink to forget it and get sound sleep. Definitely, he goes for job but unable to meet both ends. So this is what is happening around us. Both husband and wife exchange abusive words for nothing. Growing children will copy it. Life is not a competition between husband and wife. No compromising platform seen. No defined way of life. I asked him “when or how the harmony will come for the defined world”. Wait and observe new “Avatar” will come to demolish the present system and to establish a new world.
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FOREWORD
This short story book named “My life Unmasked” is really tried to remove the mask from the life of unholy persons. . This book also made an attempt to throw the knowledge for the new life through real stories. In certain stories people are fighting each other to keep up their dignity. Of course, it seems ladies are compromising with men to get continuity of their life. Insulting a cook is sorrowful but “challenge” is really youngsters game. “Termite Termite “, Swami ok” “Clean cut” like stories are humorous only but “My life unmasked” is really a touching one. Krishna Iyer.S MBA, LLB, Corporate Consultant Pondicherry.
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A Few Words
I started my journey in writings on Malayalam Short stories and poems publishing in periodicals. Two collection of my Malayalam Poems Book already published Now it is with great pride I submit my first English short stories collection to all at large. The characters introduced and situations created in the short stories are imaginary only and in no way connected with anybody living or died. Please note, the short stories collection book is not an autobiography but fiction only.
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A FEW WORDS
My Res. Address Radhakrishnan Kodungallore Cochin Family details: Father Kodungallore Puthan Madom Late S.Parasurama Iyar Mother: Pudukkad Thevar Madom Late Parvathy Ammal Wife: V.Usha Daughter: Aparna R Son: Santhosh R Iyer Daughter in Law: Saritha.A
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CHAPTER ONE
REWARD FOR DIVORCE ‘What!? ...What is in your mind.. ask me directly... don’t hesitate!.. everything gone?!... I am alone now.. are you happy now!’.. Why should I.. happy!.. for what?. I am not like that person to become happy when my friend is in a desperate condition. I asked my friend Ramesh Kumar... "for what!? How can I become happy when my friend is unhappy". I insisted him "what happened.” "She has gone... of her own” " where gone.” . I don’t know... from here she packed and gone.” telling I am going back to my "home" ... ok.. He disconnected the phone. We were working together in Cochin office. Two years before only Ramesh Kumar got transferred to Chennai office with a promotion. Actually Ramesh Kumar’s wife was from Chennai . They have settled in Chennai some thirty years before. Hence Shalini was not fluent in Malayalam....such an alliance came.. agreed.. settled.. and performed the marriage.. At the time of her marriage she was a teacher in an Anglo Indian boarding school. •1•
MY LIFE - UNMASKED
Phone rang again.. Ramesh Kumar calling.. on the other side...” is there anything more you want to know.. ask me... I will tell”.. . I asked him “why she left.. what is the reason for it.. any quarrel between”... “How was it... life? .. " We were close friends while we were working together in Cochin office.. So I asked him “tell me frankly... did she telephone to you after her break". " Hear me that was not a proper alliance for me. We were in different poles." "Why?... how|.. no compromising areas.. points.. turning.. junctions...." “not at all" Ramesh replied “That is a Highway only.... fast track.. no break... very long way.... ... between.. in high speed only. Her parents... anybody approached.. compromise..." not yet..but her uncle called me just now and told me he will come and meet me" “What hell compromise... lost... everything gone”.. he disconnected the phone... After a week I heard a news “ Ramesh Kumar and Shalini were seperated by mutual consent divorce petition. To this effect a divorce petition has been prepared and signed by both parties with the help of an Advocate and filed in family court. Ramesh Kumar received five Lakhs rupees” to this effect. Thus the chapter closed forever.
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CHAPTER TWO
REUNION “Why are you just sitting...answer me” Ragini repeated the question to Vinod . “ Don’t disturb me. Please....Vinod took a deep breath and watched Ragini’s f ace. He tried to express a smile on his face. But he couldn’t. He got up and tried to escape from the scene. “Tell me and go” she was controlling her laugh and told him. “Wait ..wait I will come” quickly she went to the kitchen and brought a cup of tea. By the time Vinod slowly moved to the bed room as if to search his pen. Ragini followed him and insisted for his reply. “Where is my pen” Vinod uttered. “Pen... i will search and get you...sit first... drink this tea”. Without looking at Ragini’s face he extended his right hand and took the tea cup from her hand. Quickly he took a sip. “Tea is hot” she laughed at him. “Tell me i have work in kitchen... breakfast... don’t you want to go to office”. Vinod emptied the tea cup and went out of the room. He said “it is time for me to take bath”. Within ten minutes Vinod came out of the bathroom . He dressed and came out as if he is •3•
MY LIFE - UNMASKED
very late. While serving his breakfast Ragini watched his face with a smile. “I will speak to you in the evening after office”. Vinod told Ragini without facing her and went out. Ragini was waiting for Vinod to reach home in the evening. But Vinod reached home very late telling he was having a meeting at office. Ragini didn’t ask him anything instead she went to bed. Next day morning Vinod was in a good mood. As usual Ragini served tea to Vinod. While taking tea cup from her hand he opened his mouth. “Nothing just thinking of you.. the quarrels.. arguments...interference of your Kurup sir ..and...reunion. how you could adjust with me”. Immediately she replied "that is me...I only can adjust with you.......’ “But now I am not able recollect the exact reason. I forgot everything... what happened... what was the reason..” “I remember everything” Ragini replied “You lost your temper.... just started.. one day morning.. I made Tea very late for you... because of milkman. He was late.. I made tea late.. Your movements delayed. I was about to make black tea.. You told me to wait... I went to take my bath Immediately power went off.. After fifteen minutes only power came. In between my boss Kurup Sir called me.. I attended his phone.. He instructed me to come to office at 9.15 AM whereas the time was 8.45 AM. By the time power came. I finished my bath and came out by 8.55 AM. At 9.10 AM tea and breakfast was ready. But the same time you went to bathroom. I kept tea and breakfast on the table and rushed to office.” “ When I returned from office at 5.30 PM I saw a different picture at home. Morning made tea and breakfast •4•
RADHAKRISHNAN KODUNGALLORE
was kept as it is. You didn’t return home in the evening. I was made to sit alone at home. You didn’t take my call... You switched off your phone and I was put into pressure.” “I thought you would come home next day morning. But... no... not returned ... even a phone call. When I enquired at your office, you took two weeks leave and went somewhere.. away from me.. far away.. not even a word.. left behind me silence.. nothing.. not even a shadow of truth.”. Days passed. “One day Kurup sir only asked while observing me. . I explained to him the truth. He contacted you and took pardon from you. Thus your misunderstanding removed from your mind. So he only helped us for a compromise...reunion.”.
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CHAPTER THREE
THAT IS HIS FATE “Sidhu are you not going to office today.” My wife was enquiring me about my programme today. She knows Corona is spreading fast in our area and also aware that I go to office every alternate days. Yesterday I went to office . Still checking me. Time morning eight o clock only. I was nursing my plants which was spreading across the frontyard of my house. After watering all the plants including coconut trees I entered the room. Tea was ready and kept on the table. While drinking tea she told me “my mother not well. fever and cough.... telephoned me Ramesh... my brother” Her face looks pale. “Then you go and see her. I will be at home. Today not going to office.” “I am going to see my mother along with children.” She told me. While going I told her be careful... all wear mask.. and go” “You also come.. She shook her head to come with her. "I will come...you go...” When they left there heard my mobile ringing sound . I took the phone. "R. K. Nair “. Very close friend of me.. Everything he used to discusses with me..’ What news’ I asked him. I want to discuss with you something very personal.. Can you come over here". May be his personal problem. •6•
RADHAKRISHNAN KODUNGALLORE
Once he has hinted me also. I replied "I will come there now itself". Third row of this colony R. K. Nair resides. A soft spoken person. He trusts all. Only one child studies for X std. While talking over phone his sound was blurred and broken one as if he is upset over some problem. Immediately my wife departed to her home I locked my house and moved towards R. K Nair’s residence. His gate and door opened and kept as if to expect somebody to receive. When I entered his house he got up and received me “come" He sounded as if he is upset over some bad news. "what happened Nair" I asked him while entering his residence. "nothing.. Come and sit.." . I stood in a chair near to him. "What to tell.. he is controlling emotions " I have told her several times..... not to move with him.. Who heard my words. she has gone with him.. to attend a music programme of his. Yesterday was the programme. Up to this time evening she has not reached back here home. I am alone here. My daughter has gone for tuition now only... What to do" . He was in an agitated mood. Atleast today morning she could have reached here home after his music programme... see now time is 5 o clock evening. I told "she will come. Don’t worry. She is not a child. She is a responsible woman also". She is very crazy on music. My wife used to tell me "Nair’s wife is mad on music."` Even then she could have reached home during morning itself. "Naira have you checked her over phone" Immediately Nair replied "phone is here... she has not taken the phone with her... Now what to do”. I kept silent while watching his face. "she used to tell me, "Krishnankutty is my relative only and not anybody else... •7•