Adultery The Old Toothbrush by Trambak

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Probal and Ahana looked at Shakti with admiration and nodded in understanding. It's morally so uplifting not to understand an iota of what has been said.

Probal was essentially quiet, he suddenly turned towards me and said, "Dada, do you believe in coincidences or do you think that there is more than what actually meets the eye?"

"What is in your mind, Probal," I asked in consternation?

He was hesitant but then just blurted out, "I mean, say it's true that your characters sometimes come to meet you, how do they do it? I mean get a physical form!"

I too was flummoxed, it was indeed a strange situation. But I allowed myself some leeway and said, "Look, I have never met them in physical form. I dreamt them. Today Ahana has apparently met people who fit the bill and have identical names. In all probability, it's a chance occurrence. But if it's true then I could consider them to be very powerful memories who have the capacity of 'ectoplasmic condensation' and acquire a physical form."

Ahana looked very pale and I hurriedly added, "But in our case, we are not dealing with ghosts, they don't exist. It's a hypothetical situation. Anyway, my characters may be a bit annoying but not harmful."

The night grew deeper and darker. The weather was salubrious, neither warm nor cold. The bright full moonlight filtering through the tall coconut trees made the atmosphere absolutely sublime.

The fabulous food and the wine was slowly percolating our faculties into a state of intense happiness and contentment. It was time to call it a day.

That's when I found Shakti looking towards the hammock next to her. It was swinging as if someone was on it. The sound of the swing was unmistakable. Slowly, a silhouette of a short female form in sari appeared, sitting on the hammock and swinging both her legs. She smiled brightly at me, ignoring others.

Shobha had arrived.

It was time for the others. Keya and Karan were already occupying the two vacant chairs chatting animatedly and Avni was standing by the coconut tree behind Probal and Ahana looking at the moon.

I motioned Avni to come and sit with me. She was the least complicated of all.

I felt light and I was with my own ones.

All of a sudden, I was in perfect control.

With a flourish, I made introductions.

Twists in the tail-3

Brass tacks

I concluded the introductions. It went smoothly except the fact that though Keya and Karan were very civil, neither recognized Ahana. Shobha looked at Adishakti with a bit of suspicion who in turn glanced back at her with equal mistrust. An eye for an eye.

Interestingly, apart from the original four of us, the new quartet failed to perceive the fact that they had just arrived. They continued with their work as if they had been here for long. Actually, they were surprised that introductions were being made in the first place.

Ahana and Probal were the worst affected. They continually looked at each other and the rest of the newer entrants. Avni was calm while Shobha was restless and fidgety while Karan was very attentive to Keya. And Keya was at her best corporate efficiency.

We waited patiently for the proceedings to start. I was feeling a strange excitement.

History was repeating itself. I was expecting Keya to start but it was Shobha who said, "What Sahib! Some lafda again?"

That captured everyone's attention. I said nonchalantly, "Lafda? What lafda?"

Shobha was not troubled by my cold stance; she banged on, "Keya madam was telling Avni madam that you are again trying something funny?"

I was justifiably annoyed. To discuss a contentious point and making meaningful arguments was one thing and rubbishing all acceptable processes and just calling it 'lafda' or a funny activity to be precise was highly objectionable. But I condensed my anger in one small word and asked politely.

"How?"

Shobha offered her thought-provoking comments, "Sahib, you are saying that the 'tuth-burush' is like a man or woman who can be kept or thrown if someone has some lafda at Goa."

There was no point explaining the aforementioned statement. So, I asked her benevolently, "Shobha. Where is Nandan? I don't see him."

Karan coughed, we all looked at him. He said with embarrassment, "After knowing the gist of your story she has put Sumit under constant surveillance lest he is tempted to cheat again. Once a cheat always a cheat, if the temptation arises. That's Shobha's point of view."

I looked at Avni with indignation. How was she allowing such a humiliating act?

Keya interjected, "Look Trambak. Err... sir. I agree that the action is rather unusual but we took this decision jointly. Both Nandan and Sumit are together whenever both Shobha and Avni are out. You know, just as a cautionary measure. For both of them."

[Ramesh_Rocky]

"And what are your joint opinions about the story in its full avatar?" I asked sarcastically.

Pat came her reply, "Sordid saga of treachery, deceit, lust, and betrayal. Also goes on to prove how sweet talk can confuse and confound a decent man to swallow his pride and succumb to emotional blackmail."

I patiently explained, "She is a woman who has made a terrible mistake. Not everything in life can be measured in black and white, Keya."

Karan tried to say something but Keya was quicker, "Nonsense. In the eyes of law, gender has very little consideration. Also, societal norms must be preserved. She is guilty unless proven otherwise."

Strong mindset. Karan was in trouble, I thought. Guilty unless proven otherwise!

I tried to reason, "Look Keya, you cannot compare literature with law books. Even in law, there is a window for correction. Your views are rather draconian."

"We have to be harsh if the social order has to survive, for the greater good. You can't allow taking the spouse for a ride and then coming up with illogical 'cry baby' stuff" Keya said with great ferocity in her eyes.

Concentration camp! I thought.

"Suppose, you are at fault sometimes and repent. You want a second chance, then?" I pleaded.

Keya said sternly, "Weak creatures do that. Look at Avni. She is one of them. If I had my way, I would revoke the pardon that she offered to Sumit."

Karan forced himself in, "But Sumit's has had a harrowing time. He is a changed man and Avni agrees."

Keya was unmerciful. She spoke in a cold voice, "Mr. Karan, I don't understand where you get these irrelevant notions. Please don't interfere."

Something was wrong here. Keya was behaving differently. Yes, I did conceive her to be a strong woman ready to deal with situations but never to be unresponsive to reason and rationale.

I stood up and walked towards her. All eyes were on me. Keya continued her stubborn body language and kept sitting. I reached her and gently made her stand. She looked the other way, a bit distraught. Something was definitely awry here.

I asked her in a soothing voice, "Keya, tell me, what's it?"

She continued to look elsewhere avoiding eye contact. I kept holding her and the time ticked by. At last her resolve to retain silence broke. In a pathetic voice, she said, "You know, your story has destroyed my faith in relationships. You come back home and you find that person is gone for whom you have returned? And all this while, you never came to know of it. You were in the dark always. You continually thought that you had your life well sorted out. You loved someone and that person felt similarly. But that is not true. Why did you do this to me?"

Keya was silent. Avni spoke, "Trambak, Keya feels vulnerable. She feels that there are cheats everywhere who are silently waiting to strike. Deep suspicion has flooded her mind and now she believes no one."

I did not have any immediate response to that but I had to answer it because each one here wanted my reply. I looked at all. Avni came and stood by me, giving me some support that I badly needed. Finally, I said, "Keya, it's just a story. It is fiction, it is not true! It does not happen such in real life. Suhasini made a terrible error and has suffered. She deserved this suffering. Unfortunately, her family was caught in the quake and suffered severe collateral damage. It would have been easy for me to selectively weed out the main perpetrator and pronounce judgment but I would only have continued the chastisement on the family. So, I felt that a 'one-time' reprieve was necessary to allow the family to mend its ways though seriously damaged due to the folly of one person."

I stopped to see Keya's reaction. She looked at me; it was a silent stare and not a glare that was in order, in her state. I felt really sad for her. Inadvertently, I had hurt this very straightforward woman for whom 'grey shades' were not in the dictionary.

I replied, "Keya. I do not believe that what I have written is routine. It is a simple reminder to all of us that how misadventures, whatever that may be; fun, experiment, boredom; whatever, comes with a heavy price tag. You can mend a torn shirt but you cannot repair a hurt mind. And earlier, I had thought precisely this when I dealt with Avni and Sumit. But I can assure you that we are fortunately in the company of people who are much less frivolous than most others. Much more mature, truthful and also able to control instincts."

[Ramesh_Rocky]

I don't know whether I could convince Keya or not but she looked better. I was not worried about Shobha because she had a temperament to deal with such 'moral stumbling' appropriately, though trifle differently.

Karan joined us and held Keya's hand and looked deeply at her and nodded imperceptibly. She silently nuzzled her face on Karan's shoulder and hurriedly withdrew looking absolutely embarrassed.

Shobha turned to Keya and said, "Keya madam, do you think that Karan sir is going to cheat? No chance. I always give your example to Avni madam and Nandan. Karan sir is always hooked by your looks. God knows why?"

Keya at once gave Shobha a scorching look. Shobha was least bothered. I was relieved. Our Keya was back.

Ahana finally found her voice, "So, that was the problem? So, everything is hunky-dory now? It's been a concrete experience. By the way, why don't you, Keya; and you, Karan; give some finishing touch to your relationship? I mean, you two are 'so made for each other'."

Avni answered the question, "Actually they can't; on their own. Keya is a prisoner in Trambak's mind. It is he who must do it. Unite them or separate them. Until this is done, they will be forever courting."

I was shocked, to say the least.

It was a fulfilling moment for me. I rubbed my hands vigorously and prepared myself for the parting speech since the answers had been provided.

Shobha continued to swing heartily.

Keya nudged Karan who coughed and said, "Err.... Actually, though this discussion was quite necessary and Keya was actually becoming quite unbearable and whimsical, we did digress from our actual query! Can I ask it now?"

"Sure, sure; shoot," I said with all the benevolence at my command.

Karan dropped the bombshell.

"What happened to Aditya?"

Twists in the tail-4

Aditya

"Yes, what happened to Aditya in your story?" Karan repeated.

"Nothing," I said, "he is simply not relevant. I have explained that a number of times. As far as I am concerned, he took advantage of a situation. He is a scumbag."

Probal was listening to me carefully and he asked, "Dada, what does that mean? Who took advantage of whom?"

I was getting irritated and it showed on my face. I scowled and said, "Look, Aditya was a youngster around 30 years and he was attracted to Suhasini. She was staying alone, away from her husband. These two developed a relationship due to the close proximity in a workplace. Aditya helped Suhasini in different ways and I think she also developed a fondness towards him. He was fully aware of her vulnerability and knowing that she was the wife of his senior friend, should have exercised control and restraint. He didn't do that and allowed himself to take advantage of the situation fully knowing the complexities of the relationship."

Probal again asked, "Dada, if Aditya is not relevant, who is?"

I sighed, "Probal! It's the man, his wife, and the family who got caught in the quagmire that they didn't deserve. Aditya simply walked away. One may get the impression that he was dumped but he himself wouldn't have been looking at any long-term solution. If he got hurt, it was his own creation."

[Ramesh_Rocky]

I was tired explaining all this.

I genuinely felt that it was time for Keya and others to go. I had no more answers to give.

But they refused to budge.

I didn't know what to do.

"Can I say something," A voice asked and everyone looked at her? Adishakti was speaking.

We were all quiet. The atmosphere had suddenly turned uneasy.

She looked at me and said, "There are things that I should say because you do not want to speak about it and I think it's time, to tell the truth. Else, we shall have them as our guests for some more time," she pointed towards Shobha.

All eyes were on her. I did not say anything. Shakti lowered her face as if gathering courage and then looked up. There was a strange energy in her demeanor and she started to speak.

"How I know about Aditya is not important. What is pertinent is that I know the story well. The outline given by Trambak is essentially correct but too sketchy. There are blanks to be filled in. Aditya had a torrid affair with a married lady. Initially, it was casual but later it became serious. Both were madly in love but were fully worried about the repercussions.

This lady had a grown-up daughter and had everything to lose. Aditya was also in a dangerous boat because he was newly married. Don't look surprised, yes, he was.

Aditya and Suhasini were caught red-handed. Interestingly, she did not deny her behaviour. The scandal was immense and two families were rocked like never."

Shakti paused a little and then continued, "Four and later five lives were decimated. Aditya's wife was pregnant then. The husband of the lady was a thorough gentleman, reconciled and forgave both of them. Still, Aditya lost his job since the organization he was working with had a zero tolerance for such things. Aditya's wife was deeply hurt and left him. She brought up her child single-handedly.

Aditya meanwhile tried reconciliation though his wife steadfastly refused to do so. The gap was too wide to be bridged. As the girl grew up, there were occasions where the wife and Aditya would meet and the little girl grew fond of him. This long period of separation of 10 years managed to somewhat smoothen out the frayed emotions and suddenly both realized that may be time had come to make amends. Both of them very tentatively started rebuilding and the child cemented their relations in a peculiar way.

That was 10 years back. Their life had a motion but the memories were too stark, too deep and too scary. It continues to remain so. Deep down the placid lake, there remains a monster ready to strike"

Shakti stopped and then said in a low voice, "That's all."

Avni spoke after some time, "You mean that the story is actually about Aditya and his wife and not Suhasini and her husband?"

"Yes," Shakti replied. "I was surprised when Trambak decided to write about Suhasini and her husband and not talk about Aditya at all. He decided to tell the story in his own way. He made Aditya irrelevant because deep down the pain, the tribulations and the final reconciliation was more important than the actual players." Shakti added.

"But you were sure that this won't work with us," Avni said calmly.

"Yes, I did. Because he had through his close proximity had instilled in you an intuitive mind that he calls his conscience and that is always open to scrutiny whenever he errs in explanation. So, When Ahana said that Keya and Karan were around, I instantly knew that this was the story that needed to be told." Adishakti said.

She then turned towards me and said, "Only you refused to see the truth."

I had nothing to answer.

Keya was surprisingly quiet. She looked up and asked Shakti directly, "We are used to explanations from him. This time it is from you. How come you know all this?"

Shakti looked towards me and said, "I know it because at least one of the characters in the story is here with us. He is partially hidden in my name. I was never called Adishakti."

[Ramesh_Rocky]

All eyes turned towards me. Aditya was looking down in shame and embarrassment. He had no face to hide, exposed to his own. The unexplainable guilt and shame were overwhelming.

Shakti had ended her story about Aditya.

Karan came and stood by me. He put his hand on my shoulder that drooped by age and incarceration. He was surprisingly calm and said, "Don't worry Trambak, I know what you feel."

I looked at him with grief. He had no idea.

He again patted my shoulders and said, "You live in all of your creations. When Keya feels hopeless and angry, she is actually portraying your innermost pains. When Shobha gives her idea of discipline, it's another part of your mind that feels likewise. The calmness in Avni and her selfless attitude is a quality that comes from you. And, Nandan? I can feel his love for Shobha and also his fear of her and now I know how you feel about Adishakti. You are a man with deficiencies. That makes you human. So, don't worry. We will carry your legacy. Through our behaviours, we will know what you are thinking."

Avni nodded and said, "I think it's now time for us to really go."

Suddenly, four of us were left alone. They were gone.

Probal and Ahana were sitting on the hammock. They looked at us as if we were alien to them.

I kept sitting till I found Adi standing very close to me. She raised my face and said, "Till date, I could never forgive you for what you did to me. I returned because the compulsion of raising Ranju was paramount and I had to be pragmatic. She loves you, adores you. As a father, you were excellent but as a husband, you had failed.

Today, when I saw you crumbling under the scrutiny of your own conscience, I felt that time had come to reveal what you could not do, on your own. And, end this agony for both of us.

Today, we are even. I exposed you; humiliated you and who knows also exorcised you of your guilt. My reprisal is complete. Henceforth, your guilt, your shame, and your embarrassment shall equally be mine. Time has come for us to share this burden by the same token.

Come, my imperfect husband, let us celebrate your follies and my pains. Come to your Adishakti or Suhasini whatever you may choose to call me. I don't have to keep anymore eye on you."

She closeted my head in her bosom and then gave me a deep and passionate kiss.

I was in no position to speak. I nodded my head and said, "Yes, Adi."

Probal came up and quietly said, "Dada, it's over, let's go."

THE END