Non-erotic The Gamechangers by Trambak

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Story :- The Gamechangers

Wriitten by Trambak

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Author's note

The story is based in India, consequently the nuances in relationships are different from the Western world. Still, there are a lot of similarities. There are words that could be unfamiliar to the readers. I have tried to include some minor explanations.

Writing non-erotic material is akin to hara-kiri. While the readers are gnashing their teeth and frantically searching for the juicy sections, the author silently suffers the delightfully slow painful death involving the entrails in pure Japanese style.

But practice makes a man perfect. The pain goes down as tolerance develops.

This short story is under the 'non-erotic' section. I am trying to convince myself that escapades of life are no less erotic.


*****

[Ramesh_Rocky]

The Bungalow

The full family was on vacation. The bungalow, perched on the hilltop was a treat. When viewed from an angle, it seemed prepared to topple over right into the abyss if someone cared to give a decent push. But it stood there steadfastly since the British times and never ever tumbled.

Getting all four of us together was difficult and the notice was truly short. Still, things fell into place and here we were. We had three clear days of vacation plus two days of travel, up and down. Reaching the place by car in itself was fun and the view was astoundingly beautiful.

My husband promptly set up his old camera and started clicking. My freshly turned eighteen-year-old son inspected the contents of the mini-bar while his elder sister checked the internet connectivity. The broad smiles on their face conveyed a deep contentment.

The lawn in front of the bungalow was seated on a ledge, nicely encircled by a white wooden rail and a green bench facing the awesome spectacle. The mountain range with its jagged snow-clad features looked menacingly close. My son enthusiastically shouted aloud and the resulting echo confirmed the proximity.

It was nearing sundown and the snow had turned to a vivid orange. My husband showed me a picture he had just clicked and had it been some other time I would have bet that the colour had been photoshopped.

This ethereal beauty of the trident 'Trishul' peak was slowly encompassing our senses and even my son had become quieter. I looked at my husband; he was standing by the rail grabbing it with both his hands and leaning over dangerously. He looked perturbed.

The tea was served. The prodigal son summarily rejected the idea of drinking benign potions while the bar offered better prospects. He longingly looked at his father who smiled while my daughter offered a scathing look, enough to restrain the errant young man, for the time being.

The night was cool and the dinner was sumptuous. The tiredness of the long journey coupled with the flaming red chicken curry was devastating. The food that initially appeared extreme in quantity was wiped out in ten minutes flat. The poor waiter had to scurry repeatedly to the kitchen and bring back chapattis (a kind of Indian bread).

The interiors of the bungalow were equally impressive. The entire place was wooden with massive glass windows. An influential office colleague had arranged it for us.

And I, was sponsoring the trip.

FART was the acronym we played our games with. It represented Fulki, our daughter; Avik, my husband; Robin, our son and myself, Tanaya. During vacations and trips, we transformed ourselves into serious card players. We played 'rummy' with a double pack and complicated rules. Records of accumulated points were meticulously maintained, ostensibly to be converted into hard cash and paid at the end of the trip. Initially, we were solemn about honest payments but gradually the stakeholders (read losers) felt that there was hardly any point to pay back Avik, all the time.

Avik hardly ever challenged such unanimous decisions.

We settled down to play and the rules were reinforced, for the nth time. Fulki, the primary financial offender, instructed all of us to wholeheartedly commit to payment in cash, at the end of the game. As to the terminology called 'the end,' there was a slight bit of confusion. Was it to be calculated on a 'day to day' basis; at the end of the trip, or the 'cumulative end' of all pending emoluments since time immemorial.

We (again, the losers) decided that such 'minor problems' should not hinder the spirit of the game. Money was never a factor amongst us 'elite.' Avik, as usual smiled enigmatically. He looked thoughtful; something was bothering him! But that was him!

Unfortunately, the game turned out to be a drag; probably the fatigue of the long journey was telling on us. After three rounds, Fulki got up, exasperated and moved towards the window in irritation. Robin was fiddling with his mobile. Soon, she returned, her eyes sparkling!

She proposed a new game.

The Game

"Let's play a game," she said, "each of us will narrate one of his wishes. It could be anything; dark, funny or even atrocious. And, the rest of the three will interrogate him; ask questions and get to the bottom of it. There is no embargo on questions, anything would go. To make it interesting, marginal deviations would be allowed. In the end, we would see whose wish was the most workable and who just spoke through the hat. But the answers must be honest, okay?"

Robin looked at her balefully and snorted. She ignored the interruption and continued earnestly laying down the 'rules and regulations.' I thought that the idea was somewhat novel and deserved a try. Something was better than nothing.

"Let's try!" I said.

Robin turned back and said, "the moment I say something, you will all jump, I know."

Fulki was up to the challenge, "Ah! The volunteer! Are you prepared for the post-mortem after you have said your piece?"

[Ramesh_Rocky]

"Of course, I am." He was terse.

"Okay! Shoot." She said.

"I want to take my girlfriend to Diu for a week."

He had just joined the hostel 6 months back. Avik looked up sharply and smiled. For a moment, Fulki was stumped and then quickly recovered.

"You have a girlfriend??? Quick work."

"Yes."

"Who would be that stupid? Hope it is a girl!"

"Not important. Yes, a girl."

"Okay. Why do you want to go?"

"I want to know her better."

"Why can't you know her better from wherever you are? Why do you want to go elsewhere?"

"I want to go. It is my wish."

"That's no explanation."

"You have no right to ask that. Do I ask, where are you going?"

"I am earning and independent. I can do whatever I like. Not you!" There was a malicious tone in her voice.

Sensing a blowout between them, I intervened, trying to pacify, "Robin, going off with your female friend is not very acceptable. There are issues. The girl's parents may object."

"They have no problems. She's German."

"Oh! German!" I was short for words.

I still tried to reason, "Is this the time for you to be in relationships, you should rather be concentrating on your studies? There will be enough time for all these later on."

Robin pointed at Fulki and said, "She said I could say anything."

"Right, that's fair," Fulki said. "And we are interrogating you. Dad, do you want to ask him something?"

Avik looked up and said calmly, "Who is sponsoring your trip?"

With a faint smile on his lips, Robin muttered, "You."

"I humbly refuse," Avik muttered back.

"LOL!!" Fulki doubled up with laughter.

Robin shut up, the first round was over. He sulked for some time. More than us, he was upset with his father who simply snuffed out the flame of hope that he was harbouring.

Fulki, the perpetrator of the idea volunteered for the next round. We looked at her. She was 24 years old, working and busy. Taking out time for this vacation was difficult for her. Her career graph was an erect pole.

She measured her words carefully and said, "I don't want to ever get married."

Robin was unimpressed and caustic, "Who is marrying you, BTW?"

"No one, because I won't." She replied calmly.

"Today you are saying this. Tomorrow, you will yourself get someone home and mom will be jumping." Robin persisted.

"No, she won't. It's my life."

Sensing a ray of hope, I interjected "Ful, is there someone? We don't have serious objections except for a few routine things."

Fulki was prompt to answer, "I know that, stupid objections. But I am not into this marriage thing at all."

This was not surprising. Knowing Fulki, she had all those stellar qualities most disliked by every prospective mother in law. She had no interest in any household work and her room was a perpetual mess. So, we knew.

Still, I tried, "How would you live your life all alone? What about children? The later it is, more is...you know the problems."

"You don't need to get married to have children. I am going to adopt."

It was so irritating and the smile on Avik's face was making it worse.

"Are you just going to smile or ask her something?" I asked obliquely.

He at once stopped smiling, thought for a moment and asked, "Ful, would you agree that you have problems with social skills."

"No, never! I have so many friends. Not like you."

"Okay, okay. Let me frame it this way. Do you think that your complete disinterest in any household skills may raise some red flags in your prospective relationships?"

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Fulki was quiet this time, "Maybe. I think it could, but..."

"So, do you think that's an issue you don't want to address by just skipping marriage?"

"Yes, that's a reason."

"Okay, what do your peers say?"

"Those stupid fellows are getting married by the hordes. It's my choice and I am not getting married." She said with irritation.

Avik sighed, "Fine with me. Have your way but kindly DO NOT adopt a child. You might forget the baby in a bus or something."

Robin launched into a mirthless laughter and continued until he got a kick from an enraged Fulki.

College Days

I and Avik had met in college; he was two years my senior. He was short, unassuming, and an introvert in the classical sense. While I was bubbly and liked to mix around, he was the proverbial turtle who forever remained in his shell. I often noticed, him sitting alone, reading something. When in the company of friends, he mostly listened.

As freshers, we were the centre of widespread attractions and boys were constantly hitting on us. Avik literally had no chance of penetrating the dense cordon of our admirers. Anyway, none of us really bothered much about him. I often caught him staring at me though he never had the courage to come up and introduce himself.

The college socials were on and the freshers were the stars. The program was packed with songs and dances and the 'oohs & aahs' made us into instant celebrities! We were typically coached by the first years and our performances were raunchy enough to ignite a fire in even the 'un-impressionable hearts.'

After we finished, the faculty walked in for the second part of the show, a soberer one. By then we had congregated near the stage and the show was on. In a short while, we realised that the college had super talents and we were just a prelude to the good things to come.

Finally, the anchor, a stunning beauty in her own rights announced the 'song finale' but did not mention the name of the artist. Her introduction indicated that she clearly was smitten. The person walked in and many of us simply gasped. It was Avik, walking with his head down and a nervous smile pasted on his face. He stood at the mike and after moments of hesitation started singing.

I did not remember when it finished. What I remembered was that the Dean himself was climbing the stage and embracing him. The crowd completely went berserk.

For the first time, I realised that girls were equally adept at whistling. Avik was smothered by so many people. He looked perfectly embarrassed and kept looking for someone in the crowd. I wanted to congratulate him but this time, I could not penetrate the crowd.

After some time, I quietly left the place and started towards the hostel. And he was standing right there, under the tree. We both hesitated and he blushed and stammered.

"You sang very well," was all he could say.

"That's cow dung compared to yours," I replied.

"Cow dung? No, no, no, no," he shook his head violently, incensed.

"Yes, it is. You never mentioned that you could sing so well?" I said in an accusatory tone as if the fault was his!

He turned beet red.

That was 30 years back and today I am 47 and Avik is 49; married for 25 years. Middle-aged; children grown up and in college, away from home.

Time has not changed him much, still uncomfortable when people were around. But, occasionally, when he emerged out of his shell, he was truly spectacular. But that was not too often.

He agreed with me on all counts except one. He genuinely believed that my singing was NOT 'cow dung '.

Back to the Game

The game had caught on and only we two were left. All looked expectantly at each other. Avik conveniently was looking out of the window. Rob looked at me and I signalled him towards his father. Avik was still looking out into the darkness. Finding nothing of note in the body of impenetrable black, he was forced to turn his head inwards and face three pairs of piercing eyes goring into him.

He feigned tiredness by way of a huge yawn but the children were relentless in their pursuit. In the end, he gave in. He put his head down and after what appeared to be an immeasurably long time said, "I want to see what happens if I put my name on a matrimonial website."

This announcement was met with reactions of different audio-visual hues. Robin gasped in amazement while Fulki arched her eyebrows while a sly smile played on the corners of her lips. I was simply thinking about the genesis of this idea.

The idea was simply astounding. Why should he even think about such a thing? Suddenly, I remembered something that I had just not put my mind to. Of late he looked much fitter, much better groomed; younger. He had been spending money on himself for the last six months or so. Obviously, he was going through a mid-life crisis.

[Ramesh_Rocky]

Under the collective glare, Avik looked uncomfortable, "What? It's a joke! Okay, I will say something else."

Fulki was the first to recover. She suddenly looked thoughtful, diminishing her chirpy self and looked at her father with a peculiar gaze.

Finally, I stepped in and said, "The rules are clear. We can take his viva. Maybe, he has already identified your new mother."

That eased the atmosphere. Even Avik smiled out of his discomfiture.

Robin blurted out, "Dad, you gone crazy or what?"

Fulki interrupted, "It is a wish, not a real thing, you ass!"

Robin scowled at her.

"Okay, let me ask." Fulki was enjoying her status as an examiner.

"Why are you planning to put in this matrimonial ad?" She giggled.

"I want to see if anyone responds or not."

"What is your age?"

"Why? Okay, 49."

"You sure, someone will respond?"

"No harm in thinking. Isn't it?"

At this point, I butted in and said, "What is the age group you are expecting. Young, old, mature, what?"

"Young," he said smilingly.

"That's the spirit Dad," my son hooted enthusiastically.

Fulki once again assumed the role of the inquisitor, "What makes you think that a young woman would choose a middle-aged man? Have you looked at yourself?"

I felt the last statement was a bit below the belt. But Avik as usual did not react. He was still standing by the window and I noticed a trimmer him, much fitter that had escaped my attention. He, in fact looked younger! But my thoughts were disrupted by Avik's reply to Fulki.

"By looking at your attitude," he seemed to be enjoying.

"My attitude? How?" Fulki was confused.

Avik smiled, "there would be at least few young girls who would be interested in comforts of life that I could easily provide. I have a house, a reasonable job and good money. She will not have a young husband starting his career at the bottom of the ladder. No day to day skirmishes; no tantrums of in-laws; no housework to do; there would be servants.

She will be the boss's wife straightaway; she won't have to struggle to rise up the social ladder. She will have a company car to travel, a doting husband though trifle older at her beck and call and the best hotels to stay in while on vacations. Of course, she will definitely have to let go a few things, but overall...you know what I mean?

Actually, with your kind of attitude, you should be seriously contemplating such an option in life."

"No, I will not," she retorted vehemently but not angrily.

Then she realised the import of the statement and said, "Dad!! Not a bad idea at all!"

For a moment, even I felt that avoiding the struggles of life may actually be a sensible idea. Too much of scuffle kills.

I was tempted to ask a question but hesitated. Should I, or shouldn't I? What the heck! It was a just query! I sharply looked at Avik and said, "If someone actually responds. What will you do?"

He suddenly looked disconcerted by my question, thought for a moment, and said in a quiet voice, "fantasies never come true." And he walked to the window once again and looked outside. Did he look worried? His turn was over.

[Ramesh_Rocky]

And my turn had arrived. I had butterflies in my stomach.

The Final Round

This was a point of no return. Avik seemed in deep thoughts or was he simply disinterested? Why?

I never noticed that both the children by now were flanking me and looking expectantly at my face. Obviously, they wanted me to carry forward the game I would not be allowed to spring an anti-climax.

Fulki eyed me with expectation, "Mom! This better be better than Dad's!!"

The game was on and I wanted to keep it brief.

"I would like to get married again?"

Avik gave a start and looked at me. His eyes, asking silent questions.

Robin was in raptures, jumping with glee. Even Fulki was startled by my admission. For her, it was a great finale.

But it was Robin who took over, "Guys, let's not muck it up. I think it is a brilliant wish, fantastic! There are so many possibilities." Fulki looked at him with questioning eyes. For a moment, under the glare, Robin appeared nonplussed. But he was quick to regain his composure.

"Well, since Fulki is not getting married and Dad has not yet put a matrimonial ad; and I am debarred from happiness, mom is the perfect template for a marriage." Nowadays, Robin always spoke in 'templates.'

"Right, what are your 'must haves' in the groom." Robin asked.

"Dark, handsome and definitely tall," I answered.

Fulki cooed in, "Too good, Look at Robin, what are you, five feet nothing? Pathetic."

"I am five six and it isn't my fault that I am short." Robin retorted. Their Dad looked up. I was five four.

"Mom, what else," Fulki asked while jumping around to avoid the deadly blows from Robin?

"Someone easy to speak to; one who doesn't act like a mouni baba (the silent yogi)," I volunteered looking at my husband from the corner of my eyes.

"Forget Dad," Robin said. "What else mom?"

"Who will give me time and not bring home his office," I added.

"Mom, the concept is quality time, not quantity." Fulki was a bit for her Dad.

"Okay, what kind of marriage do you want?" Fulki enquired.

"Three days, plenty of people, all processes, ladies sangeet (music), Bollywood style choreographed dances, gifts, band baja everything." I gushed.

"I will set up the menu. But what will Dad do?" Robin chimed in.

"He can get married the same day, same mandap (a kind of temporary marriage area). He only has to expedite his matrimonial advert!" I suggested.

"Hmmm. Interesting. Dad hasn't yet finalised anyone. What about you?" Fulki asked.

"Mom, please choose a good name. Not the routine ones." Robin requested.

I was about to suggest a name and before I could answer, Avik spoke quietly from the corner of the room.

[Ramesh_Rocky]

"How about Vivek Bansal?"

The lights blew out from the faces. I was stunned, Avik kept looking towards the darkness. Silence descended like a blanket engulfing each one of us.

How did he know?

Hidden Thoughts

The light of the early dawn woke me up. I looked towards Avik; and he was not there. The memories of the previous night flooded back and I crumbled under an ominous foreboding. That one name he uttered was enough. I stumbled towards the bathroom. The cool water on my face brought me back to the reality. I looked myself in the mirror. Was there a strain under my eyes? The woman on the other side of the glass looked right back. Was she telling me something? Her eyes seemed expressionless.

I gathered myself and walked out to the porch. Avik was not there. I looked around and found a trail going towards the woods. On an impulse, I started walking down. A mild breeze made me wrap the shawl tightly around me. And there he was, sitting alone on a roadside bench, looking towards the snow-capped ranges proudly elevated to majestic magnificence. I walked towards him. He was lost in thoughts. I placed my hands carefully on the left shoulder of this small man. As if expecting me, he took my hand and lightly kissed my palm. And then he turned. His eyes looked far away, deep as the ocean. He put his arm around me and said kindly, "Come, sit."

Both were quiet. Finally, he said, "Look at the three peaks of Trishul. From this angle, two of them seem to be merging on to each other. But, are they really?"

I only said, "You could have told me earlier?"

He turned, "Told you what? About Vivek?" I nodded, looking down.

"There was no point Tanu, but I am not worried, nor am I surprised because it was inevitable." I clutched his hand sharply as a searing pain shot through me. Inevitable? How come?

My reaction startled him but just for a moment. He got up and walked to the edge of the road and then turned back. He pulled me up, put his right arm around me and said, "Let us walk and let the Trishul be our witness today. Because finally, I am at peace with myself. I have been able to find answers to all the questions that were bothering me, worrying me, annoying me, for the last six months.

In college, you chose me. I was not deserving but you made me feel like one. A short, shy, socially challenged youngster was in your best books. I often wondered if you took pity on me or did you really love me? I have no doubts; you genuinely loved me. Love is such an illogical blind phenomenon. But what about me; did I love you? I think so because whenever I saw you, my heart fluttered dangerously, I lost my ability to speak straight and the world suddenly seemed worth living. Knowledgeable persons say that could be symptoms of a disease called love. So be it.

But do we know each other well enough? It's been 30 years, it should have been so but we falter and pretend not to see the wall where the black graffiti is indelible. You and I are two dissimilar persons, always have been. And, we haven't changed much. Even today, I am the same old social outcast that I was and you are just the opposite, a popular, flamboyant persona. Over the years, time may have changed us a bit but our DNA has remained the same. We only managed to suppress its expression. And you have done it much more than me.

For me, I had the shell to retreat; in my own selfish little world where I had no time for you. You never complained. And you? You created the shell for yourself, suppressing yourself for my sake, my children. Why? Because you loved me. Only I could not see it. My centre was me but you were around all of us. You created a safe cocoon where we all lived.

But what about you?

For the first few years, I had very little time for contemplating big things. The smaller things overwhelmed me. Day to day happenings, children; schools; PTM; in-laws; friends; promotions, the minutia of life blurred the larger picture. I lost time for us.

By the time, I looked up; the time had passed us by. To be true, passed you by. I remained what I was. You changed yourself, to fit in with my idiosyncrasies. But as I said, could you change the DNA, your primal software? No, you updated it but the basic version stayed static. Internally, you were the same outgoing bubbly girl, a complete misfit to what your husband was.

Six months back, Robin was off. Boy, were you relieved to see him in a college? Fulki had left us much earlier. Only the two of us. And we were a discordant couple. We had more silences than conversations.

And then I noticed something, maybe because you did not try to hide it. You would come back from office and regale me with stories about this person. How witty he was, how he would crack jokes and how everyone looked up to him whenever there was a need. A thorough gentleman.

I found you truly happy.

I remember the office picnic where the spouses were invited. I did not want to go. I am unable to carry on even a simple conversation and people get to feel that I am being rude. But you insisted and I could not say no. You left early in the morning and I followed later. By the time I reached, there were all kinds of people in colourful dresses waiting for the bus. You and Vivek were the organisers and both of you were running around, conferring, and asking advice from each other. You two gelled well.

[Ramesh_Rocky]

When you saw me, you were so relieved! You introduced me to Vivek and everyone else. All were very accommodative. In the bus, both of you sat together because you were tying up the smaller details. During the picnic, you stayed occupied with arrangements. It was Vivek who often came and checked on me. He was indeed the gentleman; smart, coherent and distinguished.

There were party games and people were enjoying and suddenly out of the blue, Vivek requested me to sing a song. I was initially hesitant but then agreed. You know this is one area where I am never short of confidence. As usual, everyone was floored. You and Vivek were standing together and there was so much pride in your eyes.

That was the time that my mind cleared. The doubt was gone and truth dawned on me.

In your eyes, I saw the pride of a parent. Pride for the son who had excelled in a competition. It was like Vivek and you, the two parents were standing together and the mother was going gaga over her child who had done better than others." He paused, gathering his breath. He held me a wee bit tighter.

He quietly spoke in my ears, "you love me; you will do anything for me; even give your life. But akin to a mother who loves her son or a brother who loves his sister. I know it is a cliché but you are no longer 'in love' with me, not anymore. You worry when I am late from office. You are comforted when I am back but there is a difference between feeling relieved and the heart going topsy-turvy.

Down the line, I have gained a friend who is anxious about my well being but have lost a partner, who was once in love, with me."

He stopped.

What could I say? This man never said so many things in one go. He was talking about me and I felt as if I was someone else, listening to a story. And he was right; his assessment was right; he saw right through me and I thought no one could ever know.

"You could have said something, to your partner who was once 'in love;' with you?" I said with mixed feelings.

He laughed aloud, "That word 'once' is so misleading, so complex Tanu, once upon a time; once in a while; once is not enough and so on. 'You live only once,' would be the most apt one in these circumstances. For you, not me.

You every so often said that you could read me like a book and for the last four months, I have been trying! Trying hard to attract your attention; get to you by getting a better look through some expensive grooming; lose some weight and look fitter; eating less; smoking lesser. Trying to be in competition. You sure noticed but felt it was just quirky of me to spend so much on a haircut. As for the rest, you were happy that I was finally getting scared of death and infirmity. The concluding realisation, I was getting old.

I tried to write new chapters in the book you could once read but you kept it aside till I finally saw the writing on the wall and thought it was better to give up."

He finally let me go. We stood apart in body and spirit.

In hindsight, I did notice. I was convinced that Avik was trying his best to look good. For what or for whom, I had no idea and I let him because, I was more occupied with myself; I was in a better mood, more condescending; in a healthier plane of mentation. The fact that Avik was trying to impress me just passed me by.

Yesterday, when Avik brought up his preposterous suggestion about the matrimonial advert, I had a sudden premonition that in his mind, it was he who was moving on. Though it should have been a red flag but I was relieved, funnily.

Avik continued but now he looked gloomy, "You are not young and neither am I. Life is uncertain, who knows how much further shall we live. With the kind of lousy medical advance happening we might make it to 100 years of unhappiness and misery. So, there is still time for the better. I cannot give back your lost time but I can surely stand aside."

Only Avik could joke about death. The heaviness in my heart tore me apart. He looked miserable and I hated myself for causing so much pain, "You know, I, we never..."

[Ramesh_Rocky]

He came forward and caressed my cheek, "You don't have to tell me that Tanu, don't I know it already? You are too good, too upright a person. You would never tell lies or even half-truths. I know what you needed to do but I was certain that it would kill you, to say it aloud. You made special efforts to get all of us here so that you could say it in front of the children and answer their questions. You could have simply left me but that was not you, never. So, I decided to step aside. We all must step aside.

"We? What do you mean?" I was frantic, confused.

"All of us." He was calm. "I will explain things to them, maybe Robin would be a bit distraught but he will understand. Fulki knows, and we both agree that you have been a bird in a cage for far too long and time has come for you to claim freedom by right."

"What about the game last night?" I asked.

"Fulki planned it, it was an opportunity for all of us to listen to our hearts and say it out loud. The game changed so many things.

But, it is all over now, let us spend the next three days in complete bliss. Four adults with each other, like friends. Look Tanu, here they come. Fulki must have spoken to Robin and they know that we are speaking. Today; I am the one, doing all the talking. It is surprising even to me." He chuckled.

I looked at him, now there was not an iota of stress on his face. No anger, no furrowing of brows, no quivering of the lips. Nothing.

The children were moving in. Robin looked stressed out. Fulki wore an impassive face. Finally, they stood in front of us. Fulki shot a questioning look at her father. He, in turn, indicated towards me.

I was prepared, it was the endgame and the dice was cast. I looked at my husband and said, "can I talk to them alone." He looked at me and the children with an inquisitive eye and then retreated towards the bungalow. They were grown up children and I had to speak to them. Not easy.

The Endgame

They were uncomfortable. So was I. I pulled both close to me and I started to speak.

"Fulki, Robin. I and your father have had a long talk and you know what it is all about. I know that you know a lot and that makes it easier for me. What has to happen will happen but I am your mother for life. That, you need to accept. Fulki nodded. Robin looked the other side.

Ignoring him, I continued, "Vivek and I have been constant office companions because our jobs were such. The time I spent with him rejuvenated me. He spoke of things that were about the days gone. Merely talking to him made me revisit time and feel happy. I was happy to go back home after office but was equally expectant of the morning to return. He never ever asked me to go out with him, he never touched me but I connected with him. At the same time, I disconnected from my home, your Dad and even myself.

Did we do anything inappropriate? I will not answer that question. Your Dad knows. But, there is something that I want to share with you. About a week after the office picnic I and Vivek were sitting in my office. After discussing a few points, he suddenly said something that was new to me.

"Do you know Avik well?" He had asked. Well, it was such a stupid, mindless question to ask. And that too to me! I did not feel it necessary to answer. But Vivek would not take the cue and asked the same question once again.

Annoyed, I had answered him with a yes.

"Do you know what he does for a living or what position he is in," he had persisted.

"He is a scientist and he is into books; he doesn't talk much," I had replied, still irritable.

Vivek had kept quiet for some time and asked, "Tanaya, do you know that he has written four textbooks, published hundreds of papers, and is an international expert on bioterrorism?"

"I know he is a damn good scholar but we don't discuss that at home." I replied.

"Do you know that he is a Scientist H?" He said.

At this point, Robin suddenly blurted out, "Dad has been working so long, shouldn't he be around A or B by now?"

"Honestly, I had felt the same that day till I was explained by Vivek that Scientist H is almost the top rank and Avik was the youngest to hold that post," I replied.

Vivek had continued, "You know, Avik has sent us a letter thanking us for having invited him for the picnic and for making his time so wonderful. The institute letterhead says that he is the Director.

[Ramesh_Rocky]

In hindsight when I think of it, we had no business to invite a person of his stature so casually for the picnic. You could have told us about his rank and position but it is obvious that you actually know him only as your husband, nothing else. I am sure you are not aware about the awards he has received or the scientific patents he has. Nothing."

I had no answer to offer. He was right. We knew nothing about him except the fact that he was obsessed with his work and possibly good at it.

Anyway, after some time Vivek said, "My wife left me three years back. We were in love but we did not communicate much, so much just continued unsaid. I thought that silence would transcend all barriers because heart and mind connected us. By the time, she told me about her condition, it was too late, it had spread. On the first visit itself, we knew how hopeless the situation was. She died in three months. In the last few weeks, she just wanted to talk to me and I frantically ran around trying to get medical help, till she could not speak any more.

I never got a chance.

But you do.

Whatever little interaction I have had with Avik, I felt that he is a very humble person but not very good at expressing himself in social circles. He sang a song for us so spontaneously; he could have been a professional singer. He could have just refused, but he didn't!"

He looked at me quizzically and said, "Do you love him? Maybe, you do. But, do you respect him? Not much, I guess."

He was right. I did not respect him. I never tried to find out anything about him and he would not say anything aloud. I know there was a box in the basement where he kept all his mementoes and medals. For us, that was all junk, wasn't it?

Why me alone, both of you never respected him for what he was or did. Even today, he is just a clumsy eccentric little man existing in his own world. Otherwise, you Fulki, could not have said yesterday, "Have you looked at yourself?"

Vivek's words that day forced open my eyes and I found that I had deviated. Somewhere in my mind, I had moved on and I needed to come clean. So, I arranged this vacation for us so that I could tell all. I would have done so during these three days. But today, my chance to tell is gone; snatched away, the game changed everything. I was run out by your Dad on the last ball and my king is trapped. It is a penalty shoot out.

Fulki crossed over to me and said, "Mom, I never thought that the game I planned for some fun would turn out like this. That it would hurt you so much. I am really sorry. If only I could take it back."

She was not a very emotional girl but I could feel the pain in her. About her being in the middle of this fiasco. I as their mother needed to offer solace but I was not sure of myself anymore. I looked directly into her eyes, "You are not responsible for anything. If anyone is, it is me and we can still try and set a few things right if you both cooperate."

Both looked at me, wondering what was I talking about!

I carefully chose my words. "Everything boils down to the time frame and it's the right time that I need to figure out, so, when it happens you both could be around. It will make things simpler. A bit easier for us, all of us.

What I am going to tell you now, is not known to your father. Only the two of you will share my secret. I will not meet your father anymore after we go back. I will ask him to move out to his office guest room for the next 7 days while I make my final arrangements. I will need your help. I think he would agree. Fulki will be with me and Robin; you will be with your Dad. You can come and meet us in the daytime. On the seventh day, I will send you a car and you will bring your Daddy back home.

I will be waiting for you. Fulki will help me. We will call a few more people so that there are no ambiguities any more. As decided in the game, I will get married. That's what the game was all about. Wasn't it? Then let it be so."

Both of them looked in pain.

"To make things easier for your Dad, I hope to find a bride for him too. Why am I doing all this? Because, the game must be concluded. Now I need to ask you something.

Will you two allow us to be married again and make amends.

To each other! In your presence."

They were staring at me like zombies. I winked at them and said, "Is that acceptable? Say it now!" They were in absolute screaming ecstasy. Shouting and jumping. Robin hugged me. Fulki came forward but true to her nature stood at a distance. Like father like daughter. Always short on expression of love.

I kissed her forehead and said, "And one more thing, I did plan this vacation and I did decide to tell all. Just to say that how one true friend had rekindled love and inflamed the fire in me for the man whom I almost forgot, neglected, and cast him aside. I rejected him and I need to claim him back, for myself."

I held both deep into my bosom. We started to move back to meet that stupid little man.

Checkmate.