A journey to find her..................7

 ............Vijay was tired after the days work. He relaxed on the couch listening to the evening show on the radio. Some one knocked on the door. Vijay got up from his seat and walked to open the door. When he opened the door he saw a thin man, with fat glasses standing in front of him smiling. Vijay smiled back. "Yes, how can I help you?" Vijay asked. "I am Suresh, Arun and I met in Bombay a week back during the conference. I was to come to Delhi so he sent a letter with me for you, here it is....." Suresh handed the letter to Vijay. It was sealed in an envelope. Vijay was confused. He suddenly realized that he had not asked Suresh to come in. "Please come in, so we can talk in detail, I have been worried about Arun for the last few days"

                 Suresh frowned and said "Sorry, I cannot, I have to leave for a very important work, in fact I am already late. Arun had requested me to give this letter and since I promised him then...." Suresh left. Vijay got back to his seat. There was a sense of excitement and concern in his mind. He switched off the radio. There were a thousand thoughts running in his mind. Vijay pulled his glasses that he used for reading.

                 After five minutes into the letter there was another knock on the door.Vijay was upset this time since he did not want to leave the letter. He briskly walked to the door and opened it. It was his wife. She was carrying a bag full of vegetables. Vijay pulled it from her hand and kept it aside. He then pulled her hand and asked her to sit on the couch. "What?" his wife complained. "Remember I told you about Arun and that he had gone to Bombay to find a girl.." "Right I remember that..." Vijay's wife cut him off and said.

                 "Arun sent a letter through a friend of his, I was reading that, the girl actually gave him a fake name. But that is not the end, he later found out that the girl is missing.." "O! Then where is he now." Vijay's wife asked. Vijay said "Yes that is what I was about to read when you entered. "Please read loudly" Vijay started to read the letter loudly "...I was sitting at gateway wondering what I can do. I decided to leave for Delhi but something in me kept on saying that I should find out about the girl. The next day I visited her home." Vijay and his wife exchanged looks.

                 Vijay continued reading "She is from a rich family. But the people were not good with me. Her father was least interested in talking with me. Her brother asked me many questions but did not tell me why his sister left the house. I was not happy with the treatment but I still wanted to know why is she missing. Her father and brother left the house, asking the girl's mother to answer the rest of my questions. Her mother was a nice woman. She explained me everything. Some of the things I had already predicted, had come true. Basically the girl's father wanted her daughter to get married. But Kimaya, well that is her name as I found out in the newspaper wanted to work. Even in today's age its disheartening to see that parents don't encourage their daughters to work. The conflict in their thoughts led to a quarrel in the house and one day Kimaya left the house. Her mother cried as she told the story. But I was still clueless, I knew the reason as to why she left the house, when she did it, but where did she go? thats still a question mark....." Vijay turned the page to read further.

                  But then today when I walked into the local library I saw the same book that Kimaya was reading in the train. I read the entire book. It was truly inspiring and I am not surprised that Kimaya took such a step after reading the book. The last page of the book gave me the clue as to where she might be. The author of the book is a woman and she had mentioned that she would like to help woman who want to break the shackles of society and live independent life. I think Kimaya for sure would have gone to meet this author and this woman is probably my next clue. There is a chance that I might be wrong, but today I would not want to think that. I am leaving for Calcutta for that is where this author lives. Once I reach there I will send you a telegram. I hope you are in good health and so is my sister, your wife. Suresh is a good friend who was coming to Delhi so I quickly penned down everything and gave him this letter...."

                  Vijay kept the letter down. He placed both his hands on his head and said "he is gone mad.." his wife replied and said "...in love" Both simled.

A journey to find her..............6

 .........and hence I support Indira Gandhi, her tactics might seem wrong today but they will be fruitful in the longer term." Arun completed his speech. A few claps were heard. Arun was one of the few from the assembled scholars  who supported the ruling government and the prime minister. Arun got back to his seat. Some other speakers continued most having contrasting views. Although Arun did not agree to them he did took notes of the way they presented the points. Being a professor he thought these are somethings that he should adapt while he take lectures.

            Last three days, Arun had completely concentrated on the conference. He had not pondered about the girl.He had booked his return ticket for the night train. He had made a friend in the last 3 days. His name was Suresh. He was a professor in Mumbai, being of the same age they connected very well. Suresh also agreed to Arun's views. Suresh had suggested Arun to visit the gate way of India. Arun had read about it and decided to not leave such an opportunity.

             After the conference, he had some time to fulfill his wish. He sat in the familiar rickshaw and it brought back his memories of the first day. His travelling in the rickshaw to the hostel. The humiliation. Arun also remembered the words of his friend Vijay. Vijay was right, Arun thought he cursed himself to loose his mind over a girl and it was one of the most stupid things that he had thought in his life of doing.

              The wind was blowing strong when Arun got down at the Gateway of India. He soon realized he was not the only tourist there. Arun had once visited a remote village in Orissa. It was near the sea. This was the second time he was seeing the large mass of water. There were a few ships that looked like dots near the horizon.  After viewing the fantastic architecture of the gateway he sat on a chair,looking towards the evening sky. He saw a group of birds flying together. He thought it was symbolic to him since he was leaving for Delhi tonight back to his nest.

              Arun had some time, so he decided to buy a newspaper. He walked to a newspaper stand and bought a regional newspaper. He wanted to check if there was any mention about the conference. Most of the pages of the newspaper had pretty much the same content that he had heard in the  discussions over the last 3 days. Arun was not able to find any mentions about the conference. He read every page and finally turned to the last page.The last page looked more for the advertisers. He was about to the turn the page out of no interest, but suddenly something caught his eyes.

              Arun was shocked seeing the picture of Gayatri in the newpaper. It was under the column where missing people are listed. He read the news carefully. Her real name was Kimaya and she was missing..............

A journey to find her…….5

…….Arun took out 3 coins from his pocket totaling to 25 paise. The rickshaw driver accepted it and drove off leaving Arun at the gates of a newly constructed building. Arun read the name engraved on the side walls of the gate. He had come to the right place. Arun walked towards the gate, the watchman who was sleeping on a chair near the gate woke up. He saw Arun and saluted him. He then smiled at Arun and said “Sir, whom do you want to meet?” Arun was happy seeing the hospitality of the watch man. He said in a soft voice “I want to meet some one who lives in this hostel.”

                   The watchman looked at Arun for a while and then said “At this time most girls are in the college, but today is a Sunday, are you Manisha’s brother, I remember seeing you once.” At first Arun wanted to correct him, but he quickly discarded the thought and nodded in agreement with the watchman. The watchman escorted Arun towards the office. While he walked he explained Arun how every girl living in the hostel appreciates his work and how most of them personally know him. Arun pulled a 5paise coin and placed on the old man’s hand who returned back to his place.

                   The watchman had escorted Arun to the office. Arun sat on a chair, soon a woman who was probably in her late 40s got in to the office and took the chair across the table. “Hello, I am Miss Kulkarni, are you a relative of a girl living here…let me know the name of the girl you are here to meet…I know this may sound weird…but this is a girl’s hostel…..we have to be very strict and make sure we don’t allow any anonymous person to get into it…” Arun wiped the sweat on his forehead and said “I am here to meet Miss Gayatri..” The woman said loudly “Vidya…”

                   Another woman dressed like Miss Kulkarni in skyish blue saree entered the room. She looked at Arun, then towards Miss Kulkarni. “Yes Madam..” “This is Mr…” Arun smiled and said “I am Mr. Arun and would like to meet Miss Gayatri…” Vidya smiled and left. Miss Kulkarni read a few papers lying on her table, after realizing that they are useless she threw them in the thrash bin.

                   Vidya entered the room followed by Gayatri.”Hello Madam…” Miss Kulkarni greeted back. Miss Kulkarni said “Gayatri your relative Arun is here to meet you…” Arun raised his hand as if to interrupt Miss Kulkarni “I am so sorry, but this is not the Gayatri I wanted to meet” All three woman stared at Arun. Miss Kulkarni indicated Vidya to leave the office. Gayatri followed her. “Mister, in his hostel there is only one Gayatril, and I know every girl in this hostel…:” Arun was confused, the name of the hostel, may be there are two hostels by the same name in Bombay he thought. “Miss, I am sorry for the confusion is there another hostel in Bombay by the same name…”

                    Miss Kulkarni was now angry “I don’t know what you want, you say you are a relative and now you are not even sure about the hostel name, for your information this is the only hostel with this name and this is the only Gayatri staying here…now if that is not the Gayatri you had come to meet I would kindly request you to leave…….”Arun walked out of the hostel. While he walked out the watchman saluted him back and asked if he got to meet Manisha.

                    Arun ignored the watchman. He looked at his watch. It was close to 11am. Arun decided to find a lodge. While he walked on the roads he replayed the image of the girl in the train. He remembered her saying Pandita Ramabai Hostel and her name as Gayatri. Arun felt cheated, disappointed and humiliated at the same time.

                                                                    to be continued…………………….

A journey to find her.......4

 ...........the train moved ahead. Arun continued to look at Gayatri as she walked away. Gayatri did not turn around to see. Arun walked back to his seat. While he sat on the seat, he still looked at the other seat remembering Gayatri who was sitting there just a few minutes back...................

                     Vijay was sitting in his office when he heard a knock on the door. Vijay said "Please come in Arun..." Arun walked in with a smile on his face. He had shaved, and was wearing a nicely ironed shirt. Vijay looked in surprise. "Wow! You change from the last time I saw you. I guess you decided to forget her. That is a good decision I must say, no point wasting time over a girl that is miles away. And about whom you know so little. Just because her thinking matches with your..."

                     "....Sir, please allow me to speak..." Arun interrupted. Vijay frowned. Arun sat on the chair in front of Vijay. Arun tried to relax on the chair, but to his surprise the chair inclined back. He held the chair firmly. Vijay laughed and said "Just got them...don't worry relax the chair will not break...you were saying.."

"Vijay, I got an invitation for an all India Conference...its about the existing political turmoil in India..." Vijay shook Arun's hand to congratulate him. He then tweaked his nose and said "No wonder you are happy and got all clean shaven and up tight..."

                     Arun nodded in agreement. Arun then inclined forward on the table and whispered "The great thing is that the conference is in Bombay.." Vijay said "What is the good thing....wait a minute...so you are going to meet this girl after all..." The smile on Arun's face faded away. Arun started looking out from the window after giving a cold look to Vijay. Vijay said "Alright, I am just not used to this Arun, I know the Arun that thinks logical, and not some one who is crazy behind a girl...."

                      Arun replied "Vijay, I am not crazy behind the girl, I just want to meet her once...." Vijay got up from his chair. The chair sprung up straight with a noise. Vijay placed his hand on Arun's shoulder and said "and do what..." Arun pushed Vijay's hand away and spoke "I don't know, but what ever happens I am ready to face it." There was silence for some time. Vijay then broke the silence and said "Arun I don't agree with what you are doing, but if meeting this girl is so important for you, which only you understand why, you should do it" Both men hugged each other.

                       After another week, when Arun got down on the station he was tired. He had to stay in Bombay for three days, but the most important thing he was looking forward to was meeting Gayatri. Arun got out of the V.T station. He saw a group of people with red flags protesting against the government. Arun saw a horse driven rickshaw. He smiled and walked towards it. The rickshaw driver smiled back at Arun. Arun said "I want to go to Pandita Ramabai Hostel, can you take me there..."

                       The rickshaw driver said "Sure, it will be 25 paise, do you agree to the fare, I don't want to fight later..." Arun sat in the rickshaw, "I agree lets go................."

A journey to find her........3

               ..................accepted that there is more to be done to make women independent" Arun joined both his hands and said. Gayatri only smiled. She opened the book and started reading it. Arun decided to sleep. Arun was not able to sleep for a long time. He was disturbed by a fast train that passed whistling loudly. Frustrated he sat on the upper berth lowering his head to not hit the ceiling. 

               He decided to sleep back when he looked at Gayatri. She was sleeping with the book placed on her abdomen. Her steady breathing made the book move up and down. Arun observed her.He watched her two hands locked into each other, placed on the book.  There was some thing that was making him look at her. He tried to sleep but again turned around to watch Gayatri. Arun had never met a girl that intelligent and beautiful. Her thinking was very modern. Her approach to life very brave. Arun started to feel sleepy again. 

               "Tea, Coffee..." Arun woke up one more time. There was a hawker on the station selling tea, where the train had stopped. He watched across to see Gayatri on the other upper berth, but she was missing. He quickly tried to get up, and while doing so his head hit the ceiling. He rubbed it and jumped down from the berth. The two women who were sleeping on lower berth were also no where to be seen. Arun looked around and then sat near the window. "O! You are awake.." Gayatri said. "The two women probably got down...while we were asleep..and now for the bad news, the train has been on this station for 30 mins, there has been some problem ahead...." 

               Arun listened to Gayatri but his eyes were mesmerized. He was not himself. "Hello...are you listening to me...?" Arun smiled and replied "Where do you live?" Gayatri gave a confused look and said "Me, I come from Bombay...and I am going to attend a marriage.." Arun gathered some more courage and asked "Nice...and where do you live in Bombay..." Gayatri was now sitting on the seat across Arun's. She said "I, well I don't share such information with stranger but you seem to be a...what do you do?"

                Arun cleared his throat and said "I am a Professor. I teach social science, very reason why our discussion interested me and I was very impressed by your thoughts on woman empowerment, you have a thinking that is way ahead of time, but you are right by the end of the 20th century we will have as many women working as men..."

                "You think that! I wish there were more men like you.....". Both Arun and Gayatri felt a push as the train started. Gayatri heaved a sigh of relief. Arun looked out of the window. He suddenly remembered what he had to ask. When he turned around to ask he saw Gayatri trying to pull the bag from the upper berth. He helped her. She thanked him in return. Arun asked "Are you getting down?" Gayatri said "Yes" Arun did not understand what to say or do. 

               After another 15 mins Gayatri picked her purse and her bag. She started walking towards the door. Arun tried to pick her bag but she refused him to do so. Just as the train arrived at the station Arun asked "You did not tell me where you live in Bombay..." Gayatri looked back at Arun and said " Pandita Ramabai Hostel....................."

A journey to find her.......2

 ..........she said "Thank you..." Arun sat back on his seat after helping the girl in keeping the bag on the upper berth. The girl sat on the seat in front of him. Arun started looking outside the window. He saw a station master walking near the bell placed at one end of the station. He rang the bell and the train started. Arun felt a jerk. He looked out as the train left the station and started to speed up.

                 "Excuse me.." he heard the girl. He looked at the girl. She was fair, with dark deep eyes. The girl was trying to pull some thing. Arun looked down and realized that he had stepped on the strap of her purse. He lifted his foot. "I am sorry.." Arun apologized. The girl ignored and dusted the purse. The girl pulled a book from the purse to read it. 

                Arun felt sleepy and decided to rest his head on the window. In a few minutes he slept. After another hour when he woke up, he saw a face looking at him. Arun got a bit scared. He took a deep breath and got up. The face was of a lady. Arun said "Yes, may I help you.." The woman quickly replied "The seat next to yours is mine..." Arun pulled his body close to himself to allow the woman to sit. Just as the woman sat down, another woman arrived at the scene. The girl who was reading the book had also started observing now. Both women looked over weight. One woman sat next to Arun, while the other sat next to the girl. 

                   The two woman started talking with each other in a loud voice. Both seemed to have hearing problems. Arun was not happy because he was not able to sleep. He walked out and stood near the door. The girl followed him. "You are not going to get any sleep..." Arun smiled looking at the girl. "I know...neither will you be able to read the book" The girl walked towards the door and started looking out. As she stood near the door, the incoming wind started blowing her hair. Arun watched her as she enjoyed the wind blowing into her. Just then the girl looked towards Arun, being embarrassed Arun looked elsewhere. 

                    Arun walked slowly towards the girl and then asked "What is the name?" The girl walked away from the door and said "Why do you want to know my name?" Arun smiled and said "The book, what is its name.." The girl blushed and said "Sorry I misunderstood, its a hindi book on woman independence" She handed the book to Arun. Arun read a few contents and then gave the book back. Arun then walked back to his seat. He was astonished to see both women sleeping. "They are sleeping..." Arun turned around towards the voice. The girl was having a smile on her face. Both Arun and the girl climbed on to the upper berth opposite to each other.

                  After making his way on to the upper berth Arun looked towards the girl who was still trying to climb up. "Do you need help?" The girl pulled herself and said "No, Thanks..." Arun looked down, both woman were snoring. Arun looked at the girl and said "So you believe what is written in the book..." The girl gave a cold look and said "I know no men will ever agree....to such books" "I never said I disagree, woman empowerment is the need of the hour, but then our Prime Minister is also a woman, so I don't think we can bluntly say all men disagree to woman independence...else Indira Gandhi would not have been the Prime Minister" The girl kept the book away and said "Excuse me, Mr..."  "Arun...." Arun replied "and you" "Gayatri...." the girl replied.........................

A Journey to find her....1

                 ......he observed as the girl struggled to place her bag on the upper berth of the train. Arun decided to help her. He pushed the bag, thats when she looked towards him.

                 Arun..." Arun was brought out of his thoughts. He was in his bed room. He walked out of the bedroom. There was some one knocking at the door. "Arun.." he heard the cry again. It recognised the voice of his old friend. He opened the door. Vijay was Arun's childhood friend and he was now standing smiling at him. Arun smiled looking at him. Vijay walked in literally pushing Arun at one side. "Sorry I thought you would never ask me to come in, so I pushed myself.."

                 Vijay pulled a key chain from his pocket. Aun looked at the key chain, it was made of a sea shell. Vijay said "This gift for you, I visited a shop last week saw it there, thought you will appreciate it." Arun took the key chain and hung it on a hook next to the calendar. Vijay looked towards Arun as he placed the key chain. Vijay looked at the calendar and smiled. "Arun its April now, not March, you need to change the month, April 1977 has arrived."

                 Arun looked at the calendar and frowned. "Vijay please sit, its good to see you in town. How is your business going on?"Vijay wiped the sweat on his brow and said "Its awesome, made profit over 1000Rs last year...and wish to....hey what is wrong with you....when was the last time you shaved.." Vijay looks around and realises the house is not been cleaned for a while. He sits at the chair next to Arun. "Arun, what is the matter...is everything alright..."

                 Arun takes a deep breath and says "I would tell you but you would only make fun of me, it is so stupid and this has never happened to me before.Vijay "A man gets that messy either when he looses his job or when he looses.." Arun "I did not loose my job.."Vijay says "So there is a girl involved....no, it cannot be, I know you for ages you been away from all such things.."

                 Arun shakes his head. He stands up and scratches his grown beard. "I cannot think about anything since I have met her...its been like I am stuck in time....its good that the colleges are closed...I don't think I could have taken a single lecture in this state..."

                 Vijay stands up and pats Arun on his back. "Professor you are in love....noq is there a problem....a girl would be lucky to be with you..." Arun smiles, he walks towards the photo of a married couple hanging on the wall. He looks towards the photo and says "Vijay, when my parents passed away I drowned myself in studies for that was there dream that I get well educated, after becoming a professor I felt happy that I was giving the knowledge I learnt to others.....love...girls...or marriage...were words out of my dictionary...until..."

                 Vijay yawns "I know all this, until you met this girl...now can you please tell me who the girl is, where is she.Arun turns around to look at Vijay who has raised both his eyebrows. Arun smiles and then says "Vijay, I wish I knew where the girl is..." Vijay quickly replies "Wish you knew, is the girl real or you dreamed about her..." Arun smiles and sits on the chair. "Please sit down, I will tell you what happened.............................................................."