Chapter 2
By the time he was thirty, Vikram had established himself as a powerful lawyer and an accomplished speaker .He took on speaking assignments on legal topics to law schools. His marriage with Shanta was already four years old and every thing looked rosy. Both Shanta and Vikram came from families where education was given top priority and development of social interest was a natural progression. They made an ideal pair, well on the way up in the social ladder. One, as a fighting Lawyer and other as a spirited academician with a flair for religious philosophy. It threw them in the company of educated lot embracing all religious beliefs with out any of the despicable dogma. So when the invitation came from Ajmer to address the first convocation meeting of the newly formed corporate Law school, they were both excited. Vikram’s parents had been worried over the fact that even after four years of marriage Shanta had shown no sign of interest in having a baby. So when Dr Jehangir mentioned that a visit to Ajmer dharga would do the trick, shanta pressed Vikram to take up the assignment. It was slated in the beginning of winter season and climate in Ajmer would be just fine. Shanta had begun work on a new carpet. She visited hyderabad for pearls and kancheepuram for gold threads and Bangalore, Bellary for semi precious stones and colourful beads. She had spent some time with a weaver’s family to get to know about weaving frame and tools required to hand knit a carpet with in the frame. She had settled on a knitting routine and hoped she would complete the carpet in time for the Ajmer visit. As per suggestion of Dr Jehangir, she had decided to present the woollen chaader(carpet) to the shrine. Shanta and Vikram decided they would take in pushkar, Jaipur and Ajmer in one trot.
The speech at the convocation was a huge success as the new law graduates enjoyed a lively interaction with a young firebrand of their own kind and his young wife. So when the couple entered the shrine at Ajmer, there were many young friends to felicitate their visit and a meeting was arranged with the chairman of Dharga committee, a bearded Mulla who showed proper appreciation of the gift brought by a couple embracing different faith. So it was a grand occasion when the thin chaader was unpacked in front of the tomb. The blue of the wool and yellow of gold and red stripes of silk in an intricate floral design caught every one’s breath. The chairman was so astounded by the quality of work that in his brief acceptance speech he mentioned, “this dharga has received gifts over centuries from many a royal houses and Princely patrons but nothing matched the extraordinary beauty of humble offering from the visitors from south.” As the excited couple stepped outside the portals of the sacred tomb, shanta already felt the small swell in her abdomen. She told Vikarm about it and Vikram laughed. He did not believe in miracles. For him God was every where and he saw more of God in body of good people, their deeds and words. He set store more by the blessings of living good souls than long dead ones inspite of their religion . Sharad was born exactly ten months later and was named after the season in which they had visited the dharga.
As shanta waited in the hall , she wiped a tear from her eyes as memories flooded her mind. The twin of that chaader was lying in the school cupboard some where.It had to be retrieved and restored to the place where it belonged.
The Doorbell rang and she walked towards the door to open it. She saw the cheerful face of Dickey swirling his golf cap in his hands and sporting a big toothy smile. He said, ‘hello shanta, you took your own time reaching the door. I thought the bloody bell was not ringing. My mind was already thinking of hundred different ways to smash down the un willing door. You saved your precious door in the nick of time”
Yes, sir, at times , I also play the saviour,’ she gave him a tight hug, lingering there for a moment, savouring the contact with a strong body of a trusted friend .”welcome, home, Dickey” she told him with a warm smile ,slowly unwinding herself from his grip. She had kept a cup of tea ready for him and she offered the same to him. With a word of thanks, Dickey took the proffered cup and asked if her Children were around. She informed him that she was alone and in a hurry. She should be back home before the daughter in law returned from her clinic.
They locked up the house and got into the car with Dickey taking the wheel.. Before turning on the ignition, he asked ‘Shanta ,here we are. My car is all ready to go. where would you like to go first?”
Oh, let us run first to the school and meet with the Principal.
Shanta, Can’t you just call her over to your place and talk. She will be very happy to visit you, you know that.
No. This is a serious matter and I would like to deal with out Sharad and his wife getting to know about what I talk with the Principal
Why? what is the problem?
It is not yet a problem. But if I do not act immediately it can turn out to be big problem.
For the School?
No, not for the school. For me , personally
How? I am not sure that I understand.
Do not worry, Dickey. Nobody has ever accused you of being very smart. Just drive me to school and watch me talk to the Principal, you will understand every thing.
‘Shanta, I would like you to explain to me what your problem with Principal of the school is. It is our school and presently I am the director of the school board and I am entitled to know, before you confront the principal, using me as your shield or battering ram which ever suits you.’
Well—
I am waiting,
Dickey. Here is the problem. You know Aarti, Sharad’s younger daughter. She has handed over my chaader to the School Principal for display in the school sponsored handicraft exhibition and auction. She has done it with out my knowledge and permission.
UH, UH
Which Chaader?
You know the one.
Dickey frowned.
Did you talk to Sharad.
Yes I did.
What did he say?
He said I am making unnecessary fuss over an ancient chaader that is worth zero value presently. The child wanted to display some thing and took the chaader. He said he would get it back after the exhibition. He does not see any thing wrong in the child removing an item belonging to me from my room with out my permission.. I know it for a fact that once it goes on display, it won’t come back to me. So I asked him to get it back. He refused point blank and insulted me by saying I am behaving like a school girl myself.
Dickey did not want to be a party to a family tiff. He said in a worried manner, “so, you want to take back that item.”
Yes, very much.
“Suppose the Principal says that goods once submitted for exhibition can not be taken back till exhibition is over. What will you do?”
That is where you come in
“What do you mean?”
You will tell the Principal to return the item to me with out making any issue about it.
“Seems simple. Is it not?.”
Dead simple.
“Shanta, you know when I get involved, things do not stay simple. They grow into a monster and get me into more trouble. Is there any thing called retirement in your dictionary .It pains you and kaddu to see me live happily.”
Stop grumbling and start driving. You are our hero and act like one.
Yes, madam
The car raced towards the school.