PART 6
'Tring tring..tring tring..'
Manav held his cell to his ear and waited anxiously. He didn't know if she would pick, if she would even be at home at this time. He hadn't called her since long and didn't know her work schedules anymore...
"Hello.. Manav?"
Hearing that old familiar voice after such a long time felt strange. It brought back memories of their last meeting... memories which always made Manav feel guilty.
"Yeah hi.. its me.. are you busy..?"
"Not at all... after all these days Manav.. so good to hear from you... how is everyone in the family.. Savita kaku.. Vandita and..."
"All is well.." said Manav hastily. Better get to the point. "Umm.. Shravani.. can I meet you tomorrow?"
"Meet me..? Yeah sure.. come for dinner.."
"No" said Manav firmly.. "I mean, I am slightly busy.. and you must be busy too.. can I meet you in your office if it is not a problem..??"
"Sure Manav.. anytime tomorrow.. I'll wait for you.. good night!"
"Good night." Manav said and disconnected. "I'll wait for you.."- the line brought back old memories.. yet again..
Flashback.. 6 months ago
Manav and Shravani in the garage. No one else is there.
"Are you mad... did you say all this rubbish to Girish sir as well..???"
"First thing, I'm not mad, second thing, this is not rubbish, third thing, I'm planning to tell Dad soon."
Manav heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank god, Sir doesn't know." Then braced himself up. "Shravani much as I respect you and your feelings, I would like to nip the matter in the bud. Please don't keep any expectations from me. I cannot marry you.."
Shravani was shocked. "But why not? You have to give me some sort of explanation..."
"Shravani, try and understand, we are not meant for each other.. you are a perfect girl and someone I can call a friend.. but lets keep it till here. You are much above me, in every sense.. you can get someone much better than me...we getting married would keep you happy for a while but not later when this love fever comes down and you face the realities of life. How will you live in a chawl, among those unsophisticated people, with my little resources and truck load of responsibilities?"
"Haven't I been your friend all these years Manav? Did I ever think of class or education then? What makes you think today that I won't be able to live amongst those 'unsophisticated people'?"
"everyone is not like me..." Manav tried to explain..
"Exactly my point Manav..." Shravani said, her voice heavy.. "There is no one like you..."
Manav didn't know what to say.. "I'm sorry Shravani but please, don't ask this from me.. I don't want to hamper my relations with Girish ji. I'm not ready for this..."
"No problem Manav.." she said calmly.. "I'll wait"
(Back to present)
That had been 6 months ago. After that he had tried to avoid her as much as possible. She had sensed it and demanded explanations. He had tried to explain as honestly as he could. She had been sympathetic, and had said she would try to move on. Had she? OR would meeting her start the sequence in motion again?
"what did she say Manav?" asked Savita, who had been listening to the conversation.
"Uh..nothing. She was asking about all of you."
Savita sighed. "SUCH a sweet girl.. just the kind of DIL I would like to have... ekdum ghar ki lakshmi.. the guy who marries her will be so lucky. What say Manav?
Manav nodded. He understood what Savita was hinting at.
******************************************************
Shravani gulped down her coffee. "So you want me to offer that girl Archana a job in my NGO?"
Manav nodded.
"But why?"
"She is sort of disheartened with life. It would do her good to work here.. and she is just that type of person who would like to work here... kind.. gentle.. helpful. She will feel independent."
"That is okay.. but I cannot go about telling people to join my NGO.."
"you came to me, didn't you..'Manav join karo na, this organisation needs socially aware and active people like you.. education is not a criteria' so now I'm telling you, give this girl a chance. She will learn with experience. You don't need very high or specialized education for starting up with an NGO. As she learns, you can appoint her to higher posts."
"All that is okay Manav" Shravani said.. "but how can I approach her... she will ask me how I came to know.. and I cannot offer her a lot of money.. she will get what other beginners get- Rs. 4000/-"
"Money is not an issue. And approach her in whatever way you think is right. Just don't bring my name in." Shravni hesitated. "Shravani, please do it for my sake."
Shravani smiled.. "Now that you have said so, I will have to do it.. but first tell whats up with this girl.. chakkar kya hai..."
Not again.. "Koi chakkar nahi hai... aur jo hai woh tum samjhogi nahi, main bhi nahi samjha aaj tak." He made his way to the door.
"Remember, I'm still waiting."
"Don't wait.." He called out. Then he was gone.
Shravani giggled. "Silly!"
**************************************************
Archana sat with her back to the wall. It was night time and raining. The rain drops kept jumping now and then to her bed from the window. Todays day had turned out to be a strange one. She had gone to the temple in the evening, and had met a fashionable, educated woman with large shades and a big bag, who spoke a lot of English. The lady had given weird excuses like how she'd seen her helping little children and beggars and would like Archana to join her organisation as a volunteer. She'd even showed Archana her brochure and visiting card and asked her to call back.
At home everyone had been aghast. Manju had immediately branded it as a phony organisation which would pester them for donation. Even Vinod agreed that many organisations went about collecting money but did nothing for the affected.
So what, she thought. She had faith. It was worth giving a try, wasn't it? Sulochana had been thoughtful, but hadn't said anything. Would it be too much work and effort for her daughter? Would people say that she was being forced to work on a low salary in an NGO since she had become a burden to her parents?
The doorbell rang. At this hour? She got up to open the door.
"Uh.. you?"
Manav looked awkward too. "Your Aai had given these keys yesterday. I forgot to return. Thanks. And sorry for disturbing" He turned to leave.
"Wait.." Archana called out. She picked up an umbrella kept on the table and gave it to him. "You need this."
Manav smiled. "Thankyou. That was very thoughtful."
Archana hesitated. "No big deal.. "
"Of course it is a big deal. We need more people like you who think about others. The world would be a better place if more people like you come forward."
With these words, he left.
Archana turned back to her room slowly. Something had struck a chord. No one had appreciated her little acts till today, not even she herself had thought that she was doing special. It was simple human behavior.
Today two people had convinced her that it was a big deal. That she had the ability to help people, make their lives better.. just like a doctor or a teacher.. they had risen above the conventional standards of evaluating people on the basis of education, money or looks.. evaluated her on the basis of character. If she refused, they might lose hope to do so again.
She had made her decision. She would speak to Aai tomorrow.
Edited by nikitagmc - 15 years ago
Anupamaa
