At the University

“…so, the chords here are to be switched from G-2 to E starting with open A…try it now….” The maestro listened to the boy who was trying out the chords as instructed to him.

The music teacher was rubbing his chin as he closed his eyes to check the discord and found out.

Crack!

“…ahh! See here…you have to be really sharp on this one…ok…don’t worry not everyone gets it at the first time…or the fifth time…*chuckles*…ok, class we’ll meet tomorrow in the open space near the banyan tree for the chorus practice…ok…” he then packed his bags as the class dispersed one by one to leave the master alone.

clears throat

He looked upon the person from across his glasses to see the head mister smile at him.

“…Mr. Rajeev…can I have a word with you…”

Rajeev then went to the canteen to have some coffee and to also have some quiet time with his music.

He would record his music and then go over them during his free time.

Rajeev wanted to produce his own music and present them to the one production house he had dreamt for so long.

His favourite artist had announced his own production house which welcomed new and aspiring artist to showcase their talent.

Vinay upon hearing his son’s dream offered his help to ease out the situation for him. But his wife’s humble son, refused for any royal recommendations.

Vinay was falling in love with his son’s attitude which screamed his dominance over the mafia world with his calm serene and sharp mind. He did manage to bring a part of him to his world but alas, it was only a sprinkle over the marvellous kingdom he was willing to offer his gallant son.

Vinay managed to fool his poor simple-minded wife to encourage Rajeev to join the gym to build his mental and physical health. Sonia had seen her fragile son grew in the most vulnerable way of always falling sick with his line of cold, fever, less food intake and malnourished health.

So, when Vinay advised her to let him handle the child regarding his food intake and exercise, Sonia could only agree for her son’s sake.

Little did she knew the glitter in her husband’s eye, when Rajeev was able to come out with flying colors at the combat lesson that his father was giving him under the pretext of building his health. Vinay was proud of his effort to make the boy, a muscled man with the mind of still sea and limbs like a raging lion.

At his fifteen birthday, Vinay expressed his desire to Rajeev and showed him a glimpse of his mafia world. The boy got angered at his father’s reveal of being a bad guy with guns and weapons which could harm or even kill people.

The naïve boy went mute with his father worrying Vinay at his sudden reveal that scarred the kid. But when Sonia narrated her husband’s valiant tale and the sacrifice for his family, especially for her; Rajeev felt sad at paining his father.

Vinay was happy that his son was able to understand his mafia connection and promised him that he would not force him to join but would love to have his fathomless opinion and ideas for the same.  

Up till now, Vinay is hoping that his boy would join him wholly to rule the mafia world.

He is patiently waiting for that wonderful day to come.

The Kumar residence

Arjun was bobbing his head at the silent music resonating from the NatyaPrabha class where his wife was teaching her students.

“…why don’t you see her dance, instead of missing her, Appa…” Mrunal teased her dad who chuckled at her words which actually were true.

Deepika was still the queen of his heart which was lonely for a long time; after the one got swept away from him.

As he had his tea chatting with his perky daughter who narrated her days event ranging from her talkative naughty friends to Rajeev.

The mention of the boy made the father twist his face, excusing himself to have a stroll in his garden.

Mrunal could never understand why his father hated the one person she loved with all her heart.

NatyaPrabha

Deepika was giving the last bit of the lessons for her students before sending them off.

“…*exhales deeply*…ok class, I think we can conclude for today…don’t forget we have the big day after a month….hm? Practice, practice….” Deepika was giving her last thought for the day before her students could leave the premises.

Mrunal came with the long-awaited tea for her mom who smiled exhaustively being tired to her limbs.

“…Buji*…before you close the room…do practice…you have missed your morning session…because of your music class…*sigh*…I don’t understand why you are pursuing music when your core should be dance?!” Deepika kept her anklets in her box before praying to it and disdained that her daughter was straying away from her main goal, because of her puppy love.

(*Buji – sweet nickname for girls in Tulu)

Mrunal got upset on how no one could understand her likability to the only man that could capture her mind after her dad and brother.

Mrunal could never forget the day when she realised her undying love for the man.

6 years back

**Sensitive content ahead

“…Minu…forget it!...we did complain against Subhash and his gang!…don’t worry…” Her bestie was trying to pacify her who was crying her eyes out at the humiliation being faced by the notorious boys in her class.

Apparently, the boys cat-called her when she had gone to the ladies room to refresh herself. On the way, one of them splashed red paint on her skirt unknown to her. So, when she came back to the class, all her classmates started laughing at her and embarrassed her with the red stain on her uniform.

Her class teacher called her parents, but Dhiraj picked the call and rushed to the school to take her back.

In the teachers cabin, Dhiraj saw the way his sister cowered in the corner with her bestie trying to calm her.

“..Buji! don’t worry!...come, let’s go!...” Dhiraj hugged her and picked her from the chair to take her home.

“…why should she go like this?...” the voice echoed from the front door of the teachers’ cabin, making everyone look at the boy who scrunched his eyebrow.

Mrunal glanced at the boy who caught hold of her wrist with his confident eyes speaking “…you should not be ashamed of your godly form…”

In Mrunal’s classroom, Rajeev bought her in the middle of the class and spoke “…what is a mother? Can anyone answer me?...”

The class looked at each other at the sudden intrusion by a 19-year-old boy who was holding the hands of a meek girl keeping her eyes down.

“…a woman who looks after her child…is a mother…our mom!!” one of the students answered making the other nod at the words.

Rajeev smiled replying “…Mhm! she is the one who bears in her womb a mass of flesh and blood…. which grows to become strong, lovable and caring child because of her strength and love for her child…the person who promises to love the child fathomless, not worrying about the society or the people living in it…she doesn’t care about others…she only loves her unborn child…”

The people in the room nodded at his words, making him smile.

“…so, why did you laugh at her, hm?...” Rajeev asked them who snickered looking at her who twisted her hands in his.

“…because she is shameless!!...”

“…yeah!...bad girl!!...”

“…stupid!”

The murmurs grew with each minute, making the teachers to quieten them.

“…hm…so I guess every girl in this class or the entire school is shameless, a bad girl and stupid…right?!...” Rajeev questioned them who retorted to his words correcting him that it was not them who showcased her impurity, but her. Some of the girls were able to understand the words of the boy who made them think about their harsh words that sadden the quiet girl in their class.

“…impure?!! Why?...*chuckle*…just because she is…*scoff*…you people have not paid any attention to class then I believe…” he tried to voice his words to make them understand the most natural stage of growing up among the youngster who were still living in their superstitious beliefs.

“…even the historical texts have said that this is the most pure form of adulthood…. because it eliminates the impurity from your body…I really pity all of you who have not attended or perhaps given a deaf ears to your science class…I mean…not just humans even animals go through this…this is nothing to be ashamed of!! On the contrary, it is the power that the woman carries in her to lead the future generations that she will offer to live and grow…”

“…a Woman is the most powerful being in the universe…she holds the power in her existence…she is the epitome of grace, knowledge and future…and if you don’t see that, then I guess you don’t love your mother…because believe it or not…she is the reason why you all are able to breathe this air today…so don’t ever underestimate the power of a woman and her strength…” saying so, he held her wrist and led outside the class followed by Dhiraj who smiled at his best friend to save the dignity of his sister, Mrunal Arjun Kumar.

End of Sensitive content***

But before Rajeev could leave from the class, he retracted his steps speaking in his husky and commanding voice, “…and moreover, if anybody has any problem with Mrunal here…better know that she is not alone…she will always and I mean always have her Rajeev with her…”

The last sentence made the small 15-year-old beating heart and glittery eyes gaze at the man who claimed her in front of the whole world as her own.

The remarkable day had sketched in her heart and made her realise the love that she would carry for him till her last breath and even after that.

End of flashback