BREAK THE RULES
{8}

Rutva: Uncle, joining the Air Force has been his dream for many years. He has worked very hard to clear the exam. I think we should encourage his efforts and support him.

Mala [startled]: I am certainly not sending my son into the army and that too Air Force!

Rutva: Aunty, please try to understand. I agree that there is danger in joining the armed forces but tell me one job which is not perilous… moreover it is a matter of pride to be a soldier.

Surendra: You youngsters watch some stupid movies and try to show heroism in life! Reality is not as rosy as you think. He will not stick with that job for even one whole month. I know my son!

Rutva could no longer take it and she glared at him.

This is it!

Rutva: What do you know about him, uncle? Were you aware that he was preparing for the CDSE? Did you know that it is his childhood dream to be in the Air Force? Have you once thought why he did not miss a single Air show? Do you know that he is slipping into depression because his parents and girlfriend are not supporting him to live his dream? First of all, do you even know that he has a girlfriend with whom he has been in love for the past three years?

Crap!!! What have you done, Ru??

Partha instantly looked up at her and rolled his eyes. She had done more damage instead of making the situation better.

Mala [eyes widened]: Who is she? I knew you were hiding something from me. Now I know why you don’t stay at home even on holidays. What is her name?

He did not even attempt to answer his mother’s question because Rutva discreetly nodded her head asking him not to speak.

Rutva: There is no point in asking about her, aunty. She broke up with him because he chose his dream over her. Yet it did not tear him apart as much as your decision to kill his dream.

Mala [raising her voice]: I will die but not let him go! He is our only child.

Rutva: All of us will die someday, aunty! But Puttu will die this very moment if you don’t accept his decision. He may not kill himself but he will certainly stop living if he lets go of this opportunity. Rather than that you may as well give him some poison and kill him at once! He was almost going to commit suicide… It was by some divine intervention that he made one last call to me.

Mala [tears welled up in her eyes]: Is this true?

Partha glanced once at Rutva and meekly nodded.

Surendra: What rubbish?! Why would anyone want to die for such trivial issues?

His son gave him a cold stare because he had already spent the day’s share of patience and silence. Slowly he stood up.

Partha: It is not trivial for me, Dad. My life depends on it and I have already made a lot of sacrifices to reach this place. I cannot sacrifice anymore.

Rutva quietly smiled to herself. This was exactly what she wanted from her best friend. After so many years of mute submission, he had decided to speak up against his father.

Surendra [glaring]: What do you mean?

Partha: No matter what, I am joining the Air Force.

Surendra [looking at his wife]: You have turned him into a pampered brat. You are the one to be blamed for his disobedience. He has decided to disrespect us by going against our wishes. What are we going to do now?

Mala [tears streaming down her cheeks]: Let him go…

Surendra [shocked]: Mala! Are you aware of what you are saying?

She stood up and looked into her husband’s eyes.

Mala: Puttu wants it… this is his life and its time we let him make the decisions. If this is what gives him happiness then let him have it. I only want my son to be happy…

There was silence for a few minutes.

Surendra [sigh]: Looks like you both have made the same decision. Who am I to oppose it? Do as you wish…

He walked out of the living-room with a gruff. Rutva could not believe what had just happened. Partha held his mother in a tight embrace and tears streamed down his cheeks. Amidst happiness and tears he mouthed the words “Thank you” to Rutva. She smiled at him and a tear slipped down her cheek. They had indeed broken all the rules, but won the game at last.
***

‘Thank you so much,’ said Arvind looking at her. They both were sitting by the pool of the hotel after eating a delicious dinner followed by a fabulous dessert. They had removed their footwear and dipped their feet into the cool water.

‘For what?’ asked Rutva watching the lights dancing on the surface of water.

‘For spending a day with me. I had a really good time.’

‘My pleasure. I too enjoyed your company. I had such a hectic week that I was desperate for a break. Thank you for accompanying me to the Museum and also for bringing me to this amazing hotel for dinner,’ she said smiling at him. When she smiled, her eyes crinkled in a cute manner and he simply wanted to jump into the pool. The entire day had been a slow torture for him to stay so close to her, yet so far.

‘I think it’s time for us to leave,’ she said looking at her watch. When she got no reply from him, she looked up and found him gazing at her with an unfathomable longing.

‘I love you, Rutva.’

She was stupefied. Her heart began to race and she could feel the blood rush to her cheeks. Her mind went blank as she was at loss for words. Arvind watched her with bated breath and expected the worst. He was almost certain that she would walk away after giving him an earful.

‘Why me?’ she asked softly.

He took in a deep breath and moved his leg under the water.

‘I was drawn to you even before I saw you. Partha used to tell a lot about your friendship with him. Later when I met you, I was bowled over by your intelligence and quick wit. Slowly I started admiring your boldness and straightforward attitude. You were everything that I was not… I am an introvert and very reserved when it comes to interacting with people. But you are just the opposite and I like that. Making eye contact with you is the hardest thing I have ever done…’

He spoke in a low voice that made his monologue sound very intimate. It was as if he had let her into his secret world which was only his until then. Rutva was still finding it hard to believe that he was actually pouring out his heart to her. That realisation was yet to sink in.

‘I know that this is only our first outing. You may think that I am rushing into it too soon… but trust me, I could not stop myself from confessing my love. Every minute that I spend with you is only making me greedy to be with you forever. I want you to be a part of every single day in my life, Rutva,’ he said passionately.

Rutva’s expression remained unchanged but a storm was raging in her heart. This was the first time a man had laid down his heart in her hands. She could either caress it or crush it, but she was clueless about what to do. Yet his words had already touched her and made a lasting impact.

‘I need some time,’ she said with much effort.

‘Take a lifetime… I’ll be waiting,’ he said looking into her eyes. A cool breeze blew over them and caused beautiful ripples in the water. The reflection of water painted a lovely picture on her blushing face…

                                  To be continued...

























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