The Road Untaken

By Lakshmi Nair

The Road Untaken is a life portrait encompassing diverse shades of emotions. The collection of short stories caresses human lives crossing religious, ethnic, and geographical barriers. Ranging from romance to mystery, innocence to empathy and responsibility, the stories unveil crude emotions through the characters involved. Life is always unpredictable, and this truth is the basis of the stories. These stories and the unrevealed truth behind may even be a dream or nightmare that occurred to you.

Equip yourself to tread the road untaken.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Oct 31, 2016
• ISBN: 9781482886078

Lakshmi Nair

A professor, blogger, and internationally published author, Lakshmi is also an accepted motivator. Her stories have always kept her readers mesmerized, making them see themselves being a part of her stories. Her style of portraying emotions into literary visuals is adored by readers, which keeps her going.

Book preview

Copyright © 2016 by Lakshmi Nair.

ISBN:      Softcover   978-1-4828-8606-1

      eBook   978-1-4828-8607-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

www.partridgepublishing.com/india

CHAPTERS – REVEALED

1.   Slice Of Life

2.   Bride At 10

3.   The Forsaken

4.   The Bride Of Thar

5.   Clifford At Bahamas

6.   The Myth And Mirage

7.   Daffodil Revisits Timberland

8.   Train To Tarakchand

9.   The White Cottage

10.   Munna’s Story Teller

11.   The Uninvited Guest – Athithi Devo Bhava

SLICE OF LIFE

Akruti gazed at the portrait before her. She took her paint brush and in few strokes, the face of a prince appeared on the sheet of paper. She looked at the charming face for few minutes and in the very next moment; she flipped the pages to reveal identical pictures beneath the one she had just made. Fretting, she whipped the palette of colours with her brush and caked the portrait of the prince in one thump. She walked towards her cot and crept under the blanket. Looking at the moon hanging in the dark sky with no stars, she thought about the stories her granny used to say before she fell asleep. Granny would wind up the day by saying someday a prince charming would come riding on a white horse and take her away to a happy life.

Akruti placed the laptop on a cushion and opened the chat window which revealed 10 offline messages. It read;

"Prince charming: Hello had been busy at work.

How are you? Can’t get you online these days…how is the art work going?

You said about an art exhibition coming up. Hope the preparations are going on fine.

Take care of yourself and keep in touch.

Ah…I bought a book named ‘Art and Understanding’. I hope it will help me understand your work better when we meet.

This chat it has become a habit and I get bored when we don’t chat at all!

See you later.

Bye for now!

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She replied to the messages saying she was too busy with the preparations and would chat when it is done. This Prince charming though not the one granny used to talk about had a solution to any problems. At least what ever she had.

Early the next day, she stood before the full view mirror revaluating her dress sense. She tried to get rid off a few strands of hair floating over her cheek looking at the mirror and trying to pin them behind her ear by placing her pair of spectacles tightly over it.

Akruti drove her car to the Mauve Arts Studio, her second home and workshop. She looked at the human faces that smiled at her. Two of them were her staff coordinators, one a press photographer and the last one an art collector.

In her room, Falak was busy making the final draft of the art brochure. She left her work halfway and headed to the large desk where Akruti sat. She cleared the sheets of drawings scattered on the table. Neatly wiped the table and set a glass of juice on the table. She turned back and Akruti was behind her.

Falak held Akruti’s hand and looked at her face. Akruti gazed at Falak who winked at her and smiled.

Falak put the drawings neatly in a file and placed it in Akruti’s drawer.

Have the juice baby… Falak said.

Akruti stared at Falak in disagreement. Falak read Akruti’s reaction and apologized to her mistress for calling her baby.

By the way your smile is the culprit forcing me to call you baby Falak commented as she handed the glass of juice to Akruti.

Akruti didn’t fret as she knew Falak would never want to irritate her intentionally as Falak was her only friend. Falak’s Abba worked at Akruti’s home and when her mother died. Abba promised Akruti would never be alone. Falak did justice to her Abba’s word. She was a sister, friend and at times even a mother to Akruti. She read Akruti’s mind faster than any one did.

They went to the same school and Akruti’s father, Madhav Garg, a businessman with plenty money and a happy family only wished his daughter’s happiness. Falak could make Akruti’s smile always when rest of them failed.

Today Barun had come. He was at the gallery. Didn’t you see him? Falak passed a mischievous glance.

Akruti peered at Falak for a second and returned to work on her laptop.

He is a coward! He would have crept out seeing you in office Falak commented.

Akruti tapped on the table twice and Falak remained silent.

Barun set his camera on the desk and transferred the pictures to his computer. He then pasted a write up below the picture and mailed it to the editor. He took a print of the same and placed it safely inside a folder.

His black curly hair and thin jaw line made him look taller than he actually was. His beard was neatly done making it longer than stubble and shorter than a beard. His smile was like that of an innocent child and the dimples beneath the stubble would show up every time he looked at the picture of Akruti set on his work table.

Still romancing huh? Nikki asked Barun chewing the pencil tip.

What to do? She is one lady worth romancing… he said as he set out with his camera.

Why don’t you tell her? Nikki swirled her chair towards Barun.

I have to when the time is right. I can’t lose her by making a wrong move he said sternly.

Barun had joined the Mumbai Pulse as Creative Head five years back and since then, he has never had a turn back. He spent his off work hours in photography and researching Akruti. Five years on, he has not been able to express his feelings for the lady with no words. She was the best student and the most sought girl at college, yet her silence failed her in getting a close circle of friends or a crush to boast about. He had eyed her from the very first day in college. Falak followed Akruti like a shadow that kept him away from her.

At evening, Akruti sat gazing at the fountain. She had kept the colours and the canvas beside her. But they lay unattended.

Falak noticed the change in her mistress.

What happened to my mistress? she asked.

Akruti remained silent. Falak gently shook Akruti who looked at her with tears flowing down her cheeks.

Akruti…what happened. Are you not well? Did some hurt you? Falak bombarded the questions.

Akruti drew figures in thin air expressing her mind. Falak carefully observed her.

Why wouldn’t you talk to me if you are angry with your granny? Falak asked.

Akruti responded with better set of gestures.

She did say a prince will come on a white…. But that was when you were a child. It is silly to believe such things will happen

Akruti played swiftly with her hands and Falak turned pale.

It’s not that no one will like you. And the fact that you don’t speak …will not matter to the person who loves you Falak said as she sat beside Akruti.

I swear a prince will come. If he is your true prince, he shall read your mind and not wait for words she cheered Akruti.

Now cheer up. By the time the prince gets a horse, we shall work on our exhibition day after. Are you putting the new portrait in the collection? What is the price you expect? Falak asked taking her note pad.

Akruti wrote on the note pad, passed it to Falak and took her paint brush.

Half a crore? To the Orphanage? Interesting. Alright …we will make it she said patting Akruti and left her mistress to work.

As Madhav Garg walked out of his office in Delhi, he received a call from Nakul Dev, his business partner in Chicago.

Yes, tell me Nakul. I’m just leaving to the airport. I will be in Mumbai by tomorrow morning. Is it? At what time will you be here? Ok. That’s great I have not seen Anay since years. My manager will be at the airport to pick you and the stay is at my home till bhabhi is done with her work Madhav smiled as he put the mobile phone back into his pocket.

The next morning, Madhav went to Akruti’s room. She was asleep like an angel.

Poor girl. She missed her mother at an early age. I should have been with her. I’m a bad father he said as he slowly pulled his hand from her forehead.

He got up to leave but was pulled back. He saw Akruti clutching his arm still asleep. He sat beside her and touched her forehead. It was cold. He rested her hand on a cushion and left the room silently.

Falak…Falak… Madhav’s heavy voice echoed through the corridor and Falak was before him in no time.

Come …we need to talk he said taking her to his office room.

Falak you must be aware of my friend Nakul and his family. Well, they will be here tomorrow and shall be with us for a month. We have plans. I mean his son Anay and Akruti. They know each other. So we have planned to get them married. You know how much I’m worried about Akruti. With Anay, she will be happy as he knows everything about her. Falak, you ought to help me with this. I have always seen you as my own daughter. You have to convince Akruti to say yes to this proposal and don’t you think she has to settle with her family? he asked frowning.

Yes Sir…I will do what ever it takes to help you she assured.

In few hours, the bungalow was neatly decorated to welcome the guests. The family arrived at noon and a royal feast was served.

Akruti was at her studio when her father called up asking her to be home early. She picked up her bag and left the office. She went to her gallery before she left to check the paintings to be displayed at the exhibition the next day.

She looked at each image with fondness as if they were her own children. Walking through the corridor with her creation on either side, she walked to the extreme end when she saw a flash of light. Akruti walked towards the light. Barun stood at the extreme end with his third eye, the camera focused on the painting. The light flashed a couple of times and Barun smiled. He gently touched the dry paint. It was the first time Akruti saw his hidden dimples.

She cleared her throat breaking silence. Barun looked around for signs of human life in the vicinity. There was no one. He gazed at Akruti who stood beside him. Curly black hair, thick long eyebrows followed by a pair of large eyes. Long nose and a pair of rosy lips made her beautiful face. Her denim shirt and white trousers, unusual attire added to her simplicity. She clutched the strap of her bag tight. She looked at Barun whose eyes were fixed on her. She felt nervous and turned to leave.

Akruti he called.

She turned around and he stepped towards her.

I have…I must tell you…I…I have…I he stammered and swallowed his words.

He moved closer and she took a step back. Her head hit softly on the canvas. He moved close enough for she could feel him breath. She closed her eyes.

He looked her, smiled and walked away. She stood at the corridor all alone with her eyes closed.

Akruti…Akruti…why are you standing here all alone? Sir had called to ask if you had left. He had asked me to take you home with me Falak gasped for breath. She clenched Akruti’s fist and trotted to the exit. Akruti followed Falak and in few minutes, they were before Madhav.

Come my children. Come here. Nakul, she’s my princess. You haven’t seen her lately…have you? he asked.

No, the last time I met her she was in her fifth grade. You have grown into a beautiful young lady! Nakul replied as he pinched Akruti’s cheeks.

She could see Falak giggle behind her father.

Nakul extended his hand towards a plump yet sweet looking lady who stood beside him.

And this is my lovely wife Sunanda. She will be travelling to some temples here. You will get to see her on and off though. She can’t stay away from her son for too long he said winking at his better half.

Where’s Anay? Madhav asked scanning the living room.

Oh…he’s at the garden. Kids now days are too shy to be with elders. Go and meet him dear, Sunanda ushered Akruti to the garden.

She looked at her father before leaving. He had a grin on his face.

Anay was at the garden plucking flowers when Akruti stepped out. Falak followed Akruti.

Akruti looked at Falak and then pointed towards Anay. Her eyebrows rose to sharp lines.

Sir, please don’t pluck the flowers. Akruti… Falak stopped as Anay ignored her and walked towards Akruti. He handed the bunch of flowers to Falak as he passed.

Hey there…you have changed a lot. Remember me? We used to be in the same class at school. Ah…of course, I have grown bit muscular and handsome. Can’t blame you if you don’t recognize… Anay started off with his lecture not leaving a gap for Akruti to excuse herself. She tried to walk away but he mistook it for a leisure walk and joined her.

She sighed as he blabbered about his study abroad and his work with Trump, the business lord in U.S.A. He boasted about his life style and his passion, while Akruti remained silent.

Hey you got nothing to say? he asked her.

Akruti passed a stare and walked away. He stood with a blank expression.

Falak walked to Anay.

She does not like anyone plucking the flowers and I hope you remember she does not speak Falak said.

Anay stood scratching his head.

Akruti threw the cushions on her bed and leapt on her bed. She took the laptop and opened her chat box.

She clicked the link Prince charming and typed:

Hi…feel suffocating. At times I really feel odd when people fail to understand others

The tab blinked as a message read:

What happened Princess?

She typed what had happened at the garden with Anay and how she felt hurt when she was expected to talk.

I wish people could understand each other even without exchange of words she clicked.

They do…just that you fail to see them. Close your eyes and look at those around you. You will definitely find good people who read your mind and care for you, the reply came instantly.

She closed her eyes. Granny, Falak, Daddy, her staff. All of them understand her well without words. All of sudden Barun’s face appeared and she opened her eyes. She panted.

He too left her alone when she felt uneasy, she thought.

Yes, you have magic in your words. Thanks for your support. Will chat later. See you, she typed and shut her laptop.

The D day arrived. Falak kept herself busy in discussing about the art work to the viewers, while Akruti stood silent in one corner. She smiled each time she was cheered. Her eyes searched for Barun. She had to apologise for not giving him a chance to speak, she thought. He was no where.

Falak walked to Akruti.

"What’s wrong are you still thinking about the garden and Anay? Leave it