Deception

By Sivasankari

Sivasankari is a prolific Tamil author who has written with great awareness on social issues and social problems. Nationally recognised and honoured for her writings, she is the recipient of several awards. Her books have been translated into many Indian languages, English, Japanese and Ukrainian. Some of her major works are Oru Manithanin Kathai, Avan Nandu, Verillatha Marangal and Amma Chonna Kathaikal

Knit India Through Literature is Sivasankari's megaproject involving intense sourcing, research and translation of literature from 18 Indian languages, with a mission to introduce Indians to other Indians through culture and literature.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pustaka Digital Media
• Release date: Aug 12, 2019
• ISBN: 6580501803724

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Deception

Author:

Sivasankari

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

About the author

Sivasankari is a prolific Tamil author who has written with great awareness on social issues and social problems. Nationally recognised and honoured for her writings, she is the recipient of several awards. Her books have been translated into many Indian languages, English, Japanese and Ukrainian. Some of her major works are Oru Manithanin Kathai, Avan Nandu, Verillatha Marangal and Amma Chonna Kathaikal

Knit India Through Literature is Sivasankari's megaproject involving intense sourcing, research and translation of literature from 18 Indian languages, with a mission to introduce Indians to other Indians through culture and literature.

About the translator

Uma Girish is an award-winning freelance writer based in Chennai, India. Her short stories and personal essays have won awards and been published in American anthologies. Her translation of Sivasankari's short story Ayah was published in the Indian Literature section of the Sahitya Akademi. Recently, Uma placed second in an e-author short fiction contest sponsored by Oxford Bookstore, Penguin India and Reader's Digest. Her award-winning collection of five short stories has been published as an e-book by Oxford Bookstore.

CHAPTER 1

You've been crying!

She whimpered.

'Here... look up, let me see.'

Seeing her red-rimmed eyes, Giridhar drew her close to him and hugged her.

I don't feel like leaving, when you stand here looking so sad, Durga. Do you think it is going to be easy for me to stay away from you and the children? The only difference between us is that you cry openly, while I don't show my feelings. He drew her closer, bent and kissed her on the forehead.

Shall I call the Managing Director and say: Sorry, Sir, but I can't go'?

Durga tapped him on his head in playful admonition. 'Silly!'

'No, Durga, I'm serious. Being separated from you and living so far away...'

She placed a finger on his lips, stopping further speech.

You are being very childish, Giri. And just as you are about to leave!

'I can't help it. You think I haven't noticed how you've been looking the past four days? As the time to leave comes closer, the only thought I have is, how can I go away leaving you and the children... and for six months! No, I don't think I can go, Durga...!

'If people hear you, Giri, they'll laugh. To say this now, when you have to leave in two hours' time!'

'Let them laugh, I don't care. No one can understand how I feel.'

Durga buried her face in his chest. Playing with the buttons on his shirt, she spoke in a serious tone.

Giri, why do you feel so bad now? Are you worried about the children and me? You don't have to be. Think of all the good things awaiting you on your return your promotion as Works Manager, with a better salary, a bigger house, a car and other perks. Our life will only get better and better. Time will fly. Please bear it somehow.

Giridhar turned her chin to face him.

'Will it? You don't really believe that, do you? Look at me straight and say it!'

Before she could answer him, Jaggu came running in, shouting, Amma...' He looked thoroughly scared. Visu followed, looking mischievously at his brother.

'Appa, listen to Visu. He says that if I fall asleep you will leave me at home and take him alone to the airport.'

Giridhar lifted his son whose eyes shone with unshed tears at the prospect of being left behind.

'You think Appa would do that?'

Jaggu looked disbelievingly at his mother, seeking confirmation.

Durga shook her head, laughing.

But Visu says...

"He is just teasing you. Visu, don't tease your little brother.

Why shouldn't 1? He is so lazy. It's not even eight o'clock and he says he's feeling sleepy! So I said, okay, go and sleep. We'll leave you here and go to the airport.

Giridhar gave his son a loving pat on his head for this piece of adult wisdom. As he sat on the bed with the little fellow, Durga sat beside him, her arms round the older boy.

Appa, have you put away the list I gave you?

Yes.

And mine? his other son asked.

Yours too.

Don't forget the car, Appa-the one that goes vroom vroom when you hold the controls in your hand and press a button, just like the one Sudhir's father got him from America.

You want a car, of all things? I've asked for a rocket. When I set it up in the garden, switch it on and say 'three, two, one, zero,' it will zoom up into the air, you know? I will be Rakesh Sharma and I'll set off in a rocket!

Jaggu watched this performance open-mouthed as Visu spread his hands wide apart and boasted.

'Will it fly high? You'll be a Rakesh Sharma?'

Oh, sure! Jaggu looked up at his father. I don't want a car, Appa. I want a rocket, just like Visu's.

'Hey! I asked first. The rocket is for me. You buy him a car, Appa.'

'No, Appa, buy me a rocket, too!'

Durga held the fighting boys close to her and kissed them both. 'All right, that's enough,' she said. 'Both of you will get everything you have asked for! Now, run along outside. Appa has to get ready. It's getting late.'

The boys left the place, still arguing. 'No, only for me, not for you.' Durga smiled at her husband.

'How am I going to stay away from you and the children for six months, Durga? And don't say: 'If you make up your mind, you can do it'. At least you are not going to be quite so alone, you have the children. What will I do?'

Durga laughed again at Giridhar's outburst. She tried to calm him with a mixture of mock-anger and fun.

'There you go again! Maybe you should have told your MD that your wife and children come first and you'd rather be with them than go on foreign trips and gain promotions. Maybe Srinivasan would have been glad of the chance. He certainly deserved it, with all those trips he made to the MD's house carrying baskets of fruit!'

Her words, meant to rouse the man who sat before her with downcast eyes, had the intended effect. Giridhar grabbed hold of her in a fierce hug.

Now you are saying completely contrary things! You were the one who brainwashed me into accepting this chance by telling me that opportunity only knocks once. It was you who gave me the courage to brace myself to take the chance despite our separation!

'Yes I did. But I don't think I would have if I had known how you would crib about this separation!'

"Okay, I accept. I