Untold Ail

By Valsa Joseph

It is a combination of imagination, narration and facts and possibilities. The main plot is the love story of Raju and Lily who start a liking for each other in a railway carriage while traveling. The girl was quite indifferent and unaware of the boy's liking of her but was induced to return the boy's affection due to his continuous visits to her, talks and timely help. Both were away from homes for studies and work and find enough time to spend together. They go to tours with other picnic groups and visit historical places depicting cultural and artistic spots of significance. They take resolution to get married though both knew that was not easy as they differed in religion, culture and mother tongues. But they knew each other for three years and was not easy to part with. When Raju finished his BDS and Lily still doing B.Ed. course the former left for his home and parents who were Hindus bluntly opposed his desire to marry a Christian girl. Lily continued to work as a teacher away from her state, quite hopefully to unite with Raju in marriage though he did not contact her at all for ten months. In those days the main means of conveyance was only mailing postal letters. Hardly any home had a telephone. To her desperation she got a reply letter from Raju stating that he was married and the father of a baby daughter. Lily was bitterly sad, upset and repugnant. She could not take the message in the letter as it was Raju who was bent on stabilizing their relation. She was angry more than being sad and went her way to agree with a marriage proposed by her parents. In those days, say four or five decades ago ninety percent of the marriages in India were arranged. Even to this day the same tradition is going on mostly. The two proposals of Vinatha and Masood Mahmood brought for Raju and Lily respectively are interesting and good ones but rejected by both. Indian marriages are arranged even to this day but are not made marriages like the time old ones. The boy and the girl are given freedom to accept or reject the proposed alliances. In Indian tradition the arranged marriages go well. Only at the end of the story it is brought to light that Raju was an ardent and sincere lover who sacrificed his life for Lily. Actually, he was never married and never a father. As soon as he had reached his parents, they had brought a lady doctor's proposal for him which he refused. Under the pretext of getting some certificates for the starting of a clinic and practice he planned to go to Lily. But unluckily on the way to the telephone booth crossing the road, a truck hit him, and he fell to the road unconscious, his right knee being crushed and resulted in cutting his leg from above the knee. He could walk only with the aid of crutches. As he did not want to come to Lily's life handicapped, waited for ten months to create the story of his marriage and baby. 'Raju' was the pet name his lover had called him. When he was healed his dental clinic was named after that Dr. J.C. Raju Dental Clinic. Lily in her old age as she had dental problems went through the website in search of a dental surgeon and she saw the name of the clinic and contacted and to her great surprise it was her onetime lover's clinic. The communications were carried out by Dr. Raju's assistant Dr. Suraj. Lately Raju had open heart surgery which weakened him badly- could neither attend a phone call or handle a keyboard to type due to shivering and shaking of the body. The parents who rejected Lily to be Raju's wife were willing to accept her when he was crippled after the accident and the surgery. But Raju had made up a story which made Lily hate him. The educational tour and visiting the places like Elephanta Caves in Bombay, Ajanta Ellora caves are well explained giving a picturesque description. The Charminar, Salarjung Museum and the life like statues pictorial details will no doubt delight the readers. The Golkonda Fort, the Kutab Shahi tombs are also explained.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098356477

Book preview

unselfishness.

Chapter 1

Friendship in a railway compartment

I’m downcast, nothing can uplift me,

I’m stopped, sunk and withered in dismay

Confined to confusion, agony and despair deep

Dipped, soaked and drowned, no shore nor bank

Nothing can add, minus, to alter

My sunken and tortured soul

Soul mine is popping out to be freed

From the bondage of flesh covered cells

Welcome, Welcome warm welcome to my last repose

Glad am I to reach my slumber

Enough and more had I

No more room in my heart and brain

So, I bade ‘bye’ to my friend from the railway platform, got into a seat, no reservation, general compartment and my final wave to her. The whistle howled, the slow swaying movement of the train patted me too. I always liked and enjoyed it. The wagon started gathering speed and sound, many hurried in from the platform. No seats at all, all trying to push in, I had one having got in time. A man or should I say boy of my age maybe, asked me politely with a soft voice and facial expression if he could squeeze in adjusting to my seat. I could not but be civil in return anyone else would do it even without being polite or even with rough attitude. It was nearing 3 P.M. Every passenger got accommodated somehow or the other. Those who traveled in train 40 years ago can really feel the rush, push and pull. The guy who took the seat near me

what is your name?

Answer was Lily

Not lotus?

No, what is yours?

Dinesh. Where do you go? what do you do!

I go to Nampally, Hyderabad, going to work as a teacher. what about you?"

Dinesh- Ok. In Hyderabad, where?

Lily- Virgin Mary’s Crescent Hostel near GPO

Dinesh- You said you are a teacher, going to be Nun?

Lily- right now thinking to be a teacher in Crescent school near Charminar I will stay in that Hostel.

Dinesh- I got it. Now about me – am a medical student -dental- in Osmania Medical College near to Charminar.

Lily- Good to know. I’m from Kerala and you?

Dinesh- Though your English sounded different, I thought you are from North India. I’m from Jaipur. Are you a Hindu!"

Lily- What talk and questions. You like only Hindus and North Indians?

Dinesh- Not at all. Your appearance made me think that. I also had a doubt if you were from Bangalore as you got in from there.

Lily- Funny. So, you are from Bangalore?

Laughter for both. Then came the next station, don’t remember the name. Before the train came to a standstill he went out. The stop was for fifteen minutes, coffee station. He returned in time with snacks in one hand and gravied chutney in the other. He offered me to take from his packet held in the hand. He was biting and dipping and eating asking me to do the same. I have never done such kind of biting and dipping in company but not to make him offended did it. Later he told me that he did it on purpose and we laughed together.

We went on talking. Both of us were quite normal in our talks and dealings and also in our facial expressions. So, no one around us could take us to be new friends. The tea bearers were entering the compartment every now and then. He was generous enough to buy the items brought. It was almost getting dark and everyone was eager to find a spot to repose. There were six berths in each cabin and the smartest reserved the top ones. As many passengers were squeezed in all could not be accommodated with sleeping facilities. Generous ones shared the sleepers as they were not paired ones. The dinner station reached only by 9P.M. Many had food with them. The cabin and the platform were busy and noisy. The dinner bearers added to it. I had my dinner wrapped in softened banana leaves, rice, fried beef and a little vegetable. My dinner was hardly sufficient for me as I take small quantity during journey. Though Dinesh had no dinner with him he didn’t buy one telling me that he would share mine. I didn’t like the idea of eating the dinner from the same wrapping. But how could I offend him? So, the rice in the banana leaf was opened and kept in my lap and he too joined eating. Both of us started eating from each side. Dinesh said the curries were very delicious. I ate only very little as I hated eating sharing with any one from the same plate. I was the same ever with my own siblings and later with even my own kids. I had always been particular that I fed my kids (3) before even serving my food. It is very strange I know but pity I am that. I don’t like anyone feeding me bringing the fingers to my mouth and I never did it to anybody other than my kids when they were very small for spoon feeding. Everyone finds fault with me for my way. They don’t ask me how was kissing on the lips were done! My simple answer is that, that action is emotional, a bit starting of sexual feelings and the sense of silly cleanliness is forgotten, overtaken.

Dinesh told me that he saw my dinner packet and had decided to share with me as we did, to make me more attached to him. That was the reason why dinner was not bought. The way both of us behaved caused no doubts in the mind or thinking of the co-travelers. They didn’t take us to be friends or lovers but life partners. They told us we will give room for you both on this sleeper, you can share and sleep. So, saying the man who was sitting with us moved to the opposite side sleeper. I told him don’t go, I won’t sleep during the travel, I would sit near the window seat and watch outside.

Even then that guy being super civil made place for us. Then Dinesh asked me to lie down to which I gave the answer by shrugging my shoulder and closing my eyes and scooted over to the window corner. Dinesh opened his bag, took a bed sheet and lay down on the sleeper. I took my bed sheet, wrapped myself and continued to sit where I was already seated. Dinesh was unable to sleep, he too sat near me and asked the other guy to squeeze in and lie down next to him which he did being sleepy. Gradually everyone started to nod or sleep. Nobody was watching both of us as there was no shadow of doubt about who we were to each other. Dinesh looked at me, I could understand that, so too I did in return. Smiles bloomed on each faces and lips. I stooped down my eyes more than half closed. I never thought Dinesh would do anything improper. Soon I felt his left hand touching my right- hand finger, soon fingers, very soon it came to hold on my wrist and then clasped tight. I didn’t want it but didn’t resist. Then hand in hand we sat without talking anything. After a while he said, so?

I, so what? Dinesh you like me?

I only if you mean any permanency?

Dinesh- as true as I exist, Hum.

I – really?

Dinesh- why a question, a doubt?

I-We know nothing about each other. How to come to quick decisions? Will regret in future. I’m only a half teacher. You are a medico. Gulf of difference in status. Again, you are a North Indian and I am a South Indian. Your name denotes you are a Hindu and I am Lily Joseph-a Christian. How these disparities will match to smooth running. Moreover, objections from parents of both the sides.

Dinesh- I will explain one by one. In appearance we match. You are fair and beautiful. My complexion and features match yours. I think I am handsome too. It doesn’t matter our religions. I will come to church with you, I don’t insist you as I know you Christians are rather strict. About Parents! I cannot tell a lie, We are Rajputs by origin. My parents will not agree at all. But I will convince them. You do the same. Why do you say you are a half teacher? I don’t care whether you earn money or go to work.

My reply was- Let me talk about the last question first. I am only B.A. Never did BEd degree. As you solved all the problems at one sitting and one talk, I add to it – in politics and love everything is right and good.

Dinesh- you said it smart and intelligent one. I need and want one like you.

I replied- one like me? There are many like me.

Dinesh- you hooked me in your own words, I correct it, I need and want you.

The chat was going on, all the passengers were sleeping. Only we were awake. As the company was good and the conversation interesting the tediousness of the sleepless journey was not felt. Till then I really had not looked properly into his face but he was doing it into mine every now and then and I was feeling shy and timid. The different stations were passing by. Being an express one the train simply whistled by the small stations.

It was a happening of fifty years ago in my twenty -two years of age. It was almost midnight and I was feeling sleepy. The rocking movement of the train was quite soothing. Dinesh had already fallen to sleep and started leaning on to my shoulder to which I tried to awaken him and he was up.

He asked, what is the name of the hostel that you are going to stay?

I – "I’m going there for the first time and to the school too, a new school and new stay. I will be staying in St. Mary’s Convent Hostel. This is Saturday night. I will reach Nampally, Hyderabad by 8A.M. Sunday. On Monday morning I’m supposed to be at Crescent school at 9A.M.

Dinesh- it sounds that you worked in some other school. Where was that Lily?

I said, it’s all a long story. Don’t you want to sleep? I feel drowsy to relate all that.

Dinesh- I am more than interested to hear if you don’t mind sharing that. I like listening to you and your talk is interesting to me. Keep going.

I, are you sure you don’t want to sleep?

Dinesh- please go on----please Lily.

I finished my B.A. exam and the result was not yet out. Usually as you know one cannot enter BEd degree the very coming scholastic year. So, I went home to Kerala. It was too hard at the thought of doing nothing for the whole of one year.

My house was somewhat like in a village, yet not far from a posh town of Pala. My parents, siblings and I had a good time together but I hated to stay home doing nothing. Kerala is a land beautiful with its greeneries and vegetations everywhere. Ours was not a rich family but above average having many facilities of those days which many didn’t have. My mother was from a very rich family and my dad was an officer. No balance or surplus money as we were eleven kids and lived rather luxuriously.

It came into my mind that in the college where I studied, Maris Stella, Vijayawada, I had a couple of friends, twin sisters whose mother had an English medium school in Chirala. I wasted no time, sent my brother to the post office and got an inland letter cover. In those days no homes had telephones, telephone lines were available in cities and big towns and big institutions. I wrote a letter to my twin friends Pat and Joan asking for a teacher’s job in their mother’s school.

No sooner did my letter reach them, a telegram was sent to me, come any time and I was very happy. I made the packing soon, the very next day got into the train to Vijayawada which would drop me at Chirala. As I informed them the girls came to the station to pick me. I was cordially welcomed by the mother of my friends who was the manageress and headmistress of the school. When I finished my bath and break-fast I was called to the office room which was adjacent to the hostel bedroom where I was shown to as soon as I came. It was a nasty room having ten beds one mine and the rest for the tenth -grade girls. There was no privacy at all. There was only one toilet