Love's Not Time's Fool

By Prof. Vikas Sharma

An effort has been made in Love's Not Time's Fool to inspire the readers to face social and economic problems without feeling tense. The author has attached due importance to the rights of women and attracts the attention of the rich people towards the problems of widows, orphans and helpless old people. The theme of love has been painted with the colours of false love. extra-marital affairs and flirtations for merely sexual satisfaction but then the depth of pure love for marriage has been proved victorious towards the end. Richa is bold enough to accept her club-footed son Amitabh and pays money regularly to Nora to take care of this child. She hides this fact from her husband Malya who gets injured playing cricket. As an impotent man he continues to work hard for footwear products and dies with another hit of baseball in U.S.A. Richa, a young widow, gets married with her loving employee Abhilash. The positive side of life has aptly been elaborated in this novel so as to encourage readers to have patience in adverse circumstances. The terrible effects of the pandemic have been described in details and hence the novel is a criticism of life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Diamond Books
• Release date: Jun 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9789355990457

Book preview

1

Early morning, I entered my home library to study. I had read a few novels written by Salman Rushdie last month and then switched over to novels of Vladimir Nabokov. I fail to understand why his novel Lolita has been banned in a few countries though readers manage to study D.H. Lawrence’s Women In Love, Emile Zola’s Nana and The Company of Women by Khushwant Singh. As I get enough time to study books of my choice, I prefer to continue reading sublime books that are well-known all over the world. Since my late father-in-law had been an I.A.S. Officer, he had studied major books on History, World Geography, Social science, Botany, Zoology and Political Theories. In his times every student aspiring for I.A.S. had to equip himself with the events of world history and international affairs. As general knowledge, general English and essay writing used to be compulsory papers in those days, there were many books on these subjects in my library. I enjoyed reading essays such as Literature As Mirror of Life, Creativity And Criticism, Colonialism In Literature, Post-Colonialism In Literature, Information Revolution, Renaissance Movement In England, French Revolution And Its Impact On Romantic Poets and Bolshevik Revolution.

As I started looking for a new book, I felt I needed some new books of my taste. How long could I depend upon the books that were bought fifty years ago by my father-in-law or even twenty-five years ago by my worthy husband Malya Vaidik on Business Management.

While selecting a book for my next reading I recollected the remark of Dr Har Dayal in his essay entitled Intellectual Culture. He had a photographic memory and could repeat every book that he had studied. He asserted the importance of reading daily as eating is essential to keep the body fit and healthy. He aptly lamented the human tendency of eating four-five times a day but rarely reading and thus, ignoring their mental growth though they are very conscious of physical growth. So, I decided to go to the book market in the evening and buy some new books for my leisure time so that I may be up to the mark in the field of knowledge. Definitely, I could afford to buy books irrespective of their rising prices. Of course, I pity the modern students who spend more than a thousand rupees on mobile phones and ignore the books that may help them positively in getting good jobs. My opinion is — No good jobs without reading sublime books are available in the Indian market now. But alas! Who cares for my opinion on books and intellectual enlightenment? But I also ignore the people who ignore books and are not prepared for any discussion on socio-ethical and eco-political matters. Why can’t modern students be ready for communication in Hindi and English all the time? How can they be afraid of speaking in conferences and seminars? Why don’t they visit their college library where grand books are gathering dust? Not only this, only a very little percentage of students is interested in playing games with perfection. The country does not get any glory at Olympic Games, Grand Slam Tennis or even World Test Matches. How sad?

I asked my driver Seenu to reach the bungalow by 4 P.M. so that I might visit the market for buying books. After lunch, I took a nap and then enjoyed a cup of coffee. As I wore a woolen high neck pullover and trousers, I admired my figure. My boobs appeared bulging out in this tight pullover and my hips appeared out of tight trousers. High-heel shoes have always been my favorite and I put them on. I took a little Ponds’ cream from the makeup box and applied it on my face. But then I rubbed my face with a dry towel to remove the oil that might have gathered on the face and the cheeks. I polished my face with another less oily cream and gave a touch of fine compact powder. Victoria Secret perfumes have been always dear to me and I spray a little behind my ears and then some more on my wrists. Well, I was not a warrior going to win any battle and my intentions were pure in using these products. My lips are smooth and rosy and yet I applied Laura’s lipstick to them. As I dressed my hair, I felt a little proud of myself as none of them had turned grey. The driver reached home at the right time and rang the bell. Before coming out of home, I looked into the mirror again to find out if anything was lacking in my physical personality. Since every part of the body appeared perfect to me, I came out and asked the driver to take me to Hospital Road where book shops are located.

After visiting a few book stores full of books, I still could not find any attractive books that would appeal to my aesthetic taste. As I pondered upon this question, it came to my mind to study some biographies of famous people like Hitler, Dr Samuel Johnson, R.K. Narayan, Mahatma Gandhi, R.N. Tagore, Dr Radhakrishnan or Pt. J.L. Nehru. I asked the salesman to find out the biographies that the book depot had in stock at the moment. After searching the stock of books he came out with the biographies of Hitler and R.K. Narayan. He asked me to leave my address and phone number so that other biographies may be arranged from the publishers. While he was preparing the receipt for my two books, I saw a young student buying books for his next I.A.S. examinations.

This student wanted books on General Knowledge, General English, Essay Writing (latest edition), Indian Culture And History (by A.L. Bhasam), World History (by J.L. Nehru), World Geography (by Dr Jagdish Singh) and Political Theories (by Dr M.G. Gupta). Fortunately or unfortunately all these books were available on this Lakshmi Narain Book Depot but the total cost of the books was more than twenty-five hundred rupees. Unfortunately, the young man had only seven hundred rupees in his pocket. So, he chose to buy the first three books on compulsory papers and told the salesman to preserve the other four books for his next arrival. But the salesman lost his temper and misbehaved with him — ‘Why did you ask me for a lot of books if you had only a little money in your pocket? This is quite a senseless way of buying books. I had to search them out for you and now you ask me to preserve them for you for your next arrival. What the hell!’

I heard the argument though the student tendered an apology for making trouble to him. But, the salesman was not prepared to surrender easily and failed to appreciate the apologetic conduct of the student. Before the situation could take a bad turn, I came forward to help the student. I asked the salesman to prepare the receipt for all the books and offered my credit card for payment of eighteen hundred rupees. As the student felt hesitant, I said that ‘You can pay me later on. But the next time these books may run out of stock and may not be available here.’ I added.

‘I am Richa Pandit, the manufacturer of Peppe & Tette Footwear.’

‘I am Abhilash studying in St. John’s College, Agra for M.Com. I wish to be an I.A.S. officer and for the examination, I wanted to buy books. But then I never expected that the cost of books has gone up so much. Really thank you Madam!’

‘It is all right. If you need some more books for I.A.S. you can accompany me just now and find out in my personal library if any book suits your need?’

He said — ‘Fine, thank you.’

So he had lost a bit of his hesitation and after shaking hands, he entered my car. As I entered the back seat, he preferred to sit by the driver’s side. But I asked him to come near me on the back seat.

Usually, I used to take coffee at the Nest while returning home. Today also I had decided to have coffee at this simple restaurant. But then I preferred to reach home with Abhilash and offer him coffee there.

I felt delighted having his company and entered the main gate of the large bungalow. Seeing the tennis court fixed with a permanent steel net, he felt surprised and asked me — ‘Who enjoys playing tennis here?’

‘My husband and myself.’

‘Really! You enjoy playing tennis?’

‘Yes! Is it shocking to you?’

‘No. Very few people play tennis in this country. And there are even lesser number of women tennis players here.’ He said.

‘Do you play tennis?’ I asked him with curiosity.

‘Yes. A bit. However, I have not yet won any Inter-university tennis tournament. Frankly speaking, boys of my age only enjoy flirting with girls and seeking films in the dark. There is only one girl Mikki in my college who often plays tennis. Since, the college can’t afford a tennis coach for three-four players, he was terminated last month. So, Mikki could not learn much. Only on Sundays we do our practice if both of us are free. Sonu and Siddharth also play tennis but actually, they are pretenders and not real tennis players. Often Mikki tries to cheat me in game points instead of improving her game. Moreover, there is no big wall in the college campus for practice.’

‘If you wish to be a national player, I may help you.’ I said with a smile.

How can you help me in this project?’

‘Well, the only thing I can do is to manage your entire tennis coaching. You can call your coach if you have his address. There is nothing to worry about.’ I assured him.

‘But, why do you wish to pay handsomely for my coaching programme?’

‘Well, Abhi, then you’ll be coming to this court every evening for practice. I’ll also improve my game though I have no ambition to represent the nation at the world level. My days are long gone!’ I simply replied.

Again he looked at me, and I noticed his eyes stopping for a little while on my bosom although almost involuntarily. I asked him to change into tennis attire and provided him with a kit, and a pair of fleets and white socks. Within two minutes I came down in a white kit with two tennis rackets and balls. Without serving coffee, I invited him to play tennis with me. Abhi played nice and his serving method was pretty remarkable. He made me run on both sides of the court — left and right. My breathing became fast with all the running and he noticed the rise and fall of my breast. I found him observing my smooth and beautiful thighs but could not take advantage of his weakness. His game was pretty strong and it became difficult for me to cope with his stamina. According to my instruction, my driver Seenu served orange juice to both of us after every three games. Yet my throat was thirsty and it was so for the first time. I had played tennis with so many students and mature men but Abhi was unique among them all. Ultimately it became dark after two sets were over with the result 6:2. He felt jovial and demanded a ‘party and celebration’. Without feeling any shame and frustration, I shook hands with him after sets and promised to offer him a party to celebrate his victory and my defeat. After all, he had met me for the first time in his life and it was a pleasure to enjoy two sets of good tennis after many weeks.

Both of us left the court and entered the drawing-room. He wanted to put on his clothes and then leave but I asked him to stay to have a party and celebration. Yet he insisted — ‘I was just joking. It is O.K. Madam!’

‘No. No. You have to stay for dinner as I have not yet served you anything. It’ll be indecent to let you go without a party and dinner. I have asked the maid to prepare your dinner and don’t be formal now.’

‘O.K. Madam. As you please.’

I asked him to come upstairs for a bath as both of us were sweating. But he told me that he had no undergarments to change. I asked him not to worry about anything as he is at Richa’s home and not in a hotel. Then I showed him the washroom in which my husband Malya used to have a bath. I took a bath in the second washroom though there was only one partition glass between the two. He entered the washroom and removed the kit. But he sensed that I was having a shower in the attached washroom. The glass had a peculiar feature — he could only see my faint glimpse from his side but I could clearly see the person bathing in the second washroom. I found him standing by the glass to have a glimpse of my body but then I slid the glass. He was taken aback as he was not prepared to appear french before me. Since I too was french, I took his hand and asked him to have a bath together. After a mild hesitancy, he started enjoying my company and then I even applied soap on his body. That turned him on and I could see his erection in full glory.

He clasped my waist and embraced me tightly and then kissed my bazooms. I started kissing him for a few moments and the moderately warm water washed our soap and refreshed us. He wished to be in the tub with me but I ignored his desire. After this erotic romance in the washroom, I asked him — ‘Have you not seen a naked woman before?’

‘No. Not at all. A few friends watch pornography on their phones but I have no interest for that. Anyway, thanks for this courtesy!’

I gave him a woollen gown to put on and wore another gown myself. I had arranged for two glasses of champagne and some fruits in the personal drawing-room on the first floor. As I opened the bottle, he said — ‘I don’t take wine, Madam. Sorry!’

‘But champagne is no wine. It is taken for celebration and it causes no intoxication. There is nothing to harm you. Moreover, I can’t offer anything harmful to you at all. Was the pleasure in the washroom harmful?’ I asked him with a smile.

‘No.’

‘Then join me and come near me on the sofa.’

I filled both the glasses with champagne and then offered him a glass. We clinked our glasses for cheers and he took two sips. But he felt no distaste and hence continued to sip further. I humbly asked him to have saltish dry fruits and then apple bites. Then I asked him — ‘Do you have any girlfriend?’

‘Frankly speaking, I can’t afford a girlfriend. My father is a postmaster in Sikandrabad town near Bulandshahr and he sends me two thousand rupees a month. Since I wanted to study in English medium college and enjoy tennis at the same time, I chose this college. Two thousand rupees is a meagre amount in a city like Agra. You can estimate yourself.’

‘Of course, it is. But then I can solve your problem in case you are prepared