STORY TELLER

Renuka looked out of her window towards the gathering rain clouds .It looked as if it was going to rain .She loved rains because it was so romantic .Her passion for rain started since her school days. When she used to steal a shower in the celestial showers with out her parents` knowledge. That was all so long ago. Now she was twenty eight and still unmarried. But there was something that was so important in her life. Yes! She was an acclaimed writer now. Her past two novels had brought in a lot of accolades and prizes for her. The fame and its fringed benefits were loneliness. Come to think of it she was not exactly lonely .She had a very loving and caring boyfriend .In fact it was to him that she would read out all her novels even before she showed anyone of her publishers or friends .Chetan, was his name…….. .
He met her on a rainy day .That was also on that rainy day that her love bloomed in her heart. Renuka was walking through an empty street after visiting one of her friends. But it rained unexpectedly and she had no shelter to run in to. But she used that opportunity to get wet once again .Reminiscing her younger days she sloshed through the muddy lane. Quite unexpectedly, a car stopped in front of her. A very smart looking guy looked out .He was, she felt, in his late thirties. She stopped to enquire .To her surprise she found him smiling .He had the kindest smile she had ever seen on a person .Instantly she liked him ,But herself respect did not allow her to exhibit her feelings. “Want a lift’? He asked her without taking the eyes of her .He seemed Amused with her .He was looking intensely at her without staring.” Don’t worry .You would be safe with me .Please don't be apprehensive .I have seen you ever so many times .Because I live quite near your house.” He seemed to convince her of his intentions.” That is ok’. But I don't mind walking .I am almost near the auto stand.” She replied without hesitation.” It is ok, if
you don't want a lift .I was only trying to help” Saying thus he drove of .But his image did not drive out of her mind .Something clicked well the moment she saw him .May be that was what the writers called as love at first sight .”Come on Renuka “Don't act like a love sick teenager .You are a grown up adult .And that too an accomplished writer. She reminded herself. Walking in the rain always made her very romantic .The writer’s instincts instilled many passionate thoughts in her!! She was well past her nuptial years .Maybe that was also another reason for her wound up nerves. Giving all the romantic moods a shrug and a sheepish smile she walked towards the auto stand. Renuka was the only child of her parents. They were still in her native land in Kerala .But she was here in Coimbatore because she had a job as a copywriter in a very famous advertising company .Journalism and modeling were two fields she was very crazy about.
She had a post graduate degree in Visual media too. Renuka was always a very independent child .Although she was born in a remote village in Kerala, her thoughts and ambition were very advanced and forward. Her father was a very reputed farmer there. Her village was called Vattapara .The name itself denoted the geography of that area. Yes it was full of rocks and hard soil .There was even a fable attached to its origin about how it got its name Vattapara (which in Malayalam language means round rock). One day while Renuka and her school mates were browsing through the forest area of that village for flowers they met Parukutty amma .She was the story teller of that village .Every child in that village was very fond of Parukutty amma .Because she told them umpteen folklore .
So many age old stories of kings and queens and even giants and notorious and ruthless ruffians who lived there not so long ago .She also told them the story about how that village got it’s name “Vattapara”. ”There was once a huge rocky mountain here .But no one was able to access the height of it .So once a group of young men decided to explore high in to that rocky mountain’’ ‘Parukutty amma kept the children enthralled with her story telling capacity
She continued “These young men climbed up and up .They were not able to access its peak. And they did not want to return back without finding the peak .Soon it grew dark. The young men started to worry .A few even wanted to return.But their false pride did not allow them to succumb to their physical needs and short comings.” Parukutty amma stopped for a moment before starting .She had wanted the entire situation to have a tempo. Because she knew that the children were simply enthralled. ``At last when it grew dark they lay down on a crevice of the mountain to wait for the sunlight. But no one knows what had happened to those young men .Because none of them came back. Their parents waited with anxiety and sorrow .The entire village went in to mourning .But in vain..
Then after a few months there occurred a huge rain and storm .Seems every ounce of life vanished from here in that storm. But after many years when life happened here, there wasn't any huge rock mountain .Instead there were a few round rocks .Even now the people here believe that those rocks represent those young men.”Parukutty amma looked up seriously at the children, as if she had accomplished a great honour to that village. Renuka was very interested in hearing stories although she knew that most of the time Parukutty amma was fabricating tales .Still she enjoyed it .That imagination and that way of delivering it all were a kind of fascination for her .She often wondered whether her literary abilities owe a lot to those childhood story times……
Getting home from the rain she felt herself thinking about that person who had wanted to give her a lift. Why. Why was she thinking about him .She who boasted a lot about her power to draw a line where men were concerned? She was in a self-imposed celibacy for reasons even she did not know .But one thing was sure .That was she was falling in love .Yes it was strange .But very true .
Living alone in a two room apartment was not a new thing to her .Since her publishing days she was often thinking of bringing her parents to Coimbatore .But her father often nullified her wish .Because he did not want to leave his farming at all costs .She left it at that .She had some good neighbours .So even she did not mind her lonely existence .Besides half the time she was away from her house .House to her was just a place to rest her tired self and to type her stories …
The very next day when she was about to go to the office, She found the same stranger standing somewhat adjacent to her house .He was buying something from a shop there. On seeing her he showed recognition .She smiled and crossed the road to him. ”Why, do you stay any where near here?” She enquired.” Not here .But a few yards away from here.” I often come here for cigarettes. I have often seen you going to the office .That was why I offered to give you a lift .But I am sure you must have mistaken my intentions.” He stopped apologetically .Renuka was emphatic when she said a loud “No”. She did not want to appear more vulnerable .So she said “Actually it is me who should be apologetic to you. Since I never noticed a person who recognizes me so much .I am so sorry .It is one of my weak points .I seldom remember faces .Any way a belated thanks for that offer to take me home …
That was how it started. A sudden and unexpected start for a long and beautiful relationship…. Cheat and Renuka had so much in common.
The most important of it all was their literary interests .Both loved to read as well as write .But Chetan was more into poetry .Although Renuka was not all that interested in poetry ,she pretended interest for the sake of Chetan.. But by and by she started getting interested in the vistas of a poetic expression. Renuka discussed all her writings with him and he gave her genuine and intelligent suggestions too at times..
Usually the writer skips his or her own mistakes but a critic would be able to pinpoint the pros and cons .Chetan was doing exactly that for her .Their love culminated in to something very profound and interesting. They both never brought up the question of marriage .Because they both were against the institution of marriage .Chetan have had some bitter memories attached to the relation ship and it’s depth. She once asked him “Chetan why don't you ever insist on a marriage between us? ‘His answer was spontaneous.” Because I don't want us to ever part .If we marry we would be under a kind of obligation to forsake our real needs.” Why do you feel that we would be forsaking our real needs and aspirations ,once we marry .We love each other so much .So why are you apprehensive ?” Renuka probed deeper.” I know you find my statement very weird .But that is because I have a strong and solid reason to hate that custom .` ` Chetan was pensive for a split second .Renuka found a strong sadness pass over his entire mood .Chetan was finding it difficult to hide his feelings .”I have reason to hate marriage, Renuka .Because I feel that it is a kind of shackle on you .It prevents you from an escape which you might want.” Chetan was talking in riddles .But Renuka understood his difficulty.” I understand Chetan, I don't want to probe.” She concluded .But Chetan was insistent .``No Renuka ,you must know why I am against marriage .Or at least not in a jiffy .You know Renuka ,My dad was a golden hearted man .But for some reason unknown to me my mother was always at crossroads with him .But my mother too was a good lady .I don't know what went wrong between them initially .But come to think of it ,I feel that my father was not the type of man my mother craved for .May be that was why she was always away from the house ..But dad was always there to help me with my problems and troubles .It was to him that I went when I was in any kind of problems.” Chetan was very thoughtful and had a faraway look about him ,So
Renuka did not stop or hinder his volley of words or thoughts .She let him spill it all out .At least he would be able to get peace of mind thus.
Chetan continued ‘I needed mother at times for moral support .But she was not there .So once I asked her, her reason for being away from home always. She was tongue tied .Not because she did not have an answer .But because she did not know how to explain it to me. She must have had a boyfriend, with whom she vibed well .May be dad was not all that good as was expected, or may be the fault was not with either of them but with the institution called marriage .Whatever be the reason, I feel that one should be very confident and confirmed about their relationship before they get united in wedlock .Otherwise it would be a dead weight. ’He concluded.”‘ Now where are your parents? Are they with you?” Renuka was interested now.” No My mother has gone away .My dad was with me .But he died last year of cardiac arrest .Since I was their only issue ,I am a free bird now .”He tried to make the situation and his present position a light one .Because he did not want anyone to sympathize with him. Renuka understood his hatred for wedlock.” Ok Chetan, we shall wait some more to double confirm our need for each other. I am willing to wait .Because it is your happiness that is foremost for me.”Look at me .Even I am in a self induced celibacy .But I feel that it is time to break it .You are the person to whom my heart have responded well .I can feel it in me.”
Renuka was just talking to herself .She knew that she loved him very much and she also knew that he too loved her .But he was not ready yet .Her love for him was so intense that she understood his apprehensions very well “Renuka ..You are so nice. “With that he embraced her. The kiss he planted on her lips said it all for her .He loved her deeply and completely .But he was afraid to admit it all so soon.” Darling “he was whispering in her ears .I love you so much .I know that you can make my life complete. It is just that I need some more time .The moment I set eyes on you I had decided that you would be my woman.”
With that he started kissing her passionately.
Time stood still for that lovers. The entire atmosphere seemed scented and colourful. Two hearts were united in love and were whispering sweet nothings. It was Renuka who came to her senses first. She realized that they were standing at the sit out of her house. ”Chetan, let us go inside “No darling .I am highly charged with lotof emotion .Some other time .I am very sorry I lost control.’’ Chetan was faking apology .They both laughed sheepishly at the outburst of their carnal desire.
Days seemed to fly in golden wings .Chetan visited her whenever he got free time. He was a self employed person .So that left him with a lot of free time as and when he pleased.
One morning Chetan came to Renuka`s house.` `Good morning darling I came in to tell you that I would be away for a few days, on business. But why are you having a serious expression today”? “Oh it is nothing .How long would you be away?. I have already started to miss you “Renuka still looked pensive.” I would be away for a week or so .It would all depend on a transaction that has to be done .But what has bitten you .You look far away.” Renuka spilled it ‘’Chetan didn’t you read about the number deaths that had taken place a few months back? The police are of opinion that it is a case of serial killing by the same person .The pattern of killing are all same. ‘Now what has that got to do with your moods ‘’Chetan was curious ‘’I was thinking about writing a story about a serial killer. No one is born a killer .It is circumstances that make or breaks a man .So I want to prove with my story that a serial killer too has a heart and that he can be rectified with love and affection. I am sure it would hit the literary world with a big blow .I am sure it would be an instant success.” But Renuka, it can also be big flop .Or haven’t you ever thought about it in that track .As for me I feel that Serial killing is a state of mind .Kind of in born venom.’ But looking at it in another angle, yes, one can be rectified with love .But who would love a serial killer knowingly? You have a hell of a job there Renuka .Because you wouldhave to convince the readers .Any way darling. Keep yourself busy .I want to see how you have written it all .Remember I am your best critic”
He drifted away with a wave and a peck on her cheek. Yes, like Chetan had said it would indeed be a good chance to show her mettle she would have to write a convincing novel and at the same time rectify a serial killer .Her literary brain had already started to tick… Although Chetan was away ,they contacted regularly over the phone .Now their subject of argument was her new story .Chetan was almost always against her as he found it a very improbable subject .So he tried to dissuade her .But Renuka was adamant .She even started to feel emphatic towards her fictitious characters . Chetan was critical because he did not want her to be hurt if the novel fails to attract the public interest .He was always giving her happiness more importance .That was the main reason for his objection to her new story matter …When he found that Renuka was sounding very confident about her new story ,He left it at that .He did not want to be critical .So on the eve of his return to her place ,he told her over the phone “Dear ,let us not argue about your story .Forget what I feel about your story .Since you are very confident about it’s outcome ,I leave it to you to decide .But I still feel that it is a very weak subject .Any way darling all the best to you .”Before calling off he said “Now when I come over there let us not argue .We have so many other
interesting matters to discuss and do. Right? ”Ok Chetan I am waiting for you’’. She called off.
The next day rain was pouring` cats and dogs` outside. Renuka was giving her story the final finishing touches .She was oblivious of the moody climate .In fact it enhanced her tempo for the story … She did not know the time tick away .Her fingers were starting to feel numb from typing.
She was feeling very hungry and thirsty .She looked up from her monitor at the clock .It was late in to the evening .So that meant that she was typing away for the past so many hours .She was not able to believe it .”My God! how the time flies “she told to herself and got up to cook something for herself .It was still raining outside .Some where in the afternoon it had stopped to rain .But the weather was again pouring out its fury in full swing . While she sat down with her dinner, she realized that Chetan had not called .But that was not at all like him .May be he was busy finishing off the deal .Or maybe he was not able to get connection .He was supposed to be with her that day .She dialed his number. The phone went on ringing .But Chetan was not lifting it .Whatever has happened to him .She started getting worried .It was raining so heavily too. She dialed his number many times.
At times the ringing sound stopped in the middle as if the net work was having problems.`` This cursed rain is doing so much damage ‘’she told to herself .She waited up for him till late night .Then she called the servant girl to her side and told her “Nalini you go and sleep.” It is late .Nalini was her neighbours` servant .Since Renuka was alone, Nalini used to come to her house just to keep her company in the night.. Renuka waited for some more time before retiring to bed .She did not put all the locks in the front door .Just locked it with her key .So that Chetan can open it ,if at all he came in the night .He was having the duplicate key of her house .Similarly ,she had a duplicate key of his house .It was an understanding between them since their togetherness. Renuka lay on the bed listening to the pitter patter of the rain.
``What kind of rain is this .Is it not going to stop ever…’’Was the last thought on her mind before she fell in to a deep sleep…
She woke after an hour or so hearing a scream. Or did she imagine it .Or was it a nightmare .She was not sure .She got up and put on the lamp and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water … But what she outside her study, where Nalini was sleeping stopped her heart. She felt frozen .Standing in front of the study room was a disheveled looking Chetan .He was dripping wet and he had a rain coat on.. But what stopped her heart was the glittering stiletto in his hand.. And it was covered with blood … Slowly her eyes went to the ground between his legs .In the dim light that was seeping past her bedroom ,she saw a trickle of blood flowing from the study room .She stretched her frozen form to see its origin .There drenched in her own blood lay Nalini.—cold and dead!. From some distance she heard Chetan whisper.’ So you want to prove to the world that you can rectify a serial killer .How can you .Didn’t I tell you umpteen times that You can’t ..Otherwise you could have changed ME long before!!.For I am that Serial Killer the police are looking for. I refuse to change .Women are bad .My mother is the finest example .I thought you to be different ,Now I understand that you are not different .You want to change me ..Isn’t it? And make me a puppet like my dear father.. Why …Goodman it .. Why?’ He was roaring now. Renuka`s feet felt like stones .She was transfixed.. But she managed to mumble “Chetan .Let me explain.’’ But he was too quick for her. He pounced on her and in a split second it was all over.
Renuka saw a beautiful star dancing in front of her when her life ebbed away from her .That star had Chetan`s face embossed on it .A loving and smiling face of her lover…. .!
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