Chapter 08

MURALI

The sky had become dark and the stars twinkled alongside a crescent moon. A cold breeze swept down the street, sending a chilly shiver down Murali’s spine. It was just before seven when he slid behind the wheel of his car. He drove the vehicle outside his parents' home premises to go to his new apartment along with Prakash. The traffic was high with many buses and motorbikes speeding with their smoke polluting the surroundings.

 Prakash cleared his throat. “Is there any reason why Vasudev was upset?”

“I'm not sure. His mood often changes a lot.” Murali looked at Prakash for a moment and then shifted his gaze back on the road. “He doesn’t want to cooperate with me in talking to my mother to stop her from dating. And at the same time, he wants me not to move my stay.”

“I still want you to remain cordial with your loved ones.” Prakash sighed. “You said your mother too wanted you not to move.”

“I agree, but she doesn’t want to leave her man.”

“How will you manage alone?”

Murali sighed. Prakash didn’t understand the situation and instead, he stuck to his stance. But Murali wouldn’t regret his decision. He was going to have a nice time now onwards and his future would be alright. He would find some ways to ward off his depression; he would spend more time in his office and join a club if needed. He needed to go away from his mother; her attitude was unbearable to him.

Prakash turned to Murali. “You're the elder son and you should take care of your mother.”

“I know,” Murali said. “But Vasu is staying with her, right? More so, she is quite happy with the man whom she has been dating.”

“Doesn't Vasu has any objections to your mother's behavior?” Prakash asked.

Murali nodded. “No, he doesn't.”

Prakash chuckled. “You are poles apart as brothers.” He paused and then said, “I wonder why Vasu is bearing your mother’s conduct.”

“Well, he is tolerating it for a reason,” Murali said.

“What is it?” Prakash sounded curious.

“My mother owns a considerable worth of property left by her father. And Vasu is interested in inheriting those assets.”

“But he is drawing a handsome salary, right?”

“Yes, he is, but the greed for money is making him stay calm.”

“Are you sure about it?”

“Yes, I am. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have supported Mum.”

“That means you’re losing your share of the ancestral property by going against your mother,” Prakash said.

“I don’t mind losing for the sake of peace of mind. You already know I’m earning a lot as a software engineer. What I'm interested in is to lead a respectable life and have a family of my own.”

Prakash looked at Murali for a moment, and then he became silent. Murali's honesty had made him remain quiet.

Murali spoke his mind and revealed everything because Prakash was a close friend. He wouldn’t have dared to talk about his personal matter, otherwise.

Outside the apartment, Murali stopped the car beside the window of the guard tower. After a few words of inquiry, the security personnel opened the gate. Murali eased his vehicle inside and parked it in the designated slot.

“I am sorry for enquiring about all those details,” Prakash said as he stepped out of his seat. “I just wanted to help you.”

“It’s all right.” Murali opened the car trunk. “I don’t mind revealing my family details to you.”

Prakash helped Murali in carrying the luggage inside his home. They sat on a worn-out sofa in the living room.

Murali stretched his legs and heaved a sigh of relief. But his mind filled with the memories of Falguni. He had bought that house two months ago; he had taken Falguni to the owner of the apartment and had clinched the festival deal. Though Falguni had expressed her apprehension about the price, Murali had liked the apartment premises – peaceful with cultured people around. The greenery had also attracted him; it had been eye soothing for him.

“What are you thinking about?” Prakash said.

Murali straightened in his seat. “Well,” he said, “I was thinking about Falguni. We were here a month ago.”

“I know your bitter memories will haunt you. And that’s the reason I suggested not to move here. You will feel more depressed living away from your loved ones.”

“I know and it was hard for me to make this decision. But it is good for me to stay away from my mother.” Murali heaved a sigh and remained silent for a few moments. "I can concentrate on my work better from now on."

“I won't discuss the  matter anymore.” Prakash smiled. “I hope you will not regret your decision.”

“I really appreciate your concern for my well-being. And you’re correct in saying my depression will intensify staying alone." Murali paused and then said, "I’ll try to find a suitable girl to marry and I may forget the bitter past once I fall into my marital life.”

Prakash smiled wide. “That sounds good. But I suggest one thing.”

Murali looked at him with his brows knotted. "What is it?"

“Don't sever your ties with your loved ones. You’re planning to see a girl and get married. You’ll need your loved ones' support in doing so. Otherwise, you may not find a suitable girl.”

Murali stared down, contemplating. Prakash's suggestion was indeed correct, and Murali didn’t want to risk his future by severing his relationship with Payal and Vasudev. He needed to maintain good relationships with everyone.

“I agree with you, Prakash. Thanks for saying that.” He paused for a minute then said, “My manager wants me to execute the forthcoming projects without flaws. I need privacy to perform well. Also, it’s an advantage to live near my workplace.”

Prakash nodded.

***

Murali awakened to the loud sound of his alarm clock. It was 8:45. His heart started racing because he needed to be at the office by half-past nine. He took a quick shower and donned formal wear – white and blue shirt and dark blue pants. He decided to eat breakfast at the office canteen; he locked the main door and rushed towards his car.

The morning traffic was heavy. Murali hoped he would reach his office in time, and pressed the gas pedal. He nosed his car into the parking lot and slotted it in a vacant spot. Another five minutes were left for him to register his attendance; he sprinted and entered the office building.

After swiping his id-card, he went to his cube. His manager, Vikram, was already in. Murali needed to tell him about his move to his new flat.

“Good morning,” Murali said.

Vikram turned around. He smiled. “Oh, good morning, Murali.” He pulled a nearby chair and gestured Murali to take the seat. “How are things?”

“Things are good, Vikram.” Murali sat. “I moved to my new apartment yesterday. The place is close to our office.”

“That’s good to know. You can avoid the city traffic and drive without hassles.” He paused and adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose.  “I appreciate you for taking some initiatives before we start working on a new project.”

Murali nodded. “You said we’re meeting today to talk about our forthcoming project.”

“Yes, we are.” Vikram took in a heavy breath. “I will email you guys the meeting request after the lunch hour.”

Murali exchanged a few more words with Vikram before he left for his workplace.

The late afternoon meeting was hectic and lasted for two hours until five o'clock. After the meeting, Murali spent time browsing the internet. He needed to buy some furniture for his new home. He also needed some kitchen items to start cooking instead of eating out. After shutting down his laptop and turning off his cubicle lamp, he hustled out of the office towards the parking lot.

He drove his car, contemplating. Prakash had rightly suggested he maintain a cordial relationship with Payal and Vasu. Murali would no doubt risk his future if he remained secluded. He would call them and talk about his new place. He needed to keep them from venting their anger towards him.

He arrived at his flat. After a quick wash-up, he took his phone. Payal might not answer his call as she was unhappy over Murali's decision to move; she was angry at him, too. Instead, he would call Vasudev and update him about the happenings.

Vasu answered his call. Murali exchanged the pleasantries.

“How is your new place?” Vasudev asked in a friendly tone.

Murali’s chest lightened as Vasudev sounded cordial. “It is good, Vasu. I need to buy some furniture and stuff like that. But I am missing both you and mother.”

“I too miss you, brother.” Vasudev paused. “Don’t worry, it’s a matter of time before we get adjusted to our new life. I hope you’ll feel comfortable staying alone.”

“Yes, I agree with you.” Murali swallowed. “How is Mum?”

“Well, she is not at home.”

Murali heaved a sigh. His decision not to ring her turned out to be correct. Payal wouldn’t have answered him as she might be with her man.

“All right, brother,” Murali said. “I’ll ring you again later.”

Murali needed to remain on good terms with Vasudev. And it would keep Payal from becoming angry with Murali because she loved Vasudev. Murali needed to forgive Payal as he was no longer staying with her.

His glance shifted to a balcony of an adjoining flat. A fair lady was speaking over the phone. She looked beautiful in her sky-blue nightdress and her neck was adorned with a golden chain. Murali continued staring at her until the lady looked at him and then went inside, by closing the balcony door behind her.

Murali heaved a sigh. His heart raced. "Didn’t she almost resemble Falguni?" He said to himself. Falguni too was fair and had an average height - just around five and a half feet. Murali shook his head to flush Falguni's image out of his mind. I need to concentrate on my office work and should try to forget the past.

*****

Murali went to the furniture shop along with Prakash. The shopkeeper treated them well and agreed to deliver the goods without the transportation charges. It was half-past eight when they left the outlet.

Murali walked Prakash towards his car. “I believe Doctor Joseph would be available to consult until nine.”

Prakash nodded. “Yes. Why don’t you see him before going home?”

“I too was thinking the same.” Murali unlocked his car doors and slid behind the wheel. He drove towards Dr. Joseph’s clinic amidst almost minor traffic.

The clinic's waiting hall was lit with two fluorescent lights; a Ganesha idol sat in the wall facing west, and the statue was adorned with sandalwood string. A small help desk was nestled in the hall. Murali spoke to the receptionist and registered his name.

When his turn arrived, he walked into the doctor’s room along with Prakash.

“Good evening, Doctor.” Murali sat by a mahogany table.

“Good evening to both of you,” Dr. Joseph said, plastering a wide smile on his face. “How are you now?”

Murali inserted his hand into his pants pocket and took out an old prescription. “I’m doing well.” He gave the paper to Joseph.

“It is more than six months since you visited last.” Joseph shifted his stare to Murali. “Why didn't you consult me?”

Guilt coursed through Murali’s mind. He needed to apologize to the doctor and show his willingness to continue taking the medicines. Though the doctor was annoyed, Murali needed to behave gently.

“I’m sorry for discontinuing the course, Doctor. I want to continue the treatment from now onwards.”

“You shouldn’t have stopped taking the pills.” Joseph rose and held his stethoscope, hung around his neck. He gestured Murali to lay on the bed. He checked the blood pressure and pulse before he sat back in his chair.

He wrote a new prescription and then handed it to Murali. “Continue taking these medicines. And meet me after a month without fail.”

Murali nodded. “Sure.”

*****

Murali ate a light dinner with Prakash and dropped him outside his home before he headed back to his flat. He was contented with buying the furniture and meeting the doctor. He admired Prakash for accompanying him even late in the evening. He would abide by what Doctor Joseph told him and he would keep his mental health proper. He needed to handle the new project and work under the pressure. These medicines should keep my mind calm.