“Oru Tea.” I sat on the beach lighting my cigarette. I live in Ramanathapuram District. I am a two-wheeler mechanic. Sherif’s tea is very good. Sherif has been running this tea shop for years. I used to frequent his tea shop when I was in college. After my graduation, I started this shop near Sherif’s shop. I liked his tea, and more than that, my college classmates were staying in a house near this shop. I am not able to forget any of those moments with all my 6 friends. Guru, Nazar, Suresh, Sankar, Ravi, Thilak and me.

I wanted to join an automobile company in Chennai, the Detroit of India. But my marks, my language and various other things about me were not good enough. Hence, ended up as a mechanic in this tiny town…!

Well, I could have studied properly, scored good marks, could have been a better son, could have been a better person in life…! All could have, should have….! But never had!

Like any other youngster fresh in college life, I made all the usual mistakes. I started smoking, learnt to cheat, and learnt to do things which were unsocial… But according to me, all those were part of college life. That was the only possible justification I had. Let me tell you what has brought me to where I am now!

We were a gang of 10 guys, with lots of differences within ourselves, but still together at any cost. The meekest guy was Karthi. The noisiest guy was Pandi. The most practical guy was me. Rest all a character of them. During our 4th Semester exams, we had an exam. The paper was “Thermodynamics”. We drank vodka till 4 AM and we dozed off. When we woke up it was 5 PM. We thought “March pona, September” (If we fail in March, we will appear in September and pass). In the class, we were chatter boxes, talking non-stop nonsense. We had no attitude towards the college, professors and the education itself.

Among all of us, Karthi and I were looking good than any other guy in the gang. So, we were popular among ourselves since we were more looked at by few of the girls in the college. Karthi was seriously in love with Sumathi. Sumathi lives in her native town of Salem. 10hrs from Ramanathapuram. Karthi used to go during weekends without the knowledge of his parents who live Salem just to meet Sumathi. However, Karthi in college was seriously behind Lakshmi. Except Karthi, and Me, no one was interested in love. Suresh and Ravi had liking towards actress and their blow-ups. About me, I was behind 5 girls at the same time. Hema [4th Year Student], Indhumathi [2rd Year Student], Muthulakshmi [3rd Year, my batch], Shoba [1st Year], Malini [MBA Student]. I was particularly interested in Priya. She was a 1st year student. I liked her for simple reason, “she was very simple”. I used to go every place where she would go or could go. I would make eye contact. She was definitely interested in me, since she used to casually look at me and I could see her smile, in her eyes hiding it away from her face. “Wow!” I would feel born again every time I see that. All my friends know about all the girls I am behind, but Priya. So was Karthi’s story. Every weekend in Salem with Sumathi. Karthi would tell I met Lakshmi there, asked her to talk to me but she ran away.

We guys spent evenings in the bar drinking and then watching movies, late night dinner in night hotels. Wherever we went, we all went together. Every night, after I had drunk to my neck, I used to go to the terrace and think of Priya. “The smile in her eyes, the grace with which she walks… Wow!!!” But, during day time, I would be behind these 5 girls just for fun. Friends tell me “Macha, you are a lucky guy… whichever girl you look, they look back at you”.

Whenever I was happy, I used to talk about one of the 5 girls. I related each one of them to one of the aspects nature. Fire, Water, Earth, Air & Sky. Hema - Clouds, Indhu – Air, Muthulakshmi – Earth, Shoba – Water, Malini – Fire.

Hema had big eyes. Her hair was wavy, and she used to take light steps and walk slowly like the clouds in the sky. Indu – Air. Indu was little over average in her weight. So, I relate her to the balloon filled with Air. Muthulakshmi’s native town is Ramanathapuram. Ramanathapuram has fertile land. I related this to Muthulakshimi and her skin colour was similar to the colour of this land’s soil. Shoba is a native of “Kerala”. Kerala is known for its waters. Malini, Fire – No Comments.

For my every mood, I was able to relate to one of these girls. When I am totally blown, I used to shout one of these girls names. But, I think of Priya only when I was unhappy or sad or dejected or depressed. Well, the reason being; only her thought gave me happiness. Only she could change my mood with just a flash.

I have never spoken a word to her so far. When the night falls, I would be alone on the terrace grazing the dark sky, with all my thoughts around Priya. My life was as black as the sky. My future was as dark as the sky. The moon lights it up. Priya!

Among all the guys, I am supposedly the most practical guy. But, I am also the most sensitive guy. If I don’t see her smiling eyes I would be devastated. When I am drunk beyond my limits, I start singing. Melancholy. Guru plays guitar whenever I sing and we make everyone’s day. But with the words from the songs, I console myself. I give courage to myself. My whole world was around Priya.

One day, I was sitting in Sherif’s shop having my tea and cigarette, when a car stopped ahead of the shop. I saw Karthi’s dad get out of it. I immediately rushed into shop, put off my cigarette and hoped that he has not seen me. Karthi’s dad is a rich person with lot of political connections. He usually comes and meets Karthi once in two months.

I will be able to go to Priya’s class for lectures. Since we were in the 4th year, we were supposed to do presentations about certain topics from the text. During this year, I was trying to develop confidence to express myself to her. Once I got a chance and called her. First time, her name, from my mouth loud and clear. She turned back, “Yes, Sir”. Juniors were supposed to address final year’s as “Sir”. The very first words, I am hearing from her. Spoken just for me!!
You take so much of pain and trouble to reach a temple, and when the lord is right in front of you, you close your eyes, praying. Thats devotion. You close your eyes and realize that you have felt God. The words “Yes, Sir” stopped everything in me and around me. I just heard and kept hearing “Yes, Sir”. She walked away puzzled by my reaction without waiting for me to say anything.

The same day, I came to my room, picked up a paper size A3, wrote “YES, SIR” in big using a marker and stuck it to my wall. My friends went crazy, as I had ripped of two actress posters to stick this. To control the situation, we drank the whole night.

The only thing I was able to think these days were, good marks somehow, good job somehow, 2 years somehow then Priya’s college would be over, then I can marry her or ask her for her hand.

Days went, our finals were nearing. We had a good 3 week study holidays. Karthi was getting tensed. Usually he is not a person who gets tensed for exams. Something Fishy. We asked him, but he denied saying there was nothing to worry. One day, Karthi’s brother called up. Karthi was out to meet Lakshmi. Karthi’s brother asked us to convey to him exactly this “Everything Fine. All accepted. Marriage after exams!” Well we got it.

When he came back, we had already set up a bar in the home for the joy. His father accepted his proposal to marry “Sumathi”. To our surprise Karthi had got with himself two “Bonnie Scot” with him. We had a great party and we all were drunk. We even forgot that our final exams are beginning three days later.

When we were all drunk Karthi told us “Macha, you guys know Lakshmi, I am going to spend some time wither her tomorrow in our room. So, I want all of you guys to be in the terrace”.

I asked him, “What about Sumathi?”

He said “I am going to marry her for sure, but Lakshmi wanted to be with me for sometime, and I did not want to stop her”.

I asked “Does she know about Sumathi and your marriage?”

He said “No”. All of us in chorus “Macha!!!! ENJOYYYY!!!” Though I said that, but I was really worried. What if someone sees us? What if he gets caught?

The next day, Karthi was out by 4 PM to pick Lakshmi up. Rest of us kept the room clean for him to spend “time”. We chose to go to the terrace and prepare for our exams. I lit up my cigarette and started going through my books. At around 7 PM we could hear a taxi stopping near our house. A girl hurried walked inside. Karthi paid the taxi guy and walked up to the terrace.

He told us, “We are going to be talking and if you guys want to pick up anything feel free to come down and knock the door”.

Few hours later we stopped for dinner. We went to our usual dinner stall and had dinner and walked back.

While we were taking the stairs, Sankar said, “Manju come, I need take few books from our room. Karthi would have gone by now. Lets go and take it.”

When we neared the door, we started hearing an anklet noise. The noise was very rhythmic. Sankar immediately guess and told me “Karthi is having fun with Lakshmi”.

I was shocked and told Sankar, “What is he doing? He is supposed to get married next month”

“The girl came by herself, what you could say?” replied Sankar. So, we decided not to go in and we went up to the terrace.

The next day morning, I woke up little early. I went down stairs to pick up tooth paste. But still Lakshmi was inside. I went back to the terrace and brushed my teeth with my hand.

I came to Sherif’s shop. Lit my cigarette and sipped my tea. Karthi came to the stall and told me, “I am going to get an auto and come at the back of the home; you bring Lakshmi to the back. There are too may people on the main road.”

I said, “This is rubbish.”

Karthi pleaded and I had to agree.

I went to the room, opened the door. No one was there. I saw the floor, few flowers dried, few stains on the floor and the small cot completely out of order. Lakshmi was near the rear door of the house looking through the window.

I told “Karthi is bringing an auto. He will come at the back and give me a signal and upon his signal we will leave”. She simply nodded her head.

When Karthi gave me the signal, I opened the rear door and asked her to follow me. I ensured that no one was watching us and I took her to the auto.

Karthi said “Thanks a lot!”. And Lakshmi said “Thanks”.

The moment the auto left, I fainted. Priya, you!! With Karthi!! Were you with him the whole night!!!

Suddenly I felt something burning in my finger. The cigarette was over. Sherif was shouting “one more cigarette”.

I said “Yes”.

Priya. “So many things happened after that night. But I still remember your smiling eyes. All my thoughts are still a fresh. Remembering all those all I do now is send the smoke out of me”. I lit another cigarette. Just one mood.

“just a minute honey…..” Radhika rushed towards the door to find out why her husband was calling her. “Radhika! Where is my lunch pack?” asked Raghu. Raghu is too fast in words and actions. Raghu is the GM in an automobile company in the Indian Detroit – Chennai. Radhika rushed back to kitchen and brought it. “Sorry honey, I forgot.” “At least you remember me” Raghu quipped and drove away his Black Victa.

Radhika is orthodox woman brought up in a good religious way. She had never thought anything beyond her husband. She had high esteem for him and had all the respect for him. She to an extent feared him also. Raghu on the other hand is an efficient manager. He is a caring husband. He has taken care of Radhika well. Radhika’s father had never worried about Radhika’s future after she married Raghu some 5 years ago. Raghu has given a lot of trouble to Radhika. Radhika has always taken it with utmost magnanimity. Raghu has appreciated it less. However, Raghu is not as bad as it seems.

Radhika had never felt that Raghu is going beyond his limits. She had taken everything with a smile. She was not able to tolerate one thing which Raghu does. And that is “bragging about Divya”.

Divya was Raghu’s college mate. They were working together after which Raghu moved his present company. Divya was the personal assistant for Raghu’s manager. Divya and Raghu loved each other. Due to some unforeseen circumstances they had to break up and part with their 5 year love.

After a year of the ‘break up’ Raghu married Radhika. Raghu had told Radhika well before marriage about Divya. Raghu never lied to Radhika. He never cheated her for even the slightest thing.

Even with so much of Raghu’s qualities, Radhika would get irritated with Raghu whenever he speaks about Divya.

Raghu used to say “you should see Divya. She manages so well. You are not able to even decide anything for yourself.” Raghu and Radhika were on a vacation trip in Kodaikanal. Radhika forgot something which was very important. Raghu immediately mentioned “Divya had excellent planning skills. You can’t even remember what needs to be packed when you go on a trip.” Radhika would go wild, but she never expressed. She thought, it is better not to start an argument.

For everything Raghu would point out an example comparing Radhika with Divya. From the closet arrangement to event planning to shopping he would compare both of them and tell Radhika that Divya was better. Radhika would feel irritated and think to herself “then why did you marry me!!” But she never asked.

Once Radhika wanted to try out a modern dress, which she liked. She bought an expensive one and wore it. She showed it Raghu and asked his opinion. Raghu simply said “it fits you, but it does not suit you”. He did not stop with that, he went on to say “Divya’s dressing sense is excellent. She knows how to dress her hair along with her outfit. Be it modern dress or traditional dress, she arranges herself very well”

In the past 5 years, Raghu would have mentioned about Divya at least once in two days. Radhika hated Divya to all possible extents. However, she had a secret wish to meet her. Not to fight with her, but to find out is she really what Raghu thinks. She had all thoughts about Divya. She even imagined how she would look, from the way Raghu expressed about Divya to her.

Raghu got promoted from GM to Chief Executive of a new division. The good news came in to Radhika only after two days. Raghu never told her. They went to the luncheon hosted for his promotion at the Trident near the Chennai Airport . Radhika dressed well in a silk saree. She looked excellent. But, she found every woman at the hotel in western clothing. But she was very much appreciated.

On the way back, Raghu drove to Spencer Plaza. He wanted to buy something. They were walking towards the car park. Raghu for a moment forgot where is car was. Then he found it. He started to drive back towards the exit, when suddenly a car backed up from the parking. It was a near miss. Raghu got down checking the driver, and to his surprise it was Divya. Radhika had by that time come down near Raghu. She noticed that Raghu wasn’t talking.

Divya got down and asked “How are you Raghu? I returned from France only yesterday” Radhika immediately sensed, it was Divya.

Radhika started comparing Divya with her imaginary version. Divya was gorgeous than what she had imagined. She felt little in front of Divya. She is so beautiful and educated. I should not blame Raghu for cursing me.

Raghu just said “Fine.”

Divya turned towards Radhika. Radhika immediately started talking “Are you Divya? My husband has spoken about you many times. I never thought you will look so lovely. Nice to meet you”

Divya said “Yes. Thanks. Nice to meet you too. How are you? How is Raghu doing?”

Radhika told “Very fine. He is doing well.”

Radhika and Divya had so much to talk. Raghu was simply sitting in the coffee shop. Raghu was wondering “What is this? These two women are talking as if they are known for years”

After exactly 2 hours and after these two women exchanged all the major incidents in life decided to leave. Raghu was relieved.

Divya turned towards Raghu. She said “Raghu, life has treated me well after I left you. I hope you are also fine. My husband is working in Paris for a consulting firm. We both are here on vacation.”

Raghu said “Oh!” Radhika was wondering “Why is this man behaving like this?”

Then Divya said “It is so nice to see you after so many years Raghu. We should keep in touch. Why don’t you come over to my house sometime? My husband would also be there. He would also be pleased to meet you. Probably for an evening tea or dinner”

Radhika looked pleased. She realized that Divya is all what Raghu has spoke and told her.

Before Radhika could accept, Raghu said “No Divya. I can’t come.”

Radhika looked puzzled.

Raghu proceeded “See Divya, you left me years back. And we never met and you never got in touch. Now you are well settled in life and so am I. What is going to happen if we keep in touch now? Nothing. What is the point in having a friendship when we had expected more out it? Sorry Divya. You don’t know about Radhika. She is every inch of a woman. She has never stood against me in anger. She is my life now. She healed all my wounds with patience. I have spoken to her so much about you. But she never mistook me. She always stood by me. She never questioned me as to why I am talking so much about you? She never doubted me. I don’t want to continue a relation which broke. After 5 years, meeting you and continuing this friendship is not worth it Divya. We parted long back and let it be like that. Let us not try to fix the crack in the mirror.”

Radhika was speechless. The man, who had always praised another girl in front of her, has told in front of that girl and on her face that his wife is his life. Radhika could not control tears. She felt that her husband was such a great person at heart. She did not imagine that Raghu would speak like that.

Divya was stunned but she could not speak. She made the mistake of leaving him.

Raghu was silently driving the car and Radhika was quiet. It was raining outside. Radhika asked him to stop the car. Raghu was wondering why, but he stopped. Radhika got down and started getting drenched in the rain. Raghu came near her, “Radhika what are you doing?”

Radhika said “I want to get drenched in this rain.” She held Raghu’s hand and leaned on his shoulders. Radhika felt like she had never felt before. For Raghu, he was calming down. Raghu was feeling new. Raghu was wondering why, but started walking.