I had received the monthly magazine the following day. A lot of incidents to look back on, a number of topics to revise and practise and a collection of case studies highlighted in the books were lying on my study table when I returned into my room after lunch. I had informed mom not to disturb me until I came out of my room.
On a large sheet of paper, generally used for maps, I drew a timeline depicting every piece of information the cases provided. It was all a concoction of the sects of knowledge and experience that the societies had left practising over advancement into the realms of science and evolution of mankind. However, the dramatic impression is alive and the case studies let us have an insightful view on them. There were the dates, the name of incidents, the prima facie, their brief introduction, the facts and figures, the modus operandi, purpose and impact, government intervention, the constitutional views and judgement and the way forward. It was an explicit diagram of the modern history of law enforcement.
It was twilight when my mom called for dinner. Later, I went out on an easy gait around the town. I had a call from Bhanu which I didn't respond. An elder guy, a grocer, recognised me and asked me how I was. Business runs on profit-taking policy and profits are taken out of connections thus, he handed me his business card and urged me to let him know if I needed any help. I purchased a box of saffron and kept it in my paper bag. He was happy to see I carried a paper bag with me instead of polythene. I drew a social obligation stating, "Optimum utilisation of resources we possess draws attention and helps us learn the art of choice. Exploitative use of them increases vulnerability to lower satisfaction." And I returned back. I did an overview on my paperwork for an hour. By half past ten, I caught Zs leaving all the subjects aside.
For over a fortnight, I worked on the climate change theses and resumed my study and analyses on the economic, cultural, political, ecological, linguistic, archaeological and anatomical history of people living in different parts of India. If truth be told, Bharata (now called India) has been a life-engrossing subject to thousands of people over time and eventually concocted with the essence of Bharata. However, the rise and decadence in various aspects, actual or abstract, has continued here since eternity, Bharata alone stands high as the sky imparting the world the 'Philosophy of natural selection'.
Bhanu was on a trip to Ajmer, Udaipur and Chittorgarh those days. She messaged and called me time and again but I seldom responded with a short good morning/night message. One day, she abruptly appeared at home and asked mom where I was.
Mom: Downstairs. He must be taking bath. (break) Are you the one Bhanumati?
Bhanu: Yes aunty! He is not responding me. I will meet him now. Let me go downstairs.
She hastily descended. I just opened the door when she approached in. I was in dilemma. We were both engrossed in thoughts. Divya, the second daughter of Vinita, was staying at my home. She was in the adjacent room.
Divya: (sleepy head) Good morning mamu!
(As she stepped further, she realised I didn't reply her. Stepping back, she saw me and Bhanu both lost in each other and knocked the door.)
Me: (feeling shy) Good morning Divya!
Bhanu also felt timid and rushed upstairs.
Divya: (goading) What's going on mamu? Hahaha.. Shall I tell everyone?
I assured her to get anything she wished.
Divya: Mamu, I am just having fun. The lullaby you wrote and sung for me last night was so sweet. You have always loved me and got me beautiful presents without me asking. I need no bribes. Anyone will fall into love with you. I love you mamu!
(She responded and hugged me.)
I caressed her and asked her to freshen up. I wore my clothes and inclined upstairs. Bhanu had taken leave by then. She left saying she would come some other day. I had my tea with my favourite 'fruit-n-nut' cookies.
While I was practising the acrobatics in the open ground nearby, Divya joined and helped me. She is good at it. I learnt some more tips and steps from her. I advised her to join the newly set up Shri Shakti Karate Classes and be a virtuoso at it. I made a call in the academy and asked about the credentials and subscription fees. They said we required an ID proof, phone number and a guardian's signature and the fees were Rs. 50000 per student for the whole year. However, they conducted a mid-year competition where the winner would not pay the semester fees. Later in the daytime, I got acquiescence from Vinita and enrolled her name in the academy. I met all the three masters there. The register showed only 3 girls had enrolled until then, including Divya, while there were 24 boys. The time was morning 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and evening 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fortunately, Mr. Jayvardhan arrived there. He said he was one of the four founders of the academy. He introduced me to the Masters and asked me to be part of it.
Me: Thank you for your kindness but I have to prepare for CLAT exams. However I can't, I have my cousin's daughter, Divya, enrolled here. I believe she will turn into a virtuoso under your guidance.
Mr. Jayavardhan: Of course, if she has strength to the character, our Masters will surely benefit her with the best of their knowledge.
(He assured me. The Masters were, too, at consent.)
Me: Divya, do you know what you have to do?
Divya: Yes mamu. Be disciplined, be active, be naive, serve the connoisseur and excel. I will follow this mantra and held your head high.
She seemed resolved in her response. All the Masters blessed her to be effervescent.
When we returned back to home, a notification buzzed on my phone. Bhanu had sent me a message.
Bhanu: Do you have even a minute for me? Can we meet? Call me back!
Seeing this, Divya smilingly responded me to go and meet her. I took leave and left. When I called her, she was waiting for me at the restaurant.
Bhanu: Where were you these days? Don't you miss me any moment? How can you be so indifferent to me? Or have you turned arrogant after winning the championship?
(She was displeased and poured out her feelings in vexation.)
During the trip, I heard and saw people in relationship managing their time for each other. I dreamt of you everytime. But you have no time to message me, call me or meet me. You always have other tasks to do as if I am laid off of my job.
I kept listening to her.
Bhanu: (annoyed) Now will you speak something?
I sipped my cappuccino and reiterated Bhanu's usual comment. "I have it everyday! And it takes my breath away!"
Bhanu: Don't imitate me if you have no feelings for me! (She once again bursted and realised I had love for her in my eyes.)
Me: Devoting oneself into the others' way of life;
Dedicating the tasks and enjoyments to the other; Having said the other has rights over you;
Having said one is into the other;
Marking every moment significant for the other;
Sharing the significance equitably in eyes of others;
This is what I believe love is, Bhanu.
(break)
Scheduling or managing time for someone or something dear is CARE. But, LOVE never takes you apart. It's on you to make the choice, Bhanu...: CARE or LOVE?
I wanted her to have a clear opinion on her affection towards me. Otherwise, I fear it would drive her crazy.
She thanked me before heading back to home.