Wednesday, March 30, 2022

MY FIANCÉE – short story

Short Fiction

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MY FIANCÉE

Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

______

I called Nisha – my fiancée.

Nisha answered almost immediately.

“I was waiting for your call – have you reached…?” Nisha asked me, excitedly.

“No – my flight got cancelled at the last minute due to some problem with the aircraft – so – they deboarded us – they made us wait in the departure lounge for 3 hours saying the flight was delayed and would take off once the aircraft was ready – and now they are saying that the flight is cancelled…” I said to her.

“So – when are you going…?” she asked me.

“Tomorrow morning…” I said to her.

“Tomorrow…? So late…?” she said.

“There was a flight in the evening – but – I decided to stay for a day – so that I could spend some time with you…” I said to her.

“That’s so nice of you…” she said, “where are you now…?”

“I am at the Airport Hotel…” I said to her, “Okay – it’s one o’clock now – I’ll be at your office in half-an-hour – we’ll have lunch – then see a movie – go shopping – and spend the evening together…”

“I have office till 5:30 PM – I’ll meet you in the evening – tell me where I should come – or – if you want – I can come to the Airport Hotel – and we can spend the night together…” she said.

“Take “half-day” off – let’s spend the day together…” I said to her.

“No. No. That’s impossible. I am extremely busy in office today – I don’t even have a moment to breathe – please try to understand – I have deadlines to meet today – I just can’t leave office now – we’ll meet in the evening – and – I will make it up to you…” Nisha said, in a beseeching voice.

“Are you in your office right now…?” I asked Nisha.

“Of course – I am working in my office – where else can I be at this time…?” Nisha said.

“You are not in your office…” I said to her, “You are sitting in “XXX” Club with a man – enjoying a glass of beer…”

_______

Nisha turned around trying to find me – but – I had hidden myself from her view – behind a wooden screen.

I could see her – because she was in the light – but – she couldn’t see me – because I was in the dark – behind the screen.

There was shock and consternation on her face – as she looked around – searching for me.

Then she got up and started walking towards the entrance.

I made a quick exit before she spotted me – I was in no mood to confront her – or – listen to her excuses and lies.

______

I took a taxi and went straight to Nisha’s house.

Her mother opened the door – she seemed surprised to see me – but she asked me to sit down.

After a few moments – Nisha’s father came into the living room – probably woken up from his afternoon siesta

I told them that my flight had got cancelled and I would be going the next day.

“Where is Nisha…?” I asked her parents.

“She has gone to work…” her father said, “didn’t you call her and tell her about your flight being cancelled…?”

“I did…” I said, “did Nisha call you and tell you something…?”

“No. Nisha hasn’t called since she went to office in the morning…” her mother said.

I looked at Nisha’s parents – they looked quite confused – but – I wanted to get it off my chest.

“Nisha and Me – it is an arranged marriage – and – the proposal came from you – so – I thought that it would be best to tell you first – I am breaking my engagement with Nisha – I don’t want to marry her…” I said to Nisha’s parents.

I thought Nisha’s parents would be shocked – show some emotions – maybe even shout at me angrily – but – they were totally silent – their faces numb – as if they were pole-axed.

_______

After some time – I spoke.

“I am sorry – but – please patiently hear what I have to say…” I said to Nisha’s parents.

And – I told them the whole story – about what had happened – what I had seen with my own eyes.

Nisha’s father spoke first.

“She was just having lunch with a man…” Nisha’s father said.

“The issue is not that she had lunch with a male friend. The issue is that she lied to me about it…” I said to him.

“She has male colleagues in office…” Nisha’s mother said.

“Did I ever say that she can’t socialize with her male colleagues…? Did I ask her to break her friendship with her male friends or prohibit her from having male friends…?” I said, “Why did she lie to me that she was in office when she was actually having lunch with an office colleague or a friend…?”

“Maybe – she thought that you may not like it….” Nisha’s mother said to me.

“If she thought that I wouldn’t like it – then – why do it…?” I said to Nisha’s mother.

Nisha’s parents remained silent.

I said to them:

“Please ask Nisha two questions:

Firstly – why tell a lie when there is no need to tell a lie…?

Secondly – why do something that you have to lie about…?”

______ 

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:
1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.
2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
3. E&OE

Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
 

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Unfinished Story : Is it my fault...?

IS IT MY FAULT…?

Fiction Short Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

______

My name is Ashok – Dr. Ashok – or – to be precise – Surgeon Commander Ashok – yes – I once served as a Medical Officer in the Navy.

I was in the Navy from 1977 to 1997.

Then – after earning my pension – which required 20 years’ service – I took “Pre-Mature Retirement” (PMR) – what they call “Voluntary Retirement” in the civilian world.

After retirement – I started practicing medicine – as a General Practitioner (GP) in “civvy street” in Pune – where I have settled down after retirement from the Navy.

I am doing quite well – in fact – I have a flourishing practice – since there is a scarcity of GPs (or “Family Doctors” – as GPs are also known) – and – many people still prefer to go to a GP rather that to a hospital or specialist for routine ailments.

_____

Once in a few months – we have Navy Veterans’ Meets – and I make it a point to attend – as this helps me keep in touch with my Navy Friends and Shipmates.

_____

A rather curious incident happened during the recent Navy Veterans’ Meet a few weeks ago.

Let me tell you about it.

_____

The Navy Veterans’ Meet was organized at a picturesque location by the lakeside.

We – Navy Veterans and Spouses – we assembled in the morning – around 10 AM – a few had boat rides – a few trekked around the lakeside – and at 11 AM – the bar was opened – beer started flowing freely – and there was a friendly atmosphere of fellowship and camaraderie.

I was pleasantly surprised to see Vijay at the meet.

We were meeting after a long time.

In the year 1989 – Vijay had been my shipmate on a frigate – he was the Executive Officer and I was the Ship’s Medical Officer – we were both Lieutenant Commanders then (those days it took 11 years commissioned service to become a Lieutenant Commander unlike in today’s post AVSC times when a Naval Officer becomes a Lieutenant Commander after just 6 years commissioned service)

It was the first time I was meeting Vijay since our ship’s days in 1989 – after a gap of 23 years.

______

To Be Continued…

______ 

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:
1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.
2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
3. E&OE

Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
 

Monday, March 21, 2022

Humor – A Story from from My Navy Days – The “English Speaking” Dockyard Matey

A few days ago  I saw the hilarious spectacle of a lady forcing her small daughter to speak to in English.

The lady herself did not seem quite fluent in English,
Her smattering of malapropisms was quite amusing.
Yet  she insisted on speaking in English  and  she was forcing her daughter to speak in English too.
It seemed as if she were embarrassed to speak in her own mother tongue  despite the fact that she was fluent in her mother tongue  and all the persons she was conversing with – they all understood the vernacular language  which was her mother tongue.
Do you see this phenomenon – parents discouraging children from speaking in their mother tongue and encouraging them to speak in English...?
This reminds me of an episode that happened long back  around 22 years ago – when I was in the Naval Dockyard at Mumbai. 
_______ 
THE “ENGLISH SPEAKING” DOCKYARD MATEY
Story from My Navy Days
By  
VIKRAM KARVE 

This story happened around 22 years ago – in the year 2000 – when I was in Naval Dockyard Mumbai.
This a story of a “Dockyard Matey” – as we affectionately call Dockyard Workmen. 
Dockyard Matey is the traditional nickname for Non-Navy Civilian Personnel working in a Naval Dockyard. 
You will be surprised to know that the Navy probably has more civilian personnel than men in uniform – yes – there are a large number of Naval Civilians in dockyards, depots, repair yards, shore establishments etc 
In fact – most of the maintenance and logistics units of the Navy have a significant proportion of civilian personnel.
A large majority of the Naval Civilian Personnel work in the two premier Naval Dockyards which play the vital role in keeping warships and submarines in good repair  seaworthy and fighting fit. 
“Dockyard Mateys” are tradesmen – ranging from highly skilled/experienced technical experts right down to to semi-skilled/unskilled workers (the designation unskilled is a misnomer because even the USLs (Unskilled Labour) are highly proficient workmen). 
Except for a handful of Navy Sailors in a few departments – Naval Dockyards are staffed entirely by Civilian Personnel – but – Naval Dockyards are entirely managed by Uniformed Naval Officers.
Yes - the Admiral Superintendent, General Managers, Managers, Deputy Managers and Assistant Managers are Technical Officers of the Navy – and – for a Naval Officer of the Technical Branches  a Dockyard Appointment is considered a Prestigious Criteria Appointment. 
(I have served a total of 10 years of my long Navy career in both the premier Naval Dockyards in Mumbai and Vizag)
Whereas the Naval Fleets/Flotillas are the frontline afloat component of the Navy – the Naval Dockyards (which keep the Warships/Submarines in good repair and fighting fit) can be considered as the “frontline” shore-based component of the Navy.
Hey – I have digressed.
Now – let me get back to my story. 
_______
STORY OF THE DOCKYARD “MATEY
_____
The Dockyard Matey” (Dockyard Worker) in the story was a USL (Unskilled Labour).
The beauty about him was that he took immense pride in speaking English.
He insisted on answering in English  even if someone spoke to him in Hindi or Marathi  which was his mother tongue.
He was cleaning my office one morning  when the phone rang.
So – the Dockyard Matey picked up the phone.
A Naval Officer from Delhi wanted to speak to me.
“He is no more...” the Dockyard Matey answered.
“He is no more...? the Naval Officer from Delhi asked – stunned on hearing these words.
The Officer from Delhi was totally shocked and taken aback by the shocking news of my untimely and sudden “death”.
Still recovering from the shock  the Officer from Delhi commiserated with the Dockyard Matey  and – the Naval Officer said to the worker: 
“Oh  I really did not know that he is no more – I am very sorry to hear this...”
With these words of condolence  the Officer from Delhi disconnected the phone.
The Dockyard Matey felt good.
He felt proud that he had communicated superbly in English. 
In fact  he had matched the Naval Officer from Delhi – word for word  in the English Language.
After a few moments  the concerned Officer from Delhi rang up the General Manager (GM) of the Dockyard to inquire about me.
“He is sitting right in front of me...” the GM said. 
“What...?” the Officer from Delhi exclaimed over the phone, surprised. 
Then  the Officer from Delhi told the GM about the phone call  that he had been told by someone in my office that I was “no more” 
“Oh  he has been transferred to another department  He is no longer Manager XXX – now he is Manager YYY...” the GM said.
We all had a good laugh. 
This is what had happened. 
The worker had said: “he is no more”.
What he meant to convey was: “he is no more here” (in this department).
He had just missed out one word: “here”  
And – the meaning had changed. 
I was assumed to be dead. 
In Navy parlance – I was “consigned” to the “Davy Jones’ Locker”.
Or  was it a Freudian slip...?
Not likely  since the Dockyard Matey  an innocent USL  was really a nice guy  who just wanted to show off his proficiency in the English Language.
It was just a case of “Effective” Communication. 
So  next morning  I went back to my old office  and – I gifted him a copy of a book on “English Speaking and Conversation” 
(which I had bought for him the previous evening on my way home after the hilarious incident).
________

PS: 
During my long career in the Navy  I received immense love and loyalty from my sailors. 
But – I have a special place in my heart for the Dockyard Mateys” with whom I worked in both the Naval Dockyards – I can never forget the genuine warmth and affection with which they cared for me and looked after me. 
By the way – even after retirement  I am still in touch with the Dockyard Matey” in the story – and – yes – even now – he speaks to me in English – in flawless English. 
_______

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:
1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.
2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
3. E&OE

Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
 

_______

Sunday, March 13, 2022

Romance : ME – MY GIRLFRIEND – AND – MY GIRLFRIEND’S SISTER

ROMANCE

______

ME – MY GIRLFRIEND – AND – MY GIRLFRIEND’S SISTER

Fiction Short Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

______

Dramatis Personae

Me (Vikram)

My Girlfriend (Nisha)

My Girlfriend’s Sister (Alka)

______

ME – MY GIRLFRIEND – AND – MY GIRLFRIEND’S SISTER

______

Mumbai (Then called Bombay)

Circa 1970’s

______

PART 1

ME AND MY GIRLFRIEND

______

 

“Something very important has come up – so – I won’t be able to come this evening…” my girlfriend Nisha said to me on the phone.

“What do you mean you won’t be able to come…? How can you ditch me like this at the last moment…?” I said, disappointed.

“I am really very sorry – but it’s really urgent – I can’t postpone it – I have to go this appointment today evening…” Nisha said.

“But what is it that has suddenly come up and is so important that you want to cancel all our plans for the evening…?” I said to her.

“I will tell you everything tomorrow…” Nisha said.

“I am very disappointed with you…” I said angrily to Nisha, “I took so much trouble to get tickets to that movie you wanted to see – first day first show…”

“I know…” Nisha said – sounding contrite.

“And – I have made reservations for the dinner and dance at my club – a sea-side table – for a romantic evening…” I said to Nisha.

“I know, Vikram – I was really looking forward to spending the evening with you – but – something very important has come up – please try to understand – I’ll tell you everything tomorrow…” Nisha said.

“Okay – I’ll cancel all plans – I’ll give the cinema tickets to someone – and I’ll cancel the dinner reservation…” I said to Nisha.

“No – No – don’t cancel anything – Alka will come with you…” Nisha said.

“Alka…?” I said, puzzled.

“Alka – my younger sister…” Nisha said.

“Of course – I know your sister Alka…” I said to Nisha, with a tinge of annoyance.

“You take her out this evening – your movie tickets and restaurant reservation won’t go waste…” Nisha said.

“Okay – I will take Alka for the movie – but – how can I take her to the club…?” I said to Nisha.

“Why…? Why can’t you take her to the club…?” Nisha asked me.

“She is just a kid…” I said.

“Alka is 21 years old – she is an adult…” Nisha said.

“Maybe – but for me – she is just a kid – I will take her for the movie – not for the dinner and dance…” I said to Nisha, “also – I don’t think Alka will like to come to the club…”

“She was jumping with joy when I told her…” Nisha started saying – but I interrupted her.

“Have you already told Alka…?” I asked, taken aback.

“Yes – I told her in the morning before she went for college – you pick her up from her college – she will be waiting for you at 3 – the movie show is at 3:30 – isn’t it…?” Nisha said.

“From college…? Movie is okay – but – how can I take her to the club in her college clothes…?” I protested.

“You don’t worry – she is properly dressed today – in fact – she is wearing a saree…” Nisha said.

“Sari…?” I said, surprised.

“I told her to wear a dress suitable for the club – but she insisted on wearing a saree – she said she wanted to be dressed like lady for the club…” Nisha said.

“Okay – I’ll pick her up from her college – and I’ll try to have an early dinner and drop her as early as possible…” I said to Nisha.

“There’s no hurry – you take your time – enjoy the evening – I know she is safe with you…” Nisha said.

_____

PART 2

ME AND MY GIRLFRIEND’S SISTER

_____

My girlfriend’s sister – Alka – she was waiting for me outside her college when I reached there at 3 PM

She looked very beautiful dressed up in a saree.

I had never seen her in a saree before.

Whenever we had met – Alka always wore scruffy jeans and a T-shirt – and looked quite unkempt.

It was evident that she had titivated for the occasion – maybe for me – because today – she looked very attractive.

Till now – I had looked at her as my girlfriend’s kid sister.

Today – I looked at her as a woman – yes – she had blossomed into a desirable woman.

She looked so alluring that – unconsciously – I could not take my eyes away from her.

The sound of her voice broke my trance.

“Are you going to keep staring at me – or – shall we go…?” she said naughtily.

“Of course – let’s go – come on – sit behind…” I said to Alka.

Alka sat on the pillion seat of my motorcycle – and – she held onto me tightly.

It felt good.

We drove towards the cinema theatre and reached in time for the movie which started at 3:30 PM (first day first show)

The movie ended at 6:30 PM – and – we drove to my club – which was located at Land’s End.

At 7 PM – we were seated at the seaside table that I had reserved.

The band started playing music.

There was a beautiful sea breeze – and a lovely twilight – as the sun had set below the horizon a few minutes earlier – swallowed up by the sea.

I truly romantic setting.

“This is such a beautiful place…” Alka said – admiring the lovely scenery.

“Yes – especially in the evenings…” I said to her.

“Nisha told me that you bring her over here quite often – but – this is the first time I have come here – thank you so much for agreeing to take me out for the evening – I am a middle-class girl and can’t afford to come to such exclusive places…” she said to me.

“Please don’t say such things…” I said to Alka – then – wanting to change the topic – I said to her, “come on – let’s dance…”

“The band is playing slow music – I don’t know ballroom dancing…” she said – with a tinge of embarrassment.

“Come – I will teach you…” I said – holding out my hand.

I taught her the basic steps of Waltz – she picked up quickly – and we danced the waltz.

I felt good dancing with Alka – she was a much better dancer than Nisha.

Alka and I – we danced continuously – for quite some time – till the music changed – on popular request – to a Bollywood number – so – I lead her off the dance floor – and we sat down on our sea-side table.

“You are so sophisticated…” she said, “I really enjoyed dancing with you…”

“Thank you…” I said with a smile, “I am thirsty – I’ll get some soft drinks for both of us – or lemonade – if you prefer…”

“Why soft drink…?” she asked me, “Nisha said that you like to drink beer – or even whisky…”

“Yes – but – since I am with you…” I said hesitantly.

“I am not a small girl – I will also like to have beer – just like Nisha does – when you bring her over here – and you must have whatever drink you want…” she said – in a rather impish tone.

“Okay…” I said, “we’ll both have beer – and – I’ll get some snacks too…”

We sipped our beer – she talked about her college life.

She was talking quite animatedly – while I was admiring her face – her perfectly shaped eyebrows, her dancing eyes, her lovely little nose, her juicy lips – when she suddenly interrupted me.

“Why are you staring at me…?” she said.

“I am sorry…” I said, contrite.

“I am looking beautiful isn’t it…?” she said, with a smile.

“Yes…” I said, “you are looking very beautiful – you look very attractive…”

“I know – that’s why Nisha sent me out of the house…” she said.

“Nisha sent you out of the house because you look beautiful…?” I said – confused – as I didn’t understand what she was implying.

Before I could ask her – Alka spoke.

“Do you know why Nisha didn’t come with you and sent me instead…?” Alka asked me.

“She told me that she had some important work…” I said to Alka.

Alka gave me a smile – and then she spoke.

“Nisha told you that she had some “important work”…!!! Do you know what that “important work” is…?” Alka asked me.

“Nisha didn’t tell me – maybe it is something in her bank – audit or something…” I said to Alka.

Alka looked into my eyes for some time before speaking.

“Nisha is seeing a “Boy” for marriage…” Alka said.

I was stunned on hearing this – totally taken aback.

“Boy…? Marriage…? Nisha is seeing a “Boy” for marriage…?” I said – shocked with disappointment.

“You thought she wants to marry you – did you…?” Alka asked me.

“Yes…” I mumbled.

I was still not able to think coherently – as I had not fully recovered from the shock of disbelief.

I sensed Alka’s hand on mine.

I looked up at her.

Alka pressed my hand tenderly and spoke in a soft voice.

“She wants to marry an NRI boy – preferably from the US – she wants to settle down in America after marriage….” Alka said.

“Oh…” I said – my heart sinking.

“Nisha didn’t want me home when she was “seeing” the “Boy” – she didn’t want the “Boy” to see me…” Alka said, “that’s why she sent me out with you…”

“She didn’t want you home…? She didn’t want the “Boy” to see you…? I don’t understand…!” I said – curious.

Alka paused for a moment before speaking.

“Last week – an NRI “Boy” had come to see her – but – he said that he wanted to marry me instead of Nisha – and – he asked my mother for my hand in marriage…” Alka said.

“Oh My God – it must have been quite embarrassing…” I said to Alka.

“Well – actually – I felt quite good – and I told my mother and Nisha that I wouldn’t mind marrying that “Boy”…” Alka said.

“Oh – so what did they say…?” I asked her.

“Nisha was furious – she scolded me – said I was too young to get married – that – I should finish my studies first – and my mother – she said that it is not customary for a younger daughter to get married while her older sister remains unmarried…” Alka said.

“Oh…” I said.

“Nisha seems to have become very insecure after this incident…” Alka said.

“Insecure…? Why…? It happened just once – maybe that particular “Boy” was attracted to you…” I said to Alka.

“Not once – not twice – it has happened thrice – in quick succession – it seems all her marriage prospects – the “Boys” who come to see her – they find me more attractive – and they want to marry me instead of her – so – this time – Nisha wants to play safe – she wants to keep me “out of sight” – so that the “Boy” doesn’t see me…” Alka said. 

“So – it seems that Nisha has developed an inferiority complex about her looks – especially in your presence…” I said to Alka.

“Yes – I think so…” Alka said, “she has become jealous of me because I look more beautiful – and boys find me more attractive than her…”

What Alka had told me in the last few minutes was most revealing – and for me – I thought Nisha wanted to marry me – it was a bolt from the blue that she was seeing boys for marriage – and I was clueless – as she hadn’t mentioned it to me even once.

I looked at Alka and spoke.

“I really didn’t know all this. Nisha never told me that she was seeing “Boys” for marriage – I thought she wanted to marry me. I loved her so much – why did she hide all this from me…?” I said – distraught – and tears welled up in my eyes.

“Please don’t feel bad…” Alka said to me – pressing my hand tenderly, “I am so sorry – I shouldn’t have told you all this…”

“No – No – it is good you told me…” I said, “otherwise I would have had false expectations – and the hurt would have more severe later…”

“Let’s go – you can drop me home – the “Boy Seeing” Ceremony must be over by now…” Alka said.

_____

PART 3

EPILOGUE

____

Dear Reader – let me tell you how this story ended.

Next morning – Nisha called me on the shore telephone.

She asked me about my evening with Alka.

I told her it was fine – that we both enjoyed ourselves.

I asked her about her evening.

Nisha said that she was very busy – she didn’t mention that she has spent the evening “seeing” a Boy for marriage.

Nisha asked me if I was free in the evening – she suggested we could go out somewhere.

I lied to her that I was busy.

(In fact – we had a “make and mend” half-day – and I was absolutely free in the evening)

Nisha kept calling me every day – but I stopped taking her calls – I told the quartermaster that in case Nisha calls – he should tell her that I was busy with work and I would call her back – but – I never called her back.

Three days later – we sailed out to the east – for long exercise at sea.

A few weeks later – our ship berthed at Vizag Port.

The mailbag was waiting for our ship.

Among the letters for me – there was a wedding invitation card – Alka was getting married.

Inside – there was a note for me from Alka:

______

“It’s the same “Boy” who Nisha saw on the evening you took me out to the movie and your club.

The “Boy” had “rejected” Nisha – my mother got a call the next day – and she was quite dejected.

Nisha was in office when the call came – but I happened to be home – getting ready to go to college.

I quietly found out where he was staying – it was easy – there was a letter lying in my mother’s cupboard safe.

I went to the house where the “Boy” was staying (his parents’ house)

I told him I was Nisha’s sister – and I brazenly proposed to him – I told him that I wanted to marry him.

He laughed it off – but I persisted – I met him again the next day.

Two days later – he called up my mother – and he told her that he wanted to marry me.

This time – I managed to “persuade” my mother – by emotional blackmail – that I will never marry if she didn’t let me marry this boy.

So – I am off to America.

By the way – Nisha has sunk into a depression – so – you can try your luck – since she is quite vulnerable now.

Maybe – you can propose to her during my wedding…

______

I tore up the wedding invitation card and threw it out of the porthole into the sea.

_____ 

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 
© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

Disclaimer:
1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.
2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
3. E&OE

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Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

Continued from Part 1 of this story posted in my Academic and Creative Writing Journal Blog at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2022/03/short-fiction-story.html

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.