Monday, January 30, 2023

Short Fiction – The Cruise

THE CRUISE

Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE

______

THE CRUISE

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He waited for her at the cruise terminal.

It was the first time he would be alone with her – just the two of them – for the entire weekend.

The cruise ship would leave Mumbai on Friday evening – sail to Goa – and – after a lovely Sunday in Goa – they would return to Mumbai on Monday morning.

It was going to be a weekend of love and romance.

He was especially looking forward to the three nights they would spend together – in the cosy romantic cabin he had specially selected – an ideal seductive setting to get intimate with her – yes – he was yearning to make passionate love to her.

Though they had been dating and seeing each other for quite some time – they hadn’t even kissed – but she had given him tacit hints that she desired to take their relationship to the next level.

And – when he suggested that they go on a romantic getaway – she enthusiastically agreed – and he selected the exquisite weekend cruise on the luxury liner – rather than one of those archetypical “resorts” around Mumbai.

He had booked a premium suite on the top deck – with a private balcony – for cosy romance with a panoramic sunset view of the ocean – as a prelude to passionate lovemaking at night.

He was sure that it was going to happen – because she had given him profuse signals via her eyes that she desired him – and he desperately yearned for her too.

He thought of the diamond ring he had bought for her – and he wondered if he should propose to her before they made love – or after making love to her for the first time.

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The taxi stops near him and she gets out of the taxi.

He looks at her – his heart thumping with the giddy glee of a man who sees his lady love and finds her a thousand times more beautiful than when he had seen her last.

She flatters him by looking steadily into his eyes and giving him a loving smile.

Then – she looks into the taxi and signals.

A boy steps out of the taxi – it is her son.

The man is taken aback – surprised to see the boy – and he feels a deep sense of disillusionment.

The taxi driver takes out the woman’s bag from the boot and keeps it beside her.

The man walks to the taxi driver and pays him – and – the taxi drives off.

Then – the man looks at the woman with a question in his eyes – disappointment writ on his face.

“I am sorry…” she says – contrite, “I had to bring him…” gesturing with her eyes at her son.

“Wasn’t he going to spend the weekend at his father’s place…?” the man asks her.

“He ditched me at the last moment – he called and said he had to suddenly go to Delhi for an urgent meeting…” she says.

“But you didn’t tell me anything…” the man says to her – in a slightly accusing tone.

“He called me just half an hour ago – when I was on my way to his house – I was going to drop my son at his place and come over here – so – I just diverted the taxi and came straight over here…” the woman says, “there was not point calling you when we were going to be meeting in a few minutes – I thought I would tell you over here…”

“It was going to be just the both of us – for the first time…” the man says – feeling let-down.

“I know – I was looking forward to being with you – all by ourselves – I can understand your anger – but – what can I do…?” the woman says – looking penitent.

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While the man and woman are talking – the 6-year-old boy is engrossed in looking at the cruise ship berthed on the jetty.

“Uncle – is that the cruise ship on which we are going…?” the excited boy asks the man.

“Yes…” the man says to the boy – and then – he looks questioningly at the woman.

The woman smiles at the man and speaks.

“We can take him with us – can’t we…? He is so excited…” the woman says to the man.

“I don’t know…” the man says, “the cruise may be fully booked…”

“But he is just a small boy – we can adjust him in our cabin…” she says.

“Please Uncle – I want to go – I have never gone on a ship before…” the boy says – beseechingly.

“Please…” the woman says, “you are in the Navy – I am sure you can do something…”

“Okay – I’ll try and do something – you two just sit over there in the waiting lounge…” the man says – and he walks towards the cruise ship.

_______

The man returns after 15 minutes and smiles at the excited boy.

“It’s done – you are going on the cruise with your mother…” the man says to the boy.

“Yay…!!!” the boy exclaims happily in excitement.

The woman seems happy but she looks a bit confused.

“So – the three of us are going on the cruise…” she says to the man.

“No – you and your son are going on the cruise – he is going instead of me – I have spoken to the Manager and the Captain – they’ll cancel our ticket and issue a fresh one for you and your son – come quickly – there is a bit of paperwork to be done…” the man says – and he leads the woman and her son towards the cruise ship.

______

The woman and her son stand on the deck as the cruise ship slowly casts off from the jetty.

Her son – the 6-year-old boy – he is full of thrill and joy – looking excitedly at everything.

The woman looks at the jetty – her eyes search for the man – hoping he would be there – waving to her.

But – the man is not there.

She feels an ache in her heart – and – a tear rolls down her cheek.

______ 

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:
This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story 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.

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, January 29, 2023

Lawrence School Lovedale Class of 1971 Reunion - Ootacamund Club - 7 January 2023

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THE LAWRENCE SCHOOL – LOVEDALE

CLASS OF 1971 – GOLDEN JUBILEE REUNION

(7th January to 12th January 2023)

Memories of the Reunion by Vikram Karve

__________

___________

PROLOGUE

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Before I tell you about our wonderful reunion – let me make a confession.

Apropos of the Class of 1971 reunion – my role was akin to that of “Yossarian” of Catch-22 – and – while participating in various events of the reunion – I probably had the same feelings as Yossarian may have experienced when he visited the officers’ club that he did not help build.

I am sure you have read Catch-22.

All Officers posted in Pianosa decide to build a club on their own and they put in a tremendous amount of effort to build a good Officers’ Club in Pianosa.

However – the sole exception is Yossarian – who is proud of his ability to avoid work – he contributes nothing to help build the club – he does not go for even a single day to work on building the officers’ club.

But once the Officers’ Club is ready – Yossarian visits the club almost every day – and he makes maximum use of the facilities – which he had not helped build.

Let me quote a paragraph from Catch-22 which encapsulates this sentiment (emphasis mine):

“Actually there were many officers’ clubs that Yossarian had not helped build – but he was proudest of the one on Pianosa.

It was a sturdy and complex monument to his powers of determination.

Yossarian never went there to help until it was finished – then he went there often – so pleased was he with the large, fine, rambling shingled building.

It was a truly splendid building – and – Yossarian throbbed with a mighty sense of accomplishment each time he gazed at it – and reflected that – none of the work that had gone into it was his…”

___________

For me – it was a similar equation as far as the reunion was concerned.

Ranjit – from “Down Under” – was the “prime mover” of the reunion – coordinating everything with his indefatigable initiative – and motivating classmates to attend the reunion.

Madan – unassuming and assiduous – organized the Kerala leg, our transportation – and so much more – especially the “beverages”.

Some of our classmates hosted wonderful evenings of stimulating cocktails and sumptuous dinners at Ooty Club, Coonoor Club and The Culinarium – and – thanks to the redoubtable “Team Bunty” – we enjoyed an unforgettable day of boating and picnicking at Pykara Lake.

Everyone contributed – I must have been the sole exception.

Effort-wise – I contributed nothing – but – as far as enjoyment was concerned – I was at the forefront – thoroughly enjoying myself to the hilt – eating, drinking, merrymaking and participating in every event with joy, fervor and full gusto.

In hindsight – I feel that the least I can do – as my miniscule contribution – is to write about the reunion on my blog – as a memoir and record for posterity.

________

In the next part – I will write about our visit to the school on the 8th of January 2023.

And then – I shall try and tell you about all the events.

Meanwhile – here is a group photo of the “Classy Class of 1971”

________

(L to R) Madan Pillai, OL Prabhu, Alagapan, Arjun Divecha, Muthappan, Mayur Patel, Rajeev Gupta, Mohan Jacob, Rajeev Verma, Vikram Karve, Valliamma, Shanmugham, Remani Barua, George Varghese, Shireen Cama, Shomir Mukherjee, Theivani, Ajay Desai, Geetha Gangadhar, Phillip Charles, Monty Bopiah, Riad Fyzee, Santosh, MM Sundaram, Ranjit Giri

________

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Bibliotherapy

Bibliotherapy – The Ladies’ Oracle – Guide on Matters of Love and Life

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THE LADIES ORACLE
A Fascinating Book 
By  
VIKRAM KARVE
_______

BIBLIOTHERAPY

Reading can be fun. 

Reading can also be therapeutic. 

Bibliotherapy may be defined as the use of books to help people solve problems.

Yes  you can benefit from bibliotherapy – use books to solve issues that you may be facing at a particular time  

Many of us use bibliotherapy without realizing it. 

Reading is ameliorative in nature – and – an enjoyable read always cheers you up  and puts you in a good mood.

Whenever I am in a blue mood  I browse through my bookshelves and pick up a good book.  

For me  reading is the greatest of all joys.

The moment I start reading a book  I enter a different world  and this change of environment has a positive effect on my mood and emotion  and lo and behold  my spirits are uplifted. 

Those who do not have the habit of reading remain imprisoned in their moods and immediate surroundings.

I have just picked up a delightful little book called  “The Ladies Oracle”  by Cornelius Agrippa from my bookcase.

Here is a picture of the title page of my copy the book: 

THE LADIES’ ORACLE By Cornelius Agrippa


THE LADIES’ ORACLE By Cornelius Agrippa  

Let me tell you about this intriguing book The Ladies’ Oracle and you will see how this book can cheer you up and lifts your spirits too – an ideal book for BIBLIOTHERAPY .

Whenever I buy a book  I write down the date and place of purchase on its first page. 

I have duly recorded that I bought The Ladies Oracle on 14 February 1989 – on Valentine’s Day – more than 28 years ago  on the pavement bookstalls opposite the Central Telegraph Office (CTO) near Hutatma Chowk (Flora Fountain) at Fort in Mumbai (then called Bombay).

I don’t remember what prompted me to buy The Ladies Oracle

Maybe  I wanted to present the book to my darling wife 

Or maybe  because there was no such book as “The Gentleman’s Oracle” – at the pavement bookstall.

But that is not important now.

So  let’s talk more about this amusing little book.


HOW TO USE THE LADIES ORACLE FOR BIBLIOTHERAPY

Let’s get down to using this delightful oracle.

First choose a question from the ninety five listed in the book from pages (v) to (viii) numbered 5 to 100

(I wonder where the first five questions are?)

I select question number 35: 

Shall I always enjoy good health...?

Now as per the the instructions  I turn to page (i) – I close my eyes – and I put my finger on the “Table of Signs

I open my eyes and I see that  I have placed my finger on the sign representing a single square.

Now – I consult the table starting from page 10 – I follow the line marked by the number of the question (35th  line)  till I arrive at the column which has the chosen sign over it  and this figure gives me the number of the page (74) on which the answer is written.

I open page 74 – and I look the sign traced by my finger (a single square) – and alongside the sign I find my answer: 

You will always have joy, health and prosperity...!!!

Fantastic...!!! 

I am feeling good already. 

Bibliotherapy seems to be working.

Now the next question, number 15: 

How many lovers shall I have...? 

I follow the same earlier procedure as stipulated in the instructions – and – the Oracle gives me the answer: 

You will have a great many lovers  but those that have so many lovers – they generally choose the worst...!!!

Hey  I have to be careful in love…!!!

The next question, number 91: 

What opinion has the world of me...?

The Oracle answers: 

You are thought to have had more than one adventure...!!!

Wow...! 

Have I really sown my wild oats that much...?

I ask the oracle: 

Shall I be happy in love...? 

And the oracle says: 

You will find more pain than pleasure...!

Oh, Dear…!!!

I better steer clear of falling in love...!!!

So I ask the oracle: 

Will my reputation be always good...?

The oracle answers: 

It will always be as you make it...!!!
  
I must take care to build up a good reputation!

I ask the oracle: 

Shall I go many long voyages...?

The oracle answers:

You will do well not to voyage farther than round your own room...!!!

Great...!!!

That puts an end to all my travel plans...!!!

All I am going to do my entire life is go round and round in my room...!!!

What a gloomy answer...!!!

And I thought browsing books was supposed to lift my spirits...!!!

Okay – just one last question  and the answer better be something good to cheer me up – or else no more ‘bibliotherapy’ for me...!!!

I select question number 74: 

What is the person that I am thinking about doing at this moment...? 

and the Oracle answers: 

She regrets not being with you...!!!

Really…? 

My, My...!!!

It seems to good to be true…!!!

So I call her up (the girlfriend I am thinking about at that moment)

She says in her sweet loving voice:

“What a coincidence. I was just thinking of you and the good times we had together – I wish you were here with me…”

Wow…!!! 

Bibliotherapy really works.

I feel thrilled, jubilant, ecstatic, on cloud nine, in seventh heaven – and right on top of the world – as I rush off to surprise my beloved sweetheart.

And just imagine  I thought that she never even thought about me...!!!

It looks like it is the end of what I thought was my one way unrequited love  and the beginning of a new exciting romantic relationship with her. 

Yes  things are looking up…!!!

Long live The Ladies Oracle

Oh, Yes – The Ladies Oracle is a delightful little book you can consult from time to time on matters of love and life.

Believe me  you will enjoy reading and using this marvellous book.

It may be called The “Ladies” Oracle  but I feel that even men can consult it with satisfying results. 

Dear Reader  why don’t you try it out…?

I am sure you can easily get a copy of THE LADIES ORACLE online or at your bookstore.

It is delightfully entertaining reading  guaranteed to lift your spirits. 

I always carry this oracle in my pocket to enliven my moments of waiting – waiting at airports, railway stations, while travelling. 

Take it with you everywhere and you will never be bored. 

It is a small book  pocket-size  easy to carry everywhere.

Get a copy of this interesting book – The Ladies Oracle 

Then just ask the questions you always wanted to ask  and enjoy the answers…!!!

Do tell us whether you found the oracle useful in matters of love and life.

Long live Bibliotherapy 
_______

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:
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.

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.
 

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