Nostalgic Article on Paradise Colaba Causeway
https://antoinelewis.com/2018/08/06/remembering-paradises-chicken-roll-and-other-temptations/
I loved the Temptation
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Nostalgic Article on Paradise Colaba Causeway
https://antoinelewis.com/2018/08/06/remembering-paradises-chicken-roll-and-other-temptations/
I loved the Temptation
SHORT FICTION
_______
NISHA and MONIKA
Fiction Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE
_____
“Are you going to marry me…?” Nisha asked me.
“Of course…” I said to Nisha.
Nisha looked relieved.
She gave me a loving smile.
I was nonplussed.
“Did you call me all the way to your home from office just to ask me
this question…? You said it was urgent – so – I left important work and rushed
here…” I said to Nisha – feeling a bit exasperated.
“Monika was here a few moments ago…” Nisha said.
“Monika…?” I said – confused.
“Yes – Monika had come to meet me – I called you the moment she left…”
Nisha said.
“That’s surprising…” I said, “I thought she was on “sick leave” today…”
“She is “sick” – lovesick…” Nisha said.
“Lovesick…? What do you mean…?” I asked Nisha.
“Monika is in love with you…” Nisha said.
“I know…” I said, “she asked me to marry her…”
“When…?” Nisha asked me.
“Last evening – when I was dropping her home after office…” I said to
Nisha.
“She proposed to you last evening…?” Nisha asked me.
“Yes…” I said to Nisha.
“You didn’t tell me when you called last night…” Nisha said.
“What is there to tell…? I told her “NO” – a firm “NO” – that there was no
question of my getting married to her – since I was already committed to marry
you…” I said to Nisha.
“Oh – that’s why she was talking about love and arranged marriages…”
Nisha said.
“What was she saying…?” I asked Nisha.
“Monika said that – with you and me – it was only an “arranged”
relationship – whereas – with you and her – it was love – so – I should back
off…” Nisha said.
“What nonsense…!!! Everything has been decided – you and me – we are getting
married in May – two months from now – my parents have liked you – your parents
have liked me – we like each other – we are committed to marry each other…” I
was saying – when Nisha interrupted me.
“That was during the arranged marriage interview three months ago…” Nisha
said.
“So…? Nothing has changed…” I said, emphatically.
“Monika joined your office…” Nisha said.
“Just two months ago…” I said to her.
“She is head over heels in love with you – she desperately wants to
marry you…” Nisha said to me.
“Please stop it…” I said to Nisha.
“Tell me – are you in love with Monika – do you love her more than me – if
that is so – I will back off – and you can marry her – I want you to be happy…”
Nisha said – with a tinge of sadness in her voice.
I was taken aback by her words – so – I paused for a moment before I spoke
to her.
“I don’t love her more than you – in fact – I don’t love her at all…” I
said to Nisha – emphatically.
“But – she loves you – Monika really loves you…” Nisha said.
“No – Monika doesn’t love me – if she really loved me – she wouldn’t have
come to your house and said what she said to you – it is you who really loves
me – if you didn’t love me – you wouldn’t have said what you said to me just
now…” I said to Nisha – and I took her in my arms.
__________
FICTION STORY
________
THE CANDID PHOTO
Fiction Short Story
By
VIKRAM KARVE
_______
PUNE
Circa – February 2023
_______
PART 1
_______
FILM FESTIVAL AT A MULTIPLEX CINEMA
PUNE
_______
“The photo you asked me to click yesterday morning – the one where you
pose next to the Film Festival Poster – I saw it on Instagram…” the girl said
to me.
“Oh Yes – I have uploaded that photo everywhere – on Facebook – on
Twitter – on Instagram – even on LinkedIn – I must say you clicked a good photo
– I look so impressive standing next to the Film Festival Poster…” I said to
her – pompously
“Shall I say something…?” the girl said – a bit hesitant.
“Of course – please feel free to speak…” I said to her.
“Well – I feel the photo looks contrived…” she said – candidly.
“Contrived…?” I asked her.
“In fact – all your photos look contrived – your standard pose – your
typical pokerfaced smile – it all looks fake and artificial – you are an
influencer with huge following – you must post candid photos…” she said to me –
matter-of-factly.
“Candid Photos…?” I said – confused.
“I have clicked a candid photo of you just a few moments ago…” she said
with a naughty smile.
“You clicked a photo of me…? You didn’t even tell me…” I said to her –
feeling a bit anxious.
“If I told you – and you knew I was clicking your photo – then it
wouldn’t be a candid photo at all – there would be no naturalness and
spontaneity – as you would be self-conscious if you knew that you are being
photographed…” she said to me, “a candid photo is one where you aren’t aware
that you are being photographed – so that your expressions are captured true to
life…”
“Candid…? True to Life…?” I said – a bit confused.
She smiled at me and spoke in an assuring tone of voice.
“Don’t worry – the photo has come out very well – it’s a lovely candid
picture…” she said.
“Show me…” I said to her – curious – and eager to see my candid photo.
“Tell me your WhatsApp Number – I will send the photo to you…” she said.
I told her my WhatsApp Number.
She sent the “candid photo” to me.
I looked at the photo on my smartphone.
It was a lovely picture – my profile had come out very well – I looked good
– with a very natural and genuine expression – as I looked slightly upwards at
the film festival banner which had been captured beautifully.
And – the candid picture had captured the panoramic scene so beautifully
– the young couple standing ahead of me in the queue – they looked so lifelike and
natural – engrossed in conversation with each other – it all looked so authentic
and realistic – the candid photo was indeed a masterpiece.
“It is a lovely photo…” I said to the girl, “thank you so much…”
“You are welcome…” she said with a smile, “this is the type of photo you
must post on your social media – instead of your usual posed appearance with your
fake smile…”
“Yes – Yes…” I said excitedly, “I’ll post this picture straightaway…”
As an influencer – I believe that posts must be uploaded in real-time or
near real-time with proper location and appropriate tags – this adds to their
spontaneity and authenticity.
I posted the candid photo on Instagram – with a caption “Yours Truly at
the Film Festival” – and since all my social media is connected – the candid
photo was instantly shared and posted on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr etc. – and I
posted the “candid photo” once again on Twitter – with a bit of description of
the film festival with appropriate hashtags – and tagging some of my friends too.
________
“I have posted the photo…” I said to the girl.
“Yes…” she said – looking at her smartphone, “I have liked it on
Instagram – I’ll retweet it on Twitter too…”
________
Suddenly – the queue started moving – the door to Auditorium must have
opened.
Someone standing behind said to the girl: “Please come in the queue…”
I looked at him and said: “We are together…”
The girl smiled at me.
The least I could do in return for the candid picture was to help her
jump the queue.
________
After the movie was over – I invited the girl for a cup of coffee in the
food court – as there was around half-an-hour for the next movie I wanted to
see in Auditorium 1 – but – she wanted to see another movie in Auditorium 6
which was about to start – so – we parted ways – she went to Auditorium 6 – and
– I went down to the food court for a quick snack and cup of coffee.
_________
On my way down to the food court – I looked at my smartphone.
It must have been around 2 hours since I posted the candid photo on
social media – and – there were quite a large number of “likes” “comments”
“shares” “retweets” etc. on various social media – the candid photo had
especially gone viral on Twitter.
That is the power of social media – your posts are instantly seen
worldwide – by a large number of people – especially if you are an “influencer”
with a widespread following – like me.
An influencer yearns for appreciation – I was really delighted that my candid
photo had gone viral and it was liked and appreciated so much on the social
media.
_________
PART 2
_________
FOOD COURT OF THE MALL
(IN WHICH THE MULTIPLEX CINEMA IS LOCATED)
_________
I placed my order for a Bun Maska and Chai – sat down at a vacant table
– and while I was waiting for my order to be called out – I looked at the
“candid photo” on my smartphone.
There were 3 persons in the “candid photo” – me – and the handsome
couple – a young man and a woman – and – of course – the film festival banner
in the background.
It all looked so natural – my profile as I looked at the poster – and
the affectionate expressions on the faces of the man and women – the intimate
way in which they were talking – it seemed to me that they were probably
husband and wife – or – close friends.
The girl had clicked a really good photograph – so clear and distinct.
And it was truly “candid” – none of us were aware that we were being
photographed – that’s why we were looking so natural and spontaneous –
oblivious of our surroundings.
_________
Unbeknownst to me – the young couple in the “candid photo” – they were
also sitting in the food court – but they were seated in a different section of
the huge food court – and – I could not see them – and – neither could they see
me.
The couple – the handsome young man and the beautiful woman – they were
sitting opposite each other – probably waiting for their food order to be
ready.
The woman was looking at her smartphone – scrolling – when her
expression changed from a smile to one of disbelief.
“Our photo is on Twitter…” she says to the man, “open your Twitter…”
“I don’t have Twitter…” the man says.
“You are not on Twitter…?” she asks him – a bit surprised.
“No – I avoid all Social Media…” he says to her.
“Are you on WhatsApp…?” she asks him.
“Yes – on the same number I gave you before the movie…” he says to her.
“I am sending you a screenshot of the tweet – just look at the photo…”
she says to him.
She sends him the “candid photo” on WhatsApp.
The man looked at the photo appreciatively.
“The photo is really nice – we look so good – I wonder who clicked it –
and this bearded guy in the picture – he was standing behind us in the queue –
I think…” the man says.
“He is the one who posted this photo on Twitter – here – see his profile
picture…” the woman says – and shows the screen of her smartphone to the man.
“How has this photo come on your Twitter…?” the man asks the woman.
“I don’t know – I don’t follow this guy…” the woman says looking curious
– and she starts scrolling her Twitter Timeline and Notifications – and
suddenly – her expression turns to one of horror.
Someone has posted the photo on our office WhatsApp group – it’s Nisha –
that bitch – and she has commented “How to enjoy Sick-Leave” – and put a
naughty emoji…” the woman says.
“Sick Leave…?” the man asks the woman.
“I had told my boss that I want sick leave today – now she will come to
know – thanks to Nisha and that stupid idiot who posted the picture everywhere…”
the woman says – looking worried.
“But – how did Nisha see the picture…?” the man asked the woman.
“That guy is an influencer – he has a huge following on Social Media –
Nisha must be following him on Twitter…” the woman says, “I am in deep shit –
as it is my boss hates me…”
The man’s smartphone vibrates – he looks at the screen – it is his wife –
so – he takes the call.
“Who is that woman with you…?” the man hears his wife screaming from the
other end.
“I am at the Film Festival – I told you…” the man tries to say but his
wife interrupts.
“I am not asking about the film festival – I am asking you about that
woman with you in the photo…” the man’s wife says.
“Which photo…?” the man stammers.
“Don’t try to act dumb – the photo of you and that woman on Twitter…”
the man’s wife says.
“I am not on Twitter – you know that I avoid all social media…” the man
mumbles, “how did you see the photo…?”
“I am on Twitter…” the man’s wife shouts at him, “Look at your WhatsApp –
I am sending you the photo…”
The man disconnects the call and looks at the “candid photo” on
WhatsApp.
Then he looks at the woman in front of him and speaks.
“My wife has seen the photo on Twitter…” he says to the woman.
“He has posted it everywhere – the photo is all over social media – the
whole world must have seen it by now…” the woman says with an exasperated look.
“What do I do…?” the man asks the woman.
“Just tell your wife that I am your classmate from college – and we met
unexpectedly at the Film Festival…” the woman says to the man.
The man’s phone vibrates – it is his wife again.
“Why did you disconnect my call…?” the man’s wife screams.
“I was seeing my WhatsApp…” the man says.
“Who is that woman with you in the photo…?” the man’s wife asks forcefully.
“She is my classmate – we met unexpectedly…” the man is saying when his wife
interrupts.
“What is her name…?” the man’s wife asks.
“Menaka…” the man says.
“Ah – Menaka – she looks like one for sure – trying to seduce you…” the
man’s wife says sarcastically.
“What are you saying…?” the man says, perturbed.
“Just see the way she is flirting with you – giving you the sultry look…”
the man’s wife says.
“What nonsense…? We were just talking…” the man tries to explain to his
wife.
“Just Talking…? So intimately…? Standing so close to each other…? With
your arm is around her….?” the man’s wife says angrily.
“There was a crowd – so – I was just trying to be protective…” the man
says.
“You never put your arm around me so lovingly...” the wife says
acerbically, “tell me – are you having an affair with her…?” the man’s wife asks.
“Affair…? I told you – she is just my classmate – I met her after 10
years – I have not seen her since college…” the man says, trying to convince
his wife.
For a moment – there is silence – then – the man hears his wife’s voice
on the phone.
“You liar and cheat – just look at this comment on your photo tweet – “college
sweethearts rekindling the flame of their love” – now I am sure you two are
having an affair…” the man’s wife yells.
“It must be some mischievous classmate…” the man says irately, “and that
idiot who posted the photo – I will kill him…”
“Oh – you are cheating on me – you are the one at fault – and – you want
to shoot the messenger…? In fact – I am grateful to him – it is because he exposed
you that I have come to know the truth that you are cheating on me and having
an affair with that nympho bitch – I won’t spare you – and as far as that
nympho bitch is concerned – I will destroy her totally – finish her off…” the
man’s wife says furiously – and she disconnects.
The man looks at the woman in front to him – his classmate Menaka.
She is looking at her smartphone screen.
Suddenly – the expression on her face changes – and she shouts at the
man.
“Your wife has gone crazy – she has found out my Twitter handle and she is
writing all sorts of filthy comments on that photo tweet – “keep your hands off
my husband you nympho bitch” – and she has tagged me – I hope my husband doesn’t
see all this…” the woman says, anxiously.
“Husband…? You told me you are divorced…” the man says.
“We are separated – almost divorced – but the alimony and custody cases
are in court – and he will use all this against me…” the woman says, nervously.
Then – the woman looks at the man and speaks angrily.
“It’s all your fault – you shouldn’t have waved out to me…” the woman
says to the man.
“My fault…? You are the one who wanted to jump the queue so you came and
stood next to me…” the man says to the woman.
“I saw you after so many years – so – I came to talk to you – out of
courtesy…” the woman says, “we were friends in college – weren’t we…?”
“I wish I had never waved out to you – you are a “Panauti”…” the man
says scornfully to the woman.
“Panauti…? How dare you call me a Panauti…?” the woman
says angrily to the man.
And they start talking heatedly to each other – a fiery argument –
accusations and counter-accusations – blame and counter-blame.
________
While the man and woman were engaged in their intense conversation –
unknown to them – I had surreptitiously clicked a “candid photo” of them – hotly
engrossed in each other – and the photo had come out so well – their “candid”
expressions captured so beautifully – that – I could not resist the temptation
to post the photo instantly on Social Media – so – I posted it immediately.
And soon – the “candid photo” of the man and the woman having an
impassioned discussion was going viral of Twitter, Facebook, Instagram,
WhatsApp – and all Social Media.
_________
THE CRUISE
Story
By
VIKRAM
KARVE
______
THE
CRUISE
______
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.
_______
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.
________
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.
__________
THE LAWRENCE SCHOOL – LOVEDALE
CLASS OF 1971 – GOLDEN JUBILEE REUNION
(7th January to 12th January 2023)
Memories of the Reunion by Vikram Karve
__________
___________
PROLOGUE
__________
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”
________
________
Bibliotherapy – The Ladies’ Oracle – Guide on Matters of Love and Life
______
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THE LADIES’ ORACLE By Cornelius Agrippa |