chapter 16

THE DREAM

Abhi was becoming a brat.  The riches and luxury was making him forget about the humble past and his background he had. His grade 11 wasn’t going as anyone who ever knew him had ever thought of. He almost failed in two of his subjects. But special thanks to his much commended last name he could get his wishes contented.  He never in his life had to work again. He knew the fact that Mr. Prithviraj could name him as the legal heir and then his life would go on a ride. The company would be with him. He thought he had learnt enough maths to take care of the company and its daily turnovers and contracts. Well even I thought so when I was a kid. I have learnt enough to open up a shop. But once one matures one knows the significance of experience and acquaintance in business.  His mother’s dreams of seeing Mr. Abhishek Nair as Major Abhishek Nair lay buried. This was never what Lakshmi had dreamt of him to turn into.

After the daily chores, which he did any, he slept off. Abhi had a dream which brought Abhi’s roller coaster life back to track. Heavenly intervention at this juncture. I didn’t actually like it. But if need arises God has to arbitrate. Well now the dream was a fast moving flash back of his life, his mother’s life, her agony, his sister’s sacrifices and much more. He had his mother tell him stories which no one ever knew. She told him about the story of his birth, how her father tried to kill him the day he was born, the ordeal of her run to save herself and her day old son.  How petrified she was that very day. She couldn’t take an asylum in anyone’s house. She finally had to spend the night in a manger with a drunkard.  The reality of his life was running like a shot through the canvas of his retina. His sub conscious mind was now responding. Dreams have made heavens crack open. After all this was just to remind the conscious. How does dead speak in dreams about things you never know? Does everything that happens in universe get stored someplace in the multifold of the gray matter? Something cannot be answered. When science fails to answer we call in the religion. Dreams like this is one of the mysteries whose answer one cannot get through science.

The next morning was a new leaf. Tables had already turned. His classmates, friends, teachers and even Roma were surprised at the turn of things in a week time.  He started educating himself with science, general awareness, math and much more. He now had a goal to be in army.

Twitter messages were now making me go nuts. Ashton Kutcher was now being considered as the funny man of the Hollywood. His 149 characters one liners were worth waiting for.

His class 11 got over. His one year at the new house was indeed a ride. Roma and Abhi now had their summer break. Abhi was very much engrossed in what one says staid studies. Mr. Prithviraj Nair was opening up a new office in New York. They had just bought one in the prestigious World Trade Centre. Mr. Prithviraj was leaving for New York in a week’s time. Roma wanted to be roam on the chest of Uncle Sam. Well finally it was decided the family would go in for a short vacation in US. They left for US.

chapter 15

ROMA NOT LEGAL

Abhi’s stature in the society was as that of a prince. Well he had after all acquired the accolades of being Mr. Prithviraj Nair. It was working hugely in favor of him. He got into the prestigious Carla college of Trivandrum. Science stream wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea during those days.

He was now living amidst luxury. He used to go to college in his newly acquired Bentley. He had friends everywhere. He didn’t care if they were his real friends or just for his money. He didn’t care until he had someone around him. He had lost the fervor to study. Maybe the luxury was ruining him. His mother’s dream about him was now lying deep in his sub conscious mind. Mr. Prithviraj Nair didn’t have much time for his family. He was always busy with his business trips. Ms. Sushma used to take care of both. Roma was growing up. But amidst all his rush, Mr. Prithviraj made it a point to be with the family every Sunday. They could all go out for a picnic or for a movie or go to some religious place. But they did make sure they had a family day every Sunday.

During his stay at the new house he came across lots of truth in life. One major truth that was reviled to him was about Roma. She was not legally adopted by Mr. Prithviraj Nair. Well to be frank she couldn’t be. She was the legal daughter of Ms. Sushma. Ms. Sushma has been serving at the house form the time Roma was adopted. She was a short, plumy, fair figure. Mr. Prithviraj signed in oodles of property transfer to Sushma and Roma for her legal adoption. The relation between Sushma and Prithviraj still remains under covers. Should the Indian adoption laws be so stringent? The adoption procedure is governed by the Hindu adoption law and the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 (GWA). The Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 (GWA) came into force on March 21, 1890. According to an act in this law girl child cannot be adopted by a single father. I was shocked at the prevalence of such ancient laws in India.  Some of the articles of Indian constitution do need amendment. It is high time now. One of them is article 377. In a democracy we have to allow all types of people to live in harmony with the society. Be it the LGBT group. They are not murderers. We have thousands of cases of female foeticides happening in our country annually. Why wouldn’t the government still prevail with a century old law? Can allowing of adoption of girl child by a single father reduce female homicides? Well I think so. It can effect to an extent. Well is it because the government doesn’t trust the male species? Will they have sexual attractions towards their daughter? Wouldn’t male genus not able to solve female sexual problems or questions? Well I can’t say for sure. But if such are the problems then why can’t government keep a female counselor who will come in monthly and check about the progress of the child as well can answer questions that male species feel reticent to answer? But one thing is for sure the society has changed so much in the past century that such laws can be done away with. Fathers can handle daughter related problems. They can handle puberty related questions.

One incident I remembered was that occurred in Anand, Gujarat. Anand is famous for its Amul. Except for being the milk capital it’s also the hub of surrogate mothers.  A Japanese couple went in for a surrogate mother from Anand. The Japanese male was the biological father. During the pregnancy the couple split. Now the Indian laws doesn’t allow single father to adopt a girl child. So the problem got worse and finally led to lots of confusion. So is it viable to go in with such stringent laws?

I hadn’t wished more of someone to be on twitter. I wanted the law minister on twitter. I wanted to ask him this question. I wanted answers from him.

Now we were at the outskirts of Kottayam. Kottayam is indeed a beautiful place. I am sure of returning to this place. Now we were approaching Thiruvilla and it was getting dark. the truck drivers weren’t helping our cause.

chapter 14

ALL’S WELL

His stay at the new house was starting to be something more than one can imagine. He had everything he had ever wanted. Actually more than ever he had ever envisioned. He had now someone who he could call dad and someone as sis. He had now someone who could shower upon the fatherly love which he had carved for throughout his life. The first night on a king mattress laden bed was luxury except for the fact that he was expecting his results the very next day.

Morning arrived. He caught some sleep in the wee hours. He woke up to the arrival of bed coffee to his room. He now had a colossal room of his own with all the luxury. Formerly he lived in a house which was smaller than his single room and even had to share it with his mom and Hope. The result was expected around 11 am. He had to go to his school to know his outcome unlike this day when you can get it online at the press of a button.

He reached school in a new black Bentley driven by a uniformed chauffer. It was gifted to him by Mr. Prithviraj that very morning. The car made a statement. Classmates who he envied, who never wanted to talk to him all wanted to be his friends. Girls who never even knew his name started flocking around. Well truly money talks. Money can make you dance, laugh and even make you a clown. Well that’s the power of money. Well when money can buy you a ticket to heaven then all these after all is earthy matters. Everyone around wanted to know the tale behind his change of fortunes. Well he has never told a soul the story bar me that fateful day.

The results came. Abhi scored 89%. He stood second in the district and seventh in the state. What surprised me more was that he topped the state in social studies with 97 marks. Can anyone come out with such flying colours under such tremendous pressure? I don’t know.
Well to be honest I hate exams. I hate the Indian way in which examinations are taken so frequently. As my friend use to say does height increase my measuring one’s height daily then how can student’s caliber increase by giving exams daily.

That night the biggest party that Trivandrum has ever seen was thrown for Abhi. There was music, dance, alcohol, food, girls and much more. It was not only the celebration of his result but in front of all the who’s who of the state Mr. Prithviraj introduced Abhi as Mr. Abhishek Nair. He called him his son. There were people from the film fraternity, political big wicks, media personnel, and industrialists. Abhishek Nair couldn’t have ever dreamt of even meeting such people leave alone the fact that they were all here to applaud in his little success. He was officially made into Mr. Abhishek Nair through the next day newspapers. He was enjoying every bit of his glory. Well the food that was just wasted that very day was enough for around fifty families of his root to feed for a week. What he didn’t understand was the fact that why god showed so much injustice in distribution of wealth? A boy born with silver spoon would enjoy every bit of his life while a tot born without even a spoon in the household would suffer so much in life. What was after all that tot’s fault or what good did the silver spoon kiddo do?

My phone battery was dead. We stopped at a gas fill to refuel as well charge my phone. After all I wasn’t twittering for the past one hour. Trivandrum seemed long way and it was getting dark. I didn’t want to reach Trivandrum before the story was complete. I slowed down.

chapter 13

NEW COMMENCEMENT

Abhishek Nair hasn’t been more confused in his life. He had two paths to choose from. One looked smooth easy sailing and other was hard to ride on. One had a path laid out for him while other he had to make the path on his own. One had his life laid in front of him while he was uncertain about the other tough path. If it were for me I would have chosen the tougher path as my mom says, what seems easier has got my hindrance on the way. But well it was Abhi to decide and not me. He was a practical guy. He had seen lot of sufferings all throughout his life. And it isn’t easy. He did not now want uncertainty in his life. If by choosing the certain way he was ready to face the perils that was on its way if any.  He chose to go with Mr. Prithviraj Nair.

This decision of his had left me forlorn. My life gets or is going to change forever. How I wished he had chosen the harder way. At least my life would not have been involved with the story.

Throughout the drive I never knew why a stranger who I hardly know or by any chance will ever know would change my life forever. What made me incredulous and shocked was Major. Abhishek Nair was keeping track of me for the past one month. He knew I would be there in Mangalore this very day. He knew my flight number. He knew my car. He had planned it so marvelously that I would have never guessed what he was up to until he told me at the end. Well after all he was an Indian Army Major.

Prithviraj Nair stayed in the heart of Trivandrum. He accompanied with Abhi left for his home.

“Will aunty have problems with me?”; asked Abhi.

Prithviraj just gave a pat on his back and smiled. After an hour drive the car stopped at a huge black and gold carved gate. When the goorkha opened the gate, Abhi was dumbstruck. It was a huge palace in front of him. A nine year old girl came running to greet Abhi. She introduced herself as Roma. They were soon to become fast friends. Roma addressed Abhi as a brother. Abhi had now found the sister he had lost. But what surprised Abhi more than anything is that there was no lady in the house except who looked after the daily chores and the food. Abhi anon came to know that Prithviraj never got hitched. He had already showered his share of love upon Lakshmi. He did not have anything left for any other woman. No woman could ever take her place. Well such was his love. Mr. Prithviraj could see Lakshmi through Abhishek. That was the sole reason he brought him to his house.

The board results were to come the very next day. He couldn’t sleep for the whole night. He kept on tossing and turning in his bed for the night. The incidents that occurred during the boards were flashing in his eyes.

I was fast becoming friends with MTV VJ Bani J. well she was an amazing lass. I would be discussing all random stuff with her and she would be happy in replying well of course via twitter.

chapter 12

THE CHOICE

Mr. Prithviraj Nair’s saga seemed never ending. He continued, “I was in pain. Love indeed hurts though it gives you joy. I continued ‘pestering’ my love.

Once while I was walking by the village pond, I saw Abhimanyu with his associate deeply gazing into the pond. I hid myself into the nearby thick bush and looked at what they were so interested in. I saw Lakshmi bathing. Her wet so perfect body alluring in the sun could make anyone go sick in their mind.

I overheard Abhimanyu saying, “wat a piece of meat. I want her. I want to taste her.  I will have her.”

Well I couldn’t believe the words that were flowing from Abhimanyu’s mouth. I knew Lakshmi was in deep danger. I wanted to save her. But I knew at that moment of time if I spoke anything about him it would be like playing music in front of snake. It would definitely fall in deaf ears. But I wanted to warn her. Their love was leisurely crossing the precincts laid by the society.

On a Tuesday afternoon I saw Lakshmi walking by. I remembered the day because I fasted on Tuesdays. I saw Lakshmi walking by lost in her own little world. I ran to her and told her whatever I had overheard. I couldn’t understand her reaction or did she not react? She stood their stunned. She did not speak a word. Was she in shock? I could not know. Slowly I could see a tear in her right eye. I knew something was wrong. Was I late? Questions were running through my head. Suddenly she burst out in tears. I slowly calmed her down. What she told me should have not occurred. She told me that they had made love and she was pregnant with Abhimanyu’s child.  Abhimanyu was busy fighting in the woods.  I cursed myself for her condition that particular day. I was responsible to a certain extend. I could have prevented this disaster from happening. But I didn’t. I was ashamed of myself. I couldn’t help her now though I badly wanted to. She waited for Abhimanyu to come back. She now wanted him back in her life.  She told him all about the baby. But as I guessed it right he did not accept the baby. He was only interested in her body and not her soul. She was forlorn.

My work was to get over in another four months. The eve before I left kadambri forever I went to Lakshmi’s house. I proposed to her. I begged her to come with me. But she turned it down. She thought I was asking her to come with me just to show her sympathy. She never knew my love for her. She was an independent self made women and she would never accept anything as sympathy. And that’s what I loved about her.

Years passed by. I came to know about her demise very recently. I was looking out for you. I went to kadambri but heard you left the village. I came to know about you staying in the temple.”

Mr Prithviraj Nair gave a choice for Abhi to make.  He could stay in the temple and study on his own or make a life of his own OR he could come with him and could have his dreams fulfilled or his mother’s dream. Abhi had to make a choice. Abhi began analyzing the pros and the cons.

PROS	CONS
Could finally get a better/good life.	It wouldn’t be a self made journey.
Could know what’s store for him the next day.	His life would be very uncertain.
Could finally fulfill Lakshmi’s dream easily.	It would not be what his mother wanted.
Could get someone to love and to take care of or be taken care by.	His mother had not accepted him. Was something wrong with him?
	Could he trust a total stranger who comes and tells a story?

one question that rose in my mind is should we marry someone who loves us or should we marry someone who we are in love with?

Well twitter was something that was driving me crazy. MTVindia was running in fond memory of Indian Cricket Team after their debacle at the T-20 world cup. I stopped at a hotel to just look at IFM. It was a crazy journey. Wasn’t it?

chapter 11

REVELATIONS CONTINUE

Mr. Prithviraj Nair continued his yarn, “After winning over the tender, we began moving our machinery to Kadambri. We set up our base camp near the river bank. On one very fortunate afternoon, I went to the village market. I was puffing my Marlboro, lost in my thinking, planning and the beauty of the village. Suddenly I feel a strong push from behind. The push was enough to throw me a few feet away. It was indeed a strong firm push.  I look back and see a speeding jeep going by. Well someone had saved my life. I thought it to be my second innings. When I get up I see the most amazing sight I have ever seen in my life. There in front of me stood a tall, thin, dusky and truly beautiful damsel in front of me. I just got lost in her stern, deep bluish eyes. The depth in her eyes was making me drown. Her ever stunning sexy eyes were enough for me getting lost. I was lost in her stern gaze. With a clap of her fingers and a pat on my cheeks she brought me back to my senses. She introduced herself as Lakshmi. She had an amazing smile. Half her smile would bring those striking dimples on her cheeks. I was indeed falling for her.

She left me there with a firm handshake wondering will I ever meet her again, how I would please her, make her fall in love, marry her, have kids with her and finally grow old with her. Was I finally falling in love with this grameen girl? “

I wanted to know who Lakshmi was. Well it was Abhi’s mother. Love was something I was very lucky to experience it and damn fluky to experience it twice.  Well I am very possessive about my girl. I asked our own Priyanka Chopra if she would help me with this problem. She tweeted back saying possessiveness is something that would ruin my relationship. It would distance my girl from me. I needed to trust her. Well I thought she gave me a cool advice.

Well his love saga continued, “ I would thereafter frequently meet Lakshmi. Though I loved her I felt she would never consider me more than a good friend. I wanted to tell her how my heartfelt but I feared of losing her friendship. Its well said that friendship marks a life even more deeply than love, love risks degenerating into obsession, but friendship is nothing but sharing.

During that period of time the area was under huge naxal problem. The army was roped in. That was my life’s turning point. Lakshmi met Major. Abhimanyu Singh and she fell in love with him. At that moment of time I felt what I not had to make her fell in love with me. I had everything but was not in Army. Maybe she was ordained to fall in love with a army personnel. Whenever Lakshmi talked about Abhimanyu she would go weak on her knees. Well this wasn’t the girl I had met a few weeks ago. The girl I met was independent, strong but love was turning her into something she was not. How I wished I had proposed to her before Major. Abhimanyu Singh episode did not come up. I would follow them everywhere they went. I began stalking her.  They would meet near the temple, near the lake or the park. Well I was losing the girl I loved. Slowly she distanced from me. It seemed Major Abhimanyu Singh didn’t like me talking to her. Even the friendship was getting lost amidst the blooming love saga”

Well I began thinking if Lakshmi had fallen in love with Prithviraj; she would have led a totally different life. She would haven’t gone through all the hardship she faced. This very thing proved the very existence of god. He has all planned out. If she had fallen in love with Prithvi, I wouldn’t have got such a story to tell. We were now in the political and the mafia hub of Kerala: Kottayam.  The Kottayam air would itself make u want to join Politics. It was indeed a beautiful city to be in. It was getting dark. We rushed through the roads of Kottayam.

chapter 10

REVELATIONS BEGIN

The dashing handsome personality approached Abhi Nair and introduced himself as Mr. Prithviraj Nair, a top contractor in Kerala.

Abhi was astonished about his approach towards him. Why would he be looking for him? The story Mr. Prithviraj says leaves Abhi dumbstruck.  He had to finally make a choice. The alternative he picks is to make his life but leaves me in a jitter of a situation. Unfortunately I get badly involved in the story without me knowing it. How I wished he hadn’t taken the decision of his. The decision an unknown person took, almost a decade ago, who I have been introduced a couple of hours ago would determine my life for better or for worse.

Mr. Prithviraj Nair in all his glamour and style begins his tale. The story takes a back leap of around twenty years.

He begins,” I had just taken over my father’s business of constructions. He had successfully run Nair & Co for 13 years. It was making huge turnover. After completing my graduation in the field of Civil Engineering from the reputed Karnataka Regional Engineering College (now called NITK, Surathkal), I went in for my post-graduation in management from London School of Economics (LSE). “

I was truly thrilled at the mention of my college (NITK). To be frank I wanted to hear more about my college rather than the story itself. But unfortunately he knew less and Mr. Prithviraj narrative continued.

“I worked for a year under my father and finally took over the enterprise after dad retired. The company was making huge profits. I wanted to take the company to new heights. The company had huge surplus money in hand. I wanted to invest it fruitfully. To be frank wanted to apply my theories I learnt in LSE to some practical use. So I was looking forward to a project my company would be interested in doing.

“At that moment of time a tender was issued by the government for the building up of bridge in Kadambri”

Well I remembered this was the same village Major. Abhishek Nair was from. Tweet message was following in from Miley Cyrus, our own Hannah Montana. I wanted to congratulate on her success at the MTV awards and I did love her as a true teen sensational Pop- Star. Well she as usual humbly accepted it.

Well the story continued, “As the area was hit by the naxalites, only few contractors were really interested in the project. As an young entrepreneur I didn’t care about the dangers involved until I was being rewarded with huge moolahs. When the news broke out Nair & Co was bidding all contractors withdrew their offer.   Such was the name and fame of my company. I took over the project”

Well now I think was this taking up of the contract a blunder or a boon? This decision of Mr. Prithviraj Nair who I haven’t even met has turned my life into utter mystification. How much can the lives of people be so inter-connected? Can a person who you even haven’t met can take your decision or force you to take one? I was lost.

chapter 9

A NEW LEAF

Abhi went to the examination hall as usual, gave his social exam as if nothing had happened the previous day. I thought his fortitude was so strong that nothing could transform him. He had to excel in his examinations. Just after the exams got over, emotions began to clasp him. He burst out like a volcano waiting to explode under tremendous pressure. His grief had taken over him. Onlookers and bystanders came in to help but he shooed them away. He was left with no one in his life to pamper, to love and to live for.

Well for a moment I thought Hope’s death was for his good. Now he had no fear to lose anyone.  Now he could lead his life without any added responsibility. But losing a sister is always excruciating.

He rushed back to the temple to find out the body missing. His emotions were driving his hormones crazy. He was running around hysterically. He was looking for Hope hither and thither. The head priest came and pacified him and told him that her body was being taken for cremation. The temple trust was bearing the expense. Their short stint of a week was enough for them to generate such ‘familiness’ in everyone. Abhi and Hope had become an integral part of the temple.

He finished off the rituals and returned back to the temple. He loved his li’l angel so much that no one ever suspected she was once adopted into the family. No one ever knew this fact.

Slowly time flew by. As someone once said time is a healer and cures your heart; well it was working with Abhi. Though he can never forget his mother or Hope he began learning to live without them. During his after board vacation he helped the priests with their rituals and daily errands. He became just like a family. He would get his daily wages and gratis food from the temple. He was eagerly waiting for his board exam results. He started loving the new atmosphere he was living in.

One fine morning, this was later to transform his life forever, a black E-class Merc stops at the shrine doors. A uniformed chauffeur steps out opens the back door. A tall, fair skinned handsome man gets out. He moves towards Abhi.

Well I found out twitter is addictive. I wanted to know why Ashley Tisdale left her role as Maddy in the hit show, the suite life of Zack and Cody (on the deck). I loved her so much as Madeline. Even London Tipton was missing her. Well it seems she is really busy with her concerts.

chapter 8

DOUBLE BLOW

The week of examination was going on real fast; he would wake up early, study for a while and then get ready and leave for the examination hall.

Meanwhile Hope would collect both their share of food from the temple premise (annamdhanam) and wait eagerly for him. She would run across the road and hug him as soon as she saw him. This was an untold Rota she would follow for the week. Then they would sit and have their food. The examinations were making him relax and forget the happenings webbed around his life. With each day passing by his pressure was slowly diminishing.

I tweeted as we were leaving Cochin. We were next to stop in Kottayam. Well it’s a political and mafia hub of Kerala. Cochin is a place to be in. I promised myself I would be returning back pretty soon. One of my college friend was here, I wanted to meet him but no time.  I was being served with a story I would die for. Sorry Chirag, next time.

Well the examination was getting over without much of an episode. Quickly four days were over. On an eventful Friday, after finishing his fifth paper, he was rushing back to meet his sister. He had now only one exam to go. It was social studies. He hated it. He hated mugging. He had to study hard for it.

Well as soon as Hope saw him coming, as usual she rushed to hug him. She unnoticed a speeding truck coming as an ‘instrument’ of death. It took her away. This little soul was to leave the earthy ‘pleasure’ body and return to its heavenly abode. She died on the spot just after the impact. The world around Abhi came crumbling down.  I thought can God be so cruel? Can he make someone suffer so much? Should not suffering be equally shared among the earthlings?

Abhi’s aim was determined. I salute this guy’s fortitude with all meekness. He carried his sister to the temple courtyard. He laid her on the floor, put her head on his lap and had his food. Was all this happenings making him stone hearted? I feared. He did not even shed a tear. He opposed (became violent) everyone who came within spitting distance to him or his sister’s body. He took his social studies text and started studying. He studied for the whole day and night. The next morning as usual he got ready and left for his examination.

I was spell bound. I had no answers to his behavioral pattern. Can incidents turn a person’s life into animals? Well animals also got feelings. What was wrong with my hero- Abhi Nair?

This incident was to change his life forever. God had all plans set up for him. As my friend said the world is indeed a dance floor and God the DJ.

chapter 7

In all the hustles happening in Abhi’s life, he had forgotten about the examination he was to face in a week’s time. It was now very significant to him.  The trauma was far from ceasing. He got busy balancing examination with the new role he acquired i.e. to look after Hope. He would love her so much that she wouldn’t feel the absence of her ‘mother’. But this is not true. Mother’s absence is always felt.

Abhi would work in the daylight and study during the night under the lamp. There was no electricity. The village was not electrified. He had to do so, so as to feed two mouths. The countdown to his examination had begun. He was verymuch determined to excel.

Three days prior to the examination, Abhi and Hope received a big blow. That incident shook me. The loan his mother had taken for his studies was haunting them once again. The moneylender and his gundas (goons) ransacked the house and threw their stuff out and brutally threw them out of their own house.  Abhi could remember that night as if it happened two days back. He remembered how he pleaded for some more room so as to pay back the loan and how the moneylender and his goons walked away laughing. They kicked both of them as if they were meant to be. For the first time, I wiped. My eyes were wet maybe because of Cochin pollution. But I was hurt. I wanted to hear more. I wanted more desperately. The dullness of his narration was no more an issue. I wanted to hear more. I was slowly getting inspired.

They had no place to go. That night they walked the streets lament. A 16 year old and an 11 year old girl carrying their mother’s ashes walking through the dark streets was very touchy. It was ‘something’. I don’t have words to express how I felt for them. If it was for me I would have killed myself. But Abhi was special. He had the mental power. He had an aim, a mission to fulfill.

That night they slept with the street dogs at the village temple.  He didn’t want to live in this village which had given him nothing but sorrow. The very next morning he took the bus to the city. The centre for his board was his school itself. They had no shelter and no money. They couldn’t afford a room. They made the nearby temple their very home. The temples in Kerala give out food for the poor at noon. They used to have that and go starving at nighttimes. Abhi studied in the temple courtyard itself.  He studied with the help of deepam (lamp) used in the temple. At that moment, I began remembering the greats who had studied under the street lights and made it big. Well for me this guy sitting next to me was the greatest. Maybe because I knew him or at least began knowing him.

The d-day arrived.  Abhi had six exams. It would get over in a week’s time. The week that would determine how he would web his career began. Well he had the divine blessings. Hmmm, he was staying in god’s dwelling.

MTVindia was desperate in making #battleground a trending topic. I asked them why and they said” err.. its fun J”  well I started helping them out in achieving their goal. Well who cares.

Guys help me out with the title for this chapter. Post it as a comment..