A Love Story (Eight)

by Prabhavathi Jai

 Happy to receive,

More happy to give,

It is very peculiar in love .

EIGHT
 Hearing the noise, the in-charge of the Home came out.
Seeing Jai, she smiled and welcomed him,
" How are you Jai ? Who is this girl?  
I wish you a very Happy Birth day 
and many happy returns of the day."         

  
" Thank you, Madam. 
She is Prabhavathi studying in College
and her house is near my hostel. Good girl. 
This donation for the Home is from her", 
Jai handed over a draft.

   
" Thank you, Prabha. Come in." 
Madam called us inside her office.
"Wait I'll come back shortly." She left us alone.
    
" Jai, You never told me to-day is your Birth day. 
The draft........"
" I am not a very big man to celebrate lavishly. 
To-day you are with me, Prabha. 
This is enough and I'm very happy.  
What else I want ?  On this day, 
I usually come here and spend time with these children.
 I presented the draft on your behalf. "

I was not able to argue with him.
He was special in his own way. 
Good, kind, helping .............
Madam came back and gave some sweet to both of us.  
She put jasmine flower on my hair 
and thilak on my forehead, wishing all well in my life. 
" You look very beautiful.  
Jai is also a very good boy.  
Both of you should live happily." 
I really felt very happy and shy, throwing an oblique 
look on Jai, who was looking at me and smiling.

              
Before leaving the place, 
 we spent more time with the inmates
 playing happily with the children  
and having our meals  with them.
 I entered hesitatingly but left the place 
reluctantly with heavy  heart.While returning Jai remarked, 
" to-day my Queen looks very beautiful and wonderful". 
 I felt elated and held his hand tightly and fondly.

             
 We went to nearby Marudamalai Murugan Temple 
and prayed for our happy union.  
The Lord looking at us with his usual smile. 
Just then I saw a twinkle in the eyes of the Lord.  
I prayed again , "Lord, please don't test us. 
We, the human beings are fallible. 
Pardon us for any of our known or unknown mistakes."  
We came out and sat on the steps of the temple in a corner.
 I closed my eyes resting my head on 
Jai's shoulders with peace in my heart.

 Murugan Temple Marudamalai Coimbatore

              After some time, we left the place and reached 
Botanical Garden near the Agricultural University.  
We were roaming around the park merrily
discussing many happy things.  

I removed my sandals and  went  for a face wash.
A big thorn pricked my foot deeply.  
I was crying in pain, "Jai, thorn has pricked my leg." 
I could not walk. Jai rushed to me, 
lifted and carried me like a child to a  nearby bench in the park. 
He made me to lie down. He kept my leg on his
lap and slowly removed the thorn with care and affection.  
I could see the agony on his face 
while I was having the pain during 
the process of removal of the thorn.
Even a small problem for me, Jai was not able to bear.

After a while every thing became all right.
 " Jai, I'm very happy to-day. Thank you."   
Then I removed the ring from my
finger and put it on Jai's finger." 
This is  my gift for your Birth day. Please accept."
        " Very Good. I'm accepting. 
But what will you tell in your house. Lost ?
No, for my sake, My darling should never tell any lie. 
Let it be on your finger.
I will take it at appropriate time. OK ? "   
He put back the ring on my finger.

" Why can't you  give me a costly 
and better birth day gift.   
Your love, yourself  ......
As a token now.....",  Jai smiled.   
I understood.  
I gave him a long and affectionate kiss.  
We remained there  happily for a long time
 and I went home reluctantly in the evening .

When I was in hospital for high fever, 
Jai was there attending me day and night
 for three days even without proper food  
and place to sleep.  
He refused to leave me and go. 
Even my parents were not aware of the fact.

When I recovered my sister, Padmini 
and the Doctor told me.  
Jai was looking sick. 
I embraced him and wept loudly. 
Seeing me OK, Jai was  very happy.
" Are you all right,  my Prabha?  
Don't worry, take rest, I'll take care."
He was pressing my feet affectionately with tears in his eyes.

HE IS MY JAI, ONLY FOR ME.
I AM HIS PRABHAVATHI, ONLY  FOR JAI .

I remembered the tamil song:
" உன் கண்ணில்  நீர்  வழிந்தால் 
என்  நெஞ்சில் உதிரம் கொட்டுதடி"
meaning
When I see the tears in her eyes
My heart bleeds heavily.
It was always true  with my Jai. 

*****

For lovers it is impossible
to tolerate even a small
trouble for others.
Love means sacrifice.

pj

*

செறாஅச் சிறுசொல்லும்  செற்றார்போல் நோக்கும் 
உறாஅர்  போன்று  உற்றார்  குறிப்பு .
                                                             - திருக்குறள்  :1097.
Words with false hate and look with projected anger
are the symptoms of her heart full of hidden love
*