11. Siddartha visits Amrita

CHAPTER 11

Siddartha visits Amrita

Siddartha went to Amrita’s house on bike. He parked the bike and stood looking at the house. It was a beautiful bungalow with a beautiful garden.

Amrita was watching TV in the hall. Hearing the sound of the bike, she went to the window and looked out. She was surprised and excited to see Siddartha. She immediately went to welcome him.

Amrita smiled with a heavy heart and said, “Come. Sit down, Siddartha.”

Siddartha sat down on the sofa. Amrita sat down in front of him.                               Amrita smiled and said, “How are the preparations for marriage going on?”

Siddartha brought smile to his face forcefully and said, “Mine is a simple marriage. Just tying the sacred thread and giving lunch to around 100 people. That’s all.”

Sadly, Amrita asked, “Where is Reshmi? I have phoned to her 4 times since morning. Twice it was switched off. Then twice she did not receive the call. Why hasn’t she come with you? I suppose she is very busy.”

Siddartha was shocked to hear Reshmi’s name. Controlling his emotions, Siddartha said, “She has gone to the tailor. Tomorrow is marriage and he has not given the clothes. He is still stitching.”

Amrita said coolly, “I am sure that all your friends are busy with the arrangements for your marriage tomorrow. Even the academy has declared 3 days holiday.”

Siddartha laughed and said, “Each of them is doing one job or the other. But you should come tomorrow.”

Amrita felt sad. She closed her eyes and thought, “This marriage should have been mine. Tomorrow’s auspicious time should have been fixed for my marriage.”

Siddartha was shocked to see her silence. “Why have you become silent? You are going to come to the marriage, aren’t you?”

Hearing his voice, Amrita became alert suddenly and said, “Yes. I will definitely come.”

Siddartha took out an invitation card from the small bag he had. “I want to invite you father, commando Ranjit to my marriage. That is why I came here.”

Amrita was shocked. She looked at him in surprise. “What did you say? You want to invite my father to your marriage? I am surprised.”

Coolly, Siddartha said, “Yes. True. I have forgotten the past wounds. He is an elderly person. I need his blessings. That is why I have come to invite him personally.”

Amrita felt happy and relaxed. “I am so happy. You are a very good person. My father is an angry man but does not keep anything in his heart. Just like you.”

Coolly, Siddartha asked, “When will your father come home? Where can I meet him?”

Seriously, Amrita said, “You know about that international terrorist Afzal’s case isn’t it? Tomorrow he will be hanged. The whole city is in red alert. Not only that, today before leaving, my father told that he will return only tomorrow after Afzal’s dead body falls. By that time your marriage will also be over.”

Siddartha was shocked to hear this. But he was not going to give up so easily. He had to meet Ranjit today. “I do not mind if he does not attend my marriage. But I need his blessings. I will go to the place where he is and take his blessings. You just tell me his program, that’s all.”

Amrita took her mobile and punched a number.

Meeting was going on in Ranjit’s office. Secretary’s mobile rang. He picked up the mobile and went a bit away. “Madam, your father is in meeting. Is it anything important?”

Coolly, Amrita said, “Our national shooting champion Siddartha wants to meet him. Just see his program and tell me his free time. I will send Siddartha.”

Secretary said with regret, “He will not have any free time today. Till tomorrow he has tight schedule.”

Siddartha got up and sat near Amrita so that he could hear what secretary was saying on the mobile.

With tension, Amrita said, “Please look for a gap. Just 5 minutes is enough. Siddartha just wants to give marriage invitation and take his blessing that’s all.”

Secretary took out the diary and looked at the programs.  

Looking into the diary, secretary said, “Madam, the meeting in IT Park will continue till 12.”

Amrita was listening intently. Siddartha could also hear the voice of secretary.

Secretary continued, “After that city rounds. From 1:30 to 2pm he is chief guest in blind school prize distribution function.”

Siddartha became alert hearing about the program at blind school. He thought this was a good opportunity to put a point on Ranjit.

Secretary continued, “After lunch, meeting with HM.”

Amrita said, “Thanks. I will phone again after some time.”

She put down the phone and looked at Siddartha in tension and disappointment. “My father is very busy today. You go straight to IT Park and meet him there. If you miss now, he will go for city rounds and then there is function in Blind school from 1:30 to 2. He will have lunch there and then he will go for a meeting with HM. “

Siddartha observed Amrita keenly. “I will go and meet him now itself.”

Coolly, Amrita said, “Ok. I will call him.”

Siddartha got up to go. “Thanks a lot.”

Amrita followed Siddartha out of the house. He climbed onto his bike and left. Amrita waved at him. Then she stood watching him go with a heavy heart. She remembered her life with Siddartha. How she had lost the chance of becoming his wife.