THE GAME

THE GAME

PART I
The game was about to begin.

Students had crowded around the badminton court long before the game’s scheduled time. They passed comments supporting and opposing the competitors. It was a game that none was willing to miss. The whole campus was there. They were anxious to witness that sizzling event. They waited impatiently for the game to begin casting glances at their watches from time to time.

It was an extraordinary shuttle-badminton match which took place between a college Professor and a final year post-graduate student. One might ask what the ‘extraordinary’ element in this match is. The said element rested in the stake involved in the match, which cost the rest of the college life of that academic year of one of the players.

“Yes. Revenge. By contesting you in a game. A game, which both of us knows very well. A game, which has a stake. Only the winner will continue in the college.”

The campus had known Professor Balachandran’s heated conversation with Manu the day before. The campus felt no shock at this since their dear Professor was entitled to say those. He had suffered a lot. He had lost his brother and his father. The campus had lost an innocent final year post-graduate student who too got killed. And majority of the campus believed Manu had something to do with all these deaths.

Everything had started with the clash between Manu and Suresh, Professor’s deceased brother. Both were constantly at loggerheads. Suresh was a mean character. He was the villain of the campus. In fact something hot was brewing between Suresh and Manu right from their school days. Each hated other. The hatred had culminated when Manu blocked the prior college election gimmick of Suresh.

Suresh had dressed as Mahabali in the day when the college closed for Onam holidays. This was a part of the forthcoming college election campaign. The college Principal had banned such shows since there had been a fight between the student political parties connected with such a show the very last year. When Suresh was out in the campus in the Mahabali attire, Manu and his friend Cherian were at the college canteen. Cherian’s cell phone rang informing the news.

They had gone to meet Mahabali. Suresh’s friend Tharun had dressed as Vaamanan.

“Hello Manu and Cherian. How are you my kids? Blessings from Maaveli.” Suresh raised his hand at them in a blessing posture.

“Blessings from Vaamanan too.” Tharun added.

“Pha. Maveli and Vaamanan. The Principal has banned such fancy dresses in the campus. We will not allow this.” Cherian, the chairman candidate of Suresh’s rival party, raised his voice.

“Go to hell. And who is Principal? God almighty? What he will do? Stomach me? Save your words Cherian.” Suresh sneered at Cherian.

“I have informed the office. You will stop this blabbering as soon as the Principal comes. Oh! Long live Menon sir. Here he comes. Sort out your problems with him.” Manu mocked.

“What is going on here?” The Principal intervened.

“Sir, you had banned such shows the very last year itself. Now see what these guys are up to? Or have you given them special permission to stage this masquerade.” Cherian fumed.

“What are you up to?” The Principal frowned at the ancient characters.

“Sir, we are welcoming Onam.” Suresh found his voice.

“Onam, Mahabali, Vaamanan. All these are dear to all of us. We all love to see these characters also. But this is not the place to stage a show like this. Have you forgotten what had happened last year subsequent to such pre-election shows? Have you forgotten how many were hospitalized?”

“Sir, the majority would appreciate this show.” Suresh kept on trying.

“Sir, if these guys carry on with this show, we will organize Thiruvaathirakali of boys. It is very easy to get the costumes and make-up to start it within one hour.” Manu raised his voice.

“I want both of you to stop this at once.” The Principal commanded.

“Sir, we arranged this with great effort. Please sir.” Suresh almost licked Principal’s feet.

“Don’t be soft on them sir. Put it in strict words.” Contribution from Manu hit the target.

“Listen, both of you. If you continue with this show, you will have to look another college for further studies.”

The Principal left with that ultimatum.

“Now what will our poor Maaveli and Vaamanan do?” Cherian faked sadness.

“Go and model for some Jewellery or textile shop. At least it will compensate the cost.” From Manu.

The crowd started booing.

“So you are behind all these. I will not spare you Manu. You better start the countdown. You have got it coming.” Suresh roared at Manu before leaving the scene.

Shortly Manu was briefing his classmate Parvathy about this incident in their classroom.

He and Parvathy were very close. She was there at his matches to cheer him up. To give him water, to hand him towels, to cheer for him, to give him strength. She was his big friend.

“Suresh is not a simple guy. You have to be careful.” Parvathy warned him.

“Oh, thanks for your warning. I will kneel before him and beg for apology! Everyone is excusing him because of Balachandran sir.” Manu scowled at her.

He did hear Cherian’s frantic call for him followed by some shouts. As Manu was about to turn, a scared Parvathy sprang up and pushed him aside with lightning speed. The next moment her blood spilled on his face.

Suresh stood stunned. He had slashed Manu. But Parvathy had intervened and took the slash on her throat.

He did not spare a moment. He ran like a bat out of hell.

A wailing Manu gathered Parvathy in his hands and ran. Cherian brought a car and they made it to the hospital. Blood gushed from the cut. Parvathy lay on his lap. Manu tried to stanch the gush with his handkerchief, in vain. She started losing her consciousness due to the loss of blood.

“Where are we going Manu?” She weakly asked.

“Hospital.” Manu said.

“Will I die Manu?”

“No. I will not allow that Paru.” His voice broke. He bit his lips.

“Why did you do this Paru?” He asked.

She had pulled his head down to her lips and had kissed him on his salty cheek before whispering.

“Because, I love you.”

He was stunned at her words.

She had loved him silently all this time!

Parvathy met her end on the operation table.

In the meanwhile a mob of violent students chased Suresh and while running madly from them to the college tower Suresh missed his step and he fell down from a good altitude. He had an abrupt death.

Suresh’s father took the news calmly and said he wanted to lie down for a while. He did not wake up from that sleep.

Professor’s life had shattered. To him family was everything. This 40-year-old flamboyant man had a failed marriage and had not bothered for a re-marriage. He lived for his family and his campus. He was admired by the campus He was not an ordinary teacher. He was the state level shuttle badminton champion during his college years. He was the coach of Manu who won the university shuttle badminton championship a couple of months before. Though there was a physical education director for the college, Professor Balachandran performed the functions in his spare time and holidays. He was the one who woke Manu up at dawn for the coaching. Manu was very dear to him. But with the dreadful incident everything went topsy-turvy.


Professor joined the college immediately after the Onam holidays. His colleagues had urged him to go on leave and take rest at least for two weeks. He could not stay in his house since it would drive him mad. He had replied.

Manu had decided to give up his studies after the string of incidents. His parents, relatives, his entire class had persuaded him. He had said a firm no to all. But at the persuasion of Parvathy’s parents, who came to his house in an evening, he resumed his studies.

When he entered his class his eyes got transfixed on the vacant seat where his Paru once sat. His mind drifted back to her. A wave of memories flooded through his mind. His eyes brimmed with tears. His class soothed him. It was with great effort he attended the first hour. He decided to skip the next. He loitered in the campus with Cherian later to end in the canteen. There he faced the second shock, which came from the Professor.

He was brooding over a cup of tea. Cherian’s words were not having its effect. But he kept on trying to cheer Manu.

Suresh’s friends entered the canteen. They sat opposite to Manu.

“So you have finally arrived. We thought you do not have the guts to enter this campus again. Agreed Manu, you are a tough guy”, was the opening gambit of Tharun.

“What are you up to? You not satisfied with what has happened? He is in a mess. Don’t get on his nerves.” Cherian snapped.

“Our Manu is in agony. Sooth him guys.” Tharun mocked.

“What you guys want?” Manu asked.

“Nothing.”

“Then just get the hell out of here instead of fooling around with me.”

“Cool. Let me come to the point. Manu, would you object if I call you a scot-free lucky chap?” Tharun asked.

“I am not sure I understand.”

“A person who is the reason for three deaths still remains in one piece, unscathed. That’s what I meant.”

“You very well know I am innocent. Why you accuse me?”

“Sure. You are not the one who killed Parvathy. You are not the cause for Suresh’s death. Again you are not the one who is responsible for Suresh’s father’s demise. Prima facie, it appears like that. But there is more to it than eyes meet. You were invisibly present in the backdrop, lurking in the shadows.”

“What the hell do you mean?”

“I will explain.” A grim-faced Professor entered the scene.

“How many times I had told you not to clash with Suresh? He was short-tempered and mean, I admit. The result of too much pampering given to one who lost his mother by birth! How many times I had told you to approach me if something bad happened from Suresh’s side? If you had taken my requests seriously, it would have saved three lives.”

“Sir, I prevented the show for the sake of the entire campus. The rival political parties were all set to revolt. If it were not for me, a situation similar to last year would have happened. Suresh misunderstood my intention. It was a trivial incident. It was Suresh who made it a big deal, blowing a small matter out of proportion. I am totally innocent in this matter.”

“No more words with you Manu. To you these deaths are not important since you do not have any personal losses. I lost my brother and father.”

“Bygones are bygones. What can he do for all these? Or what do you people want from him?” Cherian raised his voice.

“Revenge.” Tharun thumped his fist on the table.

“Revenge?” Manu incredulously asked.

“Yes. Revenge.” Professor replied.

“What bullshit is this sir? These guys have no sense at all. Are you becoming one of them? Manu is totally innocent in this matter. Revenge? You must be kidding. In what way can you avenge the death of your brother and father?” Cherian asked him incredulously.

“I repeat. Revenge. By contesting him in a game. A game, which both of us knows very well. A game which has a stake.”

“Stake?” Manu’s voice went up.

“Only the winner will continue in this college. That’s the stake.” Professor said.

“Are you serious?” Cherian asked.

“Damn serious. Tomorrow afternoon 4.30 at the badminton court you and I will fight. Be there.”

“Sir, if you want to eliminate me from this campus, I would gladly leave voluntarily. If it satisfies you I am ready to take my leave this moment itself.”

“No. I will not let you escape like that. I need a gentleman game. We will sweat to win. The winner would remain and the loser would go out. So be there tomorrow afternoon.”

Concluding, he stormed out of the canteen flanked by Suresh’s friends.

The news spread out.

In his class, Manu hold his head in both of his hands as if he was having a monster headache. His mind was in turmoil. He was his teacher. He was his mentor. He was the one who had taught him how to hold the racket properly. It was he who hauled him from his bedroom to the court at every dawn for daily practices. He was the one who helped him to win the university shuttle championship a couple of months before. To him, he was more than a teacher.

How could he contest him?

It was the class who had given the strength to Manu. They told him to fight the Professor bravely. Justice was on his side. By contesting him he was not doing anything wrong. If the Professor itch for a fight let him have it. Contest and win. The class wants him to win. Further, Parvathy always wished for his victory.

Willy-nilly, he had to fight him the day after.

PART II

At last the clock’s hands reached 4.30 pm.

Professor Balachandran was the first to enter the badminton court. The students cheered him. Manu who looked like hell, followed him. Before the match, Professor shook hands with Manu and wished him all the very best and added.

“Brace yourself. Don’t shilly-shally. This should be a gentleman’s game.”

They fought like real warriors. They panted, grunted, cursed, and yelled during the game. The match was a real tie. Both were perfectionists. And it was a visual treat for the campus. The majority whistled for their Professor and mocked Manu loudly at his fault. As the game advanced, the heart thuds of the spectators became audible for them since the players were at the peaks of their power. The players performed net shots, smashers, brilliant foot-works, wrist plays and the cutest tricks in the book trying to deceive each other. Girls bit their nails and boys tugged their hair. There were no more booing when the game advanced to a score of 13 all. Manu climbed to 14 when Professor missed his step and fell down while he was attempting to return a simple shot from Manu. At this the spectators had stood up. Before making his serve Manu looked straight into the eyes of Professor. Then he made his serve to the merit of the Professor. A serve, which was so high, that Professor, could easily kill it. The spectators roared to smash it. Professor moved with deliberate steps and swung the racket. Then something happened. He began to blink his eyes as if he was not getting the right vision. He attacked the shuttle but his swish missed it by inches. Understanding he had lost the shuttle he made a couple more swishes frantically. But by that time the shuttle had tumbled down and hit his court.

Manu won the match.

Manu stood dazed unable to believe what has happened. The entire campus stood silently as if they could not digest the result. Professor, who had egg on his face, kept on shaking his head as if he could not believe his defeat. Tharun and his friends appeared crestfallen. Applause broke from Manu’s friend’s side but it was killed by the glare of the majority. It was Professor who broke the silence. His eyes brimmed with tears. He declared Manu as the winner and he was ready to honor the stake. He was going on leave till the end of the academic year. He would join the college only after Manu left the college. He demanded the spectators to give a warm applause for the winner. None obeyed. Instead there were slogans against Manu. Professor tried to pacify the angry mob. Then he moved to Manu and congratulated him.

“I am sorry sir.”

“What for?”

“My serve was purposive. I wished your victory. But you missed it.”

“I know that. But in fact I am the one who has won the match.”

“I don’t get you?”

“Do you think missing the step and falling down was real? Do you think I would have missed that silly serve of yours, which you intentionally made to let me win the game? It was all purposively done my dear. I am a good player, a terrific one. I am a good teacher also. Above all, I am an excellent actor. Want to know what the reason for my unethical decision was?”

Manu gaped at him incredulously. Professor gestured at the crowd with his eyes.

“Watch the sea of angry faces. They are ready to kill you. To them you are the reason for the death of my brother and father. Their love for me is enhanced due to these incidents. Now by defeating me you have eliminated my presence too. They will not stand that. You will have to face hardship to finish your course. Each and every day of your remaining education time span you will be remembered for your wicked acts. That is my idea of revenge. Tell me, how is it?”

“It is terrific. Isn’t it Manu?”

The question came from Tharun who had a self-satisfied smirk on his face. He and his friends were happy.

“So it was not a gentleman’s game as you stated prior to the start of the game!” Manu said bitterly.

“You are correct.”

“So you cheated me.”

“Consider it my revenge on you. Congratulations on your victory.”

Dramatically he took Manu’s right hand, which was a dead fish, and shook it. Then he turned around to face the spectators. He started to say something. Devoid of words, he burst into tears. He left the court dabbing his eyes with his shirtsleeves.

It was a sobbing girl who had hurled the first stone at Manu. It was followed by many. Manu’s friends rescued him with great effort. Manu did not felt the pain on his temple and the blood exuding from the cut. He was shocked like anything for the climax had shattered him.

PART III

Meera came as the new admission to fill the gap of Parvathy after a couple of weeks of the game. She came from some distance. Her behavior was weird. She was highly passive keeping everything to herself. The class tried to befriend her in vain. She seldom spoke. During free hours she did not join the chat group. As soon as the class got finished she would either retreat to the hostel or the college library. She had put up a façade which none was allowed to penetrate.

The ice broke with the marriage of Priya of the class. It was Manu who organized the trip to the wedding ceremony. He announced the share of the class to buy a present for the bride. When he approached Meera she gave him her share readily and talked to him for the first time.

“I will not be attending the function.”

“Why?”

“You are not supposed to ask that question.”

“Come on. We are classmates?”

“Why you intrude into my personal affairs? I have given my share dutifully. There is nothing more to explain. Please leave me.”

Manu was highly embarrassed. He moved on to another person. Then came the fiery Rahana.

“Hold it. Manu, give back her money.”

“Why?”

Rahana snatched the cash from him and threw it at Meera.

“We do not want any favors from you dear. Those who are not willing to attend the marriage of Priya need not contribute to the gift. You better manage your tongue. Your manners stink worse than a rotten egg.”

Meera left the class silently.

The next day they assembled at an ice cream parlor near to the college. When they were about to move, came Meera. She went straight to Rahana.

“Can I come with you?” She asked.

Rahana’s eyes watered. She is like that. Could cry and laugh at the same time.

“What an outfit is this Meera? How can you attend a marriage in such an ordinary dress? Come I will share you some flowers.”

She guided Meera to the private room where she performed some make-up works on her.

Enroute the auditorium Manu noticed Meera was conversing with the group.

It was Meera who gave the gift to the bride.

Back at the hostel Meera asked Manu.

“Now can you accept my contribution towards the wedding gift?”

“Get it from her Manu.” Rahana commanded and Manu obeyed.

This marked the start of a beautiful relationship.

Meera minus her façade, was a nice person. Though she spoke little about herself, it was enough for Manu. It did not take long for Manu to understand the truth he was in love with her. Her attachment to him was like a friend. She used to joke with him. She even copied notes for him whenever he missed his class.

It didn’t took him long to realize he was smitten with her. But he was in dilemma.

How to express his love?

He waited for a break.

Colorful days passed away. Cherian contested to the College Union Chairman seat and he was elected. The entire class had worked for him.

By the end of November, the tour program was announced.

Where to go?

“This might be the last class tour of the majority. So we should make it memorable. Instead of wandering many places we shall choose one place and explore the entire area. The best in my opinion is Kodaikkanal. There are several spectacular spots. We shall visit them staying there for 2 days.”

Manu’s suggestion was unanimously accepted. The next day the tour date was announced. The tourist vehicle was booked. The rooms of a reputed lodging house in Kodaikkanal were booked through a travel agency. Everything was set. But Meera spoiled the mood of the class by stating she could not make it. She was going abroad with her father. As the managing director of her father’s new international business her presence was highly required at an exotic place. She was helpless and so sorry.

Manu’s heart sank.

Meera left the campus.

The day Meera left, they received terrible news. Professor Prasad who was to accompany the tour group met with an accident. His thighbone got fractured and he was hospitalized. The rest of the teachers made it clear they had other commitments and could not accompany them.

What to do? Who else would accompany them?

PART IV

Only one person left.

Professor Harikumar. But could he come?

The class had little hope since he was not physically fit. He was an acute diabetic.

Manu and Cherian went to see him at his house.

Professor was watering his garden.

They opened up and he replied he was helpless. His blood sugar level was beyond his control and he was contemplating a hospitalization. He was so sorry.

There goes the tour!

They thanked him and took their leave.

“There is one person.”

When they reached the gate his voice trailed after them.

“No sir. We have approached everyone except you. There are none.”

“Wrong. There is one left. Have you thought of Professor Balachandran?”

“Professor Balachandran? No way. No chance sir.” Cherian’s voice was incredulous.

“Why?”

“Why? What a question? You do not know what he has done to Manu. Only few know the behind the curtain scenes. I am not hesitant to state that he is a snake under the grass.” Cherian’s voice had an edge to it.

“Oh! You have reached that extreme which makes me inquisitive. Tell me your version.”

“You are thoroughly wrong. No second thoughts on that.”

Professor Harikumar declared when he heard Cherian’s narration.

“No wonder it comes from you. You are his trusted friend, no? It is quite natural. Friends should support each other.” Cherian’s voice was full of sarcasm.

“Both of you lend me your ears with an open mind.”

He gave them a vivid picture of an incident which had staged in the commerce department the very morning Professor Balachandran and Manu rejoined the campus.

Tharun and his friends had stormed into the department that morning. There were barely a couple of minutes for the second hour to start. They had approached Professor Balachandran. He was uneasy and his mind was wandering that he did not paid attention to them. They had to raise their voice to get his eyes on them.

“What is it? Make it fast. I am engaged this hour.” His voice was irritated.

“Do you know the class you are going to engage this hour?”

“Are you guys trying to teach me my schedule?” His voice rose.

“Don’t feel otherwise sir. This hour you are destined to the final year M.Com.”

“Is this some sort of warning? Is there a bomb ticking in that class?” Professor Harikumar asked.

“You are right in a way. There is a bomb, a human one. A bomb which had blasted three lives. Manu Menon. Professor Balachandran’s beloved student.” Tharun trembled with rage.

“Get out all of you. He is trying to forget all those. And you guys are trying to make the wound bigger. Get out in no time.” Professor Harikumar’s voice rose.

“We will go. But before that, take it from us. Suresh was our buddy. His death had a cause. And that cause is none but your beloved student. Manu is the one who started all those. He had been messing up Suresh’s life right from his school days. I am not justifying my departed buddy. He had his flaws. But you got to know something very personal. My friend had loved you whole-heartedly till his last breath. Your bond with Manu had broken his heart. He was suffering all his life because of that. He lived with an ember in his heart. You had loved Manu more than him. And now you are going to teach him as if nothing had happened. From tomorrow onwards you will resume your coaching classes to make him the state shuttle champion. We are none to prevent that. But take it from us. We will avenge Suresh’s death.” Tharun roared.

“Out you rascals. You have exceeded your limit. Out.” Professor Harikumar sprang up from his seat.

“Here we go. Let me conclude before that. Balachandran sir, it might be easy for you to forget your brother. But it is not easy for us to forget our friend. Here comes the bottom line. We will avenge his death in no time come hell or high water. You start your count down.”

Professor Harikumar shoved Tharun and his friends. Then Professor Balachandran intervened.

“Leave them, Hari.”

“You don’t know these guys Balan. They are venomous.”

“Leave them I say.”

Professor Balachandran brooded for some time. Then he raised his head and told them.

“Follow me.”

Professor Harikumar dropped down the garden hose and closed the water tap.

“What followed was the shuttle badminton match. When I heard that I could not believe my ears. How could Balan do this? When I had questioned him about that he had remained silent. The very evening of the match I went to his house. He was there celebrating his defeat with liquor. I asked him if he had gone mad. But what he told had some sense in that. He had his own justifications on the match and his defeat.”

Professor Harikumar rubbed his bifocals before resuming.

“Tharun and friends would avenge Suresh’s death at any cost, in no time. You have seen how obstinate they are. At any cost I had to prevent that. What they need was revenge. If I don’t make a move, they would enter the scene. Blood will spill. There would be more loss. Another Suresh, my father, Parvathy…… No. I won’t let that happen. There should be no more losses. This was the only way out. I lost the match intentionally. Tharun, his friends and even Manu believed my version that I lost the match to tarnish Manu before the campus. Let it be like that. With my defeat Manu could study without any threats. Tharun and his friends are quite content. They even congratulated my mastermind.”

Professor Harikumar coughed.

“Why you guys stare at me? Yes, you can believe me. Those were his words. I have not made any embellishments on that. He requested me to keep it a secret. Do you guys know why I revealed all these?”

Manu and Cherian were speechless.

“This is the right time to correct the misunderstanding. The person who made the sacrifices stays out in the cold secluded from everyone. Every day he calls me inquiring about the college. He inquires about your class in particular. I know him. He is crying inside. He craves for the campus. To find relief, he is hitting the bottle. It would be a great solace to him if you invite him to the tour. He would come. No second thoughts on that. Further, this is probably your last college days. And these days are the one, which would be lasting in your minds forever. If you want a good memory of your college days you will not get it fully because of an estranged teacher who had been dear to you all once. So go and meet him. Invite him with all respect. He will not turn you down.”

The entire class went to Professor Balachandran’s house that evening. At first all were unable to identify their beloved teacher. He was so much changed they felt they were looking at a stranger. His hair reached his shoulders. His beard touched his chest. He was bespectacled. He had become thin and sallow. Even his dress code had changed. They were shocked at his transformation.

They presented the matter. At first he was reluctant. But finally he agreed on their compulsion.

“Sir I beg your pardon for everything.” Manu was on the edge of tears.

“Not to mention it, Manu. I have nothing against you. Everything is past. Let it be like that.”

PART V

Finally the tour day arrived. Everyone was in good spirits. Even the stone faced female hostel warden who accompanied the tour group was smiling from ear to ear. It seemed weird for everyone since Rahana did not allowed any girls to occupy the seat next to her.

When the bus moved Rahana made an announcement.

“Friends, I have a great secret to tell you. This had been brewing in my mind yesterday onwards. Since everyone blames me I can’t hold any secrets, I tried to test it myself and by the grace of Allah I have succeeded. Phew.” She blew her cheeks.

“What is it Rahana? Are you getting married without my consent?” Cherian exclaimed.

“Get lost achaya. Here breaks the terrific secret. Meera is joining us.”

“What?” Manu’s heart came to his throat. He was euphoric. Cherian slapped his back merrily.

“Yes. Her foreign trip got postponed. She called me first. It was me who begged her not to pass the new to anyone. I told her to wait in front of our favorite ice cream parlor. Past that bend of the road she would be waiting for us. Yes, there she is.”

A smiling Meera waved her hand. She boarded the bus greeted with whistles and cheers.

“Balachandran sir. This is Meera who replaced Parvathy. Meera this is Professor Balachandran who used to teach us.”

Rahana made the introduction.

Meera wished him. Professor grunted hello to her without turning back.

They enjoyed each and every moment of the trip. They mocked each other, sang and made colored stories on each other. But Professor was not getting in their mood. They tried to cheer him up. But he kept on brooding and tugging his beard.

They reached Kodaikkanal at night. As they were unpacking and settling in their rooms, the phone rang. It was from the lobby informing they had some problems with the Professor. All fled to the lobby and they were led to the bar where they found an agitated Professor. He had slapped the bartender and had broken couple of bottles. He was ranting and they with great effort they hauled the Professor to his room. Professor was talking gibberish. They put him to bed.

Professor was dull the next day. He was reluctant for the outing. But on their compulsion he went with them.

“He is not free from his past. Totally upset and drinking like anything. I sincerely wish he had not joined the tour.” Cherian said.

“There is no problem without a solution. There is a way to cheer him up.” Rahana said.

To the inquisitive glances of the class Rahana took a compact disc from her bag.

“Know what?” She asked her friends.

“This happens to be the one day tour video which we all made last year. You can see an absolute darling of a man in this disc. An energetic Professor, who sings, plays pranks. Today I am going to play this in our bus while we go for the outing.”

Rahana made an announcement with a suspense element before playing the disc. Professor looked at the screen with boredom. But his expression changed when he met his old figure. He was shocked. Seeing the change of his expression Rahana winked at her friends.

Suddenly Meera stood up and declared she was sick. She was in nausea. The bus stopped and she went to the sidewalk and did some retching which did not help. Rahana rubbed her back and offered her water. Meera wanted to go to the hotel to take rest. Rahana asked Manu to accompany her. Meera said she would hire a taxi and go by herself. But Cherian also insisted Manu should go with her.

“This is a golden opportunity. Go and open up your mind before her. Best of luck, buddy.” Cherian whispered to Manu.

Meera was upset on the way back to the hotel. She fidgeted with her churidar shawl.

“Are you sure you are ok? Or shall we see a doctor?” Manu asked.

“No. I am all right Manu. Anyway thanks for coming with me. I spoiled your day.” Meera was apologetic.

“I don’t think so.”

Silence.

Again she was fidgeting with her shawl.

“You are upset.” Manu declared.

“Yes I am.” Meera replied.

“What happened?”

She gave no answer. It was apparent she had something heavy in her mind.

“Let me ask you. How do you like me Meera?”

“You are my good friend.”

“Then you can share your worries with me. I will share mine with you.”

“Then proceed.”

“No. Ladies first. Open up. Speak your mind.”

She remained silent again. Then she asked the driver to stop the vehicle. Manu paid the driver. Meera started to walk and Manu followed her.

“I am going to tell you something from my life. Only very few people know about it. I am not sure I am doing right by telling you all these. But I should tell someone. Otherwise I will lose my mind. I want some relief.” She opened.

“Go on.” Manu encouraged.

The sunshine, chill in the air, aromatic breeze and the proximity of his love intoxicated him. It was as if walking on a cloud. She was going to share him her mind. He was going to be admitted in her confidence which was an accomplishment in itself. He did not know his dreamy world was going to be nightmarish soon since he was expecting something soft. What she told devastated him.

She was the only daughter of a business tycoon. A child, who lost her mother at six, she grew up in school-college hostels. Her father had little love to offer. But she found her love at her age of 21 while she was doing her post graduation. His name was Satish Menon, a handsome businessman. Their love began from a shuttle badminton court. He had given her some lessons on the game. She had gathered information about him and found him acceptable and when he said he was in love with her she had no second thoughts. She had accepted him. They had some happy time. She hated him a bit when he made a pass at her in during a rendezvous. At that time she had spoken to him rudely that she did not expect such an approach from him and suggested they should marry at short notice. He should meet her father with the proposal. He said it was ok and had called her a couple of days later asking her to get ready to meet his brother who had flown from UK only to see her. She had clad a beautiful sari and took care to look at her best. Satish picked her in his car from her college and they reached a house in the outskirts of the town.

The door was opened by Satish’s brother himself. It was apparent he was drinking. His face was flushed. He was nursing a drink in his hand. She had felt scared and shot a glance at Satish who winked at her.

“She is beautiful Satish. Too beautiful that it is a pity she chose….”His words slurred.

“Ok. Cut the crap. Come to the point.” Satish did not allow him to finish.

All three went inside and Satish bolted the door.

“Anyhow I am satisfied. Satish, your selection is superb. She is a ravishing beauty. Come on my dear. Let us not waste our precious time. I can’t help myself from commenting she is the cutest dish I have ever had.”

He embraced her wildly. She shoved him and yelled at Satish.

“Satish, what is all these?”

The man came to her staggering.

“Why bother poor Satish with questions out of place? Come on my darling. I had been waiting for a long time. Let us have a wonderful time you beautiful thing.”

He cupped her face fondly with both his hands to receive a stinking slap at his face from her.

“You dirty bitch. You slapped me? You should not do this to anyone. For that take this.”

He slapped her back which send her reeling. She hit her head on the table and became unconscious.

When she regained her consciousness she had lost her virginity. There were none at house. She had put on her torn dress with great effort and walked without aim later to be hit by a vehicle.

When she opened her eyes again she was in a hospital.

Her father had rushed to her side. When he heard the story from her in bits he had hired his henchmen to do the job.

The next day’s newspaper had the news of Satish menon’s death in a car accident.

When she recovered fully she had come to know about the death of Satish.

But who was the second guy? That was a secret only Satish could tell.

She underwent a thorough psychiatric treatment and the doctor had announced it was important she continue her studies.

But she was not willing to go back to her previous college.

Then came the news from her father’s contact there was a vacancy in a distant reputed college. Though she got her admission, she was reluctant to join the classes at once that she wanted two weeks more to compose herself.

Manu’s mind was in turmoil when he heard all these.

“Today I found the second guy.” She said dabbing her eyes with her shawl.

“Who is it Meera?” Manu’s voice rose.

Before she answered a voice thundered.

“It is me. Professor Balachandran. The second guy.”

Manu and Meera whirled around to see a ruefully smiling Professor.

“The game is up at last. Why you stare at me Manu? Ask her if I am right.”

“Yes. He is that monster.” Meera clenched her teeth.

Manu was dumbfounded. Meera glared at the Professor.

“What now? What are you contemplating, Meera? Expose me in the broad daylight?”

“You are bloody right.”

“But you can’t since you are not going to tell anybody about this. To me the most important thing in this world is my self-esteem. I value it over anything else. I will not let anyone spoil that. To protect it I will not even hesitate to kill you.”

He shrugged helplessly and advanced towards them.

“Run. Run for life, Manu. He is mad.” Meera cried.

And they ran like hell. Professor chased them laughing and cursing. At a point, Manu attacked him on his head with a club. Blood oozed from the cut masking his face. But he still continued chasing them. At last they had nowhere to run since they were cornered at a cliff’s end.

Professor came panting.

“Tired of running? What to do now?” Professor mocked.

Manu dragged Meera behind him.

“Manu, my dear Manu. Why are you interfering in this? Remember the magic moments we have shared together right from your childhood. I am the one who taught you how to hold a racket. I am not your teacher. I am your brother. She is not important to you than me. You should stand at my side. So stop playing the bloody protector and hand her over to me.”

“Yes sir. You are my elder brother. But unfortunately for you, I love her. You can access her only over my corpse.”

Professor’s expression changed. He started tugging his beard.

Manu took advantage of the moment.

“Please sir. Stop this madness. How can you do such a thing to an innocent girl? You are not the man I knew. Not the paragon I adored in my mind. What happened to you?”

Manu asked pleadingly.

“What happened to me? Yes that is what I too wanted to know. Is there some one above? The omnipotent. One who controls the universe with a remote control? If there is one, ask him why he is playing games with my life. What have I done to him? What is wrong with me to punish me like this?”

Tears welled in his eyes. He took a deep breath to regain himself before continuing.

“The next day of my marriage my wife eloped with her lover. After that I decided to be a bachelor till my life’s end. But I am a human being made of flesh and blood. To satisfy my biological needs I choose paid sex. Pleasure from prostitutes, simply put. They do not ask for details. What matters them is money. Go to a distant place, find a body with a price tag, have your pleasure, pay them and forget them. It is immoral but I’m no saint. When Satish called me informing there was a pretty girl, I went for it. I made a pass at her in the belief she was a call girl. When she slapped me I got furious. No girl had slapped me in my life. I reciprocated and she went out like a candle. Then I had asked Satish why she had acted strange. He had told me she wanted more money to have two. I had laughed at the reason and told him that is not a big deal. Yes, I violated her. When I was through with her, I had asked Satish about her price. Then he told me there was no price tag in this deal since it was a cute present for his badminton coach. She was not yielding to him and was insisting on marriage. He wanted to finish his game this way. I was shattered when I heard those. I had no way but to escape from the scene before she regained her consciousness. I had to save my face.”

He inhaled deeply.
.
“A chain of incidents followed after that. My brother and father left me. The real thunderbolt out of the blue came finally. Meera came to the commerce department with her father. At her sight I knew who she was so I had gone inside eavesdropping. She was the new admission but she was joining the class only after two weeks. I had to save my skin and there was ample time for a camouflage. When Tharun and his friends declared they were onto revenge, an idea clicked in my mind. It was like attempting a complicated crossword puzzle. By sheer luck, I solved it in no time. Within seconds I made a plan, a plan with which I could vanish from the campus till she completed her studies. The very next day the campus witnessed the badminton match the result of which was decided at the outset. I got defeated intentionally. I had to save you from Tharun and his friends. They, who fumed with vengeance, had to be pacified. Further, you were suspicious about my defeat. So I cooked up a story of my revenge to tie both the ends. Tharun and his friends bought my story without doubt for the justification made by me was feasible to them. I had seen the agony and hatred in your eyes after the game and was convinced I had won over you too. Achieving my goal and killing two birds with one stone! But your image in the campus was tarnished. I couldn’t do anything about that. Dear Manu, in my mind I have apologized a thousand times to you. For my sake I had assassinated your character. I was so selfish. Everything was done to protect my self-esteem.”

His words broke. Clearing his throat he continued.

“I was getting news from Professor Harikumar about your class. From him I came to know Meera was not joining the tour. Then all of you came to invite me. I had guilt in my mind so I came with you to restore my bond with your class. But fate! Meera entered the scene and there goes everything. I had seen her shock when she saw my video in the bus. I knew I was exposed.”

Professor told a long pull from the bottle from his coat. He grimaced as the spirit burned his chest.

“Meera, I do not want you to believe all these. Let me be the villain in your life. Your life will be in doom as long as I remain on the face of this earth. You might be trying to get me to the court or to expose me. What maximum punishment a court of law can give. Capital punishment. Nothing more than that, no? I am glad to do it on my own before you.”

Professor again took a long pull from the bottle. He grimaced and laughed.

“What do you mean?” Manu shouted.

“To me, life has nothing more to offer. I have reached the road’s end. The only thing I would want to sustain is my self-esteem. I want to live in the mind of the campus as a good teacher, a loving friend, and a good human being. For that I request, no, beg your help. None should know about this black tale. What everyone should know about my death is like this. Professor went over the cliff under the influence of alcohol. He was drinking like a fish from the very morning onwards.”

He drained the bottle and threw it down the cliff.

“Bye Meera, Bye Manu. I believe both of you will not let me down.”

“No sir. Please…..” It was Meera. She was crying.

“You crying, Meera? Soft on me? You don’t have to. I deserve an end like this. I am ashamed to say a verbal sorry to you. Let me express it with my life.”

“No sir. Don’t do that. Please don’t. She believes you are innocent. None will know about this. We want you. Come back please. ” Manu roared.

“Sorry Manu. The game ends here. I am glad it has a manly finish. Close your eyes if you don’t want to see my flight.”

“I won the game.” Professor murmured before waving at them.

He then arched backward smiling.

He went down the cliff like a stone to reach his destination.

The world did not come to a standstill. The birds continued their chirping. The sun shone brightly in the cloudless sky. Patches of fog hung on the mountain. The breeze was getting strong and chilly.

When they regained their sanity, Manu and Meera were sobbing in each other’s arms.

The game ended.
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