Blueprint in the Offing
Unmindful of the sentimental ways of its passengers, while the Minar Express kept its westward course, reclining in the first class coupe, Raja Rao reminisced over that incomplete encounter with Roopa.
‘What would she have said had I not drawn her attention to Sathyam’s presence?’ he began to contemplate, ‘Could she have disclosed her love for me? Unlikely, but surely she would have said something to break the ice. How momentous it should’ve been if we were slower by a step or two. Isn’t it clear to both of us that we’re in love with each other? Haven’t we conveyed our love in so many words and in such subtle ways? What remained was affixing the ‘I Love You’ stamp to the envelope of our mutual fascination. Of course, to post it to the address of our affair, isn’t it? Well, in spite of having Sandhya, life may not be worth living without possessing Roopa.’
As he thought about Sandhya, herself seemingly immersed in Roopa’s thought, he tried to analyze her character and attitude. ‘It appears that she had taken no note of our mutual infatuation,’ he began to think, ‘how she was lost in her own love for me and affection for her friend. Maybe, in the euphoria of her excitement, the unmistakable attraction Roopa and I felt for each other could have appealed to her as a manifestation of her own love. What a happy nature Sandhya has! What a blessed soul she is!’
‘You seem to be upset,’ he said, finding Sandhya pensive.
‘More than the separation from Roopa,’ she said, resting her head on his shoulder, ‘it’s the thought of the distance that’s disturbing me.’
‘You know it won’t be that way for long,’ he tried to assuage her feelings.
‘Oh, how I long for that day,’ she looked at him as though for a reassurance.
‘I won’t make you wait for long,’ he said pressing her hand. ‘By any chance, is Sathyam some sort of her relation before their marriage?’
‘Why that doubt?’ she said, even as she grasped what made him pose that question.
‘Frankly speaking,’ said Raja Rao, confirming what she thought, ‘I think she deserves a better match than that. So I felt she could have been married off to keep her within the family. What a pity that many slight a bright match for an unsuitable alliance from the family circle.’
‘I don’t believe in talking about others’ affairs,’ she said moved by his talk. ‘But as I feel you’re as much my friend as husband, it is only proper that you too should know about her affairs as she is one of us. Don’t you remember that she’s your friendly half now? Hers was an arranged marriage anyway.’