Paavam Payan

This was my chance to make my proposal. So, I quickly replied, “Hey! I wish you were my bride!”

“What? That must be the joke of this millennium? This is flirting at its height” – She replied with a smile.

“Well! Why not? Let me ask you straight ‘Will you marry me?’”

“Oh come on! You don’t know anything about me”

“I mean it. I’m serious. “

She paused for a while…

“I need some time to think about it. Can I let you know tomorrow morning?”

“Sure!” – I was so happy. I believed that she did like me.

“Before going to bed would you like to join me for a glass of milk?”

“That’ll be my pleasure”

“Oh! I forgot that I already drank one of them. I guess I have only one left with me” -She took out a small pet bottle having flavoured milk.

“I’ll let you have it. You are my V.I.P today”

“Is it? Thanks. I wish I was your V.I.P for the next 50 years…ha ha ha” – I relished the drink.

“By the way Anita, its 11:00 P.M now, I’m eagerly waiting to hear you say pleasant words tomorrow morning. Good night and sweet dreams!” – I climbed the upper berth.

“I hope that the dawn brings you all good things in life!” – She replied.

The Next Day…

“Wake up! Wake up!” Someone was shouting near my ears and patting my back.

Ouch! I had a terrible head ache. I was hardly able to open my eyes. As I slowly came out of my slumber I realized that I had reached Chennai an hour ago. The first thing I remembered was Anita. I forgot to ask her phone number. But, to my surprise, I found no one in the compartment except for the T.T.R who woke me up. As I got down from the berth, I was shocked to see that all my luggage were missing including my cell phone, wrist watch and the gold chain that adorned my neck.

Raged for a moment I yelled at the bottom of my voice “T.T.R, I’ve been robbed!!!”

Later I was accompanied by the T.T.R to the RPF.

The policeman who took down my statement said, “You should have been a bit more careful sir. You know a lot of such incidents are reported nowadays. Did you eat something that was offered by a stranger?”

“Yeah! A girl offered me some drink”

“Then, she must have been the culprit! Being an educated guy you should have been a bit more careful. This is not the first time that we come across this incident. We have received a series of complaints about an unidentified young woman who performs this act”.

For Heaven’s sake! I was shocked when he said these words.

It is only then that I realized that she was after my money. I couldn’t believe such a clever lady with superior intellect involving in a theft like this. She deceived me with her intellect and of course her beauty. I fell a prey to her like an insect getting trapped in a Pitcher plant. It’s very hard to understand people and their true intentions. I paid the penalty for flirting with a stranger.

The ingenious lady drove me to ‘Deception point’ and taught me a valuable lesson in life with a price. Yes, my first salary!



——–THE END——–

Paavam payan

It was my fortune that I got my train ticket confirmed at the last minute. After all the tension, I finally got into the coach and settled down. I thanked God for getting my ticket confirmed otherwise I would have had a very tough time traveling from Bangalore to Chennai. I was traveling back home to visit my parents and give them my first salary. It’s 9:00 P.M now. I’ll have to hold on for another 11 hours to get back home and meet my friends and family. I was looking outside the window thinking of all my appointments tomorrow. “Excuse Me!” – I heard a lady’s voice. As I lifted my face, I was startled to see a beautiful young lady with her luggage. As I was gazing at her face she said;” Could you please help me with my luggage?” “Sure!” – I helped her settle down. For the first time in my life I had the opportunity to travel with such a beautiful lady. She had a very innocent face, much like the one who gets bullied at school. I was of the conviction that beauty was only a relative theory till I saw her face that proved I was wrong. She took out a book from her bag and started reading it. I was curious to know the title of the book to know her taste. I had a stealthy peek and found out that it was Dan Brown’s ‘Deception Point’. I’ve read that book. ‘She has a very good taste’ - I thought. I was looking at her eyes go through the lines of that book and admiring her elegance. I didn’t believe in love at first sight till this moment of my life. When she looked at me I used to turn my face away. This went on for quite some time “Hi! My name is Seetha”- She introduced herself. (Is she talking to me? I couldn’t believe it. It seems to me like a dream come true) “I’m Gautam ” “So, Gautam why did you turn away when I looked at you?” “Me…I didn’t look at you. Are you kidding me?” (That was the worst lie I ever told all my life). “You must be an admirer of Dan Brown if I’m correct?” – She asked me. “Yeah, I like his works. Especially ‘Deception point’ the one you’re reading now “ “Mmm…I see but, you said you weren’t looking at me?”- She replied back with a smile. I was trapped by my own words. I blushed. ‘Me and my big mouth’ “You can have it if you want to read, you need not have strained your eyes so much!” – She gave the book to me. ‘What a perceptive girl!’ – I was wondering how she would have noticed me. “You must have already read that book I suppose!” “Yeah, some time back when I was in college. But, how did you know that?”-I asked out of surprise. “The way you admired Dan Brown giving Deception Point as a typical example made me ask that question.” I was secretly admiring her intelligence. ‘That’s my girl’ – I thought. “You’re so clever” – I remarked. “Men always think that good looking women don’t have brains” – She replied back with a smile. I didn’t know what to say for that comment. To change the topic I started to talk about my job and family, “I did my graduation in Engineering. I’m currently working for that renowned MNC at Bangalore with a handsome pay. I’m the only son in my family. Traveling to Chennai to get their blessings and give them some gifts from my first salary. Parents are looking for an alliance…. (I glanced coquettishly at her face when I uttered these words). I may probably get married the next year.” “So, will you invite me for your marriage?” – She asked.


( To Be Continued ……………..)

fwd mail with edits..