Withered Rose IV

Indran was not the shy guy; he was the life of the party. Anitha’s presence had drastic changes in him least of which was his fluctuating grades. He was just different; he found the flowers to be fresher and the sky to be brighter and it all seemed to be a beautiful life. He seemed like one of her soft stuffed toys! Their first coffee was quite a scene, Indran had convinced the can
teen owner to wear an outfit and take his order in French. He later confessed that it was the only way he could tell her he knew proficient French. They seemed to be a couple but Anitha was just not ready to be in a relationship again. She fought through her inner demons. She liked Indran, but not romantically; just liked him the way pe
ople like to go to a beach in summer or drink hot chocolate in winter. She was definitely confused and it was this confusion that was the stem of Indran’s hope that she was THE one! She in never gave him any verbal signs ever expect suddenly saying, “I wish...“; and then stopping or flirting with his eyes. He was completely lost in her.

Indran had recommended [& extensively lobbied] for Anitha to be placed it the student committee and she appreciated the fame & popularity that came with it. Now he had even more excuses to spend time with her. She also loved the amusing and lively chatter with him. Indran could talk about

diffusion of inorganic waste in amoeba with as much enthusiasm as discovery of life on mars.

Anitha was several people at the same time. She was no eye turner but she was intelligent; care free and bubbly, and cheerful and impatient. At times she felt even she did not know who she was. Indran melted like butter to her 1000MW smile and people were beginning to notice h

er effects on Indran.
Indran had been extremely popular in college, and he had his own little network of spies who did his dirty work; from organising a flash strike in college to informing him the change of Dosa’a price in the canteen. He found a friend, who knew a friend who studied at St.Bede’s, Anitha’s School; Salman was filled with awe at the presence of Indran, it was out of respect that he accepted his invite for a party that Saturday. He found it strange that he was taken to Toxic, the most happening club at Chennai for free with Indran & his friends; and he felt uneasy on the barrage of questions Vishnu and Nazim were throwing at him about Anitha. He answered them dutifully. He noticed that Indran drank only orange juice and many people seemed to be gesturing hello’ to him. Vishnu Nambiar and Nazim Khan were the wingmen of Indran, one is junior and the other his batch mate. High on the free booze Indran offered, th

ey did not like it one bit when he walked out with Salman alone; they sat puddle in their alcohol. Salman broke news of Tariq and he could see that Indran did not like what he heard. He called Vishnu on his phone and asked him to drop Salman;

before which he looked straight into his eyes and said, “Not a word, Salman, Never again!” Salman wanted to caution him but was too unsettled to think further.

Irrespective of how drunk he

was the thought of his father sobered Vishnu Nambiar instantly. He was the grandson of MN Nambiar, the famous south Indian actor known for the Villain Characters he essayed. His father Mohan Nambiar was a prominent businessman at Coimbatore. Vishnu was an only son and was lavished from an early age yet taught to be a good Brahmin; being a strict Brahmin home ‘the idea of chicken’ had not penetrated him till college. The pudgy smart boy was saved from an awkward pole dancing session in the name of ragging by Indran and has been his lieutenant since then.

Nazim hailed from a poor family & lived on the outskirts of the city. He lost his father at a very early age and his mother was unwell now. He had a sister who lived in Bangalore with her husband; and it was debts from the marriage that made Nazim work every evening. Indran supported him several times with money and that was the first time Indran bought loyalty but would never be his last.


“This is not right, Anitha”, Arati screamed! “This will end up really bad!”
“What? I am not doing anything, we’re just friends!” Anitha retorted.
“Friends? Which friend does what he does for you? He may even do you assignments if you ask him to!”Arati was known for her sense of justice. She could not stand the presence of Indran though. It was not anything personal but general hatred for his being. Her family was Indian with roots in every part of the country. Her mom was from Assam and Dad from Rajasthan and they lived in Delhi, Pune & Hyderabad which made her more Indian than others and also a strong believer of Karma. She warned Anitha to explain the dynamics of their friendship to Indran before it becomes awkward.


It was Indran’s final year of law and Anitha’s third of journalism; and that was that fateful day, February 14, 2008 Indran walked into ‘Media Laws & Ethics’ class in a crisply ironed white with a red rose in his hand and called out:
“Anitha Basu!”
Everyone smiled at the look of a possible romance blossoming, and it had to be a yes; because Indran was asking. Some girls by the window shed a silent tear while the guys gasped in relief and also excitement. Arati was shell shocked and had the most bewildered expression, she covered her face; she didn’t have the guts to face what was next.

Indran continued: “There’s nothing in the entire world I want but you--and your precious love--All the materials things are nothing. I'd just hate to live a sordid, colourless existence-because you'd soon love me less--and less--and I'd do anything--anything--to keep your heart for my own--I don't want to live--I want to love first, and live incidentally...

”

Brain freeze!!