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| Michael and Janice and Rudy - Part XIII & IV |
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A special edition featuring two chapters of MJR. Happy reading... JALAHALLI Bangalore was a joy to Michael. The nights and mornings were fresh and cold and the days were comfortably warm. He stayed at the company hostel. Everything was quite basic and he put his head down and studied hard. He had 9 fellow students and they came from all parts of the country. He was the only Anglo Indian. Letters from Janice and home came every week and he would read all of them at least twice. Janice's letters tugged at his heart. But he cheered up and took comfort from the thought that she had Rudy for company. The weeks flew and soon he was looking forward to his leave, which he was entitled to take, after three months service. The latest letter he had from Janice worried him a bit, not her usual warm, happy self. She wrote that the "May Queen Ball" was on at the railway institute this Saturday and that although she would miss him, she was going to the dance with Rudy. Frowning a little, he sat down straight away and dashed off a loving letter to her. "Just think in four weeks time I'll be with you for a whole 10 days". Next morning, in the canteen, he had just finished breakfast and was enjoying a second cup of Udipi coffee, when the post, was brought in by the peon. "One for me?" Who was it from? he wondered as he opened it. It was from his cousin Joyce. As he read the letter his face drained, and he began to feel faint. The next thing he knew was when somebody was mopping his face with a damp cloth. "Put your head between your legs Michael ". Said his room mate Bad-ru-din. "I think you fainted". They took him back to his room, where after a while he was able to gather his thoughts. He read the letter again, and still couldn’t take it in. Rudy and Janice? "------ they go out all the time, he picks her up from work and sometimes they come home late by taxi. Even Uncle Mark spoke to her about it becoming too serious, but she wouldn’t listen.----------- "------ I think you better come back and sort this mess out. ------- “your loving cousin, Joyce. Michael weighed things up. His career was important to him and so was Janice. He knew Rudy like he was a brother----. He decided to go. The chief instructor said it was ok for him to bring forward his 10 days leave, as he had worked hard and had made good progress. So Saturday morning, Michael caught the Madras Express, to arrive at Madras at 7PM. HOW DO YOU MEND A BROKEN HEART? When he got home, no one was there. Then he realised that they would all be at the "May Queen Ball". He heated up some water and had a warm bath and shave, put on his "black, woollen trousers, a white nylon shirt, and his white, shark skin coat, black nylon socks and pointed toe shoes, a black bow at his neck and a maroon, silk hanky in his top coat pocket." (With a little bit showing) He was going to "The Ball". As he approached the railway institute, he could hear the band. The crooner was singing a Fats Domino song. Then through the dancing throng, he saw them. His eyes followed them, fascinated by the way they danced, so together, flowing, as if they have been doing it forever. Tears came to his eyes, his mind was in despair, the song ended and he found himself climbing up, onto the stage and going to Rudy Pinto. "Can I sing a song ----- Please? Sensing his resolve, the Band Leader gave Michael his guitar. The applause for the last song died down, as Michael stepped up to the microphone. The hall was hushed, Royapuram held its breath. A path seemed to open up from Michael on the stage, to Janice and Rudy on the dance floor. He strummed a 4 bar intro, in a slow shuffle beat, and as the band joined in, he sang:-- Nobody moved, everything was still, only this emotionally charged sound of Michael's agonised voice seemed to occupy time. There wasn’t a dry eye in that institute. Some people didn’t even realise they were crying. As Michael sang the last line, Janice pushed through the crowd and ran towards the door, quickly followed by Rudy, who as he passed the stage glared at Michael. A pitter-patter, half hearted attempt at applause, failed to break the mood as Michael, gave back the guitar and went after them. Outside, nobody, except a group of guys having a good old drunken discussion. Michael waited till his eyes got used to the dim light, and then looked around, nobody! He stood rooted to the spot wondering what to do. If he turned left and went around the side of the institute he would end up in the marshalling yard. Straight on would be the road and the beach. His heart skipped a beat, if Janice went to the marshalling yard, she would be in danger, because he knew they loose shunted. But he knew her, she wouldn’t do that. He started off, for the road. As he reached the gate he saw Rudy coming back. "Where’s Janice?" he said." I don’t know I can’t find her" said Rudy. For a moment they stood still, glaring at each other. Then Michael said, "I think I know where she is, --- You coming?" "No, said Rudy, go and find her. I'll see you." Michael crossed the road, it was just a feeling, but she might be.......... There she was! Sitting in their favourite spot on the beach, near the rocks, in the corner. He went towards her. "When did you arrive?" she said, for something to say. He didn’t reply. Then, "Is it true?" he asked. Oh God! she thought, don’t Michael, please don’t ! "Is what true? She asked softly, crying now. "You know you and Rudy! He said. "Who told you? She asked, fighting to control her tears. "Does it matter", he said, hurting, angry, shouting "Does it bloody-well matter, who told me! Is it true? "Don’t shout at me Michael, of course it’s not true. How could you ever think, that we could do something like that? “She said. Then pulling her knitted shawl tighter around her shoulders she said “Take me home Michael." Slowly regaining control over her emotions and getting a little angry too. As they walked, he tried to broach the subject again but Janice was having none of it. "I don’t want to talk about it anymore". She said. When they got to her door, she turned and said. "Thanks for walking me home, and Michael, I don’t want to see you anymore." Only registered users can write comments. Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
Well its too twisted for me to come to any conclusion. the story is going great and cant wait for the next edition. Publish is sooooonnn 
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