04. Rose and Thorn - Sandhya

“So, what are you going to do?”

Sujatha’s voice was filled with guiltiness.

Subha looked at her and gave a reassuring smile. 

“Suji, don’t blame yourself for this mess… I know it is going to be difficult but we don’t have any other way out…”

“I am worried Subha. Baskar is a sick man… Looks like he will do anything without guilty conscious…”

“There are many people like him and we should face it…. I will manage, don’t worry… On eyear will fly away just like that…”

“But what about travelling in the night all alone???? That sounds very scary to me…”

“I know… But I am not going to travel alone…”

“What??? Don’t tell me Baskar has arranged some transportation for you…”

“No… I don’t think he will do that even in his dreams…” said Subha with a smile.

“Then who is going to come with you???”

“Actually …. I am going to accompany someone…”

“But who??? We cannot trust anyone these days… “

“I know Suji…. Bharath said he will pick me from the office in the night and drop me in the hostel for the whole year… I can reach the office by bus…”

Sujatha became quiet… Subha looked at her intensely…

“Hey Suji, I know you don’t like this… But…”

“It’s ok Subha… I know I can’t do anything on this… But just be careful…”

“I will… And Bharath is a good person Suji… I can’t compel you to love him but I know him for almost two years and he is a good man…”

“Let’s not talk about it now… I have to finish some accounts… let me start with that… You better get some sleep…”

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Subha made herself comfortable in the bed… Her eyes again went to Sujatha who was looking keenly into a notebook.

Even without makeup Sujatha looked pretty. She is soft spoken and very gentle… but very straightforward. There’s nothing wrong in Bharath falling for her… Everyone likes her.

Subha first met Bharath in an education exhibition. Being an MBA aspirant she never missed those type of free exhibitions. There she can hear the latest about the admissions and also about various colleges…

Most of the time, Sujatha works all seven days… even on that day Sujatha was busy and hence she was on her own…

She was browsing through a college’s brochure when Bharath came and asked her to share that brochure.

He introduced himself and it all started as a normal chat.

But they again met the next day in a free seminar for MBA aspirants. They exchanged a friendly smile and also shared their phone numbers.

Bharath was also a MBA aspirant. But unlike her he had a good financial background. He was just trying to select a good college for himself.

And it continued with once-in-a-while forwarded SMS’s and simple hi’s… Then their acquaintance slowly transformed into friendship… 

Bharath joined a part time MBA in a reputed university and shared his experience regularly with Subha.

So their friendship continued more in the academic side than personal…

It went on like that till Bharath met Sujatha!

Sujatha is very attached to the home and she gave more than hundred percent for it… They organized a cultural program for charity and Subha sold the ticket to Bharath.

Bharath attended the function along with his mother Kousalya…. Subha met him there and introduced Sujatha to him and his mother.

The next day Bharath visited her office and said he wants to talk to her. Subha was really surprised but accompanied him to the coffee shop.

She can still remember Bharath’s face… That hint of red… A smile appeared in Subha’s face as her mind replayed their conversation in the coffee shop two years back…

“Yesterday’s function was very good Subha… I liked it…”

“Oh! You liked it? Cool! My friend will be very happy to hear it…”

“My mother and I got a chance to meet Jaya madam and she was all praise for your friend…”

“Oh yes... Why wouldn’t she? Suji works all day and night for that home…”

“Yeah, she mentioned that too… She said she pays her only seven thousand while Sujatha does work that’s worth more than seventy thousand…”

“Yes she is correct… I too like the home but Suji is a bit over doing it… “

“But I like her dedication…”

Subha looked at him surprised…

“I don’t want to beat around the bush Subha. I like your friend. I have even told my mother… I want to marry her… But I don’t know how to proceed…. Should I talk to her or should I talk to her parents??? Please help me Subha…”

“Marriage??? You have decided about it in one day???”

“Yes… As I said I have told my mom too… She is also happy with my choice…”

“But what do you know about her???? I mean…. Yes she is pretty and ….”

“No Subha, I am not attracted towards her beauty…. I mean… Ofcourse, I do think she is beautiful… But what I like the most about her is her soft heart… I don’t think you can see many girls like that nowadays…”

“Hmmm….”

“I only have my mom for me… She has taken care of me for many years… Now I want a wife who would treat her as her own mother… I am sure Sujatha will perfectly suit my expectations… mmm… Do I sound selfish?”

“No you don’t…. So you want me to talk to Sujatha about you…”

“Yes............ but I can talk directly too…“

“Hmmm…. So you want me to arrange a meeting between you two?”

“Yes that will be great…”

“Hmmm… Ok sir…  I will try….”

“Thank you… Thank you Subha…” said a beaming Bharath.