I had gone out and was returning home. The cream Ambassadar at our doorstep announced that Mala had come. I thought of something funny to greet her. But the way her face reddened like a ripe tomato when she saw me, I swallowed it. I knew this was something serious. I put my arms around her shoulders and rushed her upstairs.
“Mala, what’s it, what? Why?” I whispered. Mala was a mystery.
She bit her trembling fingers to control her sobs. Tears cascaded down freely. Her nose also cried. What could have happened? Did Babu really commit suicide or what?
She fumbled in her purse and brought out a piece of crumpled paper. I hurriedly unfolded it.
Mala,
please forget me
That’s all. No signature. So that’s it. Clever fellow. She pressed her hanky to her mouth to muffle her high pitched uncontrollable voice. In a staccato speech the story came out bit by bit leaving me to piece them together.
Babu’s father was taking up a new job in Delhi. Since Babu had completed his B.Sc, the whole family was moving. As usual he had walked into Mala’s house and slipped a note between the pages of a book lying on the teapoy. Casually picking up the book she ran upstairs to the privacy of her room and opened the love letter with bated breath. Already shattered by the news of his shift, she thought he would have given his Delhi address. In a frenzy she turned round only to see through the window Babu speeding away in his bike, not even looking back. The blow stunned her.
Mala wept with abandon. I tried to put myself in her place and feel for her. That only tickled me. Probably the generation gap was too wide. Hiding my feelings, I consoled her.
“Obviously Babu was not in love with you Mala. He was only amusing himself. If he had cared he would not have sneaked away like that. It is a game for some young men. Any girl who falls for his love gaze, is his toy. When the game is over he throws her away. I thought you were too sensible to fall in this trap. But you have become a victim. You have learnt a simple lesson the hard way. I am sure you won’t make this mistake again.”
“No aunty no, never. I am sick of life. Men are cheats, liars. I will never, never marry.”
“Silly. Don’t come to rash conclusions. You are too young to say ‘never.’ Live one day at a time. If Babu hadn’t left for Delhi now, he would have left you on some other pretext. You should be grateful to be out of his clutches before becoming too involved with him. Do you think it is worth crying over someone so fickle?
“This experience should not make you bitter against all boys. Don’t be unfriendly towards them. Be friendly with everyone, but do not get involved with anyone. Avoid unnecessary correspondence with boys. Do not make rash promises. Do not give your photo. You are sure to face another temptation. So be on the guard. Never be alone with a boy. Never allow a boy to touch you intimately. Be careful about married men too. Keep them at a distance.”
“Aunty, I am finished. I am in no mood to fall in love again. Don’t worry.”
“Learn to keep your thoughts under control. Keep a pocket New Testament with you. Read it when you find yourself held up unexpectedly at bus-stops or such places. I have found this a practical aid to control my eyes and thoughts, when I was your age. Ok. It’s getting late. Wash your face, go down and be talking to my daughter. I’ll come now.”
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
I had gone out and was returning home. The cream Ambassadar at our doorstep announced that Mala had come. I thought of something funny to greet her. But the way her face reddened like a ripe tomato when she saw me, I swallowed it. I knew this was something serious. I put my arms around her shoulders and rushed her upstairs.
“Mala, what’s it, what? Why?” I whispered. Mala was a mystery.
She bit her trembling fingers to control her sobs. Tears cascaded down freely. Her nose also cried. What could have happened? Did Babu really commit suicide or what?
She fumbled in her purse and brought out a piece of crumpled paper. I hurriedly unfolded it.
Mala,
please forget me
That’s all. No signature. So that’s it. Clever fellow. She pressed her hanky to her mouth to muffle her high pitched uncontrollable voice. In a staccato speech the story came out bit by bit leaving me to piece them together.
Babu’s father was taking up a new job in Delhi. Since Babu had completed his B.Sc, the whole family was moving. As usual he had walked into Mala’s house and slipped a note between the pages of a book lying on the teapoy. Casually picking up the book she ran upstairs to the privacy of her room and opened the love letter with bated breath. Already shattered by the news of his shift, she thought he would have given his Delhi address. In a frenzy she turned round only to see through the window Babu speeding away in his bike, not even looking back. The blow stunned her.
Mala wept with abandon. I tried to put myself in her place and feel for her. That only tickled me. Probably the generation gap was too wide. Hiding my feelings, I consoled her.
“Obviously Babu was not in love with you Mala. He was only amusing himself. If he had cared he would not have sneaked away like that. It is a game for some young men. Any girl who falls for his love gaze, is his toy. When the game is over he throws her away. I thought you were too sensible to fall in this trap. But you have become a victim. You have learnt a simple lesson the hard way. I am sure you won’t make this mistake again.”
“No aunty no, never. I am sick of life. Men are cheats, liars. I will never, never marry.”
“Silly. Don’t come to rash conclusions. You are too young to say ‘never.’ Live one day at a time. If Babu hadn’t left for Delhi now, he would have left you on some other pretext. You should be grateful to be out of his clutches before becoming too involved with him. Do you think it is worth crying over someone so fickle?
“This experience should not make you bitter against all boys. Don’t be unfriendly towards them. Be friendly with everyone, but do not get involved with anyone. Avoid unnecessary correspondence with boys. Do not make rash promises. Do not give your photo. You are sure to face another temptation. So be on the guard. Never be alone with a boy. Never allow a boy to touch you intimately. Be careful about married men too. Keep them at a distance.”
“Aunty, I am finished. I am in no mood to fall in love again. Don’t worry.”
“Learn to keep your thoughts under control. Keep a pocket New Testament with you. Read it when you find yourself held up unexpectedly at bus-stops or such places. I have found this a practical aid to control my eyes and thoughts, when I was your age. Ok. It’s getting late. Wash your face, go down and be talking to my daughter. I’ll come now.”
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
