LUCK.
This one word is the most liked word in English for Kumar.
He was a lucky man from birth onwards. His paternal uncle who died on the day he was born, left all his assets to him. Thus, a child born to penniless parents was able to get a sizeable wealth overnight. In education also he always stood first not because of hard work, but because of sheer luck. (The questions would be just from the little portion, he prepared for the examination). He got a good job, that of a manager in a multinational company at the age of twenty in his first interview itself.
No doubt he was a handsome person. Added with his own luck, ladies were just behind him. But he wanted a pristine pure lady and after a long search got married to Lakshmi. He was utterly disappointed that he was not so lucky in that aspect. She was not a modern girl modern, in his opinion. No doubt she was beautiful, but not at all gorgeous he expected from his wife.
Secondly, she was not convent educated. She had studied only up to tenth standard in a local school.
Barring the first week after their marriage, he did not show interest in having sex with her.
Lakshmi did not understand the reason for his attitude towards her. However she reconciled to the situation stating that “even if the husband is a stone he is the boss and grass leaf he is the God” which is the common attitude of domestic ladies of South India.
Kumar was waiting in New Delhi airport for the return flight to Mumbai. Unfortunately. His ticket was not confirmed. He just fired his travel agent who booked a first class air-conditioned train ticket and they rushed to the railway station.
The train was about to start and he just pushed in. He was accosted to his seat by the conductor with all respect.
The train started picking up speed when he removed his coat and had a glance of the cabin.
My God! It seemed that good luck started smiling at him once again.
It was a coupe and the other occupant was a ‘blonde bonanza’. She extended a welcome smile at him and he started flying in air.
“Hello, I am Hema” she extended her hand and in return Kumar introduced himself and caught hold of the hand.
For just fifteen minutes they were chit chatting and Kumar told “Excuse me, madam.” So saying, he opened his briefcase. He picked up first class scotch bottle and two glass cups. He extended one to her and without hesitation she took it.
The drink removed all the hesitation. He hugged her with full force and she never objected to any move he made.
That night he realised the meaning of paradise. He got what all he missed with his wife Lakshmi.
Next day when they parted with each other “Hema, please leave your address to me”
“Sorry Sir, It is one time affair. Let me join my husband”
In Mumbai C.S.T station her husband was waiting to receive her. Kumar was shocked to see him. My God, absolutely no comparison!
He was unable to forget her company even after he reached office.
There was another surprise for him waiting.
His boss Mr Sundar, M.D of the company called him inside. When he entered he was taken by surprise to see a very beautiful dame sitting in front of him.
“Welcome Kumar. Please take your seat.” Then he told, “Meet my daughter Mala. She has just returned from U.S. Shortly she will be taking over this company”. Then, he turned towards his daughter and told. “Mala, Kumar will introduce you to all the nuances of this business. He knows all the ins and outs”
“Whether I show all the ins and outs of business, I will show the ins and outs of human sex” Kumar was planning how to conquer her.
He thought it was not a very difficult thing for him. They found lot of privacy while visiting various places of Mumbai. They drank and danced together. They even had long kisses. But for full sex she did not oblige.
“Mr Kumar. I know that you are already married. Unless you give me the legal status of wife I will not allow to have sex with me”.
Kumar was ready even to murder his wife Lakshmi. But he had to do it in a very sophisticated way that nobody should suspect him. He was waiting for the opportunity.
His luck opened another totally new area of opportunity for him. He was asked to go to New York for two years to work with their promoters. As per their company rules only married people are eligible for such assignments. The company would take care of all their needs. They were instructed to give the medical reports and keep in readiness to start.
Scenes moved fast. Kumar postponed his plans for murdering his wife. Their medical examination was over in a week and he was waiting for the report. Doctor’s P.A informed him that it might take ten minutes and he was asked to wait in the lounge.
The lounge seat was very comfortable and he settled on it. Within minutes, the reports were ready and a junior doctor brought it to him. “I am sorry Mr Kumar, your wife can not accompany you”
Kumar was unable to believe his ears. “What! Am I going alone?” His heart was jumping with joy. But with an artificial concern he asked, “What is the reason Sir?”
“Sorry sir, She is infected with bone tuberculosis, a rare disease. She has to take immediate treatment”
“My God, My luck has started working” he was happy inwardly. His mind started to calculate immediately. “The slow poisoning had its own effect. Let her die here itself. Somehow or other I shall go to States. Once she dies, let me marry Mala without worrying about others”. Virtually he was flying in air.
“Mr Kumar” a nurse shook him to wake up. My God! It was only a dream in his half sleep.
“Mr Kumar, the senior doctor wishes to meet you”.
“Mr Kumar, please take your seat”, the senior offered him a seat and then continued, “Mr Kumar I am very sorry to say this”
Kumar was anticipating what would follow. His luck is patronising him again.
“Kumar, you could not go to U.S. I am very sorry about this. But it is a fact.”
“Why Sir?” Kumar was shocked.
“I am sorry that YOU are infected HIV positive. As per company rules, you can’t continue in their service also because of your HIV infected status”
Kumar was visibly shocked. After a long pause, he asked, “Sir, can’t you avoid reporting this to them and help me in retaining the job?”
“I am sorry Kumar, I am paid heavily by the company for this work, I am their staff and not yours. I have to report my findings. I am sorry, now you can go”
Kumar got up totally dejected. Even at that pitiable stage, the devil in him asked the question, “Sir, my wife?”
“She is perfectly O.K. Though she is your wife, she is not infected with HIV.”
Yes. Kumar did not have sex with her for the last several years. “How did I get it?” Kumar was confused.
Suddenly the flash came. The train lady, with whom he had sex happily in the train. That was the reason for infection.
“Sir, Sorry to disturb you. May I ask a few questions?”
Yes, but be brief”
” Sir I was cheated by a very beautiful girl. Could such a beautiful girl have HIV?”
“Why not? HIV will not have any external symptoms. I can show hundreds of people who are positive but appear very handsome and healthy. I need not search anywhere, You are a handsome man, but now you are HIV affected.”
“Sir”, Kumar was about to cry. “Sir, Have I lost everything?”
“I won’t say you lost every thing. You should take care that no opportunistic infection like T.B reach you. For that you should live in a clean atmosphere, breath fresh air and inhale healthy food. It is better you admit yourself in a good Ashram and start taking treatment in the above fashion. There are several such Ashrams conducted by AIDS specialists”
“Sir, finally only one question. What about sex activities?”
“Definitely, you can have sex either with your wife or others. But one condition, you should never have un-protected sex. You should protect with a quality condom. Don’t have sex with unknown people. They may have HIV infection. Use of condom alone will avoid spread of the virus. Also you should never take to intoxicating drinks, which will induce to sin.”
Kumar came out in a totally upset mood.
LUCK will not favour always. Even a single slip may end in disaster.
Kumar did not want to obey any of the advice given by his physician.
His body was found ashore in marina beach a week later.
The company was gracious enough to give a job to his wife Lakshmi.
After two years she got married to a colleague and within a year, she had a baby boy.
The baby was named KUMAR, in memory of the poor man whose dreams were shattered by sheer bad luck, this time.
