The Memory Ocean-Chapter Six

CHAPTER SIX
Akshay was thinking that he had got her.Since, he was going to work with her hereafter, he felt a warmth in his heart that almost made his days happy.But, he could not think that he was in love with her or it was just a kind of infatuation.He had to make that sure before he proceeds with her.
He was enjoying his days in his new company.The feel was like still he was into his college.The fellow employees were also of his age, unlike Fashionplus where he had to work with guys who were almost his dad's age.
Sandhya & Akshay became close buddies.But, neither of them had any kind of feelings other than that of friendship between them.But, Akshay felt like heaven jus being with her BEST EVER FRIEND.He had to change his thinkings from "a more than a friend" to "a good friend", becos if he tried to treat her with some other feeling, there was every chance to lose her friendship.Akshay wud never allow that to happen.. No way.
They both used to go together to office & come back mostly together.One day, Sandhya was telling him that she got to go to university to submit her Post Graduation application form.She wanted Akshay to accompany her.Akshay was readily available for Sandhya.So, without hesitation, he started.
While they were seated on the bus ( the same 7F ), she started slowly. "Akshay, Wat do u think about Love" she asked.
Akshay's heart suddenly stopped for a min.Wat was she asking.. he asked his heart again.His heart asked him again like this "hey idiot, she is asking wat do u think about her... err.. about love".
he answered, "well, sandhya. I Hope its a nice feeling.Since, i am yet to love anyone.So, i hope it shud b a nice feel, by the way, wat wud u answer if i ask u the same question?"Atlast Akshay put one across her to answer.
"I know how does it feel." Akshay was watching her every move close enough to get any idea about wat she was going to tell him.
"Do u know Sharath? if u do know him, wat do u think about him"?
Akshay thought, why she was suddenly asking whether he knew sharath and wat that had to do with her asking him about love.
he said, "yeah, i know him.He is one of ur good friends, right? i also hav met him.Nice fellow".
"yes, that nice fellow has already filled himself in wholly in my heart."
Akshay could not believe himself.Now, He could not believe his badluck.What she is telling, he thought.he said, " Wat do u mean by that mean statement?"
" You are naive, Akshay. Arent u? I said i am in love with him"
Akshay thought, yeah i am naive not to hav got any kinda info that u cud love anyone and so Sharath is also not a impossible person to love.He realised all his dreams came to a hurrying & devastating end.His Dreams Shattered.
But he knew, he should not let her know that he was in love.... err... Has he ever thought he loved her?????? It could be a kind of attraction or Infatuation.When he thought that he liked her, he hardly knew her.There was 2 years in between his first introduction and this day.So, he knew there might be hell lot of things happening in 2 years.So, he certainly was a naive not to realise that she had the right to choose any person she wanted to share her life with.Yet he wasnt that naive not to be positive and dont take life as it comes.He would treat her as a Nice Friend hereafter.
He knew he had to stay positive.He also knew that jus because Sandhya could not like her more than a friend, did not mean that was the end of it.That was jus a beginning to stay focussed more on his career and "Sandhya" was jus an episode in his life.He has got lot more to achieve in his life.
He now thought of his mom & brother who were depended on him & his efforts.The very thought about his family made him a rejuvenated man.He knew wat he was going to do now.He jus wanted to carry on with his life ahead.He also was sure that he will get a nice Angel in his life.
===========================================Three years Later,
Akshay was in a hurry to office.It was raining badly.Since it was a Tropical country, the raingod wud pour in rain at any time.It might rain or it might shine anytime.So, he thought he wud better hurry up to his office before it wud rain like hell.
He reached his office & when he opened his inbox.he saw a lot of mails from his friends.
the first one was frm Sandhya,

Hi Akshay,How do u do, friend?We were worried about ur life there when that Tsunami thingy occurred.Only when u sent us a mail stating ur safe,we are relieved and we thank God that Tsunami did not hav any effects in ur place JAKARTA, Indonesia.Hope things wud b fine as ever at ur end.here myself, Sharath & Prerna are fine.I've put Prerna into the play school.She has become naughty.Sharath is busy with his assignments in office.Yet, he never forgets to ask about u.Take care & be happy always.
Cheers,Sandhya

He felt happy about Sandhya's mail. She is/will be one of my best ever friends, he thought.
He checked his other mails......
There was a mail frm Vandhana ...
the subject of the mail read.

Hello Akshay,
This is Vandhana here.
well... Enga aathula enakum ungalukum marriage pannalamnu irukaa ( At home, they are fixing for us to get married ). Naan enna nenaichenna, marriage ku munnadi namba 2 perum konjam pesinda nanna irukumnu.( Wat i thought was, even before marriage, if we could able to spk & understand ourselves, it wud be nice.).. adhuku Shankar kitta unga mail id ketten.Avar thaan unga id kuduthar.( For that, i asked Shankar about ur mail id and he gave me).
I hope u would hav seen my photo.I saw urs.I wud prefer to tell u wat i feel when i come online.
Wish to meet u online sooon...
Regds,Vandhana...

Akshay started replying to his Real Future.



------------------------------------------------ THE BEGINNING --------------------------------------------------------

The Memory Ocean-Chapter Five

CHAPTER FIVE

Akshay was checking some bank entries.He was trying hard to find out what went wrong and why the bank accounts were not tallying.His colleagues were near him.There were about 5 of them.All were staring at him.
Akshay saw the looks on his colleagues face.One of his immediate boss spoke up,"hey akshay, why you did not let us know that today is ur birthday? We somehow got the information frm Narashimhan". Narashimhan was very helpful for Akshay to get that present job.
Akshay told, " Oh yeah, Sorry sir, i was not in mood really to celebrate my birthday."
"What no mood? Are you getting mood-off just because the bank accounts are not tallying.Cheer up man"
"No sir, its not a problem.My father had passed away exactly on my brother's birthday and today i did my father's 6th month ritual at home.So, i dont feel like celebrating my birthday."
The colleagues consoled him and gone back to their seats.
The evening he went to a net cafe to check up his mails since he did not hav the internet facility at his office.He opened his yahoo mail account.Inbox showed 7 new mails.
He had got greetings frm a lot of friends. But the 5th mail had made him jump up to the sky.It was a greeting from Sandhya. The subject in the greeting read,
Hi Akshay,

Belated Happy Birthday Wishes to u !!!
I think, i missed ur birthday .. Hope it was fine.
Take care,
Cheers,Sandhya.

For that, Akshay replied,

Hi Sandhya,
Thanx for ur Timely wish.U did not miss my birthday.Today only is my birthday.U missed to remember the date , i guess.
Thanx once again.Luv,Akshay.

Sometimes, he used to call her when he was free..Sandhya was in her final year of college.. so, she was having her study holidays then.So, she had remained at home.Most probably, she attended all his calls.But, sometimes her sister used to attend akshay's calls as well.So, her sister Nandini could able to know about him tooo.But, she thought that he was one of her sister's nice friends.
After 3 months Sandhya successfully completed her B.Sc degree and was searching for job.
Akshay was happy in that company.Everyone was impressed by his attitude, behaviour & talent.So, they all were very kind to him.After completing seven months of his tenure there, he got a hike.He was feeling very happy about the fact that his work got recognised by the company.
But, the real problem started after that.The company had some strict rules, by which every person on roll must be cut a certain percentage towards their ESI & EPF.The policy was perfect, he thought.But, Akshay was also thinking in a different angle.The EPF is going to be helpful only he becomes old or he puts up some experience in that company.He knew the day he joined in that company that he wud b there until he earns some nice exposure & experience.So, he thought it was hightime something had to be done about it.His family was in need of any money which would help them come up.He did not intend to lose even the EPF amount.
He can't Change the company's policies, But he can always change the company.
A Sunday Magazine's Classifieds column read "Wanted Financial Transaction Executives, Graduates with/without experience, good communication skills, computer knowledge....................................Walk-in for an interview today 3.00pm at .................."
He was moved by that advertisement.He had attended only one interview before that of the Fashionplus.So, he thought he lacked the experience to attend interviews.So, he thought that he shud try this one out to get some experience.
He attended the interview that afternoon.There was an Aptitude Test which he cleared before all the guys in the room.Then they made all the candidates to appear for a Typing skills test and he was right on top with 75 words per min.At last, there was the personal interview.Akshay had wished that he should appear for a personal interview.
The Interviewer was different from his financial controller in his current employment.This time it was more professional.Being an MNC, the company required everything to ensure its quality even at the time of interview.Though the place of interview & the interviewer were different in their attitude, the result was no different.He got selected for the job.The salary was 30% more than wat he had been earning in Fashionplus.Also, there were no benefits like EPF, ESI etc until the first year ends."Those are benefits for just the other ppl." Akshay thought.
He was asked to join exactly on the third day.Or if he cud not relieve himself frm the company he had been working, they asked him to join with the next batch which would possibly commence after one month.So, effectively he had only one day in between.Akshay wanted to try his own luck.My luck should favour me, he thought.
The next day, He had gone straight to his financial controller.He told him about his new job.He first was not impressed by that.He was not ready to let him go.But, he had a friend in the company where Akshay had got job.He made sure that the company is doing well.And then he spoke up."Akshay, We were really pleased about your job & ur talent.We would never allow u to go out of us.But, the reason you told was agreeable.We are not in a position to give you a hike right now to help u nor we hav any idea about changing our company's policies.So, we would welcome your way of doing things.All the very best for ur new job & hope u shud make urself proud there also."
That evening his financial Controller had asked all the colleagues to attend a farewell party for Akshay. It was an emotional moment in Akshay's life.He could know how much everyone loved him in his office.For a second he thought "should i leave this office???" But, he realised... he had no other go. He was presented with a Parker pen.He thought he had got a value for his work now.
Two days later,he joined in the new job.The nameboard of the company read "Pro-Vision HealthServices Pvt.Ltd".
He met the Receptionist and he was asked to wait until any news from the HR department.There were about 18-20 guys & girls in his batch of employees.They had said, there would be training before the employees might get into the real-time work.Akshay introduced himself to some of the others who had been recruited.
When he had been waiting in the reception, he could see some of the guys & girls of the batch prior to his batch coming.Now, suddenly Akshay's heart became warm & happy.He could not believe his luck.He had rub his eyes to believe that it was HER. He made that sure now.It was Sandhya.
Since there had been no contact with Sandhya for months, he could not get any information about her job.
She saw Akshay sitting there.She immediately came to his side and said a big Hi.He was stunned to hav seen her in that place.The very thought about Sandhya made him happy.Akshay thought something good is going to happen.

The Memory Ocean-Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR

The world was like a hell of a place for Akshay.He had never imagined that his father could leave him & his family that easily to go into another distinct world.But, everything had happened at a rapid pace.Before Akshay could realise, His Dad had Gone.
Akshay had dreamt of doing his Future studies.His Father had said once, "Akshay,i could not study whatever i wanted to.I wasnt interested in studies.Thats a different thing.But, i want u to study as much as possible.You are already in Good ranks in ur schools & college till now.So, i will help u aspire whatever future studies you are thinking to do." On Hearing that, Akshay had dreamt of doing the Chartered Accountancy.
But, now that dream had to remain a dream forever. His Life had taken a U-turn frm which he could only go & work for his family and nothing else.Even though his dad was earning very low, they were happy with watever they got.But, now, there was no happiness, no earnings.It was simply tough going for his family.
His Mom asked him."what are we going to do"Akshay replied."Mom, u need not worry at all.Our dad is a clever fellow.He made u give birth to two male kids who can always help you out and make progress in life's difficult path.Had i got a younger sister or Nakul got a elder sister,I am not sure, wat are we going to do now to make them settle.But, now everything is easy, it seems.I will get into a job as soon as i finish my degree."
"Akshay,i am really sad that ur not going to be doing ur C.A"
"Mom... thats not a problem.I trust God.I take life as it comes.Let's see wat'll happen in the near future.Hope for the very best".
Akshay could not think anything other than his family now.He was in his Final year of college.Yet, he already started thinking about his moves towards the next year.He determined himself to come out of college with flying colors so that it would be easy for him into getting any kinda job.
During the whole final year of college, he did not wish to see Sandhya as before.He thought that his very thought about sandhya would make his going tough with regard to serving his family.Yet, he still liked her.His friends used to tease him using her name.He never took that wrong.. Because, he thought it was not wrong.
The exchange of looks & rare talks between Akshay & Sandhya went on & on & on.At times, they shared the emails.The contents were very very general.He made sure that she did not mistake his behaviour.After sometime, She became busy with her studies.So was Akshay.So, he could not allocate time for the internet.The mailings stopped.
He Concentrated very hard on his studies now.He did the exams well and was expecting the results.
After 2 months, the Results came.Results were like wat he had expected even before he appeared for the exams.This time Akshay really got the flying colors.Though, he came second best in his College.It was a real Missiion accomplished.
Even before he got his results, he appeared for an interview with Fashionplus Pvt.Ltd, a garments manufacturing company. The Finance Controller interviewed him and he got impressed with Akshay.He wanted to readily offer a job in the company to Akshay, but the CEO had informed the Finance Controller that all employees must hold atleast a degree. So, the Finance Controller informed Akshay that as soon as his results are out, he can join in anytime.
Now that he can take up the offer frm the Fashionplus Company, there were no words for Akshay's Happiness.
One fine Thursday morning, he joined the Fashionplus Garments company as an Accounts Assistant.He got the introduction of all the fellow employees and they wondered this small boy cud ever handle the pressure.They were all into their 30's and above.Akshay, as if knowing wat they had been thinking, thought, "he MUST handle the pressure to release the financial pressure out of his family".
Once again Spring started in Akshay's Family when he got his first month salary.He gave that to his mom & got his blessings.Mom prayed to god "let my son Have all the happiness in his life"

The Memory Ocean-Chapter Three

CHAPTER THREE

Akshay came back home sharply around 7.00 in the evening.His Mom was not in her usual self.The moment he entered home, he knew something was wrong.
Mom cried aloud saying that Akshay's Father wasnt feeling well.He had to consult a Doctor for his illness.. Everything seemed to Akshay like a Dream.His father had never got any kind of illness before.So, he was confident about his dad not having any serious illness.
His dad was Ranganathan,a lean man in his early fifties.He was working with a private cargo company as an office Assistant.His dad was not that educated to look for a better job than the one he was currently working.So, he had to be content with wat he had been working and wat he had been earning.The day-to-day domestic activities got affected by the low-income profile that his father had been maintaining throughout his career.Overall, it was not a good career he was into.
Now, Akshay, his Brother Nakul, his mom Saraswathi and one of his friends were there to admit his dad in a private nursing home.The doctors there took all the possible tests available in the laboratory.Initially, it struck to Akshay that his dad was not having any kind of serious illness.. As the Doctors were conducting more & more tests, something was paining in his bottom stomach."If dad got some serious illness............" That IF made him to feel like hell.
Finally after 2 days, the reports were out.The doctors informed Akshay & his mom about the health problems of his dad.They informed them that Mr.Ranganathan could possibly live only for another 2 r 3 months..The disease which, on doctor's point of view, was going to take his dad's life was the failure of the Kidneys.And they also told that his dad had already crossed the stage of the kidney Transplantation.Akshay had very less hope about his dad now.
The Real Shock was when his dad sent for Akshay.He came into the hosptial room with his eyes tired of crying...His Dad informed him that he knew about the kidney problems but he hesitated to let them know about it.It made Akshay all the more sad.The sadness that he had never ever felt in his lifetime.... "We arent that rich to spend for a kidney transplantation, or Am i not that lovable to my father to beg, borrow or steal to operate him?!?! " Akshay Thought.
Days were rolling on.His dad was still in the hospital..The lean body of his dad had become even more leaner than before.He was weighing only 25 kgs.He was already started looking like a deadbody.When he thought like that, Akshay cried aloud in a restroom of the hospital.
It was a Diwali day.All the world was celebrating the Diwali with full zest except the family of Mr.Ranganathan.The news came in the morning of Diwali that his father had entered the another world frm where he came. Akshay felt like hell down there since he could not be there during the times of his dad's last few minutes in this world.His Uncle had replaced him in the hospital that day. Nakul was feeling the worst, since it was his Birthday that his Dad had expired.
Akshay did all the funeral rituals since he was the elder son of his Father.As it was Diwali day, there were fun all around and sadness in & around the family of Late.Mr.Ranganathan.

The Memory Ocean-Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

Akshay Started the next day with his sweet memories about his girl-whom he thought was already his girl-wholeheartedly. He was very enthusiastic about letting his brother know about his feel for the girl.But, then decided against it.He wanted to feel that gr8t feel fully and then he wud let the whole world knows about that. The following days he felt that the world is one new atmosphere the same world which once showed its back at him.Everything had seemed to be fresh in his views.He felt as if he was born that day only. All because of Sandhya. He Knew he was right. He started to dress in a manner he had never dressed before.He suddenly looked like a smart guy about which he himself was never aware of.He had worn a Navy Blue jeans and a White tshirt.He had those dresses before, but he thought it wud be worth if he worn those now. He said "Mom, i am going to college." Mom replied "ok, son.Hav you done with ur breakfast or not? "Nope. I dont feel like hungry. I shall be back home by 3.30pm.I will hav my lunch then.see you mom". Mom said to herself. 'Hope he doesnt get hungry while he is in his class'. He got into the same bus numbered 7F.Is that some kind of a superstition, he wondered.He had expected Sandhya to be in the Bus-the same bus. He was actually waiting eagerly to notice how she was going to behave after getting his introduction. Suddenly, She appeared there.She was accompanied by 3 of her collegemates.None of them were known to Akshay.He was thinking they all must be very very lucky to hav got her friendship & companionship.She was wearing a Redcolor Churidar.That dress was glittering because of her.She was short in size which made her even wonderful. Sandhya and her friends boarded the same bus where Akshay had been seated.As Akshay Expected,her behaviour was quite nice.She wished him with a warm 'hi'. He also Reciprocated.He heard what they were talking about and She listened to what Akshay and his friends were chatting. She was telling that she was having some internal Test in her college.So, when she got down in her college stop, Akshay slowly said "All the very best for ur Internal Test".She wondered that he was also equally naughty like her.She realised that he was also listening what she & her friends were talking the same way in which she was listening to him & his friends. Afternoon while coming back from college.Akshay met Raghuram. Both Exchanged Greetings. Akshay asked for Sandhya's Contact number to call her.Raghuram told him the number and thought "very fast guy, huh?!?!"............. That evening Akshay had to go to some relative's house & from there he called up Sandhya.It was sandhya's younger sister at the other end.He told her that he wished to talk to Sandhya.She called Sandhya..and Sandhya said .."hello""Hi... Akshay here. Remember me ?" "heyyyyy.. Hieee.. How r u ? its a real surprise that u called me up." "yeah fine.Hope i dont disturb u now." "no problem.I never feel that my friends cud ever disturb me." He felt a warmth in his heart that she accepted him as her friend. Then, he told her that he wanted to know about a Post graduation programme that he was intended to do once he finishes his Under graduation.He wanted to know about some course that Sandhya's elder sister was also enrolled into.So, he asked her about the Course Details for the same. Sandhya Assured him that she wud do that for him.After hearing that he thought thats enough for the first call & he said byeeee and hang up. When Akshay returned home from his relatives' home , he never knew that he was in for a shock. The shock that he cud never get out of.

The Memory Ocean-Chapter One

Chapter – ONE


It was a busy morning when Akshay left for college.. The Bus station was crowded with guys & girls struggling to get a seat for themselves to commute... The climate was not so hot, yet there was lot of humidity in the Air.....

He was wearing a brown colored formal pants and a blue-striped shirt not tucked-in his pants.He looked at his watch.. it was already 8.05am in the morning.. He had to be in college before 8.45am.He knew that he was always late.There was no other go.He had to admit that the Buses were so crowded and that was the prime reason for him to go to college late every day....Who cares to go in early ... he thought.

He was studying in his II year B.com in A.J.Adhvaith College.in M.G.R. Nagar.He came first in his school finals ... yet he struggled to get his entry into any colleges concerned.Finally, he got a seat in the A.J.Adhvaith College.. He was lucky, then.. Otherwise, he wud hav to enter into some worst colleges in the city of Chennai.

He had been waiting for the bus to go to his college.Finally a bus arrived.There was not much crowd in.He got puzzled by that.He got into the bus.And took one seat....10 minutes later,the bus was crowded, he Thanked God that he got a seat before the bus got that much crowd...

Slowly, he started to run thro the notes he wrote the other day.He found an old man in his 50's at his side.Due to the Over-humidity that man was sweating like hell... He thought of his own father.. so he stood up & gave his seat to that man.. That Old man felt happy & wondered that guy wud ever get seat again in that crowded bus.But, he knew that he did something that wud cheer that old man up.

Without much to do on that bus, he ran his eyes on the others who were partnering him in the bus standing...There was a girl in the last row last seat. Suddenly, his heart was dancing like anything.. He cudnt undertsand wat he was actually feeling.But, he felt something that he had never felt in his life until then.'The girl in the last seat' was adoringly cute & he cudnt quite remember whether he had ever seen that girl before.He knew that girl cud've got into the bus in the same busstation where he got into it.

He noticed that she actually was also looking at his side only.He made sure that she didnt look at any other guys...He knew about his personality so he had to make sure that she was looking at him only.He simply was in 'cloud # 9'. He was happy that he was actually loving wat he had been feeling abt that girl....

She kept on watching at him .. and He didnt ever take his eyes off her.

She got down from the bus 2 stations before He had to get down... He thought that she took his heart with her......

He had been thinking of that girl all along his classes.She was mind-blowing, he thought.Certainly that girl had blown his mind off....

The same day, he told his friend Raghuram about that girl whom he saw in the bus.Raghuram was quite ecstatic about his friend because his friend was asking about a girl whom Raghuram was studying with in the computer class.Akshay became crazy after hearing that.So, he promised Akshay that he wud give intro to him one day... Akshay was keeping his fingers crossed for that day to come soooon....

Before he cud get that girl's Introduction,he wanted to make sure that he maintains a nice image so that when his friend gives intro to him,that girl wud say "Oh, hieeee,...." rather than a "oh.. No....".

One fine Evening, Raghuram asked Akshay to come into the parking area of the computer class.The Parking area was very near to the Bus station.She Came down frm the staircase.What a lovely dress she is wearing....he thought.

Raghuram gave her intro first to Akshay.... Raghuram told "Akshay, This is Sandhya and Sandhya this is Akshay". Sandhya ( finally, he cud know her name ) started slowly, "hello...how do you do?"
Akshay pretended as if he did nt come there intentionally.."Hi Sandhya,.. how do u do"he said.

Then, he turned to Raghruam and said.."hey, i hav been waiting for my grandma who is about to come here.. i came to pick her up."

Then, Raghuram was telling Sandhya about Akshay .. about his academics and that he always wishes to come first & he does that in style...Akshay was wondering whether he cud ever get a friend like Raghuram.No was the answer.

They chatted for about 10 minutes...and during that Sandhya said "Akshay, looks like i cant stand with u as far as ur academics are concerned"..... and that was all she said about him.The Other words were very very general.

She left right after she thought that it was getting late for her to go home.