The Cost of Values - 2

 I have been writing blogs that are generally events or my experiences. 

I have hardly ever attempted to write a story. 

However, for a change, I thought I should write a story - 

not a short story that can be completed within a blog post; 

but a 'serialized' story that I will continue every week. 

 

CHAPTER - 2

 

In case you happen to reach here without reading the earlier part of the serialized story, 

please go here........ Chapter-1

Prema rose from her sleep with a start. This was getting to be a usual occurrence of late, much to her growing consternation. She had been getting dreams of her college exam days or school monthly tests. She would awaken with a cold sweat; but feel relieved when she woke up to realize that now she is rid of those exam days.

Coffee was ready and she never forgot to silently thank Ramu for that morning ritual that he had taken upon himself many years ago. Today was a relaxed day and while sipping her coffee she turned on the TV to catch the latest business news. As a senior manager in a multinational company managing the finances and accounts, she took time to understand the economy and the way the policies were announced by various governments in the region. The weekly roundup was her favourite show since she did not find enough time to catch the news on a daily basis.

Prema took the newspaper from the magazine rack and started reading the news. She had her views on America, Russia, China, and India's foreign affairs with the Western powers, and engaged in a heated debate with her colleagues on how the Ministry should engage with those powers. Discussing with Ramu was futile, since he kept his views to himself on political matters - she suspected that it was because she was passionate in her views and rarely, if ever, acceded to contrary opinions. Ramu was more interested in tennis and cricket and watched the telecast of matches involving India and he had his strong views and opinions on team selection. Prema did not engage in those trivial matters. The world was her playground.

She was expecting a call from her son or daughter since they called up every weekend; but they hadn't called yet. Even if there was no call on any weekend, this did not cause any anxiety to her since it was quite possible that Akshay and Deepa were away to their friend's place. Even during their growing up years, Prema did not interfere in their studies, check their progress in class, supervise if they had done their homework or not, or signed their progress reports. Ramu took care of those matters and being very patient with their children, Prema realized that grooming their children was best left to the most competent person in the house! As a career oriented person, Prema routinely requested her parents or her parents-in-law to come over to take care of their grandchildren when they were young.

Akshay was three years older than Deepa and had a keen interest in chess and debating. On both he was active and had won competitions within their school and in inter-school competitions. Deepa was an extrovert and played badminton and cricket. To help with their passion in their hobbies, the grandparents came in handy since they would take the children to the training centres without fail.

Prema was extremely conscious of her health and did not miss the yoga classes every weekend that were held in the terrace of her yoga guru. But before going there, she needed to take care of Ramu's breakfast. Today would be dosa and she quickly prepared a few; ate a couple while other dosas were getting ready and changed into her yoga gear. She then picked up her car keys, locked the door, and took the elevator to the basement.

Prema opened the car door with her remote and glanced around to see Ramu walk towards the lift rather unsteadily. When he came nearer she thought she saw Ramu was not his usual self. Probably the long walk had tired him, who knows. Generally he would walk for about an hour on weekends, but today his walk was quite a long one. She thought she would inform him about his breakfast and approached him before he neared the elevator. It was then that she saw his ashen face.

"Ramu! What is wrong? Are you OK?"

To be continued next Sunday - 23-July-2023.