This is a continuation of the post story Aadhi’s return journey which in turn is a sequel to a fellow blogger’s story, Beginner’s Luck.
It was a crowded market place, and Aadhi was buying items off the list his mom had given to him. A hand patted him on the back. “Machi, epidi irukka? (how are you)… Long time no see, infact, seeing you for the first time after college! Man, you are still the same, I say…”
It was Aadhi’s close friend from college, Nishanth, who had gone abroad to pursue higher studies and they had lost touch after that. Aadhi was so delighted to see him 🙂 They went to a coffee shop near by and started catching up with each others’ lives.
“So Nishi, what are you doing in Chennai now?”
“You know right, my whole family is very music-oriented. Uncle wanted to publish a book on the yesteryear musicians and he wanted their portraits drawn if possible. The moment I saw you in the market, I decided that you are only going to do it for me. I am helping him with the book, and he will sure agree on my choice. Also, he has already seen the portrait of me you gifted on my birthday. He will be pleased to hook you into his project. What say?”
“Oh! Art for a book? I am not very sure I will be able to do it, but let me see what I can do. Send me the details, okay. Nice seeing you after long, dude. But I gotta rush now. Text me, huh! Ciao!!!”
The day he recieved the copy of the book and saw the first few pages, he was very happy and satisfied. It read Sangeetha Bhushanangal – Annaalil Pudhumai Kandor; underneath it a tiny line that said Ooviangal: Aadhi.
“Now, I call upon Mr. Aadhi, who has done the portraits in this book, to talk a few words on his experience in working shape this book.”
“Hi everyone! Well, I am not accustomed to such diases and magnificient talks. I got acquainted to this project through my friend Nishanth, so a special thanks to him. I work with an IT company and drawing sketches is just a serious hobby, I should say. As far as my experience with the book and the stalwarts of those days is concerned, it was brilliant. I came to know snippets about them as well in course of the work. How great they had been; and what dedication to music! It was very easy for me to relate to their geniuses, because I see one day in and day out at my home…”… he waved his right hand at his mother who was sitting in the first row, her face beaming then.
The dinner was a grand one and Aadhi went around talking to all the big shots. Nishanth was by his side all the while, telling each person he spoke to, how proud he was of his friend. Our boy was grinning from ear to ear each time his friend said that! 😀 On the way back home, Aadhi offered to drive the car, because his parents were his guests to the function, essentially.
All the way, our excited Aadhi was describing all that happened in the function to his parents. In his excitement, he missed to see a stray dog cross the street, as the street lights also were not helping really. He hit on the brakes suddenly…. Screech… and an Ooooh! His mom who was sitting behind had hit her head on the front car seat.
His dad started angrily, “What a carelessness this is! Can’t you even drive a car properly? What if it had hit her eyes!! And you call yourself educated…” The rest of the journey was one silly fighting match till they reached home. That night, as Aadhi entered his room to sleep… there was no wishing “good night”s… no “I am proud of you, Aadhi”… no “good job, son”… No expectations, he thought. And with a sigh, he went off to sleep, thinking he had to get back to the muck called IT job the next day morning. #reality sets in…
lol… actual art by Deva 🙂
– Until next,
Vid 🙂
Vid Dev 