Guru Blessed The Shishya
(A short love story)
by Vaman Acharya
Akhilesh Kumar was one among the several candidates waiting at the corridors of the University of Raghavpur, seeking an interview for a job, lecturer in English. After a long wait of one hour, he was called to appear before the interview committee. Members of the committee asked him several irrelevant questions and he failed to answer. Kumar was disappointed and left the place.
He was about to start his motorbike, and someone had patted him on the back. Kumar was surprised to see his beloved Guru Chakrapani Upadhyaya.
Kumar was happy and prostrated to the teacher.
“Don't worry my boy. I know you are the right person for the post. People at the top level have lost their morality. The jobs in this university are on sale. You being a poor boy, how can you afford to pay such a huge amount? As you are my favourite brilliant student, I would like to help you. I advise you to go Pushpagiri a small village. The distance is ten kilometers. On reaching the village entrance, there is an Anjaneya temple. Adjacent to the temple, there is a big house in Mangalore tiles with a decorative main door. You just knock on the door till the old man comes out. Your good luck starts from there. My blessings are with you always,” said Upadhyaya.
Kumar with great hopes proceeded to Pushpagiri on his motorbike. He passed through the beautiful garden on both sides and also saw blooming flowers, lakes, tall trees, monkeys jumping from one tree to another and birds flying. This area is a part of the university campus.
By the time he reached Pushpagiri, his wrist watch showed 6.30 pm. Suddenly, the power went off. There was no movement of people in the village. He had once visited this village about three years back. Pushpagiri village is surrounded by the mountains, deserted lakes, tall trees, dilapidated temples, dismantled houses, a number of different varieties of beautiful flowers and singing birds.
Rao saheb and Nadagoud, these two families belonging to the upper caste were residents in this village for more than one hundred years. Both the families left the place fifteen years ago. One family settled in Raghavpur town and another in the United States for the education of their children. But both the families visit the village whenever their presence is needed for agricultural activities.
State transport has arranged a bus facility between Raghavpur and Pushpagiri. Kumar was unable to move fast due to darkness. Staying in the night was inevitable for him. With the help of a torch, he was able to reach the house. Stray dogs were barking in the open area. Two black cats fighting each other passed in front of him. He never believed in superstition. Kumar went towards a house and knocked on the door. After repeated knocks, an old man with a lantern in his hand opened the door.
“Sir, I am Akhilesh Kumar coming from Raghavpur. My respected teacher Chakra- pani Upadhyaya has told me to meet you. Will you please allow me to stay the night?”
Initially, the old man refused to oblige and later became sympathetic keeping in mind his childhood friend Chakrapani Upadhayaya. He allowed Kumar to come inside and provided him a bed. He gave him food and water.
Kumar woke up early in the morning. A young beautiful smiling girl offered him a cup of coffee. Kumar could not believe his eyes to see her and she was none other than his classmate in the university. He tried to remember the lovely moments he had spent with Priyamvada. She was too surprised to see Akhilesh Kumar and she too had similar feelings.
"Priya, I am happy to meet you in this village after three years. Let me know what you are doing now? I don't know how we fail to meet for a long time of three years?”
"Akhilesh, I am an only daughter to my parents and I have to take care of them at their old age. You know we both completed post graduation in first class three years back. Are you employed? Or still searching for a job?"
"Priya, I am unemployed. What about you?"
When their conversation was going on, her parents arrived. She introduced Akhilesh to them. Her father Murlidhar Nadagouda was an agriculturist and mother Padma was a housewife. Both were managing the twenty five acres of fertiled agricultural lands. Due to their old age, Priyamvada took the responsibility of managing the lands.
Her parents were feeling uneasiness as both were speaking as loving each other. It was clear that their love affairs was going on since the college days. Her parents, after knowing this, became upset. Priyamvada observed the uneasiness of her parents.
Akhilesh left for Raghavpur expressing to them for the hospitality extended during his short stay.
A fortnight passed.
One day in the morning heated arguments started between Priyamvada and her parents.
“Priya, I am not at all happy for your behaviour with your boyfriend, Akhilesh. You know we have already decided your marriage with Suryakant Rao Saheb,” said Muralidhar.
“You know pretty well Priya about our relationship with the RaoSaheb family. You also know that Nishikant is my own elder brother. Suryakant is the only son and owner of huge property. He is a software engineer in U S A and earning in dollars,” said Padma.
“I do agree with you that Suryakant is our relative. What is his age and my age? He is ten years older than me. He has already decided to settle permanently in the USA. I don't want to leave both of you here,"
said Priyamvada.
The parents were speechless and agreed to fulfil the wish of their only daughter. Priyamvada gave good news to Akhilesh.
One month passed.
The well wishers of Suryakant informed him about Priyamvada. He immediately rushed to Pushpagiri to clear the misunderstandings. He was too late in his efforts. In the meantime, Akhilesh Kumar and Priyamvada became life partners. It was the happiest occasion for Akhilesh Kumar. He thought this was possible only because of his Guru Chakrapani Upadhaya. Due to his blessings on his shishya, Akhilesh Kumar married a beautiful girl and became a landlord of one twenty five acres of irrigated land.
