The lonely lady – Part 1

On a rainy day in July 1994…

“Look we are at the right place. This is Shakti Estate and we have an appointment with Mr. Ranjeet Ponappa” Sujan said looking at Pramod who was very tired after a busy day meeting Coffee planters in Coorg.

Pramod replied “we have to walk for at least half a kilometer now to reach his bungalow. We are lucky that rain has stopped now”.

Pramod Kulkarni and Sujan Chandy were doing a project titled “Effect of international markets on Coffee prices in India” and it was a part of their post graduation Management course.

“This is paradise on earth. Walking on a wet muddy track with nothing else but green plants, shrubs and trees around is like going to some other world altogether” Sujan commented.

They walked for few more minutes and could see a huge bungalow hidden in thin blanket of mist.  Pramod stopped and whispered to Sujan “Look at the lady near the door. She is very beautiful”.

Sujan added “she is not only beautiful but looks lonely amidst this huge green carpet covered by fog”.

“Hello gentlemen” she said as they both approached the door “What brings you here?”

Sujan explained about their project and the appointment they had taken over phone with Ranjeet Ponappa. “I am Sukanya and my husband has gone to Mysore on some urgent work. Tomorrow being a Sunday he will definitely be at home. You can discuss with him if you come again tomorrow”.

They spoke for about five minutes and during that period she was looking and smiling at Pramod. Sujan observed this and Pramod became a bit conscious and smiled back at her.

It started raining heavily again and she asked them to get into the drawing room. She said “Please feel comfortable. I shall speak to Ranjeet over telephone and tell him that you have come”. She walked into the big hall leading to the kitchen. Pramod looked at Sujan and both of them were awestruck by the grandeur of the bungalow. Very well arranged sofa set, center table, wall hangings, souvenirs behind the glass windows, mini bar in the corner and other things reflected the British colonial style which they had inherited from generations.

“Coffee for you” she said walking into the drawing room with a silver tray. She served coffee to both of them and sat down.

“I spoke to Ranjeet. He is in our relative’s house in Mysore. He has confirmed that he will be returning tomorrow morning. He has asked you both to join us for lunch”.

 She walked to the window and commented “It is raining heavily and you cannot walk to the main road in this condition. Our jeep is in the town and will be reaching the estate in about an hour’s time”.

Sujan got up and walked to the window and said “Sorry we are uninvited guests for you”.

She was quick to reply “Do not think so. Please have dinner here and go to your hotel. You can taste our Coorgi food”. Pramod and Sujan nodded and soon started talking to her.

“That is my mother” she pointed to the photo of a beautiful lady. Pramod was standing in front of the photo frame hung to the wall. She continued “Come with me and I shall show you interesting things in our bungalow and estate”. Sukanya escorted Pramod to a guided tour of her bungalow. Sujan was standing in the portico observing the Arabica coffee plants in the vicinity. After about half an hour Pramod and Sukanya walked into the drawing room laughing heartily.

The dining table was very decorative and made of teak wood. The maid kept many food items on the table. Pramod, Sujan and Sukanya sat across the table. She opened the lid of one of the pan and looking at Pramod said “Special Coorgi pork dish for you”. Pramod gave a surprised look and said “I do not eat any non vegetarian dish. I am a pure vegetarian. My friend Sujan Chandy eats Pork”.

Sujan looked at her. There was a huge disappointment on her face. She said “Am very sorry. What is your full name Pramod?”

“Pramod Kulkarni” he replied.

“I should have found it out before hand. I prepared special pork dish for you without finding out if you eat it or not. Please eat the vegetarian curry and curd with rice and have some fruits”.

“Do you think she likes me?” Pramod asked Sujan. They were lying on their cots in the hotel room.

“Am not sure of it but she way paying more attention to you and couple of times I felt my presence was not needed”.

Pramod blushed and said “Let us see tomorrow. We are anyway going there again. I will find out what the intent is”.

Sujan laughed and said “My dear friend do not forget that there is one beautiful lady named Susan Dsouza waiting for you in Bangalore. With great difficulty you both have convinced your families and soon are getting married”.

Pramod was quick to respond “Susan is my lady always. I was only telling you that this lady at the coffee estate was showing more interest in me for reasons I could not figure out”.

“She should be in her early thirties and a good six to eight years elder to you. Stop dreaming and let us concentrate on our survey and our onward journey to kalpetta in Kerala” Sujan replied.

To be continued …