ANTIQUES (SHORT STORY)
“Premji... She is the latest arraival to my fleet”, seventy year old Mr. Raman Menon showed me a vintage Chevrolet Buick Car, that too in showroom condition, with humble pride!
“Vintage Black beauty! Is she 'the one' among those two Buicks remaining in Kerala?”
“Absolutely... Her first owner was a Prince from Cochin dynasty... Eight cylinder metallic beast... But, her lust for gas is horrible... just two kmpl.. but... You have to ride her! What a performance!”
Suddenly his mobile started vibrating.
“A call from Azeez!”
I could immediately spot a lovely glow emanating from his face during the conversation.
“Sir... anything new?”
“Yes.... Premji, are you free today?”
“Yes Sir”
“Then... Let's go to Chalai Bazar”, Mr. Menon almost shouted with exhilaration.
Every nook and corner of his house was flooded with antiques! Only the rich are destined to do crazy things like this! They can only dictate their material life!
Mr. Menon carefully selected a key from his special room in that huge garage where the log books, shop manuals, registration certificates and all other documents related to his collection were kept. I stood near the door counting the antique cars.
“Twenty one... including this”, Mr. Menon told while pointing towards a Scoda tricycle. “I got it from Delhi... in India, it's with me only!”
Is this man crazy?
Mr. Raman Menon drove an open top Mahindra Perol Jeep very fast.
“Premji... do you know...how many great leaders... including Presidents and Prime Ministers... accepted guard of honour by standing on this jeep! I bought her for just fifteen thousand rupees ($300)”
“Great”
The vehicle entered into Chalai Bazaar, one of the oldest bazaars in Kerala where everything is available. Chalai Bazaar... It has been functioning for centuries!
“Vehicle parking is so difficult here”, Mr. Menon told while fitting the jeep into a tight place near that antique shop.
Mr. Azeez was standing in front of his shop as if he was awaiting us.
“Welcome Sir”
“Azeez... show them to me...”, Mr. Menon ordered hastily.
“So... Jaa... So...Jaa... Rajkumari... So... Jaa...” (Sleep off... Princess... Sleep off), the magical voice of K.L.Sehgal started flooding inside that small room, from a very old gramophone record.
“Sir... this is... one among the first set of records by KL Sehgal... nearly seventy years old! I got it from a musician's family in Nagarcoil...”, Azeez told proudly as if he had done some sacrifice for Mr. Menon!
“Azeez... you know me much better than anyone”, Menon congratulated him while settling the deal. “Premji... let's go to Salim's “aacri” shop... I have to search for some old clutch plates”
Mr. Menon started his jeep.
“Sir... Shall I ask you something?”
“Surely... Premji”
“What will happen to your antiques collection... after your life?”
Three days back...
Mr. Menon was supervising that Bangali servant boy, doing water service on his 1935 model Dodge Car, in the morning. Mrs. Menon was busy pruning imported Rose plants.
“Good Morning Sir... Good Morning Madam”, Mr. Syamalan, a Pranic Healing expert, greeted him while parking his scooter in front of his house.
“Good Morning”, he greeted back without much interest.
“Welcome Mr. Syamalan”, Mrs. Menon took him inside.
“Have you noticed his face?”, Mrs. Menon asked her husband when Mr. Syamalan had left, immediately after her treatment.
“What is there to see on his face?”
“The glow... the splendor... the aura... You know... everyday, he cleanses negative energy from his body.... his cheeks are so rosy because of that! That's the effect of Pranic Healing!”
“My foot! That's because he drinks a lot!”
“You are jealous!”
“Hell! That too in this age! You better talk something else”
“I feel quite relaxed today... holistic treatment can do wonders... my knee pain is getting reduced!”
“Reduce your body weight before reaching into conclusions...”
“Everything is because of your crazy passions...”, Mrs. Menon told bit arrogantly.
“What?”
“Those lousy antiques... they bear a lot of negative energy! And that negative energy, got transferred in to my body! That only causes all sort of health problems to me... since I am the weakest person in this house!”
“Bastard”, Mr. Menon took out an antique gun from the wall and reserved a bullet for Dr. Syamalan.
“Premji... what did you ask me?”
“Sir... What will happen to these antiques after your life?”
“What will happen? They all will reach here!”, he told sadly while pointing towards the antique and “aacri” shops in Chalai Bazaar!
*Pranic Healing is an alternative medicinal practice that claims to use prana or life energy to heal ailments in the body.[1] Ancient cultures practiced similar modes of healing known as shamanic healing, divine healing, healing by mantra, among others. In 1995, Jack Ruso described the method in the magazine Skeptical Inquirer as "mystical or super-naturalistic".Pranic Healing can be used to increase the rate of healing in both minor and major ailments. However, it should not be treated as a substitute for conventional medicine. One must consult a physician/specialist to get a proper medical treatment. Pranic healing is complementary to a proper medical treatment.
Picture courtesy
http://www.flickr.com/photos/agentsolutions/2452825779/a
We always forget in our craziness we would finally end up in His antique collection...nice story Premji
Wow. Poignant, potent tale, beautifully rendered! He's smart and very privileged. Having fun while he can, because he can. I loved his response in the 3 days agone incident owing to that irresistible dash of delightful humor perfectly timed. Wonderful!
A good question to ponder upon Premji
Old is gold my young fellow! He who knows the value And my dilemma is why he throws us boisterously?
Antiques have their own value and could be priceless , and vintage cars shall never be out of the race ! They both are very much in craze ! Thanks for sharing , -Raj
toys of the idle and rich- antiques. a nice story well told. That bit about pranic healing am not so sure. But I do agree with Mrs. Menon, a clutterd house or mind is unhealthy.
Very interesting story Premji ji. Well done. tfs
You do write very interesting short stories Premji and this one has an important lesson for us!!
I loved reading this story soooooooo much, Premji and was sad to come to the end. Thank you for narrating the story so beautifully and for introducing your reader to Pranic healing. Your story is very enlightening. Thank you very much for sharing, Premji. Blessings always....