From: raj@news.cs.odu.edu (M. P. Krishna Raj)
Subject: Privom Santhipom 3
Originator: raj@aelle.cs.odu.edu
Organization: Old Dominion University Dept. of CS, Norfolk VA
Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1992 19:22:37 GMT



                             Episode 3


Mohanram sat on the sofa with a glass in hand. He switched T.V with remote.
 "10 channels plus cable. video also ..What you want"

"Any thing. Sir. Everything is amazing "

As Mohan pressed the remote, channels were cascading."Want baseball"

Pitcher bowled ball chewing somethin. One black
hit that and ran with jiff. 40000 people were rejoicing in the
stadium. Coach or Manager , who knows, was also chewing something
and  exchanging secrets with the players.

"What they are chewing"

"Gum or Tobacco. Are you following the game"

"No. Sir. Looks like Cricket ..no it is not.."

"Aren't you hungry for Burger King".
"Only commercials.. All the day ..whoops . I byheart every crap"
"You have not answered my question"

"What you asked"

"Have you loved "

" I did.. I whined imagining it is love...Now I am alright"

" Now it is OK . Alright? I'm happy. You see.. I am a matured man.
I am giving you the best advise...Be Selfish..Then only you
can survive in this world. Have you ever read Ayn Rand?

"..No,Sir"

"I'll give.Read that...You want to sleep"

"Yes,Sir. I feel tired..I haven't slept well in the plane." 

"Okay". Mohan arranged bed for Raghu and adjusted the A.C to 78.

It was calm and serene atmosphere. Restless cars were moving in silence
beyond the glass. First night in the new nation. Raghu felt very dense.
His nose was yet to accustom to the fragrance of the new home. His 
stomach felt uneasy. He was awake in the darkness.

....America,America..Here it is ..America!..Why I am here..To study..
..I should not..think about that female even for a moment. There is
some sort of sadness dwelling in the eyes of Mohanram, eventhough he acts
very witty.  Wife is not living with him...That means?... 
Mohanram is going to make a directory of Tamilians in America..
In that, one entry as Madhumita Radhakishan ...No..Don't think about that..
Go to sleep..Immediately....

...Don't call me Sir, Madhu...

...Then how can I address you,by name?...

...You will definitely marry me. Right..

....Ama (Yes)..If we go near that tree and walk down the slope..Nobody
will see us...

...Yes..

....Will you ..You kiss me there..

Raghu got up . He was trying to zap the thoughts.
....Another man'wife..Another man's wife..I should not think 
like...Now..by this time..Somewhere in America, Radhakishan
is with her...

...Raghu why are you here...?

...to study..to study Madhumita...

Appa(Dad) told me ,'Love is..Nature's way of ensuring pregnancy!'....

Raghu went to deep sleep.



Morning he got up." Sir, 10 A.M ,Sir! , Why didn't you awake me.Sir?.."

"Good Morning..I know you are very tired..So..I didn't"

" Are you not going to office,Sir"

" Own business! I can go at any time..Everything can be done 
by phone ! It is  easy to make money in America once you get in here.
One guy made money by selling stone last year..I will tell you
about that..Take Coffee. If you want any thing else take from the
fridge..Don't hesitate..When you need to enroll?"

"Monday,Sir"

"Would you want to go around, NewYork"

" I am not in hurry,Sir,I will be home watching TV"

" Telecast continues all day and night..Tamil movies are in cassette"

"I have seen them 'there' itself, Sir"

" Anything... Blue film too. If you feel like it"

" Which are the TV programs that are very nice"

" I don't know..If you ask me..I watch only news..Sometimes
baseball,basketball,billiards.. That's all. Otherwise this
box will make you mad!. It will be okay to watch every thing for one 
day. I am going to office..will be back by 3.00..Okay..If anybody
knock do't open..Somebody will be selling bible..Somebody will
be soliciting donation for nutritious food for children in Cambodia..
Don't open the door"

"Yes, Sir"

Throughout the afternoon Raghu watched T.V . Colors were dazzling by the
touch of a finger. Various programs..Somebody did comedy...Synthetic
laughter from the studio audience. Three females were doing detective
job. Those who were cruising  did ship board romance.
Blacks were dancing. ..Commercials..Commercials. If you watch TV 
continuously for 24 hours you will be mad at once. There was a phone 
ring....Attend..Not to .... It did continued .... "Hello".

A female" Hi,Mohan! Are you there?"

" Sorry, I'm not Mohan. He is not home"

"Who is this?"

" I am Raghupathi. His friend. Is there any message for him"

" Tell him. Barbra"

Raghu noted down,'Barbara'. Raghu saw a portrait of Mohan's family.
White lady..! two kids with smile. Lot of bills on the table.
Raghu felt uneasy as though he is peeping into the others personal
affair. He opened the fridge. Lot of milk,variety of cakes..Ice cream brick.
Choclate.He took bread slice and milk. He didn't feel like eating.


On Monday,Mohanram dropped him at his school entrance. Raghu walked slowly.
First day for his studies in America!. He had a map his hand to reach
Aldrich Hall. He is supposed to  meet one Mr.Hamilton at 8.30 a. m
in room# 108. The college bulding was not at all different from the
surrouding towers. Three buidings looked like one copied from another.
'N.Y.U School of Business Administration' brass plates proclaimed.
Many people  were standing under the trees....Are they all students...
Everybody is well built...May I call them ,Sir... Raghu selected
one guy of moderate dimensions and began with,"Excuse Me" and
enquired him about Aldrich Hall. That guy shook his shoulder
and looked at the next guy.

"Sorry,Come Again"

Raghu asked again. He is unable to follow Raghu's English.
Raghu showed him the paper in his hand.


"Oh! Aldrich Hall?. Down there on your left! "

Raghu need not have enquired. There was a bold arrow pointing towards
Aldrich Hall. Chill air was flowing in corridor and there was a
CocoCola vending Machine. All the class rooms looked alike. 
There were portraits of bald headed professors.
He found  room # 108. He got shocked. He expected a office room, what he saw
was class room.  Electronic clock displayed 8.20 above the black board
No natural light inside the class room. Many  students were sitting
here and there. Everybody looked at Raghu without blinking.

"Oh,No" yelled one voice. Raghu hesitated to look at their face.
All the face were hostile to him. Some Chinese. Some blacks.
Two guys looked like Iranians. Raghu alone Indian!. Desks were
in semicircle. There was a long table near the board. One female was
arranging papers and signaled Raghu to come. 

Raghu went near her and gave his letter.

"Raghu Paatty" .she read his name. Raghu was unable to understand
what she was saying. She gave him a list. She fixed a plastic
bearing his name on his breast. Supply kit for $19.96. It
contained very indispenable things on the earth,scrath pad,
binders,envelopee, report paper.

"Give me the money,Please"

Raghu was yet to exchange his traveler's checks.

" I can give in you in Traveler's checks"

"For twenty dollars!, Okay you change it and give me, No problem!"

"What to do, Now"

"Wait for Prof.Hamilton"

Raghu looked for a seat. Those face were again keenly looking at him.
All new faces. It looked like they hated even his presence. Within
few days, these faces may be discussing,debating and might
to share their stories.

"Is your name,Patel?"

"No",Raghu smiled.

"I thought all Indians are Patels"

"You are from which part of India?"

"Tamil Nadu"

"Sit down"

Raghu fell down,once he sat.

"Welcome,Ragu Paatty"
              
                                 (thodarum)