Cynthia was not in a mood to stop and she was going on and on that riled her husband John Lennonto downpour - "Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup--------" which eventually came out as a beautiful song "Across the universe".
But alas, my creativity can be mathematically expressed as 360 degrees (zero). I was experiencing the Catch 22- there is no way out! I wish to strike the dumb and loquacious lady mute even if she is my friend's mom. I was caught in her deadly fang when all the celestial objects decided to shower their curses on me. He was not there and I got trapped by her inexplicable penchant for a listener.
The conversation between us was the classic example of dramatic monologue. My yawning, stretching, swiveling ----provided special effects. Seems, she might have subsumed this to be my keen interest in listening ! After two hours, I have decided to put an abrupt end in the interest of my life and interrupted her "Ma'm, it is getting late. Should I leave?'
She surprised me with a cup of tea and some luscious fruits. The combination was a bit eerie but still I guzzled everything and was all about to flee. But she got an opportunity to restart the dramatic monologueand I was brutally trapped. I feel like being a fly got trapped in wax. I started thinking about the futility of human life, the path of atonement of Jesus Christ ----. A noble celestial object winked at me in sympathy and she left the room to attend a phone call. In a moment’s time, I ran away like an animal fleeing from butcher's shop. Peace, tranquility, transcendental union with almighty -- I have experienced everything!
After a few years
I was asked to go to her home to invite her for my Sister's wedding. Fortunately, I was accompanying my dad and I have forced him to enter the lion's den alone . This could be the worst of the sin a son can do to his dad. After three hours he returned home alone; totally confounded. The experience was sufficient enough to exhaust a person like my dad who firmly believe in speaking only when required!
After several years
I was forced to go to her residence again, to get some revenue documents attested by her husband, who was a State Public Sector Gazetted Officer. To my surprise, he was a man of a few words and obliged to attest the papers. He look so tired and distressed! Quite natural as he is legally bound to suffer never ending tryst with his wife's monologue. The lady was not to be seen and was all set to leave the place before getting caught in her radar. But the old man invited me inside!
I admired the neatly designed alcove of the drawing room and immaculate furnishing but my heart was thumping as I was quite aware about the imminent mishap. He took me to their bedroom and there I found an old lady with conspicuous geriatric symptoms. Old man said in a cold voice "Paralysis. For the last two years,she is confined to this bed. Your good friend and our only son who was never interested in this place is in US. How I hate to listen to her voice that pestered me always. But now, I pray God to bless her at least to utter a few words"
I felt a shiver that gained crescendos and joggled plunges throughout my body! Undulating ripples of emotions overpowered my consciousness and I sat near her feet and stoop my head out of bummer. I sincerely wished - she open her mouth and start her monologue, invite me for nosh with an intention to continue the monologue! Her shimmering eyes reflected the myriad words that could not find a way out ----- I felt the echo of silencethwacking my inner soul that resonated excruciatingly poignant penury of the old lady. But alas, I had only a few drops of tears to spare!
~This is for John Lennonwho carried myriad unsung tunes with him....... and also for all those who are muted ----
