Hope Believe Magic

Julia and Marcus

Shivathmika had dozed off when Rachna went to get her coffee. Shivu could not really sleep, especially with the constant beep sound from the machine so when she heard Rachna sneak in, she gently opened her eyes. Rachna apologized saying, "Sorry aunty, I was trying to be as quiet as possible. Please rest. I will keep an eye on uncle. Shivu smiled and stretched her body, sighing. Rachna walked up to her and extended her arm towards Shivu saying, "Here aunty, I bought some ginger cookies. Try them they are good." Shivu laughed gently looking at the cookie, "Ginger cookies were my favourite. We used to call them ginger biscuits then, actually. There is a story behind this too. I used to love these but Uncle did not care for them, too much but he used to eat one just because I would bring it to him. He could never say no to me. One day, on our 5th anniversary, I had baked these and my mother in law happened to be there. She was the one who mentioned that AK used to hate them as a kid. When I confronted him about it, all he could say was Unkitta eppidi maa vendaam nu solluven." She looked towards the bed at her husband lovingly.

Rachna was in awe of this couple in front of her. She quickly sat on the chair next to Shivu and said, "Aunty aparam unga play ennachu? Uncle eppidi unga veetla vandhu ponnu kettar nu sollunga please. I want to hear the rest of your story." Shivu smiled and seemed to be lost in thought momentarily but quickly smiled and said, "After he dropped me home on that rainy day, he started offering me a ride home and I kept agreeing. That half an our ride was our private moment but he never failed to praise me or thank me. I still was too young. I loved the fact that he was doting on me but I was not sure about my feelings for him until the last day. There was a twist in our story, which, I think Gopi sir did on purpose. Our play was about two young lovers, Julia and Marcus. Julia was the daughter of the general while Marcus was a young soldier. Not a brand new story right? Anyway, it was about how these two fall in love but fate separates them when the county is threatened by war and the young soldier is drafted. So the play was supposed to end with Marcus leaving to fight for his country but Gopi sir had something else in mind. He called for me one day, a week before release, and said, "Shivathmika, naan story la oru change paneerken but nee adhu pathi yaarukitteyum solla koodadhu. I want to see the raw reaction of both the audience as well as the actors. They play will end with your solo. I have a melancholic solo for you to sing. I want the audience to go back with your beautiful voice in their mind." He quickly played the tune out to her in his piano and handed her a tape with the track and lyrics. "Shivathmika, you cannot share this with anyone. Not even AK."

"I agreed" said Sivu, "and learnt the song. It was a beautiful solo but even I did not know that he had planned something else with Monish too. She played the role of my best friend. I can still visualize that day. That final performance when Marcus was waiting near the bridge."

Marcus: Julia, o Julia. My heart aches to leave you but my service towards the country is of utmost importance right now but I cannot leave without seeing your beautiful face. Please hurry up Julia.

Just then Julia comes running, escaping from her father, the General. She comes whispering, "Marcus o my dear Marcus. Hope you did not leave without bidding me goodbye. Oh there you are" she run up to him and they hug each other. "Marcus, I love you so very much but I love you more now for you are going to fight for our country. I promise to wait for you. Here, keep my ring. Let me slid it into your little finger reminding you that I am always with you." Marcus cupped Julia's face and looked lovingly into her eyes, "Julia, you are the most beautiful woman I have laid my eyes on. I can never love anyone like I love you. Although, my heart aches to leave you, duty calls and I have to go. Here is my chain. Let me snap it around your neck. If I do not return, I do want you to marry and live a happy life." Julia's eyes were wet with tears. She quickly placed her palm on his lips saying, "No Marcus, please don't say that. I know you will come back to me safe and sound. We will be married and have children. We will build a house on top of this very hill, just like we have dreamt of. Just come back to me Marcus." The bus honked indicating it was time for him to leave. He quickly kissed her palm and bid her good bye. Julia stayed there waving at him until the bus disappeared.

Shivu continued, "This is where the story was supposed to end but Gopi sir decided to extend it with a scene of Julia sitting in her chamber when her friend Mariam, played by Monisha comes rushing in saying, "Julia dear Julia, the was has ended and the soldiers have returned. Alas, Marcus is a martyr. He lost his life saving another soldier. I am so sorry Julia." Julia had to slowly get up and touch the necklace given by Marcus and that's where my solo came in. I was so devastated because I wasn't expecting the story to end this way. I sang but my voice was literally trembling and tears started flowing down my cheeks. It was so raw and real that the audiences were in tears too. As soon the the curtains fell, I ran looking for AK. I hugged him and started crying uncontrollably. I kept saying, "Don't leave me, please." He held on to me tightly. I still remember him kissing the top of me head and in his soft, endearing base voice said, "I will never leave you maa. Never ever."

Rachna was sniffling already. He wiped her tears and said, "Wow aunty, I don't know what to say." Shivu smiled and walked towards the bed, held his palm, which was cold due to the IV, and said, "You promised me AK, remember? You promised never to leave me." The machines were beeping and he laid there with his eyes closed but Shivu felt a little squeeze to her hand. She looked up at him and then his hand and he did it again and she quickly kissed his hand.

Brinda Subramanian