A Short Story "Thirteen Gold Coins" by Joji Varghese Kuncheria, published at Amazon. ISBN-13: 979-8663653572 & ASIN: B08C8RW8RS

                                              

·                                                   Publisher: Independently published (July 4, 2020)

·                                                                 ISBN-13: 979-8663653572

·                                                                 ASIN: B08C8RW8RS

                                         JOJI VARGHESE KUNCHERIA

                                           

                                                Thirteen Gold Coins

Bob was thinking about Sonia again. She was an adorable academic with charming eyes and beautiful hair, roaming like a butterfly through the long corridors of the college; a very rich aroma was always in the air as she went. Her majestic movements would speak aloud of a personality that attracted everyone, even people of her own sex. Other girls looked in admiration, and at times with a little envy, as she conducted herself, drawing attention from every corner as she passed by. As honeybees cluster around their queen, so she was surrounded by people all the time, whether in the cafeteria or elsewhere in the campus.

One would marvel at the flawless hand of creation in seeing such adorable beauty, and at times wonder about the favouritism of the creator. But over time one would understand that there is something inside that is more beautiful—which renders a personality adorable and appreciated than just one's outward appearance. Well, that was Sonia: an exceptional blend of brilliance and beauty, flawless in character. There used to be quite a few such girls in the college every year, but she would stand out as particularly adorable. It had always been a joy to see such intelligent ones in the class, willing to do anything from academic tasks to extracurricular activities.

The day was lively with a lot of activities happening and practically no classes underway. An 'Open Day' was always like that in our college—no official declaration of a holiday to make sure that all academics would come and participate in the events. That year was no exception, with a lot of people in national colours and traditional costumes celebrating and having fun everywhere. One or two would come at times and ask if there was a regular teaching session; others took it for granted that it was an undeclared holiday. The teachers would tease their class for some time, and then be drawn into the general merriment.

Bob walked over to the window and reflected on himself —on his current and past circumstances. He was no more the handsome young man he used to be at the beginning of his career as a teacher, in his mid-twenties, but still had traces of that good-looking appearance, in his fifties. The climate was just right for a day like that, with the cool breeze on a sunny day. The winds blowing from the northeast or from the Arabian Sea usually made the atmosphere cool and the temperature moderate. He had always loved the college with its vast colossal structure of modern architecture and spacious verandas, which invited everyone to enjoy a stroll through it. It was a place that encouraged him to perform at his best, and to walk through the open corridors just enjoying moments outside. He would walk through the verandas planning his poetry class: how to reach out to the students at his best, to make every class interesting. His enviable teaching skills and the tendency to feel concerned about his students made him the best among the teachers, wherever he taught. He always looked upon each new class as a cradle for moulding the future generation, in that Arabian Gulf country that had become his second home.

His sojourn in Africa as a teacher in his mid-twenties was so eventful in shaping the man; his commitment to the African people was as good as it was to his own family. Not very religious at that time, but holding on to some basic human ethics and humanitarian principles, so alien to many a youth of his age, was the result of his education in Christian institutions of repute in his native country. Well, East Africa —in the early eighties— was where he had

sharpened his teaching skills and earned the reputation of an outstanding one in his profession. Never did he go to any class without spending adequate time to review his lessons, and the methodology to be adapted for each different group of students in the class. People in the same profession would often make time to peep into his lectures from outside the class, at times making him embarrassed.

All those thoughts of yesteryears lingered in his mind as he stood there quite a while, looking out to the bright cloudless sky. Then he saw something in the distance, or rather someone. It was the adorable figure of Sonia, the exceptionally intelligent girl in his class, an outstanding personality, the very presence of her drawing a hundred admiring eyes.

Bob gulped. He glanced at his reflection. He was a lovable, virtuous and outstanding teacher with a mesmerising personality, often drawn through his sole ability to teach and reach out to the students in times of need. His friends saw him as an intelligent, cool guy, never bothered about anything, sipping his tea over all tense situations, and concentrating always on his work, or writing poetry during leisure hours. Once, he had even helped a robust student

recover from breakdown through his intelligent approach and counselling. But even such a lovable and strong person, who had once helped that student recover from a suicidal tendency, was ill prepared for what Sonia had in store for him that day.

The shining sun made Bob proactive: he grabbed his hat, rubbing the brim with his fingers for a few seconds, and put it on. As Bob stepped outside and Sonia came closer, he could see the vivacious glint in her eyes.

"Look, sir," growled Sonia, with a courageous glare that reminded Bob of adorable parrots, "You know that I admire you and appreciate all that you are doing, but there is something more than all this, that I want—I want affection."

Then, looking straight into his eyes, she added emphatically: "You owe me thirteen Gold Coins."

Bob was at first perplexed and taken aback; he understood the meaning. Thirteen gold coins were given to the bride by the bridegroom, signifying his willingness to support her. The symbolism of thirteen could also be that he was like Christ taking care of his twelve apostles. It meant that the Groom recognized his responsibility as a provider, and pledged his ability to support and care for the Bride. He knew then that she desired a lasting relationship from him.

Or could it be the belief that the thirteen coins represented the twelve lunar cycles of a year.. and could they also symbolize a couple's honeymoon? Bob shivered slightly reflecting on all the possible interpretations he could draw from her expectation of 'thirteen Gold Coins'. Anyway, whatever the symbolic meaning, Bob knew that it was an invitation to hold her hand in the years to come, in real life.

Then, all of a sudden, the thought of the student he had helped to overcome his ordeal, gripped him. All had admired him for saving that boy from self-destruction. No, he didn't want to be a reason for another possible tragedy. He couldn't imagine another student going

through the same agony of blunt refusal. "This is the time that common sense should prevail over human emotions", he thought. He prayed a small prayer that his reply wouldn't hurt her feelings and gathered the courage to deliver it. Bob looked back, still fingering the brim of his hat.

"Sonia, I could be your father," he told her.

He knew his reply would have been different if he were twenty years younger, but he was not young any more. As a distinguished teacher, a true professional, holding on to his scruples and religious values, his answer came as a real shock to her. He blushed, and the blood rushing into his face made it a little radiant, while the blood going out of hers made her suddenly paler. They looked at each other with stressed feelings, like two helpless people knowing not what to do, while a vibrant music was playing in the background, as it was the Open Day of the college.

Two envious colleagues passed by, nodding at them and smiling to the beat. They knew that something was fishy in the air but didn't bother to interfere. Good that no one intervened; such situations had to be sorted out intelligently, not out of someone's intuition. He had also learned over the years that, within a profession, hardly anyone can be a genuine well-wisher. People tend to take an irrational pleasure from seeing someone fumble or fall. It always happens that some unethical professional jealousy infects some people in the workplace.

He took a composed posture and purposely delayed his reply to give her time to expect and be prepared for the worst answer. The interval seemed unending for her as she began to feel the pain and the agony of waiting for his response. She must have thought that she had fumbled it all up. Maybe she should have kept her secret a little longer, maybe until the end of the semester for the summer vacation. Bob studied Sonia's charming eyes and beautiful hair, made even more lovely by the sweeping wind. Eventually, he took courage.

He took a deep breath and uttered boldly: “I’m afraid I have to declare myself bankrupt," explained Bob, "You will never get the thirteen gold coins from me."

"No!" objected Sonia. "You lie!"

"I do not!" retorted Bob.

"Please Sir, I can't take 'No' for an answer," she responded raising her voice.

Feigning offence, he yelled: "Now get your charming eyes out of here before I hit you with this bewitched hat."

The real shocker of her life came that moment. She had never, in her wildest dreams, expected Bob to speak like that to her. Getting a 'no' was tolerable but she couldn't take such harsh words. He could see tears as pearls in her eyes, which she tried to wipe with her napkin. Sonia looked visibly upset, her face twisted with painful surprise. Bob could hear Sonia's heart shatter into thirteen pieces.

Then the adorable academic hurried away, into the distance. He had no idea of how long he stood there, staring at her vanish from the scene like an angel exposed to a hurricane. A few prying eyes followed the scene, as others followed her towards the car park. He could see how she was consoled by some, while others were looking at him in amazement at what had happened. She got into her 3-door Mercedes and vanished from the scene in no time like a shooting star, giving no one a chance to question her.

Still standing out in the veranda, he could see the dark clouds looming over the eastern horizon. The sky was overcast and a formation of birds could be seen flying across to reach their roost. He quickly said a prayer for her to have a safe journey home. The sun came out and he hurried indoors, climbing the stairs slowly, and reflecting on their unexpected encounter. He knew that she wouldn't be the same again in the college and things wouldn't be the same with her again from then on.

Breaking someone's heart was painful, but that was the right thing to do. Indeed, that was what he had learned to do over the years—to do things right. Yet, coming back into the staff room, nothing and no-one could calm Bob's nerves that day.

                                                                  ~*~

The Author: Joji Varghese Kuncheria

— I'm an Indian national, a world citizen rather, presently living in Abu Dhabi, UAE. I was born in 1952 in Kerala, India. I started my career as a teacher in Ethiopia at the age of 25 and worked in four different countries (Ethiopia, India, Maldives and Oman) for 42 years, before retiring lately. Poetry is more like a hobby for me, though I had been a keen player of hockey, bridge and chess in my yesteryears. I respect everyone's personal religious belief that promotes peace and harmony. I'm very passionate about the peaceful co-existence of the people everywhere on this planet and cherish to see such a world order in the years to come.

                                                                  ~*~