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IT STARTED ON A RAINY NIGHT
Romantic “faux pas”
Love Story By Vikram Karve
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Dear Reader :
This afternoon – I saw a movie.
Then – in the evening – it suddenly rained during my evening walk – and – I got drenched in the rain.
These two things – the plot of the movie – and – my getting drenched in the rain – they reminded me of a story I had written many years ago.
Here is the story – I am sure you will enjoy the amusing romance…
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IT STARTED ON A RAINY NIGHT
A Romance
Love Story By Vikram Karve
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Mumbai (Bombay)
Circa 1977
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PART 1
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A RAINY NIGHT
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It was a scary night – dark – windy – thunder – lightning – and heavy torrential rain.
After the official “cocktail-cum-dinner” party in the Western Naval Command Officers Mess (Wardroom) was over – seeing the heavy rain – my friend advised me.
“It is raining heavily. Why don’t you stay over for the night in the Mess – you can sleep in my cabin if you want…” my friend said to me.
“No…” I said, “I will go back to my ship.”
“You have had quite a bit to drink…” my friend said, “Do you really want to drive in this heavy rain…?”
“I am okay – you don’t worry – I will reach safely…” I said.
“Be careful…” my friend said, “Drive slowly…”
“Yes…” I said to my friend.
Then – I put on my black oilskin raincoat over my evening “Red Sea Rig” uniform.
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A Digression – “Red Sea Rig”
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RED SEA RIG
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Red Sea Rig was originally a Royal Navy concept appearing during the nineteenth century.
In the 19th Century – when the Sun never set on the British Empire – and the British Royal Navy ruled the waves – Royal Navy Officers were required to wear the full Naval Mess-Dress Uniform in Wardrooms on Warships.
The sole exception was when the ship was in the Red Sea – where the heat and humidity often made this physically impossible.
Here – Naval Officers were permitted to remove their mess jackets in the wardroom – provided they added a Cummerbund to temper the somewhat informal look.
Since this evening mess-dress was worn when ships were in the Red Sea – this Naval Uniform was nicknamed as the “Red Sea Rig”.
Because of its comfort and practicality in hot and humid climates – “Red Sea Rig” was gradually adopted as daily summer evening mess-dress in tropical waters on ships and in Stone Frigates located in hot climate stations.
The Indian Navy (IN) evolved from the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) and adopted all its customs and traditions from the Royal Navy (RN).
At the time of this story – in the 1970s – “Red Sea Rig” was worn by Naval Officers as daily informal summer evening mess-dress in Wardrooms on board Warships and Naval Establishments.
“Red Sea Rig” consists of a white short sleeved shirt, worn with shoulder-boards (rank stripe epaulettes) and chest medal ribbons and badges, with black trousers, black shoes, and a black cummerbund.
“Red Sea Rig” is worn at night in darkness hours – from sunset to sunrise.
“Red Sea Rig” is never worn during the daytime.
On most ships and naval establishments – officers change into “Red Sea Rig” after sunset.
A Naval Peak Cap is worn as headgear with “Red Sea Rig” when the Officer is outside the Wardroom.
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End of Digression on “Red Sea Rig”.
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Story continues …
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It was a scary night – dark – windy – thunder – lightning – and heavy torrential rain.
After the official “cocktail-cum-dinner” party in the Western Naval Command Officers Mess (Wardroom) was over – my friend said to me:
“It is raining heavily. Why don’t you stay over for the night in the Mess – you can sleep in my cabin if you want.”
“No…” I said, “I will go back to my ship.”
“You have had quite a bit to drink…” my friend said, “Do you really want to drive in this heavy rain…?”
“I am okay – you don’t worry – I will reach safely…” I said.
“Be careful…” my friend said, “Drive slowly…”
I put on my black oilskin raincoat over my evening “Red Sea Rig” uniform.
I wore my helmet.
Then – I started my motorcycle – and I drove off in the rain.
A few minutes later – while I was driving through the married accommodation area – there was a sudden “cloudburst”.
Suddenly – there was a huge torrent of rain – a flood of water on the road.
I lost control – my motorcycle skidded – and I fell into a gutter.
And – I got totally drenched in the deluge of water.
I struggled and got up – hauled up my motorcycle – and dragged the bike into the parking lot of the multistory high-rise married accommodation building nearby.
I was totally drenched – soaked to the skin – and my oilskin raincoat was covered with muck from the gutter.
It was raining very heavily – and – in this torrential rain – it was impossible to drive my motorcycle.
Yes – in this terrible rain – and the flood of water on the roads – even going back to the Command Mess was out of the question.
And – from the way it was raining – it did not look like the downpour of rain was going to subside very soon.
I stood shivering in the parking lot of the multistory high-rise building – wondering what to do.
My eyes went to the wooden board on the wall – on which the names of occupants of the high-rise building were listed.
I was delighted to spot the name of “course-mate” – against Flat No. 303.
I had not met this “course-mate” after graduating from the Naval Academy.
In fact – I did not know that he was in Mumbai.
But then – that was the “Bombay Culture” those days – where everyone was “index” – on his own trip.
I took off my stinking oilskin raincoat and helmet – and left them on my bike.
Then – I walked to the lift – and pressed the 3rd floor button.
I stood outside Flat No. 303 and rang the doorbell.
After some time – a young woman opened the door.
It was obvious that this charming young woman was my course-mate’s wife.
She was dressed in her night-clothes – and it was evident that she had been sleeping.
“Sorry for disturbing you, Ma’am…” I said.
She looked at my wet “Red Sea Rig” uniform – but she said nothing.
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So – I said to her:
“I am a course-mate of “X”.
“X” lives here – isn’t it…?
I had a small accident on my motorcycle – and I thought I will spend some time here till the rain lessens a bit…”
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She gave me a friendly smile.
And – she said to me:
“He is not here – he is away on duty…”
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“Oh – I am sorry – I will go…” I said.
“No…No – it is raining very heavily – please come in…” she said.
“Thank you…” I said.
I walked in – and I sat on the sofa in the drawing room.
“Shall I make you a cup of coffee…?” she asked.
“No – Ma’am – I have already troubled you so much – please go to sleep – I will relax here on the sofa – and I will quietly go away once it stops raining…” I said.
She smiled – and she went away – leaving me alone in the drawing room.
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I do not know when I dozed off to sleep on the sofa.
What I know is that when I woke up – and opened my eyes – the first thing I saw was my course-mate’s wife looking at me.
She was freshly bathed – and she looked very beautiful – incredibly attractive and alluring.
She looked very sensuous and desirable – and I could not take my eyes off her.
She responded to my yearning look of admiration with a sweet smile.
I felt ashamed at having eyed her so brazenly – so I quickly moved my eyes away.
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“Good Morning…” she said.
“Good Morning, Ma’am…” I said.
I looked out of the window.
It has stopped raining – in fact – there was bright sunlight.
“What time is it…?” I asked.
“7:30 AM…” she said.
“Oh My God – I slept whole night – I am so sorry – I must go…” I said, filled with embarrassment.
“At least wash up – and have a cup of tea…” she said.
“No – Ma’am – thanks a lot – but I have already overstayed my welcome – and I have to get back to my ship quickly…” I said.
“Okay…” she said.
“When will my friend “X” be back…?” I asked.
“He should be back by tomorrow evening…” she said.
“Okay – then I will come over – and we will have a proper dinner…” I said.
“Yes…” she said.
“Thank you again, Ma’am…” I said – and I left the house and drove down to my ship.
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Three Days Later
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PART 2
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FAUX PAS
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I asked around – and I found out the “X” was posted in an inconsequential appointment in the back of beyond.
No wonder I had not met him all these days.
Three days later – in the morning – I called up his office.
“Yes – “X” had reported back the previous day from outstation duty – and he would be in office by 9:30 AM…” I was told by his staff.
I reached his office at 10 AM.
“X” was happy to see me.
I shook hands with him – and I said to him:
“I have come to thank you for the hospitality when I was stuck in the rain the other night.
It was very sweet of your wife to let me stay…”
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On hearing my words – “X” gave me a curious look.
“Wife…?” he asked – looking confused.
“Yes – I was all drenched in the rain – I took shelter in your building – then I saw your name on the board – so – I just barged into your house – and – it was very kind of your wife to let me stay all night…” I explained to him.
“Wife…? How could she be there…?” he asked.
“Of course your wife was there…” I said.
“Impossible…” he said.
“Then who was that charming lady…?” I asked.
“That “charming lady” you met in my house was my “Maid”. Yes – Ha Ha – she is my “Maid”…” “X” said – laughing.
“What…?” I said, stunned.
“Yes – the woman you met at my home that evening was my “Maid” – she is my “Kaamwali Bai” – she is certainly not my wife…” he said – giving me humorous look.
“What…? She was your “Maid” – she was not your wife…?” I blurted out – totally bewildered.
“Yes – the woman who you met is my “Maid” – she told me that some friend of mine had got stuck in the rain and he slept on the sofa – she didn’t remember your name – so now – I know that it was you…?” he said.
“Oh – I am very sorry. But – your “Maid” is so smart and elegant – she is so chic that I mistook her for your wife – yes – I really thought that she was your wife…” I said.
“Ha Ha – I must tell my wife this…” he said – laughing loudly.
“No – please don’t tell her – it will be very embarrassing…” I said to “X”.
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Tea arrived – and we sipped our tea.
I noticed that “X” wasn’t telling me anything about his wife.
So – I asked him:
“By the way – your wife – is she out of station…?”
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“My wife is an “air-hostess” in an international airline – so she is out on flight duty for around 15 days in a month…” he said.
“Oh – that’s great – we must meet sometime in the club – I owe you a dinner…” I said.
“Sure – my wife should be back by weekend…” he said.
“One more thing – please don’t tell anyone about my faux pas – it was a stupid blunder on my part to think that your “Maid” was your wife…” I said to “X”.
“X” laughed – and he said to me:
“Okay – you don’t worry – I won’t tell anyone that you thought that my maid was my wife…”
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But – alas – “X” told everyone about my stupid goof-up.
And – I became a laughing stock in the entire Naval community.
This angered me so much – that I did not visit “X” again.
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Three Years Later
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PART 3
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THE AIR HOSTESS
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I was flying abroad for some work.
An “air-hostess” came to me – and she asked me my name.
I told her my name.
The “air-hostess” smiled at me – and she said to me:
“Come – we’ll upgrade you to “business class”…”
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I was delighted to be ugraded.
When I was comfortable in my new luxurious seat – the “air-hostess” came over to me – and she said to me:
“Didn’t you recognize me…?”
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“I am sorry…” I started to say.
But the “air-hostess” interrupted me – and she said to me:
“Of course – we have never met.
I saw your name on the passenger manifest – and I guessed it must be you.
Well – I am the wife of your ‘course-mate’ “X”.
Remember – you and the “Maid” episode.
That night when you thought that my “Kaamwali Bai” was Me…”
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She said these words giving me a mischievous smile.
Oh My God – the “air-hostess” was my ‘course-mate’ X’s wife – and her husband “X” had told her about that night’s episode when I had mistaken his maid for his wife.
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I smiled at her and said to her:
“Oh – yes – how can I forget that “faux pas” on my part – I thought your “Maid” was my course-mate X’s wife.
Yes – I mistook your “Maid” for You.
Your husband “X” told everyone about it – and I became a laughing stock…”
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My ‘course-mate’ X’s wife smiled naughtily – and she said to me:
“In fact – my husband told our “Maid” too – that you thought that she was his wife…”
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On hearing this – I felt totally embarrassed.
“Oh My God…!!! Did your husband “X” tell your “Maid” that I thought that she was you…?” I asked.
“Well – my “Maid” did have some inkling – she told us that you kept addressing her as “Ma’am” again and again…” X’s wife said with a mischievous smile.
“I wanted to come over to your place – but I was so embarrassed to face your “Maid” again – after my terrible faux pas…” I said.
“Well – you can meet her when you are in Delhi – the same “Maid” is still with us…” X’s wife said.
“You’ve got the same “Maid” even now…?” I asked her.
“Yes – we took our “Maid” along with us when we were posted to Delhi – she is a big boon – it is because of her that I am able to do this “air-hostess” job which requires me to be out from home for so many days…” she said.
“Yes – I saw that your “Maid” was very good…” I said.
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X’s wife – the smart “air-hostess” – she looked at me and said to me:
“Yes – my “Maid” is indeed very good.
She looks after everything at home – in fact – I have handed over all “homemaker” duties to her.
She manages each and every thing – she even looks after my husband so well.
In fact – my “Maid” is so good – that I just don’t have to bother about anything…”
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I looked at X’s wife – the smart “air-hostess” – a successful career-woman – and – I gave her a mischievous smile and spoke to her in a joking tone.
“You know – there is saying – “Behind Every Successful Woman there is a “Kaamwali Bai”…” – Ha Ha Ha…” I said to her – in jest.
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X’s wife – the smart “air-hostess” – she laughed as she spoke.
“Ha Ha – well – this surely seems true in my case…” she said – sportingly.
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Suddenly – there was a call for her.
So – X’s wife smiled a “good-bye” – and she left to attend to her cabin-crew duties.
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Ten Years Later
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PART 4
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MY COURSE-MATE “X” AND HIS “CONSORT”
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Ten years later – one morning – while driving down from Mumbai to Pune by the Expressway – I stopped at the ‘Food Court’ for a cup of tea.
A car entered the ‘Food Court’ parking lot.
I could not believe my eyes.
My course-mate “X” was in the Driver’s Seat – and sitting next to him was his “Maid”.
Both of them got out of the car – they walked to a vacant table and sat down.
Obviously – “X” had not seen me.
Or – if he had seen me – then “X” probably did not want to meet me.
But – I was curious to meet “X”.
And yes – I was quite intrigued by his rather intimate demeanor towards his “Maid”.
I wondered why “X” had seated his “Maid” beside him on the front seat of the car.
And even now – “X” and his “Maid” – they seemed to be talking in a rather friendly and intimate manner.
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I picked up my cup of tea – and I walked towards their table.
“Hello…” I said to my course-mate “X”.
“Oh – Hi – so nice to see you after so many years…” my course-mate “X” said to me with a smile.
“May I join you…?” I asked.
“Of course…” he said.
“I will just “freshen up” and come…” the “Maid” said – and she left for the washroom.
“So – I heard that you suddenly quit the Navy…” I said to “X”.
“Yes – I quit 5 years ago – I am in the Merchant Navy now…” he said.
“That’s great…” I said.
“Yes – the Merchant Navy is much better – especially moneywise…” he said.
“So – are you going to Pune…?” I asked “X”.
“No – I am driving down to Mahabaleshwar…” he said.
On hearing this – I was totally aghast and shocked.
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So – I said to my course-mate “X” :
“What is wrong with you…?
Why are you driving with your “Kaamwali Bai” sitting next to you on the front seat…?
Where is your wife…?
Just you and and your “Maid” – going to Mahabaleshwar together…?
Are you going to Mahabaleshwar – to have a good time – with your “Maid”…?”
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My course-mate “X” looked at me – and he said to me :
“She is no longer my “Maid”…”
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I was taken aback – totally bewildered – on hearing this.
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So – I said to my course-mate “X”:
“What do you mean…?
She is no longer your “Maid”…?
Don’t tell me that you have married her…?”
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My course-mate “X” looked at me – and he said nonchalantly:
“Not yet…”
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Baffled out of my wits – I blurted out excitedly to my course-mate “X”:
“What…?
“Not Yet”…!!!
What do you mean by “Not Yet”…?
Are you saying that you intend marrying your “Maid”…?
You are going to marry your “Kaamwali Bai”…?
So that means that you two are living together…?”
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“X” did not say anything – he just looked down at the table.
His silence spoke volumes.
For me – the whole thing was unbelievable – most bizarre.
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Then – after I recovered my wits – I looked at “X”– and I said to him:
“Have you gone crazy…?
Have you have dumped your “air-hostess” wife for your “Maid”…?
Are you really thinking of marrying your “Maid”…?”
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“X” did not answer – he just looked away.
I followed his gaze.
I saw that the “Maid” had come out of the washroom and she was walking towards us.
I got up from my seat.
“Okay – Good Bye – it is time for me to move on…” I said to “X”.
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Meanwhile – the “Maid” had reached our table – and she was smiling at me.
So – I looked at the “Maid” – and I said to her:
“All the Best – Ma’am…”
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Yes – I addressed her as “Ma’am”.
Last time – calling her “Ma’am” was a faux pas on my part – because then – she was my course-mate’s “Maid” – his “Kaamwali Bai”.
But now – she was no longer my course-mate’s “Kaamwali Bai”.
Now – the “Maid” had become my course-mate’s “Consort”.
So – she had earned the right to be called “Ma’am”.
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The “Maid” gave me a cute smile.
I smiled back at her.
Then – I turned – and I walked towards my car.
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VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve
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Disclaimer:
- This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.
- This story is a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
- E&OE
Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)
Link to my source blog posts in my Blog Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2017/02/hostess-and-air-hostess.html and writing blog: https://karve.wordpress.com/2020/08/09/a-rainy-night/
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
This is a revised and abridged version of my story titled THE MAID posted online earlier by me Vikram Karve on this blog on July 13, 2015 at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/07/the-maid-love-story.html AND http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/08/faux-pas-with-beautiful-woman-on-rainy.html AND http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/10/romance-maid.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/01/my-friends-maid-passionate-love-story.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/03/the-air-hostess-and-her-kaamwali-bai.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/05/the-housekeeper.html and https://karve.wordpress.com/2017/07/24/are-you-too-dependent-on-your-maid/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2018/10/05/the-charming-lady/ and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2016/08/maid-of-honour.html and https://karve.wordpress.com/2021/02/03/the-maid-a-romance/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2021/08/04/the-maid/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2022/05/19/romance-a-rainy-night-a-sensuous-woman/ and https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pretty-woman-fiction-story-vikram-karve/ and https://karve.wordpress.com/2023/10/13/it-started-on-a-rainy-night/ etc.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
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Vikram Karve 