THE WORLD IN HER PALM

Ranjita sighed as the tall graceful woman came down the plane, a bouquet in her hand, her million dollar smile firmly in place. The television reporters were going ballistic in their eagerness to share the occasion with their viewers. How gorgeous she was, the cynosure of all eyes, the most feted woman in the world! She looked like a dream, with a matching hat that covered her face with a gossamer veil, an accessory that had earned her the soubriquet of ‘Mystery Woman’. How Ranjita wished she were in her place…!

Tanya gave an inward grimace as she saw the sight of the crowd in front of her, all waiting to catch a glimpse of her. The paparazzi were her biggest foes, as they thrust their cameras into her face, flashing lights that gave her a migraine that lasted for hours after. She forced a smile on her glossy lips as she faced a sea of faces, and held out her hand for the inevitable handshakes. As she mouthed inaudible inanities, she could feel herself being ushered towards the waiting car, with black shades thankfully. Once inside, she heaved a sigh of relief… a few precious moments when she would be on her own and hopefully unharrassed.

Ranjita hurried back from college, her mind whirling with excitement. She wanted to catch the program on Tanya that was being aired that evening. She had even cancelled her date with Ronny, and she wanted to be hassle free, with a bowl of popcorn for company as she waited for her idol on television. Her friends teased her mercilessly about her obsession.

“What is the point of mooning over a celebrity whom you are never even going to meet in real life?” they jibed. She took these with a pinch of salt as she countered, “Well, don’t you go crazy over King Khan?” No one was going to dictate terms to her or stop her from doing what she wanted with her life… she had the most glamorous role model she could ask for, one she admired with all her heart!

“Tanya breaking up with her husband!” screamed the headlines one morning. “Their marriage just a façade!” “Is there a secret man in Tanya’s life?” The media rejoiced at the juicy morsels that were being bandied around as they speculated over the ephemeral nature of celebrity marriages. News channels aired the news item, milking it for all they were worth, even as some made baseless comments on issues that they had no idea about.

Ranjita was very upset. She winced every time she caught the hurt expression on her idol’s face whenever she was focused on. “Come on, Ranju, the woman is only putting up a front? Can’t you see that she is having the time of her life with her new beau?” Her friends tried to pull her out of her apathy. “Leave me alone, will you?” she remonstrated. She wanted to wallow in misery too. How could anyone be so blind as to miss the agony, the trauma and the wistfulness on that exquisite face?

Tanya’s eyes were red-rimmed. She had always longed to be a good wife to Robert. The media, however, had built up lies after lies, entangling her in their web of malice. Finally Robert had broken under the pressure and asked her for a divorce. They still loved each other, but he was very proud of his family name. Besides, there was a third presence between them, the intrusive pen wielders who played havoc with their emotions, blowing every little hint of discord out of proportion. The cracks had been widening over the years, and Tanya was thankful that they had no children.

But maybe, a child would have created a stronger bond between them, she thought unhappily, as a tear rolled down her cheek. How she hated all the publicity that had catapulted her into stardom!

Ronny had come to pick Ranjita up. They were going for a play at the Town Hall. Ranjita loved dramatics, and had acted in most of her college productions. She had a secret desire to be rich and famous one day!

“Snap out of it, dreamy!” Ronny’s voice awakened her from her reverie. She smiled at him as they sat down to witness an adaptation of ‘The Golden Touch’. “How lucky Midas was!” Ranjita remarked when it was over. “If only he had treated his gift right…!”

"That is the dilemma of the rich, my dear”, grinned Ronny. “They end up breaking their hearts despite all the adulation”. Ranjita made a face at him. “How utterly pessimistic, Ronny!” she exclaimed.

Tanya was receiving a prestigious award that evening. She had dressed with care, looking stunning in an ivory dress that seemed to have a life of its own, as it cascaded over her statuesque form. She had put up her hair and worn a simple strand of pearls, and today she had put her sorrow behind her, determined to revel in the evening, an evening of fulfillment for her. A golden stole completed the pretty picture and she felt like Cinderella in all her glory. “I’ll take care of the mess that is my life after I get back!” she promised her reflection mockingly as she strode out. It was time she picked up the pieces of her life and started living again, with or without Robert!

Ranjita’s eyes were riveted on the small screen as Tanya made her acceptance speech, resplendent in the centre of the stage, her gown emitting tiny sparks of light as the flash bulbs went off. She resembled a living goddess and she had never looked as beautiful as she did at that moment. People’s hearts went out to her as she spoke of the intense pride that the award gave her at a moment when her personal life was undergoing its worst trauma. The next moment her voice broke as she paused momentarily, and then went on to announce her plans to retire from the limelight. She would carry on with her work, but maintain a low profile, so that she would be able to come to terms with her personal life.  As she ended, the audience gave her a standing ovation, along with their wrung hearts. Never had Tanya been as popular as at that moment. They loved her, wished her well and then she left, in a flood of light, her beautiful smile mesmerizing the now silent crowd that watched her go.

“Ranju, wake up… watch the news…!” her mother’s voice sounded troubled. “What is it, Ma?” she yawned, as she made her way sleepily to the drawing room. Suddenly her drowsiness fled, as she took in the shocking headlines. “Tanya killed in a car accident!” Ranjita felt the strength ebbing out of her legs as she collapsed on to the sofa, her senses reeling. Tanya’s smiling face in her ivory gown flashed on the screen and Ranjita went numb, unable to take in the import of the shock. Then tears started streaming down her face as she watched the horrifying telecast.

Tanya had been on her way home after the award ceremony, when she realized that there were a few photographers on her trail. Not wanting to face any more cameras, she had told her chauffeur to speed up. But the persistent photographers refused to let go of their prey, and followed her relentlessly, till that fateful turn when her driver lost control and hurtled over a bridge. He was killed on the spot, but Ranjita was driven to hospital by a passer by, who stayed on, heartbroken when she succumbed to her injuries.

Ronny’s words echoed in Ranjita’s ears. Was this how the rich and famous ended up? The world had adored Tanya, idolized her, even envied her! And now it was all over… a wonderfully vibrant woman who now lay lifeless… what a tragic waste! Of what use were her riches and fame now that breath itself had fled? Ranjita felt a deep sense of personal loss. She had followed Tanya in whatever she did, loved her for what she had attained, seeking to emulate her. Today, however, she was left bereft, for her idol had eluded her and gone on far ahead into that mysterious realm which no one had ever been able to unveil. It would take Ranjita time to recover, but she would and emerge phoenix-like, stronger and wiser after the lesson life had dealt her.

-Deepti Menon