1101. Gopal's Weekends

It would be very difficult to locate Gopal during weekends. He would be on an outing, visiting a restaurant or a theatre or attending some entertainment program.

Since Gopal had a well-paying job, his parents were not bothered about his being on a spending spree during the weekends. They were confident that once he got married, he would mend his ways.

Gopal preferred to spend the weekends in the company of his friend Senthil. But, Senthil found it difficult to accompany Gopal during every weekend. Spending substantial sums of money every weekend was financially burdensome to him. His parents didn't encourage this habit, either.

However, Gopal would insist on Senthil accompanying him. Some times, Gopal would even talk to Senthil's parents and obtain their permission to take Senthil along with him.

Senthil told Gopal, "Why are you crazy about filling the entire weekend with entertainments? You can at least restrict the weekend activities to one day and use the other day, to rest at home!"

Gopal said, "Life has to be enjoyed. God has given us five senses. Should we not delight all the five senses with pleasure? When we watch a film in a cosy theatre, it is a treat to the eyes and the ears. Sitting in the cool comfort of air-conditioning is a pleasure to the body. The perfume we smell in the theatre is a treat to the nose. Eating exquisite dishes in a good restaurant is a treat to the tongue. Again, the atmosphere in the restaurant gives pleasure to the other senses, as it happens in a theatre. Is this not the right way to enjoy life?"

"You are a connoisseur, indeed!" said Senthil.

For three weeks in a row, Senthil could not meet Gopal.

When Senthil was waiting for Gopal to come to his house during the weekend, Gopal didn't turn up.

When Senthil called up Gopal on Monday, Gopal told Senthil that he was busy with some domestic work.

The next weekend also, Gopal didn't turn up.

When Senthil called up Gopal, Gopal didn't pick up the call.

During the next weekend, Senthil went to Gopal's house, but Gopal was not home.

"He left home after breakfast, as he always does on weekends. I thought he was going out with you!" said Gopal's mother.

Senthil returned home disappointed.

Next morning, Gopal came to Senthil's house.

"Sorry. I was not home, when you visited my home yesterday!" said Gopal.

"Where have you been? I couldn't see you during the last two weekends too!" said Senthil.

Gopal looked around, and after satisfying himself that Senthil's parents were in another room, told Senthil, "I want to tell you something. I am in love with a girl!"

"Congrats! Since when?"

"For the past one month!"

"Oh! Is that why you have been giving me a slip for the past three weeks and going places with your lover? You could have told me. I wouldn't have been waiting for you!" said Senthil, in an accusing tone.

"How can I tell you about my love, without confirming that the girl reciprocated my love? It takes time, doesn't it?" said defensively.

"You have been going places with the girl for the past three weeks! What more confirmation is required? Where have you been taking the girl to? Restaurants and theatres? You might have been taking her to the shopping malls too!" 

"Not at all. She is not interested in going to theatres, restaurants etc. She likes to visit places like temples, parks, zoo, museum etc. So, we visited only such places. Will you believe me if I say that it has been three weeks, since I had been to a movie theatre!" said Gopal, smiling. He seemed to be feeling proud of having broken a habit!

"What has happened to your philosophy that we should allow all the five senses to enjoy the pleasures?" asked Senthil, mockingly.

After a brief pause, Gopal said, "She makes all my five senses experience pleasure. Looking at her beautiful face, listening to her sweet voice and the clinking of her bangles, feeling the touch of her hand while holding her hand, inhaling the fragrance of the flowers she wears on her hair and..."

"Ok, ok. You don't have to describe the pleasure enjoyed by your fifth organ..." interjected Senthil.

"What is wrong in my describing how I enjoy the taste of we both eating the ice cream from the same cup, drinking a juice from a single glass etc?" asked Gopal, smiling. 

Thirukkural
Section 3

Love

Chapter 111
The Joy of Being Together in Love

Verse 1101 (in Tamil):
kaNdu kEttu uNdu uyirththu uRRaRiyum aimpulanum
oN thoDi kaNNE uLa.

Meaning:

The five senses of sight, sound, smell, taste and touch come alive only with this girl, wearing gleaming bangles.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'kAdhalil vizhundhEn' by the same author.)

Verse 1102
Verse 1100