Whims &; Fancies

Melissa is a busy actress. She barely remembers when she last had a
day to herself. From morning to night it's shooting, interviews and
photo-sessions. Indeed she talks about herself most of the time. But
she wants to walk under the open sky with green grass kissing her feet.
She wants to hear the breeze blowing and the chirping of the birds. She
wants to play simple, easy games with little children. But she has
neither time nor opportunity. Today is her birthday. She turned
twenty-nine today. Most of her friends are married and have children.
Melissa has no time for marriage. Today, she celebrated her birthday in
grand fashion at the best hotel in the city. Leading people from all
walks of life attended her party. Still, at the end of it all she felt
weary and bored. She had become an actress because she loved being
other people. She liked imitating others. When she started her career
she had no idea that so much fame and recognition would come her
way.
Melissa woke up very early next morning. She noticed that her mother
and sister were still fast asleep. She began looking for her car keys
and found them. Though she owned a Mercedes she decided take her
father's old Ambassador. The drive to the railway station took under
twenty minutes. Instead of buying a ticket at the station she decided
to purchase one in the train from the checker. It would naturally cost
her more but money was the last thing she needed to bother about. When
she got down from the train it was seven thirty. The board at the
station indicated that the name of the place was Boulder. She had not
come here before, nor heard of it. The people at the station did not
recognize her at all and that was a relief. In fact there were no film
posters to be found anywhere. Only one house could be seen near the
station. It was a white, two-storied affair. Melissa found the front
door open and went in. There was no one inside but the house appeared
to be occupied. She was quite tired after her train journey and fell
asleep on the sofa. When she woke up she found a liveried orderly
making tea for her. "Sorry Madam," he said, "Sir had not told me that
you were coming. What will you have for breakfast?" Melissa sensed that
there was some mistake. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and said,
"When will your SIR come?" The bearer was a little surprised. "The
usual," he said, "eleven thirty."
The breakfast was quite unremarkable. But Melissa felt that she needed
it. She waited patiently for eleven thirty. At exactly half-past-eleven
an young man of about thirty walked in. "Please sit down. You are the
famous actress Melissa, are you not?"he said. Melissa nodded with some
urgency. "The people of Boulder don't get to see films. Very few people
here have televisions. So, they think you are my wife. Please, don't
get angry." Melissa felt her temper rising within but she realized that
the man meant well. He told her that he was Jack Roger, the railway
station master of Boulder. The only other educated people in Boulder
were Dr Batter, a retired army doctor and his wife. Very people ever
went anywhere because everything they needed was available in Boulder.
Jack had already informed Melissa's family in Calcutta. Her maternal
uncle would come to take her to Calcutta by the evening. In the
meanwhile everyone in Boulder knew that the station master had got
married and that his bride was in town. What was more even Dr Batter
and his wife believed this. They had called Jack and his bride to lunch
and there was no way that could be avoided. The Batters were nice
people and Dr Batter was the only physician in town. Jack repeatedly
requested Melissa to go to the Batters' with him. In the end she
agreed.
The Batters were fine people. Not only were they educated and rich they
had fine taste. Their three-storey house was neat and decorated with
great care. It was not clear to Melissa what they felt about her. But
they welcomed her as one of their own. It was repeatedly mentioned that
Jack did not like the food that the cook made for him. It would be a
boon if he had a wife who would look after him. The Batters commented
on Melissa's amazing good looks. Mrs Batter said, "Our Jack is handsome
too!" This was quite true. Though Jack was a station master he looked
like a filmstar. Melissa realized that she was quite excited when she
said, "I could launch him in films." The atmosphere suddenly became
grim but Mr Batter cracked a joke. They all burst out laughing. While
returning from the Batters, Melissa realized that she was happy. She
had a career that she loved. But there was a life outside that, that
many people of her age lived. It was ordinary, it was boring, it was
mundane. But little joys, little thrills, little bursts of happiness
made it seem exciting and strangely complete.
Melissa's uncle arrived at five pm. They were ready to leave in thirty
minutes. As she got ready to return to her dazzling world there was a
knock on the door. It was Jack Roger. He said, "I don't have a camera
or I would have taken your picture. Please accept these flowers." He
handed her a huge bouquet of tuberoses which appeared to have been
assembled by a untrained hand. Melissa quietly said, "Thank you." As
their jeep left for the railway station Melissa waved her host goodbye.
She realized that there were tears in her eyes and a lump in her
throat. She promised herself that she would return to Boulder and to
Jack Roger, someday.