Chapter 16-- Too Deep A Cut

Ani had walked in earlier to his office. He set his chessboard in a Chanakyian mode. She could see clearly how he got rid of a couple of pawns. Sixteen pieces on the opposite side were intact when she first saw Sunil. He got rid of a couple of pawns. The man opposite Sunil smiled thinking that Sunil is a novice in this game.

" I had to leave the game halfway for quite some years.," Sunil sarcastically laughed, softly though.

Ani met Sunil, after that near a retail outlet. His wife and son, in the rear seat of the car. He was at the wheels with a very pretty lady beside him. 

Ani recalled those words round the vine about Sunil, generally repulsive in appearance but with an ability to engulf or uproot any impediment to the acquisition of movable or immovable good be it human or otherwise.

Like a tamed and subjugated pet at home, his wife waited for him to serve silently. His son, a withdrawn and slightly bereft of restlessness, inquisitive look or enthusiasm, stared out of the window, in an indifferent manner.

" Sunil, we are waiting to see you rejoin the game and continue," Ani's repartee brought Sunil back to where he left his game.

" I will, Ani: it's just that I need some gearing up.I believe that the winner takes it all," Sunil sounded confident.

Sunil's years of silent preparation made him was embedded in the policy of ostracism.

He rose like the phoenix after five years. 

Ani had a view of him, accompanied by a local Cleopatra. Rumour was that she presented the coronet to Sunil and that brought him face to face with his former challenger to resume the game from where they left five years ago.

Ani admired his tenacity and determination. She waited to witness his move. Sunil smiled from the corner of his lips.

Now, sitting in front of him, at the height of power that he aspired for and achieved with cautious moves, Ani appealed for a few more days to serve . He was specific and diplomatic. He had removed the rook, knight, bishop queen and said, " Checkmate". Ani remembered.

Victory crowned him. There were rejoicings. He rewarded the loyalists and ruined the traitors.

Ani too had been through thick and thin . The sea was also rough for her. She is about to anchor but she suddenly realized her anchorage is not sought for. She would like to sail for a little longer. Her cut was too deep to be healed. Ani can still feel the excruciating pain. The crews, so long, made her forget everything.

Ani came back to the present.

" I will be hopeful. All that  I possess is honesty and hope," Ani stood up. Lost in her thoughts, she walked towards the door , turned right, walked down the corridor, feeling the old ache rising to choke her.

" You should have learned to play chess, too, and challenged your opponents, in every game. You have accepted defeat without reason and never strategised to sit on a throne or walk out in pride. Why ? O why Ani", she introspected.