Notes and Verses: Short story: What’s in a name?

Like any other girl, Ratnapoorneshwari Mahalingam loved reading the tragic love-affair that was Romeo and Juliet. She begged to differ with the great bard on just one line – “What’s in a name?” It was a name that she regarded as her biggest problem – her own name.

Her unique name had a history that was just as interesting. When after three years of marriage, Mr and Mrs Mahalingam were still without progeny, it was a kind, albeit interfering, relative who suggested they undertook a pilgrimage to the ancient temple of their family deity. The couple complied and sent up fervent prayers at the holy shrine. In a further attempt to solicit the goddess’s favour, Mr Mahalingam vowed to name his child after her. The goddess was apparently pleased, for within a year the couple was blessed with a baby daughter. Although naming her daughter Ratnapoorneshwari did seem a little unfashionable to Mrs Mahalingam, but her husband would hear none of it – a pledge was a pledge, after all.

Little Ratnapoorneshwari was a charming girl with a sweet disposition. She was intelligent and incredibly well-read for her age. She did her parents proud by winning most competitions at school. Except for a few pesky boys who derived sadistic pleasure in her irritation at being addressed by her full name, most of her classmates called her Ratna. Expectedly, it was during the roll-calls or when the prize-winners’ list was read that one could find her in her worst tempers. She would cringe and frown in embarrassment, and even an innocent cough sounded like a stifled snigger to her.

Her good form in academics continued as she secured admission into a top-notch girls’ college. With age came maturity, and with it the understanding that certain things in life must be accepted as they are. In fact, she even used her name to her advantage during the college elections. After all, a slogan like “Vote for S. Padma” barely stood a chance against an impressive “Vote for Ratnapoorneshwari Mahalingam”. Needless to say, she won the elections hands-down.

After graduating with honours, she found a job at a call-centre. It was the best time of her life owing to the fact that for fourteen hours of the day, she could be Rachel Mendes. She loved the work, in spite of the odd hours, and it was here that she met a colleague called Harish. It was love at first sight for both, and the relationship grew stronger as they discovered they had so much in common – right from their favourite movies to the restaurant that served the best dosas in town. Incidentally, Harish always knew her as Ratna, and though their conversations sometimes carried on for hours at a stretch, she somehow didn’t find an occasion to tell him her full name.

After about six months of courtship, they decided it was time to get married. While her parents, being of modern leanings, raised no objections at the love match, Harish was not so lucky. His father still believed in the virtues of an arranged match, and didn’t merit his son with enough wisdom to choose the right girl for himself – or for the family. However, being a staunch proponent of secular ideas, he couldn’t make a case on the grounds of difference in caste. Instead, he sought refuge in more scientific means – he consulted a numerologist.

It was a perfect move – Ratna and Harish could never make a match, so the numerologist declared. The marriage, if allowed to happen, would spell untellable doom for both families. Harish’s father had all the ammunition he needed to shoot the proposal down.

Defeated, Harish apprised Ratna of the situation the next day. She couldn’t believe how her life was going to shatter for the sake of a few numbers. However, after a few minutes of cursing luck and everything around her, she was struck by a sudden brainwave. She told Harish her full name.

The goddess seemed to be smiling upon her once again, for this time, even the numerologist seemed baffled by the perfection of the match! With no more excuses to make, Harish’s father had to give in. His mood improved appreciably when he discovered that his son’s choice was of good upbringing. He further melted when he found her family to be quite a well-heeled one.

And so, like all good love-stories, Ratna and Harish lived happily ever after – well, almost. For, post marriage, Ratna was known as Mrs Ratnapoorneshwari Swarnamurthy which irked her even more that her maiden name, but that’s another story.