The Campaign Trail

 

Fortune had rolled out the red carpet for Vir and everything was within easy reach. He had money, looks, and intelligence and his birthright to win all the prizes that life had to offer.

 His first real opposition was in the last years of school when Joya’s entry rocked the dynamics of the classroom. She was attractive, knew how to charm and soon became one of the lead performers on the school stage. The ripples lasted for a while and then everybody settled down except for Vir. He couldn’t fathom why she preferred the company of Tej and Ron, who were nothing special.  She wasn’t rude, she didn’t snub him, she was just not interested and he was clueless. Vir was frustrated but not impatient and decided to bide his time.

Ron and Tej hastened their steps as it was the last day of the school year. A teacher whisked Tej away before the assembly was about to start. Tej looked crestfallen, stood apart and whispered a few words to Ron who in turn spoke to Joya. She moved swiftly and couldn’t be seen among the impatient students waiting to be let off.

The last speaker Vir walked up to deliver the final oration. He had barely spoken when he started to fidget as if he had an unstoppable itch.  Red faced and embarrassed, Vir cut short his speech and hurried off the stage and the event was concluded with the school song led by Joya.

Tej, Ron and Joya walked out without a care, relieved that their schooling was over.

 “Joya what did you do to make Vir squirm?  Nobody else would have dared to humiliate him onstage especially after his father had announced a hefty donation to the school.”

“Exactly. I was mad when you told me that Vir had been chosen to substitute for Tej. Vir’s father’s money paved the way. I saw his blazer on the chair and just put in a handful of red ants. I got bitten too but nothing like Vir.”

Tej was disapproving, “You know that wasn’t smart. Vir hasn’t gone out of his way to harm you.”

Joya shrugged, “I’m no longer in school. Think of the future. I’ve managed a couple of modeling assignments and may be an audition for a television show. What about you guys?”

“My aim is civil rights, justice, and good governance for everybody. I’m going to get a college education and look to join a political party that I believe and can trust.”

 “I can see it so clearly. Tej your first action will be to join the students union and Ron will be clicking your protest marches.”

“Look who is speaking. I helped you assemble the photographs for your modeling assignment.”

Ron would capture life through the camera’s lens, Tej would strive for honest public administration and Joya would captivate hearts.

And Vir, very much in the public eye would go on his ordained path.

At the beginning it was slow even for Joya who believed that she could take the world by storm. At all times there were so many young women, each one ready to give her all and there were agents, contacts who promised much and often delivered nothing. Joya worked hard for the box office numbers and learnt to reinvent to survive.

It was the days when nothing worked and she saw her smile crack along with her make up that she would visit Ron. He said little, noticed that with time Joya’s restless energy could become hysterical and popping pills or alcohol were no longer capable of blotting out the present.

“I need to showcase more mature meaningful roles not only romantic ones. I’ve almost nailed it at some auditions and then it just slipped away. I guess that is any actor’s  life but did you know that Vir is involved in the film industry.”

“Yes I meet Vir occasionally. Why don’t you approach him? He has an extensive network.”

Joya avoided answering Ron’s question, “Tell me do you meet Tej?”

 “I forgot to tell you. Tej wants to meet us. He wants to share some news before it becomes public. Can we meet next week? ”

 It had been a long time since the three of them had met and the first few minutes were caught up in trivia that helped to connect. Tej observed them critically, trying to take their measure, people change and they had come a long way from their teenage years.

“All these years I’ve been working to build and strengthen the party’s office and build systems. It hasn’t been an easy task because the older members were the slowest to acknowledge change. Now the top leaders want me to have a more public face and field me as a candidate for one of the city’s constituencies. The belief is that a fresh face would help us win an influential section of the electorate.

 I haven’t made up my mind about the offer. The news hasn’t been made public and I would like to hear your opinions.”

 Joya looked Tej in the eye. “Would you be upset if I told you the name of the constituency ……”

Tej stared unbelievingly, “Where did you hear this? I was made this offer only a few days ago. “

 “You know that walls have ears and I won’t disclose my source. Wait until I tell you the next bit.”

“I could understand if Ron knew after all he has entry to many worlds and does work for the media but you?”

Joya grinned cheekily, “I learnt early in life not to underestimate anybody. Vir has asked me to marry him but he has one condition.”

 Tej was trying to make sense of Joya’s disconnected statements while Ron added, “I’m sure you are aware that Vir fell in love with you from the first moment and you ignored him.”

Joya’s voice dripped sarcasm, “Do you know whom I love or that isn’t important?”

“No. Tonight you are more a stranger than your usual self,” Tej muttered.

“Vir’s offer has a clause. I must be ready to give up acting. It wasn’t easy and I would have almost conceded except that soon after I was offered the lead role in a political thriller. The script is brilliant and I’ve signed the contract.”

 Ron was critical “Are you playing for time?”

Joya’s refusal to answer left both the men uneasy but they promised to meet again. There was an upswing in Joya’s popularity and Tej was grooming himself for his responsibilities.

Occasionally, Vir would commission Ron for one of his many business projects.  They had a satisfactory working relationship and neither of them crossed personal boundaries.

“My father thinks the time is opportune for me represent the party and gradually build my stronghold. He will support and guide me while my brothers and cousins take greater responsibility in the family business

The election campaign is gathering momentum and tomorrow my name will be announced publicly. It wasn’t my choice but I have been pitted against Tej.  The party machinery and funds are heavily weighted in my favor. Just tell Joya to stay out of the fray. I wouldn’t want her to get hurt.”

Vir’s news would be public knowledge but the warning about Joya made Ron apprehensive. Tej was on the campaign trail and difficult to contact and Joya’s response was casual. “Vir is upset over my refusal but he won’t ever harm me. His father is worried about the results though both of them are first time contestants. Tej has political support but he doesn’t have the backup that Vir enjoys.”

 “Don’t be so stubborn. You don’t have to be a part of Tej’s campaign entourage. Often situations get out of hand and escalate.” Ron repeated Vir’s words but Joya was on her own trip.

Tej was scheduled to address a big public meeting and had requested Ron to take a few photographs. Traffic and crowds had built up and Ron was delayed. He abandoned the cab and started making his way towards the venue. He overheard bits of conversation, “The film star Joya is going to be sharing the platform.  There are rumors of her joining the party.”

Ron felt uncomfortable, Vir’s warning echoed and he pushed forward to get closer to the raised dais. Skirmishes and rough housing had become a part of these rallies and he only hoped that this one would pass off peacefully. The site was near a crowded city neighborhood and there would be chaos if there was trouble.

The meeting was well received with rousing speeches and promises, Joya waved and smiled with the practiced ease of a crowd pleaser and Ron was panning the crowds to get some candid pictures. Tej had got down from the stage and Joya was behind when he heard a few gun shots and some smoke bombs being let off. Within seconds he saw Joya hurtle down and the chaotic crowds pushed in all directions. He was too far away to help and in danger of being trampled in this mad stampede. He wanted to protect the last footage and to find an escape route.

 Ron was experienced enough to know that in such volatile situations the first action was personal safety. He would find out later not only what the camera had recorded but who had marked his presence in that melee. He didn’t want to be roughed up or have his equipment damaged.  The news of Joya’s death was common knowledge by the time he had reached safety.

Whether it was Joya’s death or fate but Vir lost by a slim margin.  Vir mourned her deeply but he it didn’t stop him from actively participating in future elections.

 Tej returned to the nitty gritty of running the party machinery and would be respected for his logistical skills. Joya’s death had left him remorseful and with unanswered questions. Had she known about the attack that might signal her end?

After her death Ron had been requested to display some of his work and it had included a few photographs of Joya before she became famous.  A couple of these were sold to an anonymous buyer who in spite of Ron’s efforts couldn’t be traced.

Joya had spilled out childhood stories of abuse and neglect, bad mouthed people who had duped and dumped her and the seedy workings of the entertainment industry but left Ron guessing about the man she truly loved.