simplehealings: Blind Man's Sunrise

simplehealings: Blind Man's Sunrise: He stood there everyday; a mere shadow of blue She came by; and purple invaded the gloom Her scent was like a fresh flower; ...

simplehealings: VISITING HOUR

simplehealings: VISITING HOUR:        It was 8 o’clock already, and I was late. There was just enough time to grab a quick breakfast and then I headed towards c...

VISITING HOUR

   

   It was 8 o’clock already, and I was late. There was just enough time to grab a quick breakfast and then I headed towards college. It wasn’t as though I would have been late for my classes, as my first class was scheduled for 10 am. But I didn’t want to compromise a single minute of the Visiting Hour.

    Asha Biswas, ‘Asha aunty’ to me, is already in her late fifties, but to me, she looks just the same, ever since our first meeting. She has always been especially fond of me, and even as a child, I loved visiting my favorite aunt.

     On this particular day, Asha aunty looked more cheerful than usual, and there was a special sparkle in her grey old eyes. When I teased her about it, she just laughed and said, “you naughty girl, who will look at me, at this age?”

  --“Oh aunty, you never know…I think Sinha uncle likes you a lot…”

  --“Why, you have become very naughty indeed, I must complain to your mother,” she smiled her loveliest smile.

  --“Oh, c’mon, you know you won’t, so don’t tease me.” I tried to sound annoyed but of course, I failed. With Asha aunty, you can never be angry. This is one of the many things I like about her, she would threaten to tell on you to your parents, and yet you can confess to her about your first crush as well as your present affair. The jolly old dear that she is, she can never really carry out her threat.

   --“So, aunty, what’s up?”

       By then I could sense that she was anxious to tell me something. I could even guess what it might be: I was right.

   --“Sneha called me this morning. It seems Adi is going to get a raise.”

   --“Really?... About time too!”

   --“Yes, she said Adi has been working really hard these days, that’s why he doesn’t call me as often as before.”

       I could not help feel a little sad, but I was aware that I could not show it. The doctors had given us strict warning. So instead I said as breezily as I could, “How is little Bony doing?”

    --“Oh, she is doing well in school. Sneha tells me she talks a lot. She’ll be five this winter.”

    --“Oh my god, but it feels like she was born just yesterday!”

    --“Yes,” she smiled, “seems just like yesterday. You know dear, I was so surprised and glad when Adi told me Sneha was going to have a baby,… yes I remember that day, it was just after they left for Amsterdam…Adi sounded so happy, so proud, but I, I was more proud than any of them. My first grandchild….after Adi’s father passed away, he was all I had…the only one I had…”

      A fond look came over aunty’s face as she traveled back in time. She looked so beautiful, calm and peaceful. I love to hear aunty talk about Adityada. He was about ten years older to me, and exceptionally good looking. At least, I thought so. Even Snehaboudi was very pretty. I had never seen little Bonny though. “…Adi has always been a good son, even when he settled abroad; he regularly called me…but then, his job tires him out. Sneha says he is always away on business trips, always working so hard…but then he always was hardworking, even at school, his teachers always praised him, praised my Adi…”

 

      I could sit and listen to aunty all day, but the stupid watch told me it was time to go. I left Asha aunty recapitulating the days of her past, a solemn smile on her face.

      I met the nurse at the door. “She looks happy today,” Jyoti said to me.

      “Yes,” I replied as I glanced back at the contented look on her face, my favorite aunty looked happy indeed. “Her daughter-in-law called her this morning.” I turned back to nurse Jyoti. Jyoti smiled at me, a very kind and sad smile. I smiled back at her.

       I just hope no one ever reminds aunty that her son died in a car accident three years ago, and that his wife and child were killed with him.

Blind Man's Sunrise

He stood there everyday; a mere shadow of blue

She came by; and purple invaded the gloom

Her scent was like a fresh flower; a bougainvillea in bloom

One morning she noticed him, and magenta tinged the clay

The next time, she called his name—igniting his heart like crimson hay

They brought love to life and life itself – a rosy blush

And in the autumn of their lives, walking down orange lush

Till side by side they rest in peace, the maple yellow cries—

“Oh observe thee, a blind man views sunrise…”

Technicolor

The early morning bustle had already set in. The school next door had already given over for the day. Soon the kids would be piling themselves in an assortment of colors on to the waiting mini vans. The drivers  looking at them with a mixture of disdain and affection -- after all, they were imp sized brats, annoying but lovable.

He waited till the last van left, only a few parents lingering now, and opened shop. It was almost time. She didn't disappoint.

As the smell of cloves filled his nostrils, a haze descended on his mind. Sweet smelling rice pudding, packed in a little tiffin box for him, sitting side by side, shyly at first...

It had gone on for a while now. She would come to the shop everyday just as the school gave over, smelling of different spices and asking for some more. The soft melodious voice reaching his ears as  she smelled and selected the herbs lining the shelves. He looked forward to her tinkling bangles, and her earthy smell -- it always made him weak. So weak that any strong smelling herb would be enough to make him forget all else but Her.

He imagined it many times. How they would share their lives together -- a small one bedroom cottage, a small kitchenette, and a bath. All of them colored with their presence -- from the bed they shared to the dreams they dreamed of together. 

He could see it all so clearly, her plump form wrapped in a light red cotton saree, with his name marking her forehead and her nape. Bidding her a sweet chaste goodbye before he left for the shop, he couldn't wait to get back to her. He couldn't believe he would be separated from her for the entire day -- it felt like he was betraying every fiber in his body by leaving her behind...He couldn't leave her...He couldn't --

"Are you done yet?" Came the deep voice of Her husband.

"Yes"

The coin she was handing over clattered to the floor and rolled  under the cupboard.  Along with his technicolor daydreams.

Inebriated

The beach was nothing like she had expected. She had had hoped for a Wordsworthian silkiness kissing her feet. She had imagined a whirlpool of frothy waves thundering their way over each other to meet her. And lording it over them, - like a knight in shining armor - would be the Sea…falling over himself to woo the Earth.  

Not THIS! Not the glutinous expanse before her...murky and slick. Not a slimy murky Bay of Bengal slithering its way up her ankles…Life was supposed to be that way! Not the bloody free flowing Bay of Bengal!!!

 Didn’t Poseidon have some sort of standards to meet... some decorum and code of conduct when it comes to sea beaches? This was a direct violation of any such code…it was like picking a book by Shelley, only to find Arnold lurking between the covers!! 

How insulting. This was criminal, so very atrocious that she should be cheated out of her fantasy...so very...

He came and stood by her. Still wearing the track pants he had worn the night before, with a cotton shirt that clung to him like the very air that she was breathing. The fresh salty air that clung to her nostrils and overwhelmed her senses...just like he did. She smiled at the bright sun, the shining sea and the glorious day that was going to make memories.

******************************************************************************

They walked down the beach in the evening, the glasses clinking between their enclosed hands. He was rather pensive since the morning and she didn’t quite mind. It was more than enough.

“This used to be our place”, he began quietly. “I used to bring her here quite often those days, we didn’t have much savings and she loved Nature more than she loved me...” he laughed. She felt compelled to laugh with him. 

“It was just after we got hitched, that was the first time I brought her here, she was ecstatic, and we have been coming ever since. She used to be so cute and vibrant, the sun used to color her eyes in rainbows. I didn’t have this much work then, things were easy...just a tiny little flat, a home to come back to every night and a kid or two. That was the plan...”

Yes, she thought, that is always the plan. Happiness, love and bliss...all of it...total captivation.

 “But that was before junior was born” He broke into her thoughts with a sigh. “That was before our paths divided, before our priorities changed.”

She touched his fingertips. He looked at her and smiled. “You look exactly like she used to...”he caressed her cheeks tenderly... “Fun and open, beautiful...” She flushed. 

This is what I WANT, she thought, watching the spark light his eyes, the spark that she spied in the Boardroom when he signed a contract. 

Yes, exactly this...The Sun kissed the Sea and blazed His way to a new day.

******************************************************************************

Monday lunch was just sandwiches and coffee. The same as her boss was having everyday without fail. That was when the Wife walked in, complete with stilettos and overwhelming Chanel perfume. 

“This way please,” it was up to her to escort the Boss Wife to his chambers.

“Sir, your wife is here to see you.”

“Thank You, Ether”, He smiled at her before turning to his wife, the spark intact.

“No problem.”

Ether turned away with a smile of her own.