Her Long Lost Home

Her great grand parents had left the village to flee to Britain, where they thought life for Indians would be better. Reduced further in status and wealth, her grandparents survived on assistive stipend and meals provided by the government. Life was certainly not better for them. English government was no more the mighty and infallible one for them.
It was contact with Mark Spencer that changed the direction of waves of penury and despise. He helped Smita's grandparents set up a garments shop.As the fortunes changed, solely attributed to the purchases by the British nationals, respect and then fondness of the western culture kept on increasing till the time everyone in Smita's family had forgotten that there was an Indian element in all of them. Even Smita's formal name was Sue.
Smita's urge to know India came from her school friend whose family went back to India a few weeks ago. She would post pics in fb, all excited about her old home, ancestry and culture. Also during chats, she would ask Smita to convince her parents to come at least once to India, "Ok Baba, come to India only for Taj Mahal, can you ?", her friend asked.
Smita was also finding it hard to connect to the British students. Culture in her school was not exactly like what she would have been comfortable in. In lieu of escaping from here course, she wanted to come to India and see what it got for her. She read an Indian history book, geography in India, climate and many other articles related to India.
Reading things about India, she got curious about her own caste and her village, which she asked from grandfather. And as Smita's grandfather kept on explaining his family's culture, how they evolved with time, and what's there in India for them now, he found himself attached to his home in India. Just in a matter of few weeks, all tickets to India were booked and arrangements in their native village set up to receive them. Many in Smita's family were about to witness some things for the first time in their lives. The dust from fields, homes without air condition, heat of the weather, the ancestral property, instant connection with kins, and many other things were waiting for Smita's arrival.

All in Smita's family were received warmly, and were driven to Basti, Uttar Pradesh, where it all began, the family tree. The open fields were like Smita had never seen before. Homes with cattle and tractors were delight to check out. Adding to this, the smile of her relatives were too genuine to forget ever. Her summers had already begun with her trip to Basti! "It's a different feeling here", said Smita. She had reached a place where she could connect instantly with people around her, and also had a lot to learn. She felt as if
she had come to her long lost home.

Here comes October!

 

It started with October of 2009 when in a college festival, Lily the girl in blue skirt stood a little aloof in company of new found friends. She enjoyed the 'first time out of her house' feel, early winter chills, peacocks around the campus and freedom of being on her own. Right across her sat Abhi, as he was called by his friends. Abhi wore a black t-shirt, had a lean body type and twice complimented Lily for her looks. That was it. 4 days ended with Lily having clue how her life would change.

Same time in 2011, Abhi said to Lily, Lily lets be together as long as we can bear each other. There was a rush in Lily's blood it reflected on her face for sure. She turned red and dint know how to respond. It was her first time, she was a bit confused, dint know where exactly it was going but her heart smiled. She was rather in love with her computer she waited to chat with him, know him more certainly not knowing what future held for her.

Then came October of 2012, there were clouds of differences around both of them but none was ready to leave and walk alone. The came close with some hesitation. Abhi was preparing hard for exams, Lily tried to support him in which ever way she could. Love grew more and more.

October of 2013 was much brighter. Abhi agreed to change for Lily. Same date as 2011, he met Lily and said you are more important to me than my other 'to do things' in life, lets be together. The smile came back on Lily's face. This time she felt like a Queen. She thanked him and god. She could not remember any other day when someone made her feel that special. She thanked god for sending Abhi in her life. This year she turned 25 and celebrated this special day with her Abhi. Intimacy was at peak. Not knowing the happiness was momentary.

October 2014, they had split. Social pressures, differences in family mindset, they were incompatible. It was hard to believe but that was the reality. People whom they loved and respected dint wanted to see them together. They both decided to move on in life without each other of others sake. These others also meant a lot in their lives. Still somewhere they lived in a hope that things will get better. They saw a sliver lining, their energies were into each other like never before, feelings were much more intense in all ways, they both knew each other inside out. They both tried again, this time shouted their heart out but nothing worked in their favour.

October 2015, Lily received a mail from Abhi. A short note in which Abhi declared that he has 'moved on' he cherishes the memories but reality is different. Abhi has found someone more compatible and above all socially acceptable, he will be with her in a few days time forever. Lily had no clue how to respond. No response was never her way of dealing with Abhi's mail/pings/chats. She was alone, travelling for work and trying hard to deal with the storm. She responded and wished him luck as she always wanted her love to win in all situations. Lily wishes to be in touch with Abhi to see him rise in life, to share big moments if not as a lover as someone who meant something sometime :) a hidden best friend may be (Again going against all the odds as people around her suggest of something opposite).

Lily is still figuring out what 'move on' means and whether there will come a time when she will be able to feel the same. All she can think of is what October of 2016 holds for her.

Khud hi dhoondh len gaye Kinaare!

Dear Wifey, I love you

Its been not so long since we were bonded by luck. With you, my age has frozen to 25, and we were just introduced when I was 20.

I knew you were there, sitting for me, waiting for me to come to you; i knew it all. I also knew I have no one but you to come to. I proposed to you in the lecture hall, writing 'Lets be friends' on the page of your notebook. After you wrote 'ok :)', I kept a rose on your lap below the layer of your top spread on around your waist, so that no one else would see it. I also remember how secretly you hid it in your bag. No one came to know about us till we actually got married.
Dear wifey, it seems just like yesterday when we made our first trip together. We went to apple orchard in the campus, with you sitting on the front rod of the bicycle. I knew you were having some pain but still, the excitement was too much to think about anything else. Dear wifey, do you remember we fell asleep there ? The gardener eventually woke me up by pouring water on me. Its hard to forget these times.
Oh and what about the birthday girl's birthday ? :) The first time kiss of love. The smile is impossible to erase. Majestic the moment was. We went to mc donalds for a burger party and had a great time in swings in the market.
I came to your dad and asked him for your companionship. I love him, for he gave me you without an inch of doubt. He knew I will love you more than him. By the way, even I know that I love you more than him, so no worries.

We will have our 25th meeting anniversary tomorrow. In all these years, we have seen a lot. Amaya has also grown up. Some day I might get a surprise when somebody would come to me like I came to your dad.

I have kept my promise. See the yellow lilies lying in your vase. Waiting for you to wake up. Let me see what you have got for me ...

lol
loads of love