ಶರಧಿ...!!

ಶರಧಿ...!!

ಬತ್ತದ ಜೀವ ಸೆಲೆಯನ್ನ ತುಂಬಿಕೊಂಡಿರೋ ಆ ಸಮುದ್ರ ನೋಡೇ, ಅಪ್ಪ ನಂಗೆ ಈ ಹೆಸರಿಟ್ಟರು ಅನ್ನಿಸುತ್ತೆ. ದಡ ಮುಟ್ಟಿ ಮುಟ್ಟಿ ಮತ್ತದೇ ಪ್ರೀತಿಗೆ ಹಂಬಲಿಸುವ ತೀರದ ಅಲೆಯಂತೆ ಜೀವನವನ್ನ ಪ್ರೀತಿಸಬೇಕು ಅನ್ನೋ ಹಂಬಲ ನನಗೆ, ಸ್ನೇಹಕ್ಕೆ ಜೀವ ಬೇಕಿದ್ರೂ ಕೊಡಬೇಕು ಅನ್ನೋ ಆಸೆ, ಖುಷಿಯಾಗಿರೋಕೆ ಒಂದು ಕಾರಣ ಬೇಕು ಅನ್ನೋ ಸಿದ್ದಾಂತ ನನ್ನದಲ್ಲ. ಆಗಾಗ ಎದುರಾಗೋ ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿಗೆ ಬರೋ ಕಣ್ಣೇರು ಸಹ ನನ್ನದಲ್ಲ ಅಂತ ಅಂದುಕೊಂಡು ಸುಮ್ಮನಾಗಿಬಿಡುವವಳು ನಾನು. ನನ್ನ ಮೇಲೆ ಸಾವಿರ ಕನಸುಗಳನ್ನ ಇಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡಿರೋ ಅಪ್ಪ-ಅಮ್ಮರನ್ನ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯ ತೊಟ್ಟಿಲಲ್ಲಿ ತೂಗಬೇಕು ಅನ್ನೋ ಕನಸು, ಚಿಕ್ಕ ಖುಷಿ ಇದ್ದರೂ ಸಾಕು ಮಗುವಂತೆ ಪ್ರಪಂಚ ಮರೆಯುವವಳು. ಒಟ್ಟಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳಬೇಕೆಂದರೆ ಜೀವನದ ಪ್ರತೀ ಕ್ಷಣಗಳನ್ನ ಬದುಕುವವಳೇ ಈ ಶರಧಿ.

ಇವತ್ತಿನ ಖುಷಿಯನ್ನ ತನ್ನ Dairy ಯಲ್ಲಿ ದಾಖಲಿಸಲು ತೆಗೆದಾಗ ಕಂಡ ಮೊದಲ ಪುಟವನ್ನ ಮತ್ತೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ಓದಿಕೊಂಡಳು. Dairyಯ ಹೊಸ ಪುಟಗಳನ್ನ ತೆಗೆದು ಬರೆಯಲಾರಂಭಿಸಿದಳು. 

6^th November 2016

ಇವತ್ತು ನನ್ನ ಮೊದಲ National Dance Competition. ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಕ್ಯಾಮರಾಗಳು, ಹಾಗೆ ಸೇರಿದ್ದ ಜನರೆಲ್ಲರ ದೃಷ್ಟಿ ನನ್ನ ಮೇಲೆ ಕೇಂದ್ರೀಕೃತವಾಗಿತ್ತು. ನನ್ನ ಜೀವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಂತ ಒಳ್ಳೆ ದಿನ ಬರತ್ತೆ ಅಂತ ಅಂದುಕೊಂಡೇ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಜೀವನದ ಅಷ್ಟೂ ಖುಷಿ ಈ ಒಂದು Event ಗಾಗಿ ಕಾಯ್ತಾ ಇತ್ತೇನೋ ಅನ್ನೋ ತರ, ಮನಸಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾವಿರ ಕನಸುಗಳ ಪ್ರತಿಫಲನವಾಗುತಿತ್ತು. ಹೌದು ಇದು ನನ್ನ ಜೀವನದ ಅತ್ಯಮೂಲ್ಯ ಕ್ಷಣ ಅಂದರೂ ತಪ್ಪಾಗಲ್ಲ. ಹಾಗೇ ಆ ಮಹತ್ವಾಕಾಂಕ್ಷೆಯ Competition ನಲ್ಲಿ ನಂಗೆ first place  ಬಂದಿದೆ ಅಂತ ಗೊತ್ತಾದಾಗ ನನ್ನ ಖುಷಿಯ ಪಾರಕ್ಕೆ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಗರಿ ಬಂದಿತ್ತು. ನನ್ನ ಪ್ರಕಾರ ಈ  Competition ಎಲ್ಲ ಕೇವಲ ನೆಪ ಮಾತ್ರ. ಯಾವಾಗ ಈ ಹಾಡು dance ಅನ್ನು ನನ್ನ ಉಸಿರಂತೆ ಪ್ರೀತಿಸಬೇಕು ಅಂತ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದೇನೋ ಅವತ್ತೇ ನನ್ನ ಯಶಸ್ಸಿನ ಪಯಣ ಶುರುವಾಗಿದ್ದಾಗಿದೆ. 

ಪ್ರಪಂಚಾನೇ ಗೆದ್ದಿರೋ ಸಂಭ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಮನೆಗೆ ಬಂದೆ. ರವಿತೇಜ ರಂಗಿನಾಟ ಮುಗಿಸಿ ತಣ್ಣಗಾಗಿದ್ದ. ಹಸಿರಿತ್ತು, ಚೆಲುವಿತ್ತು ಎಲ್ಲೆಲ್ಲೂ ಸೌಗಂಧದ ಕಂಪಿತ್ತು. ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ವಾತಾವರಣ ನಾನು 'ತುಂಬಾ' ಇಷ್ಟ ಪಡೋ ತರ ಇತ್ತು. ಜೊತೆಗೆ ಇಡೀ ಪ್ರಪಂಚ ನನ್ನ ಯಶಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಚಪ್ಪಾಳೆ ತಟ್ಟುತ್ತಿದೆ. ಆದರೆ ನನ್ನೀ ಯಶಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಕಾರಣರಾದ ನನ್ನದೇ ಪುಟ್ಟ ಪ್ರಪಂಚವಾಗಿದ್ದ ನನ್ನ ಅಪ್ಪ-ಅಮ್ಮ  ಈ ಖುಷಿಯನ್ನ ಹಂಚಿಕೊಳ್ಳೋಕೆ ಈ ಕ್ಷಣ ನನ್ನೊಂದಿಗಿಲ್ಲ. ಅಪ್ಪಂಗೆ ಯಾವುದೋ Conference ಅಂತೆ, ಇಬ್ಬರೂ USAಗೆ ಹೋಗಿದಾರೆ. ನನ್ನ ಈ ಯಶಸ್ಸಿನ ಕೀರ್ತಿ ಅವರಿಬ್ಬರಿಗೆ ಸೇರಿದ್ದು. ಯಾಕೋ ಇವತ್ತು ಅವರನ್ನು ತುಂಬಾ miss ಮಾಡ್ಕೋತಾ ಇದೀನಿ ಅನ್ನಿಸ್ತು. ಅಪ್ಪನೊಂದಿಗೆ SkypeChat ಮಾಡಿದೆ. ಆದರೂ ಯಾಕೋ ಸಮಾಧಾನವೇ ಆಗಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಹಾಗೆ Laptop ಮಡಿಚಿಟ್ಟು table ಮೇಲೆ ತಲೆಯಾನಿಸಿ ಮಲಗಿದವಳನ್ನ ಅಲ್ಲೇ ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲೇ ಹೂದಾನಿಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದ ನವಿಲು ಗರಿಯು ಕಚಗುಳಿ ಇಟ್ಟಾಗ, ಅಮ್ಮನ ನೆನಪಾಗಿ ಅದ್ಯಾಕೋ ದುಃಖ ಉಮ್ಮಳಿಸಿ ಬಂತು. ಛೆ! ನಾನೂ ಅವರುಗಳ ಜೊತೆ USA ಗೆ ಹೋಗಿದಿದ್ದರೆ ಅಂತ ಅನ್ನಿಸಿತು. ತಲೆ ಎತ್ತಿ ನೋಡಿದಾಗ table ನ ಮೂಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಜತನವಾಗಿ ಎತ್ತಿಟ್ಟಿದ್ದ ನನ್ನ ಈ Dairy ಕಾಣಿಸಿತು. ನನ್ನ ಕೈಗಳು ಅನಾಯಾಸವಾಗಿ Dairy ಎತ್ತಿಕೊಂಡಿತು. 

                                                                            *****           

ಶರಧಿಗೀಗ ಅಚಾನಕ್ ಆಗಿ ಅದ್ಯಾಕೋ ಹಿಂದಿನ ದಿನಗಳು ನೆನಪಾಗತೊಡಗಿತು. ಅವಳಿಗೇ ಅರಿವಿಲ್ಲದಂತೆ Dairyಯ ಪುಟಗಳನ್ನು ತಿರುವಲಾರಂಭಿಸಿದಳು.    

25^th October 2016

ಈ ದಿನಕ್ಕಾಗಿ 2 ವರುಷದಿಂದ ಕಾದಿದ್ದೆ. ನನ್ನ Best Friend ಶಿಶಿರ್ Singapore ನಿಂದ ವಾಪಸ್ ಬಂದಿದ್ದ. ನಾವಿಬ್ಬರೂ ಚಿಕ್ಕಂದಿನಿಂದಲೂ friends. ನಮ್ಮಿಬ್ಬರ ಅಭಿರುಚಿ, Likes-Dislikes ಎಲ್ಲವೂ 100% ಅಲ್ಲದಿದ್ದರೂ, 90% ಹೊಂದಾಣಿಕೆ ಆಗ್ತಾ ಇತ್ತು. ಅದು, ನಾವು ಹೇಗೆ ಸಮಾನ ಮನಸ್ಕರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಬೇಗ ಹೊಂದಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತೇವೆ ಅಂತಾನೋ ಅಥವಾ ನಾವಿಬ್ಬರು ಚಿಕ್ಕಂದಿನಿಂದ ಒಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ಬೆಳೆದಿದ್ದಕ್ಕೋ ಗೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ, ನಾವಿಬ್ಬರು ಯೋಚನೆ ಮಾಡೋ ರೀತಿ, ಹಾಗೆ ನಮ್ಮಿಬ್ಬರ ಭಾವನೆಗಳು ಸಹ ಒಂದೇ ತರ ಇರ್ತ ಇದ್ದವು. ನನ್ನ ಜೀವನದಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಪ್ರತೀ ವಿಷಯವನ್ನು, ನನ್ನ ಮನಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಬಾರೋ ಪ್ರತೀ ಭಾವನೆಯನ್ನ ಅವನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿಕೊಂಡರೇನೇ ಅದೇನೋ ಸಮಾಧಾನ. ಅಂತವನು ಈಗ 2 ವರುಷದ ಹಿಂದೆ Singapore ಗೆ ಹೋದಾಗಲೂ ನಮ್ಮಿಬ್ಬರ ಭಾಂದವ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ವ್ಯತ್ಯಾಸ ಆಗಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಒಂದು ವಾರದ ಹಿಂದಷ್ಟೇ ನನ್ನ ಮತ್ತೆ ಸಾಗರ್ ನ Relationship End ಆದಾಗ, ಜೀವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೊದಲ ಸಲ ಕಣೀರು ಬತ್ತುವ ಹಾಗೆ ಅತ್ತಿದ್ದೆ. ಸಮಾಧಾನದ ಆಸರೆಯನ್ನು ಹಂಬಲಿಸಿ ಇವನಿಗೆ Call ಮಾಡಿದ್ರೆ ಮಾತಾಡೋಕೆ ಸಿಕ್ಕಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. 4 ತಾಸಿನ ಮೇಲೆ message ಒಂದನ್ನು ಕಳಿಸಿದ್ದ. "ಶಾರಿ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ busy ಇದ್ದೀನಿ ಕಣೇ. ಹೇಗಿದ್ದರೂ ಮುಂದಿನ ವಾರ ಬರ್ತಾ ಇದೀನಲ್ಲಾ, ಆಗ meet ಆಗೋಣ. Takecare till then" ಅಂತ. 

ಹಾಗೆ ಇವತ್ತು ಬೆಳಗ್ಗೆ ಅಷ್ಟೇ Singapore ನಿಂದ ಬಂದು, ಸಂಜೆ ನನ್ನ meet ಮಾಡಿದ್ದ ಕೂಡ. ಆದರೆ ಸದಾ ವಟ-ವಟ ಅಂತ ಮಾತಾಡ್ತಾ ಇದ್ದ ನನ್ನ  ಮನಸ್ಸಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾತು ಖಾಲಿ ಆಗಿ ಮೌನ ಮನೆ ಮಾಡಿತ್ತು. ಯಾಕೆ ಅಂತ ಗೊತ್ತಿಲ್ಲ, 3 ಗಂಟೆಯ ಆ meet ನಲ್ಲಿ ನಾವು infact ನಾನು ಏನೇನು ಮಾತಾಡಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವನೇ Singapore ಕಥೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾ ಇದ್ದರೆ ನಾನು ಹೂ ಗುಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆ ಅಷ್ಟೇ. ಅವನನ್ನ ನೋಡಿದರೇ ಸಾಕು ಮನಸ್ಸಿನ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಭಾವನೆಗಳಿಗೂ ಪದ ರೂಪ ಬರುತ್ತಾ ಇತ್ತು. ಆದರೆ ಇವತ್ತು "ಮತ್ತೆ ಹೇಳು ಶಾರಿ ಏನ್ ಸಮಾಚಾರ" ಅಂತ ಅವನು 100 ಸಲ ಕೇಳುತ್ತಾ ಇದ್ದರೂ "ಏನಿಲ್ಲವೊ ನೀನೇ ಹೇಳಬೇಕು" ಅನ್ನೋ Common dialogue ನಂದಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಈ 2 ವರುಷದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವನು Singapore ನಲ್ಲಿರುವಾಗ Skype ನಲ್ಲಿ ಗಂಟೆಗಟ್ಟಲೆ video chat ಮಾಡಿ ಅದೆಷ್ಟೇ ಹರಟೆ ಹೊಡಿತಾ ಇದ್ದಿದ್ದರೂ ಇವನು ಆದಷ್ಟು ಬೇಗ India ಗೆ ಬರಬಾರದ ಅಂತ ಅನ್ನಿಸುತ್ತಲೇ ಇತ್ತು. ಆದರೆ ಈಗ ಶಿಶಿರ್ ನನ್ನ ಕಣ್ಣ ಮುಂದೇನೆ ಇದ್ದರೂ ಏನೂ ಮಾತಾಡೋಕೆ ಆಗ್ತಾ ಇಲ್ಲ.        

ಯಾಕಿರಬಹುದು...!? ಇವನತ್ರ 'ಅದರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹೇಳಬೇಕು, ಈ ವಿಷಯ ಮಾತಾಡಬೇಕು' ಅಂತ ಏನೇನೋ ದೊಡ್ಡ list ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದು ತಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬರುತ್ತಾ ಇದ್ದರೂ ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಸರಿಯಾದ ಪದ ರೂಪ ಸಿಗ್ತಾ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಅವತ್ತು ಇಬ್ಬರೂ ಒಟ್ಟಿಗೇ ಊಟ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು ಅಂತ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ ಆಗಿತ್ತು. ಆದರೆ ನನಗ್ಯಾಕೋ ಆ ನಿರ್ಲಿಪ್ತ ಭಾವದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಇರಲು ಆಗಲೇ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಕೊನೆಗೆ ನಾನೇ "Hey ಇನ್ನೊಂದಿನ ಸಿಗೋಣ ಕಣೋ, ಮನೆಗೆ guest ಬಂದಿದ್ದಾರೆ, ನಾನು ಹೋಗಬೇಕು" ಅಂತ ಸುಳ್ಳು ಹೇಳಿದೆ. ಅವನಿಗೆ Bye ಹೇಳಿ ವಾಪಸ್ ತಿರುಗಿ ಮನೆ ಕಡೆ ಹೆಜ್ಜೆ ಹಾಕುತ್ತಾ ಇದ್ದವಳ ಕಣ್ಣಲ್ಲಿ ನನಗೇ ಅರಿವಿಲ್ಲದೆ ಕಣ್ಣೀರು ತುಂಬಿತ್ತು...! 

ನಾನು-ಅವನು ದೂರ ಆಗಿದೀವ? ನಮ್ಮಿಬ್ಬರ relationship ನಲ್ಲಿ ಏನಾದರು ಬದಲಾವಣೆ ಆಗಿದ್ಯಾ? ನಾನಾಗಲಿ ಅಥವಾ ಅವನಾಗಲಿ ಬದಲಾಗಿದ್ದೇವಾ ? ಅಥವಾ ಈ 'ಪೇಲವ' ಭಾವ ಇವತ್ತೊಂದಿನ, ಈ ಕ್ಷಣಕ್ಕೆ ಮಾತ್ರಾನಾ ? ಗೊತ್ತಾಗ್ತಾ ಇಲ್ಲ. 

                                                                            *****           

  

ಕಿಟಕಿಯ ಪಕ್ಕ ಕುಳಿತು ತನ್ನದೇ Dairy ಓದುತ್ತಿದ್ದವಳಿಗೆ, ಕೈ ಮೇಲೆ ಮಳೆ ಹನಿಯೊಂದು ಪಟ್ ಅಂತ ಬಿದ್ದಾಗ ವಾಸ್ತವಕ್ಕೆ ಬಂದಳು. ಆಕಾಶ ತುಂಬಾ ಕಪ್ಪಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಅರೆ ಕ್ಷಣದಲ್ಲಿ ಜೋರಾಗಿ ಮಳೆ ಸುರಿಯೋ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಲಕ್ಷಣ ಇದೆ ಅಂತ ಅಂದುಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಿರುವಾಗಲೇ, ಮಳೆ ಧೋ ಎಂದು ಸುರಿಯಲಾರಂಭಿಸಿತು. ಅವತ್ತೂ ಅಷ್ಟೇ, ಇದೇ ತರ ಮಳೆ ಬರ್ತಾ ಇತ್ತು. Dairy ಯ ಪುಟಗಳನ್ನ ಇನ್ನೂ ಹಿಂದಕ್ಕೆ ತೆಗೆದಳು. 

18^th October 2016

ಸಾಗರ್ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಧ್ವನಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಿರಿಚುತ್ತಲೇ ಇದ್ದ. "No ಶರಧಿ, ನನ್ನ ಹೆಂಡತಿ ಆಗೊಳು ನೀನು. ನೀನ್ ಈ ತರ ಎಲ್ಲರ ಮುಂದೆ ಹಾಡೋದು, ಭರತನಾಟ್ಯ ಮಾಡೋದು ಅದೆಲ್ಲ ನಂಗಿಷ್ಟ ಆಗಲ್ಲ. ಮದುವೆ ಆದ ಮೇಲ ನೀನು ಇದನ್ನೆಲ್ಲ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಬೇಕು, okay" ಇನ್ನೂ ಏನೇನೋ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಲೇ ಇದ್ದ. ಇದೇನು ಮೊದಲಲ್ಲ, ಅವನು ಈ ರೀತಿ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿರುವುದು. ನಾವಿಬ್ಬರು Commit ಆಗಿ ಈ ಒಂದು ವರುಷದಲ್ಲಿ ತುಂಬಾನೇ ಸಲ ಇದರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಚರ್ಚೆ ನಡೆದಿದೆ. Infact ರವೀಂದ್ರ ಕಲಾಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ನನ್ನ Dance Performance ನೋಡಿಯೇ impress ಆಗಿ propose ಮಾಡಿದ್ದ. ಯಾವ ಕಾರಣಕ್ಕೆ ನನ್ನ ಇಷ್ಟ ಪಟ್ಟಿದ್ದನೋ, ಅದನ್ನೇ Continue ಮಾಡೋದು ಅವನಿಗಿಷ್ಟ ಇಲ್ಲ ಅಂತಿದಾನೆ. ಹಾಡೋದು ಭರತನಾಟ್ಯ ಅಂದರೆ ನನ್ನ ಉಸಿರು. ಬೇರೆ ಏನೇ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದರೂ ಮಾಡಿ ಬಿಡುತ್ತಿದೇನೆನೋ. ಆದರೆ ಅವನು ಕೇಳ್ತಾ ಇರೋದು ನನ್ನ ಉಸಿರನ್ನ. ಉಸಿರೇ ಇಲ್ಲದೇ ನಾನ್ ಹೇಗೆ ಬದುಕಲಿ? ಅದಕ್ಕೇ ಅವತ್ತೇ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ ಮಾಡಿ 'Lets Breakup' ಅಂತ ಅವನಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿಯೇ ಬಿಟ್ಟೆ. ತಟ್ ಅಂತ "Better Option" ಅಂದವನ ಮಾತಲ್ಲಿ ಎಳ್ಳಷ್ಟೂ ಬೇಜಾರಿನ ಛಾಯೆಯೇ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ.

ಒಂದು ಕ್ಷಣಾನು ಅಲ್ಲಿರಲಾರದೆ ಅದೇ ಮಳೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನನ್ನ Dioವನ್ನು ಮನೆ ಕಡೆ ತಿರುಗಿಸಿದ್ದೆ. ಅವನನ್ನು ಭೇಟಿ ಮಾಡಿದ ಮೊದಲ ದಿನದಿಂದಲೂ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನ ಒಂದು ಮೂಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ 'ನಾವಿಬ್ಬರು ತದ್ವಿರುದ್ಧದವರು' ಅಂತ ಅನ್ನಿಸುತ್ತಲೇ ಇತ್ತು. ಇಬ್ಬರ ಅಭಿರುಚಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾಮ್ಯತೆ ಇರಲೇ ಇಲ್ಲ. ಮನಸ್ಸಿನ ತರ್ಕಕ್ಕೆ ಹೃದಯ ತಾಳ ಹಾಕಬೇಕಲ್ಲ. ನಮ್ಮಿಬ್ಬರದೊಂದು wonderful relationship ಅಂತ ಈ ಒಂದು ವರುಷದಲ್ಲಿ ನನಗೆ ಅನ್ನಿಸಿದ್ದು ತುಂಬಾನೇ ಕಡಿಮೆ. 'ಶರಧಿ, ನಿನ್ನದು ಒಳ್ಳೆ selection ಅಲ್ಲ' ಅನ್ನೋ ಆಂತರ್ಯದ ಸಣ್ಣ ಧ್ವನಿಗೆ ಈ ಮೊದಲು ಕಿವಿಗೊಡಲೇ ಇಲ್ಲ. 

ನನ್ನ ಕಣೀರು ಮಳೆ ಹನಿಯೊಂದಿದೆ ಒಂದಾಗಿ ನೆಲ ಸೇರುತ್ತಾ ಇತ್ತು. 

ನನ್ನೀ ಒಡೆದ ಕನಸುಗಳನ್ನ, ಈ ಒಂದು ವರುಷದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವನನ್ನ ಅದೆಷ್ಟು ಹಚ್ಚಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದೆ ಅನ್ನೋದನ್ನ, ನನ್ನ ಭವಿಷ್ಯದ ಕನಸುಗಳನ್ನ ಅವನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಹೆಣೆದಿದ್ದೇ ಅನ್ನೋದನ್ನ, He is my first crush, my first Love and first Regret of my Life ಅನ್ನೋ ನೋವನ್ನ ಬಹುಶ್ಯ ನಾನು ಯಾರತ್ರನೂ ಹೇಳಿಕೊಳ್ಳೋಕೆ ಆಗಲ್ಲ. ಮನೆ ಸೇರುವ ಹೊತ್ತಿಗೆ ಮಳೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣ ನೆನೆದು ಹೋಗಿದ್ದೆ, ಹಾಗೆ ನನ್ನ ಮನಸ್ಸೂ ಕೂಡ ದುಃಖದ ಮಡುವಲ್ಲಿ ಒದ್ದೆಯಾಗಿತ್ತು. ಬೇರೆ ಯಾರಿಗೇ ಗೊತ್ತಾಗದ್ದಿದ್ದರೂ, ಅಮ್ಮಂಗೆ ನಾನು ದುಃಖದಲ್ಲಿರೋದು ಗೊತ್ತಾಗದೇ ಇರತ್ತಾ? "ಏನಾಯ್ತು ಪುಟ್ಟಿ" ಅಂತ ಕೇಳಿದವಳನ್ನ ಹಾಗೆ ತಬ್ಬಿಕೊಂಡೆ. ದುಃಖ ಇನ್ನೂ ಉಮ್ಮಳಿಸಿ ಬಂತು. ಅಮ್ಮನಿಗೂ ಸಾಗರ್ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಗೊತ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಯಾಕಂದರೆ ಅಮ್ಮನ ಹತ್ರ ನಾನು ಹೇಳದ ವಿಷಯವೇ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ. 

"ಹೋಗಲಿ ಬಿಡೋ, ನಿನ್ನಂತ ಹುಡುಗೀನ ಪಡೆಯೋಷ್ಟು ಅದೃಷ್ಟವಂತ ಅವನಲ್ಲ. ದೇವರು ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಒಬ್ಬಬ್ಬರನ್ನ ಅಂತ ಬರೆದಿರ್ತಾನಂತೆ, ನಿನಗೂ ತಕ್ಕವನು ಸಿಕ್ತಾನೆ ಶಾರಿ. ನಂಗೊತ್ತು, ಮರೆತು ಬಿಡು ಅವನನ್ನ ಅಂತ ಹೇಳೋದು ತುಂಬಾ ಸುಲಭ, ಆದರೆ ನಿನಗೆ ತುಂಬಾ ಕಷ್ಟ ಆಗತ್ತೆ ಅಂತ. ಇನ್ನೊಂದೆರೆಡು ದಿನ ಅಷ್ಟೇ, ಇದರಿಂದ ಹೊರಗೆ ಬಂದೆ ಬರುತ್ತೀಯ. ಯೋಚನೆ ಮಾಡಬೇಡ, ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಕಾಲ ನಿರ್ಣಯ." ಅಮ್ಮ ಏನೇನೋ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಲೇ ಇದ್ದಳು. ಆದರೆ ಅದ್ಯಾವುದೂ ನನಗೆ ಸಮಾಧಾನವನ್ನೇ ಕೊಡುತ್ತಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ನಿಜ ಹೇಳಬೇಕೆಂದರೆ ಶಿಶಿರ್ ನನ್ನ ಜೀವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಬರುವ ಮುಂಚಿನಿಂದಲೇ ಅಮ್ಮ ನನ್ನ Best Friend. ಆದರೆ ಇವತ್ಯಾಕೋ, ಈ ಕ್ಷಣಕ್ಕೆ ಶಿಶಿರ್ ಇದ್ದಿದ್ದರೆ ಚನ್ನಾಗಿರ್ತಾ ಇತ್ತು ಅಂತ ತುಂಬಾ feel ಅಗ್ತಾ ಇತ್ತು. ಯಾಕೆ? ನಾನು ಹೇಳೋದನ್ನ, ನನ್ನ ಭಾವನೆಗಳನ್ನ ಅರ್ಥ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳೋಷ್ಟು ತಾಳ್ಮೆ ಅಥವಾ ಬುದ್ದಿವಂತಿಕೆ ಅವಳಿಗಿಲ್ಲ ಅಂತಾನಾ? ಗೊತ್ತಾಗ್ತಾ ಇಲ್ಲ.  

ನಂತರ 'ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಸರಿಹೋಗತ್ತೆ' ಅನ್ನೋ ಭರವಸೆಯ ನೋಟದೊಂದಿಗೆ ನನ್ನ roomಗೆ ನಡೆದೆ. ಆಮೇಲೆ ಶಿಶಿರ್ ಗೆ call ಮಾಡಿದೆ but receive ಮಾಡಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಮೈಯೆಲ್ಲಾ ಒದ್ದೆಯಾಗಿ ನಡುಗುತ್ತಿದ್ದರೂ, ಅದ್ಯಾಕೋ ನನ್ನ feelingsನ ಯಾರೊಂದಿಗಾದರೂ ಹೇಳಿಕೊಳ್ಳದೆ ಮನಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಸಮಾಧಾನವೇ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಆಗ ತಟ್ ಅಂತ ಹೊಳೆದದ್ದು; ನನ್ನ ಪ್ರತೀ ಭಾವನೆಯನ್ನ ಬಲ್ಲ, ಪ್ರತೀ ಖುಷಿಗೂ-ದುಃಖಕ್ಕೂ ಸಾಕ್ಷಿಯಾಗೋ ಕೇವಲ ನನ್ನದೇ ಆದ ನನ್ನ Dairy. Dairy-Pen ಹಿಡಿದು ಬರೆಯುತ್ತಿದ್ದವಳಿಗೆ ಅದೆಷ್ಟು pages ಬರೆದೆನೋ ತಿಳಿಯಲೇ ಇಲ್ಲ. ನನ್ನ ಪ್ರತೀ ಭಾವನೆಗೂ, ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗೂ, ನಿರಾಸೆಗೂ ನನ್ನ Pen ಉತ್ತರ ಕೊಡುತ್ತಿತ್ತು. 

                                                                            *****

                    

ಅದೆಷ್ಟೋ ಹೊತ್ತು dairy ಹಿಡಿದು ಕುಳಿತೇ ಇದ್ದವಳ ಕಣ್ಣಿಂದ ಹನಿಯೊಂದು ಹೊರ ಬಂದು ಅವಳ dairy ಯ ಪುಟದೊಂದಿಗೆ ಒಂದಾಯಿತು. ಸಮಯದ ಪರಿವೇ ಇಲ್ಲದೆ ಅದೆಷ್ಟೋ ಹೊತ್ತು Diary ಹಿಡಿದು ಕುಳಿತಿದ್ದಳೋ..... 

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  ಅಲ್ಲಾವುದೋ ತೆರೆದ ಮನೆಯ ಕಿಟಕಿಯಿಂದ ಹೊರಬರುತ್ತಿದ್ದ ಎಚ್.ಎಸ್.ವೆಂಕಟೇಶ ಮೂರ್ತಿಯವರ ಭಾವನೆಗೆ ಬಣ್ಣ ಹಚ್ಚಿದಂತಿದ್ದ 
ಭಾವಗೀತೆಯೊಂದು ಕೇಳಿ ಬರುತ್ತಿತ್ತು... 

"ಎಷ್ಟು ಕಾಲ ಒಟ್ಟಿಗಿದ್ದು ಎಷ್ಟು ಬೆರೆತರು 

ಅರಿತೆವೇನು ನಾವು ನಮ್ಮ ಅಂತರಾಳವಾ? 

 ಕಡಲ ಮೇಲೆ ಸಾವಿರಾರು ಮೈಲಿ ಸಾಗಿಯೂ 

                                      ನೀರಿನಾಳ ದೊರಕಿತೇನೋ ಹಾಯಿದೋಣಿಗೆ..."         

ಆ ಕಿಟಕಿಯ ಆಚೆಗೂ ನನ್ನ ಹಾಗೆ ಯೋಚಿಸುತ್ತಿರುವ ಒಂದು ಜೀವ ಇರಬಹುದೇನೋ ಅನ್ನಿಸುತ್ತೆ...  

ಜೀವನದಲ್ಲಿ ಅದೆಷ್ಟೋ ಜನ ಪರಿಚಯ ಆಗಬಹುದು, ಅದೆಷ್ಟೋ ಜನ ಮನಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ತುಂಬಾ ಹತ್ತಿರವಾದವರು ಅಂತ ಅನ್ನಿಸುವವರು ಸಿಗಬಹುದು. ಆದರೆ at the end of the day ನಮಗೇ ಅಂತ ಕೊನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಉಳಿಯೋದು ನಾವು, ನಮ್ಮತನ, ನಮ್ಮ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಮಾತ್ರ. ಯಾಕೆಂದರೆ ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಸಲ ನಾವು ನಮ್ಮ ಮನಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಬರೋ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಭಾವನೆಗಳನ್ನ ಬೇರೆಯವರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಹಂಚಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲಾಗುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಕೆಲವೊಮ್ಮೆ ಎಷ್ಟೇ ಹೇಳಬೇಕು ಅಂತ ಅನ್ನಿಸಿದರೂ at the right time right person ಸಿಗದೇ ಹೋಗಬಹುದು or ಅವರು ಸಿಕ್ಕಾಗ ಆ ಭಾವನೆಯನ್ನ ಹೇಳಿಕೊಳ್ಳೋಕೆ ಪದಗಳೇ ಸಿಗದಿರಬಹುದು ಅಥವಾ ಪದಗಳು ಸಿಕ್ಕರೂ ಆ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಆ ಭಾವನೆಗೆ ಅದೇ ಭಾವ ಇಲ್ಲದೇ ಇರಬಹುದು. ಯಾಕಂದರೆ  Every feeling has its own unseen expiry date. ಅದಕ್ಕೇ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದು ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬರಿಗೂ ಪ್ರತೀ ದಿನ, ಪ್ರತೀ ಕ್ಷಣ ಜೊತೆ ಇರೋದು ನಮ್ಮ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಮಾತ್ರ ಅಂತ.      

ನಿಮಗೆ ಯಾವಾಗಾದರೂ ಹೀಗೆ ಅನ್ನಿಸಿದ್ಯಾ?  

                         -ಮೇದಿನಿ. ಎಂ. ಭಟ್ 

And That's How it Started...!!!

Date: 26-02-2016

Time: 6.15 PM

            It was a gloomy evening that day in Bengaluru and thick dark clouds had engulfed the sky like it was their right to do so in such a set up. It was a Friday evening and only people working in a corporate house could understand the excitement that starts from Friday noon for a two days weekend following it. People had left offices earlier than usual and as expected there was a huge traffic jam & I was stuck in it. My red vespa had barely moved an inch in the last 10 minutes.  Standing still, my mind was calculating the estimated time to reach my place and it was a minimum of 3 hours.

Before getting into what happened that magical evening, will it not be worth knowing me? My name is Aadhya, 24 year old Software Professional working for Dell International. I stay in BTM Layout and my work place is in Whitefield and it takes me nearly 2 hours to 2.5 hours one way. Just like every other person who commutes that way and spends 4 to 5 hours of their 24 hours day in the traffic jam and crib about their life, I do it too. Just like every other person who comes back home irritated, I come back home very much irritated and tired. Anyone who tries to initiate a conversation after such a long day would definitely get some angry stares and disinterested replies.

My weekends are no different from my software colleagues. I sleep all day on Saturday, party hard that night and enjoy my Sunday. Just when the day turns Monday, the routine begins. But it is not like I hate my job. I love my job but I hate this TRAFFIC. Spending 5 hours of your day riding vehicle on the most horrible roads, risking life every moment, spending idle time in traffic signals is definitely frustrating. Adding on to the frustration is the Bangalore rain which has no designated seasons, making its way uninvited & makes your driving experience even worse.  Just like every person in a big city who goes through these ordeals and starts wondering, “Is it all worth it in the end?” I sometimes get perplexed with similar questions. But I think that evening changed it all. It was magical how things changed in those 3 hours.

I looked at the left mirror to find a guy staring at me from behind. It is natural to get constant stares from random guys especially when you are pretty. But this was quite different. Looking at his face in my mirror, I could understand he was confused. He was trying to figure out something. Does he know me? Or is he a random stalker? I had no answer. Just when I was trying to find an answer myself, he moved his vehicle next to mine and asked me, “Are you Sanjana by any chance?” “Excuse Me?” I asked not sure what he was upto. “I just asked you if your name is Sanjana” the young man replied. Clear with what he asked, I replied back saying “No this is Aadhya. I think you have mistaken.” I looked at him and he was still confused. He was a handsome young man with a fair complexion somewhere between 25 to 27 years of age. He wore a green and black striped T-Shirt and Denim Blue jeans. Stubble on his face was more like an icing on the cake. I could still notice it as he was wearing a half helmet. He was really very attractive.

“I am sorry” he said to bring me back to the conversation. I wondered who the real stalker was. “Don’t be... By the way who is Sanjana?” I asked rather inquisitively. Just when he was about to reply back, the vehicles in the front moved and we moved too for a distance. All the while when I was riding, I was thinking is he just coming up with a way to approach me. Anyways guys use these tricks a lot to initiate a conversation. The vehicles stopped and he stopped beside me. He continued, “Sanjana is my childhood friend. You do resemble her a lot. So I was a bit confused. She moved to Pune when she was in her 8th Standard. I haven’t met her since then. I just see her FB posts sometimes. So, when I saw you, I just thought it is Sanjana. I am sorry.” That sounded genuine. “It’s okay. Not a problem” I replied and stopped it there, though I didn’t wanted to. Girls do not take conversations forward & I am a girl. Guys are good at it anyway...

Stranger: So, where do you work Aadhya? (Trick worked, I thought to myself)

Me: I work for Dell International in Whitefield. How about you?

Stranger: I work for your rival.(Smiles). I mean HP Inc.

Me: Oh!! Hope you don’t ask me the trade secrets and make me a traitor(Winks)

Stranger: Hahaha. Maybe yes if I had met you a few days or months back but not now. Who wants trade secrets when he is quitting his job?

Me: I would have asked you ‘why’ if I was a new employee who has recently joined a company. But after working for 2 years in this industry and seeing so many people shifting their jobs every now and then, I will not ask you that question. I will instead ask where you are shifting to. This will sound much better.

Stranger: I am moving to Hyderabad. I am joining my new job next Monday. This was my last day at HP. 5 years and innumerable memories... I will definitely miss it (He sighs). Moreover I will miss Bangalore like crazy. Born and bought up here. Almost 27 years in Bangalore....

Me: I understand... You will miss here. But let me make you feel happy about something. (Says loudly) YOU WILL BE SAVED FROM THIS BLOODY TRAFFIC.... You don’t need to waste your precious time stuck here when you can spend it for something better. Life will be much better. I have heard traffic conditions there is much better than here. Instead of wasting 3 hours of your evening here, go watch a movie after office there....(Smiles)

Stranger: Why do you say that Aadhya? I love everything about this place including the traffic. I don’t differentiate. Maybe the way I look at it is completely different. But I enjoy spending time in this traffic too...

Me: What??? Are you crazy? I have never come across someone with such an opinion. 

Stranger: Maybe thatswhy you met me today....

 “Perplexed” was the right word for what my expression gave away that moment. I was looking at him puzzled and the constant honking from the cars behind bought me back to reality. It was time to move. The signal lights had turned Green and we moved ahead slowly. The next two signals also gave us a green signal and we did not halt for the next 15 minutes. All the while, when I was riding I was thinking about this random guy riding beside me. There was something about him that was constantly attracting me. His looks, his genuinity, his way of interaction & there was something more.... How can he like traffic jams? Is he trying to be an extra positive person? The answer was right in front of me. It was a Red signal and the vehicles stopped. I was ready to shoot my question.

Me: Now tell me... How can you like even these horrible traffic jams? That’s the craziest thing someone has told me in recent times...

Stranger: Okay listen...It may sound a bit crazy but this is how I look at it. YOU have made your CHOICE of being here. Then why do you have to complain? Are you the only person who commutes daily for a long distance? I have seen so many people who come to Bangalore daily for their work from far off districts in train and take the same mode of transport in the evening just for their livelihood. Is this that bad when compared to that? People are struggling to get jobs. People are struggling to make a livelihood. People are struggling to make their ends meet. In that case, Me & You, are we not privileged? I agree sometimes it gets a bit frustrating. But by cribbing about it every time and complaining about the Bangalore traffic, will it make any difference? Definitely not... It will make you feel unhappy about your job and your journey of life. Instead there are so many ways you can make it feel better.

Me: Like....What do you do?

Stranger: I... I look at people. I observe them. I try to figure out their expressions and just analyse “What is their story?” I believe every person has a story of his own. I try to decipher what is that may be running in their mind. Let me show you what I do... You see a man in the car wearing a suit and working on his laptop. Probably he has a presentation tomorrow or a deadline to be reached and he is on to it. Can you see that husband and wife in two wheeler? The husband is looking at the signals to turn Green so that they can reach home soon. The lady has a vegetable basket in her hand and she probably might be thinking about the food to be cooked that night. Do you see the old man in the Mercedes Benz next to us staring at the eternity and trying to find reasons for something? Can you see the pain in his eyes? I probably think he has just finished his consultation for Cancer treatment and is coming back from the nearby Cancer Hospital. Except the driver there is no one else in the car. Maybe his children are abroad and he is living here with a caretaker. Maybe he has everything and yet nothing.... He might just be feeling Life is not fair. You told me I could go watch a movie after office every day in Hyderabad. Even otherwise I see a lot of stories here every day. So, I don’t really regret about this Traffic

            I was spellbound listening to him. I could not utter a word & finally just smiled at him. I had not heard anything of that sort till date. I was amazed by this young man. I had never thought there is another way of looking at it. Is it the way everyone around thinks? Definitely No.... This man is SPECIAL. We started moving again and this time the journey seemed very pleasant. I could feel the cool breeze kissing my face. There was something magical about this journey that I was experiencing. I was happy and I wanted it to last long. We all need to answer questions from Mind and Heart at every situation in Life. “Am I speaking way too much to a random guy?” my mind asked me and heart replied back saying, “I don’t think so he is a random guy anymore...” I was smiling like an idiot. “Stop smiling. He could see your face in the mirror. He will think you are insane” my mind warned me and the heart replied “Let it be...You are however....” and I smiled again.

            We were just about to reach the Silk Board Junction and as always it would take time to clear. For the first time I felt happy looking at the number of vehicles in the front. For the first time I felt like ardently listening to someone speak. For the first time I felt this journey should not end. I could feel rain drops on my hand and it started drizzling as expected. Within no time, heavy rains lashed the city and we were in search of a shelter to protect ourselves from getting drenched. I have always hated rain since my childhood. I signalled him to stop the vehicle near a building which could provide us shelter from the rain. 

Stranger: Wow!! It is so nice to get drenched in this rain in this unexpected season (He says removing his helmet and adjusting his hair) Bangalore is crying since I am leaving this place (He laughs)

Me: Oh!! It can also be otherwise. It may be happy that you are leaving (She winks). Just kidding man... So, you like getting drenched in rain?

Stranger: I just love it. I love riding my bike when it is raining. It gives me a sort of thrill.

Me:  Beware!! Thrill can also kill someone or yourself.

Stranger: Aadhya, I could see a Story when you said that... Don’t you like rain?

Me: No, I hate it. It has taken away my father from me... I have lost him on one such rainy evening (Silence takes over the situation for next twenty seconds)

Stranger: Oh!! I am really sorry to hear that. You can share it with me if you feel like...

Me: I was just 6 years then. It was raining heavily that evening. I was waiting for my dad to come back from work. I saw mom breaking down over phone. She was crying inconsolably. I had never seen her crying before. A few hours later I saw my dad being carried home in an ambulance declared dead. It was the first death I witnessed in my life and it so happened that it was my favourite hero’s death. It was only later that we learnt that when he was driving in those heavy rain and was just behind a public transport bus. The bus which was riding comparatively faster, suddenly applied brakes just to avoid a pothole which was filled with rain water and dad could not control his vehicle and bumped into the bus. The injuries were so gruesome that he could not survive. Whom can we blame? Who will take the responsibility? From that day rain always has a very cruel image in my mind. It’s been 18 years now and I am still unable to come out of it. Unlike other girls, I don’t fascinate playing in rain.

Stranger: I am really sorry for you Aadhya....That’s a big tragedy.

Me: That’s okay.

Stranger: Shall I tell you something? Nature is always a reason for our existence. Can nature take life away from us? Maybe they are situations. You have seen a very bad rainy evening in your life which has always made you associate rain with something negative. If you look back, I feel it has got nothing to do with rain. It was a very bad situation and maybe it was Destiny and Karma. Rain is always a symbol of Hope, Love, Happiness, Energy and lots of Positivity. Maybe one day you will start liking it again just like before and that day you will remember me...

I stood there silent for a minute. I could not say anything. He sounded perfect and it actually made sense. It is my way of looking at it which needs to be changed. But most of the times heart cannot accept the bitter truth and change. Heart finds solace in sweet lies and its age old ideologies. How can this man be so positive? How can he always come up with a different way of looking at the same thing? I was very happy I met this guy. With every passing moment, I was feeling closer to him. Is this a crush? Or am I falling in love with this guy? I was still searching for an answer. But what was clear in my mind was that I wanted to spend more time with this guy & I did not want this Magical experience to end... With every passing moment, I was falling in love with that evening.

Me: I don’t know. I cannot accept it just like that. Maybe I need time as you said. But thank you. You made me feel very good.

Stranger: You are most welcome, lady.

           

He went to the nearby shop to get us tea. It was still raining but the intensity had reduced. I wanted it to not stop as only then I could listen to him speak. My heart wanted me to take the next step and ask him out, know him better, listen to his wonderful words and test if this journey was my turning point of life. I was just wondering if things work out and we click a ‘happily ever after’ photo and someone asks us, “How did you guys meet?” and I could tell them about this evening. That would become a wonderful story. I could not control the involuntary smile on my face. I stood there smiling till he got us tea.

Me: By the way are you free this weekend? Before you leave to Hyderabad, I thought we could catch up.

Stranger: Ah!! Sorry Aadhya. I am afraid I am not. I have a lot of things to do before I leave. I just have a week’s time. Once I get there, I will not have sufficient time to get things done after office.

Me: Week? Is there any function at home?

Stranger: Oh I am sorry I dint tell you. It’s my Engagement next Saturday in Hyderabad. I have a lot of shopping pending. Moreover I will have to shift this Sunday.

It was a moment of silence. That moment was just like a similar scene in a movie. I always used to predict such scenes before hand while watching a movie. But I couldn’t predict this before when it happened to me. It was like a shock to me. This came from nowhere and I was equally unprepared. My expressions changed and I assume he did not notice it in the dark. In my imagination of getting closer to this magical person, I had completely ignored these thoughts. He was looking at me and I had to act like I was extremely happy for him and break the silence.

Me: Oh wow!! That’s great. Happy to hear that... (Fakes a smile and congratulates him)

Stranger: Thank you so much Aadhya. That is one reason I am shifting there because my parents and her family lives there. So I thought its better I shift there. I will definitely miss Bangalore and everything about this place. It is my last day here and I am happy that I met you and listened to your story. I hope it is a beginning of a wonderful friendship.

Me: Life makes you meet some wonderful people at the most unexpected situations. I am glad I met you Mr. (Smiles)

Stranger: Hey by the way you haven’t even asked my name. Haha. That is so strange. You have been talking to me for over 2 hours now without even knowing my name. (Laughs loudly)

Me: Hmmm... It really didn’t strike me till now that I don’t know your name. Maybe I dint find the need to do so... Knowing your name could turn out to be even more dangerous....

Stranger: Excuse Me?

Me: No, I just said I don’t find a need to know your name. I have already named you as a ‘Magician.’ Not often do we meet someone who can change your life and your thoughts in just some time. Maybe it was destined that you should come into my life this evening with your Wizard and cast your spell just like a Magician.

Magician: Oh!! Thank you so much. If you by any chance want to know my name, this is my Engagement Card. My name is surely inside & you must please attend my engagement. I would love to see you there.

Me: Ah!! (Lies) I am sorry but I have a very important meeting that day in my office. I would have missed it if it was not critical. But this meeting is very critical. Please don’t mind...

Magician: (Shrugs his shoulder) Okay I understand Aadhya. You may have missed my engagement but there is no excuse for my marriage. You will have to attend it. The rain has stopped. I think we should leave now. My number is in the card. You can leave me a message after going home.

Me: Sure I will do that.

Magician: Okay it was nice meeting you Aadhya. See you on my wedding. Keep in touch. (Smiles and shakes hand)

Me: Same here. I can’t thank you enough for this evening. Wherever you are, you will surely be remembered Mr.Magician. Thank you again.

It was 9.30 when we left that place and the Magical evening was just about to end. I started my vehicle and turned back to see him for one last time but he had already left. It perfectly synced with the situation. I left that place with so many mixed emotions. I was sad and happy at the same time. More than anything, I knew that there was something about this journey that I will take away for Life. I knew that there was something about this journey that I will remember every day from now. I was sad, I was happy and more importantly I was transformed. Riding back home, I could feel tear drops kiss my cheeks. I was still wondering what is it for? I was wondering what was the name for the feelings I developed for this man in those three hours? Was it crush? Was it love? I still had no idea. Maybe some feelings are like that. Treating it as a crush may dilute it and treating it as love may unnecessarily strengthen it.  It is better to leave it unnamed....

Present Day:

I still work for the same company. I still commute in the same way as before. I still spend 5 hours of my day in commuting to my office and back. But I don’t hate it anymore... I have stopped complaining about the city traffic. I go mute when I hear someone complaining about it. I see so many people on my way and think about their story. I feel joy seeing the green signal and joy again to stop at red signal. It reminds me of Life. Life does not give you everything you want in one go. It makes you wait till the time you deserve to get what you want. Life seems more beautiful now. I go home happier even on weekdays and weekends are still the same. Everyday I remember him and those magical three hours of my life. Neither I saw his name in the card nor did I call him back. I wanted to keep it simple. If I think about it now, I feel he was just an Angel and not my Mr.Right. Maybe he came into my Life as a Magician to cast his spell and make it more beautiful. By the way, I drenched in rain last night and I can say I don’t hate it anymore....

Sometimes Life makes us meet some awesome people in the most unexpected situations. But just when we are about to know them better, understand them, start liking them it takes them away leaving us back to Ground Zero. Not everyone comes into our life to stay for a lifetime. Some people just do a Cameo role in our life to teach us something we had never come across and we would remember for the rest of your lives. We would think about them sometimes over our morning walk, on a gloomy day in a coffee shop or on a rainy evening. They may be our friend, a secret crush, love of our life or a nameless relationship like this. No matter what, they remain special to us. Because, when they left, they had left something beautiful for us. Their loss doesn’t make our Life miserable because when we look back, we realize with such small moments shared with them, Life has changed leaps and bounds. When someone asks you about it, you say “And that’s how it started...”

                                                                                        -  Written by Naveen.S.N