Arise, awake and stop not till the goal is reached

GOLDEN TREASURE

It was raining the whole day, only in the evening, the rain stopped. With much difficulty things were arranged, a car going for the wedding of my brother, flowers, dress, and headgear for the bridegroom. I, as his companion, could manage some space to squeeze into the car. Our home was inside a small lane. So, the car had to be steered to reach as nearer to our home as possible. In the process, one of the wheels got stuck into the mud, and we had a hard time rescuing it.

I am talking of the year 1974 when the car was a precious commodity. In our locality, only one family had a car. My brother was an officer in the Army. My mother had longed to see her daughter-in-law before her death. So, when my brother came home on a two-month leave, we hurriedly arranged a match. I, too, had accompanied my brother to see our would-be sister-in-law. She was not at all good-looking, but tall and slim. Somehow, she was not to my liking. Anyway, it was not my marriage. I wondered how she could be a match for my brother, who was tall and handsome. I was certain that my brother would reject this match without a second thought. Perhaps life is stranger than fiction. My brother gave the green signal for the marriage. It remains a mystery for me what made him decide in its favour.

I was in my first year of B.Com and followed the fashion of the day. I was in the car with my brother. We were followed by a bigger party. On arrival, we were welcomed by the in-law's family, and we were given refreshments. The marriage was to start around 11 p.m. The preparation was afoot for that, and I was introduced to some of the invitees who came there to attend the marriage. My attention was drawn to a 13-year-old girl who also came as an invitee with her family. She was wearing a silk Saree of peacock feather color and had big attractive eyes. I looked at her, but could not take my gaze away from her. My heart gave a wonderful feeling, I wondered, perhaps this could be called, "love at first sight". Finally, we spoke to each other. Instantly, we liked each other so much as if we were known forever. I was 21 at that time, and she was only 13. Even after 48 years that day remains vivid in my memory. The marriage ceremony of my brother went on until 4 in the small hours, and we were busy playing carom, talking, singing and looking at each other endlessly. Now and then I was called inside for some ceremony to be performed as a part of my brother's marriage.

The next day about 11 in the morning she invited me and the youngest brother of my sister-in-law to their house. We walked the distance. We felt so close and so much in love with that other person with us as if were non-existent. I do not remember today what we talked about, but one thing I still remember is the feeling of the warmth and the fragrance of her sweetness. They had a joint family and were in the dental treatment business. The house was quite a big one. The first floor was used by them and the first floor was given to a tenant. There was a mango grove in front of the house. These natural surroundings gave the house a wonderful ambiance. It was nice to see that all his family members did accept me with a smiling face. I took it as a good omen to the beginning of a never-ending love story.

Our first rendezvous was planned in a temple, near her house and on my way to the college. It was drizzling that afternoon. I thought she may skip this program, but I was wrong. She was present with her sister. Every time she looked at me, it would churn my heart and I would forget the world around me, except herself. Her innocent look was for me a great joy and that would linger in my memory till we met next. One great thing that happened because of my brother's marriage was for us, a new chapter in our life opened all of a sudden. We wondered how we could stay away from each other in the coming days.

With the help of my sister-in-law, I arranged a birthday celebration in a restaurant. Prior to this, I had never been to any restaurant as my home food kept me satisfied. That evening there were many invitees, but a look from her was enough for me to sustain even for the next fortnight. At least every 15 days we would meet either at her house or in a park. This way we came very close and our love took a seemingly concrete form.

As a token of her love, she weaved a small flower on a handkerchief and presented it to me on a moonlit night. Thus, our love was sealed, but who knew at that time that we were destined to part two years hence once and for all.

The next major incident I remember was going out together hand-in-hand to visit Saraswati Puja Pandals in schools and colleges. Time was flying. We, too, felt life was so beautiful, and we would never fight but love, love and, love. I took her to our college puja pandal and gave her Puja Prasad. Reluctantly, we had to part company for the time being, but not before promising to meet very soon somewhere.

In the meantime, my part I examination was in the offing. I had to prepare hard and being honors' student of Accountancy, the going was tough without any tuition. Moreover, I was selected by the local Congress party to be one of the representatives from the Commerce section. I won the election with a majority vote for two years consecutively. After this win, the party wanted me to stand for the College President post. I had to decline it politely as I had much studies to catch up with. I was managing by borrowing books from the library or friends. But the part II examination needed much more serious studies, and I had to buy a few books to acquaint myself with.

Amidst my studies, I could take out some time at least once a week to meet her. For me, she was an inspiration to forge ahead in life, a beauty to look at, an innocent face hardly to come by. One day, I had gone to their house and only the three sisters and their grandmother were there. The rest of the family members had gone out to attend a program. She played a few Hindi songs from the "Abhiman' picture on their music system. I was sitting on the balcony on a chair. Everything was quiet. She came silently and stood close by. I called her and she came. I held her closely to my bosom, and she remained there silently. Every second of that time remained in my life as a golden treasure.

After that event, my life moved very fast. I had to go away to Nashik after my graduation, where my brother was working. This going to a new place put my life into a new track and I lost all contact with her. Although I remembered her every day and was deeply in love with her, I didn't intend to disturb her, thinking that it was not possible for me to materialize this into marriage. I want her to be happy wherever she is. But I am sure we are going to meet someday, sometime, somewhere. Thus,waiting for that time to come.