Jennifer's Birthday

Growing up in the land of Cinderella and Wee Willie Winkie had a scintillating effect on Jennifer. She grew up imagining these characters in real. It took a good number of years into teenage to actually believe them fictional. However, her birthday was no less than a fairy tale

 The scene is a dark room where two people have hit the bed to embrace the night. Jennifer is half asleep. Her husband, Timothy fakes being asleep. Timothy has had a hard day at office. His gruelling work atmosphere made him age faster. There is a slight beep on Timothy’s phone.

Jenny : Tim, please : at least now, please.

Tim : It’s 12. Jenny, Happy Birthday my love.

( He plants a kiss on her forehead)

Jenny : Tim, you remember my birthday Tim, you remember. I thought you were so busy…..

Tim ( He has arisen from the bed now) – He walks to his cupboard – opens them softly – not to disturb his parents, fast asleep in the adjoining room. He takes out a small box, walks towards Jenny and kneels down. Out of nowhere he pulls out a bouquet of red roses.

Tim : Jenny, my love, thanks for marrying me. The days we have walked together are the best days of my life. You are my best compatriot , the nucleus of my life. You complete me. Had it not been for you, I would have waned away long back.

Tim hands over the bouquet and the small packet to Jenny

Jenny can’t see anything – all seem marred. She realises she has an opulence of tears. She just hugs him tightly.

Jenny : I just can’t believe this  Tim. I thought like last year you had forgotten.

Tim: No I promise, this birthday will be engraved in gold. I can’t promise the future, but I will make this birthday memorable

Jenny weeps inconsolably and slowly opens the wrapped gift. She screams in ecstasy as it as a watch, a model she had been pining for. She kisses it, smells the flowers and screams

“Heavens, thank you for this day”

Timothy's parents sneak into their room. They hug their daughter in law. She has been a daughter to them. She has been obedient and has had fulfilled all their wishes. They loved her and she reciprocated verbatim.

After a brief exchange of hugs and kisses, they retire to their beds. The clock had struck one and they had to be back to their gruelling lifestyle in the morning.

Jenny hugs Tim and slips soon into wonderland. Her favourite place on earth- the warm circle of Tim’s hands.

The day has passed with Jennifer’s colleagues celebrating her birthday in a grand manner. She felt obliged, humbled by all the love that has been showered upon her. She only thanks God for all this bounty. A tiring day indeed.

Jennifer winds up fast and drives home, with a song on her lips. She knows she is a die-hard romantic. She loves fairy tales. Some days resonated her thoughts. This day was just one of them. She opens the door to her home. The sight she sees leaves her enthralled

The path to her room has been strewn with roses. She is reminded of Lord Byron’s “ She walks in beauty”.  Her room smells of jasmine – her favourite smell. A beautiful dress lies on the bed. Her favourite perfume and watch accompany it. There is a small note attached – “ Get ready, see you for dinner”. Jennifer wishes this day does not end. She quickly has a shower with her favourite aromas, slips into that dress and looks at the clock. The door bell rings.

She rushes thinking it’s Tim. But she sees the chauffeur. He stands with a bouquet and a card. The card reads- “ Jump into the car, awaiting to take you in my arms- Tim”

The car stops at the most palatial restaurant in town. This place brews with the who is who of Tinsel town, Page 3 celebrities. Timothy opens the door for her, leads her to a secluded area in the lawn.  She sees the most beautiful sight there.  A table , decorated with their images, a  champagne bottle and a myriad of flowers. As she walks, the birthday song is played. They hug each other, they dance, they cut the cake and have the champagne. They have the best dishes that the chef could serve. They sing for each other and profess their undying love for each other.

Timothy lifts Jennifer their way back to the car. She has closed her eyes- she wishes this day does not come to end. Her life , her allegiance for Timothy was eternal

 

Main thi, Main hoon, Main rahungi !!!

The gift of time – isn’t it the best that you can give your loved one?

I firmly believe with the advent of technology, we have become so connected yet so disconnected. I happened to visit this one house, inhabited by one of my so called good friend. What you will read is my account of a few hours that I spent there.

My Friend (MF) – Hey long time girlie, how have you been?

Me                        - Doing good buddy, work keeps me busy and above all happy.

MF - Work keeps you happy? I am sure very few would say so

Me – Yes, I am happy when I am working. Planning to get involved in some social causes too. That’s about me. Procrastination has become my habit. So until I embark on such an activity, it would be too early to speak on that

MF – Good, if I am not mistaken, its teaching – which runs in your veins and what you love doing

Me – So what’s up with you?

MF – Good. Work is hectic. No “self-time” at all. That reminds me do you remember my cousin, Sheena, who settled in the US? She is finally a Green Card holder. Doesn’t it sound good?

Me – Wow, nice. How are your parents?

MF – They should fine! Long time since I visited them

Me – How can you be so lackadaisical?

MF – Huh, another of your lectures – what did I do to be lackkkkaaaaa???????

Me – You are unaware about your parents!!! Don’t they yearn for your time? You know of your cousin, who is related to you in a distant manner, her latest movements but you are oblivious to your parents’? Sounds whimsical to me.

MF – Lady, you sound so much like my wife.

Me – True, ladies are made that way. They can see through the emotions.

MF – My wife says I don’t spend time with her. She is a housewife. So how will she know the tribulations of work place? You must make her understand.

MF’s Wife – Hey, let me continue that conversation. Yes, I am blessed with such a caring husband. He ensures my happiness always. Gets me costly gifts, takes me out to expensive restaurants, things which are etched in my heart forever. But, he fails to understand that the most precious gift that he could give me is his time. He ensures my well-being always, we stay in touch through the day, thanks to what’s App and it’s like. When he walks in after a gruelling day, why can’t he can just sit beside me, feel my warmth talk to me about his vicissitudes? I may not be able to give a comprehensive solution but they say when you share your burden reduces….. What happens here? He walks in- to watch what’s going around in the world. Sometimes I wish I was that sports or news channel which he watches so lovingly. I am scared, my solitude will eat me some day

Me – That does not sound good. This problem did not exist with the yester year’s generation. They gave each other space and time. They lived happier too. Cases of marital discord were less. My dear friend, all a lady requires from her husband is his time. It is not encroaching into your personal space. A good lad will always manage to strike good balance.

MF – Sports, NEWS, and Mobile – is that how you define me?

MF’s Wife – Precisely. It will be a prayer initially, then a complaint and later when there is no heed paid, I too will move on. My hobbies, my interests , my life.

Me_ This is some debate which happens in every household. We know about our friends in the other part of the world but we are unaware about our kin whom we see every day. We dedicate more than half a day at work but are unable to give half an hour to our loved ones . There will be a dead end someday. Technology increases life span – but what about the quality of our lives?

I am sipping a cup of tea when I see my friend’s wife’s eyes have swelled with tears. She has been a strong lady and we all know what the effects of being strong for too long are. She was brittle inside. I have known her much before she got hitched to my friend. Her only solace was her brother who passed into immortality a few years ago. Her parents were aged and she had no body to whom she could speak her heart. I have often felt my friend takes advantage of this. She was brought up as a princess but has lived her life as a warrior. 

( In my thoughts – my dear girl- friend- here’s to many more years of battle. You have to stay strong- you being the epicentre of the house. Do not expect your better half to understand even an iota of your feelings)

I wave a bye to her. I do not want to meet the eyes of her husband. I wasn’t angry but perplexed. I hear the bells at a temple nearby – I pass a silent prayer and start my car. As I drive, the image of her becomes smaller and smaller till it vanishes. Stay blessed my friend !!