Welcome Aboard

Nandini looked gorgeous in her elegant intricately crafted, beaded red lehenga. The pink on her cheeks, the smile in her eyes, and the music in the air moussed an excellent synchrony.

Vivaan, in a white golden crafted zardosi sherwani was standing right beside her, holding her by his arms. You could easily see the love, the pride of having her in his life, the honesty in his eyes.

They were gleefully accepting gifts, flowers, envelopes and wishes. It was picture perfect.

Pritha, Vivaan's mom could not keep her eyes off her beautiful daughter-in-law. She had always wanted a daughter, but as destiny would have it, she had two sons. She now knew that God eventually wanted to gift her with Nandini.

She was exuberant right from the day Vivaan had expressed his wish at marrying Nandini. He had known Nandini for a couple of years now and it always felt like she was family. Nandini never ceased to surprise them with birthday parties, honey-moon vacations planned for Pritha and her husband and very thoughtful memoirs form all places she traveled to on work. She was right next to Pritha when Vivaan's dad went through a major heart arrest. It was Nandini, who could make his father smile even in times of sheer pain. Pritha and Aurobindo were really fond of her. Nandini was the best daughter-in-law they could’ve dreamt of.

Neil was right next to the entrance standing with his friends. From where he stood, he could steal a few glances at her, and it seemed like she granted him those fleeting thefts. Many-a-thoughts played foul in his head. All through the evening, he kept wondering whether she expected him to move closer to her, hold her hand, kiss her softly on her cheeks and proclaim her to be his. However, he decided it was best to stay put. He wore a blue kurta today. Of course, it had to be blue... “My favourite’s blue, just like you, Neil”

It was almost past 8. Guests were queuing up for dinner, when Mala made an entry with a grand bouquet. She was Pritha’s childhood friend. She congratulated Pritha and apologized for not having made it to the wedding. Pritha had always told Mala about her son’s girl friend and how fond she was of her. Pritha escorted her to the dais to introduce her to Nandini, her precious gem.

“Mala, here’s my darling son and his prettier darling, Nandini”
One glance at her, and Mala immediately recognized her.

Her mind wandered back to the past.
She could hear her son's pleas loud and clear...

“Mom, she’s the best I have in my life. Please don’t do this to us. Mom, Please… clear your prejudices. At least meet her. All you know about her is - her name and her pic on my screen saver. .”

“No, it’s not happening, not over my dead body…”

It had been 7 years since that happened. Her son had tried his best to convince her, but to no avail. He went weak on her tears, broke off with Nandini and never fought back. All through his silence, he had moved far away from everyone in his life.

Nandini and Vivaan touched Mala’s feet for blessings. Meanwhile, Pritha went downstage to check on something. Mala wanted to cross-check if she was the same Nandini her son loved. “Umm… err… you are Nandini... what?”

Vivaan said with a smirk, “Maashi, she now is Nandini Banerjee.” There was a twinkle in Nandini’s eyes when she said – “It’s Nandini Roy Banerjee, Maashima”

Neil was still with his friends, totally disinterested in the banter. Mala went to Neil and held his hand. She wanted to say a zillion things, but her voice cracked, and she could just manage a squeaky, “I am sorry, son. I should have met her and taken some efforts to understand your relationship. Pritha says Nandini’s better than perfect. Will you never forgive your mom?”

Neil didn't say much. He looked at his Nandini, no longer his to proclaim. She was happy in her new found bliss. At least, of the two women he loved most in life, one was happy today. A silent tear rolled off from the corner of his eyes.

All evening, he had contemplated whether to go up the dais and wish the couple, but he couldn't gather himself to do the same. Silent stares and heartfelt wishes is all he could spare. He was the last one to leave the reception venue.

After the couple left, he went up to the dais and picked up a few petals that had fallen from Nandini’s hair-do and stuffed them in his kurta pocket.

He had a gift wrapped box with him which he placed next to the pile of gifts. It contained a replica of his very first gift to her, a wall clock which read “Welcome Aboard”.

- Ships

The Joy Ride - Chasing Marichika

“Are you ready?”

“Yes, will be down in a jiffy”

Honk…

“Stop honking, you idiot!”

“Yes, Princess of Persia, hop in quick”

“Ahaan, why are you always in such a hurry? Relax. Life’s not departing for anywhere any soon.”

Scowl…

“Ho ho ho, lady! Life’s like a fistful of sand, here now, gone tomorrow.”

“Mr. Pessimist, god knows when you will learn to be satisfied with your picture perfect life. You have the most sought after job, a handsome salary, a nice house in the most glittering city, the latest car, a lovely wife, and of course an earthly princess like me for company. Yet you crib! Sigh…”

“Picture-perfect life… Indeed! I earn millions per year, slog most of the 24 hours of the day, get my new car bumped into, am like a visitor in my own house… that day too isn’t far when my wife will refuse to acknowledge my presence in her life.”

“Ahem… King of cribs, don't turn red just like this bloody signal!”

“Well Suhana, do you see that stout suited fellow in the chauffeured BMW all by himself reading some crappy business magazine?”

“Of course… filthy rich bugger”


“And do you notice that guy walking on the pavement hand-in-hand with his uniformed little daughter munching candy-floss? Who do you think is happier?”

“Err… it depends.”

“Yes, Ms. True-blue consultant. I know, the answer is very subjective. I totally acquiesce that the candy-floss dad isn’t the happiest fellow on earth and definitely has his own set of soups in life; however it looks like he does enjoy whatever little he has. On the contrary, look at people like us, who are constantly on the grind to reach to where the BMW guy is today. In short we are vehemently pursuing loneliness. We see the luxuries, and tend to ignore the solitude and the vacuum in his oh-so-brilliant life. We sacrifice so much of our lives in pursuit of things we enjoy so little.”

“Indeed Ahaan, I don't even remember the last time I had candy-floss with dad. Or the last time I spoke at length with my loved ones… We have been so crazily busy pursuing what – loneliness??? When was it last I enjoyed the raindrops splattering on my face, lest it should spoil my crisp formal shirt. As soon as I leave office, it’s already dark when I leave for home. God! I don't remember when was last, I saw the sun setting into the crimson sky…. I hate this mirage-chasing life really.”

“Hey Princess, the idea is not to repent the life we are living. I think, we still have a lot left to see, and let’s make it better. Let’s work towards the things we want in life. Let’s follow our dreams… Never forfeit your right to a happy-go-lucky life…. Never… Back to den… Office is already here! Alta-la-vista princess! Live another day of the endless harrowing chase”

Wink.

Wink.

“By the way, Ahaan… Wrap up by 6. Let’s catch a glimpse of the crimson sky, the chirping birds at the beach.”

Grin.

And life moves on…

- Ships

Note: 'Marichika' is a Hindi word for 'mirage'