Thursday 14 October 2010

A Ray of Hope...

Once again, it's that time of the year when everything is grey and cold... dead. When I look out of my window all I see is the fast fading image of lush green trees. I wish I lived in one of those countries where sun shines all-through the year, where birds chirp with joy every morning. Instead here I am in this dead world.

Everyone says that I need to go out but the world seems like a cold, dreary place. At least, I'm warm inside. If this cold doesn't kill me, the sadness will definitely finish the job. But I can't help it. It's not as if I don't have any friends but I don't feel like talking with anyone.

Just a minute, someone is knocking at my door.

"Hi Meena."

"How are you?"

"I'm fine, di. And you?"

"Excellent. It's been a long time since you called."

"Ummm... yeah. I've been a bit busy."

"Ah... OK. You look sick."

"Thanks. Just the thing to make me feel better!"

"Hey, don't look at me as if I was a monster! You do look sick. You need to go out more often. Have fun. Life is too short to be spent in this dark closet. By the way when was the last time you looked around you? Even I'd fall sick if I lived here."

"As if that was possible," I muttered under my breath, hating her for her cheerful chatter. Did she have any idea as to what silence meant? How could she be so cheerful all the time? Even in this dark, gloomy weather.

"Meena... Meena, are you listening?"

"Yes, di." I said just like an obedient little child that she expected me to be.

"Here. Take it. It's a gift for you."

"For me? It's not my birthday."

"I know. But I felt like giving you a gift."

"Thanks di." I said unwillingly taking that box wrapped in colourful gift wrap. She always managed to come with something and of course, I didn't have much say in what it was. She was a sort of weird Santa who never had a look at the list of things one had prepared but who brought gifts that he thought one needed. I know I'm being mean. But it was so irritating... I rarely, if ever, liked her gifts.

"Now, will you please open it?"

She seemed more eager than I was.

"She was such a child! At her age..." I thought opening the gift-wrap. I didn't feel half as excited as she was. I'm sure she would have torn the gift-wrap, while chattering and shrieking at the same time. And there it lay...

I looked at the little mobile phone that peeped out of the box. I stood still – thunder-struck. What a rude way to remind me to call! I didn't know what to say. Felt like throwing it back at her. But it looked so sweet and innocent... just like that proverbial apple.

I forced a smile. "Thanks di. It's beautiful."

"No need to be so delirious," she winked, "Here, I bought the same for myself. Just have a look. You can do everything you want. Talk with me, for example," she continued laughing, "take pictures, surf the web, chat, tweet, everything you want."

"I want tea."

"She bowed her head down. And I heard my new phone ring. Surprised, I picked it up. And couldn't help smiling... She knew exactly what it took to force that smile out of me. It'd just taken her a few seconds to send me a chat message with the image of a steaming cup followed by the words "T 4 U".

"Thanks di. Would you like some too?" I asked going towards the kitchen.

"Of course, have I ever refused a cup of tea? And please get me something to eat, something spicy. I'm famished."

By the time I returned with tea and some 'namkeen', my new phone was furiously emitting small rings. And di was smiling naughtily. I looked at the small instrument and...

"Di, how does everyone know the number?"

"Oh nothing, I gave your number to everyone and created chat and twitter ids for you and of course, I had to tell everyone, otherwise, what's the use of having all this?"

"Of course." Somehow I no longer felt so lonely and sad. It was still that time of the year but colours were back in my life.

I replied to all my friends. And soon, I got lots of pictures and music on my mobile. Di had taken liberty with my life. And once again, she'd succeeded.

I hate her for it but I love her a lot too because she always knows how to make me feel good. She expresses her love in so many different ways and is so alive just like this little wonder of a phone that she gifted. I keep it with me all the time and always in touch with those who love me. I love taking photographs and am ever-ready. I no longer lose any opportunity to capture life and am as alive as my loving Di...

5 comments:

  1. Di is short-form for Didi (elder sister).

    ReplyDelete
  2. That was really an interesting post Ritu. Love the way you write, it has a smooth flow in it. Enjoyed reading your post. Promoted it too :)

    Btw, hope you enjoy reading my post and promote it too IF you like it - When love calls

    Take care and keep such posts coming :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks, I'm glad that you liked it. I'll definitely read ur post :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. hi this is romee arora
    That was interesting and flowless post MAM. Like the way you write, last para was very innovating.

    ReplyDelete