Payal woke up early in the morning. It was 4 and there was still darkness in the sky. The rain drops were kissing the parched Earth. Payal loved to hold those drops or get wet with little droplets falling on her through her window. But she was in hurry.
She knew Papa will be leaving by 5 and she quickly took bath and got ready. When Papa went for business tour to far away places, Mummy dropped him to the Airport and this time Payal decided, she too will go with them.
She wore a light green sleeveless top and her jeans; combed quickly and walked down to the living. She thought mom and dad will be there in the kitchen but Papa was all alone sipping his green tea and munching his soaked almonds. She sat in front of him and wished him Good morning...
Where is her mother? and her eyes were searching her, no matter she was very angry with her mother.
She finally asked, Where was she?
I was an odd man out.... Papa answered with a smile but it was not coming from his heart. Payu knew as usual with grandma around, Mom must have slept in their room and Papa must have been left alone.
I will drop you to the airport Papa... I look like a big girl, Payu smiled...
What if you are caught without license, my princess ?
I will go by the A/C bus, Papa added...
She knew there was no meaning in arguments as Papa won't listen to her.
I can at least drop you to the bus stand.... Please Please Please.... She said in babyish way.
Sunil made a funny face and he walked to their Pooja room. Payal too rushed behind him and she saw Papa lit a lamp and quickly prayed something. He then lit a lamp near his Mom's photograph and Payu saw there were tears in his eyes.
She too felt like crying and unknowingly a fear was gripping in her mind. What if she will loose her parents and destined to be an orphan? What if she dies an untimely death? What if she is kidnapped and can never see her parents ever?
She hugged her Papa tight. She wanted to cry. But she can't be sending her Papa with a crying face.
I love you Papa.... She said...
Love you too, Papa added and kissed her forehead.
Don't fight with Mamma, all the best for your results and be a good girl for a week. I will be back and time will fly like a butterfly. Papa will get your iPhone. Payu was not ready to separate herself.
I am not going forever, my princess.... Will get chocolate for you, please release me, Papa whispered.
Payal held his hands and he took his suitcase. Rajath was on his way to Juhu and he honked his car seeing Payu and Sunil, walking towards the bus stand. He offered them a lift. Sunil remembered the song with the pleasant rainy day. He wanted to spent some time with Pinky at the beach. He was also feeling bad that she did not wake up to bid him bye.
To take out the sad feeling, he sang:
In the morning
In the morning
In the morning by the sea...
Rajath and Payu enjoyed Sunil's song and all three were enjoying the rain, drive, Antakshari, songs and excitement around.
I am going to see the Sea Gull and play badminton on the beach... Rajath added. My bestie Nishant is coming to give me company. You can take a bus to home Payu from the airport road or train to home, Rajath said bluntly.
Sunil did not like it. Rajath was talking as if he was showing mercy to them. Sunil said that he remembered something and asked Payu to get off from the car. He was diplomatic in handling things, though he did not like over smart people.
Payu did not understand what Papa had in his mind?
He held her hands and took her to a small eatery near by.
Kasim bhai... Garam Maggie Milenge, he asked with a smile.
Kasim was an old 70 year old man. Sunil and Pinky often visited his store to eat hot noodles just boiled with the masala, since their college days.
If they are out to shop, in present days both of them will sit at this eatery and relive their college days...
Beta bahot Dino badh aye Ho, Kasim bhai said blinking his dim eyes.
Hah! Yeah meri betiya hein... Airport jaa raha thaa, toh ishe bhi le ayagaya...
Zaldi se dejiye, please Sunil requested..
Bas do minute.... Aaj bhi bhilkul Sunil Beta waise hein Ho, jaise beesh saal pehle thee...
By the time the Maggie was ready, Sunil took Payu towards a huge banyan tree. He was searching something and he found it.
Sunil love Pinky was carved into a heart shape with two arrows on the tree... Sunil touched the letters on the slimy tree and told Payu :
These are memories
Life ends
But they remain
Colour of life fades
First love is magical.
I never thought I will ever fall in love. I was a studious student and loved to make friends. I was the most handsome guy and was called as "Kumar Gurav, " a romantic actor of my time.
I saw your mama who was like Madhuri Dixit. Her hair was like the spring flowing down from the mountains. Her eyes were brown like Almonds, lips were rosy like a strawberry and skin as fair as pure milk. I saw her in a Pink frock, rushing towards the class. I too was on my way and our shoulders brushed.
She looked into my eyes and was angry as she felt, I deliberately hit over her. But somewhere she was attracted towards me and smiled. We both entered the classroom and the teacher was giving the lecture on Salt Satyagraha and I decided:
I will win your Mummy's heart or I will go for Love Satyagraha or Dandi March....
Your Mamma and I exchanged smile and I asked her for a date...
Sunil did not say that he stole her mother's letter and put his photograph as prospective groom and hid Vicky's photo.
I and your Mummy went for bike rides and we spent time in old factory. Your Mummy was modern and I was a simpleton.
Ghosh! Sometimes, I don't know what we left behind was a dream or truth.... This shop is the pillar of our love story and this tree a history.
It was believed that whoever writes name of his or her love on this tree, their wish is fulfilled. Payu blushed and decided to write, her and Rajath's name.
I am getting late and Sunil took the bowl of Maggie and both father and daughter relished it.
Papa, please tell me more about your love story, Payu exclaimed, excitedly.
I will tell you chori Chupke , once I am back, he winked. Payu got busy eating.
Sunil was lost in thoughts of how they ate long threads of noodles from mouth to mouth. They licked eachother's lips and indulged into a Maggie kiss, under this tree.
Pinky called Sunil and fired...
You just don't love me, how can you go without waking me up?
Sorry, Jaan... Your door was locked and so did not disturb you... Sunil tried to calm his wife ...
I wanna hug you and kiss you now... Where are you? She sounded like a baby.
I am at Kasim bhai shop with a new baby, Sunil tried to pull her legs....
I will shoot you both, Pinky chided...
Sunil busted into laughter and said:
It is me and our daughter....
You and your daughter is too much.... She said angrily...
Haha and my Jaan forgets that she has a husband when her parents are around...
Love you Sunil, I miss you... She blew a kiss over the phone and said : Happy journey, call me when you land.... Mummy is calling.... Bye...
Sunil frowned and took a taxi to the airport.
To be continued...
Maggie Pic by Marilyn Evans
Cover photo : Google
You tube link of a picnic love song, just for you....
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