Chapter 2

Twinkling Stars and Fireflies

Kalyani couldn’t stop smiling as she read the beautiful composition written to her by Vishambar in neat handwriting .... 

The daylight dims and paves the way

 For the moon to cast fifty shades of silvery grey,         

She smiles at the earthlings with moonlight 

Supreme as the empress of the night, 

Peeping from behind the clouds at midnight 

The moonbeams cast their shimmering light, 

Riding with the stars, serene n proud,

Casting her silvery splendour all around 

Let’s enjoy the moonlight & have lots of fun 

After common daily life  chores are done 

Come attired in white, light and feathery 

Your smile  be so bright, to pale your jewelry 

Wear a mysterious glint in your eye

Bid the dull mood a goodbye, let your spirits glorify .. 

Hoping to escort you morrow at seven, 

For a walk to the lakeside heaven...... 

<<<< .rewind few days back. <<<<<<

Mishti’s sensed her daddu was waiting for an excuse to communicate with Kalyani aunty.. so Mishti refuses to let go of this opportunity to get the two shy elderly people to meet up again. She goes to Daddu’s room n pulls out an old diary from the bottom of his bookshelf .

Daddu notices the spring in Mishti’s gait and in an instant knows his granddaughter was up to something.

Vishambar n Mishti spends the next hour reading the compositions penned by Daddu ages back. He had stopped composing since Rajshri’s demise. Mishti encourages him to pen down his thoughts once again. She takes Daddu by his hand they stroll to the lakeside n sit on the iron bench. 

As they admire the half-moon rising out of the lake waters.. Mishti is excited beyond words as she senses her Daddu’s smile as poetic thoughts come floating into his mind .. .. he returns home and writes it down on a pretty note pad intending to invite Kalyani, to share a few beautiful moments by the lake. 

.... 

>>>>>>>fast forwards to present>>>>>

Vishambar notices Kalyani had no qualms about sitting on a makeshift wooden bench, sharing cutting chai at a roadside tea stall ... dressed spotlessly clean delicately hand-embroidered Lucknowi Salwar kameez in a shade of pale lime green ... when a man n woman was in love, any damn place seemed like a paradise, he muses .... Preferential treatments by the chai waala made them feel spl .

 Once in a while, right in the middle of an ordinary life, Vishambar realizes life gives him a fairy tale like this. He is with Kalyani, sharing the moment, sharing silences, sharing togetherness, never flouting decency.

The object of their mutual adoration is the rising moon over the waters .. shimmering over the rippling lake .... like molten silver ...

Both agree ... How much ever humans strive to bring beauty into this world, it will never match the beauty and splendor of the natural world .Kalyani laughs as she recollects visiting here  numerous times in the past, but inevitably ended up being  lost in thoughts of her next day's classes/ lectures, reminding  her late husband about the Bill payments, parent-teacher meetings, etc

Vishambar remembers the outings he had with his late wife Rajshri were always bogged down with discussions regarding the kid’s futures, their career choices, his next day arguments at the court, etc. They had missed out so much, they missed pausing their lives to drink in the beauty of nature. They feel thankful life was giving them a second chance at the sunset years of their lives. Was he waiting all his life, subconsciously, for this moment of dawn ?? He steals a glance at Kalyani and wonders ...

The twinkling stars above and the Fireflies all around them gradually rise into prominence, giving them a feeling of floating in the heavens ... 

The air is full of the lulling drone of insects as if dancing with unfettered joy, celebrating a special moment.... the entwining together of two hands, gnarled and wrinkled yet felt so warm n reassuring.

Their leisurely stroll backhand in hand ends at the gates of Kalyani’s bungalow where he watches her walk inside escorted by her maid ...he can not help admiring her retreating form ......her dupatta made of fine cotton in pastel shades .... floating in the gentle breeze ....surrounded by the fireflies ... 

Vishambar enters the ornate gates of his mansion, a happy man ....he looks up at the star-spangled firmament and murmurs to himself that his today had turned out to be so awesome that his yesteryears were feeling jealous ...

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