The Sun, Stars, Moon and Us
Ram and Priya laid comfortably on the cozy bed arranged in the terrace garden, resting their heads on the big pillows behind and relaxing. It was a beautiful night and stars had put up a majestic display. Priya was lost in the beauty of the sky above and Ram in hers.
Ram looked at her intrigued whilst simultaneously munching his Nachos. Priya was gazing at the stars above with eyes full of mirth, her otherwise stoic and strict face was so radiant and animated today.
Fifteen minutes passed by and none of them spoke. Ram finally broke the ice and asked Priya," What is so fascinating about these stars, the sun, the moon, this solar system?"
"Haven't seen you so content and happy before. It seems you can gaze at them till eternity without getting bored".
Priya gave a sardonic smile," Yes, I can gaze at them till eternity, because I derive my strength from them."
" How??" enquired a surprised Ram. He wondered how can someone derive strength from this boring solar system. He rattled his brains trying to recollect all that he rot learned at the office in the morning. "Ketu , no, no dhumketu , gardish , oh noo antariksh it was.. Pheww...!!!"
" You know Mr.Kapoor whenever I feel low and demotivated which I don't feel often mind you, times when I wonder for how long I will have to tirelessly toil and struggle to meet the basic necessities of my family, how long will I have to fight the world alone, how much strength is left in me to keep on walking this journey called life no matter what it throws at me, I just look above in the sky, at the mighty radiant Sun and my fatigue just vanishes."
" I wonder what will happen to us if the sun takes a time out and refuses to rise up for a day?"
"What if the earth beneath my feet suddenly feels lazy to rotate and revolve?"
"What will happen to the tidal waves of the ocean if the Moon gets naughty and after disappearing on Amavasya never bothers to return again?"
" How many ancient sailors would have never returned back to their families had the stars refused to shine and guide them with the way while they were at sea?"
Priya sighed, " Every component of the solar system, discharges it's duty with so much pride and sincerity,
that I can never stop getting awed by it."
" So, that's where I draw my strength and discipline from Mr. Kapoor. After all what is the beauty of human life without some self control and restraint?"
"Now , why are you looking at me like that Mr.Kapoor? You would tell me how you would have loved to watch a superhero film and I ruined it for you...."
" No Priya, absolutely not, I did find it boring to watch a solar system documentary, but the way you have explained me the beauty of this universe I am indeed captivated and I can't look at it in the same condescending way anymore. I agree with every word you said."
Priya's eyes suddenly glittered with mischief.
" You are sure you agree with everything I said ?"
"Yeahh. Whyy?? What's running in your mind?"
"Then hand this over. Surrender !!!"
Priya snatched the Nachos and cheese dips from his hand with such force that Ram kept his hands up in surrender position as though he was a prisoner of war.
" You have already munched 2 packets straight Mr.Kapoor. Enough for the day."
" My Nachos...đ," cried a disappointed Ram.
" You aren't as innocent as you look Priya ", sighed Ram.
" You neither" declared Priya proud of her victory.
"Remember you agreed to every statement of mine which includes what is life without some self control and restraint ?"
Ram made faces like a kid. But Priya had nicely trapped him in words. He had no answer.
" Don't worry, I have made something else for us to munch."
She handed over a bowl of roasted Makhanas to Ram
" They are tastier and healthier than your cheese Nachos and butter popcorns."
Ram wanted to remain angry or at least pretend anger for some time, but there was no denying that the Makhanas did look tempting.
He slyly popped one like a pill and smiled. They were not as bad as he assumed and neither was the lady who cooked it as Khadoos as she pretended to be.
" Mr. Kapoor why do you like watching superhero movies ? Isn't it waste of time and money? When you invest in something you should reap something beneficial from it right? Who can understand profit and loss better than you?"
It was Ram's turn to return back a sardonic smile.
" Not everything in life can be weighed and calculated in terms of profit and loss Priya. Sometimes it is good to take a time out and relax and do things that pleases your heart not worrying about time and money.
Growing up I was always fascinated by super hero movies and always wanted to be one. I can safely say I derived my strength from them just like you derived yours from solar system. I thought everyone loves super heroes ,so if I become one, Shivi, Shubhu and Mom would probably notice my existence and love me."
" Sorry, I didn't mean that way, I know they love me , but..."
" It's ok Mr. Kapoor. I understand . I am not sitting and judging you. You can share..."
Ram smiled and continued , " I have always wanted to be the super hero for my family, a genie who can fulfill every wish of theirs even before they spell it out. "
He looked at Priya and winked , " A super hero who can bring down the moon and stars for his wife."
Priya blushed, " I don't want you to bring down the stars and moon for me Mr. Kapoor ."
" I know Priya but .."
He leaned towards her and whispered softly in her ears " But I want to.. Priyaa !!"
Priya's heart skipped a beat.. On one side was a father who deserted her, cursed her existence till date and here was a man talking about getting down the stars and moon for her. A complete family man , who worked tirelessly to become a genie for his family..
She gently put her hands on his and said, " We will watch your favorite super hero movie together next time.."
Ram almost choked on the Makhanas he was munching.
" Wait.. What??"
" Did the sun of your solar system rise from the west today ?"
"Very bad joke Mr. Kapoor."
" You will really watch a superhero movie with me ?? Like what about waste of time and money?"
" When you can listen to my gardish antariksh talks then I can surely give you a company for your super hero movies " grinned Priya.
" Moreover not everything in life is for profit right Mr. Kapoor?"
" Right .."
Ram was amused. Not for profit but for him and his happiness . She was so much more kind than she would ever accept.
" Can I ask you something Priya ?"
" Haan!!"
" Which out of these million stars in the sky you think are my Maa and Dad , Priya ?"
Priya's throat dried up. She felt a terrible heaviness in her chest. The very feeling of having to find Meera in stars killed her from within.
She instinctively tightened her hold on Ram's hands.
" You know Priya, Dad and me used to sit in the balcony and he would point out to a specific star in the night sky and say this is your Maa Ram !!"
" Then one fine day, he too left me and became a star."
"It's like everyone whom I love the most leave me and become a star. I don't know why this sky snatches away my people and selfishly embellishes it's own garden by making them stars."
Priya's heart ached at these heavy words. Her eyes became moist but composing herself she took his hands and pointed towards a pair of stars.
" There they are Mr. Kapoor . Your Maa and Dad .."
" What makes you think they are the one?" asked Ram.
" Just look at them Mr. Kapoor. Their shine and twinkle is so different from the rest. We have been gazing at the stars since a while but this pair seems to be gazing at us and blessing us. They share the same shine and twinkle as you."
Ram looked at the pair of stars pointed by Priya and closed his eyes. The image of his parents smiling and
looking at each other played in front of him. He opened his eyes and looked back at the pair in the sky. Yes, Priya was right, they indeed looked like his parents ,smiling and blessing him and Priya. Tears welled up in his eyes as he thought of them.
Priya noticed his tears and before the situation could turn more emotional for Ram, she quickly diverted him and asked him to look at a pattern of Stars that looked exactly like the Nachos he was munching.
Ram laughed at Priya's innocent attempts to cheer him up.
Hand in hand they continued finding all possible patterns in the sky from Nachos, to Kachodi, to ice creams ,cup cakes to even Ram's favorite super hero.
Soon Ram found Priya's hand unresponsive. He looked towards her side and found her deeply sleeping with a content soft smile on her lips.
He covered both of them with duvet and lovingly gazed at the lady beside him. She was not only his wife, but his beloved, his sweetheart and his muse.
Suddenly the fateful accident night of Priya played before his mind. His hands instinctively moved towards her face. He sensed her soft breathing with his fingers and felt relieved. Of course she was very much alive and functioning. She won't suddenly leave him like his Maa and Dad, Ram assured himself. He ought to really brush off such evil deathly thoughts, he reprimanded himself.
He gently caressed her forehead ensuring her sleep is not disturbed ,and looked at the sky in the direction of that special pair of stars. He made a silent prayer to his parents that never should a day come in his life where he would have to find Priya in the stars.
He sighed and snuggled into his duvet. One more time he looked at Priya, trying to absorb her beauty within and then shut his eyes tightly forcing himself to sleep.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
