Anniversary Special: Safar Tere Sang (Journey With You)

Its their 9th weeding anniversary. Like every year there is nothing special on this day. Only on the 1st anniversary they went for a dinner, only two of them. After that it went as other normal day. Different is that only they wish each other in the morning and then get involved in daily chores and she take blessings from elders and sometimes go for temple , He accompany her sometimes but don't go inside the temple. Her mother in law sometimes make some special dish to mark the specialty of that day but it doesn't really affect them much.

Its not that they are distant from each other, neither they are so much close to each other. They do talk to each other, behave like a normal couple, find solution of any problem together, concerned for each other but against of showing off the care.. No celebration, No spending time alone, No romantic date. Are they really happy? Doesn't anything prick them? Doesn't they want to spend time with each other really?

I am going to introduce you some characters, a whole new but common story, It is actually story of almost every middleclass family in India. Lets go to the female protagonist of this story..

"Happy anniversary busy girl, I wished her

"Thank you sweetheart.. How are you doing?

Well before I continue I must tell you (As you cant see), she is folding clothes and I sat on the bed.

"By the way what did Mr. Hubby gift you today?

"Nothing..

"And you don't mind?

"No, He wished me in the morning

"He does that every year, But you really don't expect anything on this special day?

She sat down beside me, for a moment she looked lost.. Okay lets continue.. "I don't know exactly. I used to expect at the start but then I understood the circumstances. You know after we got married almost three years we were separated. It was his job, he had to support his family and the job was important. He used to come once in a month that's also for 2 or 3 days. There was miscommunication at first. We didn't celebrate anniversary from then because we were at different places, and then it is habituated now

"But you went for dinner on the first anniversary Important question.

"Yes because he was here then. It was my brother's engagement party on previous day and co incidentally our anniversary falls then. After that next two years we wished each other over phone. And then our son was conceived. After that house, family, baby, when is the time to celebrate or think over the silly things?

"Seriously? Silly things. Come on, its your anniversary.

"I know but after 9 years, it is like other normal day.

"Okay leave about anniversary what about birthdays?

"No celebration on his birthday as some accident took place on that day and then his father's sudden departure, He doesn't even like to be wished and I don't think he knows about my birthday. Well before you ask me more questions I need to see what my little son is doing.

"Well incomplete information.

She turned around from the doorstep, "By the way he gifts me sometimes, without reason. We actually don't need reason to celebrate.

She has left.. Well I think I need to capture the male protagonist.

"Hello Mr. Workaholic.. how are you doing?" I saw him in the study room..

"Hello Ms. Question bank, I am fine. What about you? But one minute, did you just call me Workaholic?" He put down his glasses in surprise.

"Yes obviously. You are busy with your works so much that forget the world".

"And what made you believe so?"

"Didn't you forget your anniversary for your work?" I have a valid point..

"I think, I never forget my anniversary. I know its my anniversary. You can ask my wife" he said desperately.

These people really confuse me, "If so then why don't you celebrate it. Its not about grand celebration but you can spend time together."

"We do that whole year, why just one day?" I swear he looked flushed..

"You know girls love some pampering on some special days."

"Haha, we are not teenager anymore" he replied while laughing.

"But you are couples, why don't you become lovers on some special days? Do you even know when her birthday is? I think I could put him into a thinking.

And there his phone rang before he could answer "the title of Mr. Workaholic was right. Well Think about what I said I left as my part is ending. Lets know their point of view as well.

"Lets go for a walk.. I was surprised when he said so at our bedtime.

"At this hour? Will you not be late at morning?

"I have finished my work of tomorrow so I don't have any problem if you are not tired.

"Okay, let me change before going out.

"No need to, we are not going anywhere far. You are looking nice in it

"Excuse me what? It took me by surprise "I mean, are you sure? Its a night dress

"So what? I am also in my night dress. Yeah if you are uncomfortable so you can change or take a shawl. He told and I had to think for a moment, "Ok lets go then I took my shawl and thought to inform someone before going out but he stopped me "Let it be.

Him:

"Hey why did you suddenly feel to have a walk at the middle of night? She asked me when we were walking.

"No particular reason, Didn't you like the idea? actually I didn't have any reason, It is just its been so long..

"Yes I liked it but we didn't inform anyone. What if they will look for us?

"I don't think anyone will need us at this hour of night.

"That's true. Umm, what happened to your that client... She asked me.

"Please lets not talk about anything related my workplace. Did I just say that?

There was a silence. Awkward silence. It pricked me then, I don't know when silence became so uncomfortable between us. We are together since last 9 years and now we are finding tough to continue a conversation about us.

Her:

"When did we walk like this last time?, He asked and I had to smile "On our first anniversary, at the time of returning we didn't get a cab I became nostalgic while saying this.

"So its 9 years... we looked at each other. We walked long journey of 9 years still at this moment many things were feeling new. Not only 9 years of getting married but also since last 9 years we really didn't try to discover anything new in each other. Its all about responsibility and time. I held his hand, "Time flew, right?

"Right... And...

"And what?

"Can we come like this more often?

I so wanted to ask this to him, "Obviously I was glad to reply..

A few days later I was serving breakfast, then he called me from the room, I was sure as usual he couldn't find anything which might be just there. "What do you need I asked while entering.

"I was wondering when did I say I LOVE YOU last time? He asked so seriously and I was taken a back

"What?

"When did I last say I LOVE YOU? He repeated the question and it took few more moments to recall. I couldn't recall when did he last time say so, " You just did.. I told

"Its been ages right? I could see his eyes were speaking and may be I also noticed his eyes it after ages.

He left after peaking on my forehead. I felt my eyes were moistened. Felt like I lost him somewhere and this is complete new someone..

Him:

"So thief got caught red handed I threw my question when I saw her finding something in my wallet and I can she got frightened after seeing me there. "So now it is clear where some of amounts go from there

It took sometimes for her to compose and answer back "You can see some profit this time She winked and left making me dumbstrucked. Do I know her? This side of her? So its not bad to see the changes and new things sometimes. And yes this time profit was mine. The amount was not missing this time. There was a piece of paper and I LOVE YOU written on it.. I missed this. The twinkle in her eyes. She was still standing on the door when I looked up "By the way I have two movie tickets for tonight, and I am alone. You can come if you want She said casually but I could see the naughtiness in her eyes. "These days I am very busy but still I will see I decided to tease her.

"Better you see it soon She left saying making me smile.

Her:

After a few weeks I was surprised when he announced "I will cook tonight .. I stared at him, tried to read his face but failed. And the day went by surprise. I never knew he could cook. He was not a perfect cook but his attempt to make a nice dinner was showing. Me, my son and my mother in law kept laughing to see his endless endeavours in the kitchen. I couldn't understand why suddenly this desire appeared in his mind but I loved seeing him in house in a regular day but in different mood. Then I stopped thinking as I could see the changes in him, in our relationship. Later, much later when we were at dinning area for dinner I was taken by surprise seeing a cake lying on the table. It was my birthday. I looked at him with total disbelief. It would be wrong if I say I didn't remember its the day but I never expected this from him. It never happened in last 9 years. It was quite tough but I controlled my emotions. We cut the cake with our son, ate the dinner and deep in my heart I thanked my dear lord.

Him:

"Thank You She held me keeping her head on my chest in our room. There was a sudden and beautiful peace in that moment. I couldn't remember when did we hugged each other like this last time. We did spend time with each other, but moments? Not moments. Moments we have shared years ago, which is hard to recall. And now after years we were spending moments, creating memories. "Happy Birthday I wished her finally at the eleventh hour of the day.

"How did you know? she asked..

"If we want anything from heart, it is not a tough job

"I don't know when I was happy like this last time

"You would be happier if I would be little less hesitant to show my concern to you

She smiled at my words, "Even if you can't show it, I know your concern for me. But yes last few days taught me sometimes things can be different in a simple way as well

"I know we can spend more beautifully the next 9 years, and much more.

We stood there looking at each other in silence and we knew we can discover each other in a special way from now on.

Sometimes life becomes so unpredictable. Sometimes a beautiful journey become tough. It is all about time, the way we look at life. They had spent years with each other, still was late to feel the reality in them. Expressing was not necessary for them but there was a magic in Expressing when they did. Love can never die, it can be hidden but Love has its own way to blossom. Just like this they found their Love once again with each other.