Dried Tamarind

Today I used the last of dried Tamarind my grandma packed for me two years ago. Two years ago, I did not foresee that she will no longer be there to pack me another consignment. Having lived alone almost all my life, going back home once a quarter was an absolute delight. Grandma would be waiting on the portico, sometime, she would not not sleep late into nights, waiting for her favorite grandson's footsteps to  alight. She would hug me and when she did, everything was all right.

Tonight's fish curry tastes wonderful. Wonderful because the last sprinkle of tamarind adds to the spice. There will be this spice no more. Ah! fickle life!

Mathura Wali

When the hymns are sung and Krishna comes to life, when the chants reach the skies and the incense smells divine, I ask HIM if HE knows how this story ends. Pat comes the reply with a smile, and then, silences fill-in where noises until now ruled.

Where one story ends, the other begins. Its a book that I could read for ever and forever will the pages run. I have seen the edge of the world, it is round. If I start tonight, I would simply come around. Caught among the strings of chapters intertwined, is one meandering life.

Broad Canvass

Can I share a story with you?

Have I heard it before?

I am not sure.

Ok, go ahead.

Twenty years ago, when I was in school, I fell in love with one of the most beautiful girls in the world..

Do I know this woman?

I am not sure.

OK

She was like a summer breeze, she was like spring time, she was all those things you hear in fairy tales and see in Hollywood Movies. One day, we met outside school and went on a long drive. In one of those lost lanes of life's highways, I kissed her... and that was my first kiss.

 

Why are you telling me all this?

I am not sure

Ok

When I held her face up close to mine, I smelt her perfume and it was divine. I have never smelt something as memorable as that again. I saw that her lips were pink and not red almost like a Cherry that had lost its blush! and her face was as fair as a Russian Princess. We kissed and the evening sky lit up with stars, the Moon quickly brightened up and lighted her face. I remember that we kissed for eternity. I still remember how my heart beat 120 a minute. I remember that her skin was translucent red, I remember the perfume... it was divine.

I know. It was my mother's. I never wore that again.

Lets light one.

Yeah! Lets light one.