Him..

She looked out of the window. It was the day she had been waiting for.

She looked onto the streets. What was keeping Him? Most of the Others had turned up..some last night..some early morning...

She looked out expectantly at the empty patch of road. Oh! Where was He?

She had woken up early, worn her beautiful new saree..

Glass bangles tinkled merrily on both her hands..

The bindi on her forehead twinkled as if winking at someone..

There... now.. she could hear the drums announcing His arrival. Happily, she looked at the procession..the boys beating the drums...in the front.

And...there He was.. sitting grandly, with a beaming smile and the head of an elephant! Yes, the Elephant-God had arrived..Ganpati Bappa Morya! Clad in a red dhoti..with his favourite - the modak held in one hand. One hand holding a conch, one holding the chakra.. and the fourth raised to bless his devotees. The people danced with the joy of his coming...everybody was rejoicing.. be it the 70 yr-old grandpa or his 40 something son.. and joining this melee..was a 2 year old dressed in a dazzling white kurta-pyjama dancing away to glory..He tried hard to follow the steps of the others. He couldn't quite match them but he did what he could by putting up his arms.. shaking his legs.. and jumping up and down. Oblivious to the indulgent grins around him.

The women and the girls made up the party from behind.. distributing prasad to people who came up to ask for Ganesha's blessings..

The procession arrived..and the idol was installed. There would be pujas everyday.

And.. finally Ananth Chaturdashi would arrive. It was the day she dreaded. He would leave that day and wouldn't return for a year! He would go again with the throng of people surrounding him, shouting "Morya..re Bappa Morya re...Ganpati Bappa Morya..Pudchya Varshi Laukar Yaa". The people requesting Him to come back the next year.

She sadly looked away..the happiness she derived from His arrival would always be driven away by the sorrow of His departure.

Memories

“Paagal!!! Kuch bhi kya bolti hai.. I will kill you..” – This was followed by a loud shriek and giggles..

Next I hear is a beep and my friend has cut the call. The giggles and the loud chatter continued.. I was in the train travelling back from work and a bunch of teenage girls were responsible for this “noise” pollution. I called her back and before I could say something, the background score started and B-E-E-P.. the call is cut again!

The 2 ladies sitting in front of me start laughing after seeing at my exasperated expression. I tried giving dirty looks to the ‘chuckling chicks’, to no avail. They go on and on. How can they talk so much and at such an irritating pitch! No peace even in the train. I was praying they get down as soon as possible, so that I could close my eyes and relax a bit.

“Paagal!!!!” And it starts again -

CC 1 - Arey problem 9 ka solution me, maine kuch to gochi kiya hai yaar – Did you get the right answer?
CC 2 – Kya tha question? Let me see.. Of course, ye to XXX sir ne karaaya tha class me! Don’t you remember, bozzo?!
CC 3 – (nodding sincerely) Yeah.. yeah..
CC 1 – When? Mujhe kyu yaad nahi..
CC 2 – Paagal!! It was the day.. Vishal had worn that nice black shirt.. and we were all saying he’s looking good..”
CC 3 – Eh?
CC 1 – Oh.. I remember thaaaaaaaat day, but.. haan, he was looking really good na.. he has Ranbir jaisa smile.. but he needs a hair-cut yaar!! By the way, did you guys see Ishita today? That top was so not suiting her, yaa..
CC 3 – Meri ma! We were discussing problem 9, I suppose.. and oh-shit.. it’s Ghatkopar already – get down!! Go.. go.. go!
CC 1 – Oh, yeah.. Byeeeeee.. Kal 8.42.. ok.. Bye
CC 2 – Yeah.. Bye.. Sambhalke ja.

And, suddenly I couldn’t stop smiling to myself.

I recollected the day, 2 years back, when I was travelling with 2 of my friends in the morning and one grumpy aunty said to another – “How much these girls talk! Didn’t even let me sleep. Ruined a perfect morning nap!” Of course, she was referring to us.. and one of us cattily remarked – “If people want quiet and peace, they shouldn’t travel by Mumbai’s local trains! It’s public transport, for God’s sake. We will talk if we want to..” And all 3 of us laughed..

This incident just made me miss those fun-filled days articleship days..
When all of us travelled together, pulling each others’ legs..
When random and abrupt plans were made for outings and all joined..
When we met almost every day at the station and talked and laughed..
When every alternate day, someone would be made the ‘bakra’ who would foot the bill for the chat/ ice-cream/ sandwich party..
When notes were exchanged, doubts were solved and bitched about our seniors..
When people were paired and teased to death..
When gossip was shared and speculated about..

Those days were amazing 3 years of my life – Had the most fun, unforgettable moments and made great friends..