Yamuna, Janmastami & Jatayu

Long weekend summarized in three words. It was lurking in mind for quite some time that I need to visit my octogenarian aunt who stays in Agra, these days. Almost a decade back she used to stay in the suburbs of the city of joy. On casual afternoons, used to take a quick decision, boarded local train and paid sudden visit to her place. Defying age she used to brew two cups of tea. Setting sun, Darjeeling tea and like minded individuals can make evenings so memorable! She is one such in my life. One such evening came to know that she was a school going student when the country became independent.

My aunt read lot about India and abroad, however the farthest that she traveled was from Kolkata to Agra. India progressed. I was fortunate to enjoy a more liberal world, which respected my views, gave me opportunities to see more than she could. Every country I visited for some purpose had loads of stories for her. She enjoyed every ounce of it and drowned in the feelings as if it was she who had been moving with me. The vociferous reader today can hardly read, but her exuberance to bounce in the wave of stories that I still blabber remained the same. Celebrated this Independence Day with her in the city that epitomizes eternal love! It was Friday and Taj was closed. Curdling on the old king size bed we spend a day together basking in the old and new happenings of life involving people who matters and who don’t.  

When you leave someone close not knowing when you would meet once more it is a very open ended pain. “Suhana Safar” on Big FM in the rented car echoed the emotion, when the rubbers meet the road over Yamuna expressway. The 165 kilometer, 6 lane state of art infrastructure zipped off fast on the way back. The journey of memory lane suddenly entered the hussle-buzzle of Palam airport, Delhi. After a vigilant chase I managed a chair near the retail space. WhatsApp tone kept buzzing from all corners. No wonder India is digital. I shared aerospace with a score of Kabadi players who had amazing hair style – almost no hair except some left over to allure others to pull. Landed on a rainy city and starting from the airport sweet corner could feel the pulse of Janmastami celebration.

Sunday began - common person with common needs. Bedding store guy turned up on a phone call as I was looking for a new mattress. He is my customized flipkart man. Today he came with a packet of sweets – big size gulab jamun. “ Arre Bhaiya , ye sab kyu?”..With a broad smile he said “Meeting you after Eid, so a small celebration.” Ordinary day with an extra ordinary feelings!

After a full-filling lunch, to soak in pleasure of true freedom of time and thought picked up a favorite mystery movie from the great story teller – Satyajit Ray. You guessed it right. Once read the three characters – Feluda the sueth, his uncle Siddhu Jetha and his cousin Topshe  were in authors mind the same soul in three stages of life. Hence they reflect the same thought but at different maturity. But can’t say how much I often end up enjoying the nervous Jatayu and his innocuous sense of humor in this series of Satyajit creation. Jatayu’s love of writing combating all his knowledge deficiencies is a big inspiration for me to pick up the virtual pen once more today.

But mind it, Dalal street and Walls street can only interpret top-line and bottom-line. Only Sunday afternoons can let heart launder and promote lazy scribbling just-for-nothing! Tuning back mind full of freedom is reality of most Sunday evenings. Pausing here to wind back.