Morning Walk-A story

Sheela had been teaching in Khalsa Collega for 10 years now. The same college where she had studied. She was a asocial person, her life revolved mainly around her job and her love Hindi literature.

It was not that she was like this always, things changed 10 years ago when she refused to marry the guy selected by her family, when they asked for dowry. Her parents disowned her, as they did not see anything wrong in dowry, per them her being more educated is causing problem finding a match and no guy wants a more educated girl than him. This is when Sheela left home for good and came to Delhi. She stayed with her friends initially, till she could find a job.

She was at peace with herself now and contented in her small world. Her routine consisted of getting up in the morning, going for a walk, after coming back enjoy hot cup of tea sitting in the balcony while listening to her favorite carnatic classical music. Making breakfast, getting ready and then rushing to college. After coming back, a short nap followed by a cup of tea along with the daily newspaper. Though she was staying in kamala nagar for nearly 8 years, apart from the usual hello, kaise hai aap, she did not make friends with anyone. Somehow i feel, she liked it this way only, living life in own terms, no intervention of any kind.

Dec 10th was like any other day, while Sheela was sipping her evening tea, she heard the door bell, she found her neighbour Lata Aunty along with her new bahu Alka, who was all dressed up, the way nayi Dulhans are supposed to be. Lata said, aapko shaadi ki mitaayi deni thi aur apni bahu se milaana tha. Lata apni bahu se boli, bete, yeh Khalsa college mein Hindi padaati hai. Alka who was till now very shy and reserved, looked around the house and was thrilled to see so many books and she bursted out saying loud that aapke paas to bahut kitaabein hai, meine bhi BA Hindi kiya tha, MA karna tha par shaadi ho gayi.

Sheela thought to herself, how many girls lose their ambitions because of marriage. She felt bit sad for this kid and also felt happy thinking that good she did not let anyone make decisions for her.

Next day as Sheela was coming back from her walk, she met Alka, they had a small talk and Alka said aap roz walk pe jaati hai, mein bhi aaongi kal aapke saath. Sheela gave her an artificial smile and came back, she hated the prospect of company, she felt her morning walk will be all spoilt now. She could not think of a way out of this, she felt i am sure Alka has this enthusiasm of getting up only for a day, it will wear out...she really hoped thats how it will be. Even if she comes, she was sure she will be bored by her company soon.

Next day, Alka came 5 am sharp to Sheela's place and rang the bell, Sheela was surprised to see that Alka knew the exact time she normally went for a walk.
Sheela got her earphones, thinking i do not want my quiet morning walk be spoiled because of company, i do not want to hear about the usual gossip usne woh kaha etc. As they started walking, she realised that Alka did not utter a word, she was just focussed on walking and being with the nature. After the walk, they both sat on a bench, Alka told her about her mother's house, how it was growing up in Meerut, the entire area where she lived was like an extended family, she also told her about her favorite author Mahadevi Verma, the way she had brought to life so many animals for e.g. gillu,bhussa, making one realise that animals are so unconditional in there love compared to humans.

Sheela just listened to Alka's thoughts and found some resonance in her thoughts with hers.

Days passed like this, they met for morning walks, Sheela did not make any efforts from her side to know Alka more. She did not want to create any emotional attachment with Alka.

Winter was slowing coming to Delhi, because of the season change, Sheela got bit of sore throat accompanied by fever. Every time the session change, she always used to get this, this time however it seemed to be bit severe. Next day, she did not wake up for the morning walk. Alka came to her house as usual and saw Sheela still in bed looking weak. Alka made Kaada for Sheela and told her that, today she should just rest.

Alka got the lunch and started telling Sheela about the recent movie she watched and why she liked it. Sheela found it interesting that Alka did not like movies just for the usual emotional crap, she liked it for the characters and the storyline.

The next day Alka came by to inquire about Sheela's health. This time her husband also came with her and he said, if there is any help needed, she should not hesitate asking them.

Sheela felt good thinking that there is someone who cared for her. She decided that from now on, she will also make an effort to know Alka more.

Sheela started getting a book for the morning walks, so that she can read out to Alka, they usually had interesting discussions regarding the characters, giving Sheela think about the same characters in a different point of view. For Alka too, the morning walks were her favorite part of the day, it was the only time she had time only for herself, she was still getting used to her new life of being a wife, daugher-in-law...Alka said one day to Sheela, mein aapko Di bolaaongi ab se....Sheela smiled hearing this.

Time just went like this, Sheela who never opened up to anyone found a friend in this 21 year old. Alka found a elder sister in Sheela who motivated her and shared with her a different world/thoughts.

Sheela was all set to go for her walk and was waiting for Alka to come, its been 10 mins past 5, there was no door bell. She wondered what might have happenned, she hoped all was fine. Sheela went for a walk alone that day and did not like it a bit, instead of her circling the park with its cemented paths, the usual three times, she circled it once and then came back. The new bloom of flowers could not arose her spirits, the flowers felt sad as their old friend did not notice there new attire.

In the evening, she was surprised to find Alka's mother in law standing at her door, she asked her to come in and then she realised why Alka did not turn up in the morning. Her husband had got transferred to Agra and she was upset at the thought of going from this place, hence she did not come for the walk. Sheela was also upset, she felt she now again has to learn being alone. She wrapped some of Alka'a favourite books and thought of giving them as farewell gifts.

The next day, as she was getting ready to go for her walk alone, reminding herself she needs to be on her own again, she heard a door bell and saw Alka smiling, Alka said, Di mujhe maaf karna ki mein kal nahin aayi, i was upset, then i realised how can i spoil the remaining days i have with you, thinking about something of which i have no control. I have told my husband tomorrow i will spend the entire day with you, so let's plan out later after our walk what all we should do.

The day of going came, Sheela gave Alka the books and Alka gave Sheela a saree.They both were smiling, no one was sad, they knew there friendship will continue for long, this is not the end.

Back Home
I am back home after a stint of 8 months in US. The longest i have stayed from home till now. Not that i was home sick, just wanted to take a break or should i say escape from the rut of work work work. Not that the work was crazy its a combination of how much people acknowledge efforts. In here by people i refer to clients.
One needs to think of work as just a job and nothing more i guess. My colleague told me once that in consulting we are like waiters, serve them, if they do not like it accept it politely and serve them again...will never form such mindset by choice.

My visit to Delhi is marked by doing three things always.
1. Go to CP, go to a music shop, book shops and clothes shop, take a walk through the emporiums, i always find something interesting to pick there
2. Go to Kaleva in Gol Market and buy mirchi waale chips :)
3. Go to Ashok Vihar for random shopping

When i go to the shops near my home, i meet the shopwaalas who have seen me when i was a kid, can feel the warmth in their smile :). One shopwaala asked me bete tumhari padaayi ho gayi, i told him woh to kab ki ho gayi, ab job karti hu...thank god he did not ask the next obvious question in line.

This time, i took the metro to go to CP. Was surprised to see people had queued to board the train, you may think its a simple thing,but if u know the delhiwaala's its a big achievement in making them form a line :). Normally in metros, there is announcement that be careful of pickpocketing etc, in delhi u will also hear 'people do not push your co passengers while getting down' message...this is the trade mark of delhities, impatience is the middle name. Was wondering what an foreigner will feel hearing this message.

In this trip could meet lot of my close friends, had real nice time being with them, those are my cherished memories of this time's visit. Now looking forward to going to b'lore.