After nearly seven years, the three of them had gotten together. Raul lit up the last cigarette in the packet and sat next to the window overlooking the coconut grove. Vinay was already down to the bare minimum, tucked into the thin linen blanket. Aemon was frantically clicking file after file on his laptop. He had to get both seasons on a DVD before morning. He didn't want to take a risk, so he'd bought extra blank DVDs, just to be sure.
It was their best friend's wedding. All had come down from different corners of the planet. But for Aemon, this trip
meant something more. Sometime you look forward to something so much and want
it to be so perfect, you tend to overdo it - that's what Aemon was doing at that
moment.
He finally got the last of the DVD burned. The
two seasons of the shows were ready. The chocolates were ready. All bundled up
into a neat little packet.
Almost perfect, he thought.
But that's when another pressing matter stumped
him - all he had was a 100cc scooter as transportation. It was all about being
comfortable. And there were chances it could rain.
Then, as a godsend, Vinay spoke, his voice almost
barely audible in the highly snooze induced atmosphere, "Hey Aemon, can
you take the car from my home tomorrow morning? We can keep it to ourselves
after picking and dropping my parents back and forth from the wedding."
Aemon's eyes lit up. He wanted to kiss Vinay. But he
didn't want to reveal his over enthusiasm. In a calm and composed tone, Ameon said, "Yeah. Sure."
And then as an after thought, he added, "Can
I have the car to myself for an hour in the afternoon?"
Vinay gave a quizzical look, but murmured,
"Yeah, you can," before dozing off.
***
The morning after was hurried. Everyone was trying
to get somewhere or the other. The wedding had a star-aligned timing or muhurtam.
Everyone needed to be at the temple before that precise moment.
For Aemon and Vinay, it was chauffeuring duty.
Just when they they though dropping off Vinay's
parents off at the temple would free them, news came in that some of the
groom's friends were stranded at the hotel. After what seemed like an eternity,
and umpteen trips back and forth the kalyana mandapam, the two arrived,
before the stars aligned and the seven revolutions began.
Aemon kept looking at his watch and then on to
the stage, where the bride and groom preformed ritual after ritual.
It's just 12, Aemon started calculating. There should be
plenty of time for me to get out. The lunch should be done by 1. I could drop
off Vinay's parents and anybody else by 1.30. And then finally the car's mine.
A smug look ensued on Aemon's face.
The flow of people towards the neatly laid out
row of benches and desks, where they were serving lunch followed as soon as the
marriage had been solemnised. The banana leaves spread, people rushed to have
their sadya.
Aemon looked at his watch again. Nearly 1. He
quickly had his lunch. It's going according to clockwork. Vinay's parents
waited for him outside. He rushed to get them in the car and drop them back
home. That is when he received a message:
"Bad traffic. Been stuck for the past half
an hour not moving an inch."
That's good, more time to see off people and no
need to rush.
But he replied, "Damn it! Wrong day to take
the bus!". A call and a minute later, assurances were given as to when
they could possibly meet.
The chauffeuring business continued. Back and
forth the temple and other destinations.
The hall started to recede of people. The bride
and groom were beginning to leave for home. Pictures were being clicked all around. Aemon
looked at his watch. Again. The dial was closing in on 2. The last of the cars
left the temple compound. Aemon got Vinay and a couple of others and headed to the
groom's place.
Before leaving Aemon dialled his phone. Still
and hour away, he sighed out loud after hanging up.
***
The festivities continued back at the groom's. Familiar camera bulbs flashed all around. Family and friends started
pouring in, waiting to see the newlyweds. Aemon had parked the car in the
adjacent home. He came over to his friend's place and got into the greeting,
head nods and socialising.
But soon after, he got a message. Almost here.
That took nearly three and a half hours for a two-hour trip.
Aemon quickly excused himself, told the groom and
Vinay that he would be back soon, and rushed with car to the town central bus
station. The traffic was choc-a-bloc. He frantically started dialling the
number. After a few minutes the call went through, and they decided to meet opposite the bus station.
Aemon scanned his eyes all around in the hustle
and bustle. Finally he laid eyes on her - there she was in a white overall over
a tee and jean, with a brown sling bag across. With a dimple across her cheeks
and tall legs, she was tired, yet looked spritely and pretty. Aemon went just -
wow! He quickly opened the door and she got in. Here she is, thought
Aemon. After all those months of faceless chats and conversations, here she
is sitting right next to you.
She got comfortable, sitting in her usual
position - one leg tucked inside, sitting sideways. The usual conversations
began - why was it late? Oh it was horrible. I'm never coming by bus ever
again.
Where should i take her? though Aemon. What do i do? I am freaking
out. That's when he remembered the packet he had got for her in the glove
compartment.
"Hey Ira, there's something for you in the
glove compartment," he told her. Ira gave a bemused look and asked
him, "You always do this, don't you? Get people stuff?" Aemon just
smiled.
The smile on Ira's face was even wider when he
found her favourite chocolates and two seasons of the show she was dying to
watch. She thanked Aemon and immediately opened a bar of chocolate and started munching on it.
More than Ira, Aemon was pleased to see her
smile. She offered him a bit off the chocolate. He accepted. Inside, he smiled
more. Ok, I think i really like her.
Aemon took the longest route possible to the beach,
which had the sun setting on the horizon. After parking the car at one
end of the beach, opposite the century old hotel, both of them started walking.
They walked with no particular topic or agenda in mind. Just a carefree
conversation from anything from family and friends to likes and dislikes. They
went from the interlocked beach walk onto the sands and then towards the park
adjacent to the lighthouse. They hadn't had enough. They talked some more and
went back the same route they came through.
***
The thatched roof of the old cafe lent the
perfect setting to conclude this first meet. Aemon liked spending time with
her. Ira too. But minutes apart, both of them got calls from their friends,
asking them of their whereabouts. Both had to go back. Ira to her friend's
wedding, Aemon to his friend's reception. They didn't even realise when the two
hours had passed.
They got back into the car, and Aemon felt sad
that the day was coming to an end. Ira had to head elsewhere after the wedding. Aemon offered to drop her. But she said she would find
somebody to do it for her. Aemon left it at that.
They finally reached Ira's first destination. She
gave Aemon a hug and thanked him for the good time. She got out of the car, but
quickly popped her head back in to tell Aemon, smiling and yet almost shyly,
"I'll give you a call, if there is nobody to drop me off at night".
Aemon was chuffed, he gave a smile back and said, "Definitely".
While on his way back, Aemon realised - what
an idiot am I? Why didn't I tell her I'd pick her up no matter what? He
messaged her immediately - "Even if you have somebody to drop you off,
chuck it! I am picking you up."
She said yes. Aemon smiled. Once again.
***
For the second time that day, Aemon went - wow
- after picking up Ira again.
The night was quite. The journey was long. The
playlist had their favourites. Conversations happened.
But, again, it seemed to end too soon as the car
finally came to a stop.
But it was just the beginning. Aemon knew it. Ira
knew it. Their smiles said it all.
***
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