This sunday after a traditional lip smacking, Sunday special meal of "daaldhokli", we were preparing for an afternoon siesta to the tune of Geeta Dutt's old favourites on my little juke box..

Sleep was on the threshold holding its blanket and about to cover us and transport us to a different world ...

Half asleep and with sleep laden eyes my wife spoke so very softly with such a sincere appeal that I could even notice the quiver of her soul when she asked "will you promise me you will wait for me in the next life and others beyond also......?"

Both of us have crossed sixty and no longer have the glow of youth at time of our wedding thirty three years ago.....

Just when you think you know all about your partner of so many years, an element of surprise and challenge of a‎n un chartered terrain overwhelms you!!!

I was doing "vam kuxi" and had my back to her but this appeal opened my eyes and heart right to the soul and prompted me to say without hesitation and spontaneously " Yes ofcourse I will always wait for you" and I said it several times in different ways assuring her even if it meant turning down a chance for moksha if it was offered to me in this life or even next.... and I can say I meant it.

After all a promise was made to life's best friend and partner and no worship could be higher than keeping it I surmised...

She cuddled and slept like a happy child in the cradle of my arms as I turned to her. I also looked at the decorative ceiling of our bedroom and felt like a child myself with a satisfaction that with this promise I was able to decorate my life in small way as well....

Sleep slowly drew her blanket over us and we were soon lost to the world........juke box still playing......"Aaj Sajan mohe ang laga lo janam safal ho mera...."

Pinakin Lalsodagar‎.

22/10/2014

Written one Sunday afternoon...