The May Memory

My memory goes back 16 years, May 20^th 1998. Moms elder brother, my uncle had his bypass surgery on May 15^th, he was still at the hospital and 20^th May, his wedding anniversary. Mom and I planned a surprise cake for uncle and aunt. Dad, mom and I were getting ready just then moms younger brother, my uncle walked in. Mom with an exclamation said “Oh! We are waiting for you, Mala will be back in 1 hour” I wondered why should I be back and when all of us celebrating at the hospital why is this uncle staying back…anyways many questions go unanswered until you unearth the truth.

We reached the hospital; uncle was very weak but bright stood my aunt all motivated in celebrating their silver wedding anniversary. A moment after we cut the cake, mom instructed our car driver to take me home, I asked her in a low tone, what was the hurry? With much hesitation she said, “At 9.00 you will receive a phone call at home, his name is Satish. Talk to him decently( I still wonder why mom said decently!!) and fix a time to meet” I wondered what was she up to and also realized my uncle at home is waiting to watch my conversation!!

The clock was ticking fast but my heart beat was even faster, the phone rang “hello, this is Mala here, who is speaking please” the voice from the other end “Hi! My name is Satish, I am from Bangalore. I am now in Chennai officially and my mom asked me to speak to Mr. Ramaswamy, is he there?” though I was bugged he said he wants to talk to my dad I appreciated his approach. “Satish, Dad is in the hospital to visit my uncle, he will be late, and should I pass any message?” “Oh! By the way I am supposed to be seeing you sometime today, mom said a good alliance and blah blah” said Satish. I grew more curious to see him, of course didn't show any desperation!! “We can talk on the phone Satish; I am not in for this seeing alliances with relatives, food spread and then waiting for a judgment, I am a very straight forward person who believes marriage is only 2 minds that can bring many souls together” he was smiling, I could sense that “I am actually feeling uncomfortable to talk, I have never kept long conversations with anyone over the phone, can we meet this evening? May be for a coffee” said Satish…I flipped for a moment “I said yes, 5.30 pm at Savera hotel.”

Mom and dad were excited more than me that I finally agreed to see someone, mom insisted in coming along, Dad was neutral but insisted not to hurt mom. It was a deal, I told them if I like the guy at one look I will take him to the beach, or else we all have coffee together and head back home….apparently all Bangaloreans love the Chennai beach!! Our dress code to recognize was I wearing a Pink Salwar Kameez, Satish was at work so formal wear with neck tie. We reached Savera hotel lobby, with no exaggeration there were close 50 men in formal wear walking up and down. Dad and I looked at each other wondering how I am going to recognize this guy!! Suddenly someone came literally jumping the line and introduced himself as Satish! There was a conference going on in Savera and 5.30 was tea time so all the men folk were out!!

I knew it was him, the butterflies in my stomach had all flown away, I was much more relaxed and after a cup of coffee I asked Satish “how about taking a walk at the beach, could do good since it is peak summer”. My parents got the clue and left the place with much dignity. We reached the beach by 6.00 pm; we spoke, spoke and only spoke till 9.30 pm. Our driver came looking for us, and had to wind up. It was late so he had to show his face to my parents while dropping me off. It was 10.30 pm when he left home, mom got a clue it was through, and dad called my sisters to express his happiness. I asked dad if I could go until the auto stand to drop Satish, since the driver was getting late to go home.

We reached the auto stand and I asked him “ice cream?” “hmm yes” he said, we went to the ice- cream parlor and decided not to eat ice cream, instead fresh fruit juice which was next door. It was 11.00 pm and I wanted him to speak up, there was silence while we were sipping the juice. “Will you marry me Satish” I proposed, he was shocked, stunned and the juice came out from all over his face!!! Can I call you tomorrow morning at 7.00 am he said….I felt embarrassed, wasn't sure why he said that! Satish without delay said “I don’t think I can fall in love again, I've been in love since morning with just your hello…I definitely don’t want to lose you in bargain with traditional formalities, I want to inform my mom that it is YOU even before I tell you YES I will, pick up the phone at 7.00 am he said and left with a big smile"

I saw every second of the needle move in my room clock, couldn't wait for it to be 7.00 am. When I got to the living room dad was on a call with his brother in Kerala, it was only 6.15 am.  Got my coffee mug and sat down with the news paper. Only when I put coffee mug down least did I realize the time was 6.45 am. Mom walked near the phone to call my aunt at the hospital, I told her with a firm voice to keep her conversation less and I was expecting a call at 7.00 am. Mom and dad knew I was tensed and waiting for Satish’s call, but they kept calm. Mom finished her call in 2 minutes, it was 7.00 and the phone did not ring, then 7.05 I picked up the phone to check if the dial tone was ok, 7.15 the phone did not ring yet, dad put his arm around my shoulder and said , don’t worry everything will be fine. I gave up hope to be receiving a call from Satish; mom was looking more worried than ever.

The phone rang at 7.22 am…dad asked me to pick the call, I was hesitant and with a heavy heart picked up the phone. “Good morning, Satish here.”  I sounded cold, “yeah tell me” I said. “You don’t talk so cold to the guy whom you are going to marry, do you Mala” he said…it took me a minute to grab myself and understand that he actually said YES!!! Satish very honestly admitted his flaws on being late always and very typically follows the IST + 30 mins all the time!! As I say this about him….16 years he hasn't remembered this date even once!