The Next Time ...

“Virendra.. ”

Radha fumbled around with her fingers .

The cold heavy alarm clock , the half opened tablets , the glass with her dentures and finally her cold rimmed spectacles .

She held them gingerly , almost lovingly . Folded her legs and sat up , her hand weighing down the hard flat pillow .

She put them on . The entire world becoming clear .. almost clear . The left glass had cracked a few days back .

Mr.sharma had such a bad habit. He’d put his walking stick on the table , and this time it landed on her spectacles .

Never mind , she repeated her “Hare Rama Hare Rama” and got up from the bed .

Her knees were sore , thanks to arthritis .

Last time Virendra had come , they had gone to this doctor .

 Her family doctor in Shimla . He told her they’ll do some surgery something .. but then , if Virendra wasn’t there . Who’d be there to take care of her ?

She put the dentures in ..and quietly walked around the bed .

The view from the window was breath taking … at least that’s what anyone new would think .

To her , it were the same hills . The ones in Dehra , Shimla , Chamba .

But somehow Virendra had liked this room . So she stayed .

And the last time he came , he bought those blue curtains too .

Blue curtains .. blue skies . ‘Winters are approaching’ ,she thought .

And wrapped herself in a shawl .

At this age , it’s always winter .

The shawl smelt so faintly of Virendra . He had wrapped her in this when they came here last time .

And Jenny had given her this wool cap . Swiss , she had said .

It’s too cold to take a bath . She decided , as she settled down in front of the mini temple in her room .

The Krishna idol , Virendra loved it so much .

He and his father had bought it together .

Some simple village Janmashtami fair , he had fed Him laddoo for years .

And this time , when Jenny and he’ll come , she’ll make sure the chhotu feeds Krishna too .

Her hands on her knees and clutching the cupboard next to her , she finally got up.

Raising her hand to the top most shelf , she fumbled around till she found the old box .

It was not so tiny , actually Virendra’s painting box .

He used to keep his brush and paint and what not in it !

And so many prizes he’ll bring when he was In college .

‘I wonder , if he still paints ? I must ask him the  next time he comes ‘

Inside it , was an old painting brush , a “Mothers’ day” card , an old faded photograph of a small kid in the arms of his mother ( the black and white ones you take in old photo studios ) .

And a coloured photo of a tall 30s something Indian guy , a blonde and a baby in their arms .

She looked at it lovingly , running her fingers over it . As if touching it .

“I must learn this e-mail soon “ , she kept the box back .

The last time he had come , they had all gone out . And Jenny was talking , she couldn’t understand .

All the accent and the english , but Virendra kept translating .

He looked so tall . He looked like his father . If only he was there , he’d be so proud of his son .

He was talking about his company , and blooming business , and some estate . And Jenny wanted her to come too .

“Where will I go at this age ? You people go ahead .. anyways you’ll be coming back from time to time . “ , and Virendra had put her hand around her .

She shuffled forward , cane in hand .

It was time for breakfast , and curse these stupid broken spectacles , the world ahead looked unclear to her  .

As she entered the hallway of ‘Care Old Age Home’ ,she wiped the glasses one more time ,

“I’ll get them repaired for sure .The next time Virendra comes …”