The EVE

           It was a festive time all around, and he had taken her to the local art fest for which she had been waiting for days with a list of things to grab.
           She was wearing a royal blue Salwar with small white polka dots on it. And only a Black ear-rings to round it off. He just put on a Denim Blue Jeans, Polo T and a Titan Edge and he was up and ready. They both were carrying it off quite well looking quite imposing as a couple.
           They walked to the maidaan, she was being very cozy grasping him by his arm and her flaunting hair were cuddling with his right cheek with an occasional breeze. She was so chirpy, full of energy. But obvious! as shopping and arts were her favorite longings. All the while she talked and talked intently and he sipped in each of her word soothingly. As he was well aware that she liked it when someone listened to her expressions and come up with a clever inserts that had always been a turn on for her. So they discussed food, debated over movies and arts. And he was quite ardent when it came to debating as he would always quite wisely put his point that she would have nothing in return but a meek nod.
           Then there was some quiet period as they approached maidaan. He could see her face brighten step by step. It was not just the flood lights but the whole aura from the maidaan seem to have put a spring in her steps, as she was almost dragging him behind her.
           As they walked in under the craftily structured archway they were greeted with host of stalls across the perimeter of maidaan and at the center there was a stage for mythological plays which were to begin late that night, People wearing funny, scary masks had gathered, kids were being amused at a magician showcasing his guile. Painters, sketchers were in a corner with some fragile looking stools arranged in a semicircle around them, maybe they were giving away some easy hand tips and tricks for the enthusiasts. And the whole quarter of the maidaan was accommodated by stalls with variety of clothing of different traditions, glistening ornaments, necklaces etc. Then there was pottery, Literature and a parade of musicians setting up an enchanting ambiance.

She asked him, 'Toh, kahaan se shuru kare?'
'Books' he replied with a grin and pointing towards a stall to the right.

           Then they scanned through every stall. Checked out every single thing, asked him for opinions and finally stood firm on one of them, then bargained for it, with her nonchalant smile. She always won these duals with anyone on any given day.
           He was just like those 'Bhaiyya-ji' standing across selling their stock to the ladies with utmost grace and without uttering a single word just letting her do the talking and choosing but also chipping in between with a little inserts on something. But yes, being with her for shopping, taking her around never bored him. He always looked for a way to give her some time from his 24*7 busy schedule.
           Right then an announcement was being made, "...Kuchh hi palo me pesh hogi khudaa ki kaarigari ki misaal deti daastaan. . "
           As soon as he heard it, he told her about it and started towards the stage to occupy the best possible place with bags full of things in hand. She followed him right behind carrying some of the bags.
           He was mesmarised at the stunning dialects and plush costumes of those actors, and the set so gaily painted. He was looking at their expressive faces with keen interest and admiration.

"isn't she adorable?" He asked with affection pointing to a child artist, and she awwwed in agreement.

           Everyone was so animated in the audience. There were cheers when the king would take the stage and loud sighs when Evils made their mocking laughs, Moments of silence and tension when the princess was running away from the troops of hell and loud claps and whistles when the Prince came for the rescue. 
           People were so engrossed in the play, just when a loud scream broke through the crowd as a lamp fell over a tent setting up a fire and a mild explosion took place as one of the small stove caught fire and people were running helter-skelter not knowing what to do, not sure what actually took place they were just responding to the waves from one end and heading opposite to it.
           He looked around and saw she was not besides him, He felt a sickening chill, he panicked, but quickly caught his calm. He looked around for a high vantage point to search, after spotting a podium he started towards it. He stood atop on it, surfing through the fussing crowd, his eyes numb shouting for her, calling out to her. He became restless by every moment, and he was shaking and sweating.
           It had been about 5-6 minutes and his mind already began to make unpleasant conclusion 'what if she. . ' 'Is she. . ?' and he just couldn't hold himself upright on that podium and just when he was about to collapse in a sob He heard someone screaming to top of their voice and calling out his name. He wiped his tears and looked up with hazy eyes he saw a Blue image approaching and just as she reached him he saw her beautiful face shoving in his chest embracing him with all of her force, kissing him on his cheeks, smiling and crying and again collapsing in his arms till she felt completely soothed.

           On the other end he was just left motionless, his face was pale as if just out of a nightmare, not knowing how to react. He slowly took her out wrapping an arm around her, feeling lucky but in reality there wasn't as much as to concern in their but it hit him like a thunderbolt . . 
. . .and He just stared and stared, going deeper and deeper in her eyes, feeling the warmth of her tears, thinking over what happened and thanking his goodness.
           He visualised that moment over and over again, saw her approaching towards him, melting in his arms, she was feeling so much at peace, feeling homely and safe made him wonder on that eve . . 

'I may not be her Adam, but this most certainly is MY EVE.'

-V. V. Talavanekar.