The New Year Gift - a short story.
Posted 30th December 2007 at 08:54 PM by Chitvish
Updated 20th February 2008 at 01:39 AM by Chitvish
Updated 20th February 2008 at 01:39 AM by Chitvish
I left the shores of our dear country 30 yrs back, as soon as I got married to a U S citizen. I became a US citizen too, in course of time. But I never missed the enjoyable holiday we both undertook with family to meet both side parents, who continued to live In India.
Here, I have to give a brief introduction about myself. I was born and brought up in Bombay. Exposure to a cosmopolitan society in a metro city had its own advantages and disadvantages. When I was in college, I fell in love with a Christian boy Andrew, whom I met in a cultural function. I will not say, it was love at first sight. Over a period of time, we met each other in many cultural unctions and one got to know the other well. Love inevitably crept in and we started meeting each other regularly. It did not even strike me that my parents could refuse to allow me to marry a boy from a different religion. I always thought that they would stand by any decision, I take, regarding my marriage.
When I mentioned to my parents about my wish, all hell broke loose! My mother, to my greatest shock, got a heart attack and passed away! This shattered me no end and I started feeling indirectly responsible for her death. I was too meek to reopen the topic to my father who was already heart broken. It dawned on me that I had no choice but to forego my love and go by my father's wishes. Well, abide I did. I married Ramesh who was a U S citizen, within a few months and left for the US.
I do not want to tell a lie that I could ever forget Andrew completely. I did think of him very often and all that I could do was to pray that he should be well settled and blessed in life. I sensed the old flame of passion was no more there, but I thought of him more as a very close friend. We did not keep in touch because we had decided to bury our fond memories of the past and go ahead in life in our different ways. We had no hopes of meeting ever in life.
About 3 yrs back, my husband was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. It gave me a complete jolt. We gave him the best treatment since my elder son was an oncologist. But he passed away 3 years back. Well, I did take time to pick back the threads of life. I slowly fell into a routine of life without him. The emotional vacuum created by his absence around me could never be filled.
I still continued to visit my aged father in Bombay regularly. Last year in December, I went to Bombay to see him. I took my niece's children to the Juhu Beach. I was sky-gazing when the children were playing. Suddenly, I was taken aback by a familiar voice asking me "are you, Ananya?” .
I just turned round and saw Andrew. I was meeting him after almost 30 years. I just can't express what my feelings were when I saw him. Meeting an old friend is always a pleasure, but I was feeling guilty as well, for reasons best known to us. He was looking very pale and had a totally " disinterested in life" look. My heart really melted and I had to gather all my courage, not to show my feelings. We started talking after exchanging pleasantries. Shock is a mild word I experienced, when he mentioned that his wife passed away in a road accident 5 yrs back. How strange that both us had lost our spouses and were single! We did not talk much, but just exchanged our email ids, as I was leaving Bombay the next day, on New Year Eve.
After I landed in the U S, I got an email from him, asking me if we could keep in touch with each other by mail. I too agreed because I too wanted to open my mind to somebody since my children were all professionally busy. We promised to give each other the gift of time for the rest of our lives. Everyday, he sends me a mail, describing everything that happened that particular day. I too write to him everyday without fail the same night. We do not ever talk about our past, but share things happening on a daily basis. Our letters are full of care and concern for the other without even a trace of passion or love. However busy a day he has, he never fails to send me a two liner at least. I have no shame in admitting that it gives me the greatest gift of feeling wanted and thought about, by somebody every day. I share with him all my worries, anxieties and ofcourse happiness though of late these occasions are becoming less for me. He counsels me, helps me to tide through low phases and makes me realise that every day brings forth its share of new happiness. He is a very busy, much sought-after business magnate today. But he does not fail to send me a mail every day.
I realized for the first time that one can make a friend feel happy and wanted, by just spending some time, however busy a routine, one has. We never discuss in detail about our families. We just discuss about ourselves, our anxieties, worries and doubts. One reassures the other at times of stress and tension – that is what we all need a friend for ! He says that on a professionally tough day, my mails boost him up and he derives strength from my words!
I realise that what was "love" once upon a time in our lives has taken a new dimension today, with both of us giving eachother the gift of time, care and concern. Though individually, we do miss our spouses very much, this friendship does soothe our minds and has made us realise that a gift in life has a totally different meaning as well. Today is New Year's Eve and I thank God for opening up a new chapter in my life.
Love,
Chithra.
Friends, this is my first attempt at writing a short story !
Here, I have to give a brief introduction about myself. I was born and brought up in Bombay. Exposure to a cosmopolitan society in a metro city had its own advantages and disadvantages. When I was in college, I fell in love with a Christian boy Andrew, whom I met in a cultural function. I will not say, it was love at first sight. Over a period of time, we met each other in many cultural unctions and one got to know the other well. Love inevitably crept in and we started meeting each other regularly. It did not even strike me that my parents could refuse to allow me to marry a boy from a different religion. I always thought that they would stand by any decision, I take, regarding my marriage.
When I mentioned to my parents about my wish, all hell broke loose! My mother, to my greatest shock, got a heart attack and passed away! This shattered me no end and I started feeling indirectly responsible for her death. I was too meek to reopen the topic to my father who was already heart broken. It dawned on me that I had no choice but to forego my love and go by my father's wishes. Well, abide I did. I married Ramesh who was a U S citizen, within a few months and left for the US.
I do not want to tell a lie that I could ever forget Andrew completely. I did think of him very often and all that I could do was to pray that he should be well settled and blessed in life. I sensed the old flame of passion was no more there, but I thought of him more as a very close friend. We did not keep in touch because we had decided to bury our fond memories of the past and go ahead in life in our different ways. We had no hopes of meeting ever in life.
About 3 yrs back, my husband was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. It gave me a complete jolt. We gave him the best treatment since my elder son was an oncologist. But he passed away 3 years back. Well, I did take time to pick back the threads of life. I slowly fell into a routine of life without him. The emotional vacuum created by his absence around me could never be filled.
I still continued to visit my aged father in Bombay regularly. Last year in December, I went to Bombay to see him. I took my niece's children to the Juhu Beach. I was sky-gazing when the children were playing. Suddenly, I was taken aback by a familiar voice asking me "are you, Ananya?” .
I just turned round and saw Andrew. I was meeting him after almost 30 years. I just can't express what my feelings were when I saw him. Meeting an old friend is always a pleasure, but I was feeling guilty as well, for reasons best known to us. He was looking very pale and had a totally " disinterested in life" look. My heart really melted and I had to gather all my courage, not to show my feelings. We started talking after exchanging pleasantries. Shock is a mild word I experienced, when he mentioned that his wife passed away in a road accident 5 yrs back. How strange that both us had lost our spouses and were single! We did not talk much, but just exchanged our email ids, as I was leaving Bombay the next day, on New Year Eve.
After I landed in the U S, I got an email from him, asking me if we could keep in touch with each other by mail. I too agreed because I too wanted to open my mind to somebody since my children were all professionally busy. We promised to give each other the gift of time for the rest of our lives. Everyday, he sends me a mail, describing everything that happened that particular day. I too write to him everyday without fail the same night. We do not ever talk about our past, but share things happening on a daily basis. Our letters are full of care and concern for the other without even a trace of passion or love. However busy a day he has, he never fails to send me a two liner at least. I have no shame in admitting that it gives me the greatest gift of feeling wanted and thought about, by somebody every day. I share with him all my worries, anxieties and ofcourse happiness though of late these occasions are becoming less for me. He counsels me, helps me to tide through low phases and makes me realise that every day brings forth its share of new happiness. He is a very busy, much sought-after business magnate today. But he does not fail to send me a mail every day.
I realized for the first time that one can make a friend feel happy and wanted, by just spending some time, however busy a routine, one has. We never discuss in detail about our families. We just discuss about ourselves, our anxieties, worries and doubts. One reassures the other at times of stress and tension – that is what we all need a friend for ! He says that on a professionally tough day, my mails boost him up and he derives strength from my words!
I realise that what was "love" once upon a time in our lives has taken a new dimension today, with both of us giving eachother the gift of time, care and concern. Though individually, we do miss our spouses very much, this friendship does soothe our minds and has made us realise that a gift in life has a totally different meaning as well. Today is New Year's Eve and I thank God for opening up a new chapter in my life.
Love,
Chithra.
Friends, this is my first attempt at writing a short story !
Total Comments 51
Comments
 |  Very nice and cute short story dear Chithra..difficult to believe its your first..keeps the reader captivated till the last sentence..keep writing more..you are very talented.. |
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| |  Dearest AC, how do I thank you enough?Your other name is "encouragement", right? I am very thrilled that my maiden attempt has received such a quick, endearing feedback. I first thank God & next only you, AC ! Love to AC From La C. |
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| |  Hi Mami.... This is ur first attempt at story writing  . What a way to begin a new innings in ur already star-studded accomplished life. I sure look forward to many more...every Monday morning. Bye |
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| | Wow!!.. Very touching one... Love and friednship both dealt in a different angle.. I cant really take off my eyes and attention from the story... Cant really believe that this is your first attempt.. Keep going... Regards Priya |
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| |  Dear Chitvish, That is a great story... I really enjoyed it... Especially the ending portion.... very nice.... |
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| |  Dearmost Chithu, Excellent first attempt. Accept my tightest hugs for that. In the race against time and for money that all fo us are in today we forget the importance of making friends for life.But Iam proud to say that I have made a few of them and they will stand by me no matter what. Touchwood !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Though we might not even mail each other for months together the warmth and afeection remains the same. Nice blog on New Year's Eve!!! |
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| | Oh, dear Saraswathi.....No star or moon or sun !You all show me your love by these words ! I prefer to think that way rather than taking all your compliments "seriously" ! My first attempt has been welcome in IL - I thank God ! Love, Chithra. |
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| | Thankyou, dear Priya !You are right. Love sometimes turns into friendship, if circumstances pose constraints. But, friendship very often blooms into love over a period of time ! A big thanks for reading my blog & sending me a flattering F B ! Love, Chithra. |
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| | Veda, you are so sweet with....your words to me, as ever ! I am very happy, you liked this story. Lov, Chithra. |
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| | Dearest Janani, I am....happily enjoying your hug. In life, friendship has always meant a lot to me. I am still in touch with my first friend, who was my classmate in school. We meet once in 2, 3 years, but we are very close.I have friends in all age groups.So I understand what you write about friendship, Janani ! Thankyou. Love, Chithra. |
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| |  hi chithmam,a beautiful story with a message..and could not believe that it is your first one... . Do write more.... |
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| |  Dear Chith Wow! It was a nice New Year gift you gave us all. You have written it very nicely. No one will say that it is your first attempt. We often forget the gift of time, care and concern and only a friend can give it to us. So when are you gifting us another one. Love vidhi |
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| | Thankyou, Shan !Now, please do not imagine I am going to write stories regularly ! This story just happened, honestly! Love, Chithra. |
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| | DearVidhi, I strongly believe in....the concern we show to our friends always. The goodwill should continue even if there is not much direct contact. But now with the internet becoming a part of our life, distance is no criterion & all that we need is a few mts to spare & show our loved ones that we do care for them ! Love, Chith. |
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| | Dear chitvish maam, Leaving behind all the material things that everybody would want to have, who wouldn't love to have the generous gifts of "love and care" for the year to come and many more. My god, what a timing! I should say ur story made my day! I hardly have any friends in your age group and i will definitely say that i take pride in even just knowing such a vibrant personality! Usha |
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| | So, UshaV, from today....you come under my friends' list ! So, a New Year Toast to my new friend!  By the way, I have always made a note of your name in the forum because my daughter's maiden name was UshaV(iswanathan) ! Thanks, UshaV ! Love, Chithra. |
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| |  Dear Chitra Thoroughly enjoyed your first story. So we Ilites have recieved a new year gift from you.. our cookery queen and religious mentor blossoming into a professional writer.. Way to go.. Regards Sowmya |
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| | Dear Chithra, You are a good writer, no doubt. Now you have shown us how good you are at stories too. Way to go! Friendship between men and women were mostly looked at with suspicion at one time. Thankfully, in this time and age, genuine friendship between sexes is not treated with disdain and platonic relationships are accepted. There is a very positive note in your story. |
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| | Sowmya, my Honey !You are really teasing me, no problem !  No blossom - no writer ! This was just a passing thought, which took the shape of a story ! So, I decided to punish you all, my friends, for the New Year ! Thanks for your "cho chweet" words ! Love, Chithra. |
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| | Nivedi, you hit the nail on the head !With the increased exposure of a woman outside her family and home, friendship with the opposite sex is only a corollary. I read in a book recently that the deepest friendship is possible only between a man and a woman ! I was surprised and that thinking resulted in my writing this story ! We must accept that platonic love has come to stay in today's world and a man and a woman, by being friends, can prove an emotional anchor to one another. Thanks for joining us here. Love, Chithra. |
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Recent Blog Entries by Chitvish
- Dying only to be reborn ! (30th November 2008)
- Is only the wife resposible for maintaining the family balance? (23rd November 2008)
- Arati's magic! (16th November 2008)
- A friend can be a soulmate too! (9th November 2008)
- Sweeter life through compromise ! (2nd November 2008)
