Never Too Old

Never Too Old


The sun waved good bye to twilight, the sky turned indigo as the stars began to glow, the lights of the houses glimmered, just as the intense, fire filled symphony of color was quieting down and the sun became one with the sea, Keshu silently entered his house and heard silence. Grinning to himself he noiselessly climbed the stairs to his bedroom; he opened the door to be greeted by a sight that even today took his breath away, Ketki stood in front of the mirror dressing herself with only him in mind. Wearing his favorite color sari, as always she was trying to pin her pallu, but that was his job; stealthily he walked up behind her and planted a kiss on the curve of her shoulder;
“Let me” he mumbled with his chin on her shoulder.
Gladly Ketki handed the task over to Keshu and blushed as he gently pinned her sari
“I can pin my pallu, you know.”
“I know you can, but this gives me a chance to get close to you everyday.”
With the pallu pinned Keshu pulled out the gajra and with Ketki’s help he pinned it to her hair.

Still admiring her through the mirror he walked up and turned on the stereo, as Kishore Kumar’s voice streamed through the speakers, Keshu held out his,
“Dance with me Ketki.” Even before he could finish asking her he had wrapped his arm around her waist and guided her into his arms. With his one arm around her waist and the other hand on Ketki’s as it rested on his chest, they danced. As the song ended, Ketki said,
“Keshu you freshen up, I will bring you tea.”
“Ketki bring the tea to the jhula.”

As Keshu waited for Ketki on the jhula, his mind wandered back to the first time they had sat here, the swing was a gift for Ketki, a place for her to sit and enjoy the afternoon sun in her new house, but the swing had soon become their special place. It was here that he had first heard the news of him becoming a father and more recently a grandfather. His mind still on the past, he did not realize Ketki had arrived with his tea. Wanting to know the secret of his smile, she asked,
“Keshu why the smile?”
“Nothing, Ket just remembering all the good news I have received on this jhula, first Mehul, then Ketan and now Hriday.”
Returning his smile, Ketki said,
“Yes, Hiriday, The newest addition to the Sanghvi family, Keshu you are now a grandfather you need to stop romancing me every chance you get.”
Holding her hand, tucking her hair behind her ear, Keshu said,
“Ketki, I am Hriday’s grandfather, but I am still your husband and you my darling are just as young and beautiful as the day I married you and I will never be too old to romance you.” He smiled, as he laid his head on Ketki’s shoulder.

Glossary:

Gajra....White jasmine flowers strung together on a string, and tie it in your hair
Jhoola...A indoor garden swing