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Embrace The Present
#WritcoStoryChallenge
#CoronaVirus
Social isolation had forced an eerie silence upon them. While fear haunted their existence, one question was at the forefront - When will this end? When will they go out again on their respective diverging paths? Whenever they were at home on weekends there was always an uncanny silence between them.....
Sakhi and Sarif had been married for 25 years but a small unknown vaccum was there in their life, Sarif worked in a Pharmaceutical central government owned firm in Rishikesh & only visited Sakhi on few weekends but now health & age also took it's toll on him ...
While Sakhi lived in their ancestral house tending the house and working as a Teacher in Pine Red Mount in Himachal
They both loved each other ..& years rolled by.........
Every few
weekends Sarif arrived with flowers -Daffodils, Mushrooms ,Bonsai Larch,Ferns , Java Mosses,Dhalia, Pansy, Roses for Sakhi who was secretly cherishing a dream of owning a poly house and a nice garden,
Sarif, had known about it by being observant regarding Sakhi's interest & had even once asked,
When they were sipping tea and enjoying a rainy weather in their verandah.."what if you owned a poly house or a nursery?,
Sakhi as expected had gladly answered- 'I would cherish it and enjoy nurturing them as my own kids.
From then on, he had bought more flowers, Bio char, vermicompost, Seaweeds for her
he use to keep them there on the table and would go in, to refresh himself and Sakhi would find & merrily pick them up and later adorn them in their garden, (occassionally Sarif also helped her but most of the time stayed away due to allergies)...... after which Sakhi would do some cooking, Sarif's favourite food was prepared, during their meals they would thank each other for kindness and generosity and talk about the dilemma's of life, their jobs, parents and so on...but there was always something uneasy maybe few formal talks, unarticulated care was always at their disposal but ...... something lagged ....
Often Sakhi would think how lucky she was to meet Sarif, and would enjoy a deep reminiscence..... Even Sarif thought the same, but both never divulged....
Twenty Five years back they were introduced to each other by their parents and soon it was a marriage made in heaven ..... everything was good..... shyness took time to permeate and they started sharing,
but few days after marriage Sarif was designated a decorated post of Pharmaceutical Officer in central government owned firm.... In Rishikesh
Sarif had always wanted to work hard and keep the family happy plus it was a promotion with unexplored possibilities, but he was anxious and they both anxiously discussed the consequences..... Sarif planned to call off & resign but Sakhi thought against it as Sarif was getting his chance which although he had never expressed & hence braced him to join it so....the very next day they hugged and parted with a promise to meet on weekends whenever possible and so it went on both trying to adjust.... Sakhi hugging her pillow at night while Sarif kept Sakhi's photo near side table,
but it was not long when Sakhi found out about certain complications & couldn't give birth......she missed Sarif, wanting to share her woes, & on many occasions she missed him so was with Sarif but both were unsure about each other's feelings and were trying to keep each other's expectation and hence things went on as usual
It was, Sarif returned to Himachal as a giant swarm of virus was attacking the world and work from home became the norm, relaxed at home Sarif and Sakhi were.
As there was nothing to worry as Sarif was home and Sakhi a connoisseur cook spent her time well,
skinny Sarif was soon chubby . .although comfortable with each other's presence as they both helped each other in their own way there were moments of awkward silence between them .... One morning, Sarif...was caught up in the tide of recession even after being a high level employee, idea of depending on Sakhi and causing her trouble petrified him more,as he respected her,
he was scared as well (as he being a self made man) he thought to himself & recollected- 'How can i even ask her for money when during wedding i never asked for dowry (something which Sarif hated the most)
Although, Sakhi's father was offering and not in these years have I caused her any harm, I love her and respect her!
Even on Sakhi's insistence,
Sakhi and Sarif two months ago had plead in an orphanage to adopt a child and the procedure was going on ... After which they could adopt in six months but now, what if he couldn't find a job before that ? and the price after this pandemic were going to be sky rocketing ..... How will they sustain themselves? Was he to depend and worry her & little cherub ,which would be at home in six months? Although their existence was haunted with the disease spreading at the speed of light and social isolation had created a problem with recession pounding on.....
No job ,for few months he knew it well and was getting more and more anxious .... It was not long Sakhi noticed him pale & strange ....there used to be uncanny moments of silence before but this time an anxiety was flickering in his eyes. Sakhi thought better to initiate a conversation thinking getting comfortable Sarif would reveal about his grief,
Hence, she started taking about their friends and neighbours while having lunch ...with Sarif,
but Sarif was in his own tensed world, Sakhi noticed this and tried diverting the conversation on his health......but then after getting a monotonous reply she called out to Sarif - what's the matter with u? Is everything okay with your health ? Everything fine in office? ...." Hmmm, came the reply, perplexed and irritated Sakhi retorted, you have no right to worry yourself you think I can't see your tensed face?...... I demand an explanation from you for your shuttered behaviour...coming to the present, Sarif for a moment was taken aback....by Sakhi's anger ...then taking a deep breath Sarif.. reluctantly recounted, Sakhi was all ears...then she shuffled herself close to Sarif & squeezed his hands tightly it's nothing to worry I have earned and saved for us, it's nothing bad if we help each other during the crisis, a world over hard time,
Do you remember we entered into an unknown world when we married ?, a risk with heart but very well .As a couple, trust grows when we share and accept each other's vulnerabilities and respect although tough,but a brave thing..... to do......
We are each other's shadow and have solemnised for so let's just cherish each other.....
.... Let's welcome the cherub with open heart and embrace joy .....lets just sail through it together as two are always better than one toiling around....
..we should be thankful that no matter what.....
We are together huddled at home in this crisis....and we have time to spend together..
and as for your job Sarif, would you like to give me a hand.... In our nursery business? I have been planning for it....Sarif looked up and hugged Sakhi and whispered he would love too,
a gleam in his eyes.......... with it he added, it's better to be together and to understand each other, Sakhi Reminded -----
Sometimes As bitter as bitter gourd, As sweet as sugar....yes we are stated Sarif, although, God forbid we never had a fight pipped Sakhi...but still...fighting like polar bears ...but somewhere we know that we have to stay together so why not rejoice and be happy together Is the ' jubilant formula' of relationship.....
.. .. As every day brings new things & teaches us to count on the blessings of life and this virus will surely vanish into thin air, but we are lucky to have met each other & to have each other by our side both Sarif & Sakhi chirped in together!
After the shadow of virus lifted it's veil, cherub was welcomed & christined 'Krishnakshi', then plans of a poly house, precision farming, permaculture with usage of hydroponics ( expensive yet easy technique to grow plants solely in water), aquaculture, geoponics( growing plants with application of soil) were drawn out and the
'State Of Art Nursery' competed to serve people the best & peace, love prevailed!
© kalika singh
#CoronaVirus
Social isolation had forced an eerie silence upon them. While fear haunted their existence, one question was at the forefront - When will this end? When will they go out again on their respective diverging paths? Whenever they were at home on weekends there was always an uncanny silence between them.....
Sakhi and Sarif had been married for 25 years but a small unknown vaccum was there in their life, Sarif worked in a Pharmaceutical central government owned firm in Rishikesh & only visited Sakhi on few weekends but now health & age also took it's toll on him ...
While Sakhi lived in their ancestral house tending the house and working as a Teacher in Pine Red Mount in Himachal
They both loved each other ..& years rolled by.........
Every few
weekends Sarif arrived with flowers -Daffodils, Mushrooms ,Bonsai Larch,Ferns , Java Mosses,Dhalia, Pansy, Roses for Sakhi who was secretly cherishing a dream of owning a poly house and a nice garden,
Sarif, had known about it by being observant regarding Sakhi's interest & had even once asked,
When they were sipping tea and enjoying a rainy weather in their verandah.."what if you owned a poly house or a nursery?,
Sakhi as expected had gladly answered- 'I would cherish it and enjoy nurturing them as my own kids.
From then on, he had bought more flowers, Bio char, vermicompost, Seaweeds for her
he use to keep them there on the table and would go in, to refresh himself and Sakhi would find & merrily pick them up and later adorn them in their garden, (occassionally Sarif also helped her but most of the time stayed away due to allergies)...... after which Sakhi would do some cooking, Sarif's favourite food was prepared, during their meals they would thank each other for kindness and generosity and talk about the dilemma's of life, their jobs, parents and so on...but there was always something uneasy maybe few formal talks, unarticulated care was always at their disposal but ...... something lagged ....
Often Sakhi would think how lucky she was to meet Sarif, and would enjoy a deep reminiscence..... Even Sarif thought the same, but both never divulged....
Twenty Five years back they were introduced to each other by their parents and soon it was a marriage made in heaven ..... everything was good..... shyness took time to permeate and they started sharing,
but few days after marriage Sarif was designated a decorated post of Pharmaceutical Officer in central government owned firm.... In Rishikesh
Sarif had always wanted to work hard and keep the family happy plus it was a promotion with unexplored possibilities, but he was anxious and they both anxiously discussed the consequences..... Sarif planned to call off & resign but Sakhi thought against it as Sarif was getting his chance which although he had never expressed & hence braced him to join it so....the very next day they hugged and parted with a promise to meet on weekends whenever possible and so it went on both trying to adjust.... Sakhi hugging her pillow at night while Sarif kept Sakhi's photo near side table,
but it was not long when Sakhi found out about certain complications & couldn't give birth......she missed Sarif, wanting to share her woes, & on many occasions she missed him so was with Sarif but both were unsure about each other's feelings and were trying to keep each other's expectation and hence things went on as usual
It was, Sarif returned to Himachal as a giant swarm of virus was attacking the world and work from home became the norm, relaxed at home Sarif and Sakhi were.
As there was nothing to worry as Sarif was home and Sakhi a connoisseur cook spent her time well,
skinny Sarif was soon chubby . .although comfortable with each other's presence as they both helped each other in their own way there were moments of awkward silence between them .... One morning, Sarif...was caught up in the tide of recession even after being a high level employee, idea of depending on Sakhi and causing her trouble petrified him more,as he respected her,
he was scared as well (as he being a self made man) he thought to himself & recollected- 'How can i even ask her for money when during wedding i never asked for dowry (something which Sarif hated the most)
Although, Sakhi's father was offering and not in these years have I caused her any harm, I love her and respect her!
Even on Sakhi's insistence,
Sakhi and Sarif two months ago had plead in an orphanage to adopt a child and the procedure was going on ... After which they could adopt in six months but now, what if he couldn't find a job before that ? and the price after this pandemic were going to be sky rocketing ..... How will they sustain themselves? Was he to depend and worry her & little cherub ,which would be at home in six months? Although their existence was haunted with the disease spreading at the speed of light and social isolation had created a problem with recession pounding on.....
No job ,for few months he knew it well and was getting more and more anxious .... It was not long Sakhi noticed him pale & strange ....there used to be uncanny moments of silence before but this time an anxiety was flickering in his eyes. Sakhi thought better to initiate a conversation thinking getting comfortable Sarif would reveal about his grief,
Hence, she started taking about their friends and neighbours while having lunch ...with Sarif,
but Sarif was in his own tensed world, Sakhi noticed this and tried diverting the conversation on his health......but then after getting a monotonous reply she called out to Sarif - what's the matter with u? Is everything okay with your health ? Everything fine in office? ...." Hmmm, came the reply, perplexed and irritated Sakhi retorted, you have no right to worry yourself you think I can't see your tensed face?...... I demand an explanation from you for your shuttered behaviour...coming to the present, Sarif for a moment was taken aback....by Sakhi's anger ...then taking a deep breath Sarif.. reluctantly recounted, Sakhi was all ears...then she shuffled herself close to Sarif & squeezed his hands tightly it's nothing to worry I have earned and saved for us, it's nothing bad if we help each other during the crisis, a world over hard time,
Do you remember we entered into an unknown world when we married ?, a risk with heart but very well .As a couple, trust grows when we share and accept each other's vulnerabilities and respect although tough,but a brave thing..... to do......
We are each other's shadow and have solemnised for so let's just cherish each other.....
.... Let's welcome the cherub with open heart and embrace joy .....lets just sail through it together as two are always better than one toiling around....
..we should be thankful that no matter what.....
We are together huddled at home in this crisis....and we have time to spend together..
and as for your job Sarif, would you like to give me a hand.... In our nursery business? I have been planning for it....Sarif looked up and hugged Sakhi and whispered he would love too,
a gleam in his eyes.......... with it he added, it's better to be together and to understand each other, Sakhi Reminded -----
Sometimes As bitter as bitter gourd, As sweet as sugar....yes we are stated Sarif, although, God forbid we never had a fight pipped Sakhi...but still...fighting like polar bears ...but somewhere we know that we have to stay together so why not rejoice and be happy together Is the ' jubilant formula' of relationship.....
.. .. As every day brings new things & teaches us to count on the blessings of life and this virus will surely vanish into thin air, but we are lucky to have met each other & to have each other by our side both Sarif & Sakhi chirped in together!
After the shadow of virus lifted it's veil, cherub was welcomed & christined 'Krishnakshi', then plans of a poly house, precision farming, permaculture with usage of hydroponics ( expensive yet easy technique to grow plants solely in water), aquaculture, geoponics( growing plants with application of soil) were drawn out and the
'State Of Art Nursery' competed to serve people the best & peace, love prevailed!
© kalika singh
