The pleasant mandolin ring tone passed strides through the air kissing others’ ears before reaching mine. I hurried to pick my mobile on the table. Never do I miss changing it to silent mode on entering office. But today nothing went as planned. I was late to work. Managed to barge in just a minute before 8, else would have costed me half a day's leave.
"How long have I been trying your land line...En late aachu? tiffin saaptiya?"(Translating: Why did it get late? Did you have your breakfast)
- That was the accustomed tone of my mother. "Yes ma, I had” - I mumbled. "What was there for breakfast? Did your friend come or did you have to have all alone?" - I wonder how ammas have so much patience. Never can I match her, not even at twice her age!
"inniki vazhila konjam late aaydthu ma...vandi problem..."(I got delayed. My vehicle broke down) I whispered. Surprisingly she dint ask me for minutiae. There was a ceremony at home which kept her busy, not letting her nudge for more details. Double-checking my phone's profile after putting it to silent mode, I got back to the decoding algorithm which I had left in a wrenched clumsy state the previous evening. Clocking some 9 and odd hours at office, I called it a day. Commuting to office on my scooty suited me better than the free cab facility. I enjoyed the ride. I wore a helmet while on state-maintained roads. And on other roads, I enjoyed the wind on my face and my hair strands dancing to the tune of the wind.
Early next day, around 7 in the dawn, as I neared my scooty I saw a fresh red rose wedged to its handle. Its sense and color gave me a breath of fresh air. Graciously scented, the rose bestowed the best start to my day. I had time left only to put on my head gear and kick start the vehicle. (I follow this honestly - first time in the day I never yoke the electric button cuddled and chilled over night.) I was more surprised than shocked by this incident and as the day heralded, thoughts of the color and the flower gradually faded.
The flower surprise recurred the following day. Surprise now turned into suspicion. The red rose did brighten my eyes but the retina reflected fear. Time not permitting I did not pause to look around.
A red rose continued to bedeck my scooty every morning. I cared not to share this with my mother for her stereotype mind would start roving into houses of my locality with deserving well-aged guys. I neither spoke to my friends about this because they will never let go a single chance to take best fun out. They have laughed enough on me and the state of affairs that have orbited me in the past. I did not wish to give them another prospect. They haven’t yet got over the guy by the coffee machine (yet another story, please follow the link if interested). I, for myself dint have time to spy for the rose girl/guy/angel in the morning hours. I had time only for the bare minimum things in the morning...On many days I would go to office with my hair knotted shabbily... “Software velaki poraya corporation office la vela pannariya?” (Translating: Do you work for a software company or for the metropolis?) - amma has whimpered many a times.
With days, suspicion turned into trepidation. I decided to take time and hide by my compound to seize the person behind the red rose. I succeeded! My eyes caught a little girl, a flower seller cautiously tucking a red rose between the handle and the body of my scooter. With no delay I ran to her. Yes, I knew this little flower girl. I recollected the face slapped red by the cruel autumn winds and the weary eyes. She greeted me “Akka, do you remember me? You thumped your vehicle on to the big tree by the roadside to save my flowers from toppling into the gutter. I was heading to deliver roses for a big order that day; if not for you, I would not have made up the last sum to pay my exam fees. I have nothing but these roses to show you my gratitude. I leave one on your vehicle every day.” The quivering hands that once looked pleading for flowers to be bought today looked composed. The shadowy eyes with quiet reveries looked confident today. I ran past a few pages of my life to stop by the episode when I had got late to work with my broken vehicle. Yes, it was an eventful day and I hadn’t realized it! I wished the best for her and thanked her for making my everyday beautiful with her unsullied unsurpassed red rose.
I kick-started my scooty, greeted the roadblock (hump) unusual to my true self (I normally groan), deserted the helmet enjoying every moment of the breezy ride. I knew the tune and sang along as it blew, to a rhythm of satisfaction with words of pride!
