Editorial Health & Fitness Humour Book Review Short Story Travel Reflections Guest Column Prev Issue Next Issue

The bird flashed past, its wings a flurry of rich, soft colour. It settled on one of the branches then cocked its head to observe them.

'Hey, Suman, look at that,' exclaimed Arun. 'What a beauty! What is it?'

'It's a rose ringed parakeet,' she murmured. She was always sure to know those things. 'Rather rare to spot one in these parts. Don't move now. Perhaps it'll come nearer if we keep quite still.'

With a delicate movement of her wrist, she scattered on the grass some crumbs from the snack she'd been nibbling. A little later the bird was pecking away in front of her, all the while keeping one bright watchful eye on them.

Her face lighted up with warmth as she gazed at it. As for Arun, he could only have wished to remain looking at her forever.

It was the twilight of a mellow summer's evening, their favourite time of the day. A light breeze rustled the leaves of the ancient Banyan tree under which they were sitting. It carried faintly to them the music of laughter and raised voices from the other side of the park where there were more people. The sound gently riffled through the tranquil silence joined by an occasional twitter from the branches above.

In the horizon the sun had just departed in a blaze of purple and pink, and deep gold.

With a sudden whir of feathers the bird, having had its fill took off.

Suman touched his hand. 'Let's walk around, shall we?' she said. They rose and began to stroll around the park, arm in arm. As they reached the more crowded section Arun abruptly left her side and reappeared a few moments later.

'I bought these for you,' he grinned sheepishly, holding out a string of rounded jasmine. He knew how fond she was of the fragrance of that particular variety.

She was both amused and touched. How considerate he was, she thought, always thinking of ways to please her and cheer her up!

She stretched out her hand for the flowers, but he was too quick, darting behind to secure the string in her hair. 'Don't be so silly,' she scolded him affectionately. ‘People are staring at us…'

'Let them - what do I care!' he retorted with much energy, linking his arm once more through hers. The little girl who had sold him the flowers was watching them with a smile. A young woman waiting to buy a posy threw them a faintly interested glance.

Some time later Suman flopped down on one of the park benches. 'My legs are aching,' she complained. 'Are they indeed, old lady?' he teased, reclining beside her.

She gave him a playful slap, and then sighed.

Suddenly she felt very tired…

The young woman was now passing by, wheeling a pram, and laughing up at the man beside her. The baby made a gurgling sound and waved one plump arm at its mother. 'What a darling baby,' Suman thought.

For no apparent reason her eyes filled with tears.

Arun was quiet too. He stole a glance at her face as she sat with her thoughts faraway. Then he brightened and looked mischievous. Putting his hand in his pocket he drew out a gaily coloured package, which he produced in front of her with a flourish. 'Guess what I've got for you!'

She looked up with instant interest. 'What? Ooh!' A smile spread over her face.

'It's not - it can't be ... ' 'Yes, it is,' he assured her. 'Jalebis !' she squealed.

She loved the syrupy sweets. She made a grab for the box which he yanked provokingly out of her reach. Then they forgot about anyone who might be watching as they scrabbled over it boisterously, ridiculously like a couple of kids, finally collapsing on the bench in laughter, panting and gasping for breath.

'God, I'm exhausted,' she yawned a little later, wiping her sticky hands with a tissue. 'Let's rest a while before starting back.'

They settled down again, Suman leaning her head on his shoulders. She shivered. The chill of the evening was growing keener. Arun put his arm around her and hugged her close, and thus comforted they remained in silence for a long time.

'It must be nearly dinnertime,' he thought with a start. 'Suman?' But she had dozed off where she sat, and as he gazed down at her, stirred and muttered something in her sleep. He wrapped her shawl closer around her. He reached for her hand to pat it but found himself gripping it very tightly. There was a faintly bewildered look on his face.

Love and pain, he mused, life and death. He shook his head. Why did it all have to hurt so much? Who had the answers, anyway?

He drew a deep breath. He had to take hold of himself, for the next day was her birthday, and he desperately wanted to make it an event to remember. The other residents of the Home had promised to help all they could.

'We still have each other, Suman,' he murmured to his sleeping wife. He looked up and blinked into the gloom. An apologetic smile appeared on his face as he made out the scrawny form of Will the attendant approaching in the distance.

He knew the lad would scold them sternly, though not unkindly, for sitting out in the cold so long, and making him come out to fetch them, and did they want to catch pneumonia or bronchitis, at their age?

Suman was awakened with some difficulty and ready to return home, they both stretched and rose painfully to their feet.