The day it all began

 It took just few heart wrenching seconds to step back and out of a life of purpose, of unhinged joy and spin you back down memory lane, when 36 years ago... 

- Two almost broke but resolute souls sat on a bench in front on the open grassy patch opposite Siddhivinayak temple in Dadar, promising to love and be together for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. 

- Parents and siblings realised this inexplicably strong bond between two souls of diverse background was unshakeable...and readily consented. 

- The saree-clad, teary-eyed beautiful woman held my palms, looked deep into my eyes, patted me on the cheek and said: Ok, Let's do it.

- 25-odd rupees and half hour later, we were in front of the marriage registrar signing a couple of documents, exchanging cheap garlands, while two journalist friends scribbled away as witnesses. 

- a quick celebration lunch at Golden Gate restaurant was the only time we had before she went back to her newspaper office and I went to mine. 


36 years later a teary-eyed woman holds my palms, looks deep into my eyes, pats me on the cheek and said: Ok, Let's do it!


Happy 36th, my bachcha.

A new chapter - our happiest - has just begun.

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