An English proverb says, ‘Every coincidence has a plan’. Today as I stand here this evening I can feel the impact of it upon human lives. Before I get near the canopy let me ponder myself of what happened last night and what followed it.

I arrived at the “Wolf’s Club” at 9:15 PM for the shot of drinks and revelry as per my usual habit for year. I am Akash Roy, a successful architect of the city rolling in my pecuniary millions and rags of sentiments.

Sitting on the high chair at the bar, I asked the Bartender to get me a Jack-n-Coke. Sipping my drink I listened to the music trying to relax.

Time passed and I reached my third shot. The aura of the place started to blur a bit in the brown of the alcohol and the dim playing of the red and blue lights mingled in the drone of the music filling the air.

“I want to forget it all today. Forget it all…” I said to myself looking at the card in my Jacket’s pocket.

Eventually I sensed presence beside me. A man of twenty-five was sitting beside me, all by himself sipping at his Jack-n-Coke. He seemed to be alone over here like me, and was looking at me at intervals.

“Hi, I am Akash Roy.” I introduced myself. “I am member here for quite a long time. Have never seen you before in this place.”

“Hi Sir, I am Pratim Benerjee. I am actually a new member in this place, quite unfamiliar with all the faces here. It’s a relief that I could talk to you. Actually I am an engineer with my own business here in the city.”

“I am an architect, my company Magma Architects Pvt Ltd…” I continued

“Oh yeah, I have heard of that name, quite a big firm, it is a pleasure to meet you sir” He interrupted me

Thus the conversation began and continued over shots of Jack-n-Coke. I must say we both became drunk more in the conversation or in the whisky, I guess I never knew.

Political, professional, sports … we discussed it all. Almost unaware, he seemed like an old found friend to me… perhaps he felt the same too.

Presently he asked, “Tell me about your family Mr. Akash, your wife and children…”

Almost mesmerized I spoke to him, he had a kind of magnetic impact upon my conscience and I revealed to him everything that was going on within me. And passed time flashed in front of my eyes like the smooth winds.

I continued …

“My life … a life that I dreamt to make so very special with Maaya, the love of my life whom I fell in love with at the first sight, the angel whom I married and promised to live and love her forever. Days passed and soon I got my little angel … my Pebbles, my daughter.

Life was so beautiful when those little fingers touched mine and I would take her in my arms and she would smilingly call me “Papa”! I knew she was the special star in my sky!

Days passed and just as the daylight slips into the night soundlessly, so did the darkness creep into my life. Quarrels, tensions and suspects in personal life of Maaya and me shattered the beauty of dream. I took to alcohol, I had always been a slave to it and things worsen. We would fight for hours and days and the house became a furnace of emotions with blames for each other. And little Pebbles would cry and hide her face in this turmoil.

Things worsted and Maaya and I broke off. Pebbles went away with her. I am still fighting for a divorce. In the pain I started to seek shelter in Sushila, I knew she uses me but I keep running to be used just to get the momentary peace of mind … just momentary

Days have passed and Pebbles has now become a young lady, I have seen glimpses of her. She is pretty. She is so sweet, but she hates me so much. I could never get a chance to express how much I love her.

However I have learned to live. I have money, I have everything in this world” I laughed.

“You know what Pratim, at times in life you feel that Life would stop when you would lose something very special. But it doesn’t. It continues like the river. What changes is only the reason to live … only the reason to live”

Unknowingly the card had fallen off from my pocket while I was speaking and Pratim was looking at it while listening to it.

Yes the card … the wedding card of Pebbles!

“Yeah, my daughter is getting married, they have sent me the card by post”, tears rolled out from my eyes.

Pratim touched my hands “Mr. Akash, why are there tears in your eyes … why are you feeling like this so many years later too ..Why? Have you ever asked yourself? Deep within something has remained, like the little seed. How mush you bury it in the soil, deep down in the ground, it still breaks all the hurdles and emerges out in the search for light and life and grows to become a tree … to tell everyone that it exists and always does.”

I looked at him mesmerized by his words …clutched his hands.

He continued

“Indeed Life continues sir, but the reason to life doesn’t change … it remains forever. This is love. This is one life that god has given you, then why lose all the beautiful things in it. You have seen your angel, but lost so much, you have missed seeing her grow up, missed seen her play, cry and smile. You have missed to grow old with the lady you loved so much”

“And today, just because of your ego, you would miss her getting married. Why sir why? A lady is emotional; she seeks the security and the warmth of love. Give it to her, give it to the person you loved so much. God has given you this chance again to make up for everything you have wronged in life.”

“Go and get old with your lady Sir, very old. There is warmth in it. Trust me. Go and get your Pebbles, so what if you have not seen her grow up, but don’t miss watching her Pebbles get born and grow in your arms.”

“I think it is you who needs to take this step, you are the one who should do it, because believe me … The reason to live has remained the same deep within I feel, even though the crust has hardened.”

We talked for how long I don’t remember. When we went away to our respective places, our homes, I wondered who this stranger was… was he an angel? I didn’t know. A stranger who has made me realize what I could never know in all my life.

That night I didn’t sleep. I though over and over his words and stared at the stars in the sky. I dreamt with open eyes of the days that were. They really were the days …

This morning I went to the court and withdrew the petition for divorce. Naturally my lawyer had a shock, but my notes managed his smile. Then I went to the Jeweler and got the best set … just for my Pebbles.

This evening as I stand here at the wedding hall, like a pauper, scared and afraid to face my own people. So much distance I have created I wondered.

Maaya had grown old too; a stretch of white has touched her dark silky hair. She is still so beautiful and pure. I felt it after such a long time. Something I wanted to feel all the moments of my life.

I went near her, gave the gift to Pebbles, touched her forehead and blessed her. Tears came out from my eyes.

“I am so very sorry for everything” I told them like a beggar. “Forgive me for everything”

“Please … you don’t have to say anything. This is all we asked for the last eighteen years” Maaya hid her tears and went away and I went and stood at the corner.

The groom has come and Pebbles was also inside the wedding canopy. I felt like a criminal. I missed selecting the best groom for my little Pebbles too. I only relied in the will of god now.

The priest unveiled the floral cover the face of the groom and I looked into the eyes of Pratim Benerjee! I do not have any words …

An English proverb says, ‘Every coincidence has a plan’. Today as I stand here this evening I can feel the impact of it upon human lives. It has indeed impacted mine.

Looking at me Pratim blinked once smiled shook his head for approval. I shook mine too … in approval. Indeed I have not missed selecting the best groom for my little Pebbles.

He looked into my eyes then directed to Maaya. The priest has started the wedding rituals.

I smiled, wiped my tears and went ahead and stood beside Maaya. Hiding from the eyes of the multitude I slipped my fingers into those of her. She didn’t look at me. Shyly smiled and held my fingers a little more firmly.

Deep inside we were young like kids again I guess. Pratim was right, a lady is emotional; she seeks the security and the warmth of love.

From here to the thin line where the horizon fades in the earth, I would always be there for my Maaya, my love, for my Pebbles and her Pebbles.

Indeed life will continue, and the reason to live would remain the same forever till the place where horizon fades.

I Akash Roy, and this is the little story of my life... of our life.

PRASUN ROY