Monday, August 4, 2014

You had me from hello

We set out on our journey to Paro Airport. It was still before dawn and all dark. That’s the thing when we’ve to catch early morning flight. Actually I was accompanying my friend Sonam till the airport as he was leaving for studies.
It was raining considerably in Thimphu. Sonam was driving and I sat in the front seat and was feeling pretty woozy. In fact, we were traveling in a stark silence. I tried talking to him but I’ve nothing to say, so I kept quiet.

But it was Sonam who broke the silence, “Hey Riku, get married. When I return from my studies after three years I want to see you complete. Settled down.”

I knew he was pushing on me, jokingly though. So I just smiled at him.

But he was quick to react on his own statement, “But you know what? Marriage is all we wanted in our life. That’s what everybody wanted out of you.”

He pulled down the window glass and the deep chill air gushed into the car. This is exactly what happened to me when people inquired me about marriage – a deep chill runs through my nerve.

“But you’re different, my friend. You are taking your own time. Marriage is not everything. If you think you don’t want it, stay single. That’s also life,” so he comforted me.

In fact, that’s got to be the nicest thing anybody’s said to me in recent time. Then he played on his stereo. Well, it was Bon Jovi and his track You had me from hello. It went on,

At the mirror you fix your hand and put your makeup on
You're insecure about what clothes to wear
An' I can't see nothin' wrong
To me you look so beautiful, when you can't make up your mind

Meanwhile Sonam began singing to the song. As he sang, he strummed his hands on the steering wheel and shook his head to the melody his eyes focused on the road. Now and then, for a brief moment, he glanced and smiled at me in an excited way.

The rain kept pouring down. I watched the nonstop drops of rain tapping on the windshield and how the wiper pushed them away. At the same time, Bon Jovi kept on singing from the stereo; but this time I too hummed it and together we sang it loud,

The first time I saw you, it felt like coming home
If I never told you, and just want you to know
You had me from hello.

We rode through the road on and on. Sometimes bumpy and muddy, other times foggy and dark, but most of the time it was a smooth ride. Our friendship too has been suffused with a bittersweet passage of time. We had highs and lows but often did it sail smoothly. 

When we reached Paro Airport the rain stopped and dark sky gradually opened up for a beautiful morning. After bidding Sonam farewell at the airport, I began my journey back home.
As I drove, I played on that song again. I rolled down the glass and the deep chill air gushed in the car, but this time it felt different – very pleasant and comfortable.

I spread my hand out the window and craned my head too - receiving the air full on my face. Oh, it felt simply amazing. That is it. I needed to open the closed window of my mind and break out to embrace change in my life.

Eventually, the morning sunlight gently flooded the entire valley. It’s a fresh morning and new day. For me it’s new take on life; hopefully marriage and having my own family. 

19 comments:

  1. Interesting read, Riku. I can smell it. I can see you are deciding to settle. All the best, and hoping to see your beautiful better-half in the near future. Keep sharing. :)

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    1. I am blessed with this comment. Keep visiting, Langa.

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  2. Riku sir, I loved the second last stanza the most. Nice treat of you. Thanks.

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    1. Thank you Sangay. I would love to read loads from you too.

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  3. nice post Riku sir; and good to know that the most eligible bachelor is finally decideing to settle down..:) all the best!..

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    1. That's too high tag for me. But I am happy for your wishes. Thanks for the comment.

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  4. All the best for your new life to start. Lovely post.

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  5. Nice post Riku ji....And all the best of luck for that new take. Hope to read more updates on this...:)

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    1. I would love to write more on this new take. Keep visiting la.

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  6. Interesting post sir~~ Hope more to see your update la~

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  7. All the best my pal. That is what I have been reminding you now. All the best ahead. May you attain all the joy in this world. Tashi Delek for now!

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  8. a lovely post sir....the way you described the weather was beautiful and with the pictures it was even more fun to read....looking forward to more of your posts and your life as a family man....:D

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  9. If u r seriously considering to settle down, my wishes are all for u.... Best of luck hai and I hope you would soon introduce us to your would-be better half. lol

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  10. Riku, it is good to know that u r taking the marriage life seriously. Hoping to rock and roll i u r marriage party. All the best and choose the right one.

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  11. Marriage is democracy made in heaven, only your vote is counted in choosing your leader, choose well ha ha ha because you don't want to mess with this one life you got. Good thing about waiting is that you land up with the ONE, and I hope you find yours soon, or perhaps you must have it already sealed going by the gush of fresh air kissing your face early in the morning.
    After your marriage if you still travel, if you still blog, if you still post photographs then I will know that you have made the right choice!

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  12. I second Pasang sir's views. Marriage is a democracy made in Heaven. U need to really be careful to vote for the best leader (I mean, Home Minister) haha. Otherwise, life becomes hell if u land up with a dictator like Adolph Hitler. lol

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  13. It is 2016 now. I am reading the article of 2014 in 2016. So poor in updates.

    I hope you are now a complete man i mean a beautiful family surrounding you.

    Tilthen, very, very and very nice article sir

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