Lights, Camera, Action..
It was a chilling winter season in Goa, with the sun lurking down slowly into the sea, from its wide sky.
I knew that it would be cold after 7.00, so I had got my jacket to keep me warm, but as usual I, like a
casual maniac don't seem to like thick clothing, my old rugged jeans and a little grown beard and short
hears gives me the feeling of warmness during this season. I usually come at this place every weekend
after a tough schedule in the office.
I sat quietly on the warm sand besides the beach, listening to the songs of the breeze singing along
with the waves of the sea, it was all about music, which speaks a common language. I took a glance at my
watch, it was quarter to 7. I was waiting for a very old friend of mine who promised me to teach me playing
guitar during weekends, and she shall be there within no time.
Nevertheless, I wanted to finish off a piece of cigarette before she arrives, as I know she hates
the smell of it. So I, hastily but knowingly pulled out my old brand of cigarette from my Jeans. Thank god, it was the last piece that
I had in that torn out packet. The snick of the light from the lighter made sure that the cigarette was lit.
I puffed the first smoke into the air. There I could see the birds flying towards the sun, waiving its wings to say good bye to
the sun, who had kept them awake to work and to survive the whole day. Those sweet couples hanging bare footed on the beach floor holding hand in hand
made me a bit jealous, but the bliss of cheerfulness and love on their faces drove a breeze of happiness, God bless them.
I was humming my old soft tune..Hotel California.. because that was the best song that I could play my guitar with.
Not far away I saw the small kids were trying their best to build up a mud castle. I could see the small budding creativeness in
them and they were so happy, I doubt there wasn't any reason for them being happy. Smilingly then I spoke to myself "I was also a kid like them at one times"
that drove a sprinkle of joy inside.
The last puff of the cigarette made me realize the time. The sun was sinking into the blue watery sea, the lines on the sea level was shining like gold,
that scene was just too majestic. I could smell a familiar scent in the air. It was nothing but the sign of her arrival, my friend who promised me to
be there with me and my music that evening. There I saw her parking her motorcycle on the roadside casually on one stand, removing her round helmet.
She has a very simple attire, I saw her wearing the same plain green kurta hanging till her knee level with a clean white jeans.
I suppose greens her favourite color and mine too. She usually leaves her hairs loose, but I think she looks more beautiful with her hears tied.
Her black plastic spectacles hanging on her nose, makes her eyes look more beautiful and sparkling.
But she was wearing a Sandal..I had asked her a many times to wear shoes, she had met with an accident earlier which almost
broke her knees, so this being the reason I everytime ask her to wear shoes, that would make her feel more comfortable,
but..ok that's her favourite pair of Sandals.
After watching all this I stood up with my guitar in my left hand dusting the white sand that stuck in my
jeans and then slung the guitar over my back. I straightened my spectacle, which glued on my nose. She was looking out for me.
I waved my hands for her, she felt relieved to see me. She came up to me and said "hi, how are you, and how was the day" I said with a
thick first voice "the day was fine, but was pretty long" pushing both my hands into my front jeans pockets.
There she pulls out a chocolate from her pocket, which she bought for me. Had she known that I like chocolates. "this is for you" she said.
Taking the chocolates from her I offered her for an ice cream, I know she loves ice cream, even if it would be winter, she doesn't care. She is crazy.
Biting the chocolate I walked with her to offer her an ice-cream at the usual ice-cream stall. There, he was this happy
old man with his brown hat on, as if waiting for us said "hello madam hello sir", we wished him hello, he knew what I was going to order. As usual he prepared
the same vanilla with chocolate toast. That looked yummy.
I quickly finished my chocolate so that I could help her in finishing the ice-cream too. After all this time she had spoken a lot which I only realized
when she said "surjit any new song that you heard" I replied seeing the watch "hmm..yes..tracks of Indian ocean".
I said "the music by them is just too unique, I would recommend you hear them, its worth it, they have a real good taste for music,
and yes songs by Strings, both of them make a great duet."
She replied saying HMM..and when she says HMM..I know she has a lot of things going in her mind, and then I said "What about you".
She said "gulzars latest track Marasim and Hoobastank". Her taste for music is versatile.
I heard the church bells ringing softly, it was half past 7, the choirs of the nearby church made the winds realize its smell and so pleasing was her hairs
flowing then, she had this usual habit of smelling the wind when it blows softly, she looked beautiful, but
did she knew that.
Beauty..according to her is this planet..EARTH, which is so unique, it looks so calm and pleasant, that she makes sure that we are enjoying
her uniqueness, but has a lot of activities mingling within her..That was pretty well said lady. I don't think the way as she does, but she was true, I only
know that beauty is colors, and its right combinations, like this ice-cream which doesn't look cold as it colors says, but makes you feel its chillness
when you taste her, she languorly said HMM..
It says all..She asked me for my Guitar, I curled the blade of the Guitar strip and handed it over to her, she was holding the guitar as if was a professional
guitarist, she moved her fingers across the strings, she could really play the guitar very well, at least better than me.
Her fingers were synchronizing the flair of her mind. But, that was just a rehearsal; she was just checking the tuning of my guitar whether was the same
as earlier. I never realized that there are different shades in music and to get the real taste of music, you need to have the real feel for it, so it all about
taste.
Because your heart speaks music and your mind speaks music, the rainfall speaks music, birds, leaves, waterfalls, they have a natural essence of
music, she says. I could only listen to her as a child, as to there be many more things that I need to learn.
The time was enough to leave, her other students were also waiting for her guitar lessons, was I her special pupil, I guess so, may be, but I am her best friend,
because that's what she says.
She asked me to come along with her, but I said my bullet is ever ready to let her fuel burn and run. I always enjoy the ride on
my bullet, I instead asked her to join a ride with me.
She said HMM..
And the journey begins...
Surjit Huidrom writes regularly to e-pao.net
You can email the writer at [email protected]
This article was webcasted on 05th February 2005.
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