For my wife

Lucky to have you,
I remember the first day I met you,
Green jeans, wet hair…
what struck me were the beautiful eyes,
eyes which I am still madly in love with;
The trip to Mc Donald’s,
a place I wouldn’t have visited but for you
The long talks about Richard Bach and Calvin and Hobbes

Those long chats on the net
discussing books and music
the time we finally decided
when we think so alike
why not spend our lives together.
The meeting with your dad
I was impressed that he didn’t show any immediate anger
or forbid us from meeting or talking
which now in hind sight I think prevented us from doing something in haste.

The engagement and the anticipation of the marriage
the shopping for wedding dress
where I saw you bubbling with enthusiasm
while I preferred planning for the home
we were about to set up.
And finally the wedding day
with the Konkani ceremony in the morning
and your very long bihari ceremony in the night
All my folks wrapped in razai
is what is the second picture I get when I think of that day
The first being a beautiful girl in maroon walking down the steps, You.
Your friends pulling your leg
and your aunts telling you to be shy and demure
and you just wanting to get to the mandap
after all the dress and the jewellery were weighing you down
not to mention the excitement or apprehension
of getting married


Our honeymoon, was one beautiful
whirlwind trip to paradise
driving around the wind swept
roads along the sea
and through the forests.
You holding on to me
I felt not a care in the world
wishing the time would go on and on
You me and the beauty of nature around us.
The snorkelling, the emerald blue waters
the soft silken sand
holding your hand
walking down the deserted beaches
or were they deserted?
I don’t think I noticed nor cared.

How time flies,
many winters and summers have passed
we now have a little one of our own
who has made us realise
the love and sacrifice our parents made.
Somehow our lives did not change
as much after marriage
as after Adu came.
Has he made us more responsible?
Can we do as good a job as our parents?

Now, when I am alone
without you, I miss you
and realise how much I take for granted
all that you do
to run our home smoothly
manage naughty Adu
and bring balance to my life.

I may not do enough
to show how much I love you;
I have not told you
I love you, enough.
Yet in my heart
I know I cannot do without you.
Yes, I am so lucky to have you.