Summer of ’95 had finally arrived. This meant free time, no school, late mornings, quality time with things held dear, food, outings, daydreaming and pure fun. For years this was awaited. Rasika, a very studious student throughout, had got it all planned. Board exams had just finished. College was to start after a gap of two months. New beginnings can wait. Her sacrifices in the past months to prepare for her exams deserved free will and freeness from all things that chained her schedules. Spending time with grandparents was a mood changer for her always. Their stories were refreshing when the whole house was asleep in the afternoons.  After a round of carrom with both of them, this was the second-best thing that she looked forward to. The cook and maids used to sleep too.  Within a week of the holidays, she started getting bored with things she had yearned to do. Tennis classes were to commence in another three weeks. Novels and storybooks helped her to get a good night’s sleep. Most of northern India burned in summer. This meant staying indoors during the day. Delhi was no different. Hellish heat deprived everyone of outdoor sports but Rasika had her way. When her grandparents too used to slip into sleep Rasika was on her own. This meant exploring places within the household to paint and draw. She loved graffiti and post waking up finding Rasika pursuing her talent just used to make their day. Her parents were away working and only on Sundays, they used to meet. Sundays meant just being with them in every possible manner. A  few games of playing cards, watching television together, helping in the kitchen, good food, and loads of fun summed her Sundays. Her mother was a teacher and her father owned a clothing shop in Lajpat Nagar. Her mother Taru used to join her hubby Sahil to help out when the classes got over. On Sunday the shop was closed and it was a big relief for the entire family. Familial bonding got a new glow every Sunday. 

Her mother, now 42, could have chosen to stay home when the schools were closed but she chose her husband to spend time with rather than stay home and play with Rasika. This was something that Rasika got used to without much fuss. Maybe her mother was preparing her to be a one-man army from early on. In their absence, she not only took care of her grandparents but also looked after the needs of the house. Daughters were always meant to be married as soon as they finished college. Rasika somehow felt that she would not have the same fate as the others. She was glad about this difference and was super proud of her parents for letting her be. Tough love shapes the overall outlook and attitude of children. Over the top demonstrative love spoils children. The Khanna’s kept a good balance. They never shirked away from their duties but never overdid things either. From time to time they called to check on her and the occupants of the house gave a brief that led to smiles. Rasika had a thing with rabbits. Sam was her pet and was totally white in color. To give him company Lucy was added to the revelry on Rasika’s fourteenth birthday. Lucy all black made them an awesome duo. South Delhi was full of lush greenery and DDA flats had many parks to keep their residents happy. Often Rasika saw her grandparents spending quality time in each other’s company. This meant early evenings only she was in the house while the househelp catered to gardening that had planted. Plants need regular attention and that was a super happy hour for Rasika. The possibility of having the whole house to herself had its own joys.

“We are leaving to spend some time in the park. Why don’t you join us, cutie,” said Grandpa?

“Let me miss you even though for a little while, guys. I love you more this way. Go have fun lovebirds while I have my share of fun.” concluded Rasika.

With a smile both her grandparents left Rasika to herself. 

One such Thursday, in the fourth week of her holidays Rasika was dancing to the beat of a Bollywood number oblivious to the situation she was to be in. The househelp had forgotten to bolt the door when they had left for the lawn that stood at the back of the house. She felt someone leave the house without a noise. But before she could do something about it it was too late. Sam managed to escape. Was the cage not bolted properly? How could this have happened? Sam seemed very happy in the company of Lucy. Why would he do that? Her head was spinning. How could this happen in her watch? What a bad example she had set. She was uncontrollable. She loved Sam and Sam escaped the moment he got a chance. Not for once did he think that he was safe in their house. Safe from hunting eyes and claws. She had let everyone down by being careless. She remembered latching the door last night after playing with Sam. She had carefully placed him in his mini house before she left for her bedroom to sleep. In the morning too she saw him nibbling on his carrots that she had placed the previous night. He was at peace and enjoying every bit of it. The thought of losing Sam depressed her. 

A week had passed since that incident. Sam was nowhere to be found. Initially, everyone was upset and scolded Rasika for her negligence but then they all had Lucy. Sam was missed indeed he was meant to leave reasons best known to him. He was fed well, cared for but that was not enough to hold him. Natural habitat attracts animals. Sam was no different. Lucy was a little restless in the beginning but it was a smooth transition of being on her own and owning the place. Rasika turned into a recluse though it was not noticeable to her family. Summer holidays started becoming a burden for her. She lost appetite. Her sleep was hit. Those stories still cheered her. Having grandparents was a blessing. But the void that Sam left had its effects. Why does God places things and then makes them vanish was her recurring thought? Sam was a buddy who listened to her stories, worries, concerns, and anxious times. Rasika never burdened anyone with what stayed within. She used to pour it all on Sam. His being was pure comfort. Talking to him in the absence of humans was like a balm. Lucy was there but Sam was Sam. Irreplaceable in totality. 

Tennis classes started. Music lessons were on the roll too as per schedule. Rasika made friends indeed but that happiness was amiss. New interactions remained on the surface never to go deeper was her focus. Losing Sam had taught a lot. For her family, she was a healed individual. Sam’s exit had no effect on her, they felt. Lucy was filling for him, they were sure. Rasika was turning into a mystery for her entire family. They never found her sad or jaded. An alive and perked-up attitude-filled her vibes. It was a perfect mask. She had to live up to her reputation of being brave and strong. A little show of tears or reclusive self may get her family worried so she played along. Summer holidays got over and college started. Memories of Sam still haunted Rasika. She missed a friend with whom she could be her unguarded self. To her surprise when she returned home on one of the days of a humid August she found a postcard on her study table. The advertisement that she gave for a pen-friend in The Times of India during her summer holidays got a reply she never expected. Many letters had turned up but all were interested in healthy flirting. Fresh loss of Sam had made her lose interest then. But this postcard with a picture of animals got her interested. It was a forest with all animals huddled in for a feast. 

It said, ‘Hi this is Sameer. In the world of humans, I feel animals understand and give the most by being silent. Their silence is comforting. Your ad stating that you love animals pushed me to write to you. This is Sameer Mehra. Would like to stay in touch if you are fine too.” 

Pen-friendship was at its peak in the ’90s. Summer holidays are a good reason to write to people and pass time. And if a chord is struck it can be extended to later years too. It all depended on the flow of thoughts and the right chemistry. Writing to a stranger who you have never seen had its own share of excitement and fear. After a lot of thought, Rasika had closed in on an introduction for the ad. 

“This is Rasika. Looking forward to a smooth knowing of someone who has an interest in reading, art, and animals. Will write back to a like-minded individual for sure. May the light be with you”

Sameer Mehra was the son of a dad in his 50’s. His retired father was recuperating from hip surgery. Sameer had put him in old home care in London. His sister was married to a travel agent in London. He in his thirties was a bachelor who had a shop of watches in Pune. Domestic life was a no-no in his agenda. He was very attached to his mom but after her death five years ago to lung cancer he was totally detached from anyone who tried to come near. Death transforms people. It brought out the worst in Sameer. He shifted his father to an old home so that he could be surrounded by people his age. Another death was not welcome and his dad might leave him too so he acted in good time to save himself from the depression to follow once he leaves for the inevitable. While traveling to New Delhi for his business in a hotel room he found the ad in the newspaper that had pushed him to write with no expected replies. He loved animals though he was growing old every minute.

Rasika liked the postcard and the brief introduction. It was well-timed by the forces of nature. Sameer was godsent. Sam was in Sameer. Was it a sign? It was too early to say. Humans have layers that don’t peel instantly. Her first letter to him was all about her age, interests, and a blend of things that she liked. His first reply to her was all about his little experience with his pet dog who he had got as a gift from one of his many girlfriends. In his growing up years Robin his then dog was a darling. He left him when it was due and buried. That left a scar. For years Sameer missed him but memories had remained fresh as time passed. He liked sharing some of those with Rasika as months rolled. Rasika too shared about Sam and his mischief and briefed Sameer about her experiences at college. All this was happening under the watch of her family. The privacy was maintained and they trusted Rasika blindly there was no trespass ever on this communication. From time to time she did inform about irrelevant stuff about Sameer to them. It was becoming a healthy set-up.

After a year or two, the photographs were exchanged too. With mutual admiration and acceptance, a bond was getting thicker. Sameer updated her about his new house buy. Rasika spoke about her graduation romances and adventures. To some she got advice. To some, she got a verbal dignified spanking. Death news was exchanged, for which hiatus was unavoidable. Rituals, ceremonies, and duties demand attention and focus. Both gave their hundred percent whenever it was due. There were fights too when either of them sensed tension and it was kept aside by both parties. But with coaxing and soft worldly punches, the truth was blurted leading to better understanding. Satellite tv was making inroads in lives. Technology was turning things into possibilities. Cellphones were the next best thing but phones would never be the option both knew. This friendship was out of this world and they wanted to keep it like that without any discussion on it. Sam the rabbit was gradually fading from Rasika’s memory as Sameer had taken his place; she didn’t even know when this transition happened. As for Sameer, his pen-friend Rasika was the answer for almost everything under the roof. He took her advice and applied wherever needed. They were maturing to abled individuals by being there in each other’s lives. 

1998 was the year Rasika and Sameer switched to emails. The warmth they shared remained intact still. Too many juicy gossips brought giggles, smiles, and joy.

2008 Rasika got married to his banker colleague in Chennai. The same year Sameer became an unwed dad. Confusion and excitement were in the air for most of the months. Finally, Sameer married the mother of his son. There is no love but there is the responsibility for the two most important people in his life after Rasika. Communication didn’t stop. Chemistry is still golden.

2018 Rasika is the Vice President of the same bank. Her hubby has opened his own Jewellery shop. Sometimes he wants to eavesdrop on the mails that are exchanged between Sameer and Rasika but the better part of him does not want to. Sameer’s son’s photographs do fill his house from time to time. Sameer is having an extramarital affair. Rasika knows about it and fights are a given whenever they write.  Ipads, video/voice calling and phone calls are boring in their world. Emails are becoming more lengthy though Rasika is in her 40’s and Sameer is looking forward to turning 60. Mailers are exchanged more frequently now but both Sameer and Rasika still don’t want to meet.