The sky was the hot favourite for Chirag from childhood. Day or night it never made a difference for him ever. He felt peaceful looking at it. Whenever the moon and stars added to its charm he felt an irresistible pull. He believed that the sky was a silent comrade always there and was around for both good and bad days. It was serene and ominous as well; it all depended on the chain of thoughts one harboured within. During the different stages of life this connection had grown deeper and deeper. Chirag just had to look up and peace used to descend and this feeling was cherished as well as loved. Chirag Diwan, now 70 years old, has the same addiction for the sky. 

Chirag had a good life. He married at the right time and had two sons. Sudha, his wife, is his lifeline. Without her life stands still. Her visits to the loo even make him restless. The duo fell in love after marriage and the journey thus far has been eventful, intriguing, comforting, and satisfying. Both the sons are happily settled abroad. Their wives often call the in-laws to check on them. Sudha is a homemaker throughout and enjoys knitting during her spare time. Chirag owns a furniture store and just for courtesy sake pays a visit fortnightly. The store is in good hands and this is a very solid reason to live life to the fullest. Sudha’s nephew holds the store’s power of attorney and Chirag for years now has a sound sleep. 

The routine of the lovebirds is very simple. A couple of servants get things ready for them once they wake up. Prayers are offered in the temple which Sudha very lovingly decades ago had set up. By the time prayers get over their breakfast is ready. They enjoy it together amidst conversations related to their kids and near ones. Once they are done eating they read the newspaper and after an hour retire to their room to rest and stretch to digest the health conscious breakfast. While Sudha is resting, Chirag moves to the balcony of his room and no matter what weather looks up and admires the sky. The balcony has a glass that acts as the perfect friend during summer. The air conditioner of the room makes it all the more worthwhile to sit and have conversations with the sky. 

Once lunch is done instead of sleeping Chirag and Sudha either play ludo or they play cards. Sometimes while playing both of them doze off and then the servants have to wake them up for tea. Tea is served in the drawing room as both like it there. The drawing room is an epitome of love as photographs of their kids make it all lively and blissful. Often they walk down memory lane about moments they both hold dear and smiles fill the room. An evening stroll is a must in the lush courtyard and this way they feel the grass under their feet. Footwear is abandoned during hot months. After the stroll, both retire to the tv room and watch till dinner. Sometimes, in the same room Chirag opts to read and Suddha knits. 

Music fills the dining room and after finishing both head to the terrace sometimes in silence and sometimes in harmony. But one particular Sunday of October 2024, Chirag just couldn’t take it and gathered the courage to ask. 

‘Why do you love the moon so much, Sudha? once you get fixated on it I feel lonely,’  confessed Chirag. 

‘Why do you love the sky so much, Chi? I have felt secondary over the years,’ added Sudha.

‘Why are you complaining now after so many years? All this time you were ok. What has gotten into you all of a sudden? quipped Chirag.

‘I don’t know, I guess age is catching up on me. Earlier I had the kids and the house to keep me busy and your escapades with your sky were not so painful. Once the kids left,  proper running of the house got the better of me. I got time to pursue things that I never could because of my responsibilities of raising them up right and also meeting the demands of the house. Your schedules that kept you away at the store made me look into things that had my interests. Reading, gardening and painting filled me up. But now it’s like I am unable to pursue all that I held dear over the years so your fixation at the sky just kills me from within,’ shared Sudha. 

‘I am at a loss of words, Sudhi, what did I do to be on the receiving end of such love. I thought you never noticed as it was a silent retreat to let you do what you enjoyed best. I love you dearly but never confessed and this was one way I could stay distracted and not miss you in our own house,’  poured Chirag. 

‘Chi, over the years we have done everything together except talking. Do you agree? Life did not give us time though we have had a harmonious one, thank God. We sailed in unity minus conversations. Your store, our parents, our kids, our routines just got in the way in a sweet way, I guess now when time is in abundance and we are growing old I just want your utmost attention and words. I want your thoughts. I guess I simply want to hear everything that circles your mind when you look at the sky. Am I asking for too much as we have entered old age? I am 69, and I love to be here with you till the time it’s written,’ blushed Sudha. 

Chirag blushed too and smiles were exchanged by both. October is still on and as days are passing each night there is a new story to the quiet years. Feelings have newer depths and inhibitions are shedding on their own. Words flow. Under the ever so present sky and in the moon’s presence sometimes both Sudha and  Chirag are creating history by sharing the unsaid in the most beautiful and explicit manner ever.