Monday meant the start of a new week. It was awaited with bated breath by Shashank. Behind the car was his favorite passion though he was in his 40th year of birth. He used to get excited at the thought of it instantly. Something that his wife of 15 years couldn’t get the hang of but had lovingly accepted this side of him. A devoted partner from the very start Kiran loved every bit of Shashank. He was a caring husband, a responsible citizen, and a good father to their 6-year-old kid Jay. Being verbally expressive worked for their marriage. Silent glances used to do most of the talking in the presence of Jay. Fights were settled the same day in the four corners of their bedroom after Jay used to retreat to his room for the night. Disciplined with the right dose of tender loving care Jay was a happy contented child. Both the parents took pride in taking the credit equally. An involved father was also setting an example for Jay’s futuristic family life to be. Childhood is a very important phase in any child’s life as they adapt to what they see and observe. Following and observing his parents that is how Shashank had adapted to when he was growing up and Kiran was a satiated life partner because of the same reasons. Shashank was a mix of fun, maturity, and balance. Kiran on the contrary was more outgoing, adventurous, and a woman of few words.

Being a pure Delhite initially, it was a little uneasy for Kiran to settle in Lucknow that had its own pace. It was a love marriage as Shashank and Kiran had met at a family wedding in 2000. From strangers they became friends and from friends ended up being a couple. Their parents had got both of them hitched. They had learned about the obvious inclination and acted on it quickly. A year’s courtship with frequent visits to each other’s cities had worked out just fine. Kiran worked in a travel agency and the relocation post marriage was an easy one as the agency had branches all over the country. So the change was not abrupt. Shashank was an engineer at Shakti Bhawan, the electricity department in Lucknow which is located at Hazratganj. Hazratganj is one of the coolest and porsche areas of the city. His parents had gifted him a house on his marriage which was located at Mall Avenue, where the elite resided. Post his marriage they returned to London and opted to enjoy their old age in the company of their relatives. Shashank loved India and he wanted to serve his country by staying in it. A topic that was a bone of contention for his parents all the years of his growing up.

Kiran saw to it that their child got the love and guidance of his grandparents hence London visits happened whenever it was best for the family. Those moments were magical and priceless but Shashank had a restless air around himself which only he knew though for the entire family he used to be enjoying every bit of the change. He missed his city badly during those trips to London. Jay and Kiran made the most of the time being away from their homeland. Visits to the zoo, toy shopping sprees, quality time with the elderly, and adventure sports colored their vacation. Shashank was every bit the dutiful son, father, and husband on these excursions. He visited local friends and relatives to make it all a memorable affair.

In Lucknow cultural events, weddings, parties, children get-togethers, and family occasions were never given a miss. An ideal family was for the neighbors, friends, and relatives. Years kept rolling. Milestones and achievements in careers kept happening. Promotions kept happening but he stuck to Shakti Bhawan as glue. For Shashank and his loved ones, it was his second home. Kiran felt that the authority and recognition that he got in his office was worth a fruitful addiction. Kiran changed jobs whenever she felt she needed a new change. He even took holidays when his parents visited him. A setup too good to be true. Often relatives asked Kiran what was the secret of their awesome marriage to which she had no answers but a line that they are blessed. Every alternate weekend a food joint was explored by the Jaiswals. New friendships were struck and these connections were maintained as time passed.

“Jay is growing up. Is it a good time to give him company Kiran only if you agree we should go forward on those lines,” asked Shashank.

“How do you always manage to read my mind, Shashank?” a smitten Kiran questioned.

Shashank smiled and made the night memorable that left an impression of another joy to unfold in the coming months. November of 2019 had ended on a blissful note thanks to the couple’s decision to have another kid. Excitement was in the air and his parents too were overjoyed to hear the news.

The initial couple of months next year was like always though with a slightly different flavor to it. Covid19 had entered India. Cases were rising of the global virus. Talks of lockdown were doing rounds in every state of India. This meant being home for days and weeks on end. Shashank Jaiswal was slowly losing sleep at the thought that how would he watch the love of his life on his way to the office. He had continued keeping it alive in his eyes that met a brutal end decades ago. Religion had played the villain. They had parted when their respective parents did not give a nod to their love. Watching Sehar Jameel every day on the way to work was a fresh bloom every time. Shakti Bhawan was dear to him for the same reason. Sehar’s flower shop was on the way to his office and the glass chamber acted as an elixir for his soul and eyes all these years. Her visuals kept him alive and ticking. She was the reason though Sehar was oblivious to this reality. Balance and maturity blossomed within Shashank all because of watching her every day to work. He kept himself busy on weekends and holidays to keep himself sane. His eyes longed for her when he couldn’t see her.

Watching Sehar was an addiction. Covid19 was all set to test him as a father, son, husband, and lover.