Writer Lajpat Rai Garg Translator Dev Kumar Airon - 1 - Auspicious time for marriages after Diwali. In the last days of November, a wedding ceremony was being organised in ‘Mehfil’ Banquet, which is probably one of the the best and most expensive wedding venues in the Tricity (Adjoining cities of Chandigarh, Mohali Panchkula are normally referred to as Tricity). It was the night of Amavasya (The new moon night). Billions of stars were twinkling in the sky. Weather was mildly cold. Various types of lights and unique flower arrangement added to the splendour ...Read More

- 2 - On Sunday, Rani woke up a little earlier than her routine. The sky was clear. The was pleasant. Mild coolness was energising the body and mind. The eagerness to meet Alok was evident from her springy gait and expressions. If someone had been around, the joy in Rani’s heart would not have remained hidden from him her. She could not have conversation to her heart’s content with Alok during the wedding ceremony, but today she was going to get an opportunity to spend uninterrupted time with him. After getting free from her morning routine, she ...Read More

- 3 - After Ramesh left for Mumbai, Rani went to North Country Mall with her friend in the Paintings of many famous artists were on display. Rani liked two paintings of the famous artist Shobha Singh - one, the painting of Guru Nanak in the posture of blessing, which is the best artwork of the great artist and the other, the most popular painting of Sohini-Mahiwal (Heroine and hero of Punjab’s popular folklore) in which Sohini is shown going to meet her lover Mahiwal living across the river. She is shown crossing the river with the help of ...Read More

- 5 - Ramesh had returned from Delhi late at night, so, he slept till nine o’clock. As soon he woke up, he said to Rani, “Yesterday I told you that I had to attend an urgent meeting, so I’ve to leave early. You cook breakfast and lunch quickly while I get ready.” “I remember very well. You get ready, I’ve already prepared breakfast and lunch.” “Very good.” When Ramesh went to office, Rani quickly got the remaining household chores done by Lachhmi and reached the hotel around 11 o’clock. Entering the room, Rani said, “Look, what a compulsion ...Read More

- 4 - It was the day next to Christmas. As soon as Rani woke up in the morning opened the outside door, she saw a blanket of fog spread all around. The fog was so dense that even the windows and doors of the houses opposite were not visible. The light of the street lamps was not even reaching the road it was confined to a circle of four to five feet around the lamp. There was complete silence all around. No sound even of a bird could be heard anywhere. It was six o’clock, still it was ...Read More

- 6 - To doubt is a natural human tendency. Rarely can any person remain unaffected by this negative One who overcomes this state of mind becomes a saint in the true sense of the word. The moment the seed of doubt is sown in the mind, it doesn’t take long to grow into a humungous tree. This human tendency sometimes creates such situations, the consequences of which are beyond imagination. After returning from Mumbai, all kinds of negative thoughts and doubts regarding Alok started plaguing Ramesh’s mind. He cursed himself for not asking Rani in detail about Alok? ...Read More

- 7 - 31st December The Prime Minister’s message to the nation was to be broadcast at 8 pm. Alok brought Dal-Subzi and two chapattis to eat from the ‘Tandoor’ at seven o’clock. Anyway, Alok has a habit of having dinner early. Thus, food gets digested well before sleeping and one gets better sleep. After finishing eating, he switched on the TV and covered himself with quilt. At 8 o’clock, the Prime Minister’s address to the nation began. After wishing and congratulating the countrymen for the New Year, the Prime Minister thanked them for their wide support to the ...Read More

- 8 - 1st January First morning of the New Year There was no sign of mist or as is usually the case in this season. However, small pieces of clouds were hovering in the sky. There was minimal cold. Even though Ramesh and Rani had slept around 2 o'clock in the night after celebrating the ‘New Year’s Eve’, still Rani woke up as per her routine. She completed her daily morning chores. Thereafter she came out in the lawn to offer water to the sun. The sun was not visible yet, but from the eastern horizon, the ...Read More

- 9 - Morning tea was the only time when Ramesh and Rani used to sit together and talk some time. Three-four days before Lohri, while having tea, Rani said, “Ramesh Ji, why not call the children on Lohri this time? It has been a long time since they came last.” “Call them during the day they must be sleeping right now. It would be good if they join us on this occasion. There will be a lot of fun in the house on Lohri otherwise Lohri will be celebrated with the kitty party members in the club.” The ...Read More

- 10 - Makar Sankranthi (A harvest festival, and considered the shortest day in India). The weather had changed. till a few days ago, instead of cold it used to feel hot, but now, due to the snowfall in the mountains, cold wind had started blowing for the last two-three days. For the first time during this season, foggy breath started coming from the mouth and nose while breathing or talking. After bidding farewell to Sanjana and taking leave of Ramesh and Lachhmi, Rani finished the remaining kitchen work and turned on the TV and huddled herself under the ...Read More

- 11 - 24 January Rani’s mobile rang in the afternoon. She felt elated on seeing Alok’s name on mobile screen. It was after Makar Sankranthi that she had received Alok’s call. Her face lit up. In response to her ‘hello’, a voice came from the other side, “Rani, did I disturb you? What were you doing?” “No question of getting disturbed. On the contrary, I’m on cloud nine. I was not doing anything in particular. I was just lying down and reading Manto’s stories.” “Very good. How are you liking them? How many stories have you read so ...Read More

- 12 - Unless there is some compulsion, Alok tries to be punctual. On 25th January also, he reached house and pressed the doorbell exactly at 11 am. Rani opened the door and welcomed him. After having tea, they headed towards the kitchen. Rani had already kept ready onion, garlic, tomato, ginger, coriander for seasoning. Which Subzi to cook, carrot-peas or peas-paneer, was to be decided according to Alok’s choice. Peas were already peeled. It was decided to cook carrot-peas. Rani quickly peeled and chopped the carrots. She took out the pan and placed it on the gas stove. ...Read More

- 13 - When there was no news from Rani about her visit to Patiala a day before Basant till 5 pm, Alok started feeling restless. For once, he thought of calling her, but he remembered what she had said on 25th January, she had not refused outrightly but had not made any firm commitment either. Finally, her call came around 7 pm. Apologising for calling late, she said, “Around 4 o’clock, two of my neighbourly ladies came and started discussing the Punjab elections. One was predicting the ‘AAP’ (Aam Aadmi Party - Common man’s party) party’s majority and ...Read More