Tucked Away in my Heart - Higher Gear

How was I so sure I wanted to marry him? Like I said before – value systems, so important for both of us – as I’m sure for most people – matched, I loved his sense of humor and his being so articulate. A whole new saga of love had begun. I would chat with him all night, he would sing me to sleep – literally – not just hum – sing…what a voice…sigh…office would pass by in a blur and a flurry of email exchange…we could, neither one of us, wait till I got back home so we could chat. I was beginning to feel the butterflies turn into mammoths…and I didn’t mind. The only thing that was flummoxing me was – how could I feel butterflies for a person who I had not even seen? That brought me to my belief of the possibility of being turned on by more than just physical attributes. Could I actually be so lucky? Wow!

Not very strangely – I’m just a supremely confident person – I did not feel any insecurity, any second doubts about him or being with him or even his interest in me. We just got into the groove as if we were destined to be – no questions asked, no doubts raised. We started looking out for each other as would man and wife, “Did you get your dinner?” “No honey, not yet, I’ll just get some.” “Nonu, you will fall sick. Everyday I ask you about dinner and everyday you tell me you are delayed. Acidity ho jayegi na, baby” “ok promise, I will eat on time tomorrow.” Or “Nonu..” “hmmm?” “nonu, I want to go dancing with my friends on Saturday night” “ok, that sounds good. Where are you guys planning to go?” “XYZ place” [pause] “baby, are you sure you want to go there? Not a very safe place for women to go to is what I’ve heard.” “ummmm…we’ll be a group of people.” “got any men coming?” “yes…you know Ankur, right? Monika’s beau? And Nannu – my best friend” “oh, OK…if he’s there, then that’s fine.” “did you pay your phone bill bachcha?” [– I tell you that bachcha used to make me swoon] “nooooo, I forgot!” “Bachcha, if they disconnect your phone, where will I call and talk?”

I started dreaming of my life with him…a sprawling house in Faridabad, white French windows that opened out into a lush garden, lace curtains, a brown dog with floppy ears…an open kitchen, Frank Sinatra playing in the background, me cooking the vegetables, Nonu making the rotis [chuckle…I’m the devil in disguise…I loathe making rotis….effective delegation is the name of the game…or should I say effective blackmail….tee hee], two cars in the driveway – he was emphatic I learn how to drive….the works. He started to act on making my dreams a reality. Sent instructions to get the house painted white and the curtains to be changed to the wispy white lace we both saw and closed on the internet. His mother actually asked him one day – “what’s going on?” That’s the day he told his parents he’d found me. General happiness all around!

Halleluiah! My life was moving in the fast lane.