7/11/2015

In No Time

Whereas time posed to be the grandest of disasters, and the unkindliest of owners, Tarini never held a grudge against it. "No point blaming something you cannot see" was all she had to say. She was a woman of average academic degrees, and a goldmine of extreme enterprise. She knew her way, cunningly, through uncommon examinations and made it to the government sector without much fanfare. It was a big deal, to secure a position in the office of the powers that are.

Her only son, with whom she lived by herself in New Delhi, she threw to the waters at age three. Swimmer, that is what you will be. Often, out of a survival strategy, a champion is born. As was true for Veer. He was initially named Armaan by the Singhs of his father's family. One of the first things the mother did to his legacy after her separation was change his entire identity to her's. He is now known as Veer Jodhwani. Tarini made sure it sounded like a royal champion. The son made sure his mother's ambition was adhered to.

Tarini Jodhwani gets an off each time her son is officially representing the state, or nation. She necessarily does not accompany him each time, now that he is in his late teens. She often comes of a frivolous personality during such times, in no time begetting what she wants and forgetting faster what she does not. While Veer was swimming for the playoffs of the national championship this year, she went to visit her cousins in Ahmedabad and met Sameer. Again. He was well married and beheld his beautiful wife and children in earnest honour. She did not fail to catch his heart skip a beat though. Through the relentless traffic and the noise of the various horns and the racing heartbeats, she heard him skip one. They delayed their immediate turns and entered the nearest coffee shop instead. Tarini heard him. All the while wishing she could speak some too. To the man who could not attribute her wishes as something individual, her enterprises as something important, her son a father.

She had waited to stage this moment all her life since the day she renamed her son and entered a life of cloaked visibility. Even as Sameer spoke, she paused him with a phone call she must make.

Congratulations! 
How many laps? 
Which stroke?
Excellent Veer. We will celebrate as soon as I am there. 
Yes. You too.

She smiled at Sameer. "My son just made it to the national swimming championship this year. Watch out for him -- Veer Jodhwani."

Tarini footed the bill and left him quite open-mouthed.

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