Happy Birthday to me
Mira strolled around lazily as she soaked in the morning freshness. She was on a break for the weekend, but Manik had work to do. While Manik went back to his work station to wrap up his meetings for the day, Mira stayed back in the living room, letting the morning sunshine illuminate her face with the fresh radiance. It felt like ages since the last time she sat in the early morning sun, with not a worry in the world. Dusting off her sleepiness, she took a quick shower and put on a lazy T shirt and shorts. Here in the suburbs of Goa, with paddy fields stretched afar in all directions she could stroll around without a care. Not caring to take an umbrella with her, she decided to walk along the mossy wall way that lead to the church. The one she had spotted right behind the cemetery when she had showed up two days back. Looking at the google location, and the first related image popping up had definitely spooked her out a little. But there was an air of peace here, an unexpected calm given how this was a city known for its parties and chaotic fun.
In the distance, as the sun rose to the sky, Mira walks slowly along the moss covered wall. This was more of the village side with old houses, very few locals and wide farms, that were way too close to the sea. Houses were designed and constructed in the old style of clay tiles slanting outwards to rid off all the excess rains, large earthen pots could be seen lined up in the open kitchens The air had a fresh oceany smell to it, like if you sniffed hard enough you could taste the fresh ocean breeze on it. The road was barely a road, with trenches on the side leading into the ditches and fields flanking them. With each step, Mira took, she could not help but admire the beauty of the magnanimous church in front of her. It was big for a place so small, and the walls testimony to how very old it was. Moss sprouts made up for a mini jungle when looked closely, lending the space a naturally velvety touch. It felt like she was walking through a beautiful painting.
*Text from Manik*
*Reply*
Be back in an hour.
Mira put her phone back in her pocket, and as she did, she realized there was a trail of tiny shells along the treaches on the road. The village was on a height, and very close to the sea. This was an unusual sight. She was used to of seeing open drains, bottle caps and trash around roads. Here, everywhere she looked, there were fields full of greenery, peacocks strolling on occasion like sparrows in the city, unafraid of humans. Touch me not plants growing in the wild, in full bloom with pink flowers. Mira could not help but giggle as she playfully ran her hand over the plants and watched the leaves close up. It had started to drizzle, and she was at the gate of the church now. looking for shelter she entered the chapel and looked around. It was a simple structure, no fancy decorations, just simple bare walls, wooden seats, and an atmosphere of serenity and peace. Outside the rain was pouring and there was the cemetery right next to the plot. Somehow, Mira felt the urge to explore this space too. When it stopped raining, she walked out of the church premise and walked into the cemetery. Careful with her steps, reading over names and dates. Centenarians were also buried in this graveyard, and she could not help but stare in amazement. She had come across some very aged people on her walk, all of whom seemed in much better health compared to their young counterparts in the city. How weird it seemed, with the best healthcare, organic foods and workout regimes, the city people seemed not half the worth these happy villagers were.
Mira walked through the cemetery and back to the house. Manik was waiting for her so they could go for lunch. On her way Mira told Manik about her many observations of the neighbourhood with glee, showing him the pebbles she picked, the mosses she touched, told him about the jumbo lizards she had read about in her childhood. Apparently green open spaces are a welcome home to these ambivert organisms. Animated with surprise and laughter, she would not shut up, as Manik silently walked with her to the car as they were going to a local beach house café where he had planned a little surprise for her.
"This is one of the oldest and most renowned cafes in the city", Manik said when he finally got a chance to speak as Mira stood stunned in silence at the brilliance of this simple space. It was adorned with sea shells or mother of pearl as they call it. There were murals covering the walls all around, showing the different sides of sea life, and it was all so simply done in the native element. Each little peice of shell, had a different hue and the local artisans had employed this variance of color palette to paint the village life with emmaculate detail.
"This. . . . . .is. .. . . . . . WOW!! Just WOW" Mira stood in awe. They were both ushered into their seats and enjoyed a hearty meal of local flavours and native ingredients. First came the Goan curry, with hints of coconut and raw mango and a few more spices which Mira failed to identify. The aroma was unlike any food she had tried so far. Mira was beyond happy. She could not have imagined a better way to celebrate, experiencing culinary flavours she never knew of. This was a beyond fancy restaurant, and yet so simple. The owner, a jolly fellow, took the time to actually send his greetings to the table in the form of a complimentary sweet dish, another delicacy like nothing Mira or Manik had tried before. It was a flavorful distortion from a creme brule with a hint of honey and coconut flavour.
"I can now see why you chose to do a remote job and set up camp here." Mira beamed at Manik, for she had questioned his decision of uprooting his successful life in the city and come all the way to a village away from the city. The very thought had seemed like a revolt to her.
"See, now you see it right?" Manik smiled. He could see, she too had calmed down and paced her words to a speed he could appreciate. Life in the cities is just too fast, everyone is running, all the time, and rushing everything. Mira realized that in barely a day and a half since she landed, she had slowed down a little, looked at the setting sun, passed glances and smiles to kind strangers on the street who were in no rush and still on time. Something that was rare in the city, where she was always running to catch up on one thing or another. Running to catch the bus, rushing to get into the meeting on time, again in a rush to get home and her mind in a constant race to get things done. Life in the city felt less like life and more like a meticulously jotted check list to be rushed through with. Here things were different, in a good way.
The slow life did not seemed so bad, being able to appreciate the life we live, the food we eat and the people who's company we sit in. Those are precious fleeting moments that we lose out on, rushing everything as if it were a race or a competition. Mira looked around, and she wanted to slow down.
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