“To (be able to) laugh at our misery is the only way we have found of coming to terms with it.”
Day 1:
Hey, so when are you planning to come?
What for?
Dude, I am getting engaged! We are having a grand party here. You have to be here. Don’t give me any reasons.
I know and I will be there, just send me the dates, and I’ll let you know how can I arrange things. I wouldn’t want to miss it for anything.
Day 2:
I will reach right before the day of your engagement. This is all I could do in such short notice. My work is all jammed up and any day before that would be really difficult. (And expensive)
Okay, no problem! All that matters is you’d be here on that day. You are my only girl, babe!
Day 3:
Since I am going so far I might as well visit my brother. He has just gone to this new city, and a surprise wouldn’t harm anyone. I think he’d be glad.
Day 4:
The stay extends up to a week long, making me return after Raksha Bandhan. What best gift for my brother than a surprise visit on this day?
Day 5:
Buying of gifts for this pretty “bride to be” and my brother.
Day 6:
Trying to finish all the work, literally all the work that could not wait for a week, and also everything that couldn’t be done by anyone else instead of me! And believe me the list went on.
Day 7:
A little bit of shopping for myself. I wouldn’t want to look like someone not invited to that grand celebration of that lovely couple.
Day 8:
The rain persists.
Day 9:
Doubt of plans.
Day 10:
I am sorry darling; I don’t think I can make it on time. There is water everywhere. The streets are flooded, roads are jammed, there is barely any movement. The officials have warned everyone around not to get out of the house unless very urgent. The airport is almost submerged, and even if the flight takes off there are pretty chances that they’d land me on some other city altogether, if the situation worsens. I don’t think I can manage so much hassle now. It is really difficult to travel so far now.
Why do you stay so far?
I know, I understand but this is clearly not in my hands, it is an act of god. (Pleading my case as if in a court.)
I don’t know you have to be here. You always have reasons.
When have I last made a reason?
I don’t know, you have to be here.
I wish I knew how to swim, I would then surely be there. (I risked a joke.)
Okay, you don’t want to come, don’t come then, even I won’t attend your engagement.
Seriously, I wish I could come; it’s really not in my hands. After such disastrous delayed flights even my parents wouldn’t want me to travel. I am sending you the picture of airport, tell me if you still want me to come.
Okay, I got to go now; I am getting a call from ‘him’.
Okay, take care babe; I am really sorry that I am not able to come. (Oh God, what about the money that I wasted on booking tickets and now cancelling it?)
Day 11:
Back to work, which I think I completed in advance. (Oh wow, for the first time running ahead of the deadline.)
Day 12:
Writing this and trying to get her to receive my call!
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My brother being the only one who did not know what was to happen, and what never happened! (Saved, I guess from all the extra drama!)
Moushmi Radhanpara 
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