The Explorer of Miracles: Kerala

Monday, 6 January 2014

Wish on a Star!

Divya had planned a holiday at Kerala for her husband Dev & herself for the New Year. They had been members of a reputed Resort-Chain and were eligible to holiday for a week every year. However, Dev was a busy software professional, who hardly had any time for holidays. Consequently, their holidays needed to be used up lest they should lapse.

It was 29^th December 2013 and they had a train to catch from Bengaluru that would take them to Trivandrum. From there they had to travel to Ashtamudi Resort in Backwaters, Kerala, where they had the booking from 30^th December onwards. Divya had been looking forward to this trip from the past four months, ever since she had booked it!

But, that morning…

Dev: I am sorry but I can’t travel today. You need to cancel the holidays… There’s this delegation from on-site and we have meetings scheduled…

Divya: What do you mean by cancel? The holidays will lapse if we don’t go. They won’t give us a re-credit as the check-in is tomorrow. You can’t do this to me. You are always working and only have time for office…

Dev: Listen, don’t tell me anything. You are also forever busy working on your computer. You don’t even have time for yourself… Look at your chipped nail polish!

Source

Divya: That’s because I have been working very hard for my Blog. But, I don’t neglect my house-work. I prepare your favorite food and perform all my duties! And here you can’t even do what I want, that too for just a couple of days in the whole year!

Dev: See, I have no time for arguments. I have to leave for office.

Divya: Even I have no time. I have a train to catch!

Dev gave Divya a ‘I-bet-you-can-never-do-this’ look and left for office.

Divya’s mind was made up as she started for the holidays on her own. She didn't want her awesome holiday plans to go awry.

With confirmed train-ticket, pre-arranged pick-up and drop services, advanced holiday-reservation at a 5-star resort… what else did she need?

She needed Dev...

But, if he is too busy to come, then she can’t help it…

Divya boarded the train & reached Trivandrum the next morning. The Resort had sent a cab to pick her up from the Railway-station.

As they neared the Resort, she suddenly noticed that all the houses had ‘Stars’.

Self-Clicked at Kerala

Christmas was over but the celebration was still on.

Divya always loved Stars.

Divya asked the driver to stop the car. She got down and started taking photos of the Stars in the houses in the lane.

Self-Clicked at Kerala!

An elderly woman approached Divya and started conversing in Malayalam.

“Perhaps, she is mistaking me for a localite, who knows the native language!” Divya reasoned.

Some more women had joined in and were busy chatting with Divya in Malayalam!

“Malayalam, Illey!” Divya said trying to mean ‘I don’t know Malayalam!’

From the Hindi-movie, Chennai Express, Divya knew that ‘Illey’ means ‘No’ in Tamil. But, does it mean the same in Malayalam language too?

Divya knew the universal language of ‘Smile’- that communicates with all human-beings across the world.

Divya smiled and so did the women.

Divya loved the stars in their eyes.

She waved them bye as she boarded the car. From the rear-view-mirror, Divya could still see the women smiling and waving. They continued to do so till her car escaped their view…

The Resort was lovely.

When the courteous staff at the Reception was looking for the ‘Member’, Divya politely informed them that she, the co-Member, had come alone as the member was busy with his office!

There were a lot of activities planned for the year-end at the Resort.

Seeing the other happy-families & couples enjoying together, Divya felt a deep sense of her life being amiss…

She was missing Dev terribly.

It was the New Year’s eve.

Divya had decided to spend it at her room rather than go to the Poolside-Party and feel incomplete.

She wished on a Star- that Dev was also here with her!

Someone rang the door-bell.

Divya answered the door.

What an awesome surprise to find Dev!

“What? New Year’s eve & my pretty wife isn’t ready to welcome the New Year as yet? Let me freshen up and we can attend the Party for the Couples! You get ready too!”

Dev held Divya’s hands. He noticed the neat, bright red nail polish!

Source

Both of them smiled and their eyes shone like stars!

“Welcome to God’s Own Country!” Divya said.

Dev had boarded an early-morning bus from Bengaluru and had reached Kerala just in time to spend time & the rest of the holidays with Divya!

As they enjoyed at the Party & wished one another at the stroke of midnight, Divya thanked her Stars.

Though the rear-view-mirror images were different, Divya was happy with the present view and thought, “What an awesome way to end the old year & to begin the new year!”