The Backpacker

She was, like her name, a mystery. Some mysteries, dear friends, are alluring. His name meant "New" and again, dear friends, everyone is hopeful of something new. I was. I loved both dearly.

The difference was that my Mystery helped me seal my bond with the New.

It was a time of hardship and living in a city like Dubai is not easy when you do not know how long you will be allowed to live without a valid visa. There were things to worry about, getting a new job, pay the rents, pay the credit cards and time was running out. 'Time out' meant and one way ticket back to your home country, something I was not looking forward to because I wanted to be around what I had come to love.

But love does not help you survive, right?

But survive I did, and that is the greatest mystery. Maya. Then came his birthday. An event I was looking forward to eagerly. But  just  a day before I realised I hadnt got any money to buy him anything. And yet I wanted to give him the world.

Then a miracle happened. Maya stepped right in. She handed me something and said, "For you, just so that you dont have to ask me everyday. keep it and spend it." There was no talks of "returning it when i have it". It did not matter. Money did not matter. Of course, the credit cards had to be paid, my driving license was costing me a small fortune. But I sailed through.

I was happy that the glow of the birthday candles had brought some light in his life. At least for a moment. (My time was still running out. I had to get back to Maya) 

Of course I dined with her that night. For his birthday dinner he had other friends. He never knew I had no time, no money. And he did not know that I had Maya.

I had Maya

I love both of them dearly.

Yes, it is defnitely there. A feeling. A desire. A premonition of something to come. A state of anxiety, apprehension, excitement...all this. A feeling of change. A desire for change. These things are best left unexplained. A pattern seen and felt in me and with me, in another person...A sudden revelation, a knowledge that comes to the fore often, a feeling of security. Its like a thread of life running from me into that other person and from that other person into me. It is real. Maybe our stars are transiting hand in hand to bring us to the ultimate goal...of oneness. But it is there, yes.

A powerful force. The voice of existence, the truth of life...

At last, I am sure. My faith had lead me through. My faith will pay. 

Now, you wonder, why the stones must influence you so. But it does, yes and without you being aware of it. I like stones; whether they are diamond, topaz, plain stones in river beds, stones that line the garden walls, or found discarded in the backyard. They are so much alive, like any of us...and they can influence us too!

You say it is all nonsense.

Stones, you non-believers are made up of elements, exactly like human body is. 

Elements act or react with one another to produce an altogather different and unexpected effect. In other words, this is the best simplification I can manage right now.

I say this on authority. There was a day I bought myself a Black Star. An expensive affair, really what with the gold that went into making a cute bed to place it on. Then I was told that diamonds and pearls were just my type of stones. Naturally, I thought sarcastically, the sellers of stones have found a milch cow in me, trying to capitalise on my innocence. I wasn't going to let them decide for me. No could do, I told them firmly.

The Black Star stayed around my neck, and on it rested many a hope. Call it a superstition or belief, but everytime I thought of the stone, my heart soared. Here was something at last, I thought, that could ward off evil and bad luck and usher in the much needed fortune and hope.

Exactly a week later, I got a gift. A pendant made up of three diamonds and a pearl.

The first coincidence.

For a few days after, I was hung up on buying pearls. I simply had to have them though I did not at once see any use of it. Then, lo and behold, another gift. A pearl bracelet.

The second coincidence.

Another press conference, another day, another little gift.

A Blue Topaz

Now I want a Ruby...well, I have a Ruby---na as a house mate. Till the real stone comes, this will do. She is precious too!!

It is dead, at last. And I am very glad.

This plastic card that went about with me everywhere, tempted me into buying things I have not wanted, gave me many sleepless nights, ate into my savings, mocked me each time I decided to do away with its genorisities...is finally dead. Ha, the relief it brings! No more passing by stores and thwarting the desire to use it...just one swipe....

When I walked into the bank, head high and demanded a recipt for the cancellation of the card, I made myself proud. No. I didnt want the card any more, I told the man who was looking for ways to make me retain it.

Why? asked he, mournfully.

Ah, I dont need it any more (No, I had not suddenly come by a fortune)

Why? A smile of surprise. He may have heard people say this and that, but I hoped, not any one who just did not need it. In his experience, everyone needed the plastic card.

Ah, I said again. I am doing away with the temptations. 

It is better, I think, to get to the point without hesitation. I was sure that no amount of excuses on his side was going to make me keep it.

He bribed me with the 'free card' scheme, 'the travel the world' scheme, 'easy cash', 'precious gifts', 'points' scheme...but no. I had made up my mind.

The card has served me well, I said again. But I decided not to trouble it further. The old card can rest in the bin or elsewhere and need not be bothered to 'distract' me from my mission.

A few minutes of silence followed. I was undeterred. A mind made up is a mind made up. Nothing can change it. Of course in those minutes, I gave the card a kindly thought. It had come to my rescue many times when I suddenly found that my wallet had leaked away all the money, it had dutifully stood by me when a sudden fascination for a laptop had gripped me quite unnecessarily. I recalled those times when I walked into a store full of confidence knowing that if I were to fall prey to the dazzle of diamonds or gold or silver, my blue card would come to the rescue...

The customer care man gave one last try.

You can have it for free...for your lifetime

That sent a shudder down my spine. I wasnt going to let him remind me that my time was running out. That finally pushed me into making the final decision.

Cut it up for me, right now.

He did something better. He punched three holes in it and handed it over.

So that you never forget it

There is no escaping the blue plastic card.

Below my flat is a mulberry tree. Now, I mention it for several reasons. 

One: The branches hit my head every time I walk under it.

Two: It is the only tree growing by the narrow, uneven stretch between closely contructed buildings called the 'road.'

Three: It offers enough shade for three people at once...not like the village squares in India with a sturdy banyan tree   in the centre, but close enough. 

Fourth: There is always someone sitting in its shade and offering a smile at passersby

Fifth: It is laden with fruits  

Translation: Everytime I walk under the tree, its branches, laden with mulberry, rub me in the eye, the hand twiches uncontrollably to grab a few deliciously tempting red berries, but the narrow path that is always full of people walking past and the smiling face of a tired souls resting in its shade, all conspire against me. 

And all it takes is a quick sweeping motion to grab all those juicy fruits. But I fear. Fear for the berries. What if someone suddenly discovers the berries? So far, as I have noticed, it has largely gone unnoticed or people are no more interested in berries.  

But I am. And just for the records: The berries that I purloined last night, tasted heavenly