Sketchstory No. 22 - 'Ananya' by Padma Gargeya

The young Indian-American couple sitting across decided to play their favourite game in public places “What’s their story”. Texting her boyfriend, the girl wrote with confidence, “Just like my parents, only younger. Relatively recent immigrants from India. He’s a techie, she’s a homemaker. She is quiet, gentle, keeps a great home. Gorgeous, isn’t she? Lovely cheekbones, chiseled jawline, lustrous hair, nose ring, kaajal in her dark eyes... He has been so busy at work, and she is exhausted from holding it all together. Now he is taking her out for a special date, so she is all dressed up - don’t you think?”

****

Varun, sitting next to her, and unaware of being observed by the young couple, fondly thought of how despite few opportunities, she loved to wear sarees, jhumkas and gajras. Today, her mind seemed occupied as she forgot her shawl at home and was using her pallu to cover her shoulders against the windy San Francisco weather. Back when they were in college, he, the shy, quiet, smart guy, was among the legions that admired the vivacious “it” girl, bright and ambitious. Much to his surprise, she pursued him ardently until she put a ring on his finger and he a mangalsutra around her neck. After fifteen years, sometimes he still couldn’t believe his luck.

****

She was exhausted in body and mind, yet there was exhilaration too. A million thoughts were chasing after each other – launch trajectories and calculations, materials, the added responsibility of carrying live cargo (astronauts), schedules, weather, with huge expectations from so many corners! What a relief it all turned out well. She had been personally hired away from ISRO by Elon Musk to lead a design team for Space-X due to her experience with the Chandrayaan 2 lunar mission. The Crew Dragon launch went perfectly last week, but it still had to return. After really long hours at work, she needed a break and Varun knew just what to do. She was startled out of her reverie as he intertwined their fingers and tenderly asked “What are you thinking?” She smiled and said, “Oh, this and that. It’s been a busy few weeks and I am really looking forward to the Sanjay Subramanyam classical music concert and dinner!”

****

The couple across, shamelessly eavesdropping to verify their story, shared a slow wink and a fist bump. She texted “I was soooo right!!” Appearances, they can be so deceptive!

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* A tribute to multifaceted women, inspired by the movie “Hidden Figures” and a photo that came out after India’s successful Chandrayaan-2 space launch - of comfortably middle aged women scientists behind the incredible achievement. And artistic license to wish away Coronavirus, allowing travel and concerts!