The steaming hot tea and the aroma of cardamom were discernible at a distance. With tiny steps and henna-clad hands, she made her way to me. The tea cups on the tray and that red choora (wedding bangles) ringing on her wrist made for a harmony that still muses me.
43 years later, the tea today is equally hot but the aroma of cardamom isn’t that prominent. With baby steps and wrinkled hands, I walk towards her. The tea cups on the tray make a different sound nowadays as my shriveled old hand play their game. I see her sleeping like a baby, but those snores are a little louder these days. It’s not that I am complaining, for I may not sleep well without her background music. Just that, I often recall those days when my late-night cricket matches were watched on mute, for disturbing her sleep, scared me the most.
Her innocent face is still the same, just a few beautiful wrinkles now sitting on it. Unsure of the beauty standards, she still, for me, is the most stunning of all. With her tea by the bedside and her favourite coconut biscuits without a miss, I wake her up every day. I didn’t realize when these morning teas became my duty, but doing this for her, just makes me so happy.
I see her wardrobe which does not have a single beige tone, for I always loved colours on her. While mine is loaded with nudes and neutrals, just how she likes me wearing. How funny is it to witness that her likings become mine, and mine became hers? I often question myself and but guess that’s what they call LOVE.
No matter how old you get in your marriage, some things are here to say. Her endless questions while I am in the washroom, don’t annoy me anymore. Her nagging about my messy habits is a part of my routine, for sure. Neither did I change, nor did she give up, only time has passed by, while we are the same. She still rates my dressing sense, and yet I seek her approval. I never care to compliment her, yet she always whispers ‘Kabhi to kuchh kaha karo’.
43 years with her, I have so much to say. How do I tell her that little bindi on her forehead just makes my day? Her less-salted food still wins the game. She often farts and blames it on old age, while the information about her secret munching and those parathas is never shared. I know so much, just love to stay quiet, for her puerility is hilarious to watch. From the phone chargers to the TV remote, from the hot water bottle to my joint-pain oil, now everything falls under her safekeeping. Yet I get the scolding if anything goes missing.
Yes, I do remain silent, yet my eyes have a lot to say. It’s not that she can’t read them, she often can read my mind. She just likes to tease me, and that is what I like to do too. We both now need a stick to walk, but each other’s hand is the most stable of all. So, we hold hands more often and accompany each other wherever we go. Yes, we still argue a lot, just that we end up forgetting the cause. Blame it to the old age, or the need to be together. Arguments these days are short lived, for finding a reason and then a solution… ahh!! we aren’t bothered. Guess the shades of LOVE change with time, ours is currently golden that just can’t stop shining.
This story is written for StorytellersBlogHop Season 3 hosted by MeenalSonal (https://Auraofthoughts.com) and Ujjwal Mishra (https://mywordsmywisdom.com).
This is truly a fairytale. We would all like to grow old with this love, a partner who can’t see beyond us and keeps us alive. Beautifully written.
Growing together with a partner is one of the best blessings of love. Lifetime of memories and experiences. Lovely to read your story.
Believe me or not, I have bookmarked your post and want to give it a re-read soon. This is one of the most beautifully written stories of this blog hop. Your narration style is as flawless as it seemed like I am breathing in love. How wonderfully you have portrayed the golden shades of love, I just can’t enough of it. You’re a gifted writer, Parul. Your play with words is something that hooked me to the end and I kept appreciating the written in between. Loved it to the core. Best wishes for your writing endeavors.
Reading your story brought a smile to my face. Don’t we all wish for a love story like this
A perfect story of a perfect couple! Excellent!
Often we are afraid of old age but aging with a partner so understanding is the greatest gift. I could completely imagine every single emotion expressed in your beautiful story. A gripping and golden narration !
A beautiful emotional read. How lovely it would be to have your love with you at such an age. Your description of all the little things that make us like the other person is marvellous
Such a beautifully narrated simple tale of literally ‘growing’ in love. Each word portrays a picture in my mind and I can’t help but visualise the wonderfully narrated tale you’ve woven. Hope we all find and live our ‘golden’ love.
Wow, it’s a blessing to stay married to someone for so long and with a smile! God bless all those who have been together through rain, wind and storm.
My grandmother used to get teary eyed whenever she sees a couple with white hair . She lost my grandfather at the age of 42. She made me feel how precious it is to grow old together. Now when I read the story it was her face in front of me
How beautiful! ❤️
Yes, this kind of love story is what we all want in our lives. Loved the expression:)
Parul, beautifully written. A complete wholesome content. It’s beautiful to be in love, to be married for so long.
Nice flow, good choice of words and a very hear warming story. Growing old together is amazing feeling, the more time we spend with out partners the understanding improves for sure.
Loved the details you’ve provided describing the tiniest of things the person appreciates about his partner of 43 years. I could relate to it deeply and I hope we can all find this golden shade of Love that takes patience and so much respect for each other <3 Congratulations on weaving a beautiful tale <3
This was like reading a fairy tale love story ! And who does not want to have this golden shade of love ? Lovely story !
Such an heartwarming old age love . The way you brought the story from young to old. Love reading through lines👍💗
The best story I have ever read on love that has got wrinkled but still is as strong as it was during the youth. Every para has one or two heart touching lines. The story is full of emotions and it’s very heartwarming. Enjoyed every bit of it. The music of cup, music of snores, those muted matches and the reason behind… Endless emotions!!!
What a beautiful, heart-endearing story on love. It is indeed the world’s best feeling when you can grow old with the one you love. Love needs no language and with the age, it is these small gestures and habits that make you feel in more love with them.
I hope and pray the old age would be as beautiful as this seems. Being with each other till the last breath is a blessing. May the love florish always and forever.
Wow! such a wonderful shade of love this is, GOLDEN shade. I love this the most, the Golden shade of love. How can you write so relatable and beautiful story. It is short, yet it has all the explanation and well described characters, displayed all the shades with precision. I just loved every bit of it.
These are couple goals like in the movie Up. Also, it reminds me of how my parents & how they take care of each other.