15 minutes from Bangalore to Pondicherry

'Happy Birthday', I wished him, hoping I was right this once.

Even if I wasn't, he didn't correct me. Relaxing in the assumed right air, I waited wondering what to type on the hovering window of the yahoo messenger.

I didn't want to make wishes that I didn't mean. Not this time.

Choosing words carefully, I made an almost reverential wish. One about dreams, hopes, fears, loves and finding desires.

'Thank you', blinked on my screen.

'What would you like for a birthday present?'. Ritualistic.

'Get ready. Dinner and a movie after. '

I took out the pen from my mouth. I had to purse up my lips and that isn't best done with the lean finger of the pen held horizontally between clenched teeth.

'Ok. I'll wear a white salwar kameez and a pink dupatta.' His favorite, I think.

'Great. See you in 15 minutes.'

I hear the vanishing sound of the person leaving.

Opening my cupboard, I looked for the white dress I had in mind. Inside it was placed a blue dupatta.

Taking it out carefully, I put it away for another day. It was to be pink today.



I do not know how many kilometers it is from Bangalore to Pondicherry. But I don't think it can be covered in 15 minutes.

I hope you had a good dinner. I hope she wore a pink dupatta.

Happy birthday again.