7th October
“Are you going to come to Adarsh Graphics today? We need to finalize everything.”
“Babe, I’ll be a bit late, so just wait outside Universal Bakeries, OK?”
An hour later, both of us walk into Adarsh Graphics. The portly guy manning the counter recognizes V.
“Haan, Madum, aap ka paper type ready hai”.
I touch the textured, slightly green roll. It feels nice. It feels final.
“I told you you’ll love it. Hai na? Hai na?”
“Yes, baba. I love it.”
We wrap up the order and head back towards the car. She steps into the air-conditioned cocoon, smiles, blows a kiss.
“Arrey, don’t frown. I’ll be back in 3 days. Finish the design by then, OK? I want my name and date in big font!”
****
That was the last coherent conversation I had with her.
****
I finally managed to get the design done. Three years later in a fit of drunken grief.
7th October 2011 marks 6 years on the calendar for that date.
