In a dark bedroom somewhere in Petaling Jaya, all is quiet except for the gentle breathing of two people in bed.

“Varsha?”

“Yes, Vinay.”

“Are you awake?”

“I am now.”

“Good. I was just thinking about how wonderful it has been being married for 34 years. Thirty-four years!”

Mumbling, “Don’t remind me.”

“What’s that, dearest?”

“It has been wonderful, dearest.”

“My thoughts, precisely. Do you remember when we first met?”

Mumbling, “How could I forget?”

“What’s that, dearest?”

“Like it was yesterday.”

“Do you remember what I first said to you?”

“I am a big time arbitrations lawyer and very famous?”

“No, after that…”

“You recited from Omar Khayyam”

“Yes, and do you remember what you said to me?”

“Go away?”

“No, after that…”

“Go away, or I’ll call the police?”

“No, after that…”

“You probably recite Omar Khayyam to all the women you meet?”

“Yes, but this was special.”

“Yes, I remember you were on one bended knee.”

“Yes, and do you remember what you said to me?”

“I didn’t realize until now how short you really were?”

“No, after that…”

“Please get up you are embarrassing me?”

“Yes! But, did I get up? Nooooo!”

“Well you only got up when I agreed to go out on a date with you.”

“Yes. And do you remember which wine we had with our first meal together?”

“Yes, you opened the same bottle tonight – a Chateau Branaire Ducru Saint Julien.”

” ‘Drink wine. This is life eternal. This is all that youth will give you. It is the season for wine, roses and drunken friends. Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.’ Do you remember?”

“Darling, you recite that verse every anniversary. Can I get some sleep now?”

“Yes, dear.”

“Vinay?”

“Yes, dearest.”

“I was only teasing you earlier. I remember our first meeting very vividly! You are such a romantic and I love that you recite Omar Khayyam to me every year. It has been a wonderful 34 years with you by my side.”

“Varsha?”

“Not tonight, darling.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My apologies to Varsha and Vinayak for taking liberties with this work of fiction on their 34th wedding anniversary.