ANAND & TARA

Matters of the Heart

OUTSIDE A TEMPLE – MORNING

Anand leaned onto his white sedan and crossed his arms. He looked bored and grumpy AF. Every now and then, he glanced at his watch impatiently.

Anand – (hissing) What's taking her so long?

Tara was still back at the temple across, praying.

It was the beginning of summer and the sun had started to beat down already. He considered getting back into the car and cranking up the AC, but that would mean sitting in there for God knows how long. Anand wasn't the type to sit around. He was the hyperactive kind who had to keep moving.

Exhaling, he straightened up and shuffled back and forth a small stretch of the street. After about the ninth round, he came back to his car and waited with his hands stuffed into his pockets.

After what seemed like forever, Tara emerged from the temple. Finally!!!

He was about to make a sarcastic comment when he noticed her eyes glistening. Was she crying? He grew restless.

She knew that he had a keen eye on her, so she avoided his gaze and quietly slipped into the car.

He stood there, observing her, his hands stuffed into his pockets. Relax, he assured himself, she's probably had one of her usual intimate conversations with God. Smirking, and dragging his feet over the gravel path, he got behind the wheel. He stole a glance at her and turned on the engine.

A couple of minutes later, they hit town and Tara was still quiet.

Out of the blue:

Anand – (clearing his throat) Alright, let me guess. Together forever till the end of time.

Tara turned to face him, not really getting it.

Tara - Huh?

Anand – Together forever. (Looking at her) That's what you prayed for. Isn't it?

She leaned back, snorting quietly. No, she nodded.

Anand - Then?

They entered a kaccha road and slowed before a herd of roaming buffalos.

Anand – (maneuvering the car) That nothing should come in between us?

She smirked and looked out the window.

Anand – That we should have a hundred kids?

She chuckled and rolled her eyes.

Tara – Are you crazy?

Anand – (sighing) Fine, I give up. You tell me. What is it?

Tara – Nope.

Anand – Why not?

Tara – That's between me and God.

Anand – Tsk. Come on. God can't handle all your secrets. That's why he --- (ahem!) gifted me to you?

Tara – (chuckling) Yeah, right.

Anand – Don't believe it?

She crossed her arms and looked out the window, smirking.

Anand – Fine, don't!

She sighed. With her gaze still out the window...

Tara – I prayed that we live till the end of time.

Anand – (scoffing) Well, but that's what I told you before.

Tara – Yes, but, someday one of us must go.... (a brief pause) ... when it's time.

His heart dropped. Separation. Inevitable death. End of life. End of their journey. That's what she was addressing. He hated this kind of talk. Why panic over an unpredictable future? Live in the present. That's the way he liked it.

Anand – Tsk.

Tara seemed to be having a difficult time discussing this. She was so in love with Anand that the very prospect of staying away for even a day was too much to bear. She was attached to everything about him.

Anand – Is it that time of the month?

She wasn't listening.

Tara – (emotional) I want us to live for a hundred or more. But if one of us were to go first, let it be you.

Bewildered, Anand turned to her with a sharp snap.

Anand – What!!!?

He couldn't believe what she just said.

Anand – You want me to die first? (With mock pain on his face) Alright, I understand.

Tara – Because, if I were to go first, I can never rest, knowing that you'll miss me. A lot.

He glanced at her briefly, then, turned back to the road, scrunching his lips.

Tara – I'm built to endure. Everything. If you go first, I can be at peace, because, I know that you're in good hands. I know you'll be taken care of, till I join you.

He stole a glance and spotted her flicking off a tear.

Anand – Too many serials?

He pulled off from the road and parked the car under a tree.

He turned to her, keeping an arm over the seat.

Anand – Alright. You want me to go first. Right?

She pursed her lips.

Anand – Right?

No response.

Anand – (sighing) Fine. I'll go first. But what if it doesn't happen that way?

She shifted in her seat.

Anand – And even if it does, do you really think that I'll be okay up there, enjoying my afterlife, when you'll be miserable down here? No!

She pondered over his statement.

Tara – I'll recover.

Anand – But I won't. Tara, do you remember how hard it was for you to stay away from me for a week? And you're talking about... a lifetime?

She does remember. She'd gone to visit her parents for the first time after her marriage. She had to go alone as Anand couldn't stay away from his office. It was hard. It was when she realized how much she loved him.

He gazed into her eyes, knowing exactly what she was thinking. Leaning back onto his seat with a smile, he shrugged.

Anand – So, I thought about a solution. (Waits for her to respond) When our time's up, let's go together.

She raised her eyebrows.

Anand – Makes sense, right?

She leaned back, sighing.

Tara – It doesn't happen that way.

Anand – Says who?

Tara – Maybe it can. But that'd be like one in a million.

Anand – So let's pray for that one in a million.

Tara – (sighing) God. My hormones are so messed up today. What am I even thinking? Death... afterlife...

Anand – It is that time of the month, isn't it?

Tara – (smirking a bit) Yeah.

Anand – (winking) I guessed. (Suddenly serious) I don't know about you. But I'm dying for something before I die.

Tara – (turning to him) What?

Pointing at an ice-cream vendor across the street, he bounced on his seat.

Anand – Ice creeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaammmm!!!!!

She chuckled.

Excited, he sprang out and bolted to the vendor.

Tara – (calling after him) Chocolate for me.

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