SUPER MAN
“I have requested editor on the knees to cover this story. I badly want to do this. I want to interview him. I want to collect answers for many questions Saif.” Shaifali is my best friend and I call her Saif with all my love mixed with bollywoodish sense of humor.
“But whatever he does makes no big difference to the society Genny.” Shaifali’s voice was proof of her irritation, for my madness. “You must think twice to do this. This interview will project you look like an old fashioned social worker just like him. You should do a story on ‘Sheila Dixit’ for her “iron art” exhibition. He could be famous in his social servicing world for his work and his charms and good look earns him more fame for sure. But his interview will be worth nothing for ‘weird’ Genny, don’t do it. Don’t waste your time and hamper your impression.”
We work for a magazine named “weird”. Yes you got it right weird. We talk about everything that is not normal for the normal people of this normal society.
“You may think whatever, but I am doing this. You never know the flip side of the coin honey.” I tapped on her chubby chicks, picked my bag and rushed towards the doors of our funky office.
I flipped through questions jotted in my diary to be asked to this man. There are so many of them and I will just have 15 minutes. I flipped in the bed whole night making best plans to utilize 15 minutes. Lots of readers would cherish him on the cover page; I thought. His rusty look, carelessly grown beard, silky shiny hair, broad shoulders, sparkling eyes, innocent smile and heart like heaven are his charms. He knows how to love, share, be a giver, he too knows how to put people prior to himself - he knows how to be a superman.
“I am from weird magazine sir. You confirmed to spare your 15 minutes for an interview for our magazine. I have called up to confirm the day and time of your convenience.” I tried to sound as professional as I could.
“We can do it on coming 1st. I generally do interviews after 10 P.M. in the night. But you are a lady, let me know your convenient time, I will adjust.” His voice was so soft, yet so manly. He certainly has his own magic.
“No I will come when you do it for all, no special treatments for me sir. I will see you at 10 P.M. on 1st. Thank you for your valuable 15 minutes.”
1st @ 10 P.M.
“Welcome; have a seat.” He smiled, Irresistible aura he has. I would never want those 15 minutes to end. I sat on the corner of a sofa. A fish pond was kept on another side. Cute fishes were swimming and made me feel as if they were passing kisses to me with pouted lips.
“Would you like to have a cup of coffee?” His voice broke my efforts to connect with those fishes. By the time I could say yes or no, he decided to get coffee for me.
“Nanubhai” He called his helping hand. The softness in his voice displayed not only respect, but affection for the assisting man. Love, care, respect and affection are what he offers to everyone around him, making him superman for them all. He is at an arm’s distance whenever they want him. Be it their kid’s education, their parent’s health emergencies, husband and wife’s issues, their wife’s gynecological health issues, Saas-bahu problems, meeting government officials for gutter lines, water and light issues in their colonies or any other issues in their lives. “Two strong coffees, less sugar please Nanubhai.” Nanubhai did not look much old in age. He looked at me, with a warm smile. I could not look at him for longer, a quick glance and distracted myself looking back at fishes. I kept stealing over the shoulder brief looks at the superman sitting in front of me. How come is he so magnetic without any efforts?
“I know sir” and Nanubhai left. I should have felt uncomfortable being there in presence of 2 men at 10 pm in a house, but I didn’t.
“Can we please start the interview sir?” I broke the silence. He kept his mobile phone aside and looked at me.
“Sure. I know you have bundle of questions. Go ahead.”
Before I could should the question, his phone rang. He looked at the screen, looked at me, silently conveying he must pick this up. I could just stare at him wanting he does not lift this call. But he did. 15 minutes of few more phone calls, discussions, consolations, guidance followed by silence.
“Is it my turn now?” I asked with pinch of bitterness and sarcasm.
Before I could ask a question, his cell phone rang followed by sequence of some more calls. Nanubhai walked in with a tray with 2 mugs of coffee, which smelled awesome and looked exactly the way I love my coffee. There was a small plate too with my favorite cookies. He looked at me then at Mr. Superman, settled his eyes again on me and said “Madam, meanwhile bhaiya deals with his work you have your coffee.” I tried to look at him and smile back but he walked away. I picked up a mug of coffee and tried to indulge in the coffee. I continued sipping it; my hands could not leave the mug. The vapor of coffee reached to my heart and threw me back in the past. I saw a coffee mug in my hand on a beautiful morning; a soul touching voice was singing for me wrapping his hands around me.
“Pal Pal dil ke paas, tum rehti ho.” I was melting in this voice.
I was back to present as I felt mild shake on my shoulders, it was superman trying to wake me up calling my name.
I checked my wrist watch showing 11 P.M. I got up from the sofa. “I am sorry for this. I was lost somewhere and I took more time than you committed. I am really sorry for keeping you occupied and disturbing your valuable time sir. I must leave now.” I did not want to leave without collecting my answers but I was walking 45 minutes extra on allotted 15 minutes.
“Genny you may ask your questions.” He looked at me pointing at the sofa, to make me sit there again. I settled and decided not to let go the chance to interview him. I opened my note pad to read out the question, just than Mr. Superman himself offered me a glass of chilled water. I made sure that I don’t end up touching him while taking the glass from him.
“Nanubhai leaves for home at 11.” May be he wanted me to be aware about Nanubhai’s absence. Before the glass could complete the exchange of hands; his cell phone screen flashed which was lying at 8 feet distance on a center table. He turned back to pick up the phone avoiding looking at me. He finished the call and turned back to continue the interview.
He picked up my notepad lying there on the sofa. Struggling with blurred view he managed to read the note I had left behind.
“What made you choose this social service over the beautiful life we lived? Why the tears of other helpless people are sourer than the tears of your wife’s who is helplessly in love with you? Should I continue living the hope of these fishes, these coffee mugs, Nanubhai, and you to be back in my life ever again?”
He sat on the sofa and his cell phone rang again.
***
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