Every day, a new beginning

“Wow! Such a beautiful view. This is such a wonderful place. Why haven’t we been here before? It’s so close to our house, Samay?” Siya exclaimed as they reached the peak of the mountain. Samay just looked at her and smiled. “Ooh, look there! Ice gola. Please let’s have it na. I’m parched!” Siya said and without waiting for Samay to answer, started walking towards the stall.

“Ek Kalakhatta dena (give me a kalakhatta one),” she said to the ice-gola wali. Beena, the ice-gola seller smiled knowingly at Samay. Siya found it weird but she didn’t pay much attention and started slurping on the brown sugary concoction. “Ah this is life! After climbing down let’s go and sit for some time by the lake,” she said enthusiastically. Samay nodded.

Siya excused herself to go to the washroom. Beena looked at Samay and said softly, “Kitne din ye routine karoge saheb. Bahot mushkil hai ye pahad wahad chadhna. Hafte me 2 bar aana padta hai. (How many days will you follow this routine, sir. It’s very difficult to climb this hill. You come 2 times a week.)” Samay replied, “Uske liye kuch bhi! (Anything for her)” and walked away.

It was almost 6PM and Siya and Samay were sitting by the lake holding hands. No one spoke and they stared at the horizon. By the time they reached home it was dinnertime. Siya went to her room to change. After a moment Samay heard her scream. He went to her room and just looked at her. “What’s happened to my face? Why I am looking so old? And I was also huffing and panting while climbing the hill today. What’s happening Samay?” Tears rolled down her eyes. Samay walked to her with an album. She looked at it surprised. It had photos of her of the past 10 years. Photos of her wearing the same clothes, at the same places, only thing that changed was her appearance. She seemed to look older and older.

“You suffer from anterograde amnesia, Siya. You can’t remember all the new details and experiences since 2010. You were badly injured in an accident ten years back and this has been happening ever since.” Siya looked at him tenderly. “So, you have to bear with all this every single day?”

“No, I have to work to earn money and for your treatment. So, 5 times a week, a caretaker looks after you. But 2 days a week, I spend every single minute with you doing all the activities you like,” he said smilingly.

“Samay, that must be so tough on you. Why don’t you just keep me in a home and go on with your life? It’s not fair that you suffer because of me,” she said with sadness reflecting on her face. “Siya, I love you. That’s why I do this. Every time I meet you, I see it as a new beginning of our relationship. Your memories are fresh. Everything is new for you. It’s a new beginning for you. Now come, let’s eat the pav bhaji that you like!”

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