A bright sunny Sunday is what everyone loves in England.
A cup of tea was what Stella Reynolds wanted to begin a lovely day. A
hot steamy cup in her lovely garden made a perfect start of the day!
With water boiling in a kettle on her kitchen platform, Stella was ready
with a tray of biscuits, milk, sugar and tea bag. Wrapped up nicely, Stella was
gazing at her lovely garden from her kitchen window, beeped her smart phone - a
Facebook friend request! Carefully pouring boiled water in the cup she carried
her cell phone and tray, Stella strolled into the garden.
With a sip of refreshing tea, she checked FB invitation; it was Paula
Baker, her beloved school friend. She quickly accepted her request which transported
her 55 years back when she was 5 year old and it was the first time Stella and
Paula had met! They were together for next 12 years of their school life, like
soul mates.
Lost in her thoughts, Stella came back to senses with a ping on FB from
Paula.
Paula: Hey Hun, how have you been?
Stella with a gorgeous smile: Not too bad, thank you. What a pleasant surprise! Where are you?
Paula: I was in Kenya for last 30 years. Now, in England for good
Stella: I am so happy to have you back in my life
Paula: Fancy meeting over lunch today at Boat Club? I am dying to meet you after ages.
Stella: Sure darling, I am in.
Paula: See you at 12'ish, Boat Club, City Centre - opposite to Primark…Xxx
Extremely happy about meeting her school friend, Stella finishes her cup of tea.
So far her Sunday has been exciting.
Boat Club is euphoric on Sundays. These two friends needed no time to identify
each other. In their 60's they looked fabulous, smartly dressed and so young at
heart. They spoke about career, Paula's life in Kenya, Stella's life in
England.
Paula was happily married to Matt for 35 years and had 2 daughters. She
couldn’t have asked for more.
'What about you Stella, did you find your Man?' questioned Paula.
Paula had an idea of failures with regards to relations in Stella’s life
and Stella always chose not to speak about it, nothing like she was ashamed or
embarrassed but some matters are best when unspoken!
Paula said, ‘It is a lonely world outside. We are connected with these
modern social networks but yet don’t you feel the need to be with someone whom
you can disturb anytime, share your sorrows and laughs? That someone with whom
you have a glass of wine but no compulsion to speak a word…silence speaks a
thousand words!’
‘Stella, I am worried about you, care for you. I know you are a strong
woman but everyone wants to be loved, pampered and spoiled by someone special’,
said Paula.
There was silence…awkward silence, not that Paula spoke out of her
limits but something that was never asked to Stella before. Who would ask her?
She had no one who cared for her. In this journey of life we meet many but how
many etch a place in our heart? Certainly not everyone…very few…very very few!
Stella knew she needed to elaborate on this and she spoke her heart for
the first time with great composure.
She said, 'I never saw a perfect relationship. At the age of 18, my Dad
left for work and never came back. My Mum received divorce papers later. My mum
wept her heart out and begged him to come back for me and my brother but he
never bothered. This made me realise how irresponsible a ‘Man’ can be! I always
knew their marriage was a compromise. My Mum lost her interest in us and her
life. Rob, my brother grew up insensitive and immature. He had no one to guide
him ever. He too left us and I don't know where he is. Rob could have made his
life worthwhile, made us proud but he chose a wrong way. While I was coping
with these tragedies of my life due to men, I met David, love of my life and
later found him cheating on me. He already had a family but was attracted to
me. I always thought if I was unlucky with men or men were unlucky for me.
While I was coping with this I never knew that my colleague James at work was
planning his promotion by portraying me as inefficient, feeble and unfit for the
post. Each time I knew I was right but I suffered because I was knowingly and
unknowingly dealing with wrong men. A series of such incidents in my life made
me think if I really needed a ‘Man’ to complete me and my life? An
irresponsible father, a careless brother, a selfish lover and an opportunist
friend – all Men, can’t be a coincidence!’
Stella then cheekily said, 'I don’t generalise that all Men are mean and imperfect but the more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!’
Paula laughed out with teary eyed and said, ‘I am glad that you are
still open about this and may you find one soon’.
As they were busy sharing their emotional laugh, beeped Paula’s phone, a
message from her younger daughter, Katie.
Very hurriedly she searches for the phone in her handbag and finds it,
puts on her glasses and reads:
Katie: Mum, when are you coming home? I need your little help. It is my
first date today evening, what should I wear?
Paula: I will be there in an hour
Keeping her phone back in her turquoise handbag, Paula with a sigh says,
‘Well, Katie needs me and I have to leave but it was really nice meeting you’.
Stella with a grin said, ‘Indeed. I am so proud of you on being such a
doting mother’.
‘Life teaches you everything. It puts you in a situation and gives that
courage to face it as well. It was never easy to live in Kenya with no family
and friends around but we survived and eventually evolved as a strongly bonded
family’, said Paula. She continued, ‘Different people, different culture and so many
challenges! There were times when I wanted to come back but I took it as a
challenge and when I look back, I feel proud for what I achieved. I have
evolved as a wonderful person. Raising two daughters was emotionally challenging
as well but how beautifully I and Matt did it, is what counts. I am lucky to
have him in my life. We have had our differences but they sublimed'.
She gently placed her hand on Stella’s and said, ‘Not all Men are
imperfect and I am sure you will find someone who would change your every
perception’.
Stella knew that Paula cares for her. They both re-discovered a soul mate in
each other.
They both enjoyed their salad lunch and it was indeed a perfect Sunday! It
never felt that this was their lunch after ages.
Such is friendship - distance, age and relations never affect it.
Friends are forever.
If this story of mine has made you miss a dear friend of yours then call
her/him and say that you still care for them!
