`Now' Is The Time

I had an interesting conversation today. A friend called up and we spoke for a long time. How is life, he asked. Couldn't be better, I said. Even if life, at the moment the question is being asked, makes one want to nestle in a cocoon never to come out if possible; I just say `Couldn't be better'. More than anything else, it cheers me up. It takes away the temporary insanity of impossible situations and look to a `niceness’ a few hours away.

After a while, my friend asked — Hey, what would you like to do before you die? Ahem! I did not think my general well-being lent any scope for such questions. I just had to know. Why, I asked. Oh, just like that, he said. I haven’t really chased that thought. Desires are there, of course. But a list? Never made one.

An opportunity was presenting itself. I could not let it pass. My friend said no time would be given for thought. “Just say it quick. Think I am the genie who is granting you the wishes. I will disappear any moment.” Sounded fun. I came up with my list. To work for a sensible boss. Aha.. temporary insanity of a ridiculous situation did come in the way of a wish. My friend laughed. Let’s start all over again, I said.

To write a book, travel more, live in Ooty in a house surrounded with trees and a river flowing by, to live in Kerala for a short time. I said all of this quickly and then realised more than anything else -- if I could read all the newspapers in the morning without the doorbell pealing with the milkman, laundry and all other important people demanding my attention, if I could take a bath without the phone ringing at least once, if I could find a rickshaw to get me to the station on time and if I could write the moment I log in, without having to think and think and then fetch a cup of coffee and still think! That would be a wonderful life.

All the other wishes could wait. Life is about the now, after all.