In continuing with the series on tribute to Arundhati, I share today this lovely letter written by Sriya to me on Aru’s birthday. This letter gives a glimpse to the lovely person that Aru was
Sriya and Aru literally grew up together at National Public School, Indiranagar.
Sriya writes, and I quote
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“I wanted to write about Aru on her birthday but I am not confident about my English writing skills so I am sending this as a message…She was awesome in everything she did. I used to have so many names for her….’Thumbalina, Sita mata, delicate darling..
When the entire school was using ballpoint pens, gel pens, Aru was the only one who still used to bring ink pen with a rag! After every exam her fingers used to have ink on them and I used to ask her to use a ball point pen atleast now. But no! she always had her own style.
We used to sit next to each other in class for as long as I can remember,and sports was her only weakpoint. Everytime she passed the ball to the next person, she always used to move to the right.
I remember fighting with the teachers for not giving her the badge for the English Association Vice President because she deserved it the most. I was boiling and yelling while she was so calm and said, ” Its OKAY! Whats there?” I was so shocked at her calmness and that is when I named her ‘Sita mata’
Her uniform used to be wrinkle -free even after an entire day at school, so I usd to ask her, “Hey ARU! does your mum come during lunch -break and secretely iron your clothes? Cause it is impossible not to have a wrinkle on them” She always smiled even though I used to irritate her so much!
During the 10th Standard, I was the one who was unruly , loud, not at all disciplined. Which was the exact opposite of how Aru was…so invariably , the teachers made me and her sit together so that I could learn a thing or two from her. She was so delicate that even if you held her hand tight, it would go red. And her RECORD notes! Oh my God! Those were the best I have seen in my life!
The only time I remember her not getting a book was when she was absent on one day and packed the wrong time-table.
Never have I seen ARU borrow anything from anyone..but she ALWAYS gave what she had…from LOVE to a LAB COAT!
Always before time for everything…such a perfect record!
YES! I had given her a candle to celebrate her first date..because I knew that the guy who would date her would be a LUCKY LUCKY man ..since its the first date he wouldn’t know much but still I always wanted that one moment be as special as possible for her because she deserved to be loved extra0rdinarily.
Sometimes , her little things come crashing down upon me when I am at a signal…a simple ink pen at a store…
I am not that good at writing…I used to ask her to check if the punctuations and everything else was correct. But for her, I am willing to go beyond my weakness and write that perfect paragraph for the perfect girl.
She was special and will always continue to be special….”
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My dearest Sriya, I weep today, reading your sincere , simple, touching letter written from the heart…I am not as good as our Aru in English or poetry…but like Aru, feelings matter to me way beyond anything else.
YOUR CANDLE WAS INDEED USED ON HER FIRST DATE….AT HOME..
It is a treasured relic for her and us, her parents….it lies half used ….half burnt so symbolic of a beautiful life snuffed before time..
Thank you dear SRIYA for your love, words and the candle……
