Gypsy from the East

“Your Treasure House is in yourself, it contains all you need.”
- Zen quote by “Baizhang Huaihai” (720-814 A.D.)

She smiled, and suddenly it all turned radiant. All problems diminished, like obstructing leaves being carried away by a water stream. Have you ever thought about it? I asked. She smiled again and said, You know! I never planned anything in life.I just believed that only good things happen. So, everything just happened, and it was never bad. I was dumbstruck, imagining if it was a new way to look at life. Whatever happens is good, and one should accept it! she kept speaking. If you are good, nothing goes haywire. I personally did not believe it in the first time, looking at my history of actually planning a bit too much beforehand. She kept telling, You know! I never decided where to study, what to study, which way to go ahead. I just never thought about it. It just kept happening one after the another like following a shiny light. From then to today, everything has just fallen in place. Lucky or what? I thought. Thank god, I couldn't say anything that day. I just stayed a listener, and that lady from “Ahom”, kept saying her heart out.

I knew her for last two and half years, when one day I suddenly found her as an addition to a Professor’s working team. She was one of my seniors from the planning school. She worked with a big corporate organisation for an year and came back to work for less money, more satisfaction and quality of life. With some dissatisfaction about the money of-course, she found an impressive way of life and friends. A never ending circle, that kept increasing. Good friends, office friends, dance class friends, Delhi University friends, CEPT friends, friends of friends, admirers, followers, roommates got added. She, with all her charm carried it all over cheerfully, like a link which connects a lot of chains, which in her case were human chains full of people. She loved all of them, and also loved her beautifully decorated room with a beautiful terrace. It sometimes reminded me of humble yet decorative bohemian homes, where life is not just lived but also celebrated. 

Was she still lonely? I cannot say. Everyone needs someone in life, right? Initially she wanted a PhD to live with, something what she planned and did lot of hard-work for. She wanted to go out of the country, and join a good university. You know!, in a very planned way of going about things, but It was not her life’s way of moving ahead. She kept pushing for an academic dream and meanwhile met him. He, who had the same educational background, was a bit younger in age than her, but had grandpa’s wisdom which was much beyond her age. He kept coming and they became good friends. 

Were they together? My brain bulb was dim enough to understand. That was the reason, that once I found them sitting in a restaurant enjoying a sumptuous meal (and a little privacy!!!) and thought of giving them company (or gaining some!!). Days passed, and her cheer increased. Whether it was in the praise of a movie, a small trip to a vernacular fair, her volunteering in buddhist teaching group, or anything small, she talked about it and got all excited. There were also times when serious mood swings haunted us. New routines and hobbies were taken up. Her desk became full of paper flowers and colours appeared on blank white sheets. It was him? or fulfillment? Who knows? The only fact evident was that she was happy, and who needs to find the reason for happiness?

A few days back, both of us were discussing about our future plans. She suddenly said, You saw? Everything has fallen in place!! I have a good life, secure relationship, lots of friends and the work I love. I kept looking at her face in great amazement, and she kept talking. Life never stops for anyone. When right things happen at the right time, wisdom is to embrace them. What about PhD??? I asked. It will also happen at the right time and place, she answered with such a satisfied smile, as if there was nothing else to look for. 

It suddenly dawned on me, that the search for good things never ends, but wasting one’s life to search useless fulfillment without living in present is also of no use. The silence swept our conversation. I wondered, who gave her that name? She was an ever satisfied person, fighting goods and odds, still smiling and forever quenched. It was a fine evening, he came into the room, she smiled at him and left the office. Everything had actually fallen in place. I remember, it rained that day and everything around turned beautiful and radiant like her and the land she belonged to.

            Strolling in Gangtok, Sikkim , Photo: Abhijit Datey