First Valentine! We are miles apart, huge world. But it is not big enough to stop the feelings of an Akshay from reaching all the way to an Aanchal. We have decided not to think about it anymore. Now I have to send a special gift. I’ll send a gift. I am thinking about a gift all the time. Flowers, chocolates, jewelry, perfumes… that’s what everyone is sending. Flowers are good for a day. Chocolates she’ll give to all her buddies. Jewelry shall all go to the wardrobe and perfumes, what’s the meaning when she already holds the best fragrance naturally! I have to send a special gift. It has always been tough for me… have never sent received or heard of people sending gifts. I want to be innovative.
I will gift a pair of cutest love birds. I tell her about this and she says no. I’ll still gift her those cute little things because I remember the look in her eyes when she saw them once in Jaipur.
I’ve only seen their pictures. They are tiny and most definitely made for each other. We have to name them now. People are coming up with different names. Some funny some cute some romantic and some typical. I know one of them is anyways going to be an Apple. She suggests Pie. Apple- Pie they are!
She is curious to know them and make friends but they are shy. They won’t let anyone come near and simply move away. They would talk only when no one else is around, as if they don’t want anyone to hear them. They would play only when they are left alone, as if they don’t want to share the tricks. They sure have something cooking between them. They are love birds after all!
Soon she discovers that Apple is way too active and naughty. He would make sounds and play all the time with their ‘Jhoola’. Pie is kind of a chilled out person. She would eat a lot and sometimes sleep even while people around. When I hear this, I thought how perfect could that be… one is naughty another wants to sleep all the time!
She calls me all disturbed, says Pie has come out and she is struggling to put her back in. She eventually manages to get it done. We have decided to move them to my place. I cover them up, buy them both a train ticket and it’s a whole new world for them.
People are curious, kids are happy. Everyone is talking about the new couple in the town. They have new friends now; the birds from nearby trees would come sit and talk to them. Kids in the colony have a mission in their lives; coming, ringing the bell and ask us to let them play with Apple Pie. Maa always has excuses… Beta they are sleeping now, they are eating, taking a bath, making love, studying and what not! Everyone seems to like this new set up.
I wake up and found Apple all alone. Mysteriously quite and scared; figured out Pie is not there. She is sitting on a nearby branch with her local friends. As I try to grab her, she flies away to the park in front. After all the efforts when we bring Apple to the park and make Pie locate him, she comes back and gets in like a good girl that she is supposed to be. The whole operation took almost 3 hours and substantial phone calls around the country. This is when we located one of the broken wires which gave her space to have a trip around. She is, after the trip, not very happy though.
Another such morning maa wakes me up. She is screaming. Pie is missing yet again; this time not near the branch and not anywhere else. We spend couple of hours looking for her but seems like she has gone never to come back again. People say she will come back but then, she doesn’t know the way. We hope she is happy wherever she is. World has a lot to offer.
Apple is missing his soul mate. He is not eating or saying a word. Seems like he is waiting with hope in his eyes; that’s why he is not sleeping. We are trying to get him a new mate but couldn’t find it in the town. We decide to keep him for couple of days if Pie comes back else just let him go.
As decided we made him fly and let him figure his way out. He won’t go anywhere. He is sitting at the tree in front and waiting for someone to come and bring him back to his home. How can you let such a cute thing go out of your life?
He does not stay in the cage anymore. Apple is as free as Pie. He is friendly obedient neat and fun… everything you want your pet to be. And yes, he is a love bird. You can’t help but fall in love with him the moment you see him. His mere presence keeps everyone so stress free and happy. People have something to talk about. He is the essential part of every conversation.
Sometimes I think how such small things can affect the life significantly. It’s a whole spectrum of emotions that comes along. Little Apple and Pie made the world so happening. There are moments of curiosity, laughter, fun, frustration, attachment and even tears involved. Ultimately it’s love that you give and get back. And it’s always there, no matter which part of the universe you are!
