"Absolutely no point wasting time in this annoying traffic jam Jalal. It is better you drop me here. I will walk up to the Park. Take the car home and tell your madam I will be back by 8 PM." Arif Khan peevishly orders his driver and gets down in front of the Academy of Arts.
The air feels fresh and cooler after the heavy monsoon downpour. Wet and lush green leaves are peeking out of the park trees.
"Good news bro...Order for the million pieces Piqué Polo Shirts is confirmed. We must sit for a pre-production meeting with the buyer by Thursday."
"Cool, Sultan, will talk later tonight…heading for the park." He cuts the line and reaches the first landing space for the second series of stairs.
At 45, Arif has established himself as an astute and shrewd businessman. Blessed with a celebrity wife and two daughters he is a man of many colours living a life which many only dares to dream.
A woman in a powder blue Jamdani saree with floral motifs comes down from the opposite side. He ignores and reaches the L-shaped platform, walks straight to take a sharp right-turn brushing past another young woman in Salwar Kameez, spreading out aroma of a strong perfume. For a split second the fragrance seems familiar to him.
After about another 10 yards he is forced to stop because of the busy cleaners sweeping water out of the platform. The Kadamba Tree facing him standing right left to the entry gate is in full bloom. A little girl is seen buying a Chocobar Insta from the Igloo ice-cream van parked outside the park entry gate.
Arif resumes walking. A text-message notification suddenly beeps.
"Oh what now", grumbles Arif to himself.
It is a message sent from an unknown number saying, "You haven't wished on my birthday."
Arif abruptly stops before going down the staircase on his right.
It cannot be his wife. She had her birthday celebrated extravagantly in March. Not his latest catch, the rising fashion model Elita either. He promised to take her to Singapore to celebrate her birthday in December. His 'official mistress' abroad shares the same birthday as his in June.
Who was born on the 20 July? Is it someone from his school, college or university days?
One baffled Arif Khan is lost in a myriad of birthdays of his countless lovers. 10...20...30 seconds pass...he fails to remember anyone apart from a completely different historical significance attached to the date.
It was on 20 July in 1944, the failed assassination plot against Hitler took place at his Wolf's Lair military headquarters located in East Prussia in today's Poland.
Seconds, by now appear like minutes to Arif.
He now stands almost within a touching distance from the blooming Kadamba Tree in the park. Starts climbing down the staircase and reaches the landing space. Takes a straight sharp look through the gap between Palm and Coconut trees overseeing the park walkway and stops.
He suddenly makes the connection - the blue Jamdani saree, perfume with the strong fragrance, Igloo's Chocobar Insta ice cream and blooming Kadamba flowers. All 4 are linked to the likings of an old flame - Lisa. Arif's former lover now deceased, but a lover with a rare distinction.
Today is her birthday but without any happy returns, however.
Arif now starts to climb down the last series of stairs with a deepening nostalgia overwhelming his mind. He climbs down one step at a time. Who sent him the message from the unknown number?
Lisa died 15 years ago. The separation was not a happy ending. Both were ambitious and hardworking individuals. He was rising through the challenging ladders of the apparel industry, she through her designing skills as a fashion designer. Both shared similar tastes for food, music, movies to travelling.
What happened later was tragic...but, however, life must go on.
Arif climbs down, enters the park and start to jog. No sooner than he completes the half-circle in front of the entry gate closer to Hotel Intercontinental, a car whizzed past playing Bob Dylan's "Political World". He is compelled to stop once more. Instantly remembers that it was one of Lisa's favourite songs. Her memory haunts him for the fifth time.
Lisa haunts for the sixth time.
He now starts to sprint with brutal speed to finish the full circle ending in front of the park's entry gate facing sideway to the Fisheries Building. He scares-off almost everyone on the walkway. He realises the bug too, is creeping in with equal zest and speed.
50...40...30 yards left to the gate...Arif collapses violently on the walkway , right next to the small circle of 6 palm trees. A small crowd gathers around him. It is here where he first met Lisa.
A message notification beeps in dead Arif's mobile phone.It is from an unknown number.
It says - you should have wished.
The writer is editorial chief, The Daily Observer
