A Canvas Of Emotions

By Ashok Mitra

It was a crisp spring morning when Shreya first met Sid. The leaves whispered softly in the gentle breeze, and the sun cast a warm glow over the city of Chandigarh. Shreya, a young artist with a passion for painting, had just moved into a cosy little apartment above the local bookstore. Sid, a quiet and introspective writer, lived in the apartment next door.  

Their initial meeting was simple yet memorable. Shreya, struggling to carry her art supplies up the stairs, stumbled and dropped some of them. Sid, who was sitting on the landing engrossed in a  book, looked up and quickly rushed to help her. Together, they gathered the scattered items, exchanging brief smiles as they introduced themselves. 

As the days passed, Shreya and Sid would occasionally cross paths in the common area of their building. Sometimes they would bump into each other at the local café. Their conversations were always pleasant but brief, revolving around the weather or the latest book releases. Shreya found Sid's reserved and introverted nature intriguing, while Sid admired Shreya’s vibrancy and creativity.

One evening, as Shreya was working on a new painting, she heard a rhythmic sound clacking away through the thin walls. It seemed someone was profusely typing on a computer keyboard. She immediately realised this was Sid next door. Curious, she decided to invite herself over for a cup of coffee. Sid, somewhat surprised by the sudden visit, welcomed her warmly. As they sat at his small kitchen table, Shreya noticed the stacks of books and manuscripts surrounding them.

"I'm so sorry to intrude," Shreya said, "however I couldn't help but notice the incessant sound of typing next door."

Sid chuckled. "No intrusion at all."

"Are you working on a novel ?"  Shreya asked, her eyes scanning the papers.

"Yes, I am," Sid replied, his eyes lighting up. "It is a historical fiction piece. I have been researching for months."

Shreya's curiosity was piqued. She asked questions about his story and Sid found himself opening up more than he had in a long time. The interactions flowed effortlessly and even before they knew it, the night had slipped away.

As the weeks turned into months, Shreya and Sid grew closer. They would meet regularly to discuss their respective projects. Shreya would share her latest paintings, while Sid would read excerpts from his novel. Their critiques were always constructive and supportive, helping each other refine their work. Their connection was undeniable. 

One rainy afternoon, as they sat in Sid’s apartment listening to the sound of the raindrops, Shreya turned to him and said, "You know, I've been thinking. Your writing is so vivid and immersive. You have a way of transporting readers to another time and place."

Sid smiled, his eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Thank you, Shreya. That means a lot coming from you. Your paintings are like windows into another world. They capture emotions and moments in a way that words can't."

Their mutual admiration and respect deepened their connection. They began exchanging more personal stories, revealing fears and dreams they had never spoken about before. Shreya confided in Sid about her intense struggles to find inspiration after the devastating loss of her parents in quick succession, while Sid shared his fears of failure as a writer. 

They quite enjoyed spending time with each other. Long walks, visits to the neighbourhood park and leisurely meals became a cherished part of their routine. Shreya introduced Sid to the world of art, taking him to galleries and exhibitions. Sid, in turn, shared his love for literature, recommending books that opened Shreya’s eyes to new perspectives. 

As the months went by, their bond grew stronger. They knew that their relationship was not just about romance; it was about the deep attachment they shared, the mutual respect and the unwavering support they offered each other. Both of them would spend hours talking about their plans for the future - traveling, starting a family and building a life together.

Eventually Sid shared the good news with his parents that he has found a life partner. Shreya was eager to meet them. Sid happily agreed. He saw this as an opportunity to tell her more about them, expressing his deep admiration for their individual accomplishments and their kind, generous nature.

When Shreya asked about their professional lives, Sid proudly shared that his father was a former Army officer who had risen through the ranks to attain a senior position. His mother, he added, had been the Head of the English Department at a prestigious government college. After years of dedicated service, they had resolved to retire together. In search of a peaceful retreat, they had chosen an exotic location near the breathtaking Laitlum Grand Canyon in Meghalaya, just over twenty kilometers from Shillong.

The intended day of the reunion arrived. Both of them took some days off from their work. On reaching Shillong, they were driven uphill through the stunning countryside, amidst the deep gorges and green valleys. In due course of time, they reached the beautiful estate which was surrounded by the rolling hills and lush green forests. As they entered the house, a warm and welcoming family greeted Shreya. They were all smiling and chatting, but there seemed to be an underlying tension in the air. Shreya could not put her finger on it, but she sensed that something was off. It was not until they sat down for dinner that the truth began to unravel.

Sid's mother, a wise and kind-hearted woman spoke about family values, love and affection, the role of circumstantial factors and forgiveness in life. Shreya was keenly listening. As she finished talking, Sid’s father nervously announced, ‘‘Sid, I need to tell you something.’’

Sid looked at his father, not having any clue of what was coming.

His father distressingly said, ‘‘It's time you knew the truth. Sid, you are not who you think you are. We are not your biological parents.’’

The room fell silent and Shreya’s heart skipped a beat. She looked at Sid, who seemed frozen in shock and disbelief. 

His father continued, ‘‘Sid, we had adopted you years back when you were a child.’’

A whirlwind of emotions surged through Sid’s mind. He felt betrayed that this truth had been kept from him for so long. He was angry too because of a sense of deception. 

Struggling with his sense of belonging, Sid looked at his mother and asked in disbelief with his voice shaking, ‘‘Mom, is this true ? Am I adopted ?’’

His mother’s voice choked as she started crying.

His father took a deep breath and replied : Yes, son. You are.

Sid agonisingly asked : And you all never told me ? All these years ?

Then his mother responded softly : We wanted to…but we did not know how. We feared it would change things between us.

Sid angrily asked : Tell me - who are my actual parents ? 

Sid’s father took it upon himself to begin narrating the long story.

He said: Sid, you are the son of my dearest friend and colleague who lost his life in the war while serving in the army. You were only a year old at that time. Your mother, deeply in love with your father, was shattered by this loss. We did everything we could to comfort her, urging her to stay with us until she felt stronger. But as time passed, we watched her mental state deteriorate. She had already endured a tragic past in her family and these new hardships took a heavy toll on her emotional well-being. Realizing that she lacked the strength to face life’s misfortunes while raising you, she withdrew from the world. Her spirit broken, she made the painful decision to leave everything behind and dedicate herself to spiritual pursuits in an ashram. With a heavy heart, she asked us to adopt you. You were so little then, Sid.       

There was pin drop silence in the dining room as the story kept progressively unfolding.

Sid’s mother added : She sought our help in relocating and we found a well-equipped, well-maintained ashram in Vrindavan for her. The day she left, she wept profusely and we were deeply saddened as well. I held her close, comforting her as best as I could. Through her tears, she assured me that she would stay in touch from time to time. Yet, despite her sorrow, there was a quiet sense of peace within her - she truly believed that her son would be raised in the best possible way here.

Sid’s father said : However, she made another request.

Sid’s mother butted in : Yes, she said  ‘One day, when Sid grows into a young man and plans to marry, bring him to the ashram so that I can bless him. But please, do not reveal my identity - I do not want him to feel sad.’

Sid exclaimed : Oh, my God !

Sid’s mother continued :  But Sid, now the time has come for you to begin a new chapter of your life with Shreya. Thus we earnestly want you and Shreya to visit the ashram with us, so that you both can seek her blessings and honour her request. We truly believe that this will bring you both immense peace and positivity as you embark on your imminent  journey together. We deliberately chose to reveal her identity and the full story now - otherwise you would never visit an ashram to seek blessings from a stranger. We know you too well, Sid. 

Sid murmured : My whole life feels like a lie! Who am I even ?

Sid’s mother gently said :  You are my Sid, my son. The boy I held in my arms when you were just a baby. The boy I raised, loved and will always love. 

Sid was silent for a moment and then mumbled : I just do not know how to feel.

Sid’s mother with tears in her eyes reassuringly explained : My son, family is not just about blood. It is about pure love and we both have truly loved you from the moment we first saw you.

His father said : Sid, you do not have to figure out all these complexities today. Just know that no matter what, you are still our son. Nothing changes that.

His mother reiterated : We love you, son. 

The room erupted into a mixture of gasps and tears. Shreya was stunned, but she quickly composed herself and took Sid’s hand, offering him her support. Her touch was so reassuring for Sid at that moment of crisis. Sid looked at her, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions - shock, confusion, and gratitude. There was a sense of discomfort and uneasiness among all while they finished their dinner.

Sid felt exhausted at having to cope up with the overwhelming rush of emotions. Wanting to excuse himself and retire for the night, he stepped into his room. Shreya followed him and they closed the door behind them. Sid’s eyes brimmed with tears. He was feeling extremely sad, utterly frustrated and acutely insecure. Realising Sid’s mental stress, Shreya comforted him with her caring demeanour. Sid surrendered to her like a child, holding her tightly. The close physical contact made a world of difference to Sid in soothing his anxiety. He wanted more of that to de-stress himself. Emotion and passion overflowed spontaneously, unrestrained. They kissed deeply, embraced passionately and made love intimately in the stillness of the night. These exclusive hours of togetherness were crucial for Sid to gain composure and be in control of himself.

With a trembling voice he said, ‘‘Shreya, I am sorry that all these facts unfolded the way they did.  How miserable and annoyed you would be feeling at the lack of transparency in the family ! You mean so much to me - I hope I do not lose you one day.’’

Shreya took his hand and with a smile responded, ‘‘You can never lose me, Sid. I love you for who you are, not for your past or your family. We will face whatever comes next together.’’ 

They realized that their relationship was not just about love; it was also about mental support and emotional solidarity - standing for each other in any sort of adversity or unpleasant surprises that life can bring. And as they looked into each other's eyes, they knew that no matter whatever adventures lay ahead, whatever twists life might bring, their bond would remain unbreakable.

It took Sid some time to internalise the vagaries of life, accept the reality and return to his true self with his parents. Eventually, Sid and Shreya visited the ashram to seek blessings, and soon after, they got married. They settled in Chandigarh, where they both thrived in their respective professions.

Years later, on their wedding anniversary, Shreya and Sid sat at the cosy corner of their living room overlooking the balcony. They sipped their favourite wine, enjoying Beethoven’s piano recital, as they watched the sunset. They exchanged gifts in that romantic ambience. They were also surrounded by Shreya’s paintings and Sid’s books, nicely displayed, reminders of the journey they had shared. They held hands, grateful for the day they met and for the love that had grown between them. They also learnt that true love is not about knowing everything about each other; it is about embracing the unknown and facing life's challenges and uncertainties together.

And as the moon started to glow in the night sky and they leaned in to kiss, they knew that their love would truly endure, embracing the canvas of human emotions - a testament to the power of connection and a reminder of the incredible journey they had collectively traversed.

By Ashok Mitra