The Mysterious Gifter

 

(If you are meeting the Keeper for the first time, here is the story where he appears first! Read About The Keeper Here!)

What a day… Alekhya thought in exhaustion. She was relieved that her birthday was over.

Alekhya had wanted to skip office today. Infact she would have preferred to stay in her bed the whole day and waste her birthday away.

The fortieth. How did life fly by!?

Not only had she turned forty years old, she was single too. As if the forties weren’t depressing enough.

She dropped her head into her palms. How did it come to this?

She had had grand plans. Pursuing a career in journalism, finding her soulmate and falling in love with him and finding her happy-forever moment.

The universe had other plans.

Today she worked as a content writer for a healthcare MNC. She did fall in love in college but got dumped in a year. Then she fell in love with a colleague. Worst mistake of her life. When he left the job for better prospects, she was left heartbroken. Even more painful had been the incident where she had professed her love for him and he had rejected her, although politely.

Seven years had passed since that fateful day and she had never dared to look at another guy. Her fragile self-esteem had taken a solid hit that day and she had vowed to never fall in love again.

Not that her luck had assisted her in this area. Hypo-thyroidism had ushered in her 35^th birthday with weight-gain, health issues and diet restrictions. She could no longer enjoy her favorite dishes.

At forty, she had more or less given up on love. Yet she felt the pangs every now and then. Especially when she saw some romantic movie or read a love story.

Which is why the bouquet and the gift baffled her.

When she had walked into her office, she had walked in with the blissful knowledge that no one in the office knew that it was her birthday. That is how she wanted it to be. She had never been fond of birthday celebrations and liked to keep a low profile.

When she reached her cabin, there was a small bouquet of button roses, along with a wrapped gift. She had hastily hid them in her drawer and when she got some free time, she opened the gift.

It was an ornately carved hand-mirror with a wooden handle. There was a sticky note covering the pane of the mirror. On that note it was written – ‘Peel this note to see the prettiest woman on earth.’ She had peeled it and had smiled at her reflection.

The bouquet had come with a small note too. ‘Wishing you a birthday that is as radiant and bright as you are.’

Who would have sent this? Who knew her birthday? Someone from the HR? The gloom of her birthday had temporarily made way for thrill and joy as she kept raking her brain, thinking about the mysterious person who had gifted her.

But now, alone at home, despair set in. She sighed. On my fortieth birthday, I am at home in pajamas, eating oats porridge and binging on a fantasy series meant for young adults… how did my life reach this point??

Not wanting to spend any more energy on negative thoughts, she decided to call it a day. Happy birthday to me…she whispered to herself as she lay down on her bed. To her relief, sleep caught up with her immediately.

She instantly recognized that she was dreaming, because she no longer felt heavy. When she looked down on herself, she found a thinner frame on her. Not exactly a size-zero, but much thinner than what she was in reality. She was wearing a pretty dress with a long coat over it. She looked around and gasped.

‘Paris!’ she whispered in amazement. She had never been there but something told her that she was right now in Paris. Fashionably dressed people walked by in a street that had amazing boutiques on either end.

“I am much thinner; I am wearing a dress that fits me perfectly; I am in Paris! How did this happen?” She muttered to herself.

“Well, you made it happen with your wishful thinking!”

Alekhya turned around and saw an old man sitting on a chair outside a boutique where she was standing. He smiled at her gently.

“What do you mean I made it happen?” Alekhya asked.

“You must have wished it very deeply. Your mind is just manifesting your innermost desire.”

“Do I know you?”

The old man chuckled. “I am the Keeper of Lost Dreams And Hopes. I usually arrive at a person’s life when he or she has lost all hope.”

“But I didn’t lose…” Alekhya stopped mid-sentence. Just before she had gone to sleep, she had had a horrible realization that someone had wanted to gift her on her birthday but was probably ashamed of her. The moment that thought came, she had severely reprimanded herself. But somehow the impression stayed back.

“You did lose hope, didn’t you?” The Keeper asked gently. “You will find answers if you enter here.” He said, gesturing to the boutique.

Only too eager to find the identity of her mysterious gifter, she entered through the door of the boutique. Before she could realize, everything around her started spinning and she found herself in her office.

It was empty. One look at the watch showed the timing as 8 a.m. The staff didn’t come before 9. Something told her it was the day of her birthday. She stood beside her desk and waited eagerly.

Few minutes later, Sharath opened the door of her cabin. He looked around and ensured that there was no one there. Then he kept the parcel and the bouquet on her table and quickly drifted away to his own.

Alekhya stood there in utter confusion. “I do remember having shared my birthday with him. But why would he give this to me?” She wondered out aloud.

“Because you have been kind to him.” The old man’s voice resonated around her as the world started spinning yet again and a series of moments flashed before her.

---@@@---

“Tough luck, Alekhya. I have heard that he is difficult to be with.” Her colleague said once the HR had assigned Sharath to work under Alekhya.

“Be kind, Vidi! You do know he is autistic.” Alekhya had immediately defended him. “We just need to respect his boundaries and understand what works and what doesn’t work for him!”

She realized only now that he had been lounging nearby and had heard every word of their conversation.

---@@@---

“You don’t have to sit with me. Enjoy your lunch-break with your colleagues.” Sharath said when Alekhya joined him at the table where he was eating alone.

“But I want to have lunch with you. You need not talk. We will just eat in silence.” Alekhya calmly said. She was engrossed in eating and thus missed the softening of his expression as he looked at her.

---@@@---

“Why are you not coming to the resort? You are fond of botany, right? There are many species of plants and trees there. You will have a wonderful time.” Alekhya said, trying to convince Sharath to attend their annual office picnic.

“I do not do well with crowds. I cannot travel in the bus with so many people in it. It will make me extremely uneasy.” He said in his usual expression-less tone.

“That’s it? Then consider it taken care of. I will take my car. It will be just you and me. I will even put on Carl Sagan’s podcasts and we will have a great time.”

He smiled then. Just a slight smile, but the effect on his face was remarkable.

---@@@---

“I never realized it meant so much to him.” Alekhya said as the world stopped spinning around her and she found herself outside the boutique with the Keeper.

“You should not underestimate the power of kindness.” The Keeper said. “It has moved the world far too many times. It has changed lives, scripted histories and challenged the fate of entire nations. All it takes to change a day, or to set things in motion, is just a single act of kindness.”

“He thinks I am beautiful.” Alekhya said, her voice breaking. It had been such a long time since anyone had made her feel beautiful.

“You do have a beautiful soul, and it reflects through your aura.” The Keeper said, his voice now echoing even as the scene started fading away. “Remember, there is no one more beautiful than a person with a kind soul!”

The alarm woke her up. She snoozed it and put her arms over her face, still reeling under the effects of the dream that she had. Already it was fading from her memory, but she remembered an old man who said she had a beautiful soul. And why did Paris just come to her mind?

She woke up with a gasp. The dream had showed that it was Sharath who had gifted her.

Even though it was a dream, she believed it with all her heart. He was the only one who knew her birthday. It had to be him. There was this weird assurance that it was indeed him.

May be someday she would look back and attribute this to a very strange dream that she had had, but today felt different. She felt a calm acceptance of herself.

Today she felt beautiful.

At the office, during lunch hour, she found Sharath sitting alone at his regular spot. She sat opposite to him. He smiled at her. No words were exchanged. As usual, they ate in silence.

Yet it was a silence filled with togetherness, solace and promises of many such soulful moments in the future as two lost souls soaked in the bliss of being in their own private and comforting world.

The Spirit Of Celebration

 

It was amusing the way everyone looked at him curiously but no one really dared to approach him and ask him his identity.

If anyone cared or dared to ask, they would come to know that his name was Utsav. And that he was gatecrashing a New Year party. He did not know a single person there, nor was he invited. But then he never really needed an invitation. Where there was a party, he was there. Uninvited, but absolutely essential.

Perhaps they can sense other-worldly vibes from me… Utsav thought in silent amusement. Why else would people hesitate to come near me, I, the Spirit of celebration!?

He leaned over the railing of the balcony, cutting a handsome figure with his black suit, white shirt and black trousers. Tall and pale, with hair pulled back into a semi ponytail, a style that the Superior wasn’t exactly fond of. But then They were fond of Utsav, so he just about got away with everything he wanted to do. The Superior was above any gender or identity, just a caring presence that kept a watchful eye on the Universe. Utsav was one among the many spirits through which the Superior kept themselves updated about the world.

“Nice night, isn’t it?” A man in a tuxedo approached Utsav with a drink in his hand. Utsav hid his smile. Even though the guy did his best to sound casual, Utsav could feel the curiosity emanating from him. Surprisingly, there was no fear. Just genuine curiosity.

He decided he liked the guy.

“Yes. New year’s eve is always a nice night, isn’t it?” He drawled out lazily and put forth his hand. “Utsav.”

“Jigyaas”. The guy said. A range of thoughts swept through his mind – curiosity, wonder and then a calm sense of acceptance that although he didn’t know him, this much he could fathom that this stranger was not to be feared.

Utsav found it humbling.

“I come to this party every year.” Jigyaas offered on his own glancing around in dispassion.

“You don’t sound very thrilled about it.”

Jigyaas shrugged. “Eh. I am here to do my duty as a business owner who has to renew and refresh his bond with potential customers at every chance.” He lowered his voice. “Otherwise I do not like it much here.”

“Why?”

“Look around. Can you see any festive spirit?”

Utsav smirked. If only you knew whom you are talking to, you poor human…

“Everyone just wants to show off their achievements, flaunt their possessions, talk about their new purchase or acquisition…” Jigyaas sighed. “Isn’t celebration all about giving and sharing? When did it become so materialistic?”

Utsav nodded in agreement. This guy kept getting better and better in his opinion.

Jigyaas gulped the rest of his drink. “Well, my duty is done here. I have done my role of an extrovert and socialite. I can leave now. There is another and better place for me to be.”

“Oh. Where would that be?”

Jigyaas grinned. “Come on, I will show you what I do every New Year’s eve.”

Utsav gave him an amused look and they both walked out.

If Jigyaas had looked behind, he would have realized that the party that had been going on in utmost fervor had suddenly dulled, everyone visibly losing interest.

For the Festive Spirit had just left the party.

“I live in a colony not very far from here. Are you okay to walk?” Jigyaas asked, sounding happier now.

“Walking is fine, my friend. So, what business are you in?”

“I am into lawns. My company provides lawn-cleaning, mowing and designing services.”

“Does it pay well?”

“Sometimes. If I get a big deal, say manicure and trim the lawn of a big-shot, then I need not worry about money for two months. This happens rarely. Most of the times I get by.” Jigyaas looked at Utsav and smiled. “There’s really nothing to complain about.”

Utsav nodded. This guy deserved a recommendation to the Superior.

They reached the colony. It was more of a lane, divided into many sub lanes. There were easily around fifty buildings in the colony. Outside some of the buildings, security guards awaited. Jigyaas waved to them and grinned, as if sharing some secret with them.

“This is it.” He said, lowering his voice as they approached a flat on the ground floor of a building. “This is where I live with my parents. They have gone on a tour with my dad’s friends. They must be dancing around a bonfire now, I guess.” He sounded wistful.

“You didn’t go?”

“Nah. Business calls, my friend. But I am happy that my parents are enjoying. They have had a trying and testing life, and deserve to enjoy every moment.”

So do you… Utsav thought.

“The actual fun will begin now.” Jigyaas said gleefully as he opened the door. Utsav stepped inside what was a modest flat.

“Just wait here. I will be back soon.” Jigyaas rushed inside a room while Utsav waited patiently. True to his word, within few minutes, Jigyaas was out carrying several bags of foodies. There were packets of chips, biscuits, chocolates and masala-buns.

“Now my party will begin!” He shouted in excitement. “Every year, on 31^st December, I distribute these among the children of the security guards of the colony. We have a grand time eating together, playing songs and dancing ridiculously!”

Utsav smiled. “That’s very nice of you.”

“Yeah. I feel happy when I see the kids happy. That is the real spirit of celebration, isn’t it?”

Utsav nodded thoughtfully as Jigyaas locked his house. Before they left, he turned around and waved his hand at the house. If Jigyaas had looked back, he would have seen a glittery magical wave light up his house for a second and then vanish.

The Spirit of Celebration had just blessed his home with peace, prosperity and contentment.

“I have informed the guards in advance.” Jigyaas said as they walked out of the building. “The first time I did it, I was looked upon with suspicion and almost got beat up by a guard.” He chuckled. “That was so funny.”

Suddenly loud shouts of excitement rang out as several children, accompanied with their parents ran out to meet the guys.

“It’s party time!” Jigyaas shouted as he ushered all the kids into a lane where there were several benches placed on both sides. He and Utsav started distributing the food to the kids. For few blessed minutes there was utter chaos but it was of the good kind – the chaos of happiness and excitement. The guys sat beside the kids on the benches and heartily took in the simple yet heartwarming food.

One of the security guards started playing a dance number on his mobile. Utsav and Jigyaas looked at each other with silly grins and broke out into funny steps that sent them both into splits. The kids too joined the dance and soon the whole lane transformed into a dance floor.

“Hey, this year feels all the more fantastic!” Jigyaas yelled to Utsav while performing comical and ridiculous steps.

“And it will get better and better every year!” Utsav yelled back while trying to mimic Jigyaas. He had decided to be a part of this heartfelt celebration every year henceforth.

Needless to say, that 31^st December was unforgettable for the kids and for Jigyaas, for the Spirit of Celebration had been amongst them.  

Iyer's Impending Trip!

 

“Yes you heard it right! We are going to Nepal!” Susheela trilled into the phone and Iyer cringed.

It had all started as an innocent reminder from Susheela. Wait, not just one reminder, but a series of ‘innocent’ reminders.

Our thirtieth anniversary is coming up! We should do something adventurous.

Thirtieth comes but only once! (What about the other anniversaries? Iyer had wisely refrained from remarking).

This anniversary let us surprise each other with something extravagant!

I don’t know… we are growing old. Probably we should have traveled more in our younger days.

I have never traveled by plane!

It was the last one that had struck Iyer, not just with an idea but also with dread.

Iyer was afraid of heights.

Nobody in the family knew this. He had managed to keep it a secret all this while. But one look at Susheela’s eager (and more importantly, aging) face had made him chin up and plan a trip to Nepal. His son - that rascal - had immediately booked air-tickets without even consulting Iyer. 

It was going to be a trip of four days. Iyer couldn’t muster enough excitement, though.

Mainly because he needed to get past his phobia of air-travel. Just thinking about flying in a plane made his palms sweaty and cold. How was he supposed to do that without panicking?

He had tried his best to avoid the flight. Oh he had tried and how!

Sushi, we can travel by train too! It will be fun!

Huh! Train? From Hyderabad to Nepal??? You have officially lost it, old man.

No, no. Listen to me! You need to take a train from Hyderabad Deccan to Janakpur.

Where is Janakpur? How long will that take?

Janakpur is the nearest station to Nepal. Uh.. the journey will take only about a day and 15 hours. We will enjoy!

Susheela had looked at him in a comical mix of terror and concern.

And then, from Janakpur, we can go to Kathmandu taking a taxi, a train and finally a bus.

Uhuh… and how long will that journey take?

Umm… just about 32 hours.

Susheela had casually nodded and then screamed out her son’s name, asking him to check Iyer.

What was wrong with train journeys? They were awesome.

To begin with, you would be on the ground. Solid, reliable, dependable ground. Then there were the chai-waalas, the cutlet-sellers, the Bhel-puri vendors – they all had interesting stories to share. Iyer loved talking to people. He often made it a point to talk to vendors and hear about their lives.

Where could he get this comfort in the plane? The air-hostess, steward and the entire crew always looked so plastic and fake. Iyer didn’t blame them. Doing the same thing every day must finally catch up with them. Not to mention the risks they undertook by flying every day.

No. Iyer would do everything in his power to skip the plane and travel by road or train.

Even if he had to spend the entire week in a train.

Iyer had always taken pride in being determined. When he decided one thing, nothing and no one in the world could change his decision.

He was a manly man’s manly man through and through.

One month later:

Iyer tried his best to not look scared. One step at a time. Get down from the cab and without looking at any plane, keep your head down and proceed inside the airport.

His son had other grand plans. There were a zillion photos to take. Outside the cab, with the trolley, then one with Iyer and Susheela showing their flight-tickets, then one beside the police who stood at the entrance and checked their credentials to let them inside.. really, Iyer was minutes away from screaming in sheer terror and frustration.

Then Susheela, who had never stepped inside an airport, took her sweet time, gawking and admiring everything that she could see.

What a beautiful shop!

Ooh, the ground looks so clean and shiny!

The toilets shine resplendent!

Even the garbage bin looks so cute!

Iyer appropriately oohed and aahed and stuck to his decision of not looking at any plane.

Finally after what seemed like eternity, they both were seated inside the plane.

Iyer’s heartbeat accelerated as the air-hostess started giving safety instructions. Why were the seats packed so closely? He felt slightly claustrophobic. He took some deep breaths as the plane started moving on the runway.

Susheela clutched the arm of her seat tightly. Iyer looked at her and saw fear on her face.

The plane picked up speed, still very much on the ground.

“Are you all right?” He asked her.

She smiled and nodded.

It was the smile that did it for Iyer. He knew Susheela enough to know that she was scared but she was trying to act brave.

In that moment, Iyer forgot his own fear. He gently pried Susheela’s fingers off the seat and held them with his own. She looked at him in concern.

“Don’t worry. We are together.” He told her gently.

She smiled and relaxed visibly.

Of course the plane chose that exact moment to take off. At the first feeling of being air-borne, Iyer panicked as he felt his stomach drop. But then he looked at Susheela who was smiling gleefully, apparently having left her fear on the ground.

They both burst out laughing.

“Look! I can see the land below! We are so up!” Susheela exclaimed in awe as she looked out through the window.

Iyer knew that he would be taking it too far if he gazed out of the window and watched the land below. For now, he was enjoying the feeling of being airborne, his wife of thirty years beside him, happy and excited, and he realized that’s all he wanted.

He leaned back on his seat with a relaxed sigh and heard the airhostess announce that their meal would be served shortly.

He looked at Susheela who was gazing out, an expression of awe on her face. He smiled and took out his newspaper. Flicking the paper once, he started reading.

Really, airplanes were all right. 

The Keeper Of Lost Hopes And Dreams

'More than anything, the purpose of my journey was to try to understand the significance of Kailash, the most sacred mountain in the world, the protruding navel of the cosmos, a celestial snow peak that represents the ultimate destination for those who seek to release themselves from the grinding wheels of suffering and rebirth. This pure white summit and the pristine lake in the foreground are the two most powerful icons of the Himalayas.' – Excerpt from the book Becoming A Mountain by Stephen Alter

I close the book with a sigh. Some writings are so fantastic that they strike instant wanderlust in the heart.

I see the time and shake my head. It is late tonight too. Every morning I vow to go to sleep early so that I can wake up early and with a fresh mind. I guess it is difficult to go to bed when you are a bookworm and are stuck up with a really, really good book.

I look at the sleeping profiles of my daughter and my husband and smile. It never fails to melt my heart whenever I see them sleeping soundly. The chaos of the whole day seems to vanish in an instant as each one of us finds solace in the comfort of the night. 

I switch off the lights, tuck myself into a cozy blanket and close my eyes in contentment.

It is my attire that gives it away that I am dreaming. I am wearing jeans-shorts and a tank-top. This is absurd because I have never worn these my whole life.

This is not the only absurd part of my clothes. I am wearing them at a place that is surrounded by snow-clad mountains. Everywhere I turn, there is a mountain to see. I look around in wonder until my eyes settle at a point far beyond.

I gasp. I know that point. I have read about it, and have seen its image so many times that I can never not recognize it. 

I am seeing the golden tip of Mount Kailash.

I hastily run in the direction of the mountain but then something strange happens.

Like an escalator that moves downwards, the road in which I am running starts pulling me backwards. The more I try to run towards the mountain, the more I go back. Finally I stop moving. Miraculously, the road stops moving too.

‘This is really strange.” I mutter to myself.

“What is?”

I startle when I hear the voice. I turn around and see an aged man sitting on a chair beside a large tent. He is dressed in a kurta-pajama, again something that feels totally out of place in my dream.

“Who are you?” I ask blatantly.

He chuckles and points to my attire. “Aren’t you cold wearing that?”

“And that’s another question. Why am I wearing these when I have never worn such clothes in my life?”

“Your question answers itself. You are wearing such clothes because you have never worn these in your life even though you wanted to.” He says calmly.

“These were a luxury for most of the millennials back then, although there were those rare confident and brave souls who defied the ‘laws’ imposed by the ‘society’ and wore whatever they wished to.” I say. “Again, who are you?”

“The keeper of lost hopes and dreams.” He says. “I treasure the dreams and hopes of people and show them when they have lost everything and are in despair.”

“I do not know why I am seeing this dream. I am not despairing about anything.” I say a bit defensively.

He gives a sad smile. “Do you know, people can be unhappy and yet may not show despair or hopelessness? They just live out their days one after another with no thought for their past dreams or hopes for their future. This state is far more dangerous than being in despair.”

“You mean to say I am living an unhappy life?”

“Not unhappy, to be precise. But you are not living the life you have dreamt about.”

I look around, his words reminding me of something I had forgotten or tried to bury. The path to Mount Kailash is still moving backwards. The tip of the mountain tantalizes and teases me.

“Would you like to get reacquainted with your hopes and dreams?” The Keeper asks.

I hesitate. I do not wish to be reminded about everything I had planned for myself. It would lead to nothing but regret and remorse. And yet, a part of me wants to see my hopes. Just to refresh my spirits, and to feel young and full of possibilities for one more time.

I nod my head.

He smiles and gestures me to go inside the tent. With a deep sigh, I enter it.

The moment I enter, I get sucked into a vortex. Before I know it, I am standing in an office. I look around and gasp. This is the place where I used to work.

I move around, taking it all in. I see myself seated at the reception. I look so different!

I am wearing a lot of bangles that match my dress. Oh yes, how I used to love wearing matching bangles! The earrings too are trendy and dangling. I forgot that I used to buy matching earrings and bangles for every new dress I brought for myself.

The past-me is typing something. I venture closer and see.

It’s a bucket-list.

-Go on a 21-day Europe trip. (Start saving money from next month. 

-Watch a plane’s take-off and landing from the cock-pit.

-Visit the Himalayas once.

-See Mount Kailash.

-Publish a book on your 30^th birthday.

-Have your own library at home. (Set aside some amount every month for buying books).

I didn’t even know when the tears started falling.

The past-me is blissfully typing these plans with a smile on her face. She looks young and full of hope. There is no hesitation or confusion on her face.

What happened then?

“Life happened.”

I startle yet again as I find the Keeper beside me. or rather, I find myself beside the Keeper. Apparently my visit to the past is over. I am again standing in the cold region in my ridiculous shorts and tank-top with no concern for the cold weather.

I wipe my tears and nod. “Yes, life happened. And it happened so fast that I never realized when my past got left behind and how the present day caught up with me.”

“It is not too late. You can still fulfill some of the dreams.”

I chuckle harshly. “I am in my mid-forties. I didn’t publish a book on my thirtieth birthday. I have developed a phobia of heights so flying in a plane is out of question, and thereby the international tours. I have my books but I never came to build the library. I no longer set aside money for books every month because I am no longer earning. I do not care about my appearances because I do not have a social life. I am too old to trek to Mount Kailash!” I shout out the last one. Surprisingly that part hurts the most – the dream of giving up on the holy mountain.

I don’t know what it is about the mountain that beckons me, but I yearn for it like a long-lost love.

The Keeper nods sagely. “Then I will continue guarding these hopes and dreams until you are ready to catch up with them. You can always visit me in your dreams. I will be here waiting to help you get reacquainted with your hopes.”

“But I don’t just want to visit them in my dreams. I want to catch up with them in my real life.” I whimper.

The Keeper smiles and places his hand on my head. “Then you know what to do.”

Everything around me dissolves as a piercing sound cuts through.

I wake up and silence the alarm. Then I lie down again with my eyes wide open.

I just saw a dream but already it is fading away. I remember an old man. I remember seeing Mount Kailash.

What was the dream again???

With a sigh I get up from the bed. There is a lot of work to do. But first things first, there is a reminder to set in my mobile.

Check the details for Kailash Yatra 2025. I set the alarm to 10 am, when I will be finally free from all the chores of the morning.

I start my chores of the day with more enthusiasm than usual. Probably the after-effect of a dream I had had, but also because there is an itinerary to plan.