My precious…!

 

 

 

 

 

 

BY UNNATI ASHAR 

 

IT HAD been my friend since the past 13 years. It had been a silent witness to the roller-coaster of a time I lived, and enjoyed in past those many years. It was with me throughout the thrilling ride. I had bought it as a gift for myself after passing my 10th grade. My wrist never looked as beautiful as it did when it was adorned by my precious friend- that wrist watch! It was unique, and I was so proud of it! I used to wear it everywhere- be it school, college, tuitions, then later to office, parties, picnics, trips- everywhere. I may or may not wear any other accessory, but the wrist watch was always on me. Some people noticed it on their own. And the others who didn’t, I made them notice it myself by ranting about how much I love it! The world around changed. Smartphones took over. People shed their wrist watches since they found them redundant now- the smartphone showed time, and so much more! The world was in the phone. But for me- my watch stayed. Then came the era of smartwatches. They kept you connected to the world while you were out running, doing household chores, and what not! The world was now in the watch! But I refused to part with my simple old-school wrist watch. Who wants a ‘smart’ watch? The only thing I want to be ‘smart’ is myself.

 

No ‘smart’ gadgets around me please! A smartphone is more than enough. And so the friend stayed- watching my world perched on my wrist. Recently, I had started thinking about “If I bought a watch now, what would it look like…?” And as happens with window shopping, I was soon sucked among the Ragas, Titans and Sonatas. But then it struck me- why am I searching for wrist watches? My present one is enough for me. And being someone who believes in manifestation, I realised that by searching for other wrist watches, I was subconsciously putting my current one in jeopardy. I never searched for a wrist watch after that. But it seems the time had come- to part… Though I used to wear my watch everywhere, I was always careful not to wear it in situations which could cause it harm. But that day, it was on me while I was in the swimming pool, and I realised that too late. Then the very next day, it was again on me while I was getting drenched in the waterfall- again I felt its presence too late! Water had entered the dial because of these two mishaps.

 

After hearing tons of advice on keeping it in a box of rice so that the water gets soaked up, etc., I decided to just let it be, and let the thing that my watch keeps- the almighty Time- do its magic! And magic it did! Because the water did evaporate in a few days, but it took away the ticking of my watch’s pretty hands too with itself. Probably the battery needed a change. And then it happened- the parting. I reached home, and… the watch wasn’t there on my wrist! Oh, where did it go?! I rushed like a mad man, all the way down through the lift, on to the road, retracing my steps, eyes open sharp to catch any glimpse of my precious. But there was none! Probably it slipped away from my hands when I got down from the auto. I was heartbroken, and could’ve cried had I not held back my tears. My wrist always has a non-tanned patch at the place where I wear the watch. Now that empty non- tanned patch stares at me, reminding me of my dear old friend. I guess it’s time now to fill that patch with a new companion. I’m sure the new one too will serve me well. But my precious old friend- I miss you!