Memory of a special day...

My closet is a treasure of memories and cleaning it promises an emotional roller coaster ride. For ten years I have unsuccessfully tried to throw away my faded and abnormally shrunk blue and orange salwar kameez; I don’t fit into it but it is a reminder of a beautiful memory.

We bought it on a hot sunny afternoon of Oct 16, 1993 at a local hand-loom fair. It was a special day; we had just returned from our final hospital visit and were hoping to celebrate the new lease of life. So, as we walked through the shops, a simple cotton outfit with a rare fusion of vibrant blue/orange colors caught our attention; it was love at first sight. Perhaps, we needed the color in our life that time. It was priced at Rs. 585; though not expensive, we were a middle class family with a lot of unpaid medical bills, so we bought it only after some sincere debate. As our thrilled vendor packed the outfit, he offered us free bangles as a special deal – just for us. I am certain he had overheard our hushed debate because the bangles looked expensive and surely didn't deserve to be freebies. We tried to decline the offer but he was determined and placed the neatly wrapped bangles on my discolored and scarred hand. I had not intended to show my scars and so I was really embarrassed. Noticing my reaction, he quickly justified by saying, 'Every pretty girl’s got to wear jewelry'. We walked away that day exchanging smiles and postponing our financial or health related worries.

I am not sure if it was the beautiful words or just buying something other than medicines that eased our pain that day. The wounds of painful memories were soothed with this happier one, the one this outfit continued to hold, perhaps much longer than the bangles... Should I then let go of the outfit?

Finally in an attempt to accumulate memories and not possessions (outfit), I gave it away. The memory is mine to keep. Now each time the gorgeous evening sky adorns its blue and orange shade, it reminds me of that special day.