A Kiss to Remember

A Kiss to Remember

By

Bhadra Vadgama

I arrived fifteen minutes earlier than time on my invitation. I was driving from South London to Northwood, an area of London totally unknown to me.

"Please enter through the side door" a notice was neatly pinned on the main door of my host’s house.

I proceeded through the side alley to be greeted by two pretty young ladies who saw me through the open door of the kitchen.

"My name is Judy," I spoke rather timidly as I wasn't sure who they were. "I am looking for John. I am a friend of his."

"Welcome, I am Lucy and this is Jane. We are John's sisters. John must be somewhere around. I'll go and look for him."

"Come with me," the younger sister Jane led me into the garden.

"Wow! What a beautiful garden!"

It was truly an amazing garden, specially for someone like me who had never cultivated love for gardening. It was beautifully landscaped with well trimmed hedges, and there were a few trees with leaves depicting many shades of green; huge royal blue plant pots, and few flowers with subtle colours enhanced the greenery further. Classy garden ornaments were placed in appropriate corners. The lawn was immaculately mowed.

"Every bit of the garden is created by my brother John," pleased with my comment, Jane said proudly.

"He must spend a lot of time in his garden," I responded.

"It's his passion."

I could feel Jane's affection for her brother in her voice.

"Oh here she is," I heard Lucy's voice as she approached me accompanied by John.

I had not seen John for a long time, only once or twice since we had left college. He had gone bald. I remembered him with thick mass of hair. But at this moment, his tall athletic body and a broad smile were enough to make me miss a heart beat.

"Hi, Judy! How nice to see you. It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

"Yes it has. I am sorry, I have arrived a bit...."

Before I could finish my sentence he had embraced me in a big hug.

I like hugs, specially such manly ones. So I reciprocated. My hug was telling him, "I know how it feels to lose a partner." A common friend had told me his wife had died of a brain tumour two years ago. I had lost my husband twelve years ago but the pain of the loss had never gone away. I had re-lived that day many a times since. Unlike the common belief, time hadn't healed my grief. So I felt his pain.

John looked pleased. May be my message had reached his heart.

"Come, meet my mum," holding on to my arm he led me to this very serene old lady. I instantly fell in love with her.

"Are you one of John's erudite friends?" She asked with a grin, adding, "I can't talk to these clever young people for too long!"

‘No wonder, they are called 'privileged citizens.' They speak their mind so honestly’ I thought.

Over the years I had learnt that an easy way to talk to even a very highly educated person was to engage them in a conversation about their family. This strategy had worked almost every time I had met a stranger. Moreover, this old lady had won my heart. I knew she must have a lot to say about her family at this age. We chatted away happily for quite a few minutes, when John approached me.

"Come with me, I want to show you something before other guests arrive."

"Excuse us mum," he apologised to his mother.

Was there a sparkle of joy in his mother's eyes, or was I imagining it?

He led me into the house and upstairs into what looked like a study with a working folding table. "Do these remind you of somebody?" He asked, opening a portfolio with sketches of dancing figures.

"No way, is that me?" The resemblance was so real. I couldn't believe my eyes as my mind drifted back to my college days 40 years ago when I had taken part in a dance drama for a Christmas Show. John was the compere, I just remembered.

"Did you draw these?" Bewildered, I asked.

"Yes, I retired when I was 60 as my wife was ill. Since her death I have started painting. I am doing a course at Amersham College. Our last assignment was drawing dancing figures. And I remembered the photos I had taken of the dance drama you and other guys had performed at our college." And taking out from an envelope, he showed me some old photos of the event, with me dancing.

"It's difficult to draw hands and feet movements of a dance, so your photos have helped me a lot. Thank you."

I felt a bit embarrassed at this undeserved gratitude, but nevertheless felt happy.

"Let's get back downstairs, before we are missed." He gave a naughty smile!

As I walked down with him, my eyes scrutinised his bedrooms. "What a beautiful house you have," I found myself saying to him. "And you being an architect must have done a lot of alterations."

"Not really, I haven't had much time. I have taken up golf and art, plus gardening keep me pretty busy."

'Hmm! What a delightful man! I had only known him as a co-student at college, whom I met occasionally when some of us went out as a group.

My mind was racing fast.

I wouldn't mind marrying a man like him! Highly educated, doing well in retirement in such a beautiful house, in a nice location! Then a soft voice was heard, trying to warn me. 'No way, you have managed without a man for twelve years and now you are thinking of remarrying? You will lose your freedom.'

'What nonsense!' Rebelled another voice. 'Why can't I remarry?'

'But you are nearly sixty. Why would he want someone your age? He may be older than you but look how fit he is! He would easily attract a younger woman!'

My mind was debating these thoughts which had to be abandoned as other guests started arriving. John had made a special effort to get some of our college friends together at his house for a barbecue as one of them, Kamal, was visiting from India. I had great fun meeting them all and reminiscing our youthful days.

It was a delightful afternoon. There was no shortage of food or drinks. A variety of barbecued items, salads and puddings and fresh fruit juices, wines and soft drinks were there to enjoy.

Our conversation was interrupted as we were requested to turn round and listen to John. He thanked us all for coming and his family for helping him organise the barbecue. He talked quite formally but with such ease, which indicated he must have addressed a large group of people in his working life! I liked him even more.

I wanted to stay longer but the thought of the long drive back to South London late in the evening seemed daunting so I said 'goodbye' to my friends and to the old graceful mother of John. I bumped into Lucy, John's sister and was about to say goodbye to her, when she stopped me, "Please stay for a while. I want to talk to you."

She escorted me to a quieter corner of the garden and told me this.

"John is very lonely after his wife died. He has two daughters who are very possessive over him. Both are professionals and working but they would find it very difficult if their father were to remarry. My mother worries about him. As you have seen today, he is such a loving, caring man. He would do well to remarry."

How uncanny! Why is she telling me all this? She doesn't even know that I am a widow. What could have made her give me all these details about John? And as if she had read my mind, she added, "You are a friend of his and I just felt you'd understand!"

‘Sure I do! I am dreading my retirement without a partner. One of my daughters is already married and settled abroad; another is at uni and living away from home. So I understand your concern about your brother.’ But I didn't want to open my heart to this woman I had just met and hardly knew.

And as if to rescue me from my uneasiness, John was walking towards us.

"Hi Judy, my mum told me 'that nice lady friend of yours is looking for you.' I presume that must be you!" He chuckled naughtily as he said that. "You are not leaving, are you?"

"I am afraid I am; I have a long drive back home. Thank you so much for inviting me. I had a great time and it was specially nice to meet up with old college friends after a long time. I specially thanked Kamal for visiting us from India as he was instrumental in getting us together."

I shook hands with John.

"Let me walk you to your car," he said accompanying me to the driveway.

Before I could open the car door, he had already done so, holding it back for me to get in behind the wheel.

‘So refined and such a gentleman. I have never had this pleasure!’ My mind was racing fast by now.

I lowered the glass to wish him goodbye and he leaned forward and kissed me on my lips!

He likes me! Does he really? Am I dreaming?

All the way home I lingered over the unexpected kiss and this unique day in my life!

Bhadra Vadgama

London, UK