Courting a Gymmie - Part 4

Of Uncertainties and Stability

One of the first lessons I learnt in this courtship was of uncertainty and unpredictability. It started even before he left for Jamalpur for the first time. I remember him giving all of us a treat to celebrate his selection in SCRA, just a day prior to his scheduled departure. Mind you, we were already a couple by then, so we met some one hour before the scheduled time and were having general discussions. I enquired about his journey and got to know that it was scheduled for the next day. After the treat, as we departed, I wished him ‘all the best’ and ‘happy journey’. Next day, I was so surprised to receive his call at a time when he should have been travelling as per my knowledge. He told me that he would be boarding a train the next day. Also, his passes arrived only at the very last moment. Even though so much of uncertainty was associated with his first journey itself, still it did not ring any bells in my ears. (Sometimes I wonder whether love is just blind or deaf and dumb too).

During his initial days as a firstie, I attributed all the uncertainties in our life to the dear dear seniors and their moods, in addition to the customs of the Gym (A few examples of these doubts will include activities like, when to expect or not to expect a call, when to expect or not to expect some time to sleep (for him), when to expect or not to expect a unit or a health banana ka session). However, as time passed, I started realising that this volatility was there to stay, at least as long as they didn’t become the senior most. And as more years went by, I have finally come to term with the fact that this unpredictable nature of life is an integral and inseparable part of railways. (Sometimes, it takes one’s own experience to learn).

To substantiate whatever I have stated above, let me quote few incidents which changed my perspective. One of the earliest times when he planned to visit me at my college, until he boarded the train, I was not sure if we were meeting the next day or not. It so happened, that after a lot of ‘mutual missing-missing feeling’ he finally decided that he shall come over to my city for a weekend. The plan was set, I had done my bit of work as well; like finalising what hangouts to visit, what to gift (and when) and even what to wear J (I am a systematic girl, I know). He had done his bit of work, had got the requisite passes and tickets and EQs. All was well, and we were both in a very excited mode, really looking forward to the weekend. However, as the Monday approached, some news reached him (and thus me); they had a VL scheduled for the coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Now, he was still a firstie, and though even firsties are allowed to bunk regular sessions and workshop, but bunking a VL is quite unthinkable. It was as if someone had poured huge amount of ice cold water over all our immediate dreams. Still, he was hopeful and I crossed my fingers.

He presented his case to a senior. However, there was yet another twist in the situation. Going by the official stats, he has never disclosed my identity (or even confirmed my existence) to anyone at Gym except his batchmates. So now the situation was that, he told his senior that he really had to go outstation on that weekend for such and such reason which was very important. (Funny scenario, personally I prefer to believe that had he disclosed about my existence, convincing the senior would had been much simpler) But the senior was very supportive and understanding of whatever reason he had provided. (Till date, I have a huge amount of respect for this particular senior J). Though the senior suggested a probable method of escape, yet he advised him against it. (It was a very brave step given his circumstances). Now, we spent the next 4 days in a lot of speculation and when on Friday evening one of my seniors enquired about his visit, all I had to say was “Not sure, he is trying his best”. Finally, he did manage to come and only after he was onboard it got confirmed that we were meeting the next day :)

Truly, this was just the beginning. Almost all our visits thereof; in any city, on any occasion and under any circumstances, this uncertainty has been a very integral part of all. What keeps the hope going is the fact that almost each of these uncertain meetings happened due to divine intervention. It is as if Bhagwaanji tests our patience and love every time before blessing us thus. And this fact has instilled our faith in our relation like nothing else. On any given day, under any circumstances, we always know at the bottom of our hearts that Bhagwaanji is with us; after all Bhagwaanji only brought us together and has been taking care of us.

It is very strange, but the fact remains that nothing has made our life n courtship more stable than this uncertainty itself. The faith that come hail, come storm, come what may, we were, are and shall always stay together….. forever. The good thing about such unpredictable moments is that once one has stood up to such unexpected turns of life, a feeling of satisfaction and trust begins to seep in; - deeper than our imagination. In my heart, I know that whatever might be the reason for any untoward situation/ circumstance or last moment change of plans, given a choice he would have avoided it just for our sake, just because of love. And when such an understanding begins to develop, obviously the relation reaches a different level altogether, as it has happened to us.

Ohh my! I guess I am deviating from the topic. From courting a Gymmie, I started a monologue on love and understanding. But, I guess, this is what courting a Gymmie is all about. It’s about unconditional love and endless understanding. It’s about expecting nothing and giving everything (That in fact is the crux of any companionship). Talking about the initial four years of our courtship, (‘Our’ referring to him, myself and this culture he had adopted), we were blessed with umpteen numbers of memorable moments, enough memories to fill us with happiness till eternity…… and all this can accredited to him, our love, his Gym and of course Bhagwaanji.

At the end of these 4 years, he became a SAM. Technically, he is no longer a Gymmie, life has shifted gears for him (and automatically for me). And if we were riding a superfast express earlier, all of a sudden we find ourselves onboard a roller coaster. All in all life has been good………….no this is an understatement, life has been simply superb. Courting a Gymmie is so much fun and even the uncertain moments add on to the stability of the relation. Didn’t I say that everything is very different from what is generally and easily understood by the ordinary janta. :P