LASTING AFFECTION

Lasting Affection

The scent of flowers permeated the room. Sounds of footsteps, giggles, chatting and guffaws blended with the soft music. Small boys in spotless shirts and jeans and little girls in  organza dress were running around.

 On the table in the centre of the room, a three layered cake stood prominently, with the usual miniature bride and bridegroom figurine at the top. Figures 6 and 0 conspicuously appeared in front of the white and  pink adorned with red roses.

Rita, a stout middle aged woman elegantly dressed in a colourful flowery dress was nervously verifying all the details on the table, adjusting the champagne bottle and the glasses. She had curly hair pinned in a bun.   

 She then briskly walked to the main entrance of the room, where an elderly couple was sitting.   Rita exclaimed, “Mom and dad, are you ok? You have put up such solemn and staid faces. It’s your 60^th wedding anniversary !! The entire family is here. Try to be cool and comfortable. The ceremony is soon to start.

The elderly lady, Simone replied, “Oh you know it. We do not like thus type of  festivities. We had told all of you not to organise anything grand and fastidious. Its so expensive and exaggerated. Everyone is staring at us. All this is making me  tense and uneasy.”

Jacques was more relaxed. He calmly said to his wife – “My dear, cheer up. You will certainly enjoy this. Nothing to worry. I am delighted to have champagne with all my friends today”

By this time, a dashing man, in his forties wearing a grey suit, red tie and a blue shirt approached them.

Rita said, “Mum, I am sure you will feel happier now. Your youngest and favourite son, Jonathan is here.”

 Simone’s face lightened up. She had a smile at last.

“Oh my boy,” said Simone. “You are looking gorgeous. Look how your wife is ogling at you. I think that she is burning with jealousy.”

Jonathan said. “ I have put on my best suit for you, mum. Let me tell you that you look lovely in this blue and red dress. In fact, you are looking  younger than Rita.” 

They all  laughed heartily. Rita asked Jacques and Simone to come closer to the centre table.

Jonathan using a hand microphone announced “Welcome all of you. It’s a special day. It’s not every day that couples celebrate 60 years of wedding anniversaries. Specially not in our time.  We are fortunate to have with us two persons who have never parted company, our mum and dad.

There is one person in this room who has been their friend, mentor, companion and knows all their secrets. It is none other than Uncle Tony. Uncle, you have to say a few words today.

Amidst the claps and cheers, a white haired bespectacled man, with a slightly protruding belly, stood up. Walking with the  help of a walking stick, he  came forward, took the microphone and began his speech.

I don’t know where to begin. The story of Jacques and Simone is one of friendship and true love.  When I was fourteen years old, my parents came to live in this village. I first met Jacques on the football pitch near the village hall. He was a tall, good looking boy and a fine football player. We immediately became friends.

We went to church every Sunday. Then one day, a new family settled in the village. A svelte  girl, with  curly black hair up to her shoulders, lush eye brows and bright eyes started coming to the Sunday mass. This was Simone. On seeing her for the first time, Jacques stood astounded like stricken by lightning. His face had an expression of absolute admiration. He could not utter a single word.

Next day, Jacques told me, “This is the girl that I shall marry.”

After a few days, Jacques managed to engage a conversation with  Simone and they became friends. All three of us spent a lot of time together. We went to the beach as often as possible. Once, Jacques dived deeper than usual. We were worried that he was not coming to the surface. He appeared after some time with one of the most beautiful corals that I have ever seen and handed it to Simone.

We strolled for hours along the sugar cane fields up to the hill and on reaching the top of the hill, we admired the unending stretches of sugar cane and enjoyed the fresh breeze.

Guess what. This friendship started when we were still in our teens. We had all dropped out of school because at that time, we had insufficient means. Our parents had to work hard.  I was helping my parents in their carpenter workshop. Jacques was assisting his father who was the estate manager’s gardener. Jacques loved to see the plants emerge from the soil and the flower buds bloom. He would from time to time pick up lovely flowers and offer them to Simone.

We had to work strenuously. When his father passed away, Jacques replaced him and became not only the gardener but also the manager’s driver. He was liked for his honesty and respectful attitude.

Jacques, do you remember how Simone had a fight with you when she saw you teaching the manager’s daughter to drive. Her face had turned crimson and she shrieked at you while you kept smiling. After the fight, we teased  Simone a lot.

Do you remember how you proposed to her? It was one of those days when we were climbing the hill. You told me – “I have made up my mind. I shall propose to her today, come what may.”

When we were at the top of the hill, Jacques held Simone’s right hand and said, “ Simone, from the day that I saw you, I have thought that you are the girl that I shall marry. I am not a rich guy, I have dropped out of school, I do not have a great job. But I am sure that I shall give you a good life. I will always respect you. I promise that I shall never offend or hurt you. Will you marry me ?”

The soft breeze blowing in her hair, Simone looked at him tenderly and said “ Yes Jacques. I have been waiting for this moment since I first met you. What a unique way  to propose to me. I knew you would make this special for me. I only wish that time stops and this moment becomes permanent. It’s so blissful.”

Then her face turned serious and she warned Jacques, “Beware my dear, once you hold my hands, I will clutch to you and you will have to tolerate my company for many years. I may become a grumpy, and crankier as I grow older.”

They were married after a few months. They worked hard and opened a florist store. Jacques brought flowers and Simone made the bouquets. I have been with them for all those years. I hope that we will continue to be best friends even when we travel to the other world.

Jacques was moved. He joined Tony and hugged him tightly. Simone was in tears and she discreetly took her handkerchief to wipe her eyes.

Jonathan announced , “Now it’s the turn of Solange to make a speech.”

Solange took the microphone. She said,” Simone, my dear sister, congratulations. It is difficult for me to find the right words today.  You are such a beautiful couple. Even today, I can see you walking  in the park, holding hands and supporting each other. We are living in a time when new generations separate or divorce frequently. You have made your marriage last for 60 years.

I remember how after Jacques had an accident, Simone ran the florist business alone, looked after the kids and ran to the hospital every day, without fail.  And when Simone was lying in bed after her delivery, Jacques was in the kitchen, at the shop, while taking care of the laundry and house chores.

You have been so kind and caring to all of us. I pray to God that you live long and have good health.

Solange then went back to her seat.

It was  now the turn of Rita to conclude. Rita said, “Mum and dad , my fondest memories are the days, when we were going on long trips in the car. We all squeezed in the back seats with father driving. Each one of would sing in turn. I was the worst singer. Dad would then set quizzes. It was so much fun. Then, at the beach, mum and dad would be diving together, while we  gasped with fear. Whenever, we had fights between brothers and sisters, dad used to speak to us gently , telling us that we should be respectful to each other.

Mum and dad, you remember how on my first day at school, both of you argued on who would drop me. Finally both of you came to drop me. And both of you had the same glum and anxious expression in your faces. You were looking at each other as if I am going to vanish in the atmosphere.  Then when I came home, both of you hugged me so tightly that I could have stifled.

Mum and dad, we are so lucky to have you as parents. We love you all.

Finally Jacques stood up and said, “My dear children, my grandchildren and my friend Tony, I thought that this evening was meant to have champagne and enjoy delicious food and specially the dessert.  

But you have all brought back reminiscences of the past. Simone and I have had happy and difficult days. We have had a great life with its share of pain and sorrow and lots of joy. We have learnt to understand each other.  

Love is a sweet emotion. It means having time to listen to each other, saying thank you, show gratitude and respect. It is friendship and support. It is respect for each other.

This is how our  strong and lasting affection has survived for 60 years. And we are still passionate about each other and care deeply for each other until we part one day.

Thank you all for this celebration.