Moonlight Magic

A full Moon night. A terrace with an open sky. Young hearts. A party. 

Mom with her constant concern for people decided the party must have equal boys and girls - so no one feels LEFT OUT!!! Yes those were the days when we danced with partners and the perfect host that my MOM was she wanted to ensure e one had a girl in their arms !!! Cliff Richard style 

With all the planning she was so sorry to know that last minute one person said he could not come. YES those were also the days people call and said not coming and those who aid yes would come 

Mom asked her friend Farhan Lukhmani if he would bring along a  male friend. Yes again we welcomed strangers as friends - open hearts and open homes. And people came to met people 

Farhan brought ASPI and the equal numbers were completed. 

My dad with his creativity had made a menu using names of guests 

There were two columns MENU and WOMENU 

Each name became a dish like Shams was SHAMmi Kebab. the menu was handed out and people became an ice breaker and people could mingle as they enjoyed figuring out what dish they were !!! Laughter and games got e one rocking 

As the evening advanced and the music played the misty   moonlight wove its magic. Quietly in the corner e one noticed a dance being danced, a dance that had its own charm. Evening done Mom sat relaxing with my dear God mother and family talking about the fun they had. Of course both had noticed the special feel in the air and talked about the new guest who seemed to have swept Hami off her feet. 

Next day bright and early Mom gets a call from a shy Hami asking how she knew Aspi. And Farhan gets a call from Aspi asking about Hami.

Cupids  arrow had hit home. cupids assistants organised a picnic to Juhu Beach. A walk by the shore, a touch of hands, and a lifetime bond  was sealed. A bond that lasted more than 40 plus years till dear Aspi Uncle passed on. I still remember visiting them, a couple in love. The moonlight magic always with them. 

Mom remembers the pink saree she gifted her, a gift to say thank you  for helping destiny. And the friendship goes on now for more than sixty plus years

To me those were the days the days of connections made, of bonds that lasted, of friendships that were made up of touch and feel and song and cups of tea. Later I went to the school run by Hami Auntys sister in law a little toddlers school in Bandra and I to date seem to remember the first day of school in my three year old mind. Another story for another day…..