The man who connected with me

Dreams come true at the least expected moments! And so when my mentor rang me up, I reacted like a maniac.

I had wanted it no other way!

So the day I was to receive the stipend cheque, I delayed going to the workplace and waited for the postman to tinkle his cycle bell. And yes, he did arrive late-noon around 3pm with ‘My self-earned’ cheque – Rs50 from Akashvani Radio for reciting poems.

I sent across a copy addressed to him, expecting an email response a few months later.

Every night before I hit the bed I read a couple of his lines [the book case on my bedside table has a permanent place for one his works]. Such obsession will see my desire to pass. I had no inkling of a doubt.

‘Hi. I’m Geoff.” And it was extreme euphoria that swelled to maniac proportions in a fraction of a second. I howled, screamed and gasped. His words of review… such as “honest”, I choked. “Your profound insight into human emotions is very moving…” and tears pinched my eyes. “Every page was a feast…” and I felt humbled. “It made me cry twice…” he said and I couldn’t stop my tears.

Mention of the protagonist’s relationships with her family was termed frivolous by one reader. Another said she identifies with Anamica’s plight; yet a few said typical characters. A few took instances mentioned to heart, while a couple of others said it is verse-heavy. Some said well-written without explaining why they think so. A few could not understand (that’s something I’m yet to crack). One of them, who claimed to have read half-way through – advised me to write simple language.

It’s all about connections, I’m convinced.