It was the last week of summer and Ratnagiri was hot and humid as ever. Three things were in constant supply which more than made up for the weather; never ending chatter, gentle sea breeze and the finest Alphonso mangoes. Having thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality for a few days, it was time to travel back to Pune.
The car was filled with mangoes, to the point that it barely left space to accommodate one person on the rear seat. The weather was clear and we were looking forward to a quick drive back home. Hatkhamba, Nivli naka, Sangameshwar were left behind in no time. The numerous hair pins of Parshuram and Kashedi ghat didn’t slow us either as we made swift progress up to Poladpur.
The ladies suggested that we drive through Mahabaleshwar. I was worried about the traffic in Panchgani but the opportunity to drive up the Ambenali ghat was too tempting to resist and so we took the exit. The stretch between Poladpur to Mahabaleshwar is 40 kilometers of relentless ascent up the mighty Sanhyadri and it tests the skills of the best of drivers. Although on that day we were tested by something else.
Barely a few kilometers from Poladpur the landscape suddenly changed and so did the weather. The hot and humid air of Konkan was left behind as we climbed up the ghat and was replaced by cooler weather. Few kilometers further and the ghat was covered in dense cloudy mist. Visibility was barely a few feet in front and by then the air had turned chilly and moist.
We rolled up the windows as the cold air became unbearable. In no time the strong aroma of mangoes, which had escaped us so far, quickly filled the cabin. The aroma became unbearable too. It was a unique conundrum; roll up and live with the overpowering aroma, roll down and live with the cold. Shortly it became nauseating and impossible to go further, so we pulled aside just before Pratapgad.
It never occurred that something we loved so much could sometimes make us uncomfortable. We were lost in a feeling of melancholy as we witnessed the valley engulfed by pre-monsoon clouds. Having filled our lungs with fresh air we were ready to drive further. Traffic in Mahabaleshwar was forgiving so we made it to Mapro in under an hour.
Panchgani was bright and sunny and so was our mood, having left the gloomy weather behind. Naturally we had no difficulty in shifting loyalties from mangoes to fresh Strawberries. The crisp air at Panchgani and the delicious strawberries gave us enough fuel to complete the last leg of the journey.
The characterless expressway quickly covered the distance, leaving behind the magical warmth and cold of the country side. Toll at Khed Shivapur reminded us of the synthetic world we were returning to and in no time we were back to the smoky urban space that we called home.
There is a reason I remember this drive so vividly. In a way, it symbolizes and summarizes my experiences with all things magnificent. In a way it pretty much recaptures the journey we did thus far.
Alphonsos and Strawberries, both magnificent and yet so different. One prefers the hot and humid coastal weather, other thrives in cold and dry air. Seasonal fruits both of them, only available for a small window and only enjoyable for when they are available. Unlike a Banana, which is available, affordable and acceptable all year long.
Supriya was a magnificent person. Sometimes she offered the warmth of the Alphonso and at times the coldness of the Strawberry, but in either manifestation there was the unmistakable sweetness which underscored her actions. Yet for most part of her life she curbed her magnificence and opted to live under the cloak of a banana, a staple food available all year long for consumption.
Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong in being fuel for nourishment and sustainability. It needs strength to sacrifice and courage to power through adversity for the sustainability of those around. So even in that avatar, she was every bit magnificent.
Supriya left us late last Friday, the 25th of June. She left after fulfilling her role to the best of her abilities, leaving behind a legacy of adaptability, tenacity and magnificence.
Magnificent things are better off in moderation, so is true with magnificent people. She knew it and hence accompanied us seldomly, only when she felt like. But she will remain with us in our heart and will continue to be a calibration scale for everything that we accomplish.
The aroma of Alphonso, the sweetness of Strawberry or the nourishment of the Banana, whichever form we pick is up to us, but mediocrity shall not do. We will strive to be magnificent to the best of our ability.
Sleep well Supriya.
Aisle Seat Stories 