A tryst with destiny

"A tryst with destiny" is the fabulous phrase used by Nehru, when India gained it's freedom from imperial rule in August 1947. A momentous day in the history of India- who had spent century after century under the rule of one nation or another- and a phrase that resonates greatly in me at the moment. It was while picnicking by India gate on a humid, steamy Sunday night that I realised fully for the first time since our arrival, that this really does feel like the right thing to be doing. This is right for my family and I, it is where we belong, where we feel complete.

India gate is a magical place to be at sunset, particularly on a Sunday when all the Indian's regardless of caste, wealth or age come together to do what they do best. Pose! Star crossed lovers promenade up and down in the throes of courtship, extended families meet up for ice cream, even the eunuchs are out to preen their feather's. The most prominent group though is undoubtedly the single male. They stroll around in vast gang's holding hand's in a display of availability that is matched no where in the animal kingdom. The Indian male of the species is a particularly vain beast and personal grooming is very high on their agenda. There are several male grooming salon's in every market square and a barber chair on every street corner. Great care and attention is taken to make sure the moustache - a dying look in the UK much to my dismay being a secret admirer - and hair is in perfect condition at all times. These people, all here as the sun goes down behind the imposing war memorial posing, preening, promenading and courting, but most of all staring at the odd bunch of Westerners with the enormous blonde baby!

Oh yes, quite a stir is caused wherever we venture with the chunk that is Silas and India Gate on a Sunday night is certainly no different! People queuing up just to get a glimpse, hanging around long enough to pluck up courage to get a photo or even better a hold of the beast. We have seen it all before though with Rafa. When he was a baby and we travelled here one of my favourite memories is of being at the Taj Mahal on my parent's 40th wedding anniversary staring up at the beauty and majesty of the world's most spectacular building, then turning round and seeing most of the people there photographing Rafa! I remember so many times like that, looking around and trying to savour the moment and wondering where we would be in 3 or 5 years time. Hoping we could find a way to get back to this wonderous country that we both love so much and here we are again.

It feels like a fait accompli as I watch 'A' playing cricket with Rafa and Silas eating everything in sight and I can't help but wonder what the next few years have in store for him and the rest of us. There is a small sense of vulnerability as it is not solely in my hands and I don't want this happiness taken away from me. As the fear rises though I can't help but keep remembering that beautiful phrase - a tryst with destiny - and feel assured that this is probably ours.