Moments of life that are past will never come back. But sometimes life gives us an opportunity to recreate some moments that can be lived the same way they were.I’ve never come across such an opportunity so far. But wait, why to wait for an opportunity while you can create one. This time I decided to create a memorable moment for myself and to someone else too. It was a close call, as it involved a bit of luck and also the timing had to be perfect. I expect you to fall for this exaggerated build-up of my experience. :P Let me get to the story straight.Many times, we see some people every day but always they remain strangers to us. We might not have any connection with them other than exchanging a smile but we still can make their day a memorable one with our simple gestures.It was 2013, I used to go for a morning walk in the streets of Chennai near our home. One day, I saw an Ilani Man (a man who sells tender coconuts) who I thought was picture perfect for a photo click. His well-organized coconut cart, his hard working looks, the way he greets his customers and of course, the style he was slicing the head of the tender coconuts was all eye catching. It was a bright and sunny morning, I went and had a cool tender coconut. Then I asked him, ‘Can I take a picture of you, Anna?’ He didn’t hesitate and immediately gave me this pose.
He was very happy when I showed the picture and he wanted my camera for a minute to show it to his Auto driver friends. I gave gladly. ‘Super a irukre da!’, his friends started teasing him for being a ‘Super’ Model.Then I moved to Bangalore. After 2 years, I visited Chennai last month. One evening, when I went past the same street, I got to see the same Ilani Man at the corner of the street. Still selling his coconuts at the same spot. Standing and slicing the Ilanis for his customers. Only this time he was a bit older, but his picture perfect setting hasn’t changed. I was glad to see him again. I knew there’s no big chance for him to remember me. The moment I saw him still there, I decided to recreate that moment from past. So I held the surprise for later.Next day, I walked down to his cart and asked for a tender coconut. He greeted and started slicing one. He had no idea what surprise awaited him. I drank the Ilani and before paying him, handed over an envelope. He asked ‘What is this?’ I asked him to open it up. As he took the content of the envelope out, his smile widened inch by inch. It was a printed copy of his photo that I clicked 2 years ago. I said ‘Can you remember me now?’ He was nodding and told me ‘I’ve posed for many people before and after you, but You are the only person who gave me a printed copy of myself and my shop. Romba Thanks ma!’ He was too happy to see his photo printed. And I thanked him in return for being a model for my clicks. I took another click of him and his cart and framed that moment.
It was indeed a click to remember. I then signed the photo and paid him for the tender coconut and walked back with a smile. While he was still looking at his picture. Now I know that life does not give us everything by chance, sometimes we have to create chances by ourselves to rejoice the beauty of life.
