Rajiv’s Tattoo-The most precious birthday gift (1st Nov 2010)
Birthdays are generally much hyped once you are a couple. Everyone asks what your partner has gifted you and with over-blushing smile we answer, “Branded clutch or a watch or an I-pod etc”. But my 24th birthday was special and different from all my birthdays. I got engaged a week before and God gifted me a wonderful life partner, my soul mate, in his form. I was extremely contented, and unaware that something more is going to add up.
Three days post engagement, Rajiv was travelling and I had a doubt that he was going to do something out of the box. Tattoo making was in vogue and few of our friends had it. I knew he was thinking on those lines as he was extremely fascinated about getting inked with my name. When I got a glimpse of this idea, I discarded it as I did want him to go through so much pain. Moreover, I did not want to disappoint our families that are so conservative. Still he was obstinate but little gloomy that I knew his surprise. I persuaded him, but all my efforts were futile. ‘It was something that was unnecessary when not done, but once it was done, it definitely races any woman’s heart towards her man’.
Rajiv’s mother was not at all a buyer of that idea. According to her, tattoo was not something ‘that was happening’, but it was something ‘that should not happen’. It was an obvious opinion, given the traditional families we belong to. But we together tried and convinced her. My mother was extremely thrilled.
Finally the next day we were at the tattoo parlour. My heart was thumping. Till the last minute I tried influencing his decision. He selected the font and got seated in the chair. He wanted to have a tattoo on the back side of his hand. Chirag Jhala,who was a tattoo artist, comforted me by saying how painless doing a tattoo is. I thought of shooting this and keep with me as a memory for a life time. For about 25 minutes there was a screeching sound of that machine and I could take off my eyes from Rajiv as I wanted to see if it’s hurting him too much. Every time the needle would pinch him, my heart would pound. I wanted it to get over as early as possible.At last, it was over and the first question I asked him was, “Was it painful” and with his dazzling smile, he replied,”No”. Chirag exchanged some tips to take care of the tattoo and we noted them. I was amazed and speechless for a minute looking at his expressions. I was startled and astounded to see “RHUCHA” in bold on my man’s hand.
It takes lot of guts to get this done. Any function or occasion we attended, everybody used to come up to him and appreciate this gesture. I was a proud better half when people raised their eyebrows in happiness and acknowledged Rajiv. Our committed she-friends used to look at their partners and give Rajiv’s example and I used to feel on top of the world!
In the world where commitments do not last, where two people depart due to some trivial issues and where a relationship is treated casually or marriages do not last as they become the victim of ego and extremity, I think very few take that extra mile towards their love. For me, Tattoo is something which will remain with him forever until death. He not only engraved my name deep down his skin, but proved me the level of commitment he has towards me.
I can just say to Rajiv,”You got a tattoo done but I got totally inked in love with you”. I can just promise him in return that until death parts us, we will be one.
