

The Anniversary


You wake up.
She’s left you a note by the dresser — one of her colleagues called in sick, and so she’s left to teach an early class.
"Okay", you text. See you later!
You sip a quick cup of tea, and eat a quicker piece of toast.
Before you know it, you’re stuck in traffic.
Did you Know
India climbs up 6 ranks to be the 4th
most vacation-deprived nation globally
64%
do not get enough vacation days
48%
takes all vacation days
36%
do not take all vacation days

4th lowest globally
Statistics and information from Expedia.co.in
You reach your cubicle
You force a smile, and it forces one back.
You email. You call. You email. You call.
You meet your boss, your clients, your vendors.
You meet your lunch, your tea, your snacks.
You’re in-and-out of your cubicle, and your keyboard is rat-a-tat-a-tat.
“Need a break?” your boss says.
“Maybe,” you say.
“Let’s talk dates tomorrow,” he says.
You watch him leave the building.
Infographic
We prefer money over vacations!
1st

32%
#2

22%
prefers money in exchange of unused holiday
Reasons for not going on a vacation

#2
highest on being too strapped personally to go on a vacation #2 globally
21%
feels it’s difficult to coordinate time with spouse / partner / family members / friends
19%
insecure that important work decisions will be taken without them #1 globally
11%
using all their leaves due to illness
Statistics and information from Expedia.co.in

“Take a raise — who needs a holiday?” the man next to you says.
“Breaks are for losers — you’ll miss out on something!” the man next to him says.
You nod and try not to listen.
It’s just past seven when you finally shut your laptop.
“Dinner’s ready!” she texts.
“On my way!” you text.
Before you know it, you’re stuck in traffic.

Your phone pings at a red light close to home.
It’s a message from Shiva, the manager at Club Mahindra Kumbhalgarh, Rajasthan.
“Hello Sir, have a wonderful anniversary! It’s tomorrow but I wanted to be the first one!”
He remembered!
“Thanks Shiva!” you text with a smile.
The light turns green.

Your better half and you were there at this time last year, and the memories come flooding back.
The room itself, with its wide balconies and majestic views, harked back to the days of Rajput royalty and a bygone era.
You remember Shiva’s warm and welcoming smile.
He had found out about the anniversary, and had ordered for cupcakes from Udaipur to go with the sumptuous Kathiawadi meal.
It was an unforgettable gesture, something she talks about even today.
You remember hunting for trinkets and treasures in Udaipur, the city of lakes. Temple hopping between verdant forests. Exploring the historic grandeur of the Kumbhalgarh fort.

You remember the little things too.
Her smiling and taking a picture at the gazebo by the pool.
Making puppets and paintings of each other—with the phones off!
Pampering yourselves at the Svaastha Spa after a Rajasthani thaali lunch!
You remember happiness.
It was a week, but it feels like it lasted a lot more.
Like it was yesterday.
And it was all that they said it would be.
Mystical.
Memorable.
Magical.


Dinner’s over.
You turn on the tablet, and she makes a face until you show it to her.
It’s your Club Mahindra account.
“We can’t be there tomorrow, but we can next month. And this year, your parents can add to the magic!” you say.
She breaks into a laugh and snatches the tablet, beaming as she begins to scroll down the page.
“Munnar? Ooty? Kanatal? Kandaghat? Bon Alpina, Austria? Kuala Lampur, Malaysia? Where to this year, mister?” she says.

The next day,
there’s an email in your inbox.
“Have a wonderful anniversary, Mr. Thapar!” reads the subject line. It’s from Club Mahindra.
You pick up the phone, not bothering to open the email.
“Hi Mr. Thapar!” says a friendly voice.
“Hello,” you say.
“We’ve been expecting a call! Your wife has made bookings for Ashtamudi, Kerala, in April, and we would just like to confirm the dates.”

You break into a smile before confirming.
You remember happiness.
It’s time for another Magical Moment.
“You’re all set, sir,” says the voice at the end of the call. “Will that be all?”
“That’s it,” you say. “Oh, and before I forget…”
“Yes?”
“Thanks for the nudge!”
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