SWEETIE
A “Sweet” Memory from my Wonderful Navy Days
By
VIKRAM KARVE
Sweet Memories of Sweetie
“Have you seen Sweetie...?” Colonel “P” asked me.
“No, Sir...” I said.
“I don’t know where she has gone. The Dean wants to meet her and I just can’t find her anywhere...” the Colonel said.
“Don’t worry, Sir – I’ll find her and bring her to you...” I said.
The Colonel returned to the senior officers’ group.
I started walking down to the boat jetty.
This happened 32 years ago, in the mid 1980’s, in a lovely place called IAT nestled in the hills of Girinagar near the city of Pune.
It was one of those Sunday morning get-togethers for officers and families at the Naval Bay on the banks of Khadakwasla lake.
It was a verdant and picturesque place, with shady trees, lush green lawns and abundance of flora alongside the cool blue waters of the lake – an ideal setting for a picnic on a bright winter morning.
“Hey, you guys, have you seen the Colonel’s daughter...?” I asked some Sub Lieutenants – student officers – who were walking up from the boat jetty.
“The Colonel’s daughter...? Sir, I thought the D of S (Army) had two sons...” one of them said.
“No. No. Not the outgoing Colonel. I am talking of the newly arrived Colonel – Colonel “P”. He has a small daughter – she must be around 3 years old – her name is Sweetie – I had seen her playing on the lawns up there – and now she is not there – and the Colonel is worried...” I said.
“Is she a 3 year old girl, Sir...? I think she has gone for a boat ride. I saw Sub Lieutenant “X” getting into the boat with a small girl in his arms...” one of the officers said.
“Are you sure...?” I asked.
“Yes, Sir – I am quite sure...” he said.
Then, another officer said: “Sir – I will get the binoculars from the boat shed – then we can see clearly.”
I looked through the binoculars.
The boat was moving slowly across the Khadakwasla lake.
I could clearly see Sweetie.
Sweetie was sitting on the Sub Lieutenant’s lap – and he was holding her tight.
I walked up to the lawns and I reported to the Colonel: “Don’t worry, Sir – Sweetie is safe and sound.”
“But where is Sweetie...?” asked Colonel “P”, looking anxious.
“She is enjoying a boat ride...” I said.
“Sweetie has gone for a boat ride...? How is that possible...? Sweetie does not know how to swim. Sweetie is so scared of water. I wonder how she got into the boat...?” the Colonel asked.
“Sir – Sub Lieutenant “X” picked her up in her arms…” I said.
“What...? A Sub Lieutenant took Sweetie in his arms...?” the Colonel said, looking worried.
“Don’t worry, Sir – I myself checked up through the binoculars – Sweetie is sitting on the Sub Lieutenant’s lap – and – he is holding onto her tightly...” I said.
“What...? Sweetie is sitting on a Sub Lieutenant’s lap...?” the Colonel exclaimed, looking flabbergasted.
Then – as if in a daze – Colonel “P” broke off from the gathering.
And – we saw Colonel “P” running down towards the boat jetty.
“What’s wrong with the Colonel...? Why is he so hyper...?” someone asked.
“Maybe – it is because Colonel “P” has just got one daughter – Sweetie is his only child. And that too – so late in life. He’s got a kid after the age of 40 – maybe that’s why he is so possessive and over protective...” I reasoned.
We sipped our beer.
A few moments later – we saw Commander “M” emerge from the woods with a ravishing beauty – yes – the woman was really beautiful.
I just could not take my eyes off the gorgeous lady.
The beautiful lady looked quite flushed – and – she smiled and said to us: “Hello, Navy Boys – you have got a lovely place here – your Commander just took me for an exciting trek on the banks of the lake...”
“Good morning, Ma’am...” we said.
“Oh – I forgot to introduce myself – or rather – your Commander forgot to introduce me...” she said, looking at Commander “M”.
The Commander looked embarrassed and he started to speak.
But before he could say anything – the beautiful woman looked at me.
The beautiful woman proffered her hand and she said to me: “My name is Sweetie...”
“Sweetie...?” I exclaimed, looking shocked and dumbfounded.
“Why...? You don’t like my name...? Can’t my name be Sweetie...? Am I not sweet...?” she joked, smiling flirtatiously.
“No, Ma’am. Yes, Ma’am…” I fumbled in embarrassment.
“Hey, please don’t call me Ma’am...” she said.
“Okay, Mrs “P”...” I said.
“Mrs “P”...? That’s even worse – I don’t like to be called Mrs “P” either – and – for heaven’s sake – please don’t call me “Mrs Colonel” like someone once did...” she laughed vivaciously.
Then Sweetie looked into my eyes and she said to me: “You are my age – so just call me Sweetie.”
“Okay – Sweetie...” I said, trying to recover my wits.
“Hey – what happened – why are you looking so lost...?” Sweetie asked me.
“I thought ‘Sweetie’ was your daughter’s name...” I mumbled.
“What...? Forget all that – I’m feeling thirsty – I’m dying for a drink...” she said.
I got her a drink.
We talked.
We sipped our drinks.
Sweetie was really sweet and I enjoyed her company.
Suddenly – Sweetie looked beyond my shoulder – and then – she said: “Ah – there comes my boring husband. He seems to be looking quite grumpy.”
I turned around and I followed her gaze.
Colonel “P” was trudging up the slopes – holding his 3 year old daughter in his arms.
As Colonel “P” approached – I could see that the Colonel was giving me quite a ferocious look.
So – I quickly excused myself from Sweetie – and – I left the scene before the arrival of her husband – the furious Colonel “P”.
EPILOGUE
I looked at Colonel “P” and his wife Sweetie.
What a contrasting couple – a grumpy old husband and a bubbly youthful wife.
During my long Navy career – I met many such mismatched couples.
And – I have always wondered:
“How come the Grouchy ‘Old Fogeys’ always got the most Beautiful Vivacious Youthful Wives...?”
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.
2. All Stories in this Blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
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