Being ED
Here is the story of an old man named Ed.
The inexpensive wooden chariot like rocking chair has been
part of Ed’s living room forever. It reminds him of his old times and his
father who would tell him relations matter over money. He would just nod his
head and leave then. He has collected all his belongings with great enthusiasm,
be it the chic black wall clock bought in 80s that still look very ultra-modern
on the right wall of the living room or his prized possession, the rare
imitation of ‘Starry Night’ that adorns the left wall of the room. Though the
original Starry Night was painted by Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh. Although
Van Gogh sold only one painting in his life, the aftermath of his work is
enormous. Starry Night is one of his most famous paintings and has become one
of the most well known images in modern culture. The painting shows the village
of Saint-Rémy under a swirling sky, in a view from the asylum towards north.
The cypress tree to the left was added into the composition. Since 1941 it has
been in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Even though Ed chose to lead a solitary life, his living has
lot of class and elegance. He himself is a man full of panache. Contrary to
what a man would live like without a woman to manage his life between the four
walls owned by him (a home), Ed has taken keen interest in all the areas of his
living to make them as perfect as he loves it to be. His office situated at
posh suburban part of the city has been his pride since he bought it. He worked
day and night for the companies he was catering his services to. He has best
clientele in his industry; all big names were in his kitty. It took him two and
a half decade of struggle to build what he has now.
At the age of 50, he
stands with head held up high. But deep within he knows that he has paid more
than just the price of the belongings he own. His father died when he was just
out of school. He left his only family, his wife. It was a marriage arranged by
the families, blessing the couple with wishes of everlasting happiness and
love. But no one came to know if the happiness and love ever knocked on their
lives. May be Ed and Judy never gave chance to that happiness and love to
nurture between them or they tried but failed miserably. Both had their goals
and the passionate drive to achieve them. Once they achieved what they aimed
for, they had new set of goals. In the initial years, Judy complained about
their relationship. She realized it when she saw other couples, that there are only
two kinds of couple around, in love and not in love. Though Ed and Judy religiously
used to say that they love each other, but like people say they were with each
other not for each other. Being a woman, with passing time, Judy managed to
make that special place in her heart for Ed and her relationship with him. But
Ed was Ed. Determined and Focused. And proud of the fact that he was.
Years passed and their so called goals and aims came between
them. They had no time for love nor for extending their family. Once again when
Judy questioned Ed about their lives and told him that she loved him above
everything, but Ed made it clear that he surely had different plans. Parting
was more convenient than divorce which sounded like a bomb to them. Next
morning, Judy left Ed’s home. Now he does not know where Judy is or how she is.
He just knows that he valued her less than what she deserved.
Today, he realizes that neither his ultra luxurious four
bedroom apartment walls can speak to him those loving words nor his expensive belongings,
it was just her, whose whereabouts he did not care to find out for so long. He
surely must be able to make out the meaning of his father’s words now. The man
who has everything yet he is lonely is what Being Ed is all about.
Comments
Post a Comment