My dearest friend Bubloo gifted me a book on one of my trips to Scotland many years ago — One Day by David Nicholls. Whilst in this lockdown I have been thinking of this book for a few days now. I remember — once I started reading it I struggled to put it down. It was a most enjoyable read. I am anyways a sucker for not too mawkish romantic experiences. So this one was on point.
The story begins in 1988 in Edinburgh. It is about two people who have just finished their university education and are tentatively getting ready to enter the real world — full of dreams, fears, aspirations, hopes, and ambition. Armed with degrees. I felt a strong connect as this was roughly the time when Bubloo and I were finishing our university education in the UK. I graduated from Brunel University in the summer of 1989.
The narrator goes on to tell their stories over the next twenty years. Very creatively the tale is narrated in the context of one day each year in their lives — 15th July, St Swithins Day. The main characters — Dexter and Emma — go thru their lives without acknowledging their feelings for each other.
There are many twists in their life journey. The author very deftly weaves the story and keeps the reader engrossed.
You can connect to their joys, successes, trials and tribulations. At the time it made me see my twenty-odd years, since the completion of my education, in new perspectives. My journey thus far — the joys, the struggles, the wins, the love.
At 44 then, I felt I must surely stop to take stock. Redefine my ambitions, my paradigms, chart new paths for the coming years. Make the most of how many ever years I have left in this journey. But as I look back now, another 10 years on, all that I planned never happened. The universe had its own plans for me and that is what played out. You can only play with the hand dealt out to you.
Is it about Omegas, LV bags, Matchu Pitchu, careers, bank balances far in excess of our needs… The pursuit of wealth seems hollow and meaningless. Though frankly all of us mindlessly and doggedly don’t give up. The flip side of course is that a certain minimum amount of wealth is needed to simply survive. For the practical needs — house, food, health, education. Not to forget that drink at the end of a hard day.
Or about tasting life… The sights, the smells, the tastes, the touch, the personal conquests, the small wins, the lazy evenings….
Special times with family and friends. Cherished memories with loved ones.
Time with parents — our roots, with the life partner — chosen companions for the journey, with children — our future, with siblings — the links to our roots and with friends — beacons for this full of unexpected turns, eventful, long expedition.
I would love to understand the purpose of this expedition. Someday… Though one thing I know — one must always stay prepared for the ultimate departure. At all times ensuring a sense of completion with the people who have chosen to decorate our life. Don’t leave conversations and feelings hanging.
ONE DAY is unequivocally moving and compelling. It is an outstanding, honest portrayal of a genuine friendship — marred by life’s tough pitfalls and setbacks. Yet a friendship most real for the two friends, anchoring them for life. You are left feeling that you are somehow privy to a real-life friendship. You find yourself rooting for them, getting so involved in their lives that you feel frustrated for them. You keep wondering how they could have done things differently. The once a year narrative gives the story a definite structure although you are left wondering about what happened in the year gone by. You miss being part of that story of theirs. The end was definitely a bit of a surprise, the question coming to my mind — What was the author thinking??
I want to end by saying that please don’t leave anything for “One Day…”. One day I shall connect with the people I love. One day I shall wear that dress I have been saving. One day I will make a special meal for my spouse. One day we shall have a date night. These ‘One days….’ have a way of disappearing into oblivion. Remember, there is no turning back the clock. There are many a stories that can illustrate my point and I will not take up your time with that.
Do all the things you really want to do; do them NOW. Do not wait for some opportune time and do not let work stop you from living life. Find the right balance. Go on, dip your feet now.
Written By Mohit Gupta
Week 15, April ’20
