The Martyoshka that got away

A matryoshka doll left us today. No, she didn't die, neither did she just throw a tantrum, fight with her other four friends, stomp her foot on the ledge of the glass almira she had set residence in, she just decided in one sweep of the duster that she did not want to be seen, not any more.

So hereby, I take charge of his timed disappearance and pray that the best follows her wherever she is, or perhaps, that she may get as she pleases to.

She was the tiniest among the five matryoshka dolls. I had purchased this set from a Goan flea market in the March of 2016. I had seen them and taken to them with an absolutely immediate liking. The dolls, held a visage for me. Unlike their Russian counterparts, these were home-bred, so they wore a bright red sari with yellow flowers printed.

Dear tiny little matryoshka, in case you are reading this somewhere, anywhere, please know that as much as we respect your decision to have stepped aside, we also miss you. If only you were to see the sullen, sallow faces of your fellows here. It is with utmost pride that I announce that traveling with you from Goa to Pune, then eventually to Coimbatore, all of which you stayed inside my bags, or almira drawers, it was a pleasure to hold in the cup of my palm and feel the Goan summer restlessness.

On a few rare occasions, in Kovai, I had rested my Jhumpa Lahiri facedown on my solitary writing desk, opened the almira and craddled you out of your nestling drawer, only to be able to remember what it had meant to feel like being in love and the trifle bargains with which you had been bought along with my then boyfriend who was amused at this peculiar purchase. The colour of your sari had matched the colour of my dress that after noon.

Now that I look back at our journey together, you mostly stayed indoors, inside backpacks, cupboards, suitcases and this was the first time in your over two years of stay that you had ventured out of the closet and of you went!

What a way to scoot off, I say. It was a lovely decadence, your stay with us dear tiny Martyoshka. I hope I was a good host and I hope you find your resting place in the waters or on land, anywhere and that your travels continue for more, for longer more.

Know that you are missed and cherished here and that your departure has duly been taken note of. A few weeks back someone had scooped you out of the almira and placed you a cranny behind a gigantic tap.

You know I had worried a lot, when after almost 36 hours I had located you, picked you up in between my nimble forefinger and thumb only to place you back. I should have known better, you had wanted to sleep behind the tap on your own. But this going away today morning is a surefire way of letting me know what is exactly on your mind.

I have you in my memories and photographs. You shall be missed but au revoir!