I have always had a passion for dark glasses. somehow they lend an air of sophistication and complete the look of a lady of the world. They also add a bit of mystery. The eyes are the windows to the soul and when you can’t see behind the darkened lenses, your thoughts remain unknown.

So whenever I travelled abroad, my first steps would be towards the Duty-Free section selling dark glasses. Over the years, I’ve bought many, from branded ones to tacky ones. And I’ve received many as a gift too. This gift like perfumes is a much valued gift and treasured possession.

Around four decades ago, my father made a trip to the Netherlands and returned with a pair of Polaroid dark glasses. They were funky with their green lenses and bright red frames. And they were cute too, drawing comments from young and old every time I wore them. I wore them a lot, especially when I was wearing my everyday casuals. Over the weekend, we had made a trip to Talegaon to keep away our extra furniture and knick-knacks that we couldn’t bear to be parted from. We were in the process of making a ‘Memory House’.

On the way home, I reached out to wear the dark glasses which I had inadvertently left on the back seat of the car only to find them broken.

I couldn’t help feeling sad seeing them snapped so neatly in two.

I wonder if it was a sign from the universe that the links to my recently deceased father were slowly being broken.

Ciao