Three things that make life complete

The young Captain was watching the May queen beauty pageant at the local military club. After having spend 2 years in the rugged Himalaya's, he was enjoying the cosmopolitan air. Life was good - a job that he liked, friends, money, bike and a free spirit. 

Standing next to his close pal, he watched the young girls on the ramp. He felt controlled excitement within. He thought of picking up a beer like others but chose not to. Occasional eye contact and a friendly smile with known and unknown faces made the evening even better. The attraction he felt for the girls around him was not one sided. But he found himself avoiding the girls just the same way as he was keeping away from alcohol. He was comfortable with the knowledge that he was the wild geese variety. And it felt better to stick around with his friends. 

A break in the program allowed them to get back to the bar and refill their glasses and then merge with the crowd again. He was more in the observing and thinking mode. The next day was Sunday and the thought made him feel better. Just then he bumped across his ex boss who was a senior brigadier now and was accompanied by his beautiful daughter. The boss introduced his daughter to the young man. He felt an instant attraction. Usual exchange of pleasantries, was followed by inquiring about the latest in each others lives. 

Just then God played His hand and the brigadier was stolen away by one of his batch mate, leaving the young couple alone. For an instant, the young captain didn't know what to do. But gathering himself quickly he began conversing.

" You didn't participate in the contest?"

" No"

" But......why? You are smart and you are so beautiful"

" Thanks. But I have stopped participating since a long time"

" Oh ! Been there Done that! "

" Yeah. Sort of. And after a while such things don't excite you"

" I didn't know you had a philosophical side"

" Actually, i am a realist. You just want to do it once to prove a point to yourself and the world. Then you want to get on with more important things"

" Like ?"

" Like - living life to the hilt"

" i am excited to hear more - please continue"

" No. I mean, lets not get into all this now. We will keep that for some other day"

" OK, lets talk till your father is back."

" All right"

" So what is it that you want to do with your life"

" See i am the traveler variety - they say, a good traveler does not know where is he going next and a better one does not know where he came from"

" wow. Never heard that"

" So i want to play in the hands of the destiny and take things as they come"

" So you believe in destiny, karma and all"

" We all do. Don't you ?"

" Yeah, sort of. I haven't figured out much there. But do you think, everything is pre-destined?"

" Broadly yes, but to keep the excitement alive, God left a bit of choice making with all of us"

" well.well.well. Now we have Mr God also here"

" Why, don't you believe in God?"

" I do. I do" trying to change the topic, 'Actually, your thoughts are as beautiful as you"
" Are you trying to flirt?"
" No. I mean it."
" Anyway, i can see that you are not the flirt variety"

" So you have a sixth sense. You can read my mind too"

" Well girls can sense between a good and a not so good man"

" Thanks for the compliments"

She smiles. 

The girl asks, " So what do you believe in?"
" Me? I don't know. Haven't thought much about it. Just want to live a good life, i guess. But you sure have given me food for thought. What are your views on life"
" I think, we are all here to learn and we should have fun while doing that. We all have a role to play. We should do that well and stay happy in the process. Life is a purifying process. So we should do our job, our duties properly but should not take life too seriously"
" I talk like that to my men. But never realized the deeper meaning"
" Most of us are like headless chicken. We do things without asking. We just follow the herd. And as a result are unhappy and disillusioned. My question is, are we here to just eat, sleep, make money, rise in career, raise a family, get old and die?"
" No. and i see your point. We must have a purpose in our life.And we must live to fulfill it. And stay happy. But sometimes, life gets so difficult and painful"
" You wouldn't like it if it was rosy all the time. This change is essential"

The brigadier arrives, " what have the two of you been talking?"
" Oh ! a lot sir. Your daughter is a deep thinker"
" Yeah. You would be happy to know that she integrates all that in her life and has been a big influence in my life"
" I think she has one more fan now" (she smiles)
"OK son, we have to go now, see you later"
" Sir, can i have coffee with your daughter tomorrow?"
" Ask her, not me"
" May I? That way we can finish this conversation"
" All right"
" OK, 5 pm, same place tomorrow"
" Bye"

The captain is all alone now, in deep thoughts. His friend returns.
" Real beauty yaar"
" Beauty with brains"
" Hmm..someone is impressed"
" Yeah, we are meeting again tomorrow"
" Oh ! that's real fast"

The program resumes. It is the final round. Contestant number one walks up the ramp and is handed over the mic. The judge asks, " What are the three things that make life complete". She replies, " To me it would be Health, Wealth and Wisdom".

" Now that answer is so lame. Beauty with no brains", the friend says.
" I think there is no right or wrong answer here. What is your answer, by the way"
The friend didn't wait a second to reply. It would be, " Love, change and recognition"
The captain was still thinking and didn't have an answer. He liked the love and change part but was not sure about the recognition part.

After some time the winners were crowned and the dance started. He loved to dance; but today, someone had got him thinking. Just then he heard a familiar voice - "You aren't dancing?" 

It was her again. And he was smiling from ear to ear. 

...to be continued.