Ruth and Elton John
This is a story of becoming a lifelong Elton John fan. That, too, by chance.
I was walking on air as I turned seventeen. It was a marvellous time as a youngster on the edge of a likely bohemian lifestyle. Like many in their late teen years leading to twenty. So many lateral relationships. Girls and boys. You lived for the day without a care for the world. I was discovering the universe — neither a boy nor a man.
Then I met Ruth on a bus. She was seated in the back seat, wearing her school uniform. Wasn’t she beautiful? I kept looking, virtually embarrassing myself on that day. Finally, she got off the bus in our hometown. I followed her discreetly until she entered a double-storey house through a large gate, which I suspected to be her home.
I got on the same bus the next day at the same time, hoping that Ruth would be there. Luckily, she was in the same spot. We kept looking at each other, exchanging coy signals. In Sri Lanka, boys could not dare to mingle openly with girls. It was frowned upon. It was taboo. To circumvent this, young boys and girls courted each other without saying a word in the open. So I needed more confidence to start a conversation.
This cat-and-mouse game between Ruth and me continued almost every day. On some days, I missed my afternoon classes, instead choosing to follow Ruth on a bus on a journey spent in silence. A glance and a smile were all I needed to make my day. I would have died for a wince. Some days, I travelled by bus back to college, sacrificing my lunch break. Bus fare was fine cause I had a season ticket, aka travel pass.
I found out more about Ruth. She was the youngest child in the family. Her family was wealthy. Her father was a businessman. I came to know that Ruth’s family had a connection to my family. Her parents had rented one of my grandfather’s homes many years ago. I found out where she was schooled, a premier girls’ school in Sri Lanka, Museus College.
I became more adventurous, egged on by some of my friends who had girlfriends. One of Ruth’s girlfriends was my friend’s girl. Ruth and I started to exchange brief messages through my friend’s girlfriend. I started cycling on her street on weekends to catch a glimpse of Ruth. At 3 pm every Saturday, as arranged, Ruth came out to the balcony. I would be on the street below, cycling, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ruth from down below. I rode on air after those glances. It was worth my time to sacrifice time to get that from Ruth. I suppose that is what you’d call puppy love. I was besotted and hopelessly infatuated.
Then I saw the movie “Friends”. It was a story of a 15-year-old boy’s love affair with a 14-year-old girl in France. They run away and eventually have a baby.
The movie trailer for “Friends.”
‘Friends’ was a beautifully crafted romantic movie. It took my breath away. I imagined himself as the lead actor, Paul, in the film. I was fascinated with the romance portrayed. It was lovely. See the attached trailer and experience it yourself.
I watched “Friends” twice. Romance and sex were portrayed beautifully. The music was idyllic. The story was too good to be true. Teen love was so powerful. My heart was pumping to be part of the movie experience. I wanted that life. I was fixated on living together with Ruth now.
The movie portrayed a young couple having a baby. I imagined myself getting married to Ruth and setting up a home. I dreamt of having kids. I wanted not only one but maybe half a dozen. I imagined carrying our babies as I walked the streets with Ruth. Love was the only thing I needed to make my imagination come true. I was Infatuated with Ruth. My heart swerved and lurched every time I thought of her.
The movie's music was composed by an unknown, upcoming artist and singer from England. All songs were by this sole singer. The theme song was the most memorable. The artist’s name was Elton John. His voice was deep.
Elton John’s theme song captivated me.
I hope the day will be
A lighter highway
For friends are found
On every road
Can you ever think
Of Any better way
For the lost and weary
Travellers to go
Making friends
For the world to see
Let the people know
You got what you need
With a friend at hand
You will see the light
If your friends are there
Then everything’s all right
It seems to me
A crime that we should age
These fragile times
Should never slip us by
A time you never
Can or shall erase
As friends together
Watch their childhood fly
Making friends
For the world to see
Let the people know
You got what you need
With a friend at hand
You will see the light
If your friends are there
Then everything’s all right
I continued to imagine my life with Ruth, with the theme song reverberating in my head. Dreaming of my life and living together with Ruth became a single focus.
My dream was short-lived. One day, I learned from my friend that Ruth already had a boyfriend and that I had no chance. I could not believe it. How can my home, getting married and having kids not be true? Was Ruth two-timing me? I became crazy.
My world came crashing down. It came crashing down hard and immediately. It was a fleeting fantasy. I took it hard.
But I bounced back. I had a few other flings that I had interrupted to pursue my dream with Ruth. Yvonne, Tanuja and an unnamed girl. Some of these relationships were physically beautiful in a harmless way.
I vowed to myself that I would never think of getting married again. I would remain single forever. No kids too.
The only good thing that happened to me was becoming an Elton John fan for life after watching “Friends”. I had a habit of buying second-hand pop magazines from a bookstore. On the centrefold of one of these magazines was a poster of Elton John. I had his poster in my bedroom even before Elton became famous. I am fascinated that Elton John continues to produce great songs almost fifty years after this illusory episode.
By the way, I ended up having four great kids. I enjoyed every moment I spent with them. Unlike their dad, they were not delusional in their teenage years.
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