Saturday, March 31, 2007
too much and too less!
Nothing in life seems enough, we want more of everything. no matter if that means choking our throats!
Friday, February 02, 2007
Inside Out by Bryan Adams - Unplugged by Me!
the lyrics:
THE BIGGEST LIE YOU EVER TOLD:
THE DEEPEST FEAR ’BOUT GROWIN OLD:
THE LONGEST NIGHT YOU EVER SPENT:
THE ANGRIEST LETTER YOU NEVER SENT:
THE BOY YOU SWORE YOU’D NEVER LEAVE:
THE ONE YOU KISSED ON NEW YEAR’S EVE:
THE SWEETEST DREAM YOU HAD LAST NIGHT:
YOUR DARKEST HOUR:
YOUR HARDEST FIGHT:
THE SADDEST SONG YOU EVER HEARD:
THE MOST YOU SAID WITH JUST ONE WORD:
THE LONELIEST PRAYER YOU EVER PRAYED:
THE TRUEST VOW YOU EVER MADE:
WHAT MAKE YOU LAUGH:
WHAT MAKE YOU CRY:
WHAT MAKES YOU MAD:
WHAT GETS YOU BY:
YOUR HIGHEST HIGH:
YOUR LOWEST LOW:
THESE ARE THE THINGS I WANNA KNOW…..
And so goes this song....
One of the best songs Bryan Adams has crooned. At least for me.
And this is just a small exercise to unplug me through his words, which are so simple yet meaningful.
Everyone can give it a try!
THE BIGGEST LIE YOU EVER TOLD:
I HATE POISON, BUT ACTUALLY SHE WAS MY STRENGTH.
THE DEEPEST FEAR ’BOUT GROWIN OLD:
THERE AIN’T NO FEAR ABOUT GETTING OLD… THE ONLY FEAR I HAVE – I DON’T WANNA BE MISS-UNDA-STOOD!
THE LONGEST NIGHT YOU EVER SPENT:
OUTSIDE THE ICU OF DOWN TOWN HOSP, SITTING ON THE STAIRS. A COLD JANUARY NIGHT. WAS COUNTING THE TICK…TICK…TICK..AS AITA WAS PUT UNDER VENTILLATION… WAS ABOUT QUARTER TO FOUR WHEN THE TICK…TICK..TICK STOPPED AND I KNEW I LOST HER FOREVER.
THE ANGRIEST LETTER YOU NEVER SENT:
I NEVER SENT THE LETTER TO NIKI. IT WANS’T A LETTER. WAS VENTING OUT MY ANGER, HATERED AND WRATH, BUT THE LUICKY BASTARD FOUND IT, COZ HIS HAS THIS NASTY AND ANNOYING HABIT OF DIGGING DEEPER UNDERGROUND.
THE BOY YOU SWORE YOU’D NEVER LEAVE:
G!
THE ONE YOU KISSED ON NEW YEAR’S EVE:
LAST NEW YEAR’S EVE WAS THE GUY ISIS LOVES!
THE SWEETEST DREAM YOU HAD LAST NIGHT:
WAS SO REAL… I WISH IT COULD LAST FOREVER!
YOUR DARKEST HOUR:
REALIZING ONE FINE DAY THAT I WAS SINGLED OUT.
YOUR HARDEST FIGHT:
KEEPING MY SANITY INTACT EVEN WHEN I WAS GOING THRU HELL.
THE SADDEST SONG YOU EVER HEARD:
INSIDE OUT – BRYAN ADAMS, THE ONE I AM EXPERIMENTING NOW.
THE MOST YOU SAID WITH JUST ONE WORD:
MOMO!
THE LONELIEST PRAYER YOU EVER PRAYED:
PRAYING FOR A LIFE THAT WAS SLIPPING OUT AND I COULD DO NOTHING MORE. PRAYING FOR ALL THE ONES I’VE LOVED AND EVENTUALLY LOST.
THE TRUEST VOW YOU EVER MADE:
WHEN I SAID “I DO”. ..but almost broken now
WHAT MAKE YOU LAUGH:
ALL THE SILLY GOOF-UPS I MAKE, GUTU’S ANTICS, INNOCENT BLUNDERS, TOM & JERRY!
WHAT MAKE YOU CRY:
HONESTY, TRUTH, LOVE, BONDING, ATTACHMENT, EMOTONS…. AND PEELING ONIONS TOO!
WHAT MAKES YOU MAD:
DEADLINES, WHEN I AM BROKE, REJECTIONS, DENIAL, FAILURE.
WHAT GETS YOU BY:
EASY COME EASY GO! A LIFE WITH NO FIXED ADDRESS AND DESTINATION … FOR HE WHO DOESN’T ENJOY THE JOURNEY CAN NEVER REACH HIS DESTINATION!
YOUR HIGHEST HIGH:
47000 FEET ABOVE THE SEA LEVEL CHANTING OM MANI PADME HUM! AND YEAH! BEING ONE OF THE GOLD MEDALIST IN MY COMPANY IN THREE MONTHS!!! PHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWW!!!!
YOUR LOWEST LOW:
WHEN I THOUGHT I’D BE DEAD IN MY SLEEP AND NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW! I WAS GOING THROUGH A MAJOR DEPRESSION. I WAS PARANOID AND WAS ABSOLUTELY LONELY. I WAS A LIVING DEAD. I FELT THERE WAS NO REASONS FOR MY EXISTENCE. BUT THAT’S A LONG GONE EPISODE NOW, THANKS TO MY MENTOR SANGITA GOSWAMI, DID I THANK HER ENOUGH? I GUESS I DID!
THE BIGGEST LIE YOU EVER TOLD:
THE DEEPEST FEAR ’BOUT GROWIN OLD:
THE LONGEST NIGHT YOU EVER SPENT:
THE ANGRIEST LETTER YOU NEVER SENT:
THE BOY YOU SWORE YOU’D NEVER LEAVE:
THE ONE YOU KISSED ON NEW YEAR’S EVE:
THE SWEETEST DREAM YOU HAD LAST NIGHT:
YOUR DARKEST HOUR:
YOUR HARDEST FIGHT:
THE SADDEST SONG YOU EVER HEARD:
THE MOST YOU SAID WITH JUST ONE WORD:
THE LONELIEST PRAYER YOU EVER PRAYED:
THE TRUEST VOW YOU EVER MADE:
WHAT MAKE YOU LAUGH:
WHAT MAKE YOU CRY:
WHAT MAKES YOU MAD:
WHAT GETS YOU BY:
YOUR HIGHEST HIGH:
YOUR LOWEST LOW:
THESE ARE THE THINGS I WANNA KNOW…..
And so goes this song....
One of the best songs Bryan Adams has crooned. At least for me.
And this is just a small exercise to unplug me through his words, which are so simple yet meaningful.
Everyone can give it a try!
THE BIGGEST LIE YOU EVER TOLD:
I HATE POISON, BUT ACTUALLY SHE WAS MY STRENGTH.
THE DEEPEST FEAR ’BOUT GROWIN OLD:
THERE AIN’T NO FEAR ABOUT GETTING OLD… THE ONLY FEAR I HAVE – I DON’T WANNA BE MISS-UNDA-STOOD!
THE LONGEST NIGHT YOU EVER SPENT:
OUTSIDE THE ICU OF DOWN TOWN HOSP, SITTING ON THE STAIRS. A COLD JANUARY NIGHT. WAS COUNTING THE TICK…TICK…TICK..AS AITA WAS PUT UNDER VENTILLATION… WAS ABOUT QUARTER TO FOUR WHEN THE TICK…TICK..TICK STOPPED AND I KNEW I LOST HER FOREVER.
THE ANGRIEST LETTER YOU NEVER SENT:
I NEVER SENT THE LETTER TO NIKI. IT WANS’T A LETTER. WAS VENTING OUT MY ANGER, HATERED AND WRATH, BUT THE LUICKY BASTARD FOUND IT, COZ HIS HAS THIS NASTY AND ANNOYING HABIT OF DIGGING DEEPER UNDERGROUND.
THE BOY YOU SWORE YOU’D NEVER LEAVE:
G!
THE ONE YOU KISSED ON NEW YEAR’S EVE:
LAST NEW YEAR’S EVE WAS THE GUY ISIS LOVES!
THE SWEETEST DREAM YOU HAD LAST NIGHT:
WAS SO REAL… I WISH IT COULD LAST FOREVER!
YOUR DARKEST HOUR:
REALIZING ONE FINE DAY THAT I WAS SINGLED OUT.
YOUR HARDEST FIGHT:
KEEPING MY SANITY INTACT EVEN WHEN I WAS GOING THRU HELL.
THE SADDEST SONG YOU EVER HEARD:
INSIDE OUT – BRYAN ADAMS, THE ONE I AM EXPERIMENTING NOW.
THE MOST YOU SAID WITH JUST ONE WORD:
MOMO!
THE LONELIEST PRAYER YOU EVER PRAYED:
PRAYING FOR A LIFE THAT WAS SLIPPING OUT AND I COULD DO NOTHING MORE. PRAYING FOR ALL THE ONES I’VE LOVED AND EVENTUALLY LOST.
THE TRUEST VOW YOU EVER MADE:
WHEN I SAID “I DO”. ..but almost broken now
WHAT MAKE YOU LAUGH:
ALL THE SILLY GOOF-UPS I MAKE, GUTU’S ANTICS, INNOCENT BLUNDERS, TOM & JERRY!
WHAT MAKE YOU CRY:
HONESTY, TRUTH, LOVE, BONDING, ATTACHMENT, EMOTONS…. AND PEELING ONIONS TOO!
WHAT MAKES YOU MAD:
DEADLINES, WHEN I AM BROKE, REJECTIONS, DENIAL, FAILURE.
WHAT GETS YOU BY:
EASY COME EASY GO! A LIFE WITH NO FIXED ADDRESS AND DESTINATION … FOR HE WHO DOESN’T ENJOY THE JOURNEY CAN NEVER REACH HIS DESTINATION!
YOUR HIGHEST HIGH:
47000 FEET ABOVE THE SEA LEVEL CHANTING OM MANI PADME HUM! AND YEAH! BEING ONE OF THE GOLD MEDALIST IN MY COMPANY IN THREE MONTHS!!! PHHHHHEEEEEEEEEEEEEWWW!!!!
YOUR LOWEST LOW:
WHEN I THOUGHT I’D BE DEAD IN MY SLEEP AND NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW! I WAS GOING THROUGH A MAJOR DEPRESSION. I WAS PARANOID AND WAS ABSOLUTELY LONELY. I WAS A LIVING DEAD. I FELT THERE WAS NO REASONS FOR MY EXISTENCE. BUT THAT’S A LONG GONE EPISODE NOW, THANKS TO MY MENTOR SANGITA GOSWAMI, DID I THANK HER ENOUGH? I GUESS I DID!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
AIR BORNE!
I am not brand loyal to any of the airlines! I travel as per my convenience. It’s not about getting the best deals. It’s more about getting a better bargain in respect to my time and travel itinerary. I have a Jet Privilege & also applied for Cosmos in Sahara but those plastics don’t keep me glued to one airline only.
But secretly I always prefer Jet and close to it comes Sahara. Jet is a safe bet especially in winters because rarely they are cancelled. Jet is again a personal choice because Maini is always in the airport and she makes sure I get the PRIORITY! Be it tele-check in, front row seats & all the extra care she gives! Maini…. Well my cousin. So whenever I fill up the feedback forms I write her name as the best airport ground staff!
The Guwahati-Kolkata circuit sees a sumptuous meal. And if you think it’s the best kinda food you had on flight wait till you fly the Kolkata-Mumbai sector or the Mumbai-Delhi sector. It’s excellent! The salamis… sausages… the puddings…. Hhhmmmm! The Delhi-Guwahati sector also sees a delightful meal.
Sahara is again a great airlines to fly. But the only problem it has or maybe I’ve been twice unlucky… flights have a greater chance of getting delayed and cancelled. But like Maini I got Meren in Sahara to provide me with the PRIORITIES!
Sahara has good looking guys on board! Well I mean to say all the flight attendants are so damn handsome… and well even the dames are a pretty lot.
Food wise Sahara is also good… but honestly I detest the vada-sambar they serve! It’s too messy to eat – especially if you get to sit in between the aisle and window!
I always prefer front aisle seats. But slowly I’ve shifted to the window seats now. It’s only in rare occasions – either once or twice that I’ve found myself sandwiched either between desperate housewives or horny bastards!
If you were to ask me about my best flights, I’ve always enjoyed the GAU-DEL or the GAU-MUMBAI sector. The flights are long. Its 2 ½ hours to Delhi and its 3 ½ - 4 hours to Mumbai (keep in mind the Kolkata stopover). When the flights are short you don’t get time to relax – to unwind – to stretch your toes – and to meditate on OM MANI PADME HUM in between 31000 – 47000 feet above the sea level! But a flight that’s more than 2 hours you get time to do your own Goddamn thing!
And did I tell you about the GAU-IMPHAL sector? I didn’t?! Well… you see you can take an Indigo…Deccan or Jet to Imphal. And taking the Jet is the wisest thing you can do. Deccan I don’t believe in and Indigo – well I shall be flying it for the first time today evening at 19.30 hrs when I take the flight to Kolkata. It’s the convenience of time and Indigo seemed the best bet for a change.
Alright! Now coming to the Imphal sector, the flight takes exactly 31 minutes. 31 leaves me bemused and perplexed! Couldn’t they accelerate the speed and make it 30 …? I always wonder! Now in a flight of 31 minutes, what could the “light snacks” be? Don’t let your imagination paint pictures of food from Taj… don’t go by the brochures … the advertisements…. or catalogues!
All you will be handed will be two pieces of biscuits (either Thin Arrowroot… Marie) and a slice of cake! The very sight of it makes my hunger come to a total halt! Whenever Utpal (my boss) and I travel I pass it to him! Coz I know that the food served is not enough for him, nor would a second helping would be served and nor do I feel like choking my throat with that slice of cake and sleepy looking biscuits!
On my last trip to Impahl, I remember this incident very vividly!
A middle-aged gentleman got up from his seat and was walking towards the washroom, when an airhostess came rushing after him. He was stopped mid way and asked where he was heading. He said he wanted to use the washroom and to the absolute amazement to all the people like me (who were watching the whole scene not because we are peeping toms but because in a 31 minutes flight there’s nothing much or nothing better you can do) the airhostess casually said “Sir could you hold on for a while, as we shall land in a couple of minutes”!!!!!!!!!
Hold on … what????? !
But secretly I always prefer Jet and close to it comes Sahara. Jet is a safe bet especially in winters because rarely they are cancelled. Jet is again a personal choice because Maini is always in the airport and she makes sure I get the PRIORITY! Be it tele-check in, front row seats & all the extra care she gives! Maini…. Well my cousin. So whenever I fill up the feedback forms I write her name as the best airport ground staff!
The Guwahati-Kolkata circuit sees a sumptuous meal. And if you think it’s the best kinda food you had on flight wait till you fly the Kolkata-Mumbai sector or the Mumbai-Delhi sector. It’s excellent! The salamis… sausages… the puddings…. Hhhmmmm! The Delhi-Guwahati sector also sees a delightful meal.
Sahara is again a great airlines to fly. But the only problem it has or maybe I’ve been twice unlucky… flights have a greater chance of getting delayed and cancelled. But like Maini I got Meren in Sahara to provide me with the PRIORITIES!
Sahara has good looking guys on board! Well I mean to say all the flight attendants are so damn handsome… and well even the dames are a pretty lot.
Food wise Sahara is also good… but honestly I detest the vada-sambar they serve! It’s too messy to eat – especially if you get to sit in between the aisle and window!
I always prefer front aisle seats. But slowly I’ve shifted to the window seats now. It’s only in rare occasions – either once or twice that I’ve found myself sandwiched either between desperate housewives or horny bastards!
If you were to ask me about my best flights, I’ve always enjoyed the GAU-DEL or the GAU-MUMBAI sector. The flights are long. Its 2 ½ hours to Delhi and its 3 ½ - 4 hours to Mumbai (keep in mind the Kolkata stopover). When the flights are short you don’t get time to relax – to unwind – to stretch your toes – and to meditate on OM MANI PADME HUM in between 31000 – 47000 feet above the sea level! But a flight that’s more than 2 hours you get time to do your own Goddamn thing!
And did I tell you about the GAU-IMPHAL sector? I didn’t?! Well… you see you can take an Indigo…Deccan or Jet to Imphal. And taking the Jet is the wisest thing you can do. Deccan I don’t believe in and Indigo – well I shall be flying it for the first time today evening at 19.30 hrs when I take the flight to Kolkata. It’s the convenience of time and Indigo seemed the best bet for a change.
Alright! Now coming to the Imphal sector, the flight takes exactly 31 minutes. 31 leaves me bemused and perplexed! Couldn’t they accelerate the speed and make it 30 …? I always wonder! Now in a flight of 31 minutes, what could the “light snacks” be? Don’t let your imagination paint pictures of food from Taj… don’t go by the brochures … the advertisements…. or catalogues!
All you will be handed will be two pieces of biscuits (either Thin Arrowroot… Marie) and a slice of cake! The very sight of it makes my hunger come to a total halt! Whenever Utpal (my boss) and I travel I pass it to him! Coz I know that the food served is not enough for him, nor would a second helping would be served and nor do I feel like choking my throat with that slice of cake and sleepy looking biscuits!
On my last trip to Impahl, I remember this incident very vividly!
A middle-aged gentleman got up from his seat and was walking towards the washroom, when an airhostess came rushing after him. He was stopped mid way and asked where he was heading. He said he wanted to use the washroom and to the absolute amazement to all the people like me (who were watching the whole scene not because we are peeping toms but because in a 31 minutes flight there’s nothing much or nothing better you can do) the airhostess casually said “Sir could you hold on for a while, as we shall land in a couple of minutes”!!!!!!!!!
Hold on … what????? !
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Love & longings in Delhi
It all started when B called me one wintry evening just as I was returning back attending training. I was upset for I had to sacrifice one lazy Sunday on account of my work. All said and done B’s call came in like a breather in my otherwise unexciting journey. I was speaking to him after quite a while – we both term it as the “hibernation” period! He suggested that G & me join him in Delhi during the New Year’s. I wasn’t sure. I didn’t know whether I would get leave from my work and at the same time if things would work out smooth. I needed to discuss this with G and so I did when I got home. G said there was still ample of time left to decide for the New Year’s and I had a tedious routine for the next fortnight. So the Delhi trip remained a distant dream for the time being.
And in the mean time my work took me to Mumbai, Kohima, Imphal… well that’s my job you see, I travel & travel & travel and I don’t complain!
So finally it was decided that we would go to Delhi and join B for the New Year’s bash. In the mean time T, M & C with family had already reached.
This is not a travelogue. Its plain simple me & my feelings for these will remain as some of the best days of my otherwise mundane existence!
DAY 1 – THE TRAVEL:
I reached Delhi on the 27th of Dec at about 20.00 hrs. All the flights were delayed due to fog and zero visibility. Taking a cab as we zoomed out of the I.G.I. Airport I was on the streets of Delhi after six long years. The first thing I noticed were the kiosks at the arrival lounge, which remained unchanged. How many cups of coffee I drank there when I went to the airport everyday in one of my market research projects. The roads looked the same until we reached a crossing. I knew we had to go straight to reach Dhaula Kuan and then take the right turn to touch the Ring Road. But to my utter amazement it was flyovers everywhere! I was completely at loss of words. And all this while I thought I knew Delhi so well! We were camping in South Ex-I, opposite Def Col. and the moment we got down form the taxi I realized that I would be staying exactly opposite to the C block of Def Col which was my home when I was in Delhi then! I wanted to take G for a walk and show him around but the time was not proper. And we had almost a week to explore Delhi my style & my way!
As we unpacked I started calling up friends and everyone were surprised to know that “finally I had come to Delhi”. There is a story to this. Some of the closest friends I have are all based in Delhi and after I came back to Guwahati (for good?) they frequently kept calling me to join them. My answer was always “Yes” but things never materialized and soon they too ceased from calling me to Delhi! It was about 23.00 hrs and we were about to have dinner when I got a call from B. He was downstairs and wanted us to come down for some chitchat! Well the chitchat was more than that and we took a long drive to Mehrauli, then towards Okhla and back to Def. Col. By the time I went upstairs my food was still in the plate untouched and freezing cold. But I had lost my appetite. There was some kind of sheer excitement running all over me; I knew sleep would not be easy; I wanted to wake up in the broad day light and visit places which means a lot to me.
I had two priorities to visit Delhi. First I wanted to watch all the latest releases in PVR Saket and second all my meals would be Mc Donalds only! And that’s the routine I tried to follow strictly!
DAY 2 – BACK TO SQUARE ONE:
After relishing on a Maharaja Mac, it was time I showed G the 232C in Def Col, then K2 in South Ex II and also narrate the thousands and one incident that flashed across my mind all at the same time. B & the rest of the two (T & MB) were to meet us at Ansal Plaza. By the time those three got ready I took G & C to Father Agnel’s School where I did my Mass Comm. I simply got nostalgic; it reminded me of guys like Pooja, Mansi, Raghu… GOD where must they be. We reached Ansal’s and did helluva window shoppin till the guys arrived.…. I bought Notes of a Madman by Osho and did some reading basking under the sun while G & C got groovy with Mary-Jane! It took B & gang almost 2 hours to reach Khel Gaon. But then when you hang around with guys like B you must take things as they come and also leave them upto their own devices! Every one was in the mood to shop and that’s what they did. We went to Monastery.
We called it a day around 1.00 a.m. Late? But then who cares! Do I stick to my tight regime when I am holidaying and freaking out? Guess naah!
DAY 3 – SOME MORE FUN IN JANPATH & PVR
C & his wife are total shop-o-holics! I mean I could have never done so much of shopping like the way they did. I took them to Janpath and also to Central Market in Lajpat Nagar. While they were shopping memoirs kept hitting me – of the days spent – of the times that would never come back – both good & utterly disgusting!
I called up Dhyan and we decided to meet in PVR. Dhyan! Well! A friend I’m so close to but it was the first time we would meet! Sounds weird? But that’s what I am! A Weirdo! Sipped coffee at Barissta and exchanged all the latest and hot gossips! B joined us … maybe an hour later. We got planning what to do next but G & C wanted to call it early since they planned to visit Taj Mahal the next day. However we went on a drive and no matter how early we decided to make, we were dropped at Def.Col at around 1.00 a.m.!
DAY 4 – SOME DOWNERS & SOUL SEARCHING ON MY OWN
The first downer of the day came from me! I was feeling too lazy to get out of my bed in that cold and visit Agra! I made up hundred and one excuses. And above all I had visited the Taj once and I guess that’s enough!
I went to the British Council – took a walk on the Kasturba Gandhi Marg and then came back to my fav hang out zone – PVR Saket. I strolled along the sidewalks and bought the Buddha Lounge CD. The music still reverberates on my mind. By the time I was half way through my movie I got a trifled bored? B was on his way back from office since there wasn’t much work on the second last day of the year. He came to PVR and I left Audi 1 when the suspense had just begun! B I knew would love the Buddha Lounge and do I have to say more? He was like a kid in an absolute frenzy in a toy shop! No wonder I call him b-lounge!
With B around its always “Destination Nowhere”. He kept driving and I kept listening to Budda and at times it was Rahul Sharma & Laddakh mesmerizing us. We headed towards Noida and he showed me around Centrestage Mall. Window shopping is actually not me. So we came out in the freezing cold after munching on sandwiches and sipping hot coffee in Barissta. There was no agenda set and we headed straight to B’s den. Minutes before we reached Malviya Nagar, M woke up from his slumber and T was glued to some cricket match on the ESPN and rock & roll playing on the 10000W stereo! What a cacophony! I freshened up, had some juice and we went on a mission called “ARRANGING FOR 31ST” which sadly didn’t live to our expectations. We hanged around in the Def.Col Market. It was for the first time that M and me were actually talking and strangely we ended up realizing the fact that we have the commonest of friends.
G & C had reached Delhi from Agra by the time we went to Saket! This time M wanted to collect some Rizla papers. And consciously or unconsciously I was terribly missing a female company! Pri! Gosh! She was in Goa and would reach Delhi only on 31st. That was just a couple of hours, yet it seemed too long a wait.
As we caught up with G & C, I realized not going to Agra was perhaps one of the smartest and best decisions I had made! Their horrific tales left the rest of us amused!
DAY 5 – THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR & THE MOST WEIRD TOO!
The first thing I did as I woke up was call Pri. Well I was more than happy now. For I had a girlfriend to tag along with! Pri & me had to do a lot of catching up. We kept blabbering non-stop sipping Port Wine & Goan Sausages she brought from Goa. There wasn’t anything planned as yet for 31st and we ultimately decided we’d head-bang in B’s den while Pri would keep shifting parties – not to disappoint her other pals too! It was for the first time in the last 5 days that I applied makeup and took some time getting dressed. I wanted to look good! But plans had changed. We were heading towards Greater Noida to catch some friends there. This sudden shift made Pri stayed back with her bunch of pals and we headed towards Greater Noida.
The drive was a crazy one! Things started getting crazier and confusing when we crossed the express highway. The crossings were identical & so were the landmarks! We kept on moving in circles over and over again and by the time we reached the main gates of the Apartments the clock struck midnight and suddenly the sky went ablaze with sky shots! Phone started buzzing and wishes poured in from left, right and centre! Yet the 6 of us had not even arrived at the party venue… didn’t even disembark from the car!
We caught up with two more couples there and the party was not what I was expecting. I was looking for some solid rocking time with ear deafening music and an unlimited supply of all the stuff that made the senses more sensible! But here we were – in a cozy ambience – with a feeling of home coming and celebrating the New Year in a very mature way – relishing on home made khana (after the regular Mc Donald’s)… sipping beer! Quite out of the ordinary yet so relaxing and comforting.
We headed to Delhi post dinner. We were warned over and over again to go slow and that’s what we did. Infact there was no other way what-so-ever! Thick layers of fog enveloped us. The visibility was almost zero and B who was driving used the sidewalks as his navigation tool. Sometimes when we hit a crossing, G & T would get down walk a few steps and then guide the car…. We got lost… we drove in circles and we avoided ghastly accidents too!
Things were fine inspite of the strangest of situation we found ourselves in. its just another story that M & T got into an unpleasant brawl which left all of us bitter for some time. And G who was driving now did the only practical thing that was available. Once we were inside Delhi, we headed straight to Malviya Nagar and dropped T & M. we drove off to Def.Col as C was getting edgy and cranky too!! (overdose? Or the lack of it?!)
I looked at my watch at it was exactly 5.30 a.m.
DAY 6 - THE LAST DAY & THE PARTY STILL CONTINUES….
B made up his mind that he would not go home nor would let me or G go too! We headed to New Delhi Railway Station for cuppa tea! All the adventures left us fresh with no hangovers! We kept sipping teas listening to Laddakh & Buddha. G was left irritated coz B & I have a crazy music sense!
For us the party had not ended. We smoked, had tea and had more of both till we got bored in N.D.R.S. We headed towards Khan Market and it was all closed. Boy! It was only 7.00 a.m! I was getting the “Down Trip” syndrome. My system wanted some more caffeine and the nearest was I.N.A. we lounged at the I.N.A. till about 9.30 and then we went to Malviya Nagar once again. B & G has a particular shop from where they buy fags! Crazy! But then we actually are!
Nowhere else to go we went to B’s office and man! It was love at first sight for me! With the office I mean!
Pri I guess got frantic and she called me. I was on my way back to Pri’s and also packed breakfast, when actually the time was around 2.00 p.m! We hogged on the spring rolls once we reached Pri’s zone. Both B & G left and we got blabbering again till my eyes as well as mouth wanted to shut down for a while. By 8.30 p.m G & B came back again! For them the party was still on! We went out for dinner.
I don’t know how many times I have repeated this line, but with B around its always “Destination Nowhere”. This is something I missed to tell Pri. She went mad! She said she wasn’t amused! Nor we were! But we are like this only and she didn’t quite get the joke! Not her fault! Its us! Its us!!! Its us & our non-stop trips full throttle!!
We were back again in New Delhi Railway Station! And I guess we were lucky enough that we managed to find a decent place to eat!
DAY 7 – ADIEU I SAID & FOR UNKNOWN REASONS I WEPT!
I woke up to find Pri making breakfast. She had already warmed water for me. She is a darling I have and I love her so. As I got ready she handed me the cash I needed. For a moment I felt she was mothering me! And on second thoughts I knew I was getting plain emotional! She asked me to stay back. Said we could share her space and live together happy!
I came back with a heavy heart. I still had to pack my bags. G was ready and in the mean time Moonmoon was quite upset that I didn’t meet her! Well! Honest! Moon & me made plans – cancelled – made more plans and finally it didn’t work out!
I had less than two hours at my disposal before I go on board Rajdhani.
B drove us (G & me) to the station.
How I wish I could have stayed a few more days! But every good thing must come to an end and so was this vacation. The drives were fun. M & G took the driver’s seat while B or better me navigated! And how many times I’ve done silly goof ups! Those “u-turns” & the “merry go rounds”! Ohmigosh! B has a fetish for these “GOL CHAKKARS” which we termed as Merry go rounds!
I was already receiving official calls and I felt a bit disoriented. I knew it would take sometime for me to get back to my routine – to my daily life – to my job and back to the ground realities.
And in the mean time my work took me to Mumbai, Kohima, Imphal… well that’s my job you see, I travel & travel & travel and I don’t complain!
So finally it was decided that we would go to Delhi and join B for the New Year’s bash. In the mean time T, M & C with family had already reached.
This is not a travelogue. Its plain simple me & my feelings for these will remain as some of the best days of my otherwise mundane existence!
DAY 1 – THE TRAVEL:
I reached Delhi on the 27th of Dec at about 20.00 hrs. All the flights were delayed due to fog and zero visibility. Taking a cab as we zoomed out of the I.G.I. Airport I was on the streets of Delhi after six long years. The first thing I noticed were the kiosks at the arrival lounge, which remained unchanged. How many cups of coffee I drank there when I went to the airport everyday in one of my market research projects. The roads looked the same until we reached a crossing. I knew we had to go straight to reach Dhaula Kuan and then take the right turn to touch the Ring Road. But to my utter amazement it was flyovers everywhere! I was completely at loss of words. And all this while I thought I knew Delhi so well! We were camping in South Ex-I, opposite Def Col. and the moment we got down form the taxi I realized that I would be staying exactly opposite to the C block of Def Col which was my home when I was in Delhi then! I wanted to take G for a walk and show him around but the time was not proper. And we had almost a week to explore Delhi my style & my way!
As we unpacked I started calling up friends and everyone were surprised to know that “finally I had come to Delhi”. There is a story to this. Some of the closest friends I have are all based in Delhi and after I came back to Guwahati (for good?) they frequently kept calling me to join them. My answer was always “Yes” but things never materialized and soon they too ceased from calling me to Delhi! It was about 23.00 hrs and we were about to have dinner when I got a call from B. He was downstairs and wanted us to come down for some chitchat! Well the chitchat was more than that and we took a long drive to Mehrauli, then towards Okhla and back to Def. Col. By the time I went upstairs my food was still in the plate untouched and freezing cold. But I had lost my appetite. There was some kind of sheer excitement running all over me; I knew sleep would not be easy; I wanted to wake up in the broad day light and visit places which means a lot to me.
I had two priorities to visit Delhi. First I wanted to watch all the latest releases in PVR Saket and second all my meals would be Mc Donalds only! And that’s the routine I tried to follow strictly!
DAY 2 – BACK TO SQUARE ONE:
After relishing on a Maharaja Mac, it was time I showed G the 232C in Def Col, then K2 in South Ex II and also narrate the thousands and one incident that flashed across my mind all at the same time. B & the rest of the two (T & MB) were to meet us at Ansal Plaza. By the time those three got ready I took G & C to Father Agnel’s School where I did my Mass Comm. I simply got nostalgic; it reminded me of guys like Pooja, Mansi, Raghu… GOD where must they be. We reached Ansal’s and did helluva window shoppin till the guys arrived.…. I bought Notes of a Madman by Osho and did some reading basking under the sun while G & C got groovy with Mary-Jane! It took B & gang almost 2 hours to reach Khel Gaon. But then when you hang around with guys like B you must take things as they come and also leave them upto their own devices! Every one was in the mood to shop and that’s what they did. We went to Monastery.
We called it a day around 1.00 a.m. Late? But then who cares! Do I stick to my tight regime when I am holidaying and freaking out? Guess naah!
DAY 3 – SOME MORE FUN IN JANPATH & PVR
C & his wife are total shop-o-holics! I mean I could have never done so much of shopping like the way they did. I took them to Janpath and also to Central Market in Lajpat Nagar. While they were shopping memoirs kept hitting me – of the days spent – of the times that would never come back – both good & utterly disgusting!
I called up Dhyan and we decided to meet in PVR. Dhyan! Well! A friend I’m so close to but it was the first time we would meet! Sounds weird? But that’s what I am! A Weirdo! Sipped coffee at Barissta and exchanged all the latest and hot gossips! B joined us … maybe an hour later. We got planning what to do next but G & C wanted to call it early since they planned to visit Taj Mahal the next day. However we went on a drive and no matter how early we decided to make, we were dropped at Def.Col at around 1.00 a.m.!
DAY 4 – SOME DOWNERS & SOUL SEARCHING ON MY OWN
The first downer of the day came from me! I was feeling too lazy to get out of my bed in that cold and visit Agra! I made up hundred and one excuses. And above all I had visited the Taj once and I guess that’s enough!
I went to the British Council – took a walk on the Kasturba Gandhi Marg and then came back to my fav hang out zone – PVR Saket. I strolled along the sidewalks and bought the Buddha Lounge CD. The music still reverberates on my mind. By the time I was half way through my movie I got a trifled bored? B was on his way back from office since there wasn’t much work on the second last day of the year. He came to PVR and I left Audi 1 when the suspense had just begun! B I knew would love the Buddha Lounge and do I have to say more? He was like a kid in an absolute frenzy in a toy shop! No wonder I call him b-lounge!
With B around its always “Destination Nowhere”. He kept driving and I kept listening to Budda and at times it was Rahul Sharma & Laddakh mesmerizing us. We headed towards Noida and he showed me around Centrestage Mall. Window shopping is actually not me. So we came out in the freezing cold after munching on sandwiches and sipping hot coffee in Barissta. There was no agenda set and we headed straight to B’s den. Minutes before we reached Malviya Nagar, M woke up from his slumber and T was glued to some cricket match on the ESPN and rock & roll playing on the 10000W stereo! What a cacophony! I freshened up, had some juice and we went on a mission called “ARRANGING FOR 31ST” which sadly didn’t live to our expectations. We hanged around in the Def.Col Market. It was for the first time that M and me were actually talking and strangely we ended up realizing the fact that we have the commonest of friends.
G & C had reached Delhi from Agra by the time we went to Saket! This time M wanted to collect some Rizla papers. And consciously or unconsciously I was terribly missing a female company! Pri! Gosh! She was in Goa and would reach Delhi only on 31st. That was just a couple of hours, yet it seemed too long a wait.
As we caught up with G & C, I realized not going to Agra was perhaps one of the smartest and best decisions I had made! Their horrific tales left the rest of us amused!
DAY 5 – THE LAST DAY OF THE YEAR & THE MOST WEIRD TOO!
The first thing I did as I woke up was call Pri. Well I was more than happy now. For I had a girlfriend to tag along with! Pri & me had to do a lot of catching up. We kept blabbering non-stop sipping Port Wine & Goan Sausages she brought from Goa. There wasn’t anything planned as yet for 31st and we ultimately decided we’d head-bang in B’s den while Pri would keep shifting parties – not to disappoint her other pals too! It was for the first time in the last 5 days that I applied makeup and took some time getting dressed. I wanted to look good! But plans had changed. We were heading towards Greater Noida to catch some friends there. This sudden shift made Pri stayed back with her bunch of pals and we headed towards Greater Noida.
The drive was a crazy one! Things started getting crazier and confusing when we crossed the express highway. The crossings were identical & so were the landmarks! We kept on moving in circles over and over again and by the time we reached the main gates of the Apartments the clock struck midnight and suddenly the sky went ablaze with sky shots! Phone started buzzing and wishes poured in from left, right and centre! Yet the 6 of us had not even arrived at the party venue… didn’t even disembark from the car!
We caught up with two more couples there and the party was not what I was expecting. I was looking for some solid rocking time with ear deafening music and an unlimited supply of all the stuff that made the senses more sensible! But here we were – in a cozy ambience – with a feeling of home coming and celebrating the New Year in a very mature way – relishing on home made khana (after the regular Mc Donald’s)… sipping beer! Quite out of the ordinary yet so relaxing and comforting.
We headed to Delhi post dinner. We were warned over and over again to go slow and that’s what we did. Infact there was no other way what-so-ever! Thick layers of fog enveloped us. The visibility was almost zero and B who was driving used the sidewalks as his navigation tool. Sometimes when we hit a crossing, G & T would get down walk a few steps and then guide the car…. We got lost… we drove in circles and we avoided ghastly accidents too!
Things were fine inspite of the strangest of situation we found ourselves in. its just another story that M & T got into an unpleasant brawl which left all of us bitter for some time. And G who was driving now did the only practical thing that was available. Once we were inside Delhi, we headed straight to Malviya Nagar and dropped T & M. we drove off to Def.Col as C was getting edgy and cranky too!! (overdose? Or the lack of it?!)
I looked at my watch at it was exactly 5.30 a.m.
DAY 6 - THE LAST DAY & THE PARTY STILL CONTINUES….
B made up his mind that he would not go home nor would let me or G go too! We headed to New Delhi Railway Station for cuppa tea! All the adventures left us fresh with no hangovers! We kept sipping teas listening to Laddakh & Buddha. G was left irritated coz B & I have a crazy music sense!
For us the party had not ended. We smoked, had tea and had more of both till we got bored in N.D.R.S. We headed towards Khan Market and it was all closed. Boy! It was only 7.00 a.m! I was getting the “Down Trip” syndrome. My system wanted some more caffeine and the nearest was I.N.A. we lounged at the I.N.A. till about 9.30 and then we went to Malviya Nagar once again. B & G has a particular shop from where they buy fags! Crazy! But then we actually are!
Nowhere else to go we went to B’s office and man! It was love at first sight for me! With the office I mean!
Pri I guess got frantic and she called me. I was on my way back to Pri’s and also packed breakfast, when actually the time was around 2.00 p.m! We hogged on the spring rolls once we reached Pri’s zone. Both B & G left and we got blabbering again till my eyes as well as mouth wanted to shut down for a while. By 8.30 p.m G & B came back again! For them the party was still on! We went out for dinner.
I don’t know how many times I have repeated this line, but with B around its always “Destination Nowhere”. This is something I missed to tell Pri. She went mad! She said she wasn’t amused! Nor we were! But we are like this only and she didn’t quite get the joke! Not her fault! Its us! Its us!!! Its us & our non-stop trips full throttle!!
We were back again in New Delhi Railway Station! And I guess we were lucky enough that we managed to find a decent place to eat!
DAY 7 – ADIEU I SAID & FOR UNKNOWN REASONS I WEPT!
I woke up to find Pri making breakfast. She had already warmed water for me. She is a darling I have and I love her so. As I got ready she handed me the cash I needed. For a moment I felt she was mothering me! And on second thoughts I knew I was getting plain emotional! She asked me to stay back. Said we could share her space and live together happy!
I came back with a heavy heart. I still had to pack my bags. G was ready and in the mean time Moonmoon was quite upset that I didn’t meet her! Well! Honest! Moon & me made plans – cancelled – made more plans and finally it didn’t work out!
I had less than two hours at my disposal before I go on board Rajdhani.
B drove us (G & me) to the station.
How I wish I could have stayed a few more days! But every good thing must come to an end and so was this vacation. The drives were fun. M & G took the driver’s seat while B or better me navigated! And how many times I’ve done silly goof ups! Those “u-turns” & the “merry go rounds”! Ohmigosh! B has a fetish for these “GOL CHAKKARS” which we termed as Merry go rounds!
I was already receiving official calls and I felt a bit disoriented. I knew it would take sometime for me to get back to my routine – to my daily life – to my job and back to the ground realities.
Monday, December 18, 2006
The count down for the new year's has already begun. Friends & folks have already chalked out elaborate plans about New Year's Eve. Ask me that and hopnestly I haven't really thought about it as yet. I just dont know what I want to - I am in a state of confusion - should I say Bye-Bye to a year which has been a heady coktail of adventure, mishaps, fun and rewards or do I welcome yet another set of another 12 months or 52 weeks or 365&1/4th day with a lousy hangover?!
I've been on the move since 8th of Dec.
One day I was conducting the leadership meet in the Brahmaputra Jungle Resort & a few hours later I find myself waking up in a 5 star hotel in Mumbai... and just when I got used to the late nights like a typical Mumbai-ite (not to forget the lingo too!).... I found myself in yet another palce where the town shuts down by four in the evening! I was in Kohima!!!
I took out my dairy and looked at the Indian Map and within twenty four hours I was from the west coast to the north easten side of the country! Wheras Mumbai I slept with the AC on ; Kohima was too cold to be bear!!!!
Even now the phone buzzed - "New Year Eve Plans Ki??"
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooossssssssssssssssssssssssh!!!!!!!!
All I wanna do is sleep in my own damn room!
For God's sake don't ask me out on a date!
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
My itchy lettle feet!
The best part about my job is that it lets me go to places, which I would have never even remotely thought about traveling otherwise. These travels have been either an hour’s drive from my domicile or at other times have been one unending and meandering expedition. Whatever be the roads like or whatever be season, one thing which has left me perplexed is that every place has it own beauty – it’s just another matter that people don’t observe or realize.
Travels have been ample. Some have been adventurous, some dull; and some left me gripping and mad. In three months I have traveled more than I had in the thirty years of my existence! They say business and pleasure do not mix. And sure it doesn’t. But then to look the other way round if I keep my work just to work and try to enjoy the rest of whatever little time I get; it sure becomes a travel so much like me – a freebee… a soul with itchy feet!
Kolkata was one classic example of a roller- coaster ride.
My boss called me one morning and asked me to get my bags packed and check with our travel agent for the earliest possible flight. Within the next twenty-four hours I was airborne. We touched down exactly forty-five minutes later and I was in Kolkata after nearly a decade. As I passed the streets everything had changed. The picture of Kolkata I had in my mind was certainly not the one I was seeing. Well off course for one factor that remains constant – the traffic snarls – that is perhaps one antagonizing phase of this colossal metro.
The driver took a long time to locate the 9 Shakespeare Sarani. As we waited in one long jam the driver popped out his head and asked a passer by in the local dialect where exactly was the 9 Shakespeare Sarani. The passer by looked at me and asked “Aap ko Brook House jana hai?” (Do you want to go to Brook House?) & I affirmed. He explained the driver something. The driver nodded his head and looked at me and said, “Madam, aap ne pehle kyun nahin kaha aapko Hindustan Lever office jana hia”?! (Madam why didn’t you tell me before that you want to go to the Hindustan Lever office?)
I felt like an idiot for reasons I may perhaps never comprehend! But nevertheless!
I reached 9 Shakespeare Sarani and almost immediately I was in the most posh, stylish & sleek office. This is the second office I’ve even seen so very chic. One was the Hughes office in New Delhi. I went there when I was doing my apprenticeship during my mass communication days – a story I will tell some other rainy day! The whole day went by and I didn’t even realize that it was time to call it a day. I was to stay in Camac Street; the hotel booked by the travel desk guys of the Kolkata office. It’s just a five-minute walk from the office. I reached the hotel and was dog-tired. My limbs I knew wanted to relax. I was not here to relax and I had only fifteen minutes in hand to freshen up and get going for the mega programme. Minto Park is again a ten-minute walk from my hotel and I trotted down the aisle rapidly. The awards function was a long one and I excused myself by nine. Ma’am (my boss) understood that I need to unwind and she let me go with a reminder that I should be back at 9 Shakespeare Sarani sharp ten the next day.
The next day I woke up and found a slight drizzle. I had not carried an umbrella. I waited in the lobby of my hotel for a few minutes but there was no respite and the minutes were passing by. I thought of taking a cab but that would not settle my state of affairs as the entire passage is a one-way route and the five-minute would become a nerve wrecking half an hour! So I decided to walk down no matter if I got faintly drenched.
By the time I walked out of office the drizzle was a downpour now. I wanted to rush back to the hotel but the aroma of the kebabs and rolls lured me to stop by in of the take away counters. I looked at the menu and ordered one double egg, chicken and cheese roll. This was sure indulgence but then this is again something I am up-to everyday.
I was soaking wet by the time I arrived the hotel. I asked the receptionist to get the bills ready, as I would be out of the place early next day. I waited for an hour or so but the bills did not arrive. I called up the reception and I was informed that I could settle it the next morning before leaving. No! I insisted that I settle my accounts now, as I don’t like last minute snags. But I was moderately pacified that I could settle the bills the next day.
I woke up much before the bellboy came (he had assured that he would give me a wake-up call at six thirty) to knock my door with the bed tea. I asked him to get my bills while in the mean time I freshened up and got ready. The bills came and I handed out my credit card.
The adventure began from here!
Well let me take back to that day again when my Boss called and asked me to fly to Kolkat. I was dead broke, my bank account showed meager 1500/- cash! I had no time to ponder about by finances. I had to travel. The tickets were no issue as they were booked on credit; I did a wise thing by calling the hotel where I was to stay and confirmed the fact that the hotel accepted credit card. So this made the 1500/- cash quite a big amount.
As I handed the credit card, the bellboy said that they would not accept credit card and I need to pay cash. My irritation, which otherwise remains passive amplified! I took the credit card and hurried towards the elevator. I wanted to speak to the manager. The elevator was out of order. I walked down three floors and as I reached the last ten stairs I was horrified to see the entire reception counter submerged! The water went knee deep and the people on the ground floor rooms had been shifted elsewhere. There was no electricity either. I had to report at the airport by 9.00 a.m and it was past seven thirty now. The nearest ATM was in Minto Park but there the water reached up till the waist. I was advised not to go. Time was running out and I decided to cancel my flight. That was the only thing I could do lest I miss my flight and burn some cash for not canceling the tickets too. But then how do I call! My mobile was not working; there was no electricity; the telephones went dead and I could not move out either. The bellboy I guess could feel the dilemma I was in and he handed me his cell phone. He said he would charge five bucks per call – outgoing or incoming and I agreed blindly to this deal! Besides the rickety cell phone with the most astounding ring tones I ever heard there was no other way I could communicate. I called home; boss (well in this order only) and airlines office to cancel my flight. And in the mean time the corridor on the first floor was turned into a reception counter. The printer was not squealing; rather every work was being done manually. Many got stranded. Some acted smart and checked out but they could never make it to the station or the airport and when they came back even the rooms were occupied! The plight of everyone was dismal. Good that I had not checked out. I knew I had the room to spend the night; yet I was tensed, as I didn’t know how to make my payments in cash! The dilemma still persisted. I went back to my room and I actually I had done a good thing by saving a bucket of water! I don’t know why I did! But I knew this is the only bucket of water I had to use for the next twenty-four hours! Someone knocked my door and it was just another bellboy who came to take order for lunch. Well! Since the kitchen was almost under water the lunch was the basic rice, dal and veggies. I tried to get some sleep but nothing could make my eyes or my mind rest. I went back to the first floor; peeped through the window. The level of water had not gone down nor the rains stopped. The Manager did not seem busy and we started chatting. In the due course I told the manger that in no way I could make cash payment until and unless I swam to the ATM counter at Minto Park! The manager devised one option and since there was nothing else I could do I agreed to his suggestion. He said that if I trusted him with my credit card he could swipe it elsewhere on his way back home and return it to me the next morning. Well! I know it’s not healthy to trust strangers you started speaking just ten minutes ago with your credit card but then what the heck!
I went back to my room, got my card and handed it to the Manager. It was late evening and almost everyone had gathered in the corridor and it seemed like we were one excursion team! Candles were lit everywhere. Every room was sanctioned two candles but I smuggled four. I cannot sleep when the room is pitch dark; I hoped the four would last me as long as I didn’t fell fast asleep. Dinner was no better. And I made it early to bed for I expected the worse for the next morning.
The next morning the knock on my door was my wake up call. I opened the door and saw one of the bellboys (who had given me his cell phone) with tea and my credit card and the settled bills. Suddenly everything seemed to fall in places. The rains hadn’t stopped, but the level of water had subsided. I knew I had to walk on the mud-spattered and grimy water hence taking a shower was out of question. Still in my shorts and tee and slippers I swaggered towards the main road and I negotiated with a cab driver to go to the airport. The driver asked me what time the flight was and I replied I didn’t have a ticket! I picked my bags and hopped in the cab. It took me around forty-five minutes to reach the airport. I checked the entire airline counters and booked the earliest flight back to Guwahati. As I handed my credit card I prayed and hope in the back of my mind nothing would go wrong and boy! It didn’t! I walked in though the security, checked in and as I looked at my watch I still had an hour at my disposal. I ordered for a cup of coffee and as I was waiting I for the coffee to arrive I realized that I was still tee/shorts & sandals clad! My baggage had already been checked; marked and sealed and there was nothing I could do but board the flight without trying to look too conscious!
As I took my seat and looked up The Telegraph it read that Kolkata witnessed heaviest downpour since 1971! I didn’t really want to read that news. I was trapped for twenty-four hours in hotel with my life thrown out of gear.
As the airplane ascended I reclined and closed my eyes and got calculating about my next training session scheduled to be in Nagaland within the next two days….
Travels have been ample. Some have been adventurous, some dull; and some left me gripping and mad. In three months I have traveled more than I had in the thirty years of my existence! They say business and pleasure do not mix. And sure it doesn’t. But then to look the other way round if I keep my work just to work and try to enjoy the rest of whatever little time I get; it sure becomes a travel so much like me – a freebee… a soul with itchy feet!
Kolkata was one classic example of a roller- coaster ride.
My boss called me one morning and asked me to get my bags packed and check with our travel agent for the earliest possible flight. Within the next twenty-four hours I was airborne. We touched down exactly forty-five minutes later and I was in Kolkata after nearly a decade. As I passed the streets everything had changed. The picture of Kolkata I had in my mind was certainly not the one I was seeing. Well off course for one factor that remains constant – the traffic snarls – that is perhaps one antagonizing phase of this colossal metro.
The driver took a long time to locate the 9 Shakespeare Sarani. As we waited in one long jam the driver popped out his head and asked a passer by in the local dialect where exactly was the 9 Shakespeare Sarani. The passer by looked at me and asked “Aap ko Brook House jana hai?” (Do you want to go to Brook House?) & I affirmed. He explained the driver something. The driver nodded his head and looked at me and said, “Madam, aap ne pehle kyun nahin kaha aapko Hindustan Lever office jana hia”?! (Madam why didn’t you tell me before that you want to go to the Hindustan Lever office?)
I felt like an idiot for reasons I may perhaps never comprehend! But nevertheless!
I reached 9 Shakespeare Sarani and almost immediately I was in the most posh, stylish & sleek office. This is the second office I’ve even seen so very chic. One was the Hughes office in New Delhi. I went there when I was doing my apprenticeship during my mass communication days – a story I will tell some other rainy day! The whole day went by and I didn’t even realize that it was time to call it a day. I was to stay in Camac Street; the hotel booked by the travel desk guys of the Kolkata office. It’s just a five-minute walk from the office. I reached the hotel and was dog-tired. My limbs I knew wanted to relax. I was not here to relax and I had only fifteen minutes in hand to freshen up and get going for the mega programme. Minto Park is again a ten-minute walk from my hotel and I trotted down the aisle rapidly. The awards function was a long one and I excused myself by nine. Ma’am (my boss) understood that I need to unwind and she let me go with a reminder that I should be back at 9 Shakespeare Sarani sharp ten the next day.
The next day I woke up and found a slight drizzle. I had not carried an umbrella. I waited in the lobby of my hotel for a few minutes but there was no respite and the minutes were passing by. I thought of taking a cab but that would not settle my state of affairs as the entire passage is a one-way route and the five-minute would become a nerve wrecking half an hour! So I decided to walk down no matter if I got faintly drenched.
By the time I walked out of office the drizzle was a downpour now. I wanted to rush back to the hotel but the aroma of the kebabs and rolls lured me to stop by in of the take away counters. I looked at the menu and ordered one double egg, chicken and cheese roll. This was sure indulgence but then this is again something I am up-to everyday.
I was soaking wet by the time I arrived the hotel. I asked the receptionist to get the bills ready, as I would be out of the place early next day. I waited for an hour or so but the bills did not arrive. I called up the reception and I was informed that I could settle it the next morning before leaving. No! I insisted that I settle my accounts now, as I don’t like last minute snags. But I was moderately pacified that I could settle the bills the next day.
I woke up much before the bellboy came (he had assured that he would give me a wake-up call at six thirty) to knock my door with the bed tea. I asked him to get my bills while in the mean time I freshened up and got ready. The bills came and I handed out my credit card.
The adventure began from here!
Well let me take back to that day again when my Boss called and asked me to fly to Kolkat. I was dead broke, my bank account showed meager 1500/- cash! I had no time to ponder about by finances. I had to travel. The tickets were no issue as they were booked on credit; I did a wise thing by calling the hotel where I was to stay and confirmed the fact that the hotel accepted credit card. So this made the 1500/- cash quite a big amount.
As I handed the credit card, the bellboy said that they would not accept credit card and I need to pay cash. My irritation, which otherwise remains passive amplified! I took the credit card and hurried towards the elevator. I wanted to speak to the manager. The elevator was out of order. I walked down three floors and as I reached the last ten stairs I was horrified to see the entire reception counter submerged! The water went knee deep and the people on the ground floor rooms had been shifted elsewhere. There was no electricity either. I had to report at the airport by 9.00 a.m and it was past seven thirty now. The nearest ATM was in Minto Park but there the water reached up till the waist. I was advised not to go. Time was running out and I decided to cancel my flight. That was the only thing I could do lest I miss my flight and burn some cash for not canceling the tickets too. But then how do I call! My mobile was not working; there was no electricity; the telephones went dead and I could not move out either. The bellboy I guess could feel the dilemma I was in and he handed me his cell phone. He said he would charge five bucks per call – outgoing or incoming and I agreed blindly to this deal! Besides the rickety cell phone with the most astounding ring tones I ever heard there was no other way I could communicate. I called home; boss (well in this order only) and airlines office to cancel my flight. And in the mean time the corridor on the first floor was turned into a reception counter. The printer was not squealing; rather every work was being done manually. Many got stranded. Some acted smart and checked out but they could never make it to the station or the airport and when they came back even the rooms were occupied! The plight of everyone was dismal. Good that I had not checked out. I knew I had the room to spend the night; yet I was tensed, as I didn’t know how to make my payments in cash! The dilemma still persisted. I went back to my room and I actually I had done a good thing by saving a bucket of water! I don’t know why I did! But I knew this is the only bucket of water I had to use for the next twenty-four hours! Someone knocked my door and it was just another bellboy who came to take order for lunch. Well! Since the kitchen was almost under water the lunch was the basic rice, dal and veggies. I tried to get some sleep but nothing could make my eyes or my mind rest. I went back to the first floor; peeped through the window. The level of water had not gone down nor the rains stopped. The Manager did not seem busy and we started chatting. In the due course I told the manger that in no way I could make cash payment until and unless I swam to the ATM counter at Minto Park! The manager devised one option and since there was nothing else I could do I agreed to his suggestion. He said that if I trusted him with my credit card he could swipe it elsewhere on his way back home and return it to me the next morning. Well! I know it’s not healthy to trust strangers you started speaking just ten minutes ago with your credit card but then what the heck!
I went back to my room, got my card and handed it to the Manager. It was late evening and almost everyone had gathered in the corridor and it seemed like we were one excursion team! Candles were lit everywhere. Every room was sanctioned two candles but I smuggled four. I cannot sleep when the room is pitch dark; I hoped the four would last me as long as I didn’t fell fast asleep. Dinner was no better. And I made it early to bed for I expected the worse for the next morning.
The next morning the knock on my door was my wake up call. I opened the door and saw one of the bellboys (who had given me his cell phone) with tea and my credit card and the settled bills. Suddenly everything seemed to fall in places. The rains hadn’t stopped, but the level of water had subsided. I knew I had to walk on the mud-spattered and grimy water hence taking a shower was out of question. Still in my shorts and tee and slippers I swaggered towards the main road and I negotiated with a cab driver to go to the airport. The driver asked me what time the flight was and I replied I didn’t have a ticket! I picked my bags and hopped in the cab. It took me around forty-five minutes to reach the airport. I checked the entire airline counters and booked the earliest flight back to Guwahati. As I handed my credit card I prayed and hope in the back of my mind nothing would go wrong and boy! It didn’t! I walked in though the security, checked in and as I looked at my watch I still had an hour at my disposal. I ordered for a cup of coffee and as I was waiting I for the coffee to arrive I realized that I was still tee/shorts & sandals clad! My baggage had already been checked; marked and sealed and there was nothing I could do but board the flight without trying to look too conscious!
As I took my seat and looked up The Telegraph it read that Kolkata witnessed heaviest downpour since 1971! I didn’t really want to read that news. I was trapped for twenty-four hours in hotel with my life thrown out of gear.
As the airplane ascended I reclined and closed my eyes and got calculating about my next training session scheduled to be in Nagaland within the next two days….
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
The Great Indian Snack!
I am not a foodie at all. Rather I am not a good eater. There are many things I don’t eat or I don’t like than the ones I love to gorge! I don’t live to eat but I eat to live.
The morning rush leaves me with little time to prepare breakfast. The practical readers may suggest that I wake up an hour or half early to prepare breakfast, but waking up early is the toughest in my agenda. I don’t even remember waking up early during the most painstaking examinations (read – science & math & oxomiya!...thanx heavens I didn’t flunk…well that’s altogether a different story & one more reason to blog!)
So preparing the dinner is upto me. I decide what should be eaten for dinner. But almost 90% of the times I am between the devil & the deep sea. I end up asking Nirav the menu & that’s how it goes.
The usual gourmet leaves me disillusioned. But talk about JUNK food!!! And there where my loyalties are!
I can never get tired of the sweet & sour, hot & tangy chutneys served with the samosas! The hotter the better. Infact I’ve been such a brand loyal to this great Indian snack that I’ve got some specific outlets from where I have it. I’ve experimented enough with it & now I know what my taste-buds desires & what are my gastronome delights!
Keeping in mind all the ill effects the samosa has on one’s health, it could never make me pay heed to those! How much Aita would tell me to opt for something more “healthier” , Be it the ones from Guwahati Dairy, or from Dilli Mistan or from Bengali Sweets & Nathu’s…. well, they are just finger licking yummy! The very smell of the deep fried samosa would make me pine for just one bite!
There has been times and instances when this very great Indian snack has left me petrified. It’s because of this very samosa that I’ve had two assaults of food poisoning! The first time I was down ill, I promised myself that I’d never touch the “Wretched” snack again! How angry I had been. But with the antibiotics doing the magic and me getting back in shape, there I was in one of my favourite outlet ready to toss down yet one more! As I was about to gulp I saw Boon standing at the Pan shop and looking at me snidely. He couldn’t imagine even in wildest of his nightmares that after such a ghastly experience I’d get back to where I left!
The second attack was no better! The routine followed – only the time was different. And this time when Boon got the news that I was bed ridden he didn’t even wish me “A QUICK RECOVERY….!!!”
Well that’s been a pretty long time now. Six months, maybe. I don’t like to recall dates that are not pleasant.
But though my devotion still remains with the samosa I’ve not had one for a long time now. I have not done it consciously. Or maybe it’s kinda Passé now. I am not sure about it. Let me try one. Let me see if I get the same feelings and also let me be sure that I am not attacked by another bout of food poisoning again!
But all said & done my loyalties ceases to dither & wither!
The morning rush leaves me with little time to prepare breakfast. The practical readers may suggest that I wake up an hour or half early to prepare breakfast, but waking up early is the toughest in my agenda. I don’t even remember waking up early during the most painstaking examinations (read – science & math & oxomiya!...thanx heavens I didn’t flunk…well that’s altogether a different story & one more reason to blog!)
So preparing the dinner is upto me. I decide what should be eaten for dinner. But almost 90% of the times I am between the devil & the deep sea. I end up asking Nirav the menu & that’s how it goes.
The usual gourmet leaves me disillusioned. But talk about JUNK food!!! And there where my loyalties are!
I can never get tired of the sweet & sour, hot & tangy chutneys served with the samosas! The hotter the better. Infact I’ve been such a brand loyal to this great Indian snack that I’ve got some specific outlets from where I have it. I’ve experimented enough with it & now I know what my taste-buds desires & what are my gastronome delights!
Keeping in mind all the ill effects the samosa has on one’s health, it could never make me pay heed to those! How much Aita would tell me to opt for something more “healthier” , Be it the ones from Guwahati Dairy, or from Dilli Mistan or from Bengali Sweets & Nathu’s…. well, they are just finger licking yummy! The very smell of the deep fried samosa would make me pine for just one bite!
There has been times and instances when this very great Indian snack has left me petrified. It’s because of this very samosa that I’ve had two assaults of food poisoning! The first time I was down ill, I promised myself that I’d never touch the “Wretched” snack again! How angry I had been. But with the antibiotics doing the magic and me getting back in shape, there I was in one of my favourite outlet ready to toss down yet one more! As I was about to gulp I saw Boon standing at the Pan shop and looking at me snidely. He couldn’t imagine even in wildest of his nightmares that after such a ghastly experience I’d get back to where I left!
The second attack was no better! The routine followed – only the time was different. And this time when Boon got the news that I was bed ridden he didn’t even wish me “A QUICK RECOVERY….!!!”
Well that’s been a pretty long time now. Six months, maybe. I don’t like to recall dates that are not pleasant.
But though my devotion still remains with the samosa I’ve not had one for a long time now. I have not done it consciously. Or maybe it’s kinda Passé now. I am not sure about it. Let me try one. Let me see if I get the same feelings and also let me be sure that I am not attacked by another bout of food poisoning again!
But all said & done my loyalties ceases to dither & wither!
The Deepest Fear That's Getting Old!
Finally I realized what it takes to be in an MNC!
Well I was just a usual professional in a Tea Company. I knew my job so well that it was kinda monotony. The adrenaline failed to give me the rush and I guess I was getting to comfy with my space and my ass being glued to my seat!
One thing led to other and one fine day I find myself being called for an interview in one of the world's biggest MNCs! Whhhoaaaa! Sounds too good to be true right? But then it took three rounds of interviews - both personal and telephonic to get me thru! That was quite an ordeal... not that I depised it... but it surely was nerve wrecking!
The biggest fear - stage fright! I dread the very thought of standing up and speaking to an audience.... but the fright waned bit by bit when I was teaching business communication & English in an MBA school .... then came the time when I was asked by the Dean & also the Directors of the Institute to anchor their seminars and orientation programmes...
Somehow I completely forgot about my deepest fear "STAGE FRIGHT"!
And now when I will be working day in and day out in this new company I shall be doing rounds and rounds of talking to an audience and making presentations! And the FEAR is not about giving presentations in front of a large audience here.. but its something else - I cannot let UB down! UB- don't know how he "hand picked" me to join his team and work.. so I cannot let UB down! And to make sure I don't let him down I will give all that it takes to be deligent in my new job.
So what goes around comes around! This might not make sense here but then again - I shall be doing something which would make me have complete blackouts as a kid!
And the best part is I shall get to travel a lot... travelling - now that's like a paid holiday throughout my working hours!.... and well the icing on the cake - well I'll get to use some of the most reknown products for my hair... skin.... and also fragrances!
Now that things are stream-lining ... I guess I should get back to my blogging again!
Monday, August 07, 2006
Not a nightmare
Some dreams are so real it seems scary. Scary because I relate to it.
I see dead people in my dreams. I see them always. Sometimes I am with them and sometimes I am watching them from a distance.
The scariest of them was when I came home the day Poison passed away.
Tales of Poison is again a different story. But for now let me begin where Poison’s life ends.
Poison’s death was unexpected and I was utterly shocked. The whole world froze. My reaction was nothing. I could not express anything. I went to pay my last respects. I was accompanied with a few friends.
Suddenly I was tired. I felt alone all of a sudden. The whole world seemed hostile. I felt there was no one left to call “family. Nevertheless! What’s done cannot be undone.
I stayed there till the body was carried away for the last rites and cremation. I don’t recall who dropped me home or whether I drove home myself. But I found myself in the confines of my room. The next moment I was sound asleep.
It was then something bizarre happened. An experience my feelings says is close to the para-normal.
I was asleep but I felt something dragging me forcefully, it was for real. When I tried to free myself from its clutches I felt as if a very heavy load was placed on me. It was so heavy I could not breathe. I felt chocked and I woke up I was covered with sweat, though it was the month of October and it was marginally cold around that time of the year. I felt so gagged that I couldn’t even speak. I tried to speak but seemed I had lost my voice somewhere.
The cell phone was near me and I gave a missed call to Nirav who was upstairs with Janti & Pranti (our bedroom is more of a cellar).
After giving three missed calls Nirav came down. He was surprised to see me.The colors drained from my face and I was in a state of shock.
At first the guys thought I was upto a prank and hence was giving missed calls. But repeated missed calls for three times told them things were otherwise.
Nirav helped me walk upstairs and when I narrated the incident the guys took it lightly. They said it was because of the emotional turmoil I was going through.
I don’t know.
I don’t have an answer to this. It’s only an assumption and surely does not leave me with a good feeling.
I see dead people in my dreams. I see them always. Sometimes I am with them and sometimes I am watching them from a distance.
The scariest of them was when I came home the day Poison passed away.
Tales of Poison is again a different story. But for now let me begin where Poison’s life ends.
Poison’s death was unexpected and I was utterly shocked. The whole world froze. My reaction was nothing. I could not express anything. I went to pay my last respects. I was accompanied with a few friends.
Suddenly I was tired. I felt alone all of a sudden. The whole world seemed hostile. I felt there was no one left to call “family. Nevertheless! What’s done cannot be undone.
I stayed there till the body was carried away for the last rites and cremation. I don’t recall who dropped me home or whether I drove home myself. But I found myself in the confines of my room. The next moment I was sound asleep.
It was then something bizarre happened. An experience my feelings says is close to the para-normal.
I was asleep but I felt something dragging me forcefully, it was for real. When I tried to free myself from its clutches I felt as if a very heavy load was placed on me. It was so heavy I could not breathe. I felt chocked and I woke up I was covered with sweat, though it was the month of October and it was marginally cold around that time of the year. I felt so gagged that I couldn’t even speak. I tried to speak but seemed I had lost my voice somewhere.
The cell phone was near me and I gave a missed call to Nirav who was upstairs with Janti & Pranti (our bedroom is more of a cellar).
After giving three missed calls Nirav came down. He was surprised to see me.The colors drained from my face and I was in a state of shock.
At first the guys thought I was upto a prank and hence was giving missed calls. But repeated missed calls for three times told them things were otherwise.
Nirav helped me walk upstairs and when I narrated the incident the guys took it lightly. They said it was because of the emotional turmoil I was going through.
I don’t know.
I don’t have an answer to this. It’s only an assumption and surely does not leave me with a good feeling.
The worst weekend that I ever had!
Work wasn’t too hectic, so surfed the whole day either reading blogs or looking for Egyptian mythologies. Having spent my time leisurely in office which I hardly get to do, we (me & two of my juniors) went window shopping to this newly opened mall. There were road shows, print ads., hoarding – all that and much more to make us decide to go and have a dekho what the mall had to offer.
Except for the cool air conditioned comfort there wasn’t anything else! The hand bags on the shelves were a replica of what I’d get in the road side stalls of Fancy Bazaar. The collections of shoes were limited. Then came the garments section – nothing in particular that would make me shell out a few bucks out of my pockets. Seemed the entire Sarojini collection was being shifted to this mall!
Having browsed thorough we came out of the mall and I treated the girls choco-vanilla ice creams from the Kwality Ice Cream Vendor.
We crossed Barista and I instantly knew one of these days this outlet must be tried… and then compare with its rival Café Coffee Day. Believe me folks! Café Coffee Day has never been a good experience with me! Either they don’t have the edibles I order or they serve forty five minutes late or simply they are running short in the supply of milk or better the music is so damn loud that you cannot have a peaceful time.
I reached home by 6.30 p.m. and got ready for my swimming session. Swimming for me is meditation. The one hour I am in the water I forget everything. I detach myself form the worries, tensions, apprehensions, anxieties. I just have one thing in mind – to reach my target – I set targets everyday – Saturday was set for one kilometer and I swam 842 mts! Not bad though I knew 158 mts remained!
Nothing was planned for the evening. Nirav’s friend Jyoti had come down to Guwahati for some business meeting. So we decided to visit him. We reached his hotel and then we decided to go to a restaurant for some drinks and dinner.
Everything seemed picture perfect till then.
The problem cropped when I saw this other guy piling on with us three i.e. the colleague of Jyoti’s.
We went to a restaurant nearby and decided to sit in the open, A.C’s can get suffocating especially with people smoking and a poor ventilation. The guys ordered their drinks. I didn’t want any, but thought of sipping a chilled Fosters (… guess I had swam good today…so why not indulge?)….
The pile – on tried had impress to us. He began by this by boasting that he & Debojit (excuse me……. Debojit…… who?) were bum chums. He even called up someone – and then informed us that Debojit was currently in the U.S. of A doing shows.
As we three (Nirav, Jyoti & me) were immersed in our own talks, though the corner of my eye I could see this bastard speaking in a very low tone to someone over phone. I know eaves dropping is real baaaaaaaaaaaaaad! But then there is something called womanly instincts & shamelessly I was paying a closer attention to what he was narrating over phone. And I was horrified when I realized that my sixth sense was so damn right!
That motherfucker was discussing about me…..“………….. she is wearing a sleeveless top & jeans………………….. works in a tea company……………. Beer… beer…” and then looks at me and asks me loudly “Aapka beer finish ho gaya?”……….. “smoking……………”
Well... I knew I had to put the brakes and I did it so.
I cut him short by asking him “Excuse me… Hello!.. are you discussing about me?”… the guy was silent for a moment and denied.
I didn’t buy that as an answer and asked him “how does it bother him if I smoke … I drink… I wear jeans? If my husband is comfortable with me then who the hell is he? If he had a problem with my habits he should have told me right in the very beginning? And how would he fee if someone discussed about his wife like this?”… By that time this bastard was absolutely red on his face and he told to whomever he was talking that he will call back later.
He apologized me said “ I am sorry BABHI”…
Babhi? Balls to guys like him!
For such chauvinist a woman is just a mere object to satisfy their own thirsts.
Nirav & Jyoti at first couldn’t decipher what was going on and when I set the accounts straight, this guy was so embarrassed that he didn’t know how to face Nirav!
Well I don’t know how many guys can I shut up but why do guys have a problem?
Why do they have such double standards?
Gosh!
Well... I knew I had to put the brakes and I did it so.
I cut him short by asking him “Excuse me… Hello!.. are you discussing about me?”… the guy was silent for a moment and denied.
I didn’t buy that as an answer and asked him “how does it bother him if I smoke … I drink… I wear jeans? If my husband is comfortable with me then who the hell is he? If he had a problem with my habits he should have told me right in the very beginning? And how would he fee if someone discussed about his wife like this?”… By that time this bastard was absolutely red on his face and he told to whomever he was talking that he will call back later.
He apologized me said “ I am sorry BABHI”…
Babhi? Balls to guys like him!
For such chauvinist a woman is just a mere object to satisfy their own thirsts.
Nirav & Jyoti at first couldn’t decipher what was going on and when I set the accounts straight, this guy was so embarrassed that he didn’t know how to face Nirav!
Well I don’t know how many guys can I shut up but why do guys have a problem?
Why do they have such double standards?
Gosh!
Saturday, July 29, 2006
The Shillong Times!
Shillong has been a great escape always. I’ve regarded Shillong as my second home. Every summer right after the half yearly exams we would pack our bags (…Maa made sure I carry all my holiday home work too) and be away from the maddening heat of Guwahati.
Shillong Aita & Koka were not like my Aita & Koka at home. They were poles apart. The Shillong grand parents made sure I was doubly spoilt and never rebuked me nor encouraged Maa to do that!
Aita was a cuddly little thing! I loved to huddle & burrow close to her. She was an avid paan eater and the smell of the zarda is something that still reminds me of her.
The house in Shillong was quite similar to my house in Guwahati – the basics were similar – the big verandahs, the sitting area near the kitchen which was better to lounge around.
And the best thing about Shillong was perhaps walking on the wooden floor. How much I loved the reverberating sound that it made!
Next to it was the soft quilts. There could be no other place on earth better than Shillong to sleep…. that’s very me & my judgment.
Aita’s house was very nearby the Ward’s Lake. So taking long walks in the Lake, admiring the flowers in full bloom, feeding the fishes… (I still remember there was a big, fat, well sized fish and it was orange in colour.), relishing those noga tengas sprinkled with kola nimak was but natural!
Occasionally my mama would also take me on treks – not really treks but at that age it surely meant a hike to walk down to Golf Links.
And then there were the numerous rounds we did in Police Bazaar. Aita had some particulars shops – Radharani, Floury’s… there was this other old shop quite close to Radharani – I don’t recall the name now – Maa & me despised the very thought of going to that shop. But seemed Aita was quite friendly with everyone in that shop, so she would get all her stuff from that particular shop.
Besides these, Aita had one more favourite hang out zone. And it was the fish & veggie bazaar in the Jail Road! Now there again! Fish! I tagged along with her to this bazaar only because I loved watching those kongs cleaning & cutting the fish with such proficiency and fineness.
Well we also had rounds of social calls to make. Many a times I would invent a “me & my headache” and stay back chatting with Koka. Koka loved steamed corns with a little bit butter and he would prepare that soon after Aita & Maa would leave. We would chat for hours – Koka would tell me stories from books and his personal life and whatever he said was so interesting that I’ve treasured them so long. Or if Mama would be around we’d play ludo and how shamelessly Mama cheated!
Like Guwahati Aiat, even Shillong Aita had a whole bunch of Aitas who’d come for a game or two of cards – RUMMY?? Maa would be out with her friends at times and it was during those moments I’d take out my bald headed dolls.
But the same Shillong trips were different whenever Dity accompanied us. Many a times it has happened that he would take us to the bus terminus and then instead of dropping us there he would drive all the way to Shillong. But when he would be stuck up in Guwahati, he made it a point to join us later. And it would be always a surprise for me. I would be kept under dark about his plans!
With Dity around, I’d find myself in the billiards room of the Shillong club, or munching those lovely club sandwiches at the Golf club or maybe simply run around in the kitchen of Pine Wood!
And there would be the rides to the Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak or back track to Barapani for leisurely picnics.
Didn’t I love to gorge on those mutton singaras from EeeCee? And jalebis & chole bhature from Delhi Mistan. And perhaps buying shoes from Shillong has remained one constant in my life. The designs and shapes and the different heels can leave any shoe crazed mortal like me quite baffled!
If nothing else was there to keep me busy, there was Jimmy & Lama – the two dashing dare devils! Their loyalty could never be questioned as were their laziness! They looked massive and fearless – but it was just their looks. Besides that there wasn’t anything to be afraid of the duo and they made great pals too. They were the two hounds – the local breed of course!
Shillong Aita & Koka were not like my Aita & Koka at home. They were poles apart. The Shillong grand parents made sure I was doubly spoilt and never rebuked me nor encouraged Maa to do that!
Aita was a cuddly little thing! I loved to huddle & burrow close to her. She was an avid paan eater and the smell of the zarda is something that still reminds me of her.
The house in Shillong was quite similar to my house in Guwahati – the basics were similar – the big verandahs, the sitting area near the kitchen which was better to lounge around.
And the best thing about Shillong was perhaps walking on the wooden floor. How much I loved the reverberating sound that it made!
Next to it was the soft quilts. There could be no other place on earth better than Shillong to sleep…. that’s very me & my judgment.
Aita’s house was very nearby the Ward’s Lake. So taking long walks in the Lake, admiring the flowers in full bloom, feeding the fishes… (I still remember there was a big, fat, well sized fish and it was orange in colour.), relishing those noga tengas sprinkled with kola nimak was but natural!
Occasionally my mama would also take me on treks – not really treks but at that age it surely meant a hike to walk down to Golf Links.
And then there were the numerous rounds we did in Police Bazaar. Aita had some particulars shops – Radharani, Floury’s… there was this other old shop quite close to Radharani – I don’t recall the name now – Maa & me despised the very thought of going to that shop. But seemed Aita was quite friendly with everyone in that shop, so she would get all her stuff from that particular shop.
Besides these, Aita had one more favourite hang out zone. And it was the fish & veggie bazaar in the Jail Road! Now there again! Fish! I tagged along with her to this bazaar only because I loved watching those kongs cleaning & cutting the fish with such proficiency and fineness.
Well we also had rounds of social calls to make. Many a times I would invent a “me & my headache” and stay back chatting with Koka. Koka loved steamed corns with a little bit butter and he would prepare that soon after Aita & Maa would leave. We would chat for hours – Koka would tell me stories from books and his personal life and whatever he said was so interesting that I’ve treasured them so long. Or if Mama would be around we’d play ludo and how shamelessly Mama cheated!
Like Guwahati Aiat, even Shillong Aita had a whole bunch of Aitas who’d come for a game or two of cards – RUMMY?? Maa would be out with her friends at times and it was during those moments I’d take out my bald headed dolls.
But the same Shillong trips were different whenever Dity accompanied us. Many a times it has happened that he would take us to the bus terminus and then instead of dropping us there he would drive all the way to Shillong. But when he would be stuck up in Guwahati, he made it a point to join us later. And it would be always a surprise for me. I would be kept under dark about his plans!
With Dity around, I’d find myself in the billiards room of the Shillong club, or munching those lovely club sandwiches at the Golf club or maybe simply run around in the kitchen of Pine Wood!
And there would be the rides to the Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak or back track to Barapani for leisurely picnics.
Didn’t I love to gorge on those mutton singaras from EeeCee? And jalebis & chole bhature from Delhi Mistan. And perhaps buying shoes from Shillong has remained one constant in my life. The designs and shapes and the different heels can leave any shoe crazed mortal like me quite baffled!
If nothing else was there to keep me busy, there was Jimmy & Lama – the two dashing dare devils! Their loyalty could never be questioned as were their laziness! They looked massive and fearless – but it was just their looks. Besides that there wasn’t anything to be afraid of the duo and they made great pals too. They were the two hounds – the local breed of course!
Friday, July 28, 2006
The story begins from here…
I wasn’t able to comprehend why people were grief stricken and mourning. Koka rested in his bed, he was motionless and everyone paid their tributes by offering him flowers. Seeing this, I too ran outside and plucked a few flowers. I squirmed through the horde of people who made it quite impossible for me to go near the bed where Koka was resting with his eyes shut. I did manage to approach near Koka and like everyone else I too put the flowers on his body. Seeing this Aita went into hysteria and wept inconsolably. After some hours had passed and as the number of people augmented soon Koka was taken outside. I saw a Pandit chanting some verses and Dity was repeating those. I was more shocked to see Dity not in his usual attire but in dhoti and just sador. Things were happening too fast and too soon and no one seemed to have time for me to explain what was going on. Soon Koka was transferred to a sangi and he was carried away.
Everything happened in such a jiffy that I tried not to get too much into it. I thought once the people wouldleave us alone I’d ask Maa or Dity what actually was happening. But I never got a chance.
All that followed for the rest 15 days made me realize that Koka would never come back again. I could not see him nor talk to him ever. But why? No one had an answer to this.
Dity had shaved his head and the first time I saw him I gave a sharp cry! I didn’t like him this way. I wanted my Dity to be the way he was always – denim clad or in shorts or in kurta pajamas, not someone wearing dhotis and that too with his head shaved!
Soon the mourning days passed over. Things were back to normal –How much I missed my bed! (I had a bed to myself which Koka named it as “xoru khat”. It was basically a type of “charpoy”)
But something went terribly missing from our home. Something snapped. Something went wrong and all of a sudden happiness which was always around, now seemed to come in small packages.
But well, I had another set of Aita & Koka too…. So I knew at least there were people I could bank upon… and every summer I looked eagerly for my one month Shillong vacations….
Everything happened in such a jiffy that I tried not to get too much into it. I thought once the people wouldleave us alone I’d ask Maa or Dity what actually was happening. But I never got a chance.
All that followed for the rest 15 days made me realize that Koka would never come back again. I could not see him nor talk to him ever. But why? No one had an answer to this.
Dity had shaved his head and the first time I saw him I gave a sharp cry! I didn’t like him this way. I wanted my Dity to be the way he was always – denim clad or in shorts or in kurta pajamas, not someone wearing dhotis and that too with his head shaved!
Soon the mourning days passed over. Things were back to normal –How much I missed my bed! (I had a bed to myself which Koka named it as “xoru khat”. It was basically a type of “charpoy”)
But something went terribly missing from our home. Something snapped. Something went wrong and all of a sudden happiness which was always around, now seemed to come in small packages.
But well, I had another set of Aita & Koka too…. So I knew at least there were people I could bank upon… and every summer I looked eagerly for my one month Shillong vacations….
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
...and then it happened one fine day...
Life for me was too good to be true. I had the perfect surroundings… the perfect parents, the perfect grand parents, the perfect home…. And I thought it would go on like this forever.
Koka’s health started deteriorating. I don’t know what ailments he had. But I noticed that he had lost his energy. He would not read voraciously as he used to, he would not get frenzied easily. Most of the time he would sit in the jaali kamra or the verandah. His friends still kept coming. But the chess board was nowhere to be seen. The bridge games were not played. Every time I asked, Maa and Aita would pacify me by saying he is “sick”. Now how sick was sick I failed to decipher at that time.
Koka didn’t like the idea of hospitals and hence there were doctors and nurses round the clock monitoring him. Maa suddenly coined this idea that the doctors who came on their shift wise visits were not only meant for Koka. Those doctors came to check on me too. So there was one doctor who’d make me have bitter syrups if I did not eat my food, then there was this other doctor who’d tell me he’d apply a syringe on me if I did not do my homework. And there was this other doctor too who would be after me to use the syringe as well make me have bitter syrups if I did not behave! These docs! They were no better than Maa & Aita I thought!
Things were getting monotonous and I was a trifle bored.There were so many people coming and going. They took all of Koka’s time. I missed snuggling close to him. I noticed that now he would be in his bed only. He did not come to the jaali kamra nor lounged in the verandah. Deep inside me I wished things would become nice and pleasant again.
It was 10th of August. I was getting ready for school. Soon Maa came in and I was shocked to see that she wasn’t ready as yet! Before I could start repeating the line which she tells me when I laze, she asked me to change my uniform. She also said I need not go to school. This left me bewildered. Maa telling me to wear something else than my uniform and also not to go to school! Such things rarely Maa said.
But how was I to know that I would never see Koka again?
And many things changed forever….
Koka’s health started deteriorating. I don’t know what ailments he had. But I noticed that he had lost his energy. He would not read voraciously as he used to, he would not get frenzied easily. Most of the time he would sit in the jaali kamra or the verandah. His friends still kept coming. But the chess board was nowhere to be seen. The bridge games were not played. Every time I asked, Maa and Aita would pacify me by saying he is “sick”. Now how sick was sick I failed to decipher at that time.
Koka didn’t like the idea of hospitals and hence there were doctors and nurses round the clock monitoring him. Maa suddenly coined this idea that the doctors who came on their shift wise visits were not only meant for Koka. Those doctors came to check on me too. So there was one doctor who’d make me have bitter syrups if I did not eat my food, then there was this other doctor who’d tell me he’d apply a syringe on me if I did not do my homework. And there was this other doctor too who would be after me to use the syringe as well make me have bitter syrups if I did not behave! These docs! They were no better than Maa & Aita I thought!
Things were getting monotonous and I was a trifle bored.There were so many people coming and going. They took all of Koka’s time. I missed snuggling close to him. I noticed that now he would be in his bed only. He did not come to the jaali kamra nor lounged in the verandah. Deep inside me I wished things would become nice and pleasant again.
It was 10th of August. I was getting ready for school. Soon Maa came in and I was shocked to see that she wasn’t ready as yet! Before I could start repeating the line which she tells me when I laze, she asked me to change my uniform. She also said I need not go to school. This left me bewildered. Maa telling me to wear something else than my uniform and also not to go to school! Such things rarely Maa said.
But how was I to know that I would never see Koka again?
And many things changed forever….
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