Charmed !

Break !

That's what I wanted. That's what Sleepy was on. K said "chalo, come off !"

Refusal to such a tempting offer almost seemed impossible. Then, Queen Mother suggested a trip to her place of childhood. Refusal to that also, seemed impossible. But the prospect of heavy rains, no sleep, HRC and the company of mad hatters - lured me to book my tickets onward to the city of dreams.

While sitting at the airport, I had my first tryst with stardom. Hardly a star, but well ! Famous - relatively speaking. Nonetheless.

We reached. There was the lime juice to welcome us and a very happy K ! It started the moment we entered the space. Then on, there was no stopping us.

HRC was a crazy evening. While, making new frandships and trying to understand how tiny our feet were, a lot was going through my mind. It wasn't the effect of the kamakazee served in a wine glass or the awesome brownie fudge sundae. It was the city itself.

The thing about the "air" that engulfs the city is that it's fast paced and melancholic at the same time. It's sooperly welcome while getting you all sad and lonesome as well. While, there's no time to sleep or pace yourself, you just know that it has worked it's charm on you when you don't think twice about booking tickets to pay a visit to Neo-Xanadu.

The ride back in the taxi set my mind in motion. Full-to 5th gear. I was over-whelmed. The number of thoughts running through my head - crazy ! While singing (silently, in my mind) - I thought to myself "I wish I could be like this forever."

Having not to worry about the next day's official emails and calls. No in-laws to fret over me. No bills to pay for a while. No crying child to put to sleep. This is it. The rains, terrible roads. The stars, late night food vendors. The you-tubing and "contemplating."

The overwhelming thoughts got to me. With tears that refused to stop flowing, my Ponjee and I discussed that there will be better times. We weren't sad. We were just - carried away. We also would have liked to be carried away, in any case !

A walk with K made me realize that the charm had worked. It's part of my system now. I will want to pay a visit again and again. This time hoping that Abhay Deol makes an appearance. Till then, I'll be sooperly thrilled with dancing to "our funny songs", eating one meal a day and getting completely drenched. Old or new - I have a family, now ! And, I'm honored, to say the least !

Unlimited !

Lot's of unlimited food makes most of us happy children. I believe that a la carte menus are as much fun as buffets. The latter tends to give one a variety of choices of cuisines to pick from thus not leaving the decision of how much food from which section of the menu, to order, for a big table !

My tryst with buffets began in Dubai at a place that never changed it's menu for the next 10 years that I lived in The Emirates. Moving here got me to enjoy and love a special buffet The Girls and I would go to on Sundays. The menu there too - almost sort of never changed. But we never complained because - thanks to my wonderful interpersonal skills, we always managed to get a table even in a completely full house !

I do not mind the concept of a sit - down buffet as well. Infact the afternoon laziness gets to us so much, that sitting down and being served "all that you can eat" is a wonderful and very pleasing thought ! One such place in Bengaluru - is pretty and calming. It has a variety of cuisines to choose from and they are kind to you on your birthday. There are other places that have re-fills of unlimited soft drinks/iced teas as well as bottomless chips ! Now, that is something we haven't been able to resist in sooo many years !

The unlimited grilled starters, the over flowing chocolate fountain, the never ending array of biryanis. Buffets make us happy children. Value for monies. Skip dinners. Have a nice long nap and you're set for another 2 weeks !

Fiction - I

The fish bowl broke. Shattered on the ground. There was water all around.
The green turned to red and eventually there was nothing but black. Soon, the smile returned. Maybe because it's exactly what she always wanted.
That infinite space. The ability to do nothing but just stare. At what, you may wonder ? Most often, she didn't have an answer as well !
Slowly, the balcony became her home. It was the one place she was not answerable to anybody. It was also the one place where she could dream without boundaries. As she sat there holding her hot cup of strong coffee - she stopped "thinking." She just stared !

Day turned to night and there were no stars. But the moon was bright. It seemed happy and that annoyed her ! She wanted to destroy it all. There was nothing to be all shiny about ! Or was there.
The door bell rang - she ran. Left her comfort zone. Came face to face with the one person she didn't want to see at that moment. Her heart raced. Her shoulders dropped.
She gave in. That was it. There probably was no looking back anymore !

The glass disappeared. The stars came out. The balcony was converted into a store area. It was all alright. Eventually. Just alright !

Pah !

Spicy Masala Peanuts worries.
Green eyed Monster encourages yet says no.
The new found dancing love(r) has hardly slept and worries.
Firnagi encourages and laughs yet worries too.
Broke laughs but silence says it all.
Sheldon's oldest fan worries and oxytocin sharing is a natural process.
The knowing it all and incarnation is always - just !


In your face - Karma. I know "we're on a break" but you still louve me and there's a special place always !

Someday

• We will meet and laugh and hug. Cry (not)
• I shall drive on the streets of my favourite city !
• I will make the most amazing dark chocolate cake
• My phone will not be the only mode of communication
• I will go the the peak of the mountain and (maybe) meditate.
  
• Abhay Deol will be my traveling companion
• Cynicism will stop taking over my (our) life/lives
• I will own pretty and very expensive pink heels
• Tiramisu and Oreo will be my pets
• You and I will eat the biggest burger ever
• You will realize that I was awesome and you are and always have been selfish
• All that will remain is your black and white picture staring at us - reminding us to continue having fun
• The mutton biryani will be as yummy as it is meant to be
• I'll look gorgeous at your wedding
  
• We'll sit by the sea shore and lose count of the stars conspiring against us
  
• Greece will welcome me with open arms
• The lobster theory will take over our lives
• People will stop laughing at your name
• We will think before jumping to conclusions
• You will ask me how I feel and I'll just turn my face away
• I will miss you so much that it hurts to even think about anything remotely connected with us
• The world will be more peaceful and less annoying
• You will understand how important it is to compromise and adjust
  
• My nails will be long enough to go ahead with crazy/pwetty artwork
• You'll be famous but not forget where you came from

Last(s)

The last time I -

• Slept peacefully
• Cried tears of joy
• Held a baby in my arms
• Wore a pink skirt
• Drove off to Ambur
• Hugged my daddy
• Watched a movie alone
• Ate a tub of ice-cream by myself
• Was kissed on my forehead
• Went to Goa and sat by the sea without a care in the world
• Hurled curses at the bike guy who just splashed keechad on me
• When I wasn't so cynical of a man climbing a ladder to the woman's balcony to tell her that he has always loved her
• Ate samosa and green chutney only for a dirham
• Danced with a boy who knew how to
• Scratched tanzi banzi only to get her mad at me
• Deleted pictures from my "memory case"
• Had tequilla shots
  
• Actually believed that the tooth fairy loved me more than the manipulative universe
• Attended a wedding and felt extremely happy for the couple and their families
• Enjoyed getting up every morning - no matter what
• Danced and danced and danced
• Traveled business class and got pampered
• Felt ecstatic
  

03 August, 2010 - Relief

I was the favourite. Only son's oldest daughter. I was/am pampered and I was/am cherished. I got what I wanted and I was allowed to do anything at any time.

My daddy was his confidant and if you may have it - his soul mate. He was my grandmother's husband of 57 years. He was my aunts' "best" and handsome-est daddy.

He was my grandfather. With silver hair and the "poojie" at the nape of his neck. With immense knowledge about anything. The zest to watch a cricket match late into the night. The ability to crack the dirtiest jokes at any given time of the day. A master at spoiling us all !

The man, gave up after a while. He could not have dealt with it. But he stood tall and faced reality.

The morning walks will never be the same again. Festivals and family functions will not be complete. The best amongst us - has left the building. Only, to be with his best budster.

I thank you for making me your princess. For, promising to look after me and getting me married. I thank you, for doing the best you could and always loving me. For forgiving me. For the immensely tight hugs and unlimited supply of love.

Your love story will be a benchmark for generations to come. Your sincerity and dedication will be praised and spoken about - till eternity.

When the mangoes are cut - I'll smile ! Always. I never said it often enough, but I love you. Always have and always will.

Secretly, you have been my favourite-est ;-) But, you knew that. Didn't you ?