Love in an auto - Mumbai Tidbits

I have been in the city of dreams for about  4 months now. And there are many things that are different, unique and surprising sometimes. 

One of the many things that has given me a unique perspective of things is the concept of sharing Autos with people you hardly know.

Totally Random. Yes.

I usually wait near my house to catch an auto. Now the location I work at, Chakala, is the Mother-of-Traffic-Jams. Its like a free for all rally for vehicles. Imagine being stuck on the peak of a flyover for hours. And having nothing to do except look at other cars. I happened to once see Vinay Pathak in a Hyundai Accent. But most of the other times its just legs in various attires or as far as the eye can see, without. 

Anyways, going by the sheer traffic, getting an auto is next only to getting a meeting with the President. Wait, that's a bong now so rash-gulla should do the trick...err Prime Minister.The ratio of getting an auto to stop is 5/10. Getting a stopped auto to take you to where you want to go is 1/10. So your chance individually is 1 out of 20. Add 5 more people to the equation and you get the picture. There are also the crazies, who will run all around the road, at ALL autos, and cursing loudly. 

So there is always a small gathering on different sides of the road trying to get an auto to the same locale. I can recognize many of them now, by having seen them so often. That's when it started.

The first time was this guy who got an auto and stopped a little ahead and popped his head out to ask me if he could drop me to Andheri Station, which was like mid way to my stop. I politely declined, out of awkwardness. 

The next time it was raining heavily, My shoes was already drenched. Not one single auto was even bothered to look at us. I stopped an auto but he refused, and started talking to the lady behind me. I walked away, and heard her arguing with the auto wala. In a few minutes she called out to me, offering to drop me to some place. I had no idea where that was, and I told her so. She just shrugged and left.

Next was my turn. I was in an auto stuck in the traffic, reading a book. An old lady approached us and asked where I was going. She asked me for a drop to someplace in between which I obliged. I felt good I must say. And Not a word from the auto wala. It was welcome change after the Thugs of Bangalore.

One the very same day, on my way back, there was a long wait. Just as I got an auto, a pretty young thing asked me where I was going, and said if she could join me. As laddoo's phooted in my head, I enthusiastically  agreed with my best smile and faster-than-Usain-Bolt head nodding. 

Just as she was going to get into the auto, And as the violins were getting into the flow of things, the autowala decided he didn't like me. Or my future plans. He refused plainly to take on additional passenger (Bah!) and demanded money from her. Outraged, I started going Karate on him when, she smiled sweetly and said it's ok. I was crest fallen.

Needless to say, I fought like hell with him over the meter, more so for him spoiling my potential marriage plans. I still mourn the opportunity of the kids we could've had together. *Sigh*

(For the record, my modus operandi for picking women is not offering rides in autos. Actually, I don't even have one, I think.)

The last, was recently, when the station were closed. This guy just asks me, "Dude where you going" So I told him and he said lets share an auto. I agreed. Over chasing autos all over the road (Yes, he was a mumbaikar, also equipped with the latest in cursing technology) and after finally badgering one to take us, we spoke. Of random things, where we worked an all that. He happened to stay two blocks next to my place, and he let me in on Auto catching technology.  

And so it has been, waiting and sharing, sharing and dropping and all that. Next time, maybe, the auto wala will be kind to not mess with my future.

Cheers

M

Naive Endings

"They don't understand at all. I hate it. Every day is a pain, its the same thing, and only when I start shouting do they stop. Why don't they leave me alone. I don't want to get married now."

She wasn't crying, but her eyes had welled up. She'd been upset for quite some time now. Ever since they'd met she was this ambitious person who just wanted a chance. Wanting to change the world, achieve some thing big in the corporate world. That's what he had liked about her. In the male dominated world of management, she'd fit in very well. Intelligent. Beautiful. Ambitious. A little naive maybe, but women are seldom naive for long. Especially when there are so many idiots to experiment on.

Haunted

Empty Chair
Silent Phone
Missing Comment
Status
Dinner
Mindless Meeting
Empty Smokes
Bottles of Beer
Fries and Peanuts
Friends
And Enemies
Bosses
Marriage
Woes
Work and Excel
Shoes and Tops
Markets Traveled
Music and Bands
Meaningless Conversations
Flights
Cancelled & Missed
Cabs
Genuine Queries
Shopping
& Sharing
Seafood
Same Time
Same Thing
Private and Personal
Lunch Calls
Ride Home
Movies
TV Shows
And more
One to many
One too many
Life


All Haunted


M

The One that got away

It was the age when college kids were obsessed about two things. One, getting free talk time. And two, was GPRS to download that cool new "reeng tone". It was a fancy thing, having a mobile phone, and everyone who had one, needed to get the better image by having the best jokes and forwards. Today, when the whole world is fighting the android vs. Apple battle, which of course Apple will win hands-down, back then it was all about chatting, or what is better known as sexting.

RIP 2011

Sometimes we walk roads that we think are right, which we have missed out on. But once you begin, there is no turning back. There is never turning back. As you take each step, the world around you changes, and the earth beneath collapses. No one can foresee the future, and no one can undo the past. You can only live today.

Family, Marriages and more

After a long time I met a lot many of my extended family. My Cousins, their families, my uncles,aunts and of course the "chachi ki uncle ki mami ki behen ke bade papa ke side wale ghar ke neighbour ki dusri bhen" types.While initially some where skeptical about me being me (thanks to the 40 extra kilos, and about 3 ft of height), they were assured when mom addressed me as her son. Which reassured me that mom still recognized me. Not that she had a choice.

Shakespeare makes an entry

Over tea and samosas, he told me to read this verse from Shakespeare. I almost choked on the tea, but managed to keep the samosas in. Not that the samosas or any food had anything to fear once I had'em. Samosas are great way to spend evenings, and that too with that spicy chutney. And those Kachori's with hot tea and warm Jaleb.......wait.

Shakespeare. Yes.

So he told me to read this verse and get back to him with my interpretation of the same. Now I know the conversation we had bordered on past and previous and current endeavors of a romantic kind, but Shakespeare? Seriously? Me? I would have thought a man to man talk would suggest a movie-thon of blood spilling, weapon totting, forest burning, action heroes in dark raining locales. But this was new, and he insisted. And yes, he is the well read types, and yes he is my friend. Yes, I have all sort of friends. No, I can't give you M S Dhoni's phone number.

So when I did this search, this is what came up: (Please don't roll you eyes, even If you don't want to read. Just read the highlighted lines!!! See how much I care for your readership?!)

The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The thronéd monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthronéd in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That, in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea;
Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.

—Act IV, sc. i

OK, so now this verse is from the "Merchant of Venice" and this particular verse is also called Portia's speech. I read an abridged version in school and to sum it up - This babe gets in court and saves her boyfriend by telling the merchant he can take a pound of flesh (as agreed in the bond between aforementioned Boyfriend) but not a pound of blood. (Smart, no?) But not before making a plea of mercy.

Of Course, the Merchant was bitch-lawyered. You can read the long, winding explanation on Google.

So where do I fit in?

No, No, I haven't signed a bond for flesh. And I don't have a girlfriend doing bargains for my blood (lots that I have) 

You will agree with me, that when we don't get what we want, when we are treated badly by close friends, when you don't get that job, when Apple screws you with no OS updates for old I phones, we go two ways. One, We get angry and jump around (of the Angry Birds ishtyle), scream & throw tantrums and then shut up. Two, we scheme for revenge.You want to Kolaveri-di their asses to hell-u. *smirk* . It then proceeds-u to get messy-u, bitter-u and blood-u all around. No one wins-u. Everyone looses-u. 

Not one to be left behind, I tried. I tried getting angry and jumping around (not easy at 100+ kilos) screaming (thank you sore throat) and shutting up. Dint help. I tried scheming for revenge, the farthest I could go was to not open the door or maybe drop a call. Not very helpful, must say. I care too much.

Anyways, bottom line. Sooner or later, things move on. And living in limbo is more painful. We were discussing the way forward (ugh I hate that power point slide title) it seemed to my friend that things could get brutal. He's been around for quite a while you see, and he's known me for 5 years now. He's got a front narration of the previous scripts, so, yeah. 

So hence his gentle reminder that, you don't need to cut open a vein to sort things out. You can do it graciously, you can do it mercifully, and not load your prejudices and sarcasm tipped arrows at the target. After all, as a friend, being there through thick and thin, is applicable to oneself as well. So, you can walk away with your head held high and not get influenced by choices others make. You can still make it your choice. 

And so...

"The quality of mercy is not strain'd,..."

M

The Plank Man

I sit on the plank
Feet Dangling in the air
Its eerily cold
And the sun is on its way down
Others have boarded
And the sails are torn

There's not much time
And I've had my say
But no one's listening
Should I turn away?
So many choices on the Ship
The plank is Creaking

With a torn Sail
Where will you go?
The sun is setting and its dark
Don't get Lost and broken,
Don't run ashore
Wait some time
And think some more

You're eager to sail
Its a stormy sea
That lies ahead
Its not the journey you should fear
Its the conviction
That it is what you want

Get a new sail, or sail in this
Chase a setting sun or the full moon
You're your own captain
There's no right or wrong
But ensure
That you'll never sail alone

The plank is creaking
The sun is gone
One end is ashore
One end is yours
Sail Away or come ashore
The plank is creaking,
Can't hold on anymore.

M

I'll say Hi

I won't walk up to give you a Hi
Doesn't mean I didn't see you from the corner of my eye
Smile I might, perhaps a little shy
But its not attitude, you've just got me a little high

Sooner or Later, we will meet
And at my nervous best, I shall be
I will mumble and fumble,but I will be true
I can't help it. Am stuck on to you

Once we talk, I'll make you laugh
Maybe we'll click, maybe not
But then I wouldn't be here, If  I wasn't sure
One look, and I'll know, were going to rock!!!

By now were close, hanging out
I'll think and think, there creeps a doubt
Maybe your thinking, wondering too
Is this the one, give me a clue

And here it comes the time to decide
you'll look at choices, you'll have the time
Hope against hope, you'll make up your mind
And keep it from me, you'll expect me to understand

So its happened before, its true I've gone numb
I don't bother asking, its been more than some
I've lost faith, I've made up my mind
There's nothing to do when things unwind

You'll keep acting, pretending its fine
Or maybe it was just me all the while
I won't be bitter, I won't cry
I'll wish you well, and hug you good bye

Another day, as time flies by
I'll even walk up to give you a Hi
Smile I might, perhaps a little coy
But its not for you, its for the lovely one by my side

M

Its Official - Sonam Kapoor!!!

Am coming out clean on this one. I have this huge huge huge gianticomundostrous crush on Sonam Kapoor. Sigh. I had this snap taken with her when she was introduced to us as the new brand ambassador for Loreal at a conference in Mumbai, but didn't know who took the snap!!! Smitten. Totally. Sigh.

Did I ever tell you that I was a Anil Kapoor fan??!!

MaDdy

Soul Searching

No, its not a movie title starring saucer shaped spaceships stealing souls in an effort to wipe out the human race. Come to think of it though, it is a possible movie title, and vague enough to get you into a multiplex.

Then, There and Now

Am at cross roads of some sort. I can feel it. Some strange sense of uneasiness and irritation has come over me, unlike the happy go lucky regular food stuffing person that I am.

I get angry very quickly these days (not regular quickly, madan-quickly standard) which is still slow by normal averages, Very restless in the afternoons, sleepy at nights, don't feel like gorging on chicken or non vegetarian food, Opinions have begun to bother me, Have been reading books after a loooong time, not coming home to my beloved game console, meeting people out of sheer boredom (sounds like loneliness to me) blogging more regularly, Jealousy, vying for attention, riding my bike a tad too fast, hmmmm...

The last time I hit a cross road, it took me 2 years to recover. Bet she hardly noticed.

---

Strange are the ways of men and women. When they like someone, they act more weird in person. They try to be someone else in order to impress, and in the process end up being someone else, and then one day "boom" they get together and its like "Hey you weren't like this before we got married"

Duh!!!

Strangely, the one whom I never met, knew me more than the ones I had met. Pity she didn't want to meet that day.

---

So is friendship the key ? Whats the chances on that road? Stand by and watch doesn't really seem easy, But then what is? And when do you know when this ends and that starts? If its meant to be, will it?

There are no coincidences in life, they say.

But there's a lot of hope.

----

Cheers
MaDdy

Marriage, Love and Spirituality

Marriages are made in heaven. South Indian Marriages are made in rooms between families of the bride and groom, except the bride and groom. Konkani marriages are made in other peoples marriages.

If you attend a GSB/Konkani/Amchigele marriage, you'd be surprised to see the bonding of the women there, all gushing and chattering incessantly. But the truth is, under those multi layers of Kanjeevaram silk and heavy gold jewellery, Detailed battle plans are being laid to bind two unsuspecting individuals through the "arranged" marriage strategy.Of course the only thing probably common to the unsuspecting individuals, would be that they apparently are of "marriageable" age.

The Rose Girl

I wrapped up myself in my arms just so that I was comfortable in not making her uncomfortable. While the bus moved on out of Bangalore, she spoke to different people on the phone. Her voice was very soft, at the same time had the tone of a self confident girl, someone who could be quick to retort at the shortest signs of being rebuked or taken for granted. Reminded me of someone who was had just discovered independence, or had some sort of responsibility on her shoulders, a mini rebel, but a sweet one at that.

Delightful encounter part 2

The Environment was very conducive to romantic thoughts. And as I mused about life in general I noticed that it had got dark outside and the window was pretty much reflective. I saw a pretty face looking at me from across the row. I turned quick to face the beautiful thing and she was quick to avert my gaze.

And so it went on for a couple of hours. I looked at her in the window reflection. She would look at me. I would pretend to be dis interested. And then she would look on...and it was kinda cute. I finally decided to take a chance and hatched a plan to create a situation to talk to her.

Our destination was the same. So I decided to drop my purse accidentally just before she got down. Naturally she would want to point it out to me and give me a chance to say hi!

A sudden jerk awoke me from my slumber and I realized I had been dreaming. As I hurried outta my seat and ran down the aisle, a voice called me.

"Excuse me!"

I turned around and saw her calling out to me. It took me 5 seconds to realize I had been staring.

"you left your wallet on the seat"

What? I did? I thought I was dreaming about that.

As I went back to pick the wallet, she crossed me. Her perfume was fantastic. I picked up my wallet and got down the bus to find her, but she was gone. I did a quick run round the bus station, but she was gone.

Dejected, I walked out of the station to catch an auto, and then I saw her sitting in a car. Our eyes met and she smiled and waved as the car passed bye. I could only half raise my hand in return.....

Cheers!!!

Delightful encounter...part 1

An amusing incident happened a couple couple of years ago when I was traveling from Bangalore, on my way home for a long weekend. It so happened that being the lazy ass that I am, I couldn't get tickets for the lone bus that stopped at my village.

I tried bribing the ticket agent with all the shampoo and fairness creams he could use, but he dint seem to care much for imported stuff. So I had to settle for a longer route back home, and had to catch a morning bus to Mangalore;Luckily I got a comfortable Volvo.

Usually, it takes about 8 hours to reach Mangalore from Bangalore, and about 3. 6 seconds for me to doze off and snore away in glory of the elephants of Rajpur, but since it was a morning ride I decided to listen to some music. I was hoping Priyanka Chopra would occupy my neighbouring seat, but as luck would have it, a granpa with serious issues came and sat next to me, all the while giving me menacing looks, and nodding his head in disapproval at the linkin park blaring through my iphone.

After an hour or so, I had this beautiful girl get on to the bus and take a seat on the other side of my row. So we were sharing window seats on opposite sides. Though not the one to try stunts, there was always the hope of opportunity that lingers. But since I couldnt see her and the whole dam journey was getting boring, I went off to sleep.

I woke to the sight of coconut trees flashing bye the windows and a slightly....(to be cont'd)

THE STORY BOOK 2 Chapter 1(TSB 1)

Diary Reads 21 Nov

"Even to write the first page in my diary, I am having mixed feelings. But I have nothing left and this my hope. According to my horoscope, everything will improve from the month of November but nothing seems to be happening. I am happy that I have no guilt in my heart, but there's this constant fear of doing something wrong, a fear that something will happen to my parents. Today was akka's (cousin sister) marriage. I went. Guess Dad will have to shell out some money.

I did not get the job in the Phone booth yet. However I am still trying for it. Am absolutely confused about my future. MBA? CA? or to Join Dad. The business has been quite dull. Dad doesn't listen to anything I say. So much of monetary constraints. Sahdev anna(elder cousin brother) is so cool. Did his diploma, then his engineering and next an international MBA. He's just so dynamic, something I always thought I'd become.

I don't know if I will ever become something. Just turning out to be a looser. I read something about potential tapping. Guess that's all I can do now. How did it all come to this...

Going for supper. Nothing more to write. Goodnight."

Crushes and counting!!!

Surprisingly as it may seem to most of my friends, The select few of them will know when I say that I have had a lot of crushes, which surprisingly get ended in a similar ways.

If I recall...

1. The first happened in school, 4th std. Typicalish of anyone I'd say. Only thing is I dared to write a letter to that person!!! And got into a lot of embarrasment in my class. Lucky I changed my school the next year :)!!!

2. Then there was a second one in school, around 7th to 10th!!! Again similar story...nothing much happened as expected.

3. The third, fourth and fifth all were in college. All three got married in surprise twists and turns!!! The fourth almost happened, if it wasnt stupidity from myside. In fact I almost was going to say it, when I learnt of the marriage!!!

4. The sixth and my most strangest was a relationship, where we never met each other, yet spoke for hours on end on the phone for hours and hours!!! We met through a mistake sms coming to me...amd from there it was a two year friendship...We were always kept apart. When I moved to bangalore, she had to move somewhere else. And then I dint want to, and then she dint want to. And then it was a mutual split or something like that. needless to say, (You ought to guess by now) Yes she is getting married too!!!

5. Something ended before starting!!! Very recent actually.

And yeah, my bday is on 14th Feb, so people go wow and all that!!! But I dont see it helping :p...Anyways, its been a long roller coaster ride...so am not letting the next one go!!!

:) cheers...