41 years of 'BEING TOGETHER'

On this occasion of your anniversary... 

I recollect this amazing ride you guys have shown us on what is BEING TOGETHER should be.. 

 One side, I like to thank my Mom for bringing up two souls like me and my brother in this world with her man... 

I love my mom in their journey... for keeping him healthy, safe, keeping his spirits high, cooking and meeting his taste buds, traveling with him in all moods of my dad.. and sacrificing many things along the way.. 

When they make it count one more year together, the other side, I believe it's an achievement of my dad's determination to live, live life the best way a man can can possibly live...

I love my dad for giving his better half the choice to be her true self, give the respect and the independence in every full and best way a lady deserves.. 

The agreeing in disagreement to be together, not to lose hope or not to stay apart, never to be separated  no matter what comes in your way....both being different and able to ride on the same horse... Your life is what inspires us and what you have shown us in your lifetime is what we aspire for....

In one way I remember my grandparents too on this day for the values they passed on to you which reflects what being a family is... 

 Blessings is what I seek and prayers are what I can just return to them for their long life together. 

 

Like how you don't get to choose your name, you don't get to choose who your parents are... 

But any day I can be sure, in many many many after lives to come...

I would pray to be reborn as your daughter and will try to make my life worthy of the virtues you instilled in me... 

Happy 41st Wedding Anniversary Mummy and Dada.... 

Love you more each day!!  

My first flight and trip to Delhi

After the Great news on my mobile...
there came hell lots of confusions between the US and Mexico – finally decided to go with Mexican Visa…
I had only one thought - back of my mind… chances of refusal or rejection of my dad’s visa if I go with the US one….
I was not ready to take a chance with him...nor ready to get risky…
This is like a biggest gift I can give to my dad…ever…
For all the hard work, efforts, time , my parents had put…so as to put me in this spot light..:-)
I couldn’t take a little risk to lose this chance….couldn’t let him loose this chance…

The application forms, and required documents ….got in hand on time
Filed the application with the travel agents..
God, travel agents SUCKS!!! You can’t rely any of them…
Travel, Visa, consulate rules, Air tickets, transit rules…all goddamn rules – trust me you have to go through it by yourself…
One lesson learnt in this 2 weeks… You just have to do your homework all the time in case of travelling..

The only Mexican embassy in India is New Delhi…
Woooh……My first visit to Delhi….
Yipee…!! So my first flight , the first flight I will board will be from Bangalore to Delhi.:-)
Wanted to book a best one….though it was domestic….Went and hit for Jet airways!!!

Dad reached Saturday Morning on 21st Jan…. Sunday was our journey.
22nd we had plans to visit our relatives house…. Hang out there if possible I wanted to roam around delhi..:-)


Boarded the flight, the experience was good.. Jet serves great breakfast!!
Clouds, I always fancied them… and to see them – right outside my window so close - was unbelievable..
The feeling was like – just break the flight glass- jump out and sleep on the bed of clouds…
Thts the click I managed to get from the window..
Hmmmm….!!!

10am – 7 degree ?? Did I land in Kashmir or what?? It was cold than I expected……
Sunday – a good lunch at aunt’s house, followed by the longest temple ride …the Akshardham one!!!
You gotta see that to believe how long was it – 4pm to 9pm – and I think I could cover half the temple 
It’s an easy place to get lost in the crowd – with no cell fones with us!!

Republic day - parade practice , tightened security…I couldn’t roam anywhere else..
Gosh!! Delhi was just as it should be – Capital city – so great!!!
It’s true - I got that feeling of being in the capital once reaching there…

Hit back after dinner to hotel asoka palace…room # 204!!!
Sound sleep , long day…
Got up early; we both just walked to the embassy….
2 people managing the mexican embassy – terrific, horrible what should I call it??
Poor organized – whatever it is they assured I can collect my passport by 5pm.

We went out – for getting sweets..
Decided not to lunch at the hotel we stayed – price was too much to have for that taste ..
We had two pizza’s from slice of Italy…hm, not so good pizza….Delhi serves!!
Boarded my 2nd flight back to Bangalore… by 8pm… just fell asleep after the dinner…served!!

In the end - A good trip to Delhi – With Mexican visa’s stamped on our passport – Half job done..
Heading to start with the next!! My flight is via Paris…and for staying at airport for 5 hrs I need a visa!!!
Phew!!! - France Airport Transit Visa…for my transit is via Paris!!! Next mission!!!

The Dog in the Bus

Lazy Monday morning, the rush to office….. reached the bus stop….
As usual – waiting for the bus number 201D….one came eventually after 5 minutes..
As not much ladies were at the bus stop – I was sure if I board the bus I would get a seat for sure.

I took the 2 steps and got inside the bus…
Guess what…..
A dog inside near the second seat….…. as if ready to travel!!!
I was a bit surprised and got afraid as it looked like a stray dog..
I gave a look to driver, then conductor , both acting normal!!
Cmon how am I to get inside the bus its standing on the way!!
I stared at it, the look on its face told me “I am not going to bite you”
Ok….fine…. I tried to act as if i was not afraid, I crept slowly and it moved and i sat near to it..

The conductor instructed the dog with actions and it got down….Once all ladies boarded, it jumped back to the bus …
Is that his dog!! All boarding the bus were a bit shocked of the scene happening…..
The old lady in the bus started the conversation.. The driver described the scene..
“…it has boarded from JB nagar, and travelled these 10 km to this last stop….now what? The bus is going back, so can drop it to that place…from where it boarded…Its not doing any harm….may be its lost don’t know why it boarded ? so let it be here….”

As the crowd in the bus got more – no place for the dog….!!! At las, made it get down. The driver showed no sign to the dog which was staring at the closed door!!
Bus started….
.. I wondered how it will find its way back to JB nagar…Where it actually wanted to go? What if my doggie was lost like that….. Somewhat felt helpless to help it!!

Monday morning traffic –sucks – seemed to ride a bullock cart!!
Reached the Sony world signal where the bus would halt for more than 20 minutes due to the signals..just three stops passed and bus was jam packed…
After 3 minutes….hard to believe my eyes….The dog is standing near to the bus door…
Now its upto the driver to press the button and open the door!! But cant do that… as the bus is full already….and all women would panic if he steps in!!
I guess it wanted to travel back to Jeevan Bhima nagar….may be that’s its home.
Driver whistled for the conductor and he came!! Hm… tricky situation for the conductor – should we leave the dog here? Or take him back?
He asked the dog to follow him…It silently followed him and made it board another truck that goes to its place...

Good people do exist in this world….I felt happy and my lazy morning washed out!!
Atleast - loved to see something unusual – different from the normal routine!!
And I am sure whoever watched this scene today...in the bus, at the signal would have felt it..!! It was a good Gud morn message…
“Love Animals!! They too are just like us :-)“

The typical girl thoughts ....

A 3rd time denial would have been a straight cut to say that 'Get out of my way" ,but yes I was rushing from office to home and wondering if traffic would get me home on time. That was the reason I thought of getting onto it...

First time - I had denied it..saying I was not to that direction....Second time while I was at the bus stop I could see the vehicle getting slow..but I just waved my hands indicating that I am not gonna join...
Daily journey is in the public transport - own bengaloooru bmtc....and yeah my mp3 player and my creative buds helps me strive through the traffic all days...The idea of getting a lift never seemed bad to me if it’s a car I am getting into..But yeah to sit with a guy - whom you just know a bit 'hi-bye' kind of...on the back seat of the bike is not such a relaxed idea....I am so much used to the back seat of a bike since I am ten years old..and I hate the idea of ride with some stranger...it was never a comfy zone for me..be it girl or guy...

I hardly turned or coloured professional relationships into personal taste.....very few in number that had turned into friendships..That explains why I was trying to recall his name - when the bike stopped aside me and the question was just going to shoot at me....It was just a few metres away from my office building and yeah the urgency to reach home sooner made me get onto it...Of course it was embarrassing to hear from him say that he saw me waving a bbye to him on the roads last time and that was the reason for him not to stop... I wanted to say - ‘its not coz I have a problem with you….but I don’t like the idea of it..’ –but I remained shut...
Sometimes it’s hard to be in conversation when u don’t have any topic..but somehow I managed to flow thru - traffic – roads – journeys - harsh auto ridings- drive in rain- office timings – work deadlines – etc… A couple of previous conversations with him had made me feel that he is not a bad guy......I was sitting on the bike holding the back handle making sure the distance..while I would have sat a bit more closer with my hands on the shoulders if the rider was in my close friend’s list.

I remembered when one of my friend AA had told about this...“ sab kudiyaan jaanthi hain ki bike pe kaise betna hai...aur front brake's kaise handle karna hai...tum ladki log sab jaantey hain kiskey saath kaise rehna hai...”

The tries of maintaining the gap between didn’t seem harder, but yeah I thought about AA , It’s very true that a girl knows how to get treaty with a guy....in the way she actually wants...
Reaching in less than half hour...I got down at main road – rather alighting in front of my house – the reason I had to go to travels to cancel and book the bus tickets for vacation savd me... It was a sports bike – I noticed it only when I got down from it as the back seat height was more than the normal ones..:-(
I wished I didn’t …hear that question to answer…
"If you are leaving in the mornings by 8:30 – 9 – you can give me a call okei..."
"let me see…, Thanks" that’s all I could say to him...
Was that to kill the lonely drive he doing all mornings, or was just a friendly approach...to take in..

Thoughts creeped in for a while....A girlish nature of mine never peeps out much –replying in that sort of a way...but I was surprised today – a typical girlish – and her thoughts were giving birth this evening...

Sixer hit in a day...

Oh, God!!
What a time I had.....

Three at Koramangala Water Tank Signal, Two at Sony World Signal, One at Eujipura Signal...
He or She... whatever they may be biologicaly hermaphrodites.....Hijida’s...Eunuch...9...50-50's...
I don’t know how to start off this with a name.... A racket of business.... that’s what they are now...

I could see the person sitting on bike pulling 10 rupee note and giving...I wondered what he thought while giving that hard earned money just like that...
Was it due to fear....?? Or some belief??
I experience this all times I travel by auto to office... but this day was heights....

One came and asked me to my right, I just didn’t bother to turn the face...that’s it ....went off!!!

Second - Another in black Salwar...to my left...came and asked.... I nodded my head in a 'NO'. Started making their trademark expressions and gave me signs that I shouldn't say NO.
I stared with great anger.....with a look "Chal Jo bhi gaali dena hain de de tu, abhi yaha par hi de de….......kuthiya/kutha kahi ki/kahi ka"
Was about to touch me with the hand... I remarked "Hogii..."
Thats it... "eeeeehhhhhhhhhhhheeeyyyyyy" one loud noise..... that was again their trademark sound... May be wanted to make me feel afraid...
I kept staring... what you are gonna do? pull me out of auto? grab my bag? I could sense the bikewala next to me on right side was looking at me with great anxiety, even the driver sitting in front of me…..and don’t know who all....
I stared at the figure continuously....which made feel that nothing is gonna work out... then silently went away my side...

Seconds later, third one...another big fat one.....in saree...With hands to me...
If you ask me, yes I felt if there would be a chaos created by their group at the signal coz of me... but I was not feeling afraid.. I wasn’t a bit. I was really surprised at myself.I smiled a bit and nodded my head "NO"... Went away....

The auto driver smiled at me, the bikewala who lost his ten rupees – I don’t know what he was feeling – I could see him relieved ? couldn’t see his real expressions peeping out from his helmet… I smiled at him knowing not what he wanted to read from me or my face... Green signal heading towards Sony World...i didn't expect more....

Encountered two 50-50 over there…and one at the next signal.... all harmless...
The One I met at Sony world– now I don’t think next time would ever come to me for this is the second time I am denying to the request..

When the signal became green I could see one 50-50 – scolding an old beggar…
Territory of their own – the first 3 signals on my way from Madiwala to office :-)

Two night journey in G4 kallada...

9:15 bus….. Saturday night.
Last nite I had gone to see off AR for the same bus, for the same cause of travel….Deeps sunday… :-)
Rushed by 9:20 to the bus at friends …… “late aayallo…. “
In that run and in vain I got into some other bus..that was about to start….
Oh yeah!!!! the Volvo bus horn seemed to call my name so loud to get out of the wrong bus and board the correct one…
That’s it..
Apart from the usual trend of my friend being the last person boarding the bus, today was my chance….
'S' had already boarded the bus..and waiting for me…..and for being late I missed the window seat:-(
Journey was fine for I didn’t have the ladies seat problem this time….
At Trichur early morn 5:30, and then to kodangallur….the way was not new to me…But yes , SN puram….was a new junction I didn’t notice…
It’s after 1 year I am going to his home, last time , being the first visit in March’08.
Forget 1 year… He himself visiting after 6 months, which I felt was too long for him….at least the longest gap I witnessed.
Close to 8, I was at Punnilath….

Though we planned to go for the marriage by 9:30, we four were sitting and chatting for a while..till 9:-)
I were never grabbed out of a topic with his mother….:-)
Yes, his house has become like a home to me… no fear….nor any second thoughts to be put in before I converse …
Got up from the chito-chat, had bath , dressed up, it was 10… late already..
Oh, yeah breakfast table…..dosa, idli, chutney, sambhar, cutlet, mangoes….tea.. :-)

One feel as a KING/QUEEN , that’s the importance you get on the table at his place:-)

Hm... I had to fit in mangoes, tea, water, what all in the mouth and get into the auto so we reach the church on time…
We missed a bus in 30 seconds gap to ekm and yes, It was coz of me:-(
His father had joined us… and we were having relay races to the destination…bus from bus to bus from bus to bus…
Finallly reached the destination.... The Grand Forane Church….The ceremony was great!!!

Journey back to his place, starting at 3 , was the same… bus from bus to bus from bus to bus…
Hm...Back at home, by 4:30...he had to leave by 5 from there.....
Other cousins were at his place, most of them I had met during his marriage time..

Oh, no. ..I was feeling so sad, how less amount he spent over at home this time, for one day, a day after 6 months....Hm..... After marriage life changes in such a way that catching time for things doesn’t happen as before...
I took a shower and packed up my stuffs......I had got some earring pairs for the sweet angel....That’s the only thing I get her...all the time I see her...Hope she likes the stuff I got for her....
Again feeling like a Queen, had my early dinner, and finally made up by 6:15 to leave his place....
I understood I was a bit late in leaving his home, as bus to tcr will take up time...His father dropped me till kglr stand and I boarded to tcr..
I wish I could spend some time more, but life s not same anymore.....

Rain started when I got down from bus....Drenched a bit, I managed to get an auto to City travels. I had been making frequent calls to make sure tension doesn’t build in on me getting late to miss the bus...
Waited till I slept off on my bag coz of tiredness....
I boarded bus at 9:30, made all calls, msg ed to whomever expected and I got the window seat near Ben.
I ate the cutlet that was packed and given...and yes it was tastier....that I felt I would eat more than 10:-)

In this short two night journey, I didn’t have to bother about ladies seat...Friends play an important role in our life at times guiding us and making us feel safe with them....

Reached early morn at 5:30 back my Bangalore home....
Good night for at least 3 more hours to get rid of my tiredness... :-)

The Burning 4 Days.....

Day 1:
Yes, the main reason to go to Chennai as all knows is to attend Karthik’s marriage. Padi, pronounced as Paaaadi was a long hour journey of 2 hours from ksh's place....I found Thursday was burning hot inside the bus ..making me sweat all the way....!! A feeling of going to the function all alone made me feel lonely once more…But I was happy that I could make it to his wedding. By 10:45 in the hall, a big smile & surprise on his face….a congrats, a snap, the lunch, and a bbye wish to karthik & his jus married wife...and a prayer I made by heart..for the so called forever happy married life….By the way Karthik is an x-colleague in Wipro ; a guy who comes in the list of “Sweet guys” and whose marriage I had to attend.

"Yes, I received the call from Blore about 11… giving me the news that I didn’t want to hear.. !! Tied my heart so strong that the feeling doesn’t grows in me, so it doesn’t make my Chennai visit dull & gloomy. Sometimes I feel God is really blind"

Back home by 2...and then having me left with no option rather than sleeping, I slept for 4 hours at a stretch..and the next voice I heard was ksh when she was back from office at 8 clk..
Playing with kid made all of us sleep a little late by 1…….and at last the call for sleep came inside my eyes.

DAY 2:
Friday was a holiday for all..
Time passes so soon when a kid is at your home.. The baby has such magical powers in engaging you for the whole day...babies are born to give a smile on ur face and the only thing they needs is attention...Give them , they are yours!!
Friday at 2:30; the call taxi came (of course hired AC only) to go Rajakalpakam …..Liji is my collegemate , my hostel roommate & a sweet friend of mine. In one line I can sum it all…we even had LFA(Liji Fans Association ) in our college…..coz she was such a kind of person. Now I don’t need to describe about her. This time at her home there awaits Siddharth - 11 month old cutie pie... I was excited on bringing the 2 kids together, of almost the same age and what would be like to experience their together times…their expressions…their play…!!!!
I was capturing snaps & videos of the scene of 2 babies getting along with each other... almost all the time….Tirunelveli halwa… was yummy and I packed the remaining from there…to gulp it later. Yes , I had to keep a share of it.. Had a very nice time..till the evening at 6 over there. Boarding a bus for a tiring journey back to ksh 's home was unmanageable with her kid. Of course I thought if I had the confidence of driving the car on road the call taxi and the bus wouldn't be in picture....at all..Hm!!!

DAY3:
Kathipara was where I got down…on Thursday morn...from the Blore bus to Chennai....Having a look at it… from one side… I remembered the picture I seen …Yeah I saw that flyover for the first time.. Was feeling happy inside that he is part of the design of it. At least now I know it’s not just mud & cement but there are various things in structural engg.
It’s been a pleasure in being with him all these 12 years.....seen & unseen times... in touch...& far away times...
Our meeting happens once in a year...and that turns special to each other in our own ways...I was skeptical in deciding I should meet him once his flight lands in Chennai.....or later? I don’t know may be this time I was too excited on this meeting... Don’t know why..May be I had a fear if this would be the last chance to spend time….
But the climate turned to be a disaster for both of us.. Having roamed around in spencers plaza in that ac mall..and being done with our lunch...burning heat... gave birth to similar thoughts in our mind.. "Let’s quit this meeting as of now.."
Wearing that helmet and come all the way just to drop me to Ksh's home and then back to his place, it would be so mean on my part to make him drive km's in that sun..But I had no point to argue on that…. That’s it, a long ride back to home….Ksh had seen him and the maaza got served to cool our throats after the journey... Hmmm, Next visit would be to Bangalore to meet me & I need not come to Chennai next time...for he didn’t want me to burn anymore..:-)

Elvin gave me a good slap on my face for the scolding I gave him… when he banged his metal car on my laptop..which was a response for another scolding I gave him when he pulled the ‘num lock’ key from the lappy…Hm…:-( I understood that one forgets stubbornness , become so patient, become so selflessness……and much more….when with a kid…for u r ready to lose this all for a smile on the small chubby face…
An evening walk of 10 minutes to the beach made the day special...to give it a cool ending...
Oops!! Ending?? No... For me & ksh didn’t sleep that nite.. was talking so much, involved so much that realized it is 5:30 in the morning...And surprisingly we were not sleepy after that....So for me this Day3 didn’t end to a night but to the next dawn..:-):-)

DAY 4:
A small risk of ksh driving the car......and me at the front seat guiding her....made the journey to Sunday church special for her and for me..
Sleeping was the second thing I had when I get tired of playing with chottus…
An evening stroll to Spencer again….unexpected purchase of a jean from there…:-)
Struggled back in the traffic to get back home; packed stuffs; had to just lick the payasam that was prepared.. Couldn’t have it.. much :-(
9:30 bus boarded from Adayar…..Calls to inform I started…..done with it.
Oh Yeah!!! No need to mention….the same old ladies seat problem again… In bus… one girl was sitting with a guy, and we thought they were couple.. somehow I didn’t feel like asking her by myself….But later when checked ; she told not.. so adjusted… I was wondering why the “@^#%^#%^^” that girl wasn’t bothered to get a ladies seat…somewhat 20 mins time got wasted in it only.. to start the bus…..
Hm, thts it…..windows seat........I seemed very sleepy coz of the Saturday night out me & ksh had together….
I didn’t know anything after I slept…. woke up only when bus reached masjid signal….
Back to Bangalore…early morning cold breeze….Thank God!!! I felt like reaching paradise!!!

My Journey to Chennai

Guess what!! Things are not happening in the way I expected.....
The night I had to go to Chennai at 10:15 bus, things was turned down in such a way that I was in fear that the thing that I am gonna hear jus now..... may take away a smile on my face..
If then what is it and why should I travel? Chennai needs Shruthi more than Bangalore for the next coming days made me feel I should not cancel the journey......Hm...
Much disturbance of thoughts....of me and my journey...like ...to go or not, I had something else also in mind, Yes one of my good friends gonna be engaged this weekend and yes I am not going for his betrothal.....may be I should say the ones he expected the most is not going on his special occasion. I knew I had my own reasons of not possible to attend it..... but the N number of excuses is not a way of denying the expression of the fact. I dropped in an email to the chain of 4 to wish him, to let him know that you are thought of.....and we are with you on your special occasion with all our heart...
Yes....My journey to Chennai had lots of things to do with..thats the reason which I didn’t want to cancel it. I had got the gift for karthik’s wedding....dropped in at frndz to see off our hero for the ceremony...His presence made me feel that I should have gone for the function but some things are helpless in some state.... Having done some amount of kiddie shopping with my roommate for gifting the 2 chotu kids m gonna meet.....I remembered i have a list of calls to make before I board the bus...
A ladies seat is always a concern when I travel at nite by bus.....The need for someone accompanying the journey with me wherever I go ...I felt this little need again....Though bus was at 10:15; it left Bangalore only at 11:45......By the time I was done with all my calls...
A visit to Chennai for the reason I was waiting since some months is finally coming true I guess......:-)