These are the two fast straights, both oon each side of the wall. Speeds of upto 110 can be achieved in a go-kart on these straights.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Coimbatore (Last Week of June' 09- Friday)
On a rainy day in Mumbai (26th June 2009) somwehere around 16:00 hours, I had set off for my trip to Coimbatore. Coimbatore is the only place in South that I'm familiar with.
I have fallen in love with that place and I wanted to get back to Coimbatore, specially after my last trip. Today was a very pleasant day and I was moving out of town. I couldn't gulp that. Forgetting everything I set off on a trip to Coimbatore, expecting it to be even more pleasant.
This time my journey to Coimbatore was all by myself. So I carried a copy of the July edition of Autocar India. They had driven the Fiat Grande Punto and the Honda Jazz. So, I didn't realize how time passed by. I even carried printout of a few pages from the book called race Car Aerodynamics. Aerodynamics being my favorite subject I can read, write and discuss anytime. So I didn't realize how 1 hour 40 minutes flew by and I reached my destination.
Now, I had to travel alone to the hotel. Luckily by this journey turned out to be pleasant one. The taxi driver was an Automotive Engineer, and we sharing the same background, it wasn't difficult for me find a common topic and we went on and on, and never realised when we reached our destination. And that was it. I was in coimbatore, with no rains.
Reached my hotel, went out to a famous inn in the locality (K R Bakes) had the original South Indian Dosa, unlike the one you get in Mumbai. Then, back to hotel and off to sleep.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Last Chance
I moved silently enveloped in the safety of my car. The horrors of my past infringing upon the present silent gloom. I eased the car in the parking lot and let myself get engulfed into the hustle-bustle of the calloused world. I moved silently a beer can clutched in my hand, a last treat, along the beach. Memories came flooding in knocking the noise of the outside world. I settled myself in the farthest corner staring into nothingness ahead of me.
“Im tired of this Neil”, Sukriti was ranting on as usual. “Everyday the same thing I never complain but today, you knew it was Rishi’s annual day and you knew how much it meant to him.” It was an everyday ritual now. Since the past two years Sukriti complained everyday that I was too engrossed in my work. Adding beauty to seeming less objects I had taken the meaning out of my own life every assignment I got became a kind of addiction to get better and more challenging one after that. As a result Sukriti and Rishi spent most of their ‘times-together’ alone attending functions or movies or the usual ‘Sunday-bashes’ all by themselves. Rishi had grown more than his age. I was to be blamed. I tried to shift my guilt by buying expensive stuff for Sukriti all the times I was not there but it could never substitute for her loneliness.
“Its okay dad “, Rishi had come next morning. “ Ill talk to mum. She just misses you a lot.” It was hard to believe he was only 8. “Im sorry son”.
“You should be”, Sukriti flared carrying two suitcases.
“Suku you aren’t leaving me are you.”
“Yes I am and so is Rishi and until you have sorted out your priorities first we are out of it.”
“Suku please give me a last chance ill make it worth it.”
“You have had enough last chances for two years Neil.”
Two silent tears streamed down my face. I took another swig of the beer. There was nothing left. It had been two months and Sukriti refused to come home till I left my job. At this height in the most glorious years of my career I would be crazy to do it. Darkness was now setting in.
Nothing seemed remotely beautiful in the pent house where I was the only inhabitant now. Sukriti’s voice seemed to echo in the house calling me out. Rishi’s gurgling; throwing burger tantrums all seemed a distant dream. His toys lay scattered in his room staring at me in mock misery.
At Bernard’s assignments had been nothing short of failure. Everyone was thinking I was losing my touch in the light of the personal dilemma I was facing. My boss had called me and gravely asked me to reconsider my options of taking a break or resigning, ofcourse he dint want to loose me.
I sat silently thinking about all this. The beer was over now. I got up and started walking towards the water. I dint know swimming, Sukriti used to always tease me about it. I never got the time to learn to swim. It was all perfect. It would all end in one moment.
I had sat considering my options to get Sukriti back but after I heard that her parents were looking for boys I lost all hope. Rishi was also going to be joining the hostel. I had done this all to myself. When she needed me to be caring and sensitive to her needs I had taken her understanding for granted and never once thought about it. She deserved the happiness she was going to get.
I was waddling into deep waters now. The beach was deserted. No one was to be seen. Even more good. Rishi I thought in my last moment of despair, I need to live for him. I stopped in my tracks. It was too late and the tide had been increasing. A wave came, I should run I thought and I screamt out for help. The water was closing in and I knew no more.
“Neil why did you this”, Sukriti was crying. The headlines read ‘Ad-guru Neil Ahuja attempts suicide ‘.
“Well im sorry Suku I love you”. Tears were splattering the hospital sheets.
“Do you want to go Rome Rishi? “.
“Nah dad dint you have enough of water last week”, Sukriti gave a weak chuckle as I roared out.
“If you ask me it’s Paris for me what say mum.”
She looked me doubtingly.
“Hmm the assignment will have to wait till next month then I guess”, Sukriti raised her eye-brows. “No what I meant was not that sweetie...”
” you had better not…”
Some things just can’t help being the same.
“Im tired of this Neil”, Sukriti was ranting on as usual. “Everyday the same thing I never complain but today, you knew it was Rishi’s annual day and you knew how much it meant to him.” It was an everyday ritual now. Since the past two years Sukriti complained everyday that I was too engrossed in my work. Adding beauty to seeming less objects I had taken the meaning out of my own life every assignment I got became a kind of addiction to get better and more challenging one after that. As a result Sukriti and Rishi spent most of their ‘times-together’ alone attending functions or movies or the usual ‘Sunday-bashes’ all by themselves. Rishi had grown more than his age. I was to be blamed. I tried to shift my guilt by buying expensive stuff for Sukriti all the times I was not there but it could never substitute for her loneliness.
“Its okay dad “, Rishi had come next morning. “ Ill talk to mum. She just misses you a lot.” It was hard to believe he was only 8. “Im sorry son”.
“You should be”, Sukriti flared carrying two suitcases.
“Suku you aren’t leaving me are you.”
“Yes I am and so is Rishi and until you have sorted out your priorities first we are out of it.”
“Suku please give me a last chance ill make it worth it.”
“You have had enough last chances for two years Neil.”
Two silent tears streamed down my face. I took another swig of the beer. There was nothing left. It had been two months and Sukriti refused to come home till I left my job. At this height in the most glorious years of my career I would be crazy to do it. Darkness was now setting in.
Nothing seemed remotely beautiful in the pent house where I was the only inhabitant now. Sukriti’s voice seemed to echo in the house calling me out. Rishi’s gurgling; throwing burger tantrums all seemed a distant dream. His toys lay scattered in his room staring at me in mock misery.
At Bernard’s assignments had been nothing short of failure. Everyone was thinking I was losing my touch in the light of the personal dilemma I was facing. My boss had called me and gravely asked me to reconsider my options of taking a break or resigning, ofcourse he dint want to loose me.
I sat silently thinking about all this. The beer was over now. I got up and started walking towards the water. I dint know swimming, Sukriti used to always tease me about it. I never got the time to learn to swim. It was all perfect. It would all end in one moment.
I had sat considering my options to get Sukriti back but after I heard that her parents were looking for boys I lost all hope. Rishi was also going to be joining the hostel. I had done this all to myself. When she needed me to be caring and sensitive to her needs I had taken her understanding for granted and never once thought about it. She deserved the happiness she was going to get.
I was waddling into deep waters now. The beach was deserted. No one was to be seen. Even more good. Rishi I thought in my last moment of despair, I need to live for him. I stopped in my tracks. It was too late and the tide had been increasing. A wave came, I should run I thought and I screamt out for help. The water was closing in and I knew no more.
“Neil why did you this”, Sukriti was crying. The headlines read ‘Ad-guru Neil Ahuja attempts suicide ‘.
“Well im sorry Suku I love you”. Tears were splattering the hospital sheets.
“Do you want to go Rome Rishi? “.
“Nah dad dint you have enough of water last week”, Sukriti gave a weak chuckle as I roared out.
“If you ask me it’s Paris for me what say mum.”
She looked me doubtingly.
“Hmm the assignment will have to wait till next month then I guess”, Sukriti raised her eye-brows. “No what I meant was not that sweetie...”
” you had better not…”
Some things just can’t help being the same.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
cupid versus kamdev
Are you struck by the depth of love or the lust of sex? Are you the janam-janam ka saathi types? Welcome people to India the land of uhmm…sex and love (kamdev is the god of sex by the way).
We have got from our “rich cultural heritage” Kamdev but we put love above sex…oh the meeting of two souls. We are love struck after all. We are groping in the corners, drooling over multiple ‘soul-mates’ but hey we are in love don’t insult ‘it’.
We detest Valentines Day, it’s not our culture. It is symbolized by the cupid. But we are surely not cupid struck are we? Yes we definitely have one-night stands and the practice of getting-to-know-each-other-better. Sitting under vanilla skies we discuss life and its various aspects(verbally and uhmm…physically) but we also mouth obscenities to people who exchange cards and gifts and show affection towards their ‘loved-ones’ on 14th Feb. the festival of the Cupid is vulgar, we retort. Oh but we are so in love.
We will serve our paati-parameshwars even if they are kamdevs of the worst sort; juggling about three women at a time…after all kamdev is a god too isn’t he? But the post-man performs his ‘duties’ better.
Times are changing now and we are definitely catching up with the west and things are happening in front of the bush. We exchange porn cd’s and magazines. We do ‘everything’ openly with many people, pyaar kia to darna kya. High time people respect us for the love we have for our partner(s) and even if we wish to do it again and again and again.
We are definitely in love and struck by the Cupid aren’t we??
We have got from our “rich cultural heritage” Kamdev but we put love above sex…oh the meeting of two souls. We are love struck after all. We are groping in the corners, drooling over multiple ‘soul-mates’ but hey we are in love don’t insult ‘it’.
We detest Valentines Day, it’s not our culture. It is symbolized by the cupid. But we are surely not cupid struck are we? Yes we definitely have one-night stands and the practice of getting-to-know-each-other-better. Sitting under vanilla skies we discuss life and its various aspects(verbally and uhmm…physically) but we also mouth obscenities to people who exchange cards and gifts and show affection towards their ‘loved-ones’ on 14th Feb. the festival of the Cupid is vulgar, we retort. Oh but we are so in love.
We will serve our paati-parameshwars even if they are kamdevs of the worst sort; juggling about three women at a time…after all kamdev is a god too isn’t he? But the post-man performs his ‘duties’ better.
Times are changing now and we are definitely catching up with the west and things are happening in front of the bush. We exchange porn cd’s and magazines. We do ‘everything’ openly with many people, pyaar kia to darna kya. High time people respect us for the love we have for our partner(s) and even if we wish to do it again and again and again.
We are definitely in love and struck by the Cupid aren’t we??
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
completed
I was our graduation day, and my last chance. There she was glistening like a divine angel, her beautiful brown hair rippling with the slight breeze, her hand swaying in tunes in which she spoke, so beautiful, so charming. I looked at her as if struck b some beautiful vision, breathing as if for the first time. She caught my eye and smiled causing me to turn into a deeper shade of pink than the one she was wearing. I tried to smile back but let out a stupid wide grin. Embarrassed I looked away.
She sits beside me two pony tails dangling from the sides of her head with Mickey-mouse rubber bands. She suddenly looks up, “Nathan let us go and play on the swing”.
With my half finished Tiffin box I looked up with innocent round eyes wondering why would anyone want to play on the swing leaving their lunch. But I liked Mrigankh so I jumped from the bench and obediently followed her.
The beautiful blue sky is sprinkled with wispy clouds. She is clad in the white uniform shirt and the cute black mini skirt. She suddenly clutches my hand,” Nathan look”.
A chill runs down my spine. Why though I wonder idiotically.
“Isn’t she beautiful”.
I look up pink till the roots of my spiky hair,”Oh yes”.
She realized I hadn’t seen the butterfly. When I was bounding at home my dad realized that my field trip was about something different. We are in the sixth grade and Mrigankh is my best friend.
It is prom night and Mrigankh is not my date. There she was, stunning in a beautiful red gown moving in rhythm with the music. Dancing with another guy. ‘Her guy’. His one hand around her waist with the other touching her cheek. I felt this mad urge to go and kick someone. The drink glass in my hand shattered without me realizing that, hot blood was dripping from my hand staining the grey pant I as wearing. I only realized it when Suhan, my date, screamt out loud. It was that night in my distressed and disturbed state I realized that it was not about some stupid crush I had on Mrigankh I was in love with her. But I never told her.
Not even when she came to me two years later after having broken up with Neil. It was then that I realized how fragile she was, when she sobbed uncontrollably in my arms. Tears streaming down her angelic face, she told me what big a mistake she had made by trusting Neil.
It was all very different then. As days rolled by Mrigankh grew close to me. She never got a guy after Neil. She was too busy building up a career. I loved her for that. But every now and then when I used to stare at her mesmerized by her sheer presence she would give me that stare. The one she gave when we used to eat lollipops together or cuddle up and read a book and she loved me too. But I never told her.
The evening was passing by pleasantly and I was getting nervous by the moment. She was standing with me and we were sharing a joke with some friends. Everyone suddenly looked at me perplexed and as if out of a trance I realized I hadn’t laughed at the joke but was staring at Mrigankh. It grew uncomfortable. My friends knew it but she looked mildly surprised everyone went for a dance. I wondered if it was the right moment.
“Nathan”, whispered Mrigankh.
I knew what was coming I looked into her blue eyes, forgetting my carefully rehearsed speech I fell down on my knees. It was now or never.
“Mrigankh I love you will you marry me”.
That day with 300 people looking and Mrigankh slowly smiling and everyone clapping as I hugged her I realize that everything had to be perfect, it had to have a happy ending. Mrigankh finally completed me.
She sits beside me two pony tails dangling from the sides of her head with Mickey-mouse rubber bands. She suddenly looks up, “Nathan let us go and play on the swing”.
With my half finished Tiffin box I looked up with innocent round eyes wondering why would anyone want to play on the swing leaving their lunch. But I liked Mrigankh so I jumped from the bench and obediently followed her.
The beautiful blue sky is sprinkled with wispy clouds. She is clad in the white uniform shirt and the cute black mini skirt. She suddenly clutches my hand,” Nathan look”.
A chill runs down my spine. Why though I wonder idiotically.
“Isn’t she beautiful”.
I look up pink till the roots of my spiky hair,”Oh yes”.
She realized I hadn’t seen the butterfly. When I was bounding at home my dad realized that my field trip was about something different. We are in the sixth grade and Mrigankh is my best friend.
It is prom night and Mrigankh is not my date. There she was, stunning in a beautiful red gown moving in rhythm with the music. Dancing with another guy. ‘Her guy’. His one hand around her waist with the other touching her cheek. I felt this mad urge to go and kick someone. The drink glass in my hand shattered without me realizing that, hot blood was dripping from my hand staining the grey pant I as wearing. I only realized it when Suhan, my date, screamt out loud. It was that night in my distressed and disturbed state I realized that it was not about some stupid crush I had on Mrigankh I was in love with her. But I never told her.
Not even when she came to me two years later after having broken up with Neil. It was then that I realized how fragile she was, when she sobbed uncontrollably in my arms. Tears streaming down her angelic face, she told me what big a mistake she had made by trusting Neil.
It was all very different then. As days rolled by Mrigankh grew close to me. She never got a guy after Neil. She was too busy building up a career. I loved her for that. But every now and then when I used to stare at her mesmerized by her sheer presence she would give me that stare. The one she gave when we used to eat lollipops together or cuddle up and read a book and she loved me too. But I never told her.
The evening was passing by pleasantly and I was getting nervous by the moment. She was standing with me and we were sharing a joke with some friends. Everyone suddenly looked at me perplexed and as if out of a trance I realized I hadn’t laughed at the joke but was staring at Mrigankh. It grew uncomfortable. My friends knew it but she looked mildly surprised everyone went for a dance. I wondered if it was the right moment.
“Nathan”, whispered Mrigankh.
I knew what was coming I looked into her blue eyes, forgetting my carefully rehearsed speech I fell down on my knees. It was now or never.
“Mrigankh I love you will you marry me”.
That day with 300 people looking and Mrigankh slowly smiling and everyone clapping as I hugged her I realize that everything had to be perfect, it had to have a happy ending. Mrigankh finally completed me.
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
The chill of the raw January morning cut into my skin despite the barrier of wools I was buried under. Some people would seize winter as an opportunity to remain tucked into the safety of their beds, I was going to meet Life and it made me walk on. Maybe it was time I told Ann, I pondered for the umpteenth time. It had been fifteen years of happy married life. I dint know how she would react to it. There are something’s in life you can never guess giving no heed to time. As her figure dawned at the horizon the thought of Ann was wiped out. As angelic as ever, she always took my breath away.
“Hi Khushi”.
“Hi Bruce”.
We hugged and sat on one of the benches lining the park.
I had never even in one of my wildest dreams thought I would love anyone more than Ann or Mike. That became history when I met Khushi. As beautiful as spring she breathed life into everything around her. Everyone got incessantly attracted to her. She was elixir. She reflected the beautiful world around her.
I still remember the grey morning when I first met her. I had thought she was one of those few lucky ones who had reason to be happy and made people realize what losers they are. I was proved wrong after being a few moments with her. She was indeed one of those who have you a reason to live. She grew on to becoming an intrinsic part of my life. It had been 8 months since this angel had stepped into my world. She was like a mirage behind which I ran in search of ambrosia.
“How wonderful was your day?” she asked.
“Just as wonderful as it could be”, I replied.
Out came the mesmerizing smile that made you feel nothing could go wrong after all.
“I got a promotion”, I exclaimed ecstatically.
“That’s wonderful”, she said.
There was a pain in her voice today, she was trying to conceal it, but hearing it made my happiness shrivel up. “Is everything fine?”, I was concerned. “Yes”, she lied. “People who can’t lie shouldn’t even try”. She smiled. “I lost my week worth’s wages yesterday”. I was shocked. I dint now what she did.
“What happened?” I asked softly
She hesitated. She was dancing on the street as usual and someone had just scooped her bag and walked away when she hadn’t seen. Something inside me cried out loud. I never knew this.
It was a routine we followed diligently. I met her for two hours everyday and gathered pearls of life and fulfillment from her. She became my pulsating need. I found solace and happiness which she radiated out. It made me want to fly in the bluey skies. Her innocence, her casual carelessness spelt of a different world with a sense of completeness. We spoke of simple everyday things. Never about her or about me. But she some how lighted a fire in me like a torch in a forest. It made me want to live to enjoy every moment of life. Whenever I met her I rebounded back with more energy wanting to do that extra bit in life. Don’t know how she did it.
But today was different. I held her close.
“Everything will be fine baby. I promise.”
She cried giving vent to all blocked up feelings. Every word she uttered was lke a blow to me. It was saying something to give reason to live to someone when you yourself don’t have a reason to survive. It was all so much calloused. She was an orphan with no one to care, living a life of utter impoverishment.
“Who would care if I died or lived”, she said.
It touched the innermost chords of my mortal heart.
“It would matter me. Everything is going to be fine “, I accentuated.
She looked up. I just realized how fragile everyone is.
I dragged myself home that day unable to take out her picture from my mind. The helplessness spoke volumes of the kind of life she lived and I couldn’t be just another spectator looking at her succumbing to the adversities of life. After all that she had done for me I definitely couldn’t.
Meeting her till then was a phenomenon I followed out of habit or addiction but now it had become a necessity. I spoke to Ann some how that day. The walls had began to close in and there was nothing else to do. The paperwork was going on and we just had to wait. Khushi dint know I wanted to give her a surprise. I hadn’t asked her but I was sure she wouldn’t say no.
It was a crisp morning with clouds circling the sky. Clad in her usual black she was waiting for me on the same bench. I went to her and sat down beside her. She looked up and smiled and the world fell into oblivion as usual.
“I want you to come home with me”, I said.
Ann was surprised when I told her about Khushi that day.
“She is wonderful”, I ended.
I looked down afraid to see the expression forming on her face.
I couldn’t read her face. It was the beginning of a new day. That is how Khushi Carter became a part of our family. Ann was proud of me of course. Why did I even doubt it? Ah…umm….I love her for understanding how important Khushi was for me. She agreed 12 years was too much considering Mike is only 3 but she was happy to have a daughter after all. Then as they say in the fairy tales ‘we lived happily ever after’.
“Hi Khushi”.
“Hi Bruce”.
We hugged and sat on one of the benches lining the park.
I had never even in one of my wildest dreams thought I would love anyone more than Ann or Mike. That became history when I met Khushi. As beautiful as spring she breathed life into everything around her. Everyone got incessantly attracted to her. She was elixir. She reflected the beautiful world around her.
I still remember the grey morning when I first met her. I had thought she was one of those few lucky ones who had reason to be happy and made people realize what losers they are. I was proved wrong after being a few moments with her. She was indeed one of those who have you a reason to live. She grew on to becoming an intrinsic part of my life. It had been 8 months since this angel had stepped into my world. She was like a mirage behind which I ran in search of ambrosia.
“How wonderful was your day?” she asked.
“Just as wonderful as it could be”, I replied.
Out came the mesmerizing smile that made you feel nothing could go wrong after all.
“I got a promotion”, I exclaimed ecstatically.
“That’s wonderful”, she said.
There was a pain in her voice today, she was trying to conceal it, but hearing it made my happiness shrivel up. “Is everything fine?”, I was concerned. “Yes”, she lied. “People who can’t lie shouldn’t even try”. She smiled. “I lost my week worth’s wages yesterday”. I was shocked. I dint now what she did.
“What happened?” I asked softly
She hesitated. She was dancing on the street as usual and someone had just scooped her bag and walked away when she hadn’t seen. Something inside me cried out loud. I never knew this.
It was a routine we followed diligently. I met her for two hours everyday and gathered pearls of life and fulfillment from her. She became my pulsating need. I found solace and happiness which she radiated out. It made me want to fly in the bluey skies. Her innocence, her casual carelessness spelt of a different world with a sense of completeness. We spoke of simple everyday things. Never about her or about me. But she some how lighted a fire in me like a torch in a forest. It made me want to live to enjoy every moment of life. Whenever I met her I rebounded back with more energy wanting to do that extra bit in life. Don’t know how she did it.
But today was different. I held her close.
“Everything will be fine baby. I promise.”
She cried giving vent to all blocked up feelings. Every word she uttered was lke a blow to me. It was saying something to give reason to live to someone when you yourself don’t have a reason to survive. It was all so much calloused. She was an orphan with no one to care, living a life of utter impoverishment.
“Who would care if I died or lived”, she said.
It touched the innermost chords of my mortal heart.
“It would matter me. Everything is going to be fine “, I accentuated.
She looked up. I just realized how fragile everyone is.
I dragged myself home that day unable to take out her picture from my mind. The helplessness spoke volumes of the kind of life she lived and I couldn’t be just another spectator looking at her succumbing to the adversities of life. After all that she had done for me I definitely couldn’t.
Meeting her till then was a phenomenon I followed out of habit or addiction but now it had become a necessity. I spoke to Ann some how that day. The walls had began to close in and there was nothing else to do. The paperwork was going on and we just had to wait. Khushi dint know I wanted to give her a surprise. I hadn’t asked her but I was sure she wouldn’t say no.
It was a crisp morning with clouds circling the sky. Clad in her usual black she was waiting for me on the same bench. I went to her and sat down beside her. She looked up and smiled and the world fell into oblivion as usual.
“I want you to come home with me”, I said.
Ann was surprised when I told her about Khushi that day.
“She is wonderful”, I ended.
I looked down afraid to see the expression forming on her face.
I couldn’t read her face. It was the beginning of a new day. That is how Khushi Carter became a part of our family. Ann was proud of me of course. Why did I even doubt it? Ah…umm….I love her for understanding how important Khushi was for me. She agreed 12 years was too much considering Mike is only 3 but she was happy to have a daughter after all. Then as they say in the fairy tales ‘we lived happily ever after’.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Dumb-struck
I saw her coming through the corridor and as if in a trance I stared at her like an infant gazing at the universe unfolding before his eyes. She came and held my hand, “I Krish”, oh my, the same tingling sensation and rush of blood. Even after knowing her for three years I feel the same mesmerized by her sheer presence around me as if life has been instilled in me then and my entire existence depended on her holding my hand. Now what should I do, I thought stupidly.
I remember the bright crisp morning of the football match when I had first seen Michelle. It was a local football match between the teams of the two rival universities. It was a small oval field and there she was Michelle as beautiful and fresh as the morning dew. She was a classic American beauty. Standing on the opposite side of the stadium clad in a blue skirt and white tee, her beautiful blonde hair fanning behind her. I just sat there staring at her for don’t know how long and would have continued had not Lee upturned the popcorn cup on me. He was surprised, “I mean u like Michelle”, he exclaimed, “This is serious business”. It always was for Lee since she was the first girl I had ever considered all my life, after….umm…. Nikita but that was years ago when she had accidentally kissed me after finding me cute, in kindergarten. I hadn’t set my eyes on another girl. Being the epitome of tradition and duties it had upheld family values and done what should be rightfully done. But now I found myself succumbing to years of disciplined upbringing.
Her eyes as blue as the artic ocean I suddenly recovered as if breathing for the first time,” hi Michelle”, I managed weakly.
After exchanging pleasantries she introduced me to the “cute” guy with her. “Joshua is the same guy I told you about”. I screwed my eyes trying to remember. “The childhood friend I love a lot”. Oh yeah how can I forget that brat. Some dumb close friend she ranted about sometimes he was supposed to be an engineer. “he has come here for marriage”. The entire world slipped from under my feet.
It had been very hard getting Michelle address and number. But Lee was all into it. He was determined to get me set with someone so he got her number after all. After that seeing her had become the pulsating need. More of an addiction. I remember the maple tree standing behind which I used to look at her come through the stone stairs of her college building. It took me months to string two words and talk to her but after that it was all blizz. Meeting at the cafes with umbrellas under the sun sipping colado or catching up on some movie or tasting cheese at the Royals was a ritual we diligently followed. I wanted her to know me before I could actually ask her out some day. We became the best of friends and told each other everything. She told me about how she had to live like orphan all life with no one to care for her. Her parents had separated even when she was a little child and she had to go on in life on her own ever since. I told her about how I was over protected and over cared for and how I desperately wanted to break free and discover the world on my own and do something. The metamorphosis from a kid to an adult is so different and strange for different people. She liked my world and I liked hers. So on it went she becoming an intrinsic part of my life.
“Oh congratulations”, I said. “Thanks mate”, he said and then there was the buzz of his cell phone. While he spoke I looked around uncomfortably trying to figure out something that would provide solace and she looked at me puzzled. After he had finished talking on the phone he asked me to join for dinner but I declined, “I have an important meeting”, I lied and quickly retired home without looking at Michelle.
I cried all night and made up my mind. I got up all determined and went to the office and handed out my resignation letter. It was time perhaps to back to where I belong. I tried to avoid Michelle as much as possible the next few days. “Why are you doing this” asked Lee one fine day. “it only seems the right thing to do to let go”, I walked away. He knew everything. He was perplexed with the intensity with which something so right that seemed such a beautiful world had shattered and lost into oblivion.
It seemed like ages but it was only 3 weeks since I had last spoken to Michelle. I was standing in the queue of the baggage counter. After depositing my bag when I turned around I found her there two silent tears streaming down her face. I walked up to her. “im sorry I don’t know what I have supposed to have done but I just couldn’t let you go without letting u know that I love you”. I was shocked. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me im sorry I couldn’t be the perfect one. I really dint want you to go go…..”, “but weren’t you marring Joshua?” It was her turn to be shocked. ”he got married yesterday with his childhood sweetheart Kate. Dint you know”, “you never told me”. “You never asked. Hey hang on a sec was this all about that?”. “Yes”, I quipped. “Great and you are going back to India because of that couldn’t you just ask I would’ve told you”. ”im not going back to India..”, “Lee told me….”. “Its that bloody dog who has done all this. I’m just going to the states for a couple of days they refused to accept my resignation and instead gave me a promotion”, I swelled with pride. She was fuming with anger, “wow”. I looked around knowing not what to do. “so”, she asked, “are you not forgetting something?”. “Am I “, I teased. “bye Krish”, she turned. I fell on my knees it was now or never. “Will you marry me Michelle?”
There couldn’t be a better date or a perfect timing. Well….the memory is still etched in our minds. It surprises me even today, a promotion and the courage to ask Michelle out. “Krish” she damn still mesmerizes me, “will you please change Kian’s clothes he has dirtied them again” .Ummm….. not as much as before,” Krish did you hear me”,. “Coming honey”. Something’s just end this way.
I remember the bright crisp morning of the football match when I had first seen Michelle. It was a local football match between the teams of the two rival universities. It was a small oval field and there she was Michelle as beautiful and fresh as the morning dew. She was a classic American beauty. Standing on the opposite side of the stadium clad in a blue skirt and white tee, her beautiful blonde hair fanning behind her. I just sat there staring at her for don’t know how long and would have continued had not Lee upturned the popcorn cup on me. He was surprised, “I mean u like Michelle”, he exclaimed, “This is serious business”. It always was for Lee since she was the first girl I had ever considered all my life, after….umm…. Nikita but that was years ago when she had accidentally kissed me after finding me cute, in kindergarten. I hadn’t set my eyes on another girl. Being the epitome of tradition and duties it had upheld family values and done what should be rightfully done. But now I found myself succumbing to years of disciplined upbringing.
Her eyes as blue as the artic ocean I suddenly recovered as if breathing for the first time,” hi Michelle”, I managed weakly.
After exchanging pleasantries she introduced me to the “cute” guy with her. “Joshua is the same guy I told you about”. I screwed my eyes trying to remember. “The childhood friend I love a lot”. Oh yeah how can I forget that brat. Some dumb close friend she ranted about sometimes he was supposed to be an engineer. “he has come here for marriage”. The entire world slipped from under my feet.
It had been very hard getting Michelle address and number. But Lee was all into it. He was determined to get me set with someone so he got her number after all. After that seeing her had become the pulsating need. More of an addiction. I remember the maple tree standing behind which I used to look at her come through the stone stairs of her college building. It took me months to string two words and talk to her but after that it was all blizz. Meeting at the cafes with umbrellas under the sun sipping colado or catching up on some movie or tasting cheese at the Royals was a ritual we diligently followed. I wanted her to know me before I could actually ask her out some day. We became the best of friends and told each other everything. She told me about how she had to live like orphan all life with no one to care for her. Her parents had separated even when she was a little child and she had to go on in life on her own ever since. I told her about how I was over protected and over cared for and how I desperately wanted to break free and discover the world on my own and do something. The metamorphosis from a kid to an adult is so different and strange for different people. She liked my world and I liked hers. So on it went she becoming an intrinsic part of my life.
“Oh congratulations”, I said. “Thanks mate”, he said and then there was the buzz of his cell phone. While he spoke I looked around uncomfortably trying to figure out something that would provide solace and she looked at me puzzled. After he had finished talking on the phone he asked me to join for dinner but I declined, “I have an important meeting”, I lied and quickly retired home without looking at Michelle.
I cried all night and made up my mind. I got up all determined and went to the office and handed out my resignation letter. It was time perhaps to back to where I belong. I tried to avoid Michelle as much as possible the next few days. “Why are you doing this” asked Lee one fine day. “it only seems the right thing to do to let go”, I walked away. He knew everything. He was perplexed with the intensity with which something so right that seemed such a beautiful world had shattered and lost into oblivion.
It seemed like ages but it was only 3 weeks since I had last spoken to Michelle. I was standing in the queue of the baggage counter. After depositing my bag when I turned around I found her there two silent tears streaming down her face. I walked up to her. “im sorry I don’t know what I have supposed to have done but I just couldn’t let you go without letting u know that I love you”. I was shocked. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me im sorry I couldn’t be the perfect one. I really dint want you to go go…..”, “but weren’t you marring Joshua?” It was her turn to be shocked. ”he got married yesterday with his childhood sweetheart Kate. Dint you know”, “you never told me”. “You never asked. Hey hang on a sec was this all about that?”. “Yes”, I quipped. “Great and you are going back to India because of that couldn’t you just ask I would’ve told you”. ”im not going back to India..”, “Lee told me….”. “Its that bloody dog who has done all this. I’m just going to the states for a couple of days they refused to accept my resignation and instead gave me a promotion”, I swelled with pride. She was fuming with anger, “wow”. I looked around knowing not what to do. “so”, she asked, “are you not forgetting something?”. “Am I “, I teased. “bye Krish”, she turned. I fell on my knees it was now or never. “Will you marry me Michelle?”
There couldn’t be a better date or a perfect timing. Well….the memory is still etched in our minds. It surprises me even today, a promotion and the courage to ask Michelle out. “Krish” she damn still mesmerizes me, “will you please change Kian’s clothes he has dirtied them again” .Ummm….. not as much as before,” Krish did you hear me”,. “Coming honey”. Something’s just end this way.
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