Summer Scoops!

Life is good. There is the new found husband, the new job, new office, new people to get bugged with. Basically, life is happening. But, lethargy unfortunately, is taking precedence over all this. Hence, the less frequent posts!

Anyways, can you believe SUMMER is here!! I have always loved summers. Most people look shocked when I say that, but I do. Really. The reasons, I have always stated as (a) Mangoes, (b) Mangoes and (c) Mangoes. But here's a revelation. The principle reason why I loved summers was “Summer Vacations”! Two and a half months of blissful laziness, no school/college, no getting up early, no deadlines, no time-tables! Oh, such was life! Post the evil “work life” began; I do not have summer vacations! Instead I will be slogging it out in office and definitely not be sleeping at home, sweet home. And that thought is depressing, to say the least. In sweet memory of the summers that I loved, here's a list of things that made me fall in love with it:

• The huge family gatherings where all my cousins would come to my grandparents’ house for the summers.
• All kids sleeping in one row on joint blankets (we were at least 8-9 of us) because we refused to sleep in proper rooms with fans and beds.
• Waking up at 5am to go on long walks with Grandpa and then feed sparrows on our way back
• Evening/morning walks, started enthusiastically as daily routines, gradually becoming a twice a week event and then, once in a blue moon event!
• Making sure we had ice-cream every day after lunch.
• Also, ate lollies or cone ice-creams from the street cart fellow!
• Mangoes and chilled Lemonades with extra sugar.
• White Cotton shirts with shorts and slippers.
• Hot afternoons spent in dark rooms, with closed curtains, a loud whirring fan, wind zipping through the hair.
• Lazy days spent watching afternoon soaps on TV.
• Curling up in a corner, reading novels, till eyes start to water.
• Writing spelling tests on all the huge words read in the novel and acing them ( yup, my mom was famous for her “summer-tests”)
• Renting cycles for 30mins every day! (Nope, I never owned a cycle, dad always thought Il fall off of it and die! *did I mention he’s a daughter neurotic*)
• Nights on the porch peppered with idle conversations on latest household gossip.
• The failed attempts at making Kulfi, throughout the season. By the time we mastered it, the season would end.
• Random movies on Star Movies and HBO, watching repeats of shows on Star World.
• The 4pm snack - a mixture of all random eatables found in the kitchen, mixed in uneven proportions, smacked generously with ketchup to hide the inability to conjure up a delicacy. It was always tasty nonetheless.
• Long showers with the gardening pipe, watering the garden if water was left, the smell of wet mud, washing the face a zillion times!
• Home-Made bubble blowers!
• Random hobbies that were forgotten about by the end of the vacation. List includes Painting, Guitar, cooking, philately, sketching, cartooning. Yeah. Needless to say, none worked.
• Most of all, Mangoes! Heaps and heaps of them. All summer clothes had yellow stains!

P.S:  I will go spend my pseudo summer trapped in the office air conditioning. *sigh*

Gym for dummies

Every morning, as I work out, I need something to distract me from the monotony of the cross trainer, or the Treadmill. More often than not, the music does the job, and I try to match the speed of strides to the beats of ‘Anjaana Anjaani’. But there are times when they play ‘ Tere mast mast do nain’, or ‘Tum jo aaye’, or even ‘Tujhme rab dikhta hai – slow version’ (seriously!), and then your mind needs something else to keep it off the timer which seems to be ticking in slow motion. So I decided to observe people. And categorize them. This can benefit all of you too, and the next time you think you cannot take anymore cycling, distract yourself by bucketing your gym-mates under these categories. Good fun, I tell ya.

The Big Guys - These are the guys are Gym instructor look-alikes, who you can also confuse, going by the amount of time they spend in the gym. These guys are harmless, almost. See, they are veterans, and their days of using the Treadmill, the Elliptical trainer, or any of the calorie burning devices are long gone. Those are for the I-am-trying-real-hard-to-burn-those-10-kilos minions like me. And the 5 Kg dumb-bells that certain people struggle to do ‘3 sets of 15’ bicep curls, are well, probably pretty toys for them. They will come for a couple of hours, pick the weights our kind don’t  even look at, use the bar-bells which we use for hanging our towels while working out, do a lot of grunting along with the lifting, walk around huffing and puffing, and then leave. Harmless, like I said. Except for perhaps the ego.

The Dainty  Damsels - The purpose of this category to join the gym, could be:

1.      I have too much time on hand.

2.      Gymming is so cool, so let me try it.

3.      Everyone’s seen me in formals, let me show how I rock tracks and tees
This category is a minority, and has a high turnover ratio. You will always spot a couple of these in the gym, but if you try to spot them two weeks later, and they wouldn’t be the same individuals. They wear 3/4ths showing off their delicate ankles, have their hair high up in a pretty pony tail, wear loops in their ears, and in all, look like they have walked off the gym sets from a movie, or some workout video. Perfect. Only, they will walk for 10 minutes on the Treadmill at Speed 5, then have some water, then try the cross trainer for 5 minutes, drink some more water, and then leave. They return the next day, and do the exact same things, albeit in a new and fancier outfit. A couple of days later, they disappear, probably because they run out of clothes to wear, that no one has seen.

The Yakkity-Yak kind - This is a slightly, ok make it very, obnoxious category. While they can be sub-categorized into the ones that actually workout, and the ones who don’t, the main defining element is their love to talk, and talk loud. So much so, that you can actually hear them over the ‘Dabangg’ title song. They will walk to all and sundry and 1) Comment about what they are doing wrong 2) Ask them why they have been irregular 3) Talk about how they have been really busy at work or 4) sing. I know singing isn’t talking, but these kinds, in the absence of a pair of ears to listen to them, can go to the extent of generally talking to the air, or like I mentioned singing, very loudly, along with the Music system.

The I’m-too-sexy-for-my-shirt kind - The gym for them can be defined as the place which has mirrors all around. That solely describes their purpose for the visits. They will walk around, and observe their anatomy from every angle that the mirrors provide. They flex their (non)existent biceps, groom their hair, raise their eyebrows at themselves, smile, frown, and in general analyze their looks. This constitutes 80% of their schedule at the gym. The remaining 20% of the times, they lift weights, and then check out their biceps in the mirrors. Yep, pretty much that.

The Torture bearers - ‘Bas, aur nahi hota!’. Ok, we’ve all been there, done that. At least I have. But I usually try and keep these declarations of ‘I’ve had enough’ to myself. But not everyone. Not these guys. They will push themselves for the crunches, do more lifts than they find themselves capable of, and with every additional number, and you will see a change in their expression. They scrunch their eyes, they grit their teeth, and they resemble to a great extent our very own Bollywood hero who has been tied to a pole and is being battered with a baseball bat for not revealing the secret to that invention which can destroy the world. And after every few counts, they let out a very audible groan. So much so, that after a while, you start smirking, thinking about how really strong you yourself are.

The ‘Run-Forrest-run’ category - Their aim – weight loss. And that’s it. Their schedule... enter gym, target 1 – Weighing machine, target 2 – cross trainer/Tread mill. 45 minutes later, you see a sweaty individual, with a drenched Tee, and a pool of sweat under the machine used. This category has selective vision, and they refuse to acknowledge anyone standing behind them for however long, waiting to use the said machine, until their timer strikes the stipulated 45 minutes – 1 hour. This category is one of the few who actually take the dietitian seriously. And usually you will find others timing their visits to gym to suit (or more clearly, avoid) schedules of these individuals.

Visitors - This category in all probability enrolled when the gym was inaugurated. Mainly because, it existed. Once a month, they have a sudden guilt trip of how they do nothing for physical fitness, and they visit the sacred gym. A couple of days later, more important ‘work’ comes up, and they disappear again. But they ensure that their enrollment is justified by making these scheduled, if not frequent trips. These guys will actually know and talk to the big guys, more so because they have known each other for a long time. If you see these people, and happen to ask if they just joined, they will respond with a ‘No-no! I joined a year ago! Yeah, been a little irregular’ with a very annoyed expression on their face. If you are regular enough, the next you see them would be the next month, around the same time.

Me - Of course, I saved the best for the last. Well I still do not know what category I belong to. I cannot be called regular, 5-6 days a week is the maximum I seem to be able to do. In the gym, I am anything but dainty, my hair is never in place, I sweat like I have the whole Arabian sea inside me and needs to get out, and I seem to have picked my rattiest (albeit super comfortable) tees for gym. I do not talk while working out, because, honestly, I cannot. I am too busy being breathless to be able to get words out of me. I dislike the mirror in the gym, because I think it makes me look fat, and I believe the gym mirrors are so to motivate people (yeah, someone told me, so?). I already mentioned that I keep my face devoid of any expression, and the only sound I am capable of generating is that of wheezing. I love running, I love weight training (no I am not psycho, I love eating too, that’s the problem!). And I am assuming that my 5-6 days a week status does not categorize me as a visitor either. So, whoever does not fall in any of the other categories falls under the ‘me’ category.

P.S: The Husband falls under the “Boxer” category, and I dare not describe that!!

Marry-Go-Round-5 : Dreams

We like to think we're fearless, eager to explore unknown lands and soak up new experiences, but the fact is, we're always terrified. Maybe the terror is part of the attraction. Some people go to horror movies. Dive into dark water. And at the end of the day, isn't that what you'd rather to hear about? Slow rides make for boring stories. A little calamity. Now that's worth talking about.

Like me, I always thought weddings were fun, with some music, lovely food, good friends, everyone making merry, dancing, and laughing. Well, what I did not consider was the extent of calamity involved! Make-up, pujas, crazy aunts, even crazier grandmothers, friends hovering around to make you beautiful, high heels, back ache, loss of appetite, stupid arguments, clash of cultures… phew! The list is endless! It takes you a week to recover from a two hour ceremony and a 5 hour reception. 

The real fun kicks in post the wedding. Adjusting to being the new person in the house. Being the only coffee drinker in the family. Learning to pick up your own coffee cup. Pressing your own clothes. Not screaming at anyone because you cannot find your own hairpins. Giving up the TV remote (forever). Sharing your bed. Coordinating loo timings. Keeping everything in your room spic and span (yourself!). Not throwing tantrums whenever you feel like. Being in a good mood all the time because 5 other people will be worried if you are grumpy. Most of all missing everyone and everything at home like hell. Getting confused about which house to call your home.        

But, there is always the bright side. 

Married life is good especially if you wake up and are asked ‘You want to sleep for some more time?’ Snuggle and go back to sleep. Discovering that hugs are romantic. Extremely romantic. Feeling proud because for once in your life you served tea to someone else. Learning to cook. So many more people to talk to. Speaking broken Tamil and being the laughing stock of the house. Impromptu dance sessions. Sitting on the terrace with Boxer on those quite evenings. A mother-in-law who forces my father-in-law to pluck fresh Khus-Khus from the tree every morning because I love them. A sister-in-law who is this constantly chattering lil’ sister I never had. And a Grandmother-in-law who is always on a mission to feed me with everything she finds!

Married life is good. Very good. How often does someone get to wake up with a person you love so much. Someone you love in a really, really big “pretend to like your taste in music, let you eat the best piece of chocolate cake, sit with you the whole time when you are sick, forget everything when you smile, wake up early in the morning just to make you tea” kind of way. 

P.S: Dreams. They all come true. In some weird twist of fate. They all come true.

Marry-Go-Round-4 : The welled up eyes

“Marriage can give one the deepest, happiest moments of life. And that's one of the reasons God created it. It was part of God's "Happiness Plan."

Marriage is the “Happiness Plan”, the WEDDING is the last blow at your sanity! 

K’s household reminds me of a quake and tsunami battered Japan home. Stuff strewn around, people you barely know walking around in all splendor. A fat aunt who can think of nothing but how she can look even more pretty (by borrowing all of K’s sparse cosmetics) A grandmother who thinks her only job is to peck at K’s bones with all the “do not wear shorts in the house, you are getting married, why do you go to the parlor when the haldi you’ve put is enough, do you speak to your fiancé? Don’t! Why do you laugh so much? Do not show your teeth while you smile. Don’t wax, hair is necessary to look innocent (yuck). Why do you diet, fat around the waist is necessary for a girl (no wonder my granddad took the jolly ride early)” Bah! Crazy. If you find an old lady choked to death with leftover face wash and scrub, you know whom to blame. 

K’s life has never been so upside down! So much to shop, so much to buy, so much to do, so many fights to finish, so many arguments to calm, it’s almost like the day is never enough. In this entire melee, I never got to contemplate the gnawing numbing feeling spreading all over. Everyone one asks me “How’s the wedding preparation going?” and I can think of a list of undone stuff at the back of my head! Some people ask me “Your big day is approaching, how are you feeling? Ready for marriage?” and I end up mumbling something like “The feeling has not sunk in yet”. 

The fact is I had my first “sleepless night”, the feeling is sinking in alright, sinking in like it’ll take me with it... No one is noticing anyone’s feelings anymore; it is like a big fat Mela. It is 2 days to go, 2 days for me to shift into a whole new world. Everyone knows it and expresses it so differently. My dad tucks me in for a minute longer every night now just because he cannot do it 2 days later. My brother and me have longer conversations before we fall asleep, my mom yells a little more because she never has and never will be able to express herself to me. I cuddle and play with Chocó little more because she won’t be wagging her tail and waiting for me to come home from work every evening anymore. I now notice the color of my pillow (it has always been blue with yellow sunflowers) somehow I hadn’t noticed it before. I pull up the blanket and snuggle up a minute more just because I will miss the familiar smell of the blanket. Though I am moving just 5 mins from home, I am still moving from “home”. 

I won’t be looking up at the balcony and waving “bye” like a crazy woman, a zillion times before I start my bike and ride off to work every morning. My dad will not be able to ask me if I want coffee a zillion times every single morning (I stopped drinking coffee almost a year ago). I won’t hear the familiar “kav, kaaaaaaaaaaaaav” for every tiny doubt that pops in my brother’s head. 

Of all the people screaming and yelling and annoying me now, the calmest of them all is Dad, hurting inside to let me go yet doing everything he can, to ensure I have the best wedding and marry me off to someone I love.

So Daddy, here is my attempt at letting you know why you matter as much as you do. It is simple, really. Despite my annoyed cries telling you that I am now a grown up and can take decisions on my own, despite my repeated hanging up of calls saying you don’t need to tell me what to do, despite the fact I refuse to answer with a simple yes when you ask me if I’ve had lunch every single day, fact is, I have no clue what I would do without you. 

Accept it Dad, I need attention. All of it, from everybody. So if I get hurt, and I cry, it will be more so that those who matter come over to console me, than for the actual pain. The attention will not reduce the pain, but it definitely feels good to be in the spotlight. You happen to be the one patient soul, who knows this fact for the past 24 years, and still refuses to ignore it. My need for attention that is. Why exactly do you think that I spend hours abusing the crap out of all those who annoy me, knowing very well, that you probably don’t even know who they are? Because I know, that you will get bugged with them too. Probably more than I am. 

You are also my jhola for putting away my worries. It sounds duh I know, but all those times I call just to ask if things will be ok? Well, it’s not that I need reassurance, it’s some baseless belief I always had, that if I parked the worry with you, it will fix itself. Actually, it is not baseless, it is totally based on historical evidence. Which proves itself right time and again. And so you remain my official worry-resolver even today.

I know I am not always the best daughter. Oh come on, I am always the bad daughter. I call you and scream when I am bugged with the work people, I don’t respond to all your calls asking me if I am fine, I cry and blame you for all that you wife does to me! But you always listen. And when I hang up, you always call back. I think it is the belief that you will do all of these that makes me take these liberties. Not that it is an excuse, but still. 

That being said, I really think you’re awesome. You ensured that I had an awesome childhood. I can’t think of one single time where I thought I did not have enough. You supported me through each and every decision I ever took, sometimes even the bad ones, and then convinced me that it was not my fault after all. You are always there when I need you, and now very calmly, you are letting me go, as if it were the most natural thing to do. 

Of everything I will ever miss after marriage, you will be the biggest. Because irrespective of what happens you will still be my superman and I will always be your “lil’ girl”

P.S: The Gowda house is mad (the Mudhaliyars house seems like such a fairy land in comparison) and yet, I will miss this crazy mad house in all its charm and glory. 

P.P.S: I love the Gowdas. Yes, I accept it, I do. They are insane, irrational, stewpid, mad and crazy but they are mine.

Serendipity turns ONE

A year ago, I sat in a BMTC bus, thinking about my life… Not really a favorable place for soul searching, but what do you expect, where would I go searching for the peepal tree to sit under? I had my whole life laid out in front of me that day, confused, twisted, priorities to fulfill, dreams to bring to life, a different path to take, a decision to make. So this Blog was born out of a crazily beating heart and a head dancing to wild rumba tunes. It’s been a year since that cold morning of January 24th 2010, 4.18a.m!

Glancing back at the time when I started this blog to now, hah! There’s a huge difference. I have seen the right path, attachments and detachments have been many, I have learnt to hold on and to let go, I am lighter by a few kilos!, my smiles are bigger, my love has grown and most importantly, I am happier than I have ever been in all my life!

And, SERENDIPITY is still my favorite word.

P.S: Happy Birthday Serendipity. You are pretty darn good ;)

Marry-Go-Round-3, Meet the parents!

K was in hibernation for the longest time. You thought I would come back with a whole lot of proceedings at the Gowda household? Ha, you get more than you asked for. Grab a popcorn, switch off your TV and read on.

So, the Gowdas (K’s parents) and Mudaliyars (Boxers parents) actually met! They saw eye to eye first time at Boxer’s house warming ceremony. Picture this, K convinces her parents to finally attend Boxer’s house warming ceremony (which was a day after they agreed for the wedding). The Gowdas are a little skeptical to go ahead and meet the Mudaliyars on their home turf. K (being as awesome as she is) convinces them to come with her. Thus, MOB and FOB get ready to go to the house warming ceremony along with beautiful looking K (smiles).

As soon as K and her parents alight from the car, Boxer comes at shooting speed and greets the In laws, and how? By falling at their feet! (Ha ha ha ha ha ha) so, the G’s and M’s meet. They are cordial, a lil uncomfortable, a lil hesitant, but most importantly “they meet”. Soon after, a meeting is fixed for the weekend at K’s house for a proper rendezvous between the Gs and the Ms.

It is Sunday morning and there is frenzy in Ks house! Every nook and corner is cleaned, house is spic and span. MOB has cooked a royal meal. FOB is walking around in tension, BOB is least bothered (as usual) and K has been decked up in a saree (the worst is yet to come) and some jewellery. The M’s arrive! So the elders talk and come to the conclusion that Boxer and K should get married since they look so happy with each other (awwwww….) whole hearted consent from both ends (along with some dramatic heart rendering speeches from both parties). The day ends with K and Boxer being the happiest couple on the planet!

Now that you have heard the preview, let’s get to the real deal. Here’s the (crazy fast forward) activity log:

The wedding preparation begins to gather momentum, how you may ask.

Dec 9 Thur: K’s parents agree.

Dec 10 Fri: G’s and M’s meet and exchange pleasantries.

Dec 12 Sun: G’s and M’s bond like long lost and reunited families in the Kumbh Mela. The “engagement” happens.

Dec 13 Mon: We meet the poojari to fix wedding dates.

Dec 14 Tue: Poojari gives 2 dates to choose from. April 23-24, May 21-22.

Dec 15 Wed: K roots for April, Boxer wants May. (K’s wish is granted finally)

Dec 16 Thur: The entire Khandaan searches for Marriage halls in the city, vacant for those 2 days. By evening a venue is booked.

Dec 17 Fri: Venue advance is paid.

Dec 19 Sun: K’s relatives (a few handpicked ones out of the crazy circus) are invited home to meet the M’s. (utterly boring Sunday)

Dec 20-25: Flower decorators, dhol people are booked.

Dec 26 Sun: G’s invite M’s meet again for breakfast. Why? Avain.

Dec 27-29: Frenzy planning by MOB for a “family” (G’s & Ms) trip!

Dec 30-Jan 03: K and Boxer run for their life, to breathe easy and actually celebrate in Goa!

Jan 04 Tue: M’s at home, to discuss the menu for the wedding.

Jan 05-07: Family Trip decided. Jan 9^th the fateful day.

Jan 08 Sat: Cook is booked!

Jan 09-Jan10: Family road trip (to some temple, apparently to ward of the evil eye)

Jan 11-22: G’s household: Budgets lists, plans made (to spoil the remaining of all my meager weekends (yes I work on Saturdays)) more trips awaiting (this time to kanchipuram, to get a million sarees!)

M’s household: busy shifting to the new house.

Jan 23 Sun: The family meets at M’s place for breakfast. Why? Because apparently G’s were missing the M’s and vice versa.

PHEW! Now you know why I titled the Blog stories “Marry-Go-Round”. It’s just one dizzy round after the other!

It’s crazy; my life is on fast forward mode. Parents are going nuts all the time. I hear nothing but wedding talks left, right, center. Me and Boxer haven’t spent a single Sunday together without any “marriage related” or “house related” chore to do. Every conversation begins and ends with “What did your parents say about this? What did your parents say about that?” No time for the cozy walks or the lovey dovey talks. The “I love you’s” are reduced to quick “love u’s”. Parents wanting to be peacemakers of every argument and every conversation between us. Regular exchange of dabbas with Gowda or Mudaliyars food between the families. With the arc lights on MOB, FOB, FOG and MOG now, K and Boxer are reduced to being mute spectators.

Its madness, sheer madness (you will know if you have spoken to K lately, she will chew your brain off!). And yet, in all this madness, there is so much happiness. So much happiness that words fail to describe. As Boxer says “It’s like, our families are falling in love now….” (smiles)

P.S: Wedding is 3 months from now (89 days) and many more rounds on the “marry-go-round” to go!

“Marry”- Go-Round -2, The one with all the happiness!

K is back!! After a 2 week hiatus and a whole lot of developments she’s back with a whole lot of news.

Ok getting to the story,

FOB convinces FOBF to convince K (it’s a vicious convincing cycle), K who never gets hassled by all these bacchhu threats gets shook up by one line FOBF tells her “MOB has told, Get any GG, making K agree is my responsibility”. (If you know MOB well, you should be shuddering now) K is in office when this happens and she rides back home like a crazy woman in an intent to bare all to MOB (which is a huge task! Given that MOB is super duper duper strict and not to mention a ‘potential terror’)

K reaches home, pre-occupied with thoughts about how to face MOB and actually reveal that she will and only will marry Boxer. MOB opens the door…. And voila! She is probably in the happiest mood that K has ever seen her in 24yrs! (Yes, the unrealistic movie masala unfolds) She is making Gujjias (kadabus) because K loves them. (sigh) Now how can K wipe off that once in lifetime appearing meteor-like smile on MOB’s face? K suppresses her secret and is talking all happy and gay to MOB. Now BOB (my rock) is continuously encouraging me and giving me the eyeballs to break the news to MOB. K walks into the kitchen which is filled with the aroma of hot Gujjias, she opens her mouth to start the topic, then she sees the pan of boiling oil on the stove and decides otherwise. By now FOB arrives. K is dying of heart twisting pain. The damn secret has to be told! Boxer is texting K and increasing the pressure. The Gowda family now sits down for the ritualistic dinner (where FOB watches TV, K reads newspaper, BOB texts people and MOB is lost in devious plan making) anyways, dinner is done. The secret is still not out. BOB decides K is good for nothing and decides to go to bed. K is reading the paper but does not know what she is reading. Finally the cat has to be out of the bag. The pressure is building. K will explode if she holds it in any longer. She can now hear screaming in her head (aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! Tell the damn thing!!!) at this point, she puts the paper down and asks MOB and FOB one straight question “So, what have you guys decided about my marriage?” (stand up and applaud people, it takes courage to do that in front of MOB) FOB and MOB have their foreheads twisted in a knot and with a look that is shooting daggers at K! (BOB has already cleared the surrounding for sharp objects which can be thrown at K) MOB is surprisingly quite, like a hungry lioness waiting to pounce at the right time. Whereas FOB acts like the Lion that is already devouring his prey! (For people who know “dad” that’s a shocker! Because I am apparently still “Daddy’s lil’ princess” on whose whims and fancies daddy’s world still runs) anyways, being a lawyer's daughter K gives a lot of credit to herself that she’s pretty darn good at arguing. But, my o my FOB turns out to be a super duper lawyer! He actually shut K’s mouth about everything even though K valiantly fought through the entire battle. K’s only comeback was “I am marrying only Boxer”. After a 3 hr long fight and retaining status-quo , the Gowda family retires to bed.

Sunday came and went. Still no sign of GG.

Oh wait a minute, this is where I sing

“Woh Gawar mera woh Gowda mera, Nahi aaya milne ko…

Cham cham cham ke meri bindiya, u dud gayi nindiya ho…”

Then, the eerily silence.

MOB stops talking to K (Expected. K is still alive, so that’s a good thing)

After a couple of days of being extra nice and over nice to her parents K decides, enough is enough and stops talking to them too. Now, FOB cannot bear to not talk to K. he thinks,thinks and thinks some more and then one final day, he calls K and tells her “Call his (Boxer) parents home” (K is tripping and fumbling and doing paltis in her mind) K goes mad with happiness! And decides to get Boxer’s parents home that Sunday! K and Boxer are overjoyed!!! No one ever expected that things would fall into place so easily! (a lil masala never hurts) but one clause, Boxer has to give his horoscope for matching! Ha ha ha! Boxer immediately finds his horoscope and gives it to K who inturn gives it to FOB. Now for the best part. The next 2 days are spent in K and Boxer googling online vedic horoscope matching websites to check compatibility!(ha ha ha ha ha ha, I am laughing so hard) Boxer who is this typical “I-Hate-Anything-To-Do-With-God-Or-Beliefs” kind of guy was actually heard telling K “Hey, try this http://www.vedicscholar.com/matchhoro.php this works well, we scored 34 on 36 (ha ha ha ha ha ha, yes, we actually did!) after all this drama and eagerly waiting for Sunday’s episode, Boxer and K went shopping for a new shirt, discussed the most decent hairstyle to look presentable (he has spikes) and decided his beauty regimen of shaving and scrubbing (I will get killed for this).

Sunday came and went. Still no sign of Boxer. (Apparently, Sunday was a bad day with no moon so he was asked not to come)

Now K sang,

“Woh pyaar mera woh Boxer mera, Nahi aaya milne ko…

Cham cham cham ke meri bindiya, u dud gayi nindiya ho…”

K started to wonder if this was all an eye wash to get K into being gullible. Tension, fear and disappointment prevailed…

And finally on this fateful day, an unsuspecting K comes home from gym to find boxes and boxes of jewellery lying on the bed and MOB hovering around it contemplating. K enters the room and asks what’s going on, FOB tells, choose what jewellery you want for your wedding. We have agreed to get you married to Boxer!!! (Now you can stand up and applaud) MOB has a-g-r-e-e-d!! She finally has!! And this Sunday Boxer’s parents are coming home. I hope I don’t have to sing again…!

K cannot write because of all the happy tears fogging her eyes right now. Yes, she is happy. VERY happy. As happy as she could be for the first time in 24yrs!

Anyways, If you are thinking, the masala and tadka was missing in K’s and Boxer’s story, well, you dunno what conspired for 12 years, do you? There was enough masala to make you laugh and cry for a really long time.

P.S: It’s true when people say:

Love is everything it's cracked up to be. That's why people are so cynical about it. It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. And the trouble is, if you don't risk anything, you risk even more.”

“Marry”- Go-Round -1, The one with the open secret.

I happened to read somewhere,

Marriage can give one the deepest, happiest moments of life. And that's one of the reasons God created it. It was part of God's "Happiness Plan."

 

Oh, Really? “Happiness Plan”? Are you kidding me? You have to be here to know the actually nauseous pain and suffering caused by Love, marriage and the whole baggage that comes with it.

Now that I’ve blurted out my gyan, let me give you some deep insights into my “love-life” (grinning are you? Wait till I get to the good part)

Anyone who knows me, will also know I am committed to Boxer from as-long-as-I-can-remember. And not to add, anyone, I emphasize “a-n-y-o-n-e” who knows me, also knows Boxer and his dil-se-dil-ka connection with me. His family (including his dog I gifted), School teachers, schoolmates, my neighbors, his neighbors, sabziwala’s near my house, college bus driver, my college principle, lecturers, college mates, all my relatives, all his relatives (ok, hope you are getting the point here, every soul who knows me, knows Boxer) and in all this melee I never realized over 12 odd years that my parents had no idea!!  Now for the “Meet-the-parents” (Not Boxer, you guys, my so-called-readers) my parents belong to the sitting-the-fence category. They are super chilled about their daughter staying out late, enjoying, wearing what she wants, no restrictions blah blah, but when the topic of “love- marriage” is broached (imagine thunder and lightning!) they are all up in arms against it! Phew! There you go, you thought our love story was all hunky-dory!

The story until now:

Characters:

K: Me, Boxer, MOB: Mother of Bride, FOB: Father of Bride, BOB: Brother of Bride, FOG: Father of Groom, MOG: Mother of Groom, SOG: Sister of Groom, FOBF: Father of Bride’s Friend, Shwe: K’s Friend

Location: Bangalore

(*Screen goes up*)

K goes off on a gala trip for 2 yrs to do a residential MBA. Boxer is in Google-Hyderabad playing around for those 2 yrs. Now all this while, no one knows that K’s parents are jumping with joy that their super pampered daughter is actually fending for herself, turning over a new leaf and basically getting all ready for the big “Gowda” wedding! (Ha ha ha ha ha, sorry I couldn’t help laughing!) K meanwhile is waiting for Boxer to relocate to Bangalore (which he did and I am sooooooooo happy he did). Once Boxer comes back to Bangalore, K is all overjoyed. Happy times are back again. So K and Boxer are all happy living and loving in their own lil’ world. Road trips, shopping, vacations…

Do you all have smiles on your faces thinking of the happy couple?

Enter the MOB (in the voice of “Enter the dragon”)

One fateful day K leaves an IPod full of photographs at home. The very very suspicious MOB checks it and finds loads and loads of pictures of K and Boxer! The cat is out of the bag! And believe me the MOB does not like the Cat! She wants to actually squash the cat under her feet! Unsuspecting K returns home after meeting Boxer that evening (*blush*) and there it is! The 12 year developed bomb has finally been dropped!

You think K was scared and upset? No! K was amazingly happy!! The IPod did the difficult bit “Telling the parents”!! Now for the detailing, FOB takes K to the terrace to apparently talk her out of it. (Yeah dad, your 1 hr of gyan will brainwash my 12 yrs of love conditioned brain! Try me) FOB gives up the gyan bit. He then decides to take matters into his hands.

Now for the cruel planning of MOB and FOB: To marry K off to some “rich” filthy, bloody chappal-with-formal-pants wearing Gowda! (Ha ha ha ha, sorry I couldn’t help it again) FOB thinks if K happens to “meet” atleast one wannabe Gowda, she will change her mind. K thinks if FOB happens to meet Boxer atleast once, he may atleast try changing his mind.

Now, enter FOBF.

(Background: Shwe is a dear dear friend. Who’s parents are totally liberal and don’t mind her marrying anyone. The only condition being he should be a guy. That loser anyway has chosen the “arranged marriage” route. That’s a different story altogether. Now Shwe’s dad (FOBF) and K’s dad are great friends)

FOB now takes the help of FOBF to brainwash K. He coaxes FOBF to have a "personal” talk with K to talk her out of marrying Boxer.

FOBF meets K. K manages to convince FOBF about Boxer (it dint take much effort). Now FOBF tries to convince FOB about boxer. FOB is enraged! (so predictable dad!) he decides to take matters into his own hands now (the matter keeps slipping away from his hands you see) FOB has chosen some rich Gawar Gowda (let’s call him GG) to come home and see K in a week! (That will be another hilarious post!) Boxer is eagerly waiting for GG to plan to come to see me. No no, this time Boxer won’t be whacking the shit of out anyone, he wants to see K do it ;) ha ha ha!

That’s it for Marry-Go-Round-1 folks. Round 2, next week…

Till then pray K’s household retains its sanity!

P.S: MOB is the hero (anti-hero) of this story, but all this is happening behind her back. She has no idea. When she does, well… (Thunder and lightning!)

Disclaimer: My colleague who proof read this said I sound like “parent-hater” NO I AM NOT!! I love my parents, A LOT. Just that I love Boxer too. Iss ishq ka dard zara samjha karo.. papi duniya!

Raindrops on Roses and....

Ok!! (*huff, puff! panting!) I have got to get this out of my system! Now! i wrote this post without this paragraph a couple of minutes back, but given the fact that I saw 2 of the most beautiful dogs(Great Danes) made me rush all the way back home to write this. I Looooooooooooooooooooooove dogs (the oooooooo's qualify for the intensity of my "love") and these were the 2 most amazingly HUGE dogs I have ever seen... Ok keeping everything aside, I just wish I have like 10 dogs prancing about in the house (greedy, yes I am) but something in my heart just melts when I see dogs. So there you go. DOGS. First on my "Few-of-my-favorite-things-list".

Riding Bikes. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to just sit on your bike and zoom off to your destination (however unfavorable- like, office) the wind that blows through your hair and you just cruise along on the road. Lost in thoughts (some “me” time). Bullets will always hold a special place in my life. Not because Boxer owns one (and is insanely obsessed with it, he calls it Julie! And sings songs for “her”, cheesy fellow) but just for the sheer feeling of awesomeness you feel only when you sit on a bullet. I want to ride it. All day. Every day.

The color blue. And not just any shade. Only sky blue. I know, I know, the sky’s blue changes shades all the time. But the one shade I am referring to is the bright light blue, almost like powder blue? The kind of blue the sky used to be in April, after winter is long gone, and summer is yet to set in. No, I won’t say spring and all; India has three seasons only apparently. The blue which is visible from between the very bright white clouds, at around 10 in the morning.

Beaches, yes. And when I say beaches, I don’t indirectly mean vacation. I just mean beaches. The vast expanse of the sea, which makes you look like a non-entity, humbles you almost, like they say? And waves, the very sound of them. Rhythmic in its own way. Sitting on the sand, guessing how high the next wave would be. Watching small fishing boats far inside the waters. Walking on the sand, letting the waves just about reach your feet. Or letting go altogether, allowing the waves to splash you all over, not minding the sand deposits in the clothes for once.

And Rain. Cloudy weather, cool breeze, the roar of thunder every once in a while. And the constant pitter-patter of rain drops. Watching the rain from the safe confines of your balcony, while sipping hot tea. Or just listening to the sound of rain, while wrapped in cozy blankets, a book in hand. Or getting drenched in it, is still a no-no. (I apparently hate the rain, although this hate has been reduced considerably because of Boxer and his great thrill in getting drenched in the rain. I of course diligently agree to get drenched with him each time because of the “love” u see.)

Blue Berry Muffin! The exclamation mark is to mark its special importance, I ate it on my bday (lovingly fed by my boxer) and I am hooked! I can’t seem to get over it, I like it even better that any chocolate in the world (I know I know, it’s almost like I am cheating on chocolates) my o my, how great are Muffins from Costa! ha ha, totally random but i also LOVE Masala Dosas! It is my comfort food. I can eat Masala Dosas for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Evening snack, Dinner and mid-night snack (give a chance). Boxer took me to practically all the best places to eat Masala Dosas when we were you know, in the doopey-loopey lovey dovey stage ;) we still are, but the bloody gymming is sitting in the way!

Oh, and Books. Lots of them, colorful, pretty, bright books. Not necessarily only when I am reading them. They can be just there. That’s good enough. Like, book shops? Neatly stacked, rows and rows of band new, shiny books. Reading excerpts, checking out comments, picking and choosing what you finally want. And then piling it on the ever growing stack at home. And thinking which one to go for next. Of course I intend to finish them all. Someday.

Shopping too. Ok, before you roll your eyes and say ‘Women!’, I am not talking clothes, bags, shoes alone. Obviously, those too. But planned shopping in general is what this is about. Even if it is groceries. Yeah, go ahead, laugh. Making a list, driving down, ticking things off the list. And picking things not in the list; can be anything, an extra pair of shoes, or a bag of oats or skimmed milk. Like that.

And of course, music. The tracks you heard for the first time and liked immediately? Or the ones which took a long time to grow upon you, but once they did, they hung on for longer than many others. Or the very rare ones which you hated initially, but grew to love for other reasons. And those, which remind of you of a certain day, or event, or place or person, and bring a smile on the face. And sometimes, tears too.

P.S: And lo! I am feeling better already! That song makes so much sense, I tell you ;)