Love in Shimla - Part I

En Route

“Did you pack two pairs of socks?”

“I am not going to carry cold cream. Ami, you do that no?”

“Whoa! Are those Crocin tablets? Plan to set up a shop there?”

“snowwwwwww (giggle)”

These were some random sentences uttered (sometimes even in our dreams) before leaving to Manali and Shimla. The excitement was sky high and the packing list endless. My mom and sister forced me to come up with a list of things to pack, which was a task by itself.

Lesson No.1: Remember a twine rope, safety pins, mosquito repellent and a torch can complete any list.

So I added all these and much more, packed two bags and set out. My college had organized a trip to Kulu, Manali, Shimla and other must-see-places-if-you-have-gotten-off-at-Delhi-railway-station. I was with my group of friends and other college mates. How many? umm..around 200. Fun aye!

The train in which we traveled (Karnataka Express) had to accommodate 180 manic teenagers and some tweenagers along with some lecturers (yup lecturers. We had to take them along. Rules I believe). Our fellow passengers looked very nervous. They looked intimidated by the sheer racket we all created when we got in. 3 days? No way, they all must have thought. One of them was seen crying next to a stinky wash basin muttering “death.. death.. take me” (note: you know how I love to exaggerate). We found our ‘berths’ and I got a last minute do’s and don’ts from Dad. The train was about to move. I impatiently looked around for my sister. She was stuck in a traffic jam and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to see her for another 20 days. But she made it. Wheeeeeeeeee I said and exchanged hugs and some cash (working sibling=ATM. We younger one’s are so nasty *evil laughter*). After saying our goodbyes we got back to our seats and wondered how to sort the crisis that needed our immediate attention. Few of our friends were in another compartment and we had to move them. So we went around asking our co-passengers:

“err escuse Mister large man with a frown can you please shift to berth number 43, pliss?” Lesson No. 2: Never mess with such people. just smile and offer a packet of Frooti.

“um sorry, kind lady with a badly behaved child, can you take that fabulous seat number 50 and let our friend sit with us” -so on and so forth.

Even after all our pleadings and drama two of our friends ended up in a different compartment. We didn’t bother much as we had other important issues to tackle. Like dinner, for instance. So we sat down and gobbled yummy curd rice and chutney puDi with chapaatti. We failed to notice that there was a man sitting on the edge of our reserved berth and shouting very loud in a voice that could give Rajdeep Sardesai a run for his money. “Train ko kharida hai kya?” he yelled. We all took a couple of minutes to look away from our food.

Lesson No. 3: Know your priorities while traveling. Food should be your first priority. Always.

We looked up and gave one of our get-the-hell-out-of-here looks. He was upset that most of the seats were booked before he could. Our world famous get-the-hell-out-of-here look didn’t work; he kept other passengers entertained with his sulk-sulk-blah-blah. We kept ourselves entertained with curd rice and pickle. He left after sometime. We had already decided that none of us would sleep during the journey and planned to stay up the whole night. Yes, stupid teenagers. We kept ourselves awake by talking non-stop (read: bitch*ng session). But I noticed most of my friends were yawning after 11PM. I for one can never sleep while traveling so I didn’t want them to sleep. I asked them to be strong and keep themselves awake.

They left and slept peacefully.

I kept waking up from time to time, trying my best to read the names of all stations. I was on the middle berth, a difficult spot I would say, but I managed to read 'em all. Or so I thought (they were written in Hindi and my hindi reading capabilities from a distance is err how do I put it, questionable). The train was too slow for my liking and it was ~5 AM. As it was the first time that I had woken up so early in my life I thought of making the best use of it by brushing my teeth and eating some plum cake that we had packed. Hey! you feel hungry while traveling.

The whole freakin train was asleep. How can they all sleep so peacefully I wondered? With nothing much to do after eating plum cake I went back to sleep only to be rudely woken up by eunuchs at around 6 AM. Four or five of them were all around the place - *clap clap clap* “aye hero utho..” *clap clap* “haan ..haan good morning” they wished us. I needed coffee. But they kept clapping. It hurt my head. Somebody please give me coffee, I pleaded silently. For us Bangaloreans waking up to find no coffee is like going to Tirupati and not hearing MS’s Suprabhatam or going to Tirupati and not standing in queue. More claps followed forcing me to peep through my shawl. One of them caught sight of me peeping, thinking I was a guy (don’t ask me why) tried to wake me up. After s/he found I’m in fact a girl, asked me to go back to sleep. Sweet, no? I murmured ‘coffee?’ sleepily (threw in some sympathy angle muhahahaa. clever me!). “coffee?” s/he asked me with a frown and *clap clap* called the coffee chap (who had just walked into our compartment) and moved ahead to harass a cute guy who was sleeping on the ‘passage-wali’ seat (ahem.. a cute medical student. more on this later)

Lesson number 4: Don’t infuriate eunuchs. Stay calm and smile or act sleepy. They’ll help you. Really.

I thanked the kind eunuch, which went unnoticed, paid Rs.5 to the coffee chap and had my first sip of “Brooo instant coffee”. I immediately felt dizzy. I will never be able to describe the taste of Broooooo. But my fellow coffee lovers may I request you to join me in requesting Indian Railways to ban this dreadful blend of warm water, three spoons of sugar and coffee powder tin’s lid thrown in for the effect. I vowed to drink only Tea for the next 20 days, any day better than Br-ewww.
Lesson 5: You might have already guessed, yes, say NO to coffee while traveling. It.should.be.banned.

Rest of the journey was uneventful. Oh yes the cute medical student (no, he is not the protagonist of this story). To be honest I didn’t find him cute, in fact none of us did. Much to our amusement he slept throughout the journey and kept throwing furious glances at us. Well I dont blame him, coz our chatter matched the decibel levels of the train’s engine.

And thus we reached our destination.

Now, let me skip the rest of the places we visited and head to Shimla, alright. Or on second thoughts...

to be continued....

His youngest fan

Children I am back. How is the world treating y’all? You must be wondering what’s going on in my life (err say yes ok)? Apart from my work, my niece keeps me busy. A two month old bijli paTaaki is my family’s sole source of entertainment. We are yet to name her. Much to her annoyance we continue to call her by different inane names. For all you know she might be thinking “aiyo you folks! get a life and leave me alone. And switch on the fan before you leave.” Ceiling fan is her current obsession.
Anyway for the sake of blogging I have decided to name her Puttudu (meaning ‘little one’ in Kannada). That’s what we call her at home too :).

Talking about fans, guess who else likes AR Rahman? yes-yes it's my niece. This happened when she was not even a month old and I had to keep a watchful eye while Putttudu slept. [But you know in reality, my role is redundant. My niece wakes up even if I flip a piece of paper; when our dear old BMTC screeches to halt, I get all jumpy and panicky but do nothing]. It was during one such screech-startle-wake-up time, that I discovered she loved music. Yeah I know! I played Aye hairathe ashiqui from Guru and my happiness knew no boundaries when I saw her listening to it with an intense expression. That was not all, we also figured that she listened only to songs composed by AR Rahman. Wheeeee… Can you imagine the kind of joy I felt?

Now, the first thing we all do when we wake up is worship ARR. There is an empty photo frame, which I plan to fill with a scanned picture of Rahman's right foot, so everyday we assume there is a picture of his right foot and do "jota" (fold hands and pray). And if you happen to pass Malleshwaram at 6.30 in the morning you can hear groggy voices singing aye hairathe ashiqui jagaa math. I normally sing Jaage hai der tak hamein kuch der sone do (to the background music of my alarm clock- rrrrrrrriiiing *snooze* rrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnggg *snooze* rrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiingggggggggggg. Dang!).

Thanks to ARR and two of his tracks, my niece promptly stops wailing and/or screaming as soon as she recognizes the prelude. For instance, she drinks her dreadfully bitter syrup, without making a fuss, while listening to this song and drifts off to la la land when we play this. She refuses to listen to other music directors. yeyeyey. More power to ARR!
When people ask- “oh-ho just like Chikki (short for Chikkamma meaning aunt, meaning me) she will also learn music-aa?” I feel like hugging them but then they add “hope she does not turn out as lazy as her chikki teehee” pffffttt grrr.

Give her a keyboard someone :p

Tag, Tagger, Taggest!

Lostworld, my blogger-twin (seriously, we sometimes think alike), has passed on the Honest Scrap Award to me. Thanks a ton girl. Dunno about the ‘honest’ part but I am sure I have loads of s'crap’ to write *wink*.

So now, the rules to claim this award are-
1.I must thank the person who gave me the award and list their blog and link it (check)
2.I must list 10 honest things about myself (err)
3.I must put a copy of Honest Scrap logo on my blog (check)
4.I must select atleast 7/ 8 other worthy bloggers and list their links (hmm)
5.I must notify the bloggers of the award and hopefully they will follow the above three requirements also (OK boss)

10 honest things about myself. Hmm..10. ten. T-E-N! hmm.. Lets see how this goes. Aah ok raiyyyyah (Bus conductor style):

1). I had a troubled childhood (hard hitting sentence that is! Brilliant start.. bhesh). So as a child I was never able to celebrate my birthday in school. Being born in the month of May (yup summer holidays), I had to go through terrible mental stress. I could never distribute Lacto King or Eclairs to my class mates. I never wore “color dress” to school. Never had my classmates sing “happy birdday dooo you”. Never did I take my ‘best friend’ around classrooms to distribute chocolates. Never! Sniff… This wish of mine remains unfulfilled.

2). As a child (Yes I want to talk about my childhood. This is my only chance okay). I was saying, as a child I was ultra silent and reserved. My then new neighbor thought my sister was the only daughter to my parents. So much for being a cute, silent and an ‘untroublesome’ kid (pssst my parents wonder if I am the same daughter of theirs. Now they just can’t make me shut up).

3). I am not fussy about food. I eat anything that is vegetarian. Junk food is preferable.

4). I love my job. No, I am not being sarcastic. I truly love my job. People think I am crazy to work for a start up. Having worked in two big organizations I have come to realize that size of a firm does not really matter. And... well I want to continue but will stop here heehee :P

5). I am not much of a shopping person. My sister dreads shopping with me coz I stress her out. I roll my eyes constantly, tap my left foot, sit in one corner and sulk, you get the drift. Having said that I lose track of time when in a book store. I never use ‘shopping’ and ‘books’ in the same sentence.

6). Music to me is like breathing. Besides, music heals me and keeps me going. It could be anything- stress, stupid fights with family/friends, depression, PMS, heartbreaks...

7). I’ll like any place that has a lake and is filled with trees. I can just sit there and do nothing. I might get bored after an hour, but once in a while my mind needs serenity.

8). I sometimes laugh for no reason. And most of the time I can’t control my silly laugh. I all of a sudden remember a funny story or an amusing incident or a silly joke in the middle of a presentation or a meeting and almost die controlling my laughter. I cough to hide it. Pretentious coughs are so obvious.

9). I can finish a Bourbon biscuit packet in flat 4 minutes.

10). Life they say needs to be taken with a pinch of salt, well I take it with a slice of lime and Tequila ..muhahahha (honestly I don't know what I am talking about. I guess I'm sleepy. but I am sure that added some flavor to my otherwise boring list)

Lost, thanks for tagging me I say. Totally enjoyed writing this post.

Tra la la la now I tag:
Maanasi – Coz I have to tag her if not an ant somewhere will commit suicide.
Vimmuuu – Coz I am sure he’ll have something funny to share.
Ani – Coz even though I know him I feel I don’t. hee confusing no. So let’s hope he’ll clear the confusion

Kanagu – Coz it’d be nice to know more about him :)

Poornima - Coz I love what she writes. Hopefully this'll inspire her to write more :)

Meet my darling

The best moment in my life was when I saw you. Little arms outstretched; eyes wide open. Your little feet pink and soft. I will never be able to describe the joy I felt when I saw you smile. Words fail me. Your smile made my day. I had to pinch myself to believe that you were here at last.

Our sweetheart. My niece- welcome to the world.

I have waited for so long to hold you. The ultrasound image of yours was not enough you see :P Yes, I’m greedy that way.
Now, I eagerly await moments which seem even more exciting. I am eager to take you out for a walk (show you off, in other words), dress you up, re-learn things I have forgotten, eat Cerelac (err I just wanna give some company) and yeah, spoil you like all aunts do (like all bratty aunts do)!

I love you.

year we go again...

This happens to me every year. I’m not kidding.

Sometime in November-
Friend 1: What ya? What plans for new years eve?
Me: Not decided. Will go out probably *grin*
Friend 1: *smirks*
Me: pppffftttt

End of November-
Friend 2: We are all planning to go to Goa. Wanna join?
Me: Sure! But hey wait .. hmm err I dunno. I have deadlines to meet at work.. blah blah blah.. *friend 2 rolls her eyes*.. I’ll let you know.
Friend 2: you’ll never come I know! *snorts*

Sometime in December-
Friend 1: *still smirking* so, where are you going? The Club-aa? Or some farm house-aa? Or Pub-aa?
Me: arrrghhhh! go away
Friend 1: *laughing* I know what you'll do on 31st, you'll watch DD1
Me: *throws water bottle at him. feels better*

Nearing 31st December-
People have nohing else to talk about for the rest of the week. They all ask the same dam(n) question. Cousins, friends, neighbors, the kid who just got out of school, all of them have plans. All, but me! I sulk.

Not that I am sulking now. Or am I? My folks avoid talking to me, exchange sly glances and about-to-laugh expressions.
On 31st night after dinner (I tend have dinner earlier than ever) you find me with a book in my left hand and a big bar of chocolate in my right. Seriously, thanks to the great wo/man who invented chocolate. You'd think a person ever lived without it! Bah.. Reminds me of a quote from Peanuts- Lucy Van Pelt says “All you really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt”

So people who sail in the same boat as mine, bwahahahahah.. have a blast watching Titanic on star movies or Gurdasmann on DD or reading a nice book or watching a chick flick feel good movie. Relax. You shall be relaxed throughout the year *guffaws* .Like how we used to study on 31st to maintain that intensity for the rest of the year. hahah silliness I say.
Anyway rest of you, well, you guys have a blast too. Just make sure you are back before the clock strikes 1 if you are a Bangalorean. As if...

Happy New Year! Have a great year ahead :)

Heppy Heppy Budday

This is for someone very special to me.
Someone with whom I have had mindless arguments, senseless pillow fights and silly “I will never talk to you again” moments
Someone with whom I have sung songs all day, climbed trees and inherited few atrocious clothes
Someone who has been my idol since I can remember
Someone who makes me laugh till I beg for mercy
Someone who is with me always
Someone who loves me unconditionally
Someone I am possessive of
Someone who is beautiful, intelligent, caring, emotional and a cleanfreak

This post is for my sister.
Happy birthday ‘chinnaaaa’ heh heh :D (sorry that's our family joke, might not be funny at all)
lou you ya..

Of course there is a song dedication. This one is for you bebbiee. For all those sleepless nights you (we) spent practicing this track. Those were the days no? ;)

Random Thoughts - 3

He sat next to an old bedside lamp and spoke in a low tone. Abruptly, he put the receiver back in its place. Banged it, in fact. He tried to recollect his thoughts. What were they about? Something random said a bored voice (a voice that often spoke to him). Random stupid thoughts he said aloud and chuckled. Always nice to dwell on random thoughts isn’t it he asked the voice. The voice grunted.

Teehee.. That felt good. Right, the whole paragraph is no way connected to what I am about to post. I just happen to like typing such stuff. So I am back and I thought I’ll just make your lives err.. bright by publishing my thoughts. So, I was thinking -

- Is it really November? No seriously! What’s happening to Bangalore? November means a slight chill in the air that makes us grab our jackets, sweaters and socks out of our closets (socks yes, only people from Malleshwaram and Cox Town would do that). Not umbrellas. If it wasn’t for Crucie, a cute dog near my office, I wouldn’t even know the current season. The dog promptly wears a sweater during winter you see. Anyway after the initial November-sweater-days the dog now has stopped wearing it and looks gloomy. Climate change is catching up people. Look at poor Crucie.

-Is it me or is Biggggg Bosssss (I dunno how many g’s and s’s are to be added) the funniest show on earth? Did you see how they now have a romantic angle to the show? That phirang and that who-on-earth-is-he?-oh-a-loser-model guy throw vegetables at each other. hahahahah so funny. And KRK was so amusing. He got thrown out sadly. And have you seen Baccchhaan? hahahaha funny again. OK there’s nothing funny about the show. It’s downright boring. But why do people watch it? Why do I (sometimes) watch it? And if there was a “worlds No.1 cry baby” contest, who do you think would win – Bhaktiyar or a new born baby next to your building?

-All these years, the two of us successfully ignored each others existence- me and the lizard. But unfortunately (I have to come to terms with it) the creepiest living thing to have ever walked this planet has found its way to my room. Two days back I saw you-know-what crawling towards one and the only painting I have. The very next moment I was out to wake my dad up but he was fast asleep. I had no other choice but to go back. Bravo! said my Mom. The thing is she doesn't know that now I live in terror and fear of its return. I feel that it is hiding somewhere in my room. Should I call the armed forces? I don’t know…

- Have you noticed, suddenly Rahul Bhatt is famous. Poor soul was unseen thanks to the overwhelming presence of his dad and sister. Now he can savor some limelight (though it’s for all the wrong reasons).

- Since a month or so I have stopped smirking at driving school cars. I was a heartless two wheeler rider who always looked down upon the “learners”. But since the time I started taking driving lessons, I have newfound respect for these folks. But Bangalore traffic is cruel people. I protest!

-These days I dream about clutch/break/accelerator/indicator and seat adjuster.

-Before I leave, I want you all to listen to this song composed by a maestro. Ilayaraja! I think you will all agree when I say that he is an amazing musician. Listen to this track from an unknown movie called Shiva. I can’t stop listening to it. And I think this was originally composed in Tamil or Telugu; I’m not sure (whoever has heard the original please please can you let me know the movie?). Hope you like the song :)

So what have you been thinking?