Early morning at 6 we started. After the Mumbai-Pune expressway has been constructed, the drive is hardly 3-4 hours. The fresh air and morning dew were a complete contrast to my feelings. On the way, we took a halt at the food mall for breakfast. To lift up my spirits, daddy loaded me with all the goodies – cream biscuits, slice cakes, french fries, cheese balls and not to forget Thumbs up, the best of soft drinks. Who can stop smiling at such a pleasant sight, definitely not me. I was sure mummy wouldn’t allow it, so looked at her pleadingly, but she just smiled and put the first of the fries in her mouth. I gave an instant giggle and with that I digested that Mumbai has definitely been lost behind. I would keep my promise though and visit my friends in holidays, keep in touch by phone and that is it. Popped in a couple of cheese balls in my mouth and we headed ahead.
About 20 minutes after crossing Lonavala, we took another small break at Shirgaon. Mummy wanted a cup of tea and some medicines for her throbbing headache. I waited for mummy-daddy. I was just strolling by the car when unknowingly I was pushed by few kids playing running race and I stepped over a fruit vendor’s banana basket. She was a giant lady with well built muscles. I shrieked out looking at her. Unable to control my balance, I kind-of toppled over her all together. My goodness, I got scared. She started blabbering in Marathi and hitting me as well. But, it was not my fault, it was just an accident, or was it a mischief. I looked out for the kids but they had run away. I heard a distant laughter, which confirmed that it was a prank. Now, seeing my lack of attention the fruit vendor lady started yelling even more. Her loud wailing deafened me. She was complaining about loss of business but nobody was going to buy her over-ripe bananas, I grumbled. She did not stop for complete 15 minutes till mummy-papa came over. Without any arguments, papa just handed her some 3-4 hundred rupee notes and fetched me up. Her complains stopped. We started to the car but I smelled bananas all over. It was nauseating. Mummy found one of her salwar-kameez from the minimal luggage we had with us in the car. We headed to the ladies restroom for me to change. That was a dangerous sight. It was dirty, watery and filled with dozens of women like the fruit vendor lady. Some kids bantering, some other women fighting over a push, this was worse than the Mumbai local trains. Even I don’t know how I managed to change my clothes and get out of there. In the 5 minutes I spent there, the only familiar reference was Pune. Seems like another 20 minutes, and we would step into Pune. Were they all heading to Pune, was Pune filled with many more of their clan? How I wished I could just run back to Mumbai.
The remaining journey was uneventful. With all my pre-notions, the Pune suburbs appeared much better. Lot many two-wheelers and so many “Neera-kendras”. We were straight heading to the staff quarters, but daddy wanted to drop by and see how his new workplace looks like. Oh, I missed to tell you. My father is a pediatric surgeon and per his new job, he would be the head of department of some recently started but up to the mark hospital in Pune. So, we were heading first to his new hospital and then the staff quarters. As we drove through the roads of Pune, I had difficulties in getting the names of everything, from shop names to hoardings. Everything was in super fluent Marathi. Not that I didn’t know the language, but those were complicated to read and who is going to visit the shop or get attracted to any advertisement with such complicated words. But, I hardly knew what was next in store. We parked in front of the hospital and I got out to read the name, written in bold Marathi and subscripted in English. I know it is weird but I never bothered asking about the hospital name to Daddy. I knew the address faintly, Paul road, Kothrud. So, coming back to the hospital name. I can bet all my pocket money that none of us would read it straight in one go, for the first time. My daddy would be the HOD of the pediatrics department of Sant Dnyaneshwar Aarogyarasradhika Rugnalaya. Phew, I just took a long, heavy breath, looked at my dad and he smiled back. This was indeed a little complex name for a hospital. Welcome to Pune!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Friday, December 10, 2010
My Grocery date with Mumma
One day, Mumma and I decided to go grocery shopping. But, getting ready was not so good. She picked me from waist up and carried me like a log to the wash basin. I was cranky all the time, banging my arms and legs with watever came in the way. But her grip never loosened. Very nicely she washed my hands, legs and face. Not to mention, I was playing with water. And then I wanted to wear my full pant, but Mumma ensured that I wear a half-pant with mickey mouse t-shirt, just because the spider-man tshirt was new. I looked at myself in the mirror, still cranky, and in the next 2 minutes, mom was ready after draping her full 5 meters saree. Awesome speed right! Yet, I felt she was making us late. Being a 5 year old, I was super-excited about even grocery shopping.
I ran down the stairs. But once on the street, Mom was constantly holding my hand. Oh, I saw a puppy and then a Dairymilk wrapper but she'd never allow me to pick up. I waved to the cycle-wala, bhel-wala, idli-wala but Mumma never stopped. And then I was about to start singing my cry song, when she played running race with me for the last 2 blocks to the shop. Obviously, she never left my hand and yet I managed to stretch as much possible, run and pull and all and get first! :) With a heavy breath, we entered the shop. My steps turned towards the chocolates and candy rack. But then I was flying in mid-air, to land straight on the counter top. The shopkeeper uncle had scooped me up and then, I climbed and sat in his empty seat. So, while Mumma was collecting the grocery, I was fiddling with his phone, playing with some coins etc. And then Mumma came to the counter to pay for the stuff she picked up. Uncle was telling me about which note to give, and how many, and then indirectly i tended the change. Wow, I was so proud. Mumma hopped me down, took me to the chocolates rack. I chose a dairy milk. We gave the money and bid good bye to Shopkeeper uncle.
Happy with my chocolate, I walked the first 2 blocks smoothly but then I wanted to open and eat it but Mumma was holding my hand so tightly that I couldn't. I kept nagging her and she kept scaring me in the name of Police uncle and school teacher. So, we managed another block. But, now my patience was wearing out, and my sobs were turning louder. Thats when she decided to play "I-spy" while walking. Wow! I was excited again. Obviously, I started the game.
She always guessed it right, so I wanted to give her a difficult one "I spy white". She started listing so many things - the notice board, a grand ma's hair, her teeth, my teeth, the mickey mouse t-shirt I was wearing, his teeth, the milk bottles seen in a store, a baby's teddy bear, a cat but I was so intelligent, I kept saying no to all. So, I gave her last 3 chances but she lost. And then I pointed up in the sky. But the sky was blue and the evening sun was orange, and then I looked up again finding it, and pointed her the moon :) For the first time.. I won!!!!
It was then, her turn. She said, "I spy brown". So, I started guessing, the tree trunk, her sandal, another boy's bag, but nothing. So, I asked for a clue. And she said it is with us. I started scouting her carry-bags, but she refused all the browns I pointed. We were already at the gate of our apartment. I didnt want to give up. Looked up at her sadly. She was smiling and her eyes were pointing to my hand. I looked at my hand. Ahh.. brown for the chocolate. There was a brown picture on the wrapper. Finally, I guessed it. I told her that I wanted to eat it. She looked at me and I understood. Smiling, I replied, I'll eat after reaching home.
From that day, till date, I smile and remember our grocery date everytime I see a dairy milk.
My dear Mumma... I love you so much! :)
I ran down the stairs. But once on the street, Mom was constantly holding my hand. Oh, I saw a puppy and then a Dairymilk wrapper but she'd never allow me to pick up. I waved to the cycle-wala, bhel-wala, idli-wala but Mumma never stopped. And then I was about to start singing my cry song, when she played running race with me for the last 2 blocks to the shop. Obviously, she never left my hand and yet I managed to stretch as much possible, run and pull and all and get first! :) With a heavy breath, we entered the shop. My steps turned towards the chocolates and candy rack. But then I was flying in mid-air, to land straight on the counter top. The shopkeeper uncle had scooped me up and then, I climbed and sat in his empty seat. So, while Mumma was collecting the grocery, I was fiddling with his phone, playing with some coins etc. And then Mumma came to the counter to pay for the stuff she picked up. Uncle was telling me about which note to give, and how many, and then indirectly i tended the change. Wow, I was so proud. Mumma hopped me down, took me to the chocolates rack. I chose a dairy milk. We gave the money and bid good bye to Shopkeeper uncle.
Happy with my chocolate, I walked the first 2 blocks smoothly but then I wanted to open and eat it but Mumma was holding my hand so tightly that I couldn't. I kept nagging her and she kept scaring me in the name of Police uncle and school teacher. So, we managed another block. But, now my patience was wearing out, and my sobs were turning louder. Thats when she decided to play "I-spy" while walking. Wow! I was excited again. Obviously, I started the game.
She always guessed it right, so I wanted to give her a difficult one "I spy white". She started listing so many things - the notice board, a grand ma's hair, her teeth, my teeth, the mickey mouse t-shirt I was wearing, his teeth, the milk bottles seen in a store, a baby's teddy bear, a cat but I was so intelligent, I kept saying no to all. So, I gave her last 3 chances but she lost. And then I pointed up in the sky. But the sky was blue and the evening sun was orange, and then I looked up again finding it, and pointed her the moon :) For the first time.. I won!!!!
It was then, her turn. She said, "I spy brown". So, I started guessing, the tree trunk, her sandal, another boy's bag, but nothing. So, I asked for a clue. And she said it is with us. I started scouting her carry-bags, but she refused all the browns I pointed. We were already at the gate of our apartment. I didnt want to give up. Looked up at her sadly. She was smiling and her eyes were pointing to my hand. I looked at my hand. Ahh.. brown for the chocolate. There was a brown picture on the wrapper. Finally, I guessed it. I told her that I wanted to eat it. She looked at me and I understood. Smiling, I replied, I'll eat after reaching home.
From that day, till date, I smile and remember our grocery date everytime I see a dairy milk.
My dear Mumma... I love you so much! :)
Friday, November 19, 2010
LIVE YOUR LOVE…
True love is like a rare, sober flower;
It flourishes in every habitat, that's its power!
It may have had memories sweet & sour;
Yet, it's a never-ending source of strength…
… for all 60 minutes of even the darkest hour!
Might not have a cultured, melodious voice
Yet the trust, the truth in its sound makes it as pious as a shrine's chimes.
Might not be the prettiest sight
Yet it removes all shadows of uncertainty spreading its distinguished light.
Might not have the best of fragrance,
Yet it smells ever fresh and pure
With love comes along a touch, a feel that is every woe's cure!
It has that unique, sometimes enthralling, sometimes soothing excitement
It's an example of a nonshakable rejuvenating commitment
It's like an irresistible combination of taste & hunger,
It's a craving for every loner or party goer!
Independent is love, dependent is the lover!
Carefree is love, careful is the lover!
What's a lover without its love
More so, what's a love without its lover!!
The slower, the steadier… its more a bonding than a bounding force
It's strengthening every day, every year
Hold on… hold on close to your true love dear,
Live your love… like its now or never!
- Toral
[Copyrights (c) 2010 by Toral Vira.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval or transmitted or circulated, in any form or by any means without prior written permission of author.]
It flourishes in every habitat, that's its power!
It may have had memories sweet & sour;
Yet, it's a never-ending source of strength…
… for all 60 minutes of even the darkest hour!
Might not have a cultured, melodious voice
Yet the trust, the truth in its sound makes it as pious as a shrine's chimes.
Might not be the prettiest sight
Yet it removes all shadows of uncertainty spreading its distinguished light.
Might not have the best of fragrance,
Yet it smells ever fresh and pure
With love comes along a touch, a feel that is every woe's cure!
It has that unique, sometimes enthralling, sometimes soothing excitement
It's an example of a nonshakable rejuvenating commitment
It's like an irresistible combination of taste & hunger,
It's a craving for every loner or party goer!
Independent is love, dependent is the lover!
Carefree is love, careful is the lover!
What's a lover without its love
More so, what's a love without its lover!!
The slower, the steadier… its more a bonding than a bounding force
It's strengthening every day, every year
Hold on… hold on close to your true love dear,
Live your love… like its now or never!
- Toral
[Copyrights (c) 2010 by Toral Vira.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval or transmitted or circulated, in any form or by any means without prior written permission of author.]
Mishti - 1
“Mishti, Mishti… hey, wait!” I heard somebody calling my name fervently. I was already feeling so nostalgic, another farewell and I might burst into tears. Somehow, I controlled myself, regained composure and turned back. Little Sargam was running towards me. Her mother was left behind in the race. Not bothering about any vehicles on the road, her tiny feet were moving in full force. I spread my arms wide open and she ran into them, hugging, cuddling all together. Oh! How does one stop tears in such a situation. Well, I had lived in Mumbai, in my neighbourhood, for all 15 years but now I had to shift over to a different city all together. This wouldn’t be easy for anyone but was typically very hard for me. Little Sargam was still clinging to me and pleading me to stay back. Earlier I had just bid farewell to all my school and colony friends. Together, they had gifted me a nice collage frame of all our memories, school picnics, annual function, birthday parties, girlie nightouts, shopping sprees etc. That was indeed so thoughtful. My dance teacher had gifted me the best of “Natraja” idols. Why not, I boasted. Afterall, I had been her favourite student and the best dancer in the troup. We had even performed in Boogie-woogie together and she had so proudly called me her daughter then. Oh, how I would cherish these memories forever. Sargam’s mother joined in. She pulled Sargam out of my arms. With glistening tears, and heart ache I bade her good bye. Silently walking, I bade good bye to everything around that was so so dear to me. My school building, the grocery store lines, the raddi-walla from whom I bought my mills and boons, the mango tree where we plucked raw mangoes and ate all summer, my building entrance where I would run into, the stairs, my favourite spot to hide when we played hide and seek, all neighbor houses and finally, I reached my home sweet home. Alas, I’d have to leave all of this. With a deep sigh, I entered the flat. The atmosphere was kind of terse. Mummy was finishing the last bits of packing, daddy was doing his good bye phonecalls to his friends in Mumbai. Tomorrow early morning, we would all travel to Pune. Daddy had got this new job, it is supposed to be a nice upcoming city, with better climate, nice mountains. So be it, I say… nothing beats Mumbai. Nevertheless the fights were over, the job offer has been accepted. So, Pune here we come.
...To be continued
...To be continued
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
How I wished a shoulder for my tears...
Its my turn to write randomly and lets decide and see where I end up going. This is a new discovery. Who knew I would be once sitting alone in a house in the gullies of "US of A", on the otherside of the globe... looking at the blurred emptyiness as if some major gold was stuck and realization was dawned.
It was a lonely morning, work was monotonous and emotions were running high. It was my last day with them. Didnt want to leave the house and its people... was rather attached. Tears trickled, followed by a triffled sob. Couldnt stop it at that, indeed sheer helpness.. was crying like a baby. How I wished someone entered the house, someone I could talk to and hear from, but just found walls. Missed my family, missed parents... Tried reaching out to friends, but being the usual heavy weekday morning, landed up crying alone.
100 steps away or 100 miles... its rare to be someone's shoulder... dont miss on that! The stupid race between taste & hunger... we keep gobbling food out of taste to find out we arent hungry. When actually hungry, any food is tasty but alas, the fridge is empty :)
It was a lonely morning, work was monotonous and emotions were running high. It was my last day with them. Didnt want to leave the house and its people... was rather attached. Tears trickled, followed by a triffled sob. Couldnt stop it at that, indeed sheer helpness.. was crying like a baby. How I wished someone entered the house, someone I could talk to and hear from, but just found walls. Missed my family, missed parents... Tried reaching out to friends, but being the usual heavy weekday morning, landed up crying alone.
100 steps away or 100 miles... its rare to be someone's shoulder... dont miss on that! The stupid race between taste & hunger... we keep gobbling food out of taste to find out we arent hungry. When actually hungry, any food is tasty but alas, the fridge is empty :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)