The Delhi Trip Diary_day1

Day 1:  souls of lost memories…..

I was very sceptic about going to Delhi for my break.  It didn’t felt like a great idea initially. You will say that I am very pessimist about everything that happens around me. But it wasn’t that this trip was planned all of a sudden. We had to plan it at least 2 months before. It was because of the obvious super cramped Indian railways reservations. But traveling 1^st time in 3^rd AC was a new experience.

But I am glad that I agreed to what my roommate had planned.  Wasn’t because I was willing to go to Delhi but because of the super packed, hectic and draining month of July. It really tested my patience and limits, my willpower and persuasion ability. Trust me it looked easy initially…. Well at least I hoped it would be, but as I went through it, it didn’t seem easy at all. But I got through it. (Thanks to RED-BULL)

It wasn’t because of just one reason but there were many issues that took a piggy-back ride along with the exam stress and presentation blues.

So when on 28^th I came out of my last exam center (the paper didn’t go well) I was blank, stuck and heavy-eyed. Not only because of studies and work but in generality. I was tired of running. It was then that I realize that people here in Mumbai are not running after thing. Instead they are running away from things.

To add to the woes I hadn’t slept the whole 27^th then on 28^th too as I had to do some last minute correction in the article for the magazine. I had hardly slept. On the night of 28^th even though I was in need of sleep I agreed to join my teammate for a late night beer.

I had hardly packed anything and by the time I came back to my flat I was totally zombified. I filled whatever I could in my backpack and took to bed.

“tu kaise mara leta apni itni?” were the last words I remember  that my roommate said to me. It was almost 2 when we slept.

Next day we woke up like hippies and went to office. We had to reach Bandra terminus by 4:45 pm. And trust me Mumbai locals have zero reliability in rain.

We left early from office still sceptic about going to Delhi. Even after sitting in our 3 AC seats we were doubtful. But once the train left Bandra Terminus there was no turning back. The cold AC winds did brought some relaxation with it as I straight away slept.

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 Delhi is one place that really upsets me. But I had decided that I will overcome it this time. Ultimately it just gave me another reason to undertake this trip.  But once I got down at hazrat nizzamuddin station the next morning it was like a weird experience. You know that kind of filling when everything around you just remains the same. But somehow nothing seems similar. Only drastic change that we felt was in the weather. Where in Mumbai we were socked in heavy rains and mossy wet winds, here we were welcomed by hot bright orange sun and the only moistness we felt was of our own sweat.  It was exactly how I left Delhi the last time. I remember buying pastry from comsome situated at the lajpath nagar side exit of haz. Nizzamudin station. But somehow I was finding it difficult to remember anything apart from it.

My roommate said that “tera GPS pura ulta hai.”

Perhaps he was right as well. The autowala took us to Indraprastha metro station. And it really felt stupid when he took a round trip of station and exited from the sarai kale khan side.

But once reaching there it was the real déjà vu feeling. I was very scared of getting down at Rajiv Chowk not knowing how I would react. But honestly it was just the same, maybe I was overeating. Or possibly overstating stuffs.

I tried to locate the Nirula’s café but it wasn’t there. It was then I realize that things have changed. It was tough to accept that the world has moved on. There was no sign of Nirulas neither my old metro card was working nor any faces felt similar. 

But the best part about this entire journey was that I wasn’t going in the usual direction towards Noida but on the opposite direction towards Rithala. I never knew that it was the first line to be commissioned by DMRC.

From Rajiv Chowk to Kashmere gate and from there climbing upstairs towards RED line going towards Rithala was that part of Delhi that I had never seen. And there was one more thing that I was about to see after almost 3 years our dear friend sardarji. Actually my current roommate is sardarji’s ex-roomate and he was all the more joyous to meet him.  He whisked us from metro station straight to his home in Rohini and treated us with the most amazing chole kulche in lunch. My roommate was supremely tired so he quickly surrendered to sleep as soon as the AC was turned on.

Later that evening we had the most amazing dinner in a very long time. Sardarji took us to a very famous food joint in pitampura where we had Chengezi chicken which was cooked in ghee on the largest tava I have ever seen. It tasted divine with khamiri roti.

And trust me it was the most amazing chicken that I have tasted in my short lived life…

My mind was empty that night partly because the day turn out the way it did and partly because it didn’t… but I was happy to meet an old friend and most importantly. And I was ready….

Come-on Delhi…. Surprise me in a new way.

To be continued….. 

Fiturr-Eh-Sanam.

Humse ishq ka itna fiturr nah rakh zalim-eh-sanam

Ki teri rihai k baad khud he kaidi bann baithe…..

 I thank the almighty for giving me a chance to live in this breathing and alive city. This city is really magical but travelling in second class compartment of local is like daily World War. Specially in western and central line. its only in harbor line trains that you while find couples travelling together in the second class compartment. All the more because its never too crowded. And its this beauty that I really like.  I bet you will never find a dull moment while travelling on harbor lines. Be it the scenery or inside the local.

“taste it… its good” she said to me a we stood in the 2^nd  class compartment of the 5:37 local for panvel she was wearing a golden yellow kurti and black leggings.

Even though there was ample space for us to sit we still preferred to stand. She rested herself on the door partition and I stood in front of her, facing the wind. It was how we commuted every day.

“What is it?” I asked her looking at her palm. They were creamy white (itne safed ki kaato toh khun bhi na nikale). She was holding popins in them. I always admired her white creamy colored palms. More so because I rarely get to hold them. But they looked soft and gentle. Although she was a bit messy with her nail polish but whenever she would apply nail gloss, her fingers resembled candy sticks. Trust me her glossy nailed fingers looked tastier than Cadbury gems.

“kha ke toh dekho, achi hai” she said lifting her hands up.

“nai I don’t like poppins ” I replied.

“Since when?” she said while pinching my chest with that mysterious smile which I was never able to decode. 

She deliberately shoved a green colored popin in my mouth. As its flavor started to explode it initially tasted like chilly, then a bit sour and then bitter by the end. As the flavors varied so did my expression.

“oh my god!!!!.... What flavor is it” I cried.

“What the matter?? Achi nahi hai?” she asked me in a worried ascent.

Suddenly her voice pitch also changed according to my changing expression until she had my full attention.

“acha nahi hai toh just spit it out?” she ordered.

That’s exactly what even I wanted to do, but where???

“mmwwweeehhh” I murmured.

“Are stupid spit it out.!!!!!” She started screaming

“mmwwweeehh  mmwwweeehhh” I repeated until she understood.

“In my hand… in my hand!!!” she said.

I was dumbstruck did she really meant what she said?

I didn't understand whether she was trying to help or just fool me. Or was it something else.

It is one of those awkward moment for which your cerebral cortex has no response. And for that little instant I happened to look I her eyes and for the first time I saw anxiety. Somehow it felt that for this little time there was no naughtiness, no arrogance, no shields, neither shades nor disguise. As if her heart beamed right out of those black eyes, breaking all the barriers and hurdle within me. It just lasted for a second but felt like infinity.

It’s that rare feeling you want to hold on for the rest of your life. Something that can only originate out of selfless belonging.  Even though now she was insisting and the poppin tasted no better I could just not spit it out on her hands. But her gesture was indeed very sweet and surprising too.

I wanted to take her to taloja creek which is 10 mins walk from kharghar station and so eventually we got down as the station arrived.  And trust me kharghar is the most awesome looking station I have never seen after Rajiv Chowk Metro station.

We reached just as the sun was above to set in the horizon beyond the endless mangrove. There was a strange silence for a while and then she took a deep breath and asked

“hum yaha kya kar rahe hai? What’s going on between us?”

I thought she would never ask this.

“You know I really like your gloss nail polish, it seems like candy-stick. I wanted to tell you this for a very long time, and it’s not just about your nail-polish. It’s just that I feel very light around you. You know the air that I breadth somehow becomes cooler and more lively. Such a breadth fills your soul to its fullest. It starts a catalytic event which in no time entirely transforms the way I see things in and around me. I no longer feel scared to sit on 72723”

As the moist monsoon winds strolled past the mangroves and pushed her hair few inches in air.

“just like this winds, no matter how hot, cold or humid it may be just a mere thought of you brings this magical light fresh winds and flows past me as if I am totally opaque. You know it lifts me purifies me. You know there are very few things that I love about this city”

“And what are they?” she asked.

“the mornings… oh my god they are just amazing, I have no words to describe it. Its just perfect. Second would be the winds, all the more because it reminds me of my engineering college in Nagpur were such winds would blow all day long. But there was one thing that was missing with the winds back there which Mumbai has given me.”

And again there was this silence from me.

As I again took a step back from my thoughts and tried to walk away, someone held my hand and stopped me.

“You know why I always like to stand in front of you facing you in the train?” she asked.

“mam I am still trying to figure out your smile how am I suppose to know what’s going on in your mind” I answered.

“Stupid because even I like to see your short hair dancing to the winds, to see the peace in you when those winds gush past you and watching you loving it makes me happy” she concluded. 

“Come on iggy… let’s start falling in love” she said as she held my arm from inside walking proudly and happily.

It here where for the first time I realized that love is more than just a relationship. Its that obvious comfort and relaxation that you feel when you are around someone. Its that small space between two lover in the crowded train, the high gust of wind that somehow makes its way to you. Its that crazy stupid smile the greenish moist winds brings on your face or a very sweet memory which like a ghost take over your body every time you pass through a certain station or a location en-route to your destination.

Lastly that sweet accidental hug you get when the guy behinds you pushes you. Hahaha….

 And that where I realize that love is very similar to travel. It’s more about the journey than destination.

happy RAMZAN to all.

feedback and suggestion are welcome.

Rediscovering Nikki...

“How come you are a Christian and don’t have hard drinks?”

A senior team mate declared in the midst of several other guys. This caused another round of loud laughter followed by cheers.  I tell you these appraisal parties are a very tricky. Especially if you are youngest.  The situation gets even more awkward when you were never programmed to consume alcohol.  Worst part was neither I belong to this situation nor was I dressed accordingly. Where all of them were in here chic party outfit I dragged myself in brown cargo and black tee.

With so many questions and no answer it was getting embarrassing with every passing minute. I gave a toilet excuse and quickly got away from my team mates who were having a gala time.  Raghuleela mall in Vashi has a one of kind structure. Especially the conically curved iron framed structure of it roof without a central support is splendid. One could spend hours trying to figure out how it was build. That some-one was me that day. Until…..

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“oh my god!!!!” a girl scremed from behind. I didn’t give emphasis to it as the place is always buzzing with college kids. And for them it’s a very common antique. Until……

Someone pulled my shoulder from back, now that a very uncommon thing for me.

“You bloody Mr. Artist… attitude dikhane ki adat abhi bhi nahi gayi teri” a girl was shouting on my face.

“Excuse me????” I replied curiously.

I started the elimination process in my mind. It was my department guys in college that called me Mr. Artist. But I wondered who is this lady and how did she know it. And then it just clicked.

“saali besan khichadi!!!!” was what came out of my mouth when I realize that she was nikki. The only Sindhi friend that I had in college. We never really talked to each other until we attended a workshop together in 7^thsem.

“What brings you here?” I asked.

“Choti ki birthday party…. And you?” she asked.

“Same pinch… office appraisal party” I answered.

“Oh ho… daru sharu… ladka bada ho gaya.” she giggled

“You have totally changed” I said. And the smile on her face increased by at least an inch.

“Lekin you haven’t changed, still hanging around in your cargo pants and white shoes” she added.

“Well bad habits don’t leave you easily… isn’t it?” .

“And by the way… saali when did I showed you attitude re….?” I inquired.

“Anyways leave it… how do I look?” she asked me out of nowhere.

For a guy like me it a very unexpected question because not many girls take their fashion tips from me. My own dressing sense is completely screwed up. She was wearing a very bright looking one piece. It was white in color, knee length and sleeveless.

“Where did you get such an outfit? It’s…..it’s good.” I modestly replied.

“Just while going around” she said while jumping forward. And she was even more happy and proud while doing so.

“Anyways white is my favorite color, so anything in white is good for me” I replied.

“Be maal ho gayi hu…. Voh toh dekh” she said while laughing.

Honestly I didn’t even notice until she mentioned it.  And yes she was actually looking very beautiful in that dress. It was hard to believe that a girl who missed her final year departmental forum just because she had to dry chilies in the sun would be wearing a one piece some day.

“Sahi boli… chava lag rahi hai” I answered with a loud laughter.

Both of us were really happy to see each other, but it felt she was a bit happier than me. We walked around the mall talking about the entire thing. But one thing was very clear; she was carrying herself in that dress amazingly. She was flawless in her walk and genuinely easy. 

It was followed by hour long chitchat about all the stupid things of college and work. I never thought even I would go around walking in mall with a lady in such a beautiful dress. The best part was neither she was feeling uncomfortable nor was I feeling awkward. In this hour I realized ki saali bilkul nahi badli hai.  

“I hate to say this but I have to take your leave now” I said

“Yar ladki mai hu aur ghar jane ki baat tu kar raha hai” she said sarcastically.

“I have a 7 am office madam” I replied. She was somewhat disappointed with my willingness to go.

I started to walk towards the escalator as she stood back for the party to get over.

“Oye sunn…” she shouted. And I turned back.

“By the way you are looking very handsome” which made me halt my decent and I turned back to look at her. And yes she looked even more beautiful and graceful now. Dark straight black hair, shining black eyes, very fair and glowing face and that amazing white dress. It was sight of an angel.

“You know..you are only the second girl till date that has asked me HOW DO I LOOK question” I shouted back.

“Oh ho thank you Mr Handsome” she replied me.

“And only the second person to call me HANDSOME… as well” I said with the same tone.

“I am very sure I won’t be the last one” she replied me with a wink.

Which brought a shy smile on my face and as I tried walking again she shouted from behind again.

“By the way who is the first person?” she inquired taking a few steps towards the escalator.

“Your black nail polish doesn’t go well with this white dress……..and she’s no longer a IS ….she’s a WAS now”. I replied her back with a wink. 

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(Later that night I pinged her on whatsapp.)

Iggy:- I am glad that I came out of that stupid party (And she replied)

Niki: So was I…..

Dedicated to all rediscovered lost relationships.

feedback and comments are welcomed.

The Logical Indian Voter.

Now days the talk-of-town is the 16th Indian general elections. One thing which is very common in it is "the opinion". Surprisingly the news crew from every TV channel is running behind the commonest of common man in order to generate an opinion out of him.  The best characteristic of an opinion is that everyone has one.

It’s a shady opinion of our elders that Indian youth find such discussions boring and are un-interested in shaping the future of the country. Why? Because we are thought-off as reckless, stubborn and impatient. We are even branded as careless and ignorant at time which to a certain extent is true as well. Frankly speaking we are much more worried about university paper pattern, engg college cutoff’s, thesis’s, case study, progressive project seminars, ex-girlfriends and even who should be the captain of our favorite IPL team.

But instead of assumption our highly educated minds has started to reason with everything and it is here that the youth of India has made its presence felt. I suppose we all have witnessed its muscle on December 2012 at raisena hills. When it comes to our rights nothing can divide us, not even the government. They say this youth empowerment realization was a snow-ball effect of the 2011 Arab spring. On the contrary to what was witnessed there, here we showed compassion and trust in democracy.

Amongst 1.2 billion citizen, 814 million are eligible for voting of which approx 40% are between age group of 18-40 and there would be another 100 million youngsters voting for the first time. No wonder these 9 phased elections would be historic w.r.t the voters turnout. Every political party is trying to woe this vote bank in there favor. This is were we need to apply our logic and reasoning skills

Personally I feel that change is always good. Even stale water starts to stink. But change just for the sake of change should not be sought-off. Our decision should neither be influenced by crowd mentality nor ancestry affiliation.

In build-up to these elections the youth has taken the initiative, responsibility and willingness to achieve improvement. Its our knowledge and reasoning skills that has enabled us to think one step above our own perception. When there is knowledge there is no room for fanatism, anarchism or flattery. We have the resources of knowledge, tools to logic and channels to forward it as well.

So this time we wont be giving our vote to any tom, dick or harry. They have to show there worth for the same. All you need to do is ask theses three question when prospective MP candidate come to your door-steps.

[1] tell me one good quality about your opponent? 

(Because it requires character to praise others).

[2] tell me one bad thing about yourself? 

(Because it requires courage to accept criticism).

[3] tell me any one law of the Indian constitution?

(Well.. basically to educate him).

Its just to make sure that your tax money is not spent in fixing broken mic’s and chairs in the parliament and that a sensible and qualified person is representing you.

It might raise a few eyebrows and cause some sweaty foreheads but at least they would realize that you value your vote. Either you will end up learning something or teaching something.

Even if you don’t get the expected answer still do come to vote. If not for the sake of democracy than atleast to become a part of history. Lets take this revolution to its ultimate final goal because the path, the speed and the destination of India would be decided by us.
feedback and comments are welcome.
thank you and do vote.....!!!