Yeh Hain Bambai Meri Jaan

Who said competition is a bad thing? Sometimes it brings out the best in you when you are challenged.

I had this habit of drinking tea at the tapari during the breaks. However thanks to the quality of tea at the tapari, I ended up giving up on my chai and have been sober for around four years now.

This one day, out on my break outside the office with my colleagues, shouts can be heard about people passing by for a tea. We were too and yes that got my attention on what happened overnight that they had to resort marketing their chai.

It took a while but came to know that there was a new chaiwala who had setup shop nearby that threaten the monopoly of our existing chaiwala. The newbie chai was good and it was no wonder that the existing one decided to put in more milk in his chai.

At the end of the day, its a win-win for the chai drinking people :)

There are certain things which one sees to happen only in Bombay and no place else. 

One must have seen owners walking down the streets with their dogs or if you got up early morning, you can also see the cows and buffalo's on the streets on their morning walks.

Then again what about goats? Have you seen them around being taken for a walk. I certainly have seen them been taken around like they are dogs and its a sight to watch...

A railway station can be a great place to observe human behaviour at its best as people rush in rush out to reach their destination.

I was one who was made to wait by a colleague at a railway ticket counter recently and three incidents amused me as I stood there waiting.

A tall guy who apparently seemed intoxicated got slapped by a guy much shorter when he meddled in a conversation with his family. 

A girl with a backless short dress certainly got the attention of the male passengers who awaited in the queue to take ticket and then vanished into the crowd. I admire her courage as it requires walk the talk...

I never thought waiting at a ticket counter would lead to such observations given that I was at one of the busiest railway station then again there is always someone to break the barriers something that one thought never happened.

There was PDA display happening behind one of the pillars of the station and the couple were not your college going kids but someone much older who just could not keep their hands off with each other. 

It only gets you thinking right!!

I guess if you pay attention to the world outside, you will be able to see things that you once thought were only imaginary...

I Like You

Rahil was listening her speak on the other side of the phone as he was gathering courage telling Deepa about something that was bothering him.

His heart beat got faster as he paced up and down. As the voice felt silent on the other end, he blurted out “I like you. I like spending time with you”.

She too reciprocated his feelings. Later she told him that her family was in talks for her marriage. He almost stopped telling her he would like to marry her but held himself back.

Silence had crept in as he struggled to get the words out of his mouth. While she wondered on the other end by asking “what happened”.

The awkwardness of the situation went away as they talked it out.

As Rahil kept the phone down he wondered about circumstances being different.

All he could think about was letting her know about his feelings but he knew deep down probably it was best to keep things as it is instead of putting a yes or no question to their relationship.

Meanwhile, Deepa laid on her bed and the thought of him holding himself back intrigued her.

Log Kya Kahege

A random conversation between me and my sister made me realize how the term "Log kya kahege" has killed more dreams before it could be be brought out in the existence.

Our Indian society is like a big Indian family wherein everyone would like to keep a tab on what you do and why you do it. There is no escape from it. Some do it for gossip others just for timepass. There are very few who would genuinely car\worry for you.

The question arises on why should one be afraid of people's reactions, when one knows they do it because they want to and not for people who just choose to give their opinions for free. Give it some time and they wont even remember what the fuss was about.

Reminded of the song "Kuch toh log kahege, logo ka kaam hain kehana" as I think over it. Once one removes this mental block, then there's no stopping. If one still fear/worry think about the fools. If you know about the proverb fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

Recently had gone out a trip with friends when observed that while we were busy taking group snaps, there were people who along with their smartphone were taking their own snaps with different poses with the sea & the beach as the background.

To think of it, nowadays everyone keeps taking selfie these days. Imagine the relief to the stars & celebrities who now just have to pose instead of signing autographs for their fans.

Then again, there are some people who take it a notch higher like the couple who decided to take a selfie with the background of a building in Dubai. Seriously, what were they thinking. If they could have used some common sense they could have avoided getting the backlash by putting the photo online.

Chris Gayle found himself making the news off ground with his attempt to flirt with a female presenter taking his interview.

To be honest what he did was not appropriate when one thinks he did that in front of a live came that feeds into people's tv set. Then again there is an aspect of it that goes unnoticed.

What if this would have happened off camera, was the reaction of the people going to be the same. How could it be different when guys try to flirt with women at other places. Food for though eh!

If one thought falling in love was easy think again. First there is a one side crush and if you succeed, you fall in love. That only happens to be the beginning as the levels gets harder just like the game of candy crush requiring various permutations and combinations.

I wonder about the couple's attempts who could not find their way to be together for eternal life and as reality of life drags one away, one could only think of what if things were different...

Who are you thinking about?

The Daughter's Cluprit

Suraj ran on the empty streets at the light of the dawn when he found himself breathing heavily by the thoughts that were making a run in his mind.

He found himself a place to sit as the thoughts overran him with his jogging.

Breathing heavily, all he could see was his past in front of his eyes that caught up with him in the present and found it difficult to run away from.

It felt like yesterday, when he was watching the movie on his television along with his wife when his 20 year old daughter Anya stood in front of them saying she had something to say.

It shook the very ground beneath them as they listened to her talk and tears made their way through her eyes and she burst into a cry.

His wife Shaila took hold of situation as she consoled Anya. Suraj found himself numb hearing words her daughter say that she was pregnant.

That night turned out to be the longest night as his mind was filled with thoughts to handle the current situation. He could not believe that his little princess had grown up to carry a child within as he saw playing with her as a little child smiling and giggling.

He searched for the guy who did this to his princess and found that the guy wanted to sleep with her and when she got pregnant, he wanted to abort the child.

Suraj stood in front of the boy's home enraged with anger, eyes shot up. The door was opened by a lady who seemed familiar and he realized that it was none other than Binal.

Binal recognized him and as they spoke the anger disappear into a whiff. He left without telling her the truth behind his visit.

How could he when he was the one who had impregnated her during their college days and got the child aborted. It was as if fate was playing cruel joke on him.

He reminisced his past when he was a playboy sleeping with scores of women making them think that he will marry them but never did. Binal was one of them and the one he got knocked up. He remembered his relief when he was able to convince her for abortion without her parent’s knowledge.

Suraj was aghast to know that her son did this to her daughter. All he could think of not letting his family know about his past.

Anya was taken to the hospital for abortion along with Shaila, she asked for his forgiveness as she held his shoulder. He hugged her and said to her "It’s not your fault".

As she was been taken away he felt as if he was his daughter's culprit.

The Last Day

I have often found myself at warpath with people who deliberately choose not clear the air in what they speak. This happens mostly with people who are above me and yes in the office circuits.

Its funny how they are at liberty to state what they meant but you cannot put across yours. I guess it has more to do with ego than to state things plainly out in the open or to put it mildly; finding a scapegoat.

The best way to encounter such people is to put everything in writing. There is no escape from it.

When you are doing a favour to someone, they start to act like that you owe to them and keep following up like mad until you are able to put an end to it. Why do people do that especially when they know they are seeking a favour?

The last week of the year had begun and all eyes were set on the last day to usher in the New Year with celebrations.

Whenever an outing is planned and people informed to join in, almost everyone would show their interest. As the day comes nearby slowly one by one would hint that they will not be able to make it. This happens every time when planning with someone other than family.

On the opposite, outing that are planned spontaneously often has more takers than the planned ones. Albeit they don’t happen as much as one would like to.

My observation that people who drink go out more than those who don’t is proving to be correct to this moment.

The one question that I get asked often is what I do among them. All I could offer is that I like to travel and somehow it only happens with people who drink.

After one gets talli, literally everything comes out apart from the vomit to people to talking about their lives or simply just having a ball with their antics. Remember a guy who got taken by free booze at a party that he starting taking his clothes off and dancing that even prompted the DJ to shoot a video of him.

The first day of the New Year was spend sleeping all day after staying awake the last night. Hope that is not how the year passes by…

Marriage Stress

Got a glimpse of the beauty pageant Miss Universe while switching channels and watched it to see those beautiful faces walking down sharing their experiences.

It reminded me of my days as a kid when I watched the pageant thanks to my cousins (read this link to know about them). While I looked at those pretty faces exuberating confidence as they walked, my cousins looked more interested in the Q&A rounds.

They would try to answer the questions as if prepping for it when they have their day to shine. I would too being part of the group. The most that I enjoyed after the Q&A was the swimming suit competition.

This year event however took the cake away with its announcement of the winner that made one wonder if they were watching a reality show wherein to spice things up, one would do something not expected that would create hue & cry and gather much needed attention.

I know and have seen how marriage can cause serious stress to women given that she is the one who is leaving her home and enter a new one with new members to call her family and a husband to be her companion for life.
Guys too can get stressed about marriage as I am seeing one right now. Watched his engagement video and he was the one with the nerves while his fiancée smiled throughout. His marriage date was six months ago and now it will happen in the next two months. Hope he is able to smile throughout his marriage or else we will never let him forget the day for years to come.

How often do you bargain when making a purchase? I admit that I am bad at it. I have a friend who excels in it. Has a flair for it as he keeps pushing till the other person gets tired if not irritated and agrees. What amuses me that he has the purchasing power to buy at fixed rate still he would haggle to bring the price down. Is that how one saves money?

It’s the last week of the year and as each day passes by, one wonders about the year gone by, the hits and misses. The times for celebrating the year end with a bang.

Wish you all a Happy New Year and hope all your wishes come true.

The Call Center Guy

I was immersed into the world of imagination as I listened to him & his adventures of a hunter (if you know what I mean). It happened all by chance when a cup of coffee can lead to such a revelation. Albeit, I take it with a pinch of salt knowing that guys will be guys and they like to boast their exploits like anything which can be a figment of imagination . I for one would never believe unless I see some proof.

These days I feel like I have become the call center guy. No I have not joined a call center nor have any girlfriend to spend that much time talking. It just that these professional commitments takes such a toll on my phone that it keep dying on me, thrice to be precise. It reminded me of the talk of my friend who had worked in call center who was so tired of picking calls that when at home, he won’t even pick up the land line ringing.

Old age is considered to be another childhood where the grown ups become kids. I would second that having seen people act like kids to get their work done. One of my recent interactions with one such person proved the point who almost made it a point not to listen to the words that came out of my mouth and insisted that I do as he said.

Why do they have to be stubborn to a point that they end up bullying people to do as they want? At the end, one has to come around to accept the reality. In my experience there are very few people who actually listen and others just prefer to give away their orders like they have earned it.

When I hear about the dating stories of couples, what amazes me on how nowadays girl spends money on the guy instead of the opposite. Have to say girls have come a long way. Its not easy for them to date a guy and make sure that their family does not comes to know about it. I know a girl who does travelling of two hours up & down just to meet her guy. The guy did that once and fall sick....

My work place has been hit with the iphone craze, Almost everyone I know now has an iphone. A colleague bought then another and it spread like a wild fire. All of this was put to an end by another colleague who got the latest model with the highest storage straight from the US. That put an end to the frenzy situation. 

Hide & Seek

I can feel the chill in the air when the wind blows be it day or night. The arrival of winter in a city like Bombay can be felt now but not earlier. Winter season meant only less heat but not this time.

Reminded me of the day as a kid, when I had woke up early in the morning for an NCC (National Cadet Corps) event with my teeth cluttering and the oil on my hair frozen. That was my last recollection of the winter I felt in Bombay.

Hide and Seek was being played out outside my office building. It first started with bike parking that used to happen along the compound walls near the entrance. There happen to be traffic policemen of around 8-10 ensuring that bikes were being taken away and fined people with no proper documentation. It seemed odd given that the road was away from the main road.

This ensured that the bike parking was turned into car parking. Next it was the turn of the illegal eatery stalls that was set up near to the building. Since they are hand in gloves with the local officials, they had ensured that their stalls were not taken away even as a beautification drive was carried out. Next day they are back at their usual places.

Wonder who won and lost….

Not sure how many watched the Olx ad about the husband & wife where the husband sells his car so that his wife can have a car too. She felt her independence was being fringed upon due to her travel woes. Seriously, I think a wife will have more important things to talk about then making her man buy a car to make her feel independent. Comfort food for thought anyone?

I came across a magazine on my desk and wondered if the owner would come forward to take it back. As it laid there for days, I decided to have a peek and read about the “Nyoma Incident” that took place between the jawans and the officers of the Indian army. Never knew something of this nature had taken place and people unaware of it.

Had a farewell of a colleague in the past week and I could not help laugh at the turn of his events. He had put in his papers a month back but yet to get an approval from his manager. Every time he approached her, he would be told to get back later.

Soon the weeks turned into days even as the sight of approval was nowhere to be seen. The irony part was that his day of farewell was announced by his team without no official confirmation from his manager. We chided him to start his farewell speech asking his manager to first approve his resignation.

Anyway, he did manage to get her approval on the last day of the job. Phew!!

Came across this ad during a movie commercial in the theatre and it certainly touch a chord.

Do watch it!

Intolerance Around Complicated Love

Last week, everyone was voicing their opinions strongly, condemned others and took sides in almost all of the whatsapp group that I was a member of.

I will be honest that I have never seen people raising their voices even when the nation has been struck with corruption, tainted ministers holding Govt. positions or misuse of public fund or inefficiency of Govt. to work towards the welfare of people. Yes, it did came as a shock when I saw people reacting.

All this happened as Amir voiced his concern on the growing intolerance in the country and the conversation that took place between a husband & wife in the midst of it.

It was good to see people raising their voices, but instead of pay attention to the topic highlighted they targeted the man who said it out loud. From banning his movies to watch to calling him a traitor and what not.

This proves that half information sometimes can end up creating chaos than seeking out complete information to understand the situation.

I don't think anybody tried to find out why Amir said that and in what context. If you are one of those, please do watch the complete interview on this link

Thank god for people's memory as everything soon returned to normalcy and my whatsapp group with its forwarded jokes and what nots...

Why do love have to be complicated? Why is that guys have to bait the girl before telling her that he likes her? Why is there no easy way to it? Why?

There are certain things that I am good at and one of them is table tennis. Had a go at it after a long time and feels good after sweating it out.

Nothing gets better than to end the weekend with bunch of friends hanging out together which happened last week. The irony part, the friend who actually did manage to arrange this was not part of it as his bestie was getting engaged on the same day. 

That brings my attention to another friend who has ditched the second time and would keep everyone wondering if he is coming or not. He will make you think that he will be reaching and then wont turned up. Any reason for doing that?

I would also like to share my appreciation for the municipal corporation for coming with up with the bumpers on road. These bumpers are small in width and height compare to the normals one. If you are driving in night on a bike, you can surely expect a bump when you go through this as they are not visible in ill lighted areas. I did got one...

Diwali Dhamaka

Diwali was over but the look of the office was still deserted as if people had the blues to join back.

The Diwali dhamaka happened post Diwali when work came in like anything that drives you mad.

I almost forgot to tell about buying a new phone. It was too be arrived two weeks later and driving me crazy. It had ruined my sleep and I started dreaming about it too.

The arrival brought me immense pleasure but then came the technicalities of changing sim card, moving one’s contacts, moving my files, etc. No easy way to do that.

If that was not enough, my colleague could be heard saying out loud to people about my new phone. I so wish to strangle him badly…

How good are you at laughing at yourself when someone makes fun of you? Do you take it in stride or get anger at. I will be honest to admit that I am not too good at it but only a few are allowed to take a jibe at me J What about you?

One of my colleagues found an innovative way to get his home loan cheque that he is pursuing for the past two and half months. The problem was that he had good relations with them and found a way to avoid it getting sore.

I must admit I am amazed by his methodology which seems to be working as he is getting calls from them and the cheque too is now ready for handover.

It rained and the weather just got better to have some ice creams…