Commonwealth Games!!

bike riding in bangalore

Not all would agree, but riding a bike in bangalore is fun! Seriously! For few reasons, I simply love it!

Firstly, I don't ride my bike in bangalore. Now you understand, right?! Driving a friend's bike, especially when he is not around is amusing, to say the least. It gives lot of scope for experimenting and maneuvering, cutting at all possible angles. I know you would have experienced this yourself, else I pity you!!

Secondly, the nature of bangalore traffic per se.. It is is filled with poor drivers like me and lot of space is up for grabs. Having learnt the trade in busy and small streets of chrompet, chennai, where two wheelers rule the roost, my 'instincts' are 'trained' to spot the gaps and fast moving lanes quite easily. (And if you must know, I drive my bike in chennai).

Thirdly, you need loads of patience, to put up with fellow bad drivers and innumerable number of traffic signals. Belive it or not, I have got some of it; for which my roomie should be credited. He has the ability to get stuck in the longest possible queue and the 'knack' of going behind the slowest moving vehicle. Invariably, I would feel like snatching the bike or getting down to walk. But I would do neither. After all, a free ride is a free ride!

Now that I have got a new car and I have started driving it, my thoughts have changed. Naturally. Seeing bikers riding in pedestrian path, turning without indicators, changing lanes every second and pouncing on the smallest of space irritates me to no end. Ofcourse, it is only till i get hold of my friends bike, again!

walk in the rain

It was very hot and the land looked quite dry. Not a green leaf at sight and the searing wind blew sand and dust everywhere. It’s been a long time since the last rain. I was walking, with an umbrella as my shield against the scorching sun. The sun doesn’t mind though and vents out its anger, god knows against whom and why!

All of a sudden, as if through some divine intervention, few drops of rain fell. The sand gave its aroma in relief. All its life and vigor that had been in hiding, comes out with this scent. What a fragrance. Not even the prettiest or most colourful flower can boost of one. I closed my eyes and took few deep breaths. The scent brings with it a sense of joy, freshness and optimism. Hope of better days ahead.

When I opened my eyes, I saw some people running around for shelter, some had their umbrellas open, and people at home started closing their windows. Why are people scared of rain, especially when it has come after such a long time?! Funny! Unabated, I continued walking.

The rain slowly gathered momentum and became heavy. And I was still walking, basking it its glory. To top it, on the way home, I got an ice-cream as well! The vendor gave a stare which at best would have meant, “Are you crazy?” I chuckled and continued my walk.

Upon reaching room, my roomie, seeing myself fully drenched, unopened umbrella in one hand and an ice-cream in the other, started shaking his head and gave a stare, same as that of the vendor. I just said, “It was fun”. Indeed it was. But I wished I had walked holding her hand, instead of the stupid umbrella!

crazy colleagues

I have got some really crazy colleagues. As if the crap they do at work is not enough, they bother with their piece of advice or ‘fundas’. Last day, there were two different people essentially driving at the same point, some after effects of marriage, as they call.

One caught me when I was having tea. He put his arms around my shoulder and was friendly and sincere in his counsel: “Enjoy these last few days of bachelorhood. You may like the initial few days of married life and then you will regret.” Oh.. Will I? There is a fair chance that I may not. More than just a ‘fair chance’, I would say. Anyways it is none of his business. I did not stop him though, as I wanted him to finish whatever he wanted to say, quite fast... That’s the only way he would leave me! “Then she would start shouting, ‘why can’t you do this/that?’ ‘why don’t you take me here/there’ ‘why don’t you buy me this/that’.. here.. there .. this… that..” I got blackened out by this time and can see plates...pans… saucers… and my poor friend flying out of his house. Fought well to control my laughter and resolved not to visit his house anytime soon. I value my life.

Another caught me in the rest room, and said “I don’t think, I can see that of yours again. So basically this is the last time”. WHAT THE *…(hell) Stunned, I tried to suppress the panic in my voice and asked, “what?” . “Your smile” he said. “You are going to get married soon and I don’t know will I ever see that smile of yours, again”. Well, what a topic to discuss in restroom! People.. People!! But I was quite surprised that he had spotted a smile. You know, it’s been two days since I spoke with her . So I replied earnestly, “I think I can smile better, after marriage”. He laughed out loud before adding “Every one thinks that way, before marriage”.

my promise..to her..

This world, sure is uncertain!
It is vague, ambiguous,
and I am just a part of it.
I can't assure you I would be perfect,
I can't say I would be the best,
I might move with the flock
Carry on the daily chores without much enthusiasm,
My acts could be flawed,
I might....
just be another guy around...
..like how I had been all these years..

But my dear,
if there is anything I am certain about,
Anything I can assure you
and swear about,
Hear this my love,
"I would always love you
with all that I have got".

In LOVE

And then came the reply.

People say, being in love is fun. Yes, sure it is. But it is nigh
impossible to keep your feet grounded. Let me tell you 2 incidents to
highlight my predicament.

First is about the mundane activity of switching off a light. I can see
you wondering, 'what's the big deal?'. You are correct. In fact no one
notices anything about flipping the switches. Not until they are in
love! I took, believe it or not, close to 3 minutes to turn off a light!
My thoughts were so pre-occupied that I kept hitting in and around the
switch, but not on it. Even if i hit on spot, it was so slow that it
didn't turn off the light! gosh!

Second is about driving my bike. I have seen posters advertising 'Don't
drink and drive'. How I wonder they missed out, 'don't be in love and
drive'! No, Iam serious. Yesterday while coming from railway station to
my home, through the route I have been using for years now, I jumped 2
signals, took about 3 wrong turns, each time cursing myself and begging
to concentrate! It was a relief when I reached my apartment at last,
which was short lived, as I entered into a wrong flat.

But still I love the fact that Iam in love! Why should't I? Now I have that extra spring in my steps.
Felt sorry for the guys who were trying to catch up with me, while going for a tea!
They ofcourse were puzzled and asked for a reason.. Reason??? I AM IN LOVEEEEeeee.. shh.. silent!

falling in love

I have read many texts that talk of ‘falling in love’. Some of my friends keep raving about it. Add to that the number of romantic and not so romantic movies that I have seen. And then, of course the dreams…

But none had prepared me to face one! I was helpless when THE moment came. The first sight. gosh!! What to say? It sent a shrill through my veins. Top to bottom. No text’s or movie dialogues came to my rescue. Nor did the numerous number of sequences that I had dreamt of.

I think my name was asked. Not sure what I answered.

Every think went blank. No one else was seen. I was just a bundle of nerves. That's a gross understatement. The situation belted the shit out of me.. Still an understatement. Heart was pounding damn fast, more than double of what happens with a very strenuous workout (yea, I do them, some-times!). It was tough keeping my emotions in check. I didn’t want to act stupid in front of all those people. Not sure whether I succeeded, most likely not, but still euphoric. Yea, seems strange, but thatz the fact. Being in this situation is much better than never being there at all. A pleasure, ecstasy and bliss with a tinge of pain. Unique experience. All those who never experienced this may wonder, ‘what the heck?’ I feel sorry for those guys.

Now I am waiting anxiously for the response. Yea, of all the crazy thing I did, one sane act was to tell her what I felt. Always thought that was the toughest part, but strangely waiting for the response can be equally taxing, especially when you know that there is some chance.