A Two Hour Trip To South India - Happy Togetherness, Brijesh & Deepthi

Just add “South” to “Indian” to get “South Indian”. Is the word “South Indian” that very simple? Is it only about the dark complexioned people, speaking some alien language in a very fast pace which most of us don’t understand? Or is it just about Idli, Dosa, Uttappam and Sambhar Vada? Well the answer is – NO…There is much more to it. It takes more than just visiting South India to know what actually South Indians are all about. Well for me, the journey has just started…

Ever since my childhood, I never had even a single south Indian close friend, so I never got a chance to know what material they are made of. And even till 2^nd January 2010, I used to feel the same. But the very next day brought this pleasant change. For sometime at least, it made me forget what happened with us on the New Year night.

Puneet as usual, the laziest guy of us, was very reluctant to wake up even at 10:30 on this chilly morning. On the top of it, he did not even pack the gift which we got a day earlier. Well, that wasn’t a surprise for me? Coz, that’s what Puneet Raheja is all about…he he he. Moreover, he also had to pick Manoj from CP, who took a direct flight from Pune to Delhi the same day and was just on time to attend Brijesh’s marriage reception, which was supposed to begin at 11:00 am. Upon several calls & discussions, we finally reached the venue called “Ayyappa Temple” in RK Puram.

While entering the temple, we were first stopped by an attendee who instructed us to remove our shoes. Incidentally, we then realized that we were not entering a usual marriage hall or a lawn, but an actual Temple which was truly emitting holy radiance in and around its surroundings.

Lo ji...Puneet, who took mostly an hour just to make him up for the event, was slightly perplexed.

Puneet – Yaar, we are dressed in our Blazers. Without shoes, hum log kaise lagenge?

Me – Perfect item lagenge. He he he…common, remove your shoes along with your blazers and let’s step in sooner as we are already late…and it’s chilling cold here…

By the time we entered the hall; Brijesh and Deepthi, were meeting the guests on stage. Both of them were looking complete as they were complementing each other with the smiles having future in it. I guess that’s when we realized, Brijesh was done with all the “Pooja’s”, “Archana’s” and “Upasna’s”…he he he…I mean to say, all the traditional marriage rituals were already over when we reached the place. Don’t get me wrong guys…he he he…Brijesh is a very serious guy…he he he…

Upon seeing us, Brijesh was kind of overwhelmed with joy. May be that’s because this was the second occasion when the entire DAMM was together after Manoj’s transfer to DITP. Or may be because, we three were the only people from office who finally attended his day. Brijesh introduced three of us to Deepthi and then we had a quick snap clicked in a group. Well, mine introduction was special…he he he…as a blogger…I don’t know how, but these days, I am enjoying the pleasures of having great readers who trace / follow my blogs time to time…of-course, friends like Puneet and Brijesh are the promoters of my webpage too…Deepthi and most of Brijesh’s friends wanted to meet the blogger which he used to talk about…hence me…I am sure, their preconceived image of Rishi Gajbhiye as a blogger might not have met my physical personality. It’s different…you see…

After meeting all the guests, we enjoyed a show wherein the photographer purposefully asked the married couple to pose for different angles and shot their pictures with every possible move. Few ladies sitting behind us were murmuring about their own marriage experience as if the married couple made them nostalgic about their own experiences…we too enjoyed the whole scene…

I was trying to search people from our office and to my dismay; I couldn’t find even a single one apart from we three. Too bad guys…this event was special enough to be with Brijesh and Deepthi…How can people miss this event? And I am especially not happy with those who report to Brijesh and those who try hard to prove their closeness with him by having dinner together in office. It was still Delhi and people could have easily managed two hours to attend this event and make the couple feel happy. Anyways, that’s how people mostly are…after all everyone can not be DAMM…right?

After a while, Brijesh stepped down from the stage and introduced us to his old friends and buddies. Must tell you, all of them were South Indians. We kind of explored the Ayyappa Temple from every possible angle. It was already a chilly morning and to add topping, it started drizzling too…and the Ayyappa Temple in the drizzling rain was just an amazing place to be…

Then came the best part of this event…Food…This is one aspect where I really needed improvement. As I never tasted more than a single chapatti, (bread) in the so called marriage ceremonies that I have attended in the past two years. Well this was an exception. Brijesh took us to the basement of Ayyappa temple for lunch. Upon seeing banana leaves, I got excited. Brijesh informed that it was not a regular North Indian food but a typical South Indian one. Both Manoj and Puneet grew pale upon listening to this…he he he…not me…coz I was green listening to this…Well, both Puneet and Manoj along with Brijesh are chicken loving people…they can’t survive without having non vegetarian food…and South Indian dishes are all about vegetarian food…something customized for me only…he he he…

I decided to have my lunch using my regular hand thereby sacrificing the spoons which both Puneet and Manoj picked up…I am an ardent believer of the fact that South Indian food can not be enjoyed with spoons. Hence, you must not shy being a Roman, especially if you are in Rome…he he he…try licking your fingers and you would love it with those sambhar and naariyal chatni…he he he…

There was this gentleman who was sitting right next to me and was instructing me how to take the pleasures of having a south Indian food. I was having rice along with sambhar in a regular style…but this gentlemen urged me to mix the chutney with the two achar (pickles) along with rice and sambhar and smash the papad on the top of it and then lick it in your mouth…believe me, it was heaven…he he he…for the first time I came to know that there is a special technique of eating south Indian food which this gentleman demystified. To my surprise, the menu did not have even a single dish that I had eaten earlier. Everything was new to me. And those which were not, were actually cooked in a style not known to me. Of all the items, I loved “coconut beans” and “adaa kheer” very much…I had all of mine, Puneet’s and Manoj’s food too…trust me, I was the last person who left the lunch table…he he he…Ever since I started dieting in April 2009, this was the first time, when I had so much of food at a single go…I would always relish it’s taste and would try my best to attend “Onam” just to satisfy my taste buds for a truly amazing malyalami food…he he he

After lunch, we had a brief interaction with all the friends and relatives of Brijesh. The language was alien to me…and I was just trying my best to smile at every joke which these people were cracking at that time, without even understanding them. He he he…now that’s a joke, isn’t it? Well I had to do so coz I was waiting for Puneet who left for a while to drop Manoj somewhere in Dhaula Kua…Although I couldn’t understand even a bit of their interaction, one thing I understood very well…I REALLY MISSED A GOLDEN CHANCE OF BEING IN KERALA FOR BRIJESH’S MARRIAGE. IT COULD HAVE GIVEN ME A WHOLE NEW INSIGHT ABOUT SOUTH INDIA…anyways, I must say; the journey has just begun, as it has for Brijesh and Deepthi too…

Now you will feel no rain,

For each of you will be shelter to the other.

Now you will feel no cold,

For each of you will be warmth to the other.

Now there is no more loneliness for you,

For each of you will be companion to the other.

Now you are two bodies,

But there is only one life before you.

Go now to your dwelling place,

To enter into the days of your togetherness.

And may your days be good and long upon the earth.

DAMM – I Couldn’t Taste My Birthday Cake…

Very few people know my whereabouts, especially when I am on an official leave. You can count them on your fingers. That’s because I just don’t like people bothering me when I am on leaves specially dedicated to my studies.

It was around 11.00 pm when my studies were on full swing…I was trying to analyze the selection of Multifactor Models for charting out the characteristics of an Equity Portfolio through Stock Selection, Sector Allocation and their interaction. And yes, I wasn’t just getting it right…coz it’s too complicated an equation to be mastered for managing investor’s portfolios. I thought to close my eyes and grasp the entire equation which actually takes more than half a page to present mathematically. And I was like…half asleep. Trying to concentrate on different sector allocation patterns which a portfolio can take along with several equity based securities…I was just llllllloving it…it was my world…full of stocks, their fundamental characteristics and technical patterns. And guess, what happens whenever I am deeply engrossed with my capital market meditation? My cell phone rings and breaks the tranquility of my serene mind. He he he…and this time also it rang...

The typical James Bond musical ringtone irritated me…I immediately grabbed my cell phone, checked who’s calling and found Puneet Raheja on the caller screen. Now why is Puneet calling me when he knows I am not in office and that too at 1.22 am in the midnight?

Puneet: Hey Rishi? Kyaa kar rahe ho yaar abhi?

Me: Pata nahi…padh rahaa thaa…yaa shayad so rahaa thaa…bolo? Itni raat me kaise yaad kiya?

Puneet: Chalo aajao neeche…Brijesh bhi hai mere saath…

And I was like zapped…neeche?…these guys were standing downstairs at my place at 1:22 am in the night…what’s going on man…? And then I realized…ye log zaroor koi khuraafat ke mood me hai…he he he…I woke up, searched my chappals, and peeped outside my balcony…these people were waiting for me outside with a box like thing in their hands. It was then when I realized that ab meri waat lagegi…I realized it was my birthday and these people would be celebrating it by pasting cake on my entire body…

It was all dark outside my place. May be the street lights were not working. And when I walked down, Puneet raised his voice – chalo Mili ko bhi bulaa lo…tumharaa birthday celebrate karnaa hai…

Me: Abe pagal ho gaye ho kyaa? Dheere bolo…parivaar wala insaan hoo mai…usne sun liyaa naa to meri waat lag jaayegi…

Puneet: Are bhai…aaj tumhara birthday hai…un logo kaa honaa to zaroori hai…chalo bulao Mili ko…chalo chhodo, Arpitaa ko bulaa lo kam se kam…

I was literally getting irritated…Mili and Arpita are the two girls who recently moved in the ground floor of the same building where I stay…just imagine what could have happened if they would have listened to our conversation…And Puneet was howling just in front of their door…he he he…Dost aise ho to dushmano ki kyaa zaroorat…he he he…

Jaise taise, these people opened the Barista box…And I was again bothered…I am dieting these days and these people brought a chocolate cake for me which are generally very high on calories…he he he…

Me: Abe tum logo ko yahi time milaa tha mera birthday celebrate karne ko…

Brijesh: Sirji…aapka birthday hai…zor shor se celebrate honaa chaahiye…hum to fir bhi shaanti se celebrate karenge…

Me: Dikh rahaa hai kitni shaanti se celebrate kar rahe ho…bus ab ye pasting wasting mat karnaa ab…tum logo ko pataa hi hai that I don’t like it…

Puneet: Haa haa…nahi karenge…humko bhi pataa hai you don’t like it. Chalo ab cake kaato jaldi se…hame office nikalnaa hai…kaafi kaam padaa hai…

Me: Chalo uper…ghar me kaatenge cake…yahaa kaafi andhera hai…

Puneet: Nahi…yahi pe kaatenge…ghar pe sab so rahe honge…let’s not disturb them…chalo yahi pe kaato cake…

I was slightly apprehensive in cutting the cake, as I knew the basic characteristics of these people. Especially after seeing Puneet’s cake cutting ceremony on his birthday two weeks ago. I gathered some courage which actually took me 5 full minutes to do so…and then under the dim light of Brijesh’s cell phone, I slightly chopped a slice of the cake. I took the slice and offered it to Brijesh…he patiently ate a portion of it. I was waiting ke koi action ho…thank god…nothing happened…then I took another slice of the cake and offered it to Puneet. He also ate a portion of it and nothing happened. I was astonished – ye kyaa ho rahaa hai…why aren’t these people behaving the way they are?

Brijesh: Sirji…aap bhi to lo…aapka hi birthday hai aur aap hi nahi khaaoge to kaisaa hogaa

Me: Ok ok…I will have it…

The moment I picked a small portion of the cake in my hands, I felt something wet on my head…And I was like – ye kyaa hai? Then Brijesh tightly gripped my hands and Puneet started pasting the cake on my face.

Me: Saalo…tumko bola tha…ye sab mat karo…fir bhi

Chappaak…was the sound I heard on my head…I think it was Mommo’s chutney which Puneet splashed on my head…I don’t really know what all things these people used on my body…Eggs, Sauce, Mommo’s Chutney and the cake too…I think they also used some keechad (wet mud) on my back. I completely gave myself up to these guys…Puneet took a piece of cake and dropped it inside my pants. Yaak…what a bakwaas feeling it was…as if I had a potty while wearing my pants…hoooooooooooooo…

It was then when something just got cooked in my mind…why should only Puneet and Brijesh have fun if it’s my birthday…he he he…why not to change the rules a bit and make it more interesting…? Eureka Eureka…

I grabbed a bigger portion of the cake and pretended as if I would be eating it all alone. Surprisingly, I splashed the entire cake on Puneet’s face. What an amazing idea? Both Brijesh and Puneet were first zapped, and then were completely zoomed by this. While we were in the middle of our so called cake splashing, Puneet realized that his spectacles fell on the ground which suddenly made him myopic in the dark surroundings of my place. Taking advantage of the situation, I grabbed another piece of cake and ran towards Puneet. Realizing my violent moves, Puneet and Brijesh took opposite directions, so as to confuse me. And then began our chase & hunt game which lasted for about 15 minutes. Puneet was trying to search his spectacles too, as he feared that someone of us would walk on it only to break it. So he had two challenges, one to search his spectacles and the other one was to prevent himself from my sudden emotional outburst…He he he…Brijesh tried his best to help him but could not do so…they also took the help of a watchman and two of my neighbors who were enjoying the show from a distance.

Puneet: Abe holi thode hi hai aaj…it’s your birthday…only we are supposed to splash cake on you…

Me: Sorry guys…the rules are slightly changed…since it’s my day today, I would be deciding what should be on the platter…he he he…

After some hit and trial, I though to use my martial art grappling techniques to get these guys…I illusioned Puneet as if I would be hitting his face, and simultaneously used my legs to intercept his running…Guess what happened?…Puneet lost his balance and slipped on the ground with a forceful momentum…only to get himself injured on his palm. Mercy…what’s that? Ask any martial artist, and he would advice you to take advantage of this situation rather than getting emotional…he he he…

Puneets face and neck was completely splashed with cake…he he he…

Puneet: Yaar ye kyaa kar diya?…dekho mujhe chot bhi lag gayi…meri pant bhi fat gayi…shayad shirt bhi…

Me: Wow…amazing…maine bola thaa bhaagne ke liye…

Realizing that Puneet injured himself…Brijesh lost his emotional balance and approached us…fir kyaa thaa…he also got himself pasted with the cake I was still carrying in my pants. He he he…remember that potty wala feeling…he he he…yaak…

Brijesh: Ye kaisaa birthday celebration tha sirji…meri to kuch samajh me nahi aa rahaa…

Me: he he he…aap hi logo ka idea thaa cake splashing karne kaa…

Puneet: Yaar wo sab chhodo…meri to paant bhi fat gayi hai…ye dekho ghutne ke neeche…mujhe to office bhi janaa hai abhi…

Me: Office jaane ke liye kisne rokaa hai tumko…?

Puneet: Tumne to meri izzat faad di yaar…fati hui izzat leke office jaaungaa kyaa ab mai?...dashboard bhi banana hai mujhe yaar…

Me: He he he…bhai mere…izzat ghutne se barah inch uper hoti hai…neeche nahi…shukar manao…maine wo nahi faadi…he he he…warnaa tumhaare dashboard me uski bhi entry ho jaati…he he he…

Brijesh: Sirji thoda paani milega…? Dho lete hai thoda…

Me: Uper chalo…yahaa khulle me dho-oge kya?

Puneet: Nahi yaar…do bottle paani laa lo…hum usi me nibtaa lenge…meanwhile I would search my spectacles…

I went upstairs at my place and got a bucket full of water along with a bottle of drinking water. When these people cleaned themselves up, I gave Puneet his spectacles which I only grabbed during the cake splashing, purposefully to make him myopic…he he he…

After the entire drama, both Brijesh and Puneet vowed that they would never bring cake in any of my future birthdays…he he he…

Brijesh: Meri to ab tak samajh me nahi aa rahaa hai ke ye kyaa thaa sirji?

Me: Expect the unexpected…at-least from me…he he he

Puneet was speechless…these people never had a birthday experience like this one…

Even I never had such an experience in my entire lifetime…this one was really unique.

I was seriously missing Manoj…had he been here, I am sure, we would have created something more interesting…We four together complete DAMM…Disguised Assistant Manager’s Meet…but since Manoj is working from another office, I understand his absence.

After having a nice bath, I checked my cell phone only to know that Sushant and Sumit already tried to reach me while I was deeply engrossed in my Capital Market Meditation. He he he...Though few in numbers, I do have faithful buddies who try to surprise me only to get surprised in return…he he he…

You know what…I couldn’t even taste my birthday cake as it was entirely used for splashing…just imagine, how HOLI-stically was my birthday celebrated…he he he…so while writing this blog, I am tasting few of my diet biscuits along with some sprouts, instead of cake…he he he…birthday experience, with a different touch…

DAMM rocks…because Puneet rocks, Brijesh rocks, Manoj rocks…and Rishi Knocks...isn’t it? he he he

Hey Shivani...Happy Wedding

Marriages they say are made in heaven…whereas friends like pearls are picked and chosen.

Wow…what a line to think of? And how candidly it does not suite me and my life?

Well, I took a decision of not getting married in my entire life as it will otherwise distract me from achieving my life goals. No questions please! I can’t reason it at least in a blog dedicated to something else. For that matter, I was way far from my so called friends too. And since past few years, I have stopped making friendly or personal relationships fearing damages to my professional life. After all I know, I can be the best professional of my corporate ecosystem but would be worst in handling personal aspects of life. Now that’s what I call – SELF AWARENESS…he he he…

It’s been sixteen years in which I attended only four marriage ceremonies. And that’s what I call – TRACK RECORD…he he he…Ask my past friends who were my best of the best buddies during college days and they would utter only these words …”Kutta…Kameena…Saala ek hi reason detaa hai hardam…CHHUTTI NAHI MILI OFFICE SE…” Sishir, Praveen, Tushar, Meghna, Zohra and lately Sharique bhai…for all of you, I can only say one word…SORRY…and on the top of it, I expect forgiveness from all of you too…he he he

My colleagues at IBM used to taapofy her when she used to work with ABN Amro. Both our offices were situated in the same building…Cyber-green Towers. And guess what; never in my dreams did I think that she would work with me in Genpact in the same team. And above all, when I told my IBM colleagues an year ago that I would be reporting to her as she would be my Assistant Manager, they felt sorry for me and said…Teri to lag gayi beta…he he he…

But no…I was not in the gang who used to taapofy her and above all; when she joined Genpact she could not recognize me too…Bach gayaa…warnaa gayaa thaa baaraa ke bhaav se…he he he…then started a journey called…WORK @ GENPACT.

Somehow, both our images got nurtured with many distinguishing characteristics as we both worked very differently. Our mode of execution never met each other as we both had completely opposite persona. She was an expert in building professional relationships with a blend of casual and friendly touch. However, ask my colleagues @ Genpact, and they would say… Rishi does not even know how to laugh…he he he…

Without discussing with each other, we both drew lines for ourselves which we never crossed, thereby avoiding conflicting situations. And that’s how a Management Trainee and an Assistant Manager spent a year @ Genpact…

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the evening of September 10, 2008 at Tivoli Gardens. An evening full of small gestures…which crafted moments, as big as life.

Following my track record, I could have easily avoided my presence at Tivoli Gardens as it was the first day of our monthly Investment Performance Evaluation exercise in my office. Nobody would have questioned my absence when she was celebrating her Big Day. However, I failed to forget that I promised her my presence when she would be getting married to Mukul at Tivoli Gardens. And believe me, it was not even a promise. When she met with me last time in the office I just made a casual statement that I would be present during her marriage. Many a times I make such casual commitments without actually fulfilling them…he he he…and this time too, I didn’t make any exception…he he he

However, on the day of her marriage, I don’t know what forced me to write an SMS to Navneet, my Manager, requesting three hours permission to attend her marriage. Accordingly, I got a card & a gift for her and booked a cab too…and everything happened in just an hour’s time. I still didn’t believe that I would be breaking my so called TRACK RECORD, which I did not do even for my best of the best buddies. Well…there is always a first time for everything…he he he

At exactly 8:00 PM, I left my office to CROSS THE ROAD…he he he…actually the cab was waiting for me on the other side of the road…I reached Tivoli at about 8:45 PM thinking that I am well on time. So I asked the driver to pick me up at about 10:00 PM for dropping me back to the office. But hey, what was that? I saw all the arrangements made for her marriage, but where were the people? He he he…the function was supposed to start at 8.00 PM. When I tried to enquire with the local staff of Tivoli, they said…Sirji, this is India…he he he…I immediately wrote an SMS to Navneet, that I am the first guest to reach the place…he he he…even today, I am confused whether I was on time or before time…he he he.

Well, I had no option but to wait for the bride & the groom and the public to turn up to start the function…so I decided to sit and wait in the lobby. The sofa was cushy and I had nothing to do…so was feeling sleepy. Suddenly, a tall white handsome Uncle came and sat in front of me. After some time, he asked, “So Rishi, you are Shivani’s colleague…right?” It was the biggest shock of my life…I was completely astonished as I never saw this man in my life. I replied, “Yes sir, we are colleagues. But, sorry, I could not recognize you?” He introduced himself as GOD. What a joke…when I was about to laugh, he said, “You can call me Bhagwaan Singh, or simply Bhagwaan. And I can tell you everything”.

Wasn’t that strange?... I felt that person interesting…he asked me about my wife…to which I replied, ”I am still single and not ready to mingle”.

God : “Why?”

I : “I somehow feel that partners make me weak. So I don’t make any.”

God : “Let me ask you few simple questions…why do you think Shivani is getting married?”

I : “Well, the question should be asked to Shivani? I am just attending her marriage?”

God : “Why do you think you are attending Shivani’s marriage?”

I : “Well we are good friends, that’s why?”

God : “Really, are you a good friend of Shivani?”

And I was speechless…

God : “Rishi, you can’t be a good friend of Shivani…look at her…she is full of life and has chosen her partner…and look at you…you are almost alone in life fearing to choose partners. Forget about Shivani, you can’t be a friend of anyone. You still have time to mend yourself…think over it”

I was again speechless…I could not gather courage to take it further in asking as to how he knew my name. He smiled and went away. I was still in the same confusing emotion…as to what was that?...he he he

THANK GOD, I saw Shivani coming in a red saree along with few other people. I got off from the sofa, stood up and waited for her to see me. After about few minutes, when she glanced around, she was completely astonished to see me. We both nodded our heads to greet each other non-verbally. And I can bet, that she wasn’t expecting at-least me in her wedding. And my presence really made her feel good. It was all on her face which I got to know within a fraction of a second. And it was for the first time, I made her feel good about our alliance.

I again sat on the sofa thinking that the function would still take another half an hour to start. After about five minutes, a beautiful lady in lush green saree approached me. In a mellifluous voice, she asked me, “Are you Shivani’s colleague, Rishi?”

Now after that GODLY experience, I thought may be now it’s time for me to experience “Alice in Wonderland.”…he he he. Thinking that she might be a Tivoli Staff, I nodded my head assertively. She replied, “Please come along with me…Shivani wants to meet you. I am her mother.”…….Hooooooooooooooooooooooo…I wasn’t on my toes.

“Oh! Namaste Auntyji”, I said. This time, she nodded her head assertively and we both walked towards the exquisite bride - Shivani, who was sitting on the other side of the lobby along with her relatives.

Shivani : “Hi Rishi! I am so happy you came. “

I : “Hi Shivani! I already committed you that I would be present in your marriage. By the way, “HAPPY WEDDING”.

Shivani : “Thanks a lot Rishi. See as usual, you are so punctual. You are here on time. And look at us…it’s my marriage and everything has been so delayed, I am so sorry to keep you waiting.”

I : “No no…it’s OK, No problems. Shivani, you know what, you are looking VERY PRETTY in this red saari. Just one thing is missing”

Shivani : “really, what’s that?”

I : “Aapne Genpact ka ID card nahi lagaayaa…he he he”

And all of us started laughing. I don’t know whether my humor had an impact or not, but then it made all of us feel good. She then introduced me to all her family members. I met her Mom, younger sisters, cousins, uncle and aunty and she also showed me her brother who was busy interacting with Tivoli staff at a distance.

I then asked her to carry on with her regular preparation, as she was getting ready for the function. She smiled and I went back to the same place where I was sitting.

When I reached there, I saw my Gift that I kept on the table in-front of the sofa. A greeting card was enveloped over the gift pack on which I clearly wrote, “To Shivani…From Rishi Gajbhiye (Genpact)”. That was the moment when I realized the magical power of GOD whom I interacted with”…he he he…Now I was sure that the person whom I interacted might not be a GOD but was GODLY enough to show me the importance of adding happiness to others life…And I am glad, with Shivani, I did that…I am glad to break my so called Track Record here…

After some time, in the marriage hall, I met with my fellow colleagues who also attended the ceremony. When I moved out of the marriage hall, for a natures call, I saw the cameraman asking Shivani to walk slowly by looking straight in the camera…Now I felt like playing a prank…I stood behind the camera, and when Shivani was trying to see in the camera, she could see me well behind it. I acted like a monkey, teasing her and she could not control laughing at that instance…and it was well captured in the video camera too…he he he…and she was trying her best to walk as slow as possible, I insisted her to take BabySteps to give a perfect shot…he he he…everyone was controlling their laugh as the video was on and even Rishi was on…he he he…

After some time, the Bride and the Groom were on stage. I quickly grabbed Shyam’s camera and snapped the beauty both of them shared over the stage. When I went to the stage to meet her, she was like a regular herself…bumpy, chumpy, chirpy and bubbly Shivani…he he he…I met with Mukul, gave both of them the gift, and then felt shy to pose for snaps. Shivani knew that I generally don’t feel comfortable in posing for snaps, especially for those cameras that I don’t know much about. She experienced it during our US trip, so this time…she requested…”Rishi please please please…one snap naa…” and I felt like…being respected…so posed and got snapped along with the bride and the groom. While leaving the stage, I said, “Agli OJT me fir milenge…he he he…this time in California…”and we all laughed again…

The moment I walked down the stage, I met Shivani’s Mom once again…this time, she reminded me to take dinner…and asked about Navneet. I informed her that Navneet had some business commitments…so she could not come along with us…

Well, I was really late, so felt like skipping dinner. After all official commitments are on my top priority list always…he he he…so I immediately called my cab driver and instructed him to pick me up from the main entrance…I met with all my colleagues and rushed to the entrance…when I boarded the cab, I heard someone shouting, “Rishi…Rishi”…so I instructed the cab driver to stop the car…what a surprise, I again met GOD…he he he

God : “Hey Rishi…sorry for everything…I was just trying to strike a conversation with you as I thought you were getting bored and sleepy in the lobby.”

I : “It’s ok Sir, I know you saw my name written on the gift pack and hence addressed me with my name. Isn’t it?

God : “Oh yes…but I still feel that you are quite lonely and you should give me business…by getting married…”

I : “Excuse me…I didn’t get that…”

God : “I am Bhagwaan Singh, General Manager Tivoli Gardens…”

I : “Oh…I see…I am so sorry that I would still not be able to give you business…because I still feel that I would remain bachelor throughout my life…he he he…but see, I am not lonely anymore…I made a friend few minutes ago…her name is Shivani and I promise you Mr. God, that I would try my best to add small small happiness to all my buddies life too, atleast after my office hours…that ways, I would cultivate and harvest good friendship…which I lost somehow during my corporate marathon…he he he”

God : “I would still be optimistic for your business Rishi…you take care…hope to see you again…”

I : “Goodbye Mr. God. Take care”

Seeing God smiling at me, I boarded the cab, thereby cherishing the entire experience that happened with me in past few hours. May be I understood that my choice of not getting married should not become a reason to remain absent from events / marriages that could otherwise make my friends happy…

It’s only by GIVING…one actually TAKES respect…

The next day, I called all my friends to check who is getting married and when…he he he

And guess what did I do this weekend? I pulled my SlamBook and felt nostalgic about each of my buddies…who missed me a lot. In my Slambook I found this poetic masterpiece…

Marriages, they say…are made in heaven,
whereas friends, like pearls are picked and chosen…
Yet blessed are those who possess a friend,
who is steadfast and sincere till the end.

Friends are those who extend a hand
When you are sinking into deep quicksand…
Friends are like candles burning bright,
Taking care of you, with their guiding light.

Friends are those, who like glue stick
through times that are thin and thick…
Friends are those who willingly share
Both mirth and misery with equal care.

Friends are those who lend a ear
To hear your anguish & bring you cheer…
Friends are those who lend their shoulder
In times of distress to make you bolder.

Showers and flowers,
seldom last for hours ever,
Friendship has such a power,
which never fades and lasts forever…

I thank you God…and I thank you Shivani…I am no-more lonely…

Although I am married to my corporate ambitions, I am happy that all my friends are back in my life…atleast through phone calls, SMS's and internet.

Mission Impossible...

Dear Nidhi,

To sarkaar aap wapas Ahemadabad pohonch hi gaye. Good. Very Good. Waise bhi Delhi aapke layak nahi hai. Tabiyat kharaab ho jaati hai yaar. Is pollution se aur bakwaas se weather se hum jaise Bond nahi bach paye, to aap jaisi naazuki kaise bach paati bhala.

Yaar Last Saturday ka din to mai apni poori zindagi me kabhi nahi bhool paaoonga.
Tujhe pata hai tujh tak pohonchne me maine us din apni poori jaan lada di thi.
Par nahi, jab bhi mai ek zabardast koshish karta hu, ek zabardast tel to mera hota hi hai.

Us din bhi hua. Aur us din bahot hi bura tel hua mere saath.

Hua yu ke us din subah subah humne apne haatho se badhiya si bhindi ki sabzi aur roti banai, ye sochkar ke Nidhi Mam ko bahot pasand hai. Fir ek haath me tiffin aur doosre me hamare company ke evaluation scores and Post it stickies lekar lagbhag 12.30 pm ko ghar se chal pade railway station ki or. Aapko phone lagaya to pata chala ke aap lunch pe gayi hai. Tejas se pata chala ke tum sab log Ashram se jaa rahe ho. Jaldi jaldi office ki cab pakadker mai New Delhi Railway Station pohoncha. Time theek 2.00 pm. Socha Nidhi Mam se ek ghanta baat ho jayegi. Par kise maaloom tha ke aisa hona nahi tha. Railway station pe jabardast bheed. Itna rush ke kya bataoo. Jaise taise line me lagker maine Platform ticket liya ke utne me mujhe aisa laga ke meri jeans me jo cell phone hai, woh shaayad baj raha hai. Crowd and noise ki wajah se ring tone ki aawaz kam si lag rahi thi. Jaise taise cell phone pocket se nikaala, ke call disconnect ho gayi. Usi waqt palatke humne call kiya to pata chala ke koi ladki ka call tha, matlab ke aapka. But aap to sarkaar wahan se jaa chuke the. Chalo koi baat nahi.

Platform ticket lekar hum pohonche, enquiry counter, ye pata karne ke liye ke Aashram kaonse platform se jaati hai. Enquiry wala ye kehkar chala gaya ke ye railway station hai, koi aashram nahi. Gussa to aisa aaya ke lagaoo use ek kheechke, per nahi ab hum corporate world wale hai, Isilye tameez se pesh ana majboori si ho gayi hai. Le de ke kisi tarah se station ke under aaya to ek coolie se poocha ke Aashram exp kaonse platform se jati hai. Woh bola ke yaha se nahi jaati. Usi waqt Tejas ko phone lagaya aur tab pata chala ke Aashram Exp to New Delhi Railway station se nahi balke Old Delhi Railway station se jaati hai. Oh God time kya hua? Oh no 2.05pm .

Usi waqt bhaga aur ek auto board kiya. Auto wale ko bola ke bhai jitni jaldi ho sake Old Delhi railway station pohoncha do. Sardar Uncle the. Bilkul hi filmi style me Bole so nihal kiya aur zabardast signal todte huye, saare traffic ki aisi taisi karte huye, kai two wheelers ko cut maarte huye, jaan bilkul hatheli pe lete huye, Usne mujhe Nizamuddin Railway station aakir pohoncha hi diya. Time 2.33 minute. Jaan me Jaan aayi, issliye nahi ke accident nahi hua. Balke isliye ke kum se kum aadha ghanta hi sahi, Nidhi Mam se mil to loonga. Usi waqt call kiya Tejas ko, ke hum pohonch gaye hai, platform bataiye. Platform Number 16. call disconnected. Platform number 16 search shuru. Per ye kya. Platform 7, 8, 9, 10 ke baad wale platform kahan hai. 16 to door ki baat, 11 aur 12 hi dikh jaate to theek hota. Coolie, mera dost!
"Yaar ye platform 16 kaha hai."

"nahi saab yaha nahi hai".

Tejaaaaas ye kya ho raha hai.

Socha fir se phone milata hu Tejas ko. Arere yeh kya, mera cell phone network catch kyu nahi kar raha hai? Oh God! Ise bhi abhi down hona tha.

" kaunsi gaadi se jaana hai saab?"

" Ashram Exp"

" saabji wo to purani Delhi railway station se jaati hai."

"kya matlab? ye puraani Delhi railway station nahi hai kya"

" saabji ye to Hazrat Nizammuddin railway station hai. Puraani Delhi railway station to doosra hai."

Oh my Godddddddddddd!!!
time 2.37 pm.
Bhago!!!!!!

Sardaaaaaaaarji! 12.00 bajne wali baat samajh me aati hai, per kya 2.00 se 3.00 baje bhi aap logo ka dimaag nahi chalta kyaaaaaaaaa?

Firse ek Auto. Chalo koi baat nahi ek aur risk.

" Auto, Old delhi railay station Kitne der me pohochayega."

"Sir paon ghanta to lagega."

"Dekh bhai, 3.05 pm ki train pakadni hai. kya bolta tu."

"Sirji aap saath doge to samay pe pohocha doonga."

"Diya bhai, tujhe maine apna sabkuch diya. Bus tu samay se pehle pohocha de. Per ek baat bata, Delhi me koi chautha railway station bhi hai kya?"

"Sirji aapto joke marne lage."

" Abe joke ne mujhe maara hai. Tu auto chala"

Fir se chala auto aeroplane ki tarah. Kabhi bhi kuch bhi ho sakta tha. Ya to auto se takrakar truck chaknachoor ho sakta tha, yaa fir traffic police ka accident bhi ho sakta tha. Per Nidhi se to aaj mai milke hi rahoonga. Wow! what an optimism! Good Rishi Good. After all blood group bhi tera B positive hi to hai. Fir to tu positive hi think karega na.

"Are bhai. Hospital to nahi pohochayega na"

" pohonch bhi sakte saab, bolo to auto rok doo."

" Auto nahi rukna chahiye. The show must go on."

"Nidhi mai aaa raha hu."

Oh No ! I hate Delhi. This time Traffic jam. "sirji, sirf thodi door hai, per jaaaam lag gaya hai."

Bakwaaas!

Time 2.54 pm. Sirf saat minute baaki hai.

" Suno bhai, station ka raasta bolo"

"sirji, left le lo aur thodi door chalo to station aa jayega. Chalte chalte jaaoge to 10 se 15 minute lag jaayenge."

Rishi beta, aaaj is traffic me tujhe aise bhagna hai ke saare world records toot jaye. On your mark 1, 2, 3......ZOOOOOOM.

Kitne gire, pata nahi. Kitno ko cut maara ye bhi pata nahi. Kyuki mai to bhaag raha tha.

Aur ye pohoncha mai Old Delhi Railway Station. Platform ticket baadme dekhenge. pehle platform 16 dekhle bhai.

Time 3.01 pm. chal beta Rishi, 3-4 minute hi sahi. Nidhi Mam se mil to le. Platfor..........

" Aiye. Ruk. Pakdo Use Pakdo. Ruk..."

" Arere ye kya kar rahe ho bhai. "

" Chupchap haath uper karo, aur bhagne ki koshish mat karna.."

" Arere, per maine kiya kya hai ..."

" Chup! jyada zabaan mat lada nahi to lock up me itni dhulai hogi ke saari akad nikal jaayegi"

Oh my God! what is this. Police kaise kya pakad li yaar.

" Dekhiye. Mai yaha kisise milne aaya hu. Train Chootne me sirf 2-3 minute reh gaye hai. Please aapko jo bhi checking karni hai baaadme kar lijiyega. Mera aashram express pakadna bahot jaroori hai."

" Ekdam chup reh le. Jitna pooche utna hi bolna. issme kya hai?"

" Bhindi ki sabzi aur Roti hai."

" Aur kya hai "

" aam ka aachar bhi hai"

" kholke dikha"

" dekh lo"

" Iski talashi lo..... Ye kya hai?"

" meri company ka ID card hai"

" Saabji aap CONBADGYS me kaam kadte ho kya"

" haan"

" Ade saabji, Pehle bata dete, to aapko padeshaani nahi hoti. Meda ladka bhi wahi pad kaam kadta hai. Driver hai. Jayiye shaabji. Galti ho gayi. Inko jaane do bhai"
Oh God ! I hate Delhi.

time 3.07 pm. bhaaago.

Platform number 16. Ashram Express Chal padi hai. Rishi Daud raha hai. Nidhi use nahi dikh rahi hai.

Aur ye lagaya Rishi ne Train ke aakhri dabbe ko apna haath.
Maano Nidhi ko Goodbye keh raha ho.

Train speedy ho gayi. Kuch der me aankho se ojhal bhi ho gayi.

Rishi platform benches pe baitha baitha sa reh gaya. Kabhi tiffin ko dekhte huye to kabhi scoresheets ko dekhte huye, ek ghante tak usi platform bench per baitha baitha sirf ek hi mantra ka uccharan kar raha tha.

" I hate Delhi. I simply hate Delhi. I will not like Delhi any more, even in future."

traffic jams,

routine check ups,

nasamjh sardarji,

and itne saare railway stations.

Huh ! Bakwaaaaaaaaaas!

Office ki cab pakdi aur seedhe office. Half day me login kiya. Pure paanch sale maari, matlab ki paanch dollar kamaye. Kai Adjustments issue kiye. Raatme ghar gaye.
Tiffin khola aur khud bhindi ki sabzi ke saath roti aur aachar kha liya.
"Sahi bane the yaar. "

"I love bhindi ki sabzi. But I hate Delhi"

Bond ka bhale hi MISSION IMPOSSIBLE ho gaya ho, per Bond ab bhi haar nahi manega.

Agli baaar pooori jaaaaan lada dooonga. Dekh lena.

"Has le yaar tu bhi has le"

waise bhi mai chahta hu ki meri kahani me hamesha happy ending hi ho.
kahani khatm hui ya fir shuru hui pata nahi,
per tu aajka ek naya Sher padh

Arz kiya hai,

" Shaam se aaj saans bhari hai
Bekarari hai! Bekarari hai!
Apke baad har ghadi Humne
Aaphi ke saath Guzaari hai."

--Adab arze.

Take Good Care of Yourself. And Do miss me

Aur mera birthday yaad aaya ki nahi. Ek hint deta hu.
Mera birthday abhi tak 2003 me aaya nahi hai.

Good Bye.
Have Nice Times
Enjoy!!!
BOND