Soaking up in the rain isn’t unfamiliar to me. I seldom let go of any of it. I’ve always been advised against it for the fear of catching a cold. I’ve always snubbed the advice, and have almost always ended up catching the darn cold. But that has done precious little to deter me from doin it again. Learn from your mistakes? Well, that’s wut I’m doin eh, still learning ;) Hey, I like to take my time.
Besides, this is one mistake I’m reluctant to learn from. It’s just something I so totally love to do. And yepp…I did it again! And this time, with most of the caution knobs turned up. Firstly, it was in the dead of the night. Secondly, I was stark out of a sound sleep. And most significantly, I already had a cold coming on!!
But like any of that was going to stop me. In fact, did I even have the mind to think over. It was virtually a dream. I was awakened abruptly by the sound of heavy rustling and a mighty downpour. Not even a fire in the building would’ve roused me as hastily as this exultant sound of the rain did. I walked to the balcony and Oh My..! It was by far the most pleasing feast for summer sore eyes, a savory smell of the earth, the chime of the raindrops hitting the leaves and the impeccably shiny little droplets shimmering under the streetlamps. For a moment I stood there, feeling detached from the world. I was awakened in the middle of the night, without a purpose, just to come out and witness the midnight showers. There were strong winds changing direction every minute and the rain swept across the surfaces. And when the wind blew straight into my face, the raindrops, lit by a streetlamp very close to my balcony, seemed to shower exclusively for me. It was like a million starlets confetti being shot in my honor. Being back in Ambala and having left Bangalore far behind, being able to relish a good rain certainly isn't a frequent bounty. It was a much awaited escape from the blistering heat and humidity of July. and I wasnt gonna let it go.
The vast expanse of the university campus I live in seemed to be snug and deep asleep. Let alone the faculty wing, even the students’ residence seemed quiet and cozy. Well yes, this isn’t quite exam season. No one’s expected to study late. Besides I dint even know how late it was. I couldn’t care less about time right now. I was just too happy being awake, refreshed and of course, wet. And I knew that here right now, I was the only one awake to savor this moment. In fact, I believe I was the only one who wanted to. I don’t remember ever meeting anyone who said he she did not love the rain. But yet, of the numerous times that I have been to the terrace to soak myself or cheerily taken a walk in the park while it poured, I have never had company. I have scarcely seen anyone enjoying a decent rain purposelessly. Hmmm…makes me wonder, am I out of my mind, or are these people oblivious to the divinity of this wet and messy affair.
I’ve done this plenty of times. Call me stupid, but I wouldn’t miss a chance to soak up. I remember one evening, coupl’a years ago when I was out for a walk with my friend Anita. She was then a med student, who loved to admire rain from a windowsill. That evening, she was on her way to an experience she was going to cherish. It suddenly began to rain and we weren’t close to home. She decided we take shelter nearby and I abided…for the moment. But after a few minutes of cajoling, she decided to give it a shot, and we set off walking again…this time, in the rain. For a full two hours until it was dark and really time to go home, we walked, sang and danced, in the rain. People looked at us perplexed. Half of them thought we had lost our minds. And others wished they could do so too. But the two of us, we didn’t care a dime. It was one of our most memorable evenings.
There have been many other times I’ve smiled back at the rain gods smiling down upon me, Last night being freshest in my memory. Of course, as anticipated, I now have a worsened cold and a really painful sore throat. I’m glad I can write this blog becuz I can barely talk today. But hey…what a night eh. If a perfectly timed sneeze hadn’t jogged me back to my senses, and reminded me that I was already vulnerable, I would have brewed a steaming cup of coffee and let the rain soak me completely. But that’s okay, albeit scanty, its monsoon season. Maybe my coffee will wait a little…until my next midnight rain fiesta I guess.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Athiest! Who, me...?
You are fatigued with your mom watching the lousy saas bahu spectacle on tv, and just when its ur turn to master the remote, Bam...! Powercut !
You're in a queue, waiting to withdraw money from the ATM, and when its finally your turn to push the card through, the machine's empty!
Its like some kind of jinx. There isnt one day when at some point or the other, we dont end up saying...Why only now ! Somehow it always looks like time is into an earnest conspiracy with luck, just to spite us. you bang your fists, crush your jaws, look up in frustration and you can almost see god smirking down upon you. Why does this have to happen. Why oh why.
Yesterday, i spent a whole nintey minutes at the bus station, waiting for a 314. There were a million buses. 313, 315, 341, 431, 134, 143...all kinds of permutations and combinations. But out of over a hundred buses that passed by me, not one was the one that i was waiting for. Now i know that there were at least fifty other people, waiting for the same bus. But that brought little solace to my bittered heart that was only thinking that this was just another currish trick of the celestial hero, who always liked to make his presence felt for all the wrong reasons.
Now, that seems to suggest a new dimension to the postulates of believing in god. Theres always someone to blame ! Isnt it. Well picture this. How would it be if there was no one to curse. No one to hold responsible for something u couldnt control. if each time you tried as fairly as you could and yet got disapponted, and had no 'luck' to blame and no 'god' to curse. and all you could say was 'que sera sera' or 'hey, this is what i deserved'. Though this is how its supposed to be, going by our idealistic teachings...it would be awefully prosaic, dont you think. Well i do. Cuz i know you cant get everything you want, when you want it. And i know that Que sera sera it is. But still, even those insipid moments need some flavor, dont they. I know bickering and blaming would get me nowhere. Yet, we seem to derive some kind of vindictive pleasure out of an assumed verbal payback. Trifling? yes. But sorta assuaging, isnt it.
So is it okay to squawk and complain? Well, i guess yes. If dear god is as kind and forgiving as the book says, i think he'll understand. Nothing personal Thou Loving Master, we love you too.
You're in a queue, waiting to withdraw money from the ATM, and when its finally your turn to push the card through, the machine's empty!
Its like some kind of jinx. There isnt one day when at some point or the other, we dont end up saying...Why only now ! Somehow it always looks like time is into an earnest conspiracy with luck, just to spite us. you bang your fists, crush your jaws, look up in frustration and you can almost see god smirking down upon you. Why does this have to happen. Why oh why.
Yesterday, i spent a whole nintey minutes at the bus station, waiting for a 314. There were a million buses. 313, 315, 341, 431, 134, 143...all kinds of permutations and combinations. But out of over a hundred buses that passed by me, not one was the one that i was waiting for. Now i know that there were at least fifty other people, waiting for the same bus. But that brought little solace to my bittered heart that was only thinking that this was just another currish trick of the celestial hero, who always liked to make his presence felt for all the wrong reasons.
Now, that seems to suggest a new dimension to the postulates of believing in god. Theres always someone to blame ! Isnt it. Well picture this. How would it be if there was no one to curse. No one to hold responsible for something u couldnt control. if each time you tried as fairly as you could and yet got disapponted, and had no 'luck' to blame and no 'god' to curse. and all you could say was 'que sera sera' or 'hey, this is what i deserved'. Though this is how its supposed to be, going by our idealistic teachings...it would be awefully prosaic, dont you think. Well i do. Cuz i know you cant get everything you want, when you want it. And i know that Que sera sera it is. But still, even those insipid moments need some flavor, dont they. I know bickering and blaming would get me nowhere. Yet, we seem to derive some kind of vindictive pleasure out of an assumed verbal payback. Trifling? yes. But sorta assuaging, isnt it.
So is it okay to squawk and complain? Well, i guess yes. If dear god is as kind and forgiving as the book says, i think he'll understand. Nothing personal Thou Loving Master, we love you too.
Friday, July 2, 2010
An Inspiration...just when i needed it
At the very outset, let me let you know that what happened today was quite moving, in some ways. From this day onwards, everytime in life, im down and lonely, feeling terrible about the person i am and perpetually complaining about my life, i will certainly think about this stranger. A person i know nothing about, except the fact that he inadvertently confronted me with the most divine reality of life...that Life is beautiful, Be thankful for it.
Alright, let me start over, with the details this time. My love for ITPL is not unknown. Well, the one other place which finds a spot in my heart right next to ITPL, is the RMZ Infinity complex on Old Madras Road. I ve spent a lot of my evenings there, hanging out with ma best buddy, Deepa.
This was another one of those evenings. The weather was exceptionally welcoming. Cool and breezy, just the way i like it. A perfect day for a corn on the cob. But since that wasnt around, we thought we'd settle for a slightly more elaborate treat. So we savoured a sumptuous chocolate brownie with ice-cream and a tropical iceberg. And if that wasnt enough to wreck havoc on the weeks diet plan, we decided to top it up with a pack of french fries...large. We stepped out of Coffee day and headed straight to McDonalds, and grabbed a luxuriously murderous pack of carbs deep fried in fat ;)
Back in the open courtyard, we struck up quite a conversation as we nibbled on our fries. And i barely noticed, when the entire gabfest swiveled to me. And before i knew, all i was talkin about was myself. My problems, my miseries, my complaints. All i did was grumble on. About how i hated having to leave bangalore. How i could never enjoy a decent pack of french fries guiltlessly, cuz i was born a plumpy child. About my aching ankle that hasnt let me walk one step painlessly for an year now, or about why did i have to get married at a time i didnt want to, and about this, and about that and on and on i went, lamenting about trivial things in life that did not matter one tiny bit compared to what i saw then.
A healthy well built man, probably in his late twenties, with a very amicable smile, ascended a small flight of stairs to the pavement, briskly walked ahead and quietly passed by. The right sleeve of his trousers was neatly tucked to the back with his belt, as he supported himself on one leg and a pair of crutches !!
By the look on his face and the badge hanging from his belt, it was no difficulty determining he was a software professional or something equivalent. He was definetely an employee and it aint no secret that RMZ Infinity houses some of the best companies on the globe.
So here was a man, who hasnt let any impediment deter him from his road to success. A man who has achieved and accomplished, standing one one leg...literally !
He walked by, smiling at every person he met, no morosity on his face, no complaint in his eyes. Just a man who counted his blessings, made up his mind and followed his heart. And yes, made it good...real good.
And here i was, cribbing about little things of zero importance. Whoever he is, i know i may never see him again, but i will always remember the well taught lesson he reminded me of...just in time.
Alright, let me start over, with the details this time. My love for ITPL is not unknown. Well, the one other place which finds a spot in my heart right next to ITPL, is the RMZ Infinity complex on Old Madras Road. I ve spent a lot of my evenings there, hanging out with ma best buddy, Deepa.
This was another one of those evenings. The weather was exceptionally welcoming. Cool and breezy, just the way i like it. A perfect day for a corn on the cob. But since that wasnt around, we thought we'd settle for a slightly more elaborate treat. So we savoured a sumptuous chocolate brownie with ice-cream and a tropical iceberg. And if that wasnt enough to wreck havoc on the weeks diet plan, we decided to top it up with a pack of french fries...large. We stepped out of Coffee day and headed straight to McDonalds, and grabbed a luxuriously murderous pack of carbs deep fried in fat ;)
Back in the open courtyard, we struck up quite a conversation as we nibbled on our fries. And i barely noticed, when the entire gabfest swiveled to me. And before i knew, all i was talkin about was myself. My problems, my miseries, my complaints. All i did was grumble on. About how i hated having to leave bangalore. How i could never enjoy a decent pack of french fries guiltlessly, cuz i was born a plumpy child. About my aching ankle that hasnt let me walk one step painlessly for an year now, or about why did i have to get married at a time i didnt want to, and about this, and about that and on and on i went, lamenting about trivial things in life that did not matter one tiny bit compared to what i saw then.
A healthy well built man, probably in his late twenties, with a very amicable smile, ascended a small flight of stairs to the pavement, briskly walked ahead and quietly passed by. The right sleeve of his trousers was neatly tucked to the back with his belt, as he supported himself on one leg and a pair of crutches !!
By the look on his face and the badge hanging from his belt, it was no difficulty determining he was a software professional or something equivalent. He was definetely an employee and it aint no secret that RMZ Infinity houses some of the best companies on the globe.
So here was a man, who hasnt let any impediment deter him from his road to success. A man who has achieved and accomplished, standing one one leg...literally !
He walked by, smiling at every person he met, no morosity on his face, no complaint in his eyes. Just a man who counted his blessings, made up his mind and followed his heart. And yes, made it good...real good.
And here i was, cribbing about little things of zero importance. Whoever he is, i know i may never see him again, but i will always remember the well taught lesson he reminded me of...just in time.
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