Right, so where was I? Ah yes, Turquiose Cottage.
So we arrived there (time check: 12.15 am) and were promptly told by the bouncers at the door : "Sorry, entry is closed." By this time, tequila shot safely and warmly in me and sending soothing tendrils up my veins, I felt gutsy.
"You can however," said the bouncer, repenting slightly when we asked to speak to the manager, who is a friend of ours, "wait in the restaurant area. But don't go any further because there's another bouncer there who won't let you in if you don't have a stamp on your wrists."
"Let's go home," said Dee.
I signalled furiously at her with my eyebrows, "No I think we should go into the restaurant."
"Oh c'mon, what's the point?"
"I think we should go inside the restaurant," I said eyebrows now working at a furious pace.
Just a bit of back story here. Turquoise Cottage, the pub is below Turquoise Cottage, the restaurant. So all you have to do is get to the back of the restaurant walk down the stairs and there you are. Plus, going there so often and all, I know the bouncer. That always helps.
Luckily, without further argument, Dee agreed and we trooped in. "Now keep walking," I hissed and walk we did, right down the bouncer-less stairs, right into the nightclub.
Immedeatly we all looked at each other and burst into giggles. I love being a girl and giggling. There's such a sense of conspiracy around it!
So Dee led the way and we all followed to a table at the back where we plonked our bags and oursleves down and surveyed our environment. My feet heaved a sigh of relief which my much-put-upon calves echoed. "Oh shut up," I told them, "we're going to go dance."
Sara and I looked at each other over Dee and Amulya.
"Scout for men?" she asked, eyes bright.
I nodded vigorously and stood up, making sure it was stomach in, chest out and not the other way round.
We wandered around the dance floor for a bit, half-heartedly dancing to you drive me cra-yay-zee then I saw him. Kabir. Cute ex-boyfriend of N., okay, someone that made me giggle shyly and look at my toes once upon a time (hey I was 15!). I never had a full-fledged crush on him, but we did do some playful flirting and he was, is, cute. Let me describe him to you. He's short, much shorter than N., who stands a towering 5'11", but he's taller than me, with long curly hair. (What was it Dee desribed him as? "A mixture between Jesus Christ Superstar and someone.. I don't remember) But he has an angelic, if slightly feminine face, and a thin athletic body.
Anyway, cute boy, me alone, you get the picture. I smiled and waved at him from across the dance floor. He did a little double-take at the hair (that is never going to get old!) and waved but showed no signs of coming over and saying hello.
Sara offered to buy me a drink and I joyfully agreed. After we emerged from the bar, much battered and bruised, Kabir waved us over.
"Hi-ii-ii!" he said giving me a huge, nose bumping hug, "I looked for you earlier but you had disappeared!" I blew bubbles into my drink and looked at him from under my eyebrows.
"Hello!" he said next, lurching towards Sara, "I'm Kabir! And you are!" He did have a tendency to speak in exclaimation points.
"I'm Sara," she said, smiling demurely.
"What do you do now Kabir?" I asked him, making polite conversation, while wondering whether that hand he placed on my shoulder in order to lean in and hear me better was lingering or was it just my imagination.
"I'm in acting school! Isn't that marvellous?" he asked while doing a delicate boxer like thing with his legs, shifting the wieght from one foot to the other.
"Wow," I said, smiling at his enthusiasm.
We lingered by his table and by his friends for a bit and then he looked at us. "Um.. guys... my friends are getting pissed off because I'm not spending enough time wiht them."
"Sure. Right. Get rid of us, why don't you?" I said wrinkling my nose at him.
"I'm not getting rid of you. No seriously, just 10 minutes and I'll find you, I promise."
I stuck my tongue out at him and sashayed away. Sara clutched my arm, "And you said you didn't know how to flirt!"
I giggled. "Was I flirting?"
She rolled her eyes at me, and arm-in-arm we set out for the dance floor.
(Okay, I totally meant to wrap this night up in today's post, but it's gotten too long already. I'll probably post part 3 later today, I pwomise! Stay tuned)
EDIT: Jesus Christ Superstar and Josh Groban. Go figure! And part 3, tommorow okay? have to make sure you all come back.. and lots of work and boss looking over shoulder and... you know how it is!
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26 August 2004
25 August 2004
*giggling*
For those of you who have seen Prisoner Of Azkaban go read this.
So funneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Me so happeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Enjoy :)
So funneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Me so happeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Enjoy :)
Saturday Night Dance I Like The Way You Move - Part 1
Now for some gossip which has been sorely missing in my blog of late. I'm going to tell you about my Saturday night--- very interesting events actually!
I was going to have a 'house-cooling' party, because soon *sigh* I move out of my lovely bachelorette pad and move back in with my mother. Why? Because I simply don't earn enough. Though I might have the "power of the press" and all that, at the end of the day I'm still barely managing. So it's back to Mummy for me and in with Dee's sister, Amulya who has already shifted most of her stuff in. And cleaned. Oh my god, the flat has never looked so 'lived-in'. Dee and I tend to hang our clothes on the floor, occasionaly picking them up, empty glasses and full ashtrays everywhere. Guess what our ashtray has now? Throat lozenges! And a big vase of fake flowers on the fridge.
Anyway, so back to the house cooling party. Saturday at work, I was confronted with a whole lot of depressing emails, all pretty much saying "Sorry, we can't make it". First I locked myself in the loo and wept, then I emerged pissed off and drove home, still pretty pissed off.
Dee, Amulya and Sara, their cousin were at home and they proposed an 'evening in town' to take my mind off things. Sara is leaving for Hong Kong tomorrow and she wanted to party for her last night in Delhi. I'm not very much of a party person, only knowing the few intimate corners that I frequent and she wanted to full-power club which meant going to those places where you had to wear heels. So we decided on Buzz, a nice place with good music where you don't really have to dress up. I wanted to dress a little though, so I did wear heels (though they left huge blisters on each big toe) and a skirt with a tank top.
Only just when we had decided where to go, a friend from work-- Raghav-- did show up. I thought it was incredibly sweet of him to come, alone at that, because he knew how depressed I was. He sat for a bit, showed us some great pictures of the Himalayas from where he had just returned and drank a beer. I was getting all misty-eyed because of how sweet it was of him to come at all and just dreamily watched as he chatted with the girls.
By the time he left, it was getting on nine. Everyone went in for showers, me last because my hair needs to be perfectly set before I leave the house, plus I like to smell of fresh scent as I exit.
So get this, by the time we get to the area where Buzz is, everyone is starving. (Time check: 10.45 pm). So we pile into Subway where the three of them eat and then into McDonalds, where I get some french fries. All this while wearing our 'fancy clothes' and make-up. Finally we get to Buzz (Time check: 11.30 pm) where, surprise, surprise, entry is closed. Good thing too, the place was packed and I didn't particularly fancy being next to some guys smelly armpits. Sighing, and with Sara looking like she was going to burst into tears we went across to Wok-a-rama, a place with cheap alcohol to get tequila shots. Amulya was looking like she was flagging, being the designated driver and all, she wasn't drinking and so sipped her iced water while the three of us sprinkled the salt onto our wrists and with much head-tossing-back threw our shots down our gullets.
"Well, it is rather late to go anywhere else," said Dee, musing.
"How about Turquoise Cottage?" I suggested eagerly. I was depressed too, and I really needed some partying. Sara turned a tremulous face to me and then back to her cousins. "Ooh, yes, lets!"
"Well... okay," agreed Amulya, probably seeing as I did, that all of Sara's shine at the beginning of the evening had begun to wane.
Dee and I grinned at each other and then I proceeded to teeter across to the parking lot (high heels, remember?)
Ah but the evening did pick up! Stay tuned for episode 2 :)
I was going to have a 'house-cooling' party, because soon *sigh* I move out of my lovely bachelorette pad and move back in with my mother. Why? Because I simply don't earn enough. Though I might have the "power of the press" and all that, at the end of the day I'm still barely managing. So it's back to Mummy for me and in with Dee's sister, Amulya who has already shifted most of her stuff in. And cleaned. Oh my god, the flat has never looked so 'lived-in'. Dee and I tend to hang our clothes on the floor, occasionaly picking them up, empty glasses and full ashtrays everywhere. Guess what our ashtray has now? Throat lozenges! And a big vase of fake flowers on the fridge.
Anyway, so back to the house cooling party. Saturday at work, I was confronted with a whole lot of depressing emails, all pretty much saying "Sorry, we can't make it". First I locked myself in the loo and wept, then I emerged pissed off and drove home, still pretty pissed off.
Dee, Amulya and Sara, their cousin were at home and they proposed an 'evening in town' to take my mind off things. Sara is leaving for Hong Kong tomorrow and she wanted to party for her last night in Delhi. I'm not very much of a party person, only knowing the few intimate corners that I frequent and she wanted to full-power club which meant going to those places where you had to wear heels. So we decided on Buzz, a nice place with good music where you don't really have to dress up. I wanted to dress a little though, so I did wear heels (though they left huge blisters on each big toe) and a skirt with a tank top.
Only just when we had decided where to go, a friend from work-- Raghav-- did show up. I thought it was incredibly sweet of him to come, alone at that, because he knew how depressed I was. He sat for a bit, showed us some great pictures of the Himalayas from where he had just returned and drank a beer. I was getting all misty-eyed because of how sweet it was of him to come at all and just dreamily watched as he chatted with the girls.
By the time he left, it was getting on nine. Everyone went in for showers, me last because my hair needs to be perfectly set before I leave the house, plus I like to smell of fresh scent as I exit.
So get this, by the time we get to the area where Buzz is, everyone is starving. (Time check: 10.45 pm). So we pile into Subway where the three of them eat and then into McDonalds, where I get some french fries. All this while wearing our 'fancy clothes' and make-up. Finally we get to Buzz (Time check: 11.30 pm) where, surprise, surprise, entry is closed. Good thing too, the place was packed and I didn't particularly fancy being next to some guys smelly armpits. Sighing, and with Sara looking like she was going to burst into tears we went across to Wok-a-rama, a place with cheap alcohol to get tequila shots. Amulya was looking like she was flagging, being the designated driver and all, she wasn't drinking and so sipped her iced water while the three of us sprinkled the salt onto our wrists and with much head-tossing-back threw our shots down our gullets.
"Well, it is rather late to go anywhere else," said Dee, musing.
"How about Turquoise Cottage?" I suggested eagerly. I was depressed too, and I really needed some partying. Sara turned a tremulous face to me and then back to her cousins. "Ooh, yes, lets!"
"Well... okay," agreed Amulya, probably seeing as I did, that all of Sara's shine at the beginning of the evening had begun to wane.
Dee and I grinned at each other and then I proceeded to teeter across to the parking lot (high heels, remember?)
Ah but the evening did pick up! Stay tuned for episode 2 :)
22 August 2004
13 Things You Probably Didn't Need To Know About Me
1) I love the colour purple. And white, and spare me the BS about white "not really being a colour". I also love the book The Color Purple.
2) I haven't seen the Lord Of The Rings or the Matrix trilogy, and I'm still alive and kicking.
3) I reach for a salty snack before a sweet one.
4) I was born in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
5) My mum's a journalist too. In fact, she even covers books, same as me. And if one more person says, "Following in your mother's footsteps, eh?" I will scream.
6) My dad's in the government service. He doesn't live in Delhi, but drops by every once in a while. He's also a writer in Malayalam.
7) I have a problem with confrontation. I'm also extremely lazy. Sometimes I'm even too lazy for sex.
8) When I'm stuck in traffic jams I fantasise about my perfect car called Kit, which navigates itself, plays me music and shows me DVDs, parks itself and can fly if need be. I also sometimes sing Backstreet's Back.
9) I like pretending I'm Britney Spears recieving a Grammy in the shower.
10) I have David Beckham wallpaper on my computer screen and every time I close all my windows I just stare at him for a while and sigh.
11) I have dated (flings included) about 10 men.
12) My favourite part of my body is my stomach because it's flat and pierced with a silved earring with a shiny pink stone.
13) When I doodle, I draw eyes. Sometimes faces too, but eyes the most. And snails.
2) I haven't seen the Lord Of The Rings or the Matrix trilogy, and I'm still alive and kicking.
3) I reach for a salty snack before a sweet one.
4) I was born in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
5) My mum's a journalist too. In fact, she even covers books, same as me. And if one more person says, "Following in your mother's footsteps, eh?" I will scream.
6) My dad's in the government service. He doesn't live in Delhi, but drops by every once in a while. He's also a writer in Malayalam.
7) I have a problem with confrontation. I'm also extremely lazy. Sometimes I'm even too lazy for sex.
8) When I'm stuck in traffic jams I fantasise about my perfect car called Kit, which navigates itself, plays me music and shows me DVDs, parks itself and can fly if need be. I also sometimes sing Backstreet's Back.
9) I like pretending I'm Britney Spears recieving a Grammy in the shower.
10) I have David Beckham wallpaper on my computer screen and every time I close all my windows I just stare at him for a while and sigh.
11) I have dated (flings included) about 10 men.
12) My favourite part of my body is my stomach because it's flat and pierced with a silved earring with a shiny pink stone.
13) When I doodle, I draw eyes. Sometimes faces too, but eyes the most. And snails.
20 August 2004
The Night Of The Ex-Boyfriend
I arrive at work early today, being Saturday, no rush hour to battle so my hair is still wet and the gel looks fresh.
So I figure let me tell you about yesterday quickly before the madness of the morning begins and the rest of my colleagues troop in.
I so wish you guys had been able to see K.'s face yesterday! I told you I had a rather "dramatic" haircut right? Well, none of my friends had seen it yet and so when I arrived at Ginny's party, top drawn low over cleavage, jeans slung around my pelvic girdle--- the reaction was rather favourable.
Ginny, bless her, pranced up to me and said, "Oh my God! You look so hot!" Her sorta boyfriend agreed and we swapped gel names. Then I saw K. whose eyebrows had raised to the top of his scalp. "Hello," I said, cool as a cucumber. "Hi," he replied, still staring. Then I grabbed Ginny and disappeared into the house to make myself a drink.
Later, his friend Randeep entered the house. He greeted Dee customarily, the two of them doing the whole head-nod thing at each other. Then he swept past me. "Hey, Randeep," I said softly, nursing my drink.
I have never seen anyone do that kind of double-take outside of a movie. :)
So it was a feel-good evening essentially. K. looked supremely unhappy (well, he broke up with me didn't he? It's not like I asked him to personally trample all over my heart), and though it felt unreal to be at a party with him and not be with him if you know what I mean, outwardly I was all sunshine. We barely spoke as a matter of fact. He did try to ruffle my hair and tell me it looked nice but I ever-so-subtly moved my head away and said non-commitally "Thanks".
So yay, one point to Mynna! And if he's regretting breaking up with me now then too bloody bad, right?
So I figure let me tell you about yesterday quickly before the madness of the morning begins and the rest of my colleagues troop in.
I so wish you guys had been able to see K.'s face yesterday! I told you I had a rather "dramatic" haircut right? Well, none of my friends had seen it yet and so when I arrived at Ginny's party, top drawn low over cleavage, jeans slung around my pelvic girdle--- the reaction was rather favourable.
Ginny, bless her, pranced up to me and said, "Oh my God! You look so hot!" Her sorta boyfriend agreed and we swapped gel names. Then I saw K. whose eyebrows had raised to the top of his scalp. "Hello," I said, cool as a cucumber. "Hi," he replied, still staring. Then I grabbed Ginny and disappeared into the house to make myself a drink.
Later, his friend Randeep entered the house. He greeted Dee customarily, the two of them doing the whole head-nod thing at each other. Then he swept past me. "Hey, Randeep," I said softly, nursing my drink.
I have never seen anyone do that kind of double-take outside of a movie. :)
So it was a feel-good evening essentially. K. looked supremely unhappy (well, he broke up with me didn't he? It's not like I asked him to personally trample all over my heart), and though it felt unreal to be at a party with him and not be with him if you know what I mean, outwardly I was all sunshine. We barely spoke as a matter of fact. He did try to ruffle my hair and tell me it looked nice but I ever-so-subtly moved my head away and said non-commitally "Thanks".
So yay, one point to Mynna! And if he's regretting breaking up with me now then too bloody bad, right?
19 August 2004
A Parentheses Post
I had a good day yesterday. It's actually beginning to get better. I'm kind of getting used to the fact that he's not going to call, that he's really not in love with me anymore, that he wants out.
So asides from crooning you and me, we used to be together, everyday together, alwaaaaays (From Don't Speak by No Doubt), I'm really okay.
So yesterday I went to review a restaurant in the Taj Palace called Kafe Fontana. (Rant Alert: what's with this whole alternative spelling thing? Why not just say 'Cafe' or 'Night' instead of 'nite' or 'guys' instead of 'guyz'? It's an insult to the English language! Especially all those blogs you come across wRiTteN LiKe tHiS.... there should be a program that rejects bad spelling and hard-to-read posts! Ok, done ranting). The restaurant was having an Olympic food festival--- not not hors de ouvres in the shape of little medals, but Lebanese and Med food, really rather nice.
Then in the middle of the meal, N. calls me up. You remember N., the long-lost friend who was debating whether to call or not call? So, I broke the news about K. and me and she said she'd come over later. (Incredible. All week people call me and say 'Hi, how are you' in hushed muted tones. And then I say hushedly and mutedly 'I've been better'. It would be funny if I were someone else!)
I got home after being in a massive jam and proceeded to clean up (read: threw a pile of laundry under a damp towel and put on the muted lights so the dust didn't show). And then yay, N. came over and Dee came home and we ordered a large pizza (pepperoni, but of course). I was a little worried about Dee and N. getting along, they are totally opposite people, but pretty soon they started talking about their jobs in the television industry and I had nothing to do but pick at my cuticles. Humph.
A little problem arose though. Ginny is having a party and she called me and said, "Uh, is it okay if I invite K.?" and I said "Sure, it's okay. Don't worry about me.. etc etc". Bad move. Now I'm obsessing. I'm also invited to N.'s sister's birthday party. Good, one more weekend with distractions. As-long-as-I-keep-busy is the mantra here.
Ooh, this is a scattered post. As you can see, my thoughts are everywhere. I'll try to focus more next time.
And since it's been a while since I recommended a link check out the blog of a London call girl.
So asides from crooning you and me, we used to be together, everyday together, alwaaaaays (From Don't Speak by No Doubt), I'm really okay.
So yesterday I went to review a restaurant in the Taj Palace called Kafe Fontana. (Rant Alert: what's with this whole alternative spelling thing? Why not just say 'Cafe' or 'Night' instead of 'nite' or 'guys' instead of 'guyz'? It's an insult to the English language! Especially all those blogs you come across wRiTteN LiKe tHiS.... there should be a program that rejects bad spelling and hard-to-read posts! Ok, done ranting). The restaurant was having an Olympic food festival--- not not hors de ouvres in the shape of little medals, but Lebanese and Med food, really rather nice.
Then in the middle of the meal, N. calls me up. You remember N., the long-lost friend who was debating whether to call or not call? So, I broke the news about K. and me and she said she'd come over later. (Incredible. All week people call me and say 'Hi, how are you' in hushed muted tones. And then I say hushedly and mutedly 'I've been better'. It would be funny if I were someone else!)
I got home after being in a massive jam and proceeded to clean up (read: threw a pile of laundry under a damp towel and put on the muted lights so the dust didn't show). And then yay, N. came over and Dee came home and we ordered a large pizza (pepperoni, but of course). I was a little worried about Dee and N. getting along, they are totally opposite people, but pretty soon they started talking about their jobs in the television industry and I had nothing to do but pick at my cuticles. Humph.
A little problem arose though. Ginny is having a party and she called me and said, "Uh, is it okay if I invite K.?" and I said "Sure, it's okay. Don't worry about me.. etc etc". Bad move. Now I'm obsessing. I'm also invited to N.'s sister's birthday party. Good, one more weekend with distractions. As-long-as-I-keep-busy is the mantra here.
Ooh, this is a scattered post. As you can see, my thoughts are everywhere. I'll try to focus more next time.
And since it's been a while since I recommended a link check out the blog of a London call girl.
17 August 2004
The Way I Feel Today
Just typed a whole lot and lost it somewhere. And I don't dare type it all over again--- a very weepy post, am at work etc.
I love work. Work keeps me busy. Work keeps me occupied.
I had a "rejuvenating" haircut. My bra-length hair is now no-length hair.
It's only when I'm alone that the problem starts.
So if you see a bawling woman driving, say hi.
PS: Hima and April, thanks for your supportive comments.
PS 2: Would welcome any comments from the men out there about why your sex treats my sex this way.
I love work. Work keeps me busy. Work keeps me occupied.
I had a "rejuvenating" haircut. My bra-length hair is now no-length hair.
It's only when I'm alone that the problem starts.
So if you see a bawling woman driving, say hi.
PS: Hima and April, thanks for your supportive comments.
PS 2: Would welcome any comments from the men out there about why your sex treats my sex this way.
16 August 2004
dear reader,
he broke up with me.
that's all.
this is what heartbreak feels like--- not the pain and hurt i thought i'd feel-- but a numbness, which thankfully allows me to go about my day, not caring till a sudden blast of memory leaves me feeling like a great big chunk has suddenly been scooped out of my stomach.
i know this too shall pass. i know eventually if we don't get back together i'll move on. but its not easy to remember that right now.
i'm just taking it one day at a time. i do hope you won' mind if i don't post regularly.
he broke up with me.
that's all.
this is what heartbreak feels like--- not the pain and hurt i thought i'd feel-- but a numbness, which thankfully allows me to go about my day, not caring till a sudden blast of memory leaves me feeling like a great big chunk has suddenly been scooped out of my stomach.
i know this too shall pass. i know eventually if we don't get back together i'll move on. but its not easy to remember that right now.
i'm just taking it one day at a time. i do hope you won' mind if i don't post regularly.
9 August 2004
The Comfort Four
It's been a while since I posted I know. I'm totally sorry for that. But a strange feeling of not really caring about anything has been looming over my head for the past couple of days. The dark cloud has almost gone now (possibly just PMS) and I'm ready to get cretaive again.
Today, as another blast from the past (Sorry but my life has been really boring the past couple of weeks, I have no present day gossip!), I'm going to tell you about my friend Puja.
But first, some exciting news! I have finally decided to get my life in order and apply for a Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing. My choices are in the US : Columbia, UMASS, University Of Iowa and Brown. In the UK there's the University Of East Anglia and LSE (I know! I didn't think they offered Creative Writing either!) I'm applying for the September 2005 term, so wish me luck and helpful advice will be much appreciated!
Back to the past. I first met Puja Mukerji in our first year at college. I joined about a week after classes started so everyone already had the basics of their friends and gangs for the next three years. I remember seeing her participate in class, her eyes very bright, her posture excellent and her contributions intellegent and I thought to myself, "I want to be her friend." We were in an all-girls college, so my only option was to scout for girls I thought I could be friendly with. (I was such an appaling snob!) Anyway, I tried my best the next couple of weeks to be friendly with her and finally when I was about to give up on the whole lot of them, when they suddenly decided to take me to their hearts.
The four of us, Little P., Iggy, Puja and me, called each other the 'comfort four'. There were other people we hung out with, sure, but it was in each others company we blossomed, had 'true confession' sessions, had study groups which always ended with vodka and had love. Puja was what bound us together. I never realised that till she died, and slowly I watched my friendships from college disintegrate. Iggy and I, once as thick as theives, had a major fight, from which our friendship never really recovered. Plus she and Little P. were neighbours and they infinitely preferred each others company to mine. The "others" in our extended gang, became "us". Plus they started smoking hash, which I totally couldn't.
Oh reader, don't feel bad for me! I have new friends, and some old ones which I had been sadly neglecting during the reign of the 'comfort four', I have found my soulmate at 22, I have Dee who knows me better than I know myself (but only sometimes). I'm happy. And I'm wiser.
Poo, I miss you though....
Today, as another blast from the past (Sorry but my life has been really boring the past couple of weeks, I have no present day gossip!), I'm going to tell you about my friend Puja.
But first, some exciting news! I have finally decided to get my life in order and apply for a Masters in Fine Arts in Creative Writing. My choices are in the US : Columbia, UMASS, University Of Iowa and Brown. In the UK there's the University Of East Anglia and LSE (I know! I didn't think they offered Creative Writing either!) I'm applying for the September 2005 term, so wish me luck and helpful advice will be much appreciated!
Back to the past. I first met Puja Mukerji in our first year at college. I joined about a week after classes started so everyone already had the basics of their friends and gangs for the next three years. I remember seeing her participate in class, her eyes very bright, her posture excellent and her contributions intellegent and I thought to myself, "I want to be her friend." We were in an all-girls college, so my only option was to scout for girls I thought I could be friendly with. (I was such an appaling snob!) Anyway, I tried my best the next couple of weeks to be friendly with her and finally when I was about to give up on the whole lot of them, when they suddenly decided to take me to their hearts.
The four of us, Little P., Iggy, Puja and me, called each other the 'comfort four'. There were other people we hung out with, sure, but it was in each others company we blossomed, had 'true confession' sessions, had study groups which always ended with vodka and had love. Puja was what bound us together. I never realised that till she died, and slowly I watched my friendships from college disintegrate. Iggy and I, once as thick as theives, had a major fight, from which our friendship never really recovered. Plus she and Little P. were neighbours and they infinitely preferred each others company to mine. The "others" in our extended gang, became "us". Plus they started smoking hash, which I totally couldn't.
Oh reader, don't feel bad for me! I have new friends, and some old ones which I had been sadly neglecting during the reign of the 'comfort four', I have found my soulmate at 22, I have Dee who knows me better than I know myself (but only sometimes). I'm happy. And I'm wiser.
Poo, I miss you though....
6 August 2004
An Ode To My City
I love Delhi.
I love Delhi even when it's hot and humid like it is now and you sniff the air hoping for a stray wisp of wind.
I love Delhi when it rains, and you can smell the exhaust fumes and the wet earth in a glorious metropolitan perfume.
I love Delhi in the winter when everyone stretches out towards the sun like sleepy cats.
I love Delhi for India Gate, which is like a giant roundabout and connects the East, West, South and North in one circle.
I love Delhi for the shops, which stock everything from rejected Gap exportwear to prawn crackers to three different flavours of Coke.
I love Delhi even during rushhour, when everyone is in a bad mood and starts honking the second the light turns green.
I love Delhi for being able to navigate in its labyrinths, looking pityingly at the poor foreigners who get rooked to within an inch of their lives the moment they set out.
I love Delhi for its posh five-star hotels, for its roadside meal vendors, for roasted corn on the cob, complete with lemon and tangy spices.
I love Delhi for driving past on a busy intersection and spotitng street kids swinging from a tyre hung on the tree, their toes pointing at the traffic.
I love Delhi for its people, the few that care, that bring music and theatre into our lives.
I love Delhi for its nightclubs and then stopping at 3 am to have stuffed paranthas with egg and pickle.
I love Delhi for its language-- Hindi not like anywhere else in India-- and the way it bonds its citizens together.
I love Delhi, for being 'My Delhi' my special place with memories and friends, my home.
I love Delhi even when it's hot and humid like it is now and you sniff the air hoping for a stray wisp of wind.
I love Delhi when it rains, and you can smell the exhaust fumes and the wet earth in a glorious metropolitan perfume.
I love Delhi in the winter when everyone stretches out towards the sun like sleepy cats.
I love Delhi for India Gate, which is like a giant roundabout and connects the East, West, South and North in one circle.
I love Delhi for the shops, which stock everything from rejected Gap exportwear to prawn crackers to three different flavours of Coke.
I love Delhi even during rushhour, when everyone is in a bad mood and starts honking the second the light turns green.
I love Delhi for being able to navigate in its labyrinths, looking pityingly at the poor foreigners who get rooked to within an inch of their lives the moment they set out.
I love Delhi for its posh five-star hotels, for its roadside meal vendors, for roasted corn on the cob, complete with lemon and tangy spices.
I love Delhi for driving past on a busy intersection and spotitng street kids swinging from a tyre hung on the tree, their toes pointing at the traffic.
I love Delhi for its people, the few that care, that bring music and theatre into our lives.
I love Delhi for its nightclubs and then stopping at 3 am to have stuffed paranthas with egg and pickle.
I love Delhi for its language-- Hindi not like anywhere else in India-- and the way it bonds its citizens together.
I love Delhi, for being 'My Delhi' my special place with memories and friends, my home.
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