Say Cheese !!!

If the title brings thought of real yummy cheese and then need to diet in your mind, then this article is not meant for you. But if like me, you are the kind who is camera shy and run to the closest hiding place, read on. Almost all of us fear that we look different in our pictures, even weirder perhaps. For me the experience has in front of the lens and behind it has been similar.

It all began when I was a toddler. Of course I was voted the cutest baby around, but what they have got on the film doesn’t make me proud. For example the photo of me chewing on the newspaper, scared of the first birthday candle, showing of my non-existent teeth lost in a classic bawl etc. Then there are the good old school photos. Me almost unrecognizable with two oiled ponytails, pinned hanky to my neatly ironed uniform I ever wore for my entire life and in the least two inches of face powder.

I bet all of you have funny photos like you on your first bike (and then falling of it), near the monkey cage at the zoo (what a striking resemblance!!!), doing a koli dance and kicking your partner. And the snap you hide behind all the rest is you in the underwear pretending to be batman, naked in the washtub with a cheeky smile. But the father of all weird photos is the PASSPORT PHOTOS. The very thought of going into the dark room and fanning an expression that you think is smart, is scary. No matter how well you smile and try to maintain a serious face, something goes wrong. On the most seen and used photo of yours you end up looking like a) like you wanted to say something but were stopped in the midway b) in pain c) goofy d) constipated and certainly someone who must feature in ‘India’s Most Wanted’. I have just one good passport photo which I have treasured the negative and kept under lock and key. But since I have grown, I cant have my 6th standard photo on my ID.

The most treasured of all photos is the family photo. The whole family gathers in their best attire for this one. This image is really heart warming to see so many generations together.
Friends, family, wedding, criminal investigation, UFO or clicked with the lens cover on, Photos will always help us to capture that one moment and remember it for ages to come, to embarrass and to bring tear of joy.

The 14Th Floor

“This traffic would kill me one day.” I thought to myself. On top of that, I feel like an office boy running errands. It’s been just a week he has joined ‘Trendz’. They have asked him to drop the data CD’s to his senior manager’s home. I have not even met that bugger and he is already a menace to me. When I asked my current close colleague why did I have to deliver this? He mentioned about Mr. Roy being on vacation for a week now and he has a very important conference tomorrow call for which he needs to go through the data. My super next question to him was, why can’t we mail him the data? As soon as I asked I knew the answer to it. “It’s too huge to send through mail, why are you getting upset? It’s on your way as it is.”
“Yeah right” I answered.

The address was so skimpy I wondered how to reach the place. At least the dumb of a secretary gave me the name of building and society. I looked at 20 something storey building and one wall full of names of the residents. I looked closely at it and I was dumbfounded when I saw that on 14th Floor there was a Mr. S Roy and on 15th floor another Mr. S.K. Roy. Which one is it I wondered? I quickly called the office, phone just kept ringing. I looked at my watch it was only seven thirty, does nobody work overtime? I cursed the secretary a couple of times loudly. I called my colleague, no answer from him either. Now he had no choice but to gamble and choose a flat. He got into the elevator with a woman. She pressed the button for 9th floor and I just kept standing there deciding which floor to go, she gave me disgusted look. She got off on 9th floor and I quickly pressed the 14th floor button. I looked at myself in the mirror, my hair was disheveled, and I combed them in place with my fingers. He tucked his shirt in properly. I did not consider myself handsome but I was definitely smart enough. It was not difficult to find his flat. There were just two on each floor. He practiced his apologies if it was the wrong Roy’s house. His fingers trembled when he pushed the bell.

The door opened after few seconds. As soon as it did, my breath got stuck somewhere. My eyes glued to the girl who opened the door. She was barefoot with shiny silver toes and anklet on one of her feet. She was wearing a flowery skirt and a black singlet. Her black curls fell like feather on her shoulder. She tilted her head questioning at me. I realized I was staring and recovered quickly. “I am… Ranjit” I stammered
“eshona” she said in a sweet Bengali accent.
I assumed she asked me in and walked in. The room was decorated in austere cluttering, I assumed from Bengal. What a stunning beauty Mr. Roy has, I wondered. I no more felt sorry for this trip. I sat down and asked her, “Mr. Roy?”
“Oh daddy? He just left with Mom.” She smiled, “Would you like something to drink? It must be really hot outside.”
I nodded my answer; I could not get myself to speak.
“Would you like coffee or chilled coke?”
“A chilled coke please.” I answered. She left me to fetch the drink. I realized that I had to find out whether it was the correct house. There was soft music playing behind she came back with two tall glasses of coke. She plopped herself opposite me and said, “I think he was expecting you. He mentioned something but I had my headphones on …” she smiled naughtily.
I sighed in relief I got myself in the right house.
“So Ranjit, what do you do?” she asked.
“I am currently working as business analyst. I just joined a week back.” I paused, “May I know your name?”
“Oh how silly, I assumed you would know. I am Riddima, but everybody calls me ‘Mishti’.”
“What would that mean?”
“Mishti? It means sweet.” She giggled and further explained, “We Bengali’s have a habit of keeping funny pet names.”
“But I must say though it may sound like a cliché to you. For a sweet person like you, the names appropriate.” She had the decency to blush. I quickly asked her, “So what kind of funny pet names do you guys have?”
“Oh you would hear some like, Hego, Teko, Bubun, chumki, Chuku, tuli and now if you have read the book ‘Namesake’ gogol seems like the favorite funny name.” she laughed and it was contagious as even I did.
“Then comparatively you have good pet name.” she beamed.
“Are you in a hurry Ranjit? I mean do you have anything planned ahead.”
Actually I dint and an opportunity like this should never be denied. “No do you have something in mind?”
“Wow,” she clapped hands like a small girl, “why don’t you stay for dinner, meanwhile we could play a game of scrabble, what do you say?”
“It sounds good, but you would have to teach me how to play I have forgotten, I have not played for years.”

Of course who does not know how to play scrabble? I played this game every school vacation of my schooldays. We played the game revealing bits and pieces of each others lives. She mentioned about her childhood and how they had stayed in much smaller home, she had so much fun that time. Now hardly her cousins came over. He narrated his migration from Allahbad to Mumbai in search of higher paying jobs.

Conversation spilled over the cozy Bengali dinner which the maid had cooked. They had maid from kolkatta. I was amazed. It was nearing 11 on the watch. He had outstayed his privilege. They exchanged their numbers when the bell rang. A half bald man in his fifties and a good-looking middle aged woman walked in. Oh, I thought, Mr. and Mrs. Roy. I stood up to greet them. I saw a frown crossing Mr. Roy’s face. Before I could say anything, he asked, “Who is he?” the question was directed towards his daughter.
I answered for her, “Mr. Roy, I am Ranjit Chowdhry from Trendz.” Then I remembered the package and I removed the CD’s. “I was here to deliver the data CD’s to you.”
“Whom are you talking about, I don’t know you and I don’t know anything about the Trendz and the CD’s.” his voice changed threateningly, “what have you been doing here?”
Mishti looked confused, “But daddy you said that somebody was coming home…”
“Yes but that was Debashish, my friends son. Not him. For once if you would just listen to me Mishti….”
Now was the time to say the apologies I had practiced earlier, somehow I could not remember them.
“I am sorry Mr. Roy, this is a terrible confusion, I think I had to deliver the parcel to Mr. Roy on 15th Floor.”
I took the cue and opened the door to go out. I once looked back and saw a glaring Mr. Roy, confused Mrs. Roy and the best part, smiling Mishti.

HOPE

A human being can live without food, water and even air, at least for few minutes. But there is one thing that he can not live without. What was that? That is hope. If a human being loses his hope, he could be called a dead man alive. The simplest of hope would be to be able to see the sun once you get up. A recent and really good example would be to movie “Pursuit of happyness”. The character never loses hope to have better tomorrow. Of course he did not expect the world to be better place to live in instantly, but mostly for himself and his beloved son. He just day by day keeps facing the crunch of not having enough to live through the day. But he does not give up. In this situation he needs a job; he does get one as a trainee in Stock broking organization. The irony being that he would not be paid for 6 months and after that he would have to prove his potential to be able to be a broker. In the meanwhile he never loses his cool and he is always polite and respectful. He completely understands the worth of other individual. A wonderful characterization of how he gets himself and his son through all the difficult phases only on a very fragile hope that he would get the job after his traineeship is over. The belief and faith on this hope he carries himself from one eventful day to another. So friends lets not lose hope to simply love and cherish and one more request do watch the movie, its simply touching.

Nivi's Day Out

Well to start with this happens to be the most relaxing weekend I have had in so many months. My mother happens to be away on pleasure trip. Sleep a rare commodity for me, has blessed me enough over these three days. I tell myself that I would have to go to return the books I had borrowed from the library and I drag myself out on a raging day. I tried for some one to come with me but I failed to convince anyone to join me. So it was Nivi's Day Out and I decided it had to be made fun.

I traveled by bus after a long time. I saw things which I usually would not have otherwise. I saw a small church just over some bridge towards the town side which I feel is not hundred years old but quiet antiquated. I saw a new construction near Haji Ali and thought to myself not another mall. It is just few days before the derby and the race course seemed beautiful. I would have missed all this if I had not travelled in bus.

I was not sure of the way to library as I had just been once there before. The music was humming in my ears and I had no plans. I reach the library and purposefully march towards the stacks of book. I suddenly feel dizzy with all the books around me. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. It wasn't the books but I did not want to analyse my dizzy spell. I slowly kept moving and reading just the titles and finally picked up some books and moved out.

I kept wondering how should I go home and from where. But moving from library I had my glares on and I kept walking. In retrospect, I had too many memories flowing in and that is when I thought......

There comes a time in your life

When you look into your past

And see the footprints you left behind.

Those are the moments when

You cherish the memoriesOf time long gone by.

Of occasions that made you laugh,

And instances that made you cry.

These are the memories Stored in the footprints you have left behind.

And you remember,How a little smile lit up many lives,

And how you shared a life.Its then that you realize,

you too are important for some one,

you have played a part n someone’s life.

However small these might appear,

These too are significant,

Your footprints on the sands of time.

I could see the ocean from where I was walking. I could also see heads of people lined up as I walked closer to Marine Lines. While passing the Air India Building I saw two guinea fowls. I had to take their snaps. Walking ahead I saw three huge NAVY helicopters touring the Marine Lines sky. People stood up to see the amazing giants and the navy officers doing the stunts. All children started clapping and waving at them. I clicked few snaps from my cell just got one of them right. Then I just kept walking ....I walked and walked. Drank some world famous nimbu paani. Which gave me enough strength to keep walking till Victoria Terminus station now called CST. I took some hot coffee to keep me going, the famous cappuccino from CCD. I took it on the train and guess what I, the stmbler spill all my coffee on shirt and shoes. Thats the way Nivi ended her day but it was one amazing evening on her own.

Go Read "The Kite Runner"

My friend insisted me to read the book - "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini. I remember buying the same book to gift my ex-boss on her farewell. I was sure the book was excellent but when a book is gifted you always like it. I love getting books especially the ones I yearn for. He told some snippets of the book and I was inclined to get the book fist hand. I was going on lone long journey on my own to Nagpur. The best friend you can carry for the way. I went to Crossword, I was on a mission to buy this book and I did.

I was just waiting to pick it up and start reading. Once I did start reading, the only time I would have kept it down would be when I had become extremely hungry and could not resist but eat my food. The author has been explicit about the characters potrayed in the book. The friendship of Amir and Hassan followed by the feeling of betrayal of this same friendship. I could feel the conflict Amir felt when he had let-down Hassan for his own benediction. Just because he wanted to see the twinkle of recognition in his father's eyes for him.

He could see his friendship coming to an end, as he could not even meet Hassan's eyes. Hassan being the servants son was benign soul. He was aware of Amir's betrayal but yet he had forgiven him. Amir's guilty indulgence makes him send Hassan packing away. His father feels very dejected with their departure.

Soon afterwards due to invasion of Russians Amir and his father have to flee from Afgainstan. They go to the famous USA..thereafter Amir is a changed man.

But something calls him back to Afganistan something now he needs to pay for after so many years for one betrayal.

Mr Hosseini has taken us through Amir's all kind of emotions of friendship, authority, betrayal, new life, love, and in the end his sense of redemption.

With inordinate compassion and stunning simplicity, Mr Hosseini portrays Amir's impossible dilemma. Complications abound, but the answer lies in humanity's capacity for kindness. The grace of acceptance heals the wounds of brutality, for with forgiveness anything is possible, even the wild joy of soaring kites against a winter sky.

So I suggest Please go and read Kite Runner

Can't Let You Go

Now time has come
To let you go
To soon become lonesome
And there is memory flow

When things went wrong
You were there to make me strong
You showed me right directions
And made necessary corrections

You are always there
To understand and care
You know me the best
surely better than the rest

Now I have to let go of the bond
Which I am so very fond
now I have nothing but to sigh
Over the days gone by

I know you have to go
Can't stop you from doing so
I know your heart says no
But the situations are your foe

This tie will not end here
Of which I am very sure
Because the bond is deep and strong
which will keep growing lifelong.

To Part Ways

The train moved slowly and the jerk brought me back to reverie, the time had come to depart. We all three rushed to the door. I did not even get to hold on to my friend for one last time. I jumped out and felt like dragged from one scene to another of play, too quickly. He was at the door clutching it like his life and tears rolling down his eyes. A wave of something welled in my heart; I cannot explain I could not see him miserable. It just kept screaming in my head, “STOP, don’t go”.My throat went dry; it was difficult to keep normal face and tone of voice.

He called up and spoke. No, he was not able to speak. I am sure he felt like a bird whose wing had just been torn apart. I was overwhelmed with the feeling of imperceptible loss. I had to be strong and assure him he was going away for good. I know he had made decision after much thought. It would have been wretched to see him stagnant here without any opportunity to grow. I understood that but yet could not explain something inside me. We spoke for sometime and even had the spunk to crack a few jokes.

Later the whole day was a whirl of events I was not a part of and was just happened to be there because I had to be there. You guessed it right I was at work. I took the time off and sat with a friend whom I did not have to explain anything. It is the same magic I was already missing that with him I could sit quiet and he would understand. There are very few friends with whom you can do that. It hurts the most when they have to leave and go. Towards the end of the day when I was alone and could not stop myself anymore. Finally I broke down, when it actually hit me I never would be able to get those moments back again.

Small things, happy and sad moments we shared will be memories I would cherish forever. Times had come to part ways and yet hope to meet again which will keep us all going on and on….