The Wanderers - I

I was not willing to let go off her hand. It was the final paging call for me and I knew this is the last time I would be holding her hand the way I did.

Two days ago when I landed at the Mumbai airport, she was already there. She had come to pick me up. I had booked a hotel for myself and didn’t want to bother her, but she insisted. I came out the airport and was welcomed with a warm hug. I knew them from a long time. I had their company at the weakest and the happiest moments of my life. I hanged on for little more time and so did she. Then I flung my bag to the rear of her car and placed myself on the passenger seat. I didn’t want to drive; she asked me “So, where is the master wishing to be driven?”, ‘Someplace where a hot cup of tea and a friend would be present’, I replied.

“So what about your Hotel?”

“There’s a booking and I can walk in anytime I want to, but not now”
I was tired and she understood, she didn’t speak all through the journey upto her apartment.

Only when I got down, did she tell “Apu passed away, last week”, her voice was quivering and I knew how much she loved him, her pet puppy. She had told me the day he passed away but I think people, when they are brooding, tend to forget stuffs.

Ali was at the lift, he has been managing the lifts ever since Mia moved into the apartment. Must be 6-7 years. I at times wonder, do these guys have anything like promotion. I mean what would be promotion for a lift guy, something like; Mr Ali is promoted and from tomorrow he would be working from 1st floor and upward only, no more ground job for him.

I walked into the lift behind Mia. He looked at me and smiled, I smiled back, no words exchanged. ‘Fourth Floor’ the mechanical voice of the lift announced. We walked out of the lift. Mia was walking infront of me. She was always in a hurry and I was dragging myself. Too much of work over the week had drained out all of my energy.

She rang the bell of her apartment, Bina Kaki was there. She has been taking care of her since her childhood days, almost a mom-like figure for both of us. She hugged me with that motherly affection of her, that I was very accustomed with. “Kitna dubla ho gaya hai(How thin are you looking)” she said, she is always like that. Very caring and very sweet. I just smiled and said “Iss baar lambi chhuti pe aaya hun, mota hoke hi jaunga (This time I am here for a longer time, I won’t leave before I am fat enough)” and both of us laughed.

Mia had been uncharacteristically quite since the morning. I knew there must be something bothering her but I waited for the right time to ask her.
Mia showed me the room I was meant to be in. I took a shower, changed my clothes and came out. The breakfast was ready and there was Bina Kaki’s special tea. Mia joined for the breakfast and tea.

“So how you feeling now?” she asked. “Fine, infact much better”, I replied. “I spoke to your mom, she was complaining that you have not been calling her up regularly?” she was a bit angry, trying to be my mom. She has been like that all the while.“Actually I have been a lot busy”“I think you just try to be irresponsible”, that was short and sharp.

I didn’t dare to speak more. We finished our breakfast. Carried our cup and went to our fav spot. It was her balcony. It opened to an artificial lake and greenery, a rarity in Mumbai. And something for which you pay an heavenly price.

We sat there for sometime filling ourselves with the serenity of the atmosphere around us. We knew, inside there was a turmoil that was building. She moved closer, laid her head on my shoulder and closed her eyes. I didn’t want to disturb her, I didn’t move a muscle.

“So how is your job treating you”, she broke the silence, without moving“I am liking it” I said. “And how have you been doing?”“Not bad either”, she said.“What are you reading now?”, she asked“Nothing, in fact not getting enough time”

I just loved it when she rested on my shoulder, and that fragrance of her body filled me with a sense of pride.

....To be continued....

Delhi Destiny...

After a long time there was going to be this long weekend and to add to that there was no client deliverables, so I had a long weekend and all for me… Swati was here. She was coming to Delhi for the first time and she wanted to be a tourist. I chose to be the guide. But unfortunately the weather played the villains and she decided not to roam around much. So we went to Old Delhi, I took her to Chandi Chowk. She was really thrilled to see the old Delhi, Love Aaj Kal had actually left a deep mark… Then we moved into the Love Kal mode, I mean we went to Amby Mal Gurgaon. And by the time we were through with one movie and a game of bowling, it was time to go to station. She had a train to catch to Shimla. I dropped her there and returned home…. It was a day well spent. We have been friends for more than 12 years and every time we meet, the kid within us surfaces and we let it play…

Its true, you can be yourself with your friends…