Station 24

On 24th of March 2009 I turned 24 :D . Magic number. I honestly don’t want to get all fancy with words, but this train simply rolled into Station 24.

This is my second Birthday in Bangalore and it had gotten better this year. Thanks to my friends, birthdays are really something I cherish and look forward to. I now have a reason to be happy to grow old. This wasn’t the case a few years ago.

Birthdays in Bombay were a simple affair. My humble background and deep rooted moderation in everything restricted most forms of exuberance. Without that I wouldn’t have been where I am today and pretty sure would not have been able to achieve what I have. Birthdays were placid with an expected cake in college, if I was lucky, followed by some more of it at home. Mom makes some sweet at home (she still does and I miss it like anything). Bachelor’s life in Bangalore has turned many things on its head and bottom.

These were the last few days before Station 24.

22nd : Ayush had come down to Bangalore for some official work and was to spend the weekend with me, Chandu and Adwait. Busy man that he is, he had a packed schedule so did I with my cousin’s engagement. Sunday was the last evening Ayush would spend with us so we headed to the most happening place – Brigade road to catch up with a few friends.

Adwait’s birthday was on 18th. That night I, Chandu and Lakshman had surprised him with a face full of Chocolate truffle cake which had become a tad too hard because of refrigeration ( sorry dude :D ). We did a good job of the surprise and I am proud of us especially since Adwait is as alert as a cat.

We paid a rather late visit to another friend, who I have to mention, a very unique person indeed – full of spunk and always glowing. After escorting the person home Ayush had the fantastic idea of walking home a long long distance fully aware of the hatred stray dogs have towards me. Thankfully an Auto rickshaw guy rescued me from the harrowing march. One more day to go for my Birthday, I said as I stepped out of the washroom. 12.30 Am.

The dreaded cold chocolate truffle cake. Pushed very hard on to my face to compensate for the lack of adhesion. But its a day earlier! Neverthe less a surprise indeed! Now that’s a surprise. This was followed by a white forest cake (!). Thank fully not graffiti-ed the way I had vandalized Adwait’s cake 4 days ago. Hot milk accompanied the feast of a cake. My family in Bangalore – my roomies had superbly executed the plan. I may be bragging, but I am telling you I have the best roomies in town :D

It took me quite a while to get the cake off the floor and my face. I uploaded the pics quickly and the wishes started streaming in on Orkut.

More was in store.

23rd : The day after. I was confident my gang from office was up to something. I could bet my life on it. A give away of the plan came from Snehaji when she accidently mentioned about Ashu behaving rather excitedly at their office. I could imagine Ashu frantically waving his arms to motion her to not mention anything. I headed home pretty warily to avoid any accident on my way back. ‘Not this day please ‘I had prayed , and it had worked thank God. On my way back I picked up big bags of
chips and some cold drinks for the party that I hoped will come.

Adwait and Chandu were exhausted with all the excitement from yesterday. It seemed if any action were to happen, they would opt out. Chandu dozed off as soon as he came in and so did Adwait. Nothing. No shifty behavior, no hidden stuff in the fridge. I was worried if people even remembered its my birthday. I tried to trick Chandu into telling me if there was any surprise “ How much chips shall I get and cold drinks too, tell me cause then I don’t wanna waste anything”. He didn’t reply much in detail – usual case with his tired days. When I came home he started having some of the stuff which I assumed were meant for later. Means there was not going to be any party! I asked him again “Uhh..why are you having the stuff now?”. “Cause you brought it, is it ok I have it?” was his reply. “Sure, hmm so theres actually no party” I said.

Pretty obvious, I thought. People are already stretched at work. Far off offices, tight projects and schedules did not allow much respite for my gang. Its Ok I thought. I had a party yesterday night. Its Ok if my gang dosent come tonight. Convincing yourself can be tough.

12 am 24th March everyones asleep. I get the first call from Kavita at 12.05 AM. She’s the winner of the first wish contest. Then the calls trickle in. One by one. Everyone’s home. Wishing me and excusing themselves for not being here. I fake energy into calls, perhaps even over compensating. The house is dark and I actually felt sad.

12.35 Am I am in my bed ready to go to sleep. I get a call from a very good friend which warms my heart, particularly because I guess calling so late at night is not an option for her. I had left my bedroom door open and I suddenly see Adwait wearing a shirt ( apart from the usual vest)!

The lights go off. I excused myself from the call. Suddenly I feel someone jump on me! The lights come on and before I could react a whole lot of cake avalanched on me – propelled by the whole gang. I suddenly realized what getting a full body massage with a cake on your own bed feels like. Its awesome!

The gang had come. Thanks :D

I had a rather long bath to get the rather oily cake off myself. A quick change of clothes and I am in the living room where a Chocolate fantasy cake was waiting for me. Ashu, Sam, Sharayu, Victor, Shiv, Syed and Sandhya had made time for my Birthday which was truly a surprise. Hats off!

This was followed by the ritual spinal realignment. Everybody were party to this merry affair and I suggest wearing jeans when you undergo this. Thankfully this year it was a single round compared to last year’s 4. A message to all ladies who partake in ‘Birthday Bumps’ - leave it to the guys! They know where not to hit!

Shiv started the second round of caking. Some precision chocolate decoration for my face. Another bath. The maid’s reaction the next day was “ You guys keep playing with cake or what everyday?”. As I write, there is still some cake along the bed’s headboard.

I saw the gang off till the gate as they went back pretty late in the night (1.45 Am), trouble for us office goers in the weekdays.

I uploaded the few pics we managed to take on my cell cam and my well wishers could see a little bit of what happened.

But I wish I could print the whole experience so that I can share it with my brother, all my friends my relatives and more importantly me. The train will roll onto different stations via different routes, never going back. These photographs, these memories and this blog will remain.

Holi 2009

Holi the festival of colors. Lost amidst gray cubicles. That was 2008

But this year it was different, fun and totally unexpected and unforgettable.

7 pm at office at Bannerghatta road, an hours travel and I was exhausted. The night before was a sleepless one. Naturally when Ashu’s SMS came instructing me to be ready for Holi, I called replying a rude no as I was tired and Holi simply didn’t seem like a good idea. This thought would have surprised me a few years ago. I was un excited and actually didn’t want to have fun just cause I was tired. I loved Holi. It’s my favorite festival. But like a lot of things, I had lost interest.

I reached home to find none of my roomies Adwait or Chandu were present. I wanted to play some PS2 for a change. That did it. Couldn’t reach Ashu on his cell I called up Sharayu – another true blue Mumbaikar, asked if they are really going to play Holi at the company office in the night. Seemed like a crazy idea. Of course we will play was the joyous reply. It’s a festival and whats left of us if we don’t enjoy festivals. Codejunkie – my cousin’s word echoed.

Ashu the ever adolescent had kept up the tempo and excitement for this year’s Holi along with Serious (about fun) Sam. I wouldn't have believed myself - I called them up saying I am going to join the group for Holi. I was to report to Ashu’s apartment dressed in my most expendable attire which will get dyed to an unrecognizable hue and as was to turn out –to be almost torn into bits.

Driving blind without my spectacles ( my only pair ) I met fellow blind without my specs Ashu and Sam joined us in some moments. Ashu and Sam had purchased a good quantity and variety of colours. Sharayu, Sandhya, Victor and Syed were waiting for us at office as we entered the office at 8PM, dressed in old track pants, worst of the lot Tees and slippers. Hope the big brass dosent sees us in this avatar. We got rid of the bags by sweet talking the security guard to stash it near his desk (who had become accustomed to our odd timed outings and whacky activities being conducted by us or originating from this office).

We couldn’t wait to get out of the main gate and near the main road. In full view of the public, abandoning any coyness we tore open the Gulal packets and the celebrations began. The 6 of us were unrecognizable after a few minutes. Each of us were covered by Gulal ( pink), yellow, green and violet. Ashu had also got some synthetic dye (Which makes my hands and neck look candy pink for another week). Sandhya ( and Shiv to come) was the only amongst us well dressed. We made her regret wearing those clothes. So was to realize Shiv. Black Raymond’s pants? Not anymore. Try this new yellow briefed one we just made :)

Shiv arrived from another office. He needed some convincing. Like Sam hiding in the bushes to ambush just as he was to get out of the protection of the office. After a handful of yellow gulal, Shiv joined us with a vengeance. We did another round of Holi play adding to the several layers. It turns out people in Gorakhpur and Orissa play Holi a tad rough. They like to tear clothes it seems. And so Ashu’s shirt got a decent amount of stretching. Next in the firing line was my own shirt. I bargained for a sleeve. So Shiv and Syed tried – and did not succeed in getting even a stitch out of plcae (that shirt was from Belgium. Thanks bro. There I said it for the record. I can explain why I was wearing that shirt :) ) Now it was the turn of any body we recognized near the office. A few of our colleagues joined in the revelry.

By standers were enjoying simply watching us play. I could see that they badly wanted to join in, but they couldn’t. They had to get back to office next day. It was late already.

Victor couldn’t participate due to lent. But being a true sport he did let us color his face yellow a little.

We ended the night with photographs to preserve the memories we would never want to forget.