Nostalgia

22 months later, down the same lanes, amidst the same spirit, I try to get a glimpse of the me that was. I try to find my shadow in the milling Bangalore crowd.

Bangalore was still the same. Yet, something was different. Laughing, ecstatic crowd, restaurants and boutiques, malls and multiplexes. Yet, something had changed. It is not the same crowd, or the same buildings. The spirit is the same, the form had changed.

In the distance I could see a group of young girls walking towards me. Happy, vibrant and indeed having a good time. As they walked past me I caught a phrase or two of their conversation. They were just out of college and had just moved into the city with their new job. New found friends, new found independence – they were just celebrating.

Did I get a glimpse of myself in them?

Independence, confidence and a lot of fun times with friends, that is what the city had bestowed upon me.

I walked around A2B and reached ‘Friends’. The familiar aroma of the snacks and tea at A2B filled my nostrils.

"Hiiiiiiiiiiii….."

"AAaaaaaaaa Eeeeeeeeeeeeee"

"Oooooooooooooooooo"

No matter how much we had grown up (Or had we??), we still remain the same young girls who came from different directions to this city to start our lives.

Anu and Sheethu were waiting for me inside.

Lunch was just a formality. We had lots more to catch up.

"Gal, You have lost so much weight!"

"Wow! That’s a pretty dress!"

"And look at you, so stunning!"

Girls are always girls!

But, indeed, the girls had grown up.

"So, How is your hubby doing??"

"Hey, is that your baby’s photo??? Cho Chweeeet!!!!!!!!!"

"How is the wedding preparations going on…"

We never had a dearth for topic anyways!!!

Coming back to the rear gate of Bosch, it felt like any of those ordinary days at work.

Through the gate I could see people still doing their post lunch rounds around the building.

I left Anu and Sheethu there and made my way to the Forum mall. As I walked around the corner, I could see the BOSCH sign on top of the building. A familiar wave of joy swept past me. It just brought to mind our initial days here, when we had our tea on the terrace.

Forum is always full of people.

Memories about the place can never be contained in a few lines. 33 months of life at Bangalore had revolved around this haven. 'Tharavad' as we lovingly called it.

We were there at every nook and corner of the place. Celebrating every occasion here, including boredom. And even today, I could find myself every where.

I could see us sitting on the pavement outside, laughing and cooing.

I am amongst the crowd milling inside. I am one of those in that bubbly group of youngsters thronging near the entrance. I am one of those single shoppers finding my way through the Brands.

I am one of those bookworms getting my hands on each and every book at Landmark. I am amongst those shoppers moving in and out of Soch.

I am there in that group lounging at Transit and yes I am definitely in the ticket counter at PVR.

After, doing my rounds at Forum, I came down to meet Ghoshettan at the ground floor. Another series of reminiscence.

The breeze still carried the chime of our laughters, the lanes still spoke of our togetherness.

Nostalgia is only when you miss something. I have always felt this spirit within. I have never been away from this fun. The whole world around me, now, might have changed, but I realize that the frame work, the friendships, that held the world around me is still intact. My shadow had never let me.

As we walked along, I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the glass panes of the exit.

"Gal, keep up the confidence and spirit. Have a lovely life ahead."

"Adieu."

Adieu!!!

30th April 09
9:00 am

I reached the back gate of Bosch as usual.
The security lady checked my bag as she always did.
Why did everything seem different to me today?

I smiled at her and walked forward.
I swiped in at"0" and took the lift to canteen as usual.

5 min to 9 is a very crucial time for must of us.
Everyone would be busy. There would be a frenzy of activity.
Some would be hurrying to office, some scurrying with breakfast and some on phone.
Our table is always crowded.Sometimes we sit upto 10 people at the table meant for 4

"Ghoshetta we have just left PG, could you please take breakfast for us"

"2 idlis, 3 vadas and 2 slices of bread"

"da, if possible take my 2 cups of tea"

Who ever can be there at the canteen in time would take the orders for the others and then we would all have it together.

But, today was different. I wouldn't be having breakfast.I had just come up to the see everyone.

PC(aka Pradeep),BKB and ghoshettan were there near the Lift.They saw me, smiled and we left together in the lift.

"3" "1" "0"

These are our usual stops.

Me and PC would get down at 3.PC would swipe in and go through the right door and I would go through left.

As usual , I entered my department, my department for the last 3 years.I looked around for familiar faces.A few smiles shot back at me.
I walked to my cubicle and reached my seat.My target (The H/W) greeted me Good morning as usual and my name plate smiled back at me.I switched on my PC(This is my comp i referring to ;-)). As it woke up from its slumber I got myself a cup of coffee.
As usual, I opened my inbox and started going through the mails.

10:30 am

"T/Coffee/Bournvita"
The mail would begin.
"meet u near the stairs"
And then we would all flock at the right wing stairs and start the chatter.
"Haaiiii"
"New pinch!!!"
"Hey achi dikh rahi ho!!"
"Hey renu madame kaha gayi" "As usual busy hogi"
And the chit-chat would go on and on until someone remembers an elapsed meeting or a long forgotten prio1+ ticket.

Today, only I and Shinida took the break.Others were busy.

12.30 pm

"Lunch bitte????" or "Lunch???" "I'm hungry"
"Ja bitte"
"Sssssssssss"
"yes/No sno!!!"(Very innovative!!!!)
"carry on. I will join in 5 min"

These are the usual mails and responses at the lunch.
And finally
"Let's start???"This is an intimation to actually start to the canteen ;-)
"Ready steady go!!"
"Meet you near stairs"

Today as Usual, me and chechi started for the stairs. Had to pick up shinida on the way.Renu was on leave today.
Vasudha, rashmi and others would join.
We had our lunch and then went for our post-mitagessen stroll in the basement.Another session of gossip,jokes,pulling legs etc etc..
Had Renu been there we would have played the Go-Game too..(Its a patented game only for me, Vasudha and Renu)
By 1:30 pm we were all back at our own seats.

3:30 pm
"A2B???"
Time for another break!!
Me and Vasudha would(and whenever sheethu is there, she would also)go to A2B and have tea.

We had decided to go today also,but somehow couldnt make it.

Guys, Breaks are not the only thing We have at Bosch. I am just highlighting how we enjoy the time together inspite of the busy schedules(atleast sometimes!!;-)) and the critical issues and bugs.

7:00 pm
As usual I left 3rd floor and went out through the back gate.
But today was different.
I went out the gate not to return on Monday.
Today was my last day at office.
I looked back at my Office for the last 3 years for one more last time. I hadn't swiped out today for my badge had been taken back.
As I crossed the Sai-Baba temple,I ran my hands through my bag's empty front pocket where my ID card usually lay.

Epilogue

I met Ghoshettan, Abhi,PC,and BKB at A2B, bid them farewell and came down to my PG.I went to my aerobics centre and said goodBye to Pappu.
I came back to the PG. Today would be my last day here. Jiya and Renu had left for home. They had met me earlier at office and said goodbye.
Me and Arya cooked dinner, for the one last time together.

Author's note

Thanks a lot to all of you who wished me good luck and bid me farewell. I would miss all of you in our own special ways.
Thanks a lot to all my managers and team mates for all the wishes you gave me.
Thanks a lot to that Gentleman I met in the lift and who wished me good luck(Sorry I dont know your name)

Hey!Arya Thanks a lot for that payasam.

Reshma and Dhanya,those mails touched me very much.

Again, thanks again to all of you who mailed, spoke with me and met me.

Renu,Vasudha,chechi,Shinida,Sheethu,Anu,Renu,Jiya,Arya,Rashmi,Jyoti: I don't know what more to tell u guys.
Guys,
I know tomorrow you will miss me at the breakfast table.
I know You will miss me for lunch and tea.
I know you will miss my Pjs and nonsense.
I know you will miss me at aerobics,vasudha
I know you will miss me at PG,guys
I know you will miss when you go for movies at PVR or for treats outside,
I know you will all miss me in some way or the other.

And I will Miss You all greatly too.
I will miss each and every moment we spend together

Confessions Of a Shopaholic

Hey Guys, this is not one of those film reviews.

This is a very genuine and hearfelt confession from a true shopaholic . And I am sure many of you will definitely be able to relate to it. ;-)

I just love shopping.

Infact I love shopping anything and everything.Be it clothes/accessories,books or even groceries. I love shopping things I need and those which i don't.

I love shopping for myself and/or for others.

I just love roaming about supermarkets or malls with a lot of shopping bags and/or baskets ;-).

And window shopping is not a bad idea too.Many a times it is window shopping which has initiated deep holes in my purse ;-(

Let me attempt a logical classification of this entertainment

There could basically be 3 types of shopping.(If you identify more please let me know as i would like to attempt those too)

Type 1: Need-triggered shopping

This is the shopping we all do when we really have to buy something.There is basically a clear idea of what actually has to be bought.

Technically speaking, the specifications are clear ;-)

Normally in such cases I go in and out of many shops, compare stuffs and then finally make a decision.Afterall, I need to buy the best!!!!Though it's another thing that after reaching home I feel something else was better ;-(

(and almost often i go back to the first shopI had visited and buy the first piece I had chosen ;-))

If you were to accompany me in any one of these sessions you would have definitely been bugged.Yes, this is definitely a warning ;-)

Type 2: Time killing Shopping

Here the intention is only spending time.This is something which can be attempted on boring weekends and even on weekdays after the core working hours ;-)

There ,naturally ,would not be any shopping list,but only shopping bags !

Type 3: mood-lifter/stress buster Shopping

Shopping is what I prefer doing when I feel low.And this is the worst kind of the lot, because I end up buying only useless things and obviously I have to go back to the shops when i feel better to exchange them ;-)

Simply going through the shops and malls makes me a lot happy.

And it is not necessary that I buy something in these excursions. Seeing and admiring stuff would also suffice.

Well guys, Happy shopping!!!!! ;-)

( I ) Miss(ed) Calls

It's always a pleasure when someone thinks of you and even more when they let you know that.(Well perhaps not always!!!)
So When ever my phone rings to tell me I have a call or a message it is obvious that a smile sprouts on my face.Perhaps I should slightly rephrase this statement also.'A smile used to sprout on my face' would be better .The first reason being that I hardly get any calls or messages these days and the second one, only vodafone or icici take that trouble.
Yesterday i forgot my phone at home.(I attribute it entirely to the complete amnesia which devoured my senses at that moment when i was leaving home.)
Initially i was worried how i would survive the day.
Though it has no use these days, it's a relief when I have my mobile in my hands.
In fact I even prefer to look time in my mobile than in my wrist watch.
Just an act of habit!
And moreover, I had 2 meetings in the day!!!;-)
But,perhaps atleast today I could see a few missed calls and messages when i reach home.
The thought kept me going through the day.(I still don't understand why I expected my incoming calls to increase because I left the mobile at home.)
So it was with great expectations that i went home and checked my mobile for messages and missed calls.
But, as always there were not many,just 8 missed calls and 3 messges in the entire 12 hours i were away from it.And of these 4 were from my friends (in the next cubicle,probably calling to go out for lunch or tea!!) and 4 were unknown landline numbers, some bank or insurance company i'm sure.;-(

Perhaps Nobody else is as jobless as I am!!!!

Auto Madame????

I have never had an ill feeling towards auto drivers until I reached Bangalore.
My mind had always picturised them as the sweet person who took me to school and that of Sudhi(Played by mohanLal) in the malayalam flick'Aye auto'.
The whole idea has been distorted by the auto walas in Bangalore.
They are nothing but day light looters.
I agree there are many civilised,well mannered ones also here. But definitely none of the auto walas in front of Forum(either side)fall in this category.
There are ruffian and villain auto drivers in Kerala too, but definitely its worse here.

It's only here in Bangalore that they charge you more than double and triple the fare even at normal hours.
Once i couldn't help but laugh when an auto charged 100Rs where it would cost me the minimum just because that is the standard.

The same destination by the same route the same day has once costed me double the amount.

Once they realise you are not familiar with the route they take you on loooooong rides.

And when you try to argue with them,a sudden amnesia comes over them and they forget even the bits and pieces of hindi or english they Knew!!!

The most difficult part is sometimes getting an auto. We always have trouble getting one for our friend. We tell the auto drivers Koramangala 1st Block and they drive away faster than they came.

Don't fall for the politeness and gentleness with which they offer their service when you come out of Forum!!!
"Auto madame??".
Your wish is my command.I will take you wherever you want to go or so they sound.Just tell your destination and they turn their faces away and then they agree to do a meherbaani by taking you to where ever you want to go at double the price.

I live nearby,just walkable distance from office.:-) so when ever I hear that question "Auto madame??" I either say a sharp No!!Or completely ignore them.Oh!I feel the contentment of having won a battle
.
Once when we hired an auto and asked the driver to take us somewhere he didn't agree. He demanded extra and then half of that and then an extra on that!!After bargaining and arguing we asked him where exactly was he willing to take us on the normal fare. a little here and a little there and he finally told us he would drop us at some place.'Oh! That's great!'said my brother. 'Please go and come back yourself' ;-).And we went on our way.

Then there are an entirely different lot.They are harmless and not looters.Its the 'aap jaise logon ko chodne ke liye hi hum subah-subah ghar se nikalte hai' type. Their only problem is that they will entertain you throughout the trip with their questions and answers and comments and opinions and suggetsions.
"Madame aap shivraathri nahi manati???"
"Kyu??"
"madame aap musalmaan ho??"
"Madame tho aap burkha kyu nahi pehanti???"
My only saviour in such moments is my mobile...

A short flash back

It's 2 years since i am in Bangalore.
But i still feel like my first day here
This city is still a stranger to me and im still trying desperately to find my niche here.
Nothing has changed in the last 2 years.

I still know only Koramangala area and ofcourse Brigade and MG road.

I still havent learnt kannada. The only line i know even now is'Kannada Gothilla'

I have grown from a fresher to a senior software engineer(Well, there is another 2 months to go!!!) and I still haven't learnt c++(I hope my manager does not see this!!!;-))

I have put on 10Kgs.Still I fit into some of the old clothes(Thanks to my tailor who altered every stitch ;-))

I still watch movies at the minimum rate of one per week.

I like ranbir kapoor.Still Shahrukh rules my heart and i still watch DDLJ on a regular basis.

I still cry whenever i leave home after a weekend.

And I am still as confused and insane as ever.

Well,no complaints!!!Changes always make me nervous..