Indeed ... a Sad New Year :(

So, I got back from Abu Dhabi right on the New Year, and I haven’t been too happy ever since. Oh no… I am not those – Oh-what-shit-is-this-India sorts. I am glad to be back, but just the turn of events has been rather upsetting. Turns out, I was hooked to a depressing book for the first couple of days, and then a weird book for another few days, and then of course, when I got over all that crying and stepped out in my car, I had a terrifying experience. Yeah, it’s the Auto Driver again. This one was scary AS HELL.

In full public view an auto driver managed to threaten, bang the car windows, twist the rear view mirror – All this because I took down his auto number. Mind you, this was on a main road jam packed with traffic. He rode his auto ahead of my car and parked it right there. So I HAD to stop. He got off and ran towards my car. And before he came close, I managed to go ahead. He did the same thing again. Rode Ahead. Stopped. Got off. This time, before I could move towards the left n overtake, he reached us, banged the windows, twisted the rear view mirror, and was yelling – He simply wanted to break something so my friend and I get off the car and he could lay his letcherous eyes on us (and maybe even hands). I was really scared and helpless. No one stopped. Nor did I. I didn’t want to be the Rang-De-Basanti style to get off and fight with this dirty man. In that minute of panic, many thoughts crossed my mind

1. He can’t do much. Get off, say something. Don’t take this lying down.
2. Run, he has rapist written all over his face

I felt ashamed to run, but I did. I don’t remember anything I did in those few seconds. I just remember my friend screaming in fear. And I have no clue if I judged the traffic before I steered left, and over took the parked auto as he continued to bang on the windows. I just remember that I drove real fast. And then before he could run back, sit in his auto and follow us, we had gone far ahead.

We were terrified! As small as this incident sounds, I was torn apart. All kinds of thoughts struck that night. I wept to sleep. I never expected such harrassment in full public view. I was wondering what I would do if I were alone. I wondered if I am safe in my own city. I kept calculating- what did I do wrong, what did I do right, was it sensible to not get off, should I have gotten off and fought for my so-called rights??? I think I never expected a situation where I would chicken out to this extent. AND how I am making this confession on my blog is beyond my understanding!

I have this gut feeling, something worse waits…

Where's mine ?

She warned me - “Raje, you have never made mooli paratha, it’s not as easy as aloo paratha”.
I laughed… What? I wouldn’t be good with a paratha? I??
So I made the stuffing, and was all set to make the paratha… the best radish parathas ever! I had to make about ten - not a big deal really! I started, overconfidence stabbed me in the back, and I screwed up! The first two were nothing short of a disaster! How does mom do it? So perfectly, so tasty, so oil-free and yet so yummy? I tried, this time, a little differently, and – Not bad – This one was good, except, it was pale (one out of ten) compared to moms! And then Mom came, almost laughed up her sleeve, trying not to let down all that confidence oozing out of the dabbler, and showed me the tricks. And perfect - I got the next few right!

A good cook always adds love. Maybe that’s why, I always keep the best ones on the top, and up for grabs. But this time, self-love came first, and I so wanted to taste the better ones, just to see if they were like moms (of course, what did you think? I wouldn’t eat for myself :P). One tangerine, one orange and I would be done with the juice, to dive into my paratha’s. Sadly, when I was done, the last two awful ones remained, and I shoved them down my throat with lots of water!! We could have managed with a turkey or something for Christmas !!

Edit - Due to popular demand -
Raje - Used in Punjabi, to generally refer to a pampered little one.

Ballerina please

I went around the entire city, starting 6 '0' clock in the evening , and NO, not a single pair of appealing Ballerina shoes!!!!! What has this city come to...

Entering my house at 10.30, without those shoes, has inevitably been one of the most depressing moments of my life...(as I painfully learn to live with it)

(By the way check out the graffiti I made brunga on facebook :P)

Fever!

No... I'm not Robin Cook and my daughter doesn't have fever! However, I HAVE fever and I'm not having a nice time. Just imagine a Nice, really nice, sweet, amazing, bubbly, full-of-high-spirits person like me has FEVER!! Who ever said life is fair!

Anyways, I think I need to spice up my fitness regime (maybe I should have said plan up a fitness regime!) . One day of activity and I'm down with severe body ache and fever. Feels like someone tied a bag of stones on my arms. Whereas people twice my age (or maybe a little less) were good at all the activities!! Fit as a Fiddle!

As you may have figured out by now, the point of this entry is : NOTHING :)

Fender-Bender

Madhavan Park Circle, 3rd Block, Jayanagar...
Brunga was at an average speed, like never before, on her bike. We were heading to my place at around 8.30 p.m. For a change we weren't even talking, the both of us! A mélange beige Chevrolet optra was slightly behind us, on the right. A very common site on bangalore roads today, the driver (mad!) of this car, wanted to turn left, being on the extreme right of the road. And he DID! The car bumper banged us...We knew we are going to lose balance and fall... but no! We were okay... The driver having touched us clearly panicked and before we could realize... again...he hit us bad this time! There was a THUD noise, we knew what hit us, and we FELL! I had a whole lot of things in my hand, and they were all over the road.
Fortunately, I rolled on the ground when I fell and didn't really get hurt (not any that were visible atleast!) Even before I could get up I was worried about our bags cause a whole lot of people were around us...One big crowd! Seemed like we fell into a well with people peeping in to see who’s there. I grabbed the bags(I’m a girl..hehe…bag is my life) and my cell phone, and managed to get up with some help... And what do I see??? Brunga HOWLING! The bike was on her ankle! She was crying ;I ran up to her. I was so scared at that moment, but people around were so kind and helpful. They helped me get her to the footpath. I called her dad; he was there within minutes.
The guy who banged us was being extremely sweet (not that he had a choice). He was there all along and offered to take us to the doctor...But his WIFE! I could have eaten her alive! She claimed to be very tired! (Idiot! &*$^%$&^*^*)
We got back to her place with her dad, took her to the doctor. She hopped in with her bleeding ankle! Thankfully, she was just given tablets. We go back home, ordered pizza (nice part) and slept… when I woke up, it was 11.30 a.m!!! I have never slept so much. My body was so tired and pained after the fall! I slept n slept… and got late for dance (Yes yes… I went!)
Anyways just before leaving the accident scene I stopped to check what happened to the car. There was a huge dent on the bumper and it was terribly scratched too! (NO! I didn’t feel bad at all) Will cost him a bundle to get it replaced. Superb!