Knitting hearts together...

Knitting hearts together...
This my friend, is a true story. Where, what, how - I'll tell you. The hero here (and always) is my father. No heroine, no villain. Just a boy who was small and then grew. To read on I'm gonna make it sound like a story. My dad will be called Velu (sans Swamy) and the boy will be called Karthick. It goes like this...

Velu is sipping his tea at the New Year Celebrations. In his hand he is holding a paper that has a printed version of his speech. Velu is the present Governor of the around 26 clubs in the district. The celebration is for all those 26 clubs. Velu's logo for his governing year is of two people hugging - the logo is made to look like a single heart, beautifully divided to make it look like two people. His slogan for the year is 'Knitting Hearts Together'. He took charge in June 2009 and ever since has been on his toes with a lot of work.

Minutes to go for his speech, Velu walks to the dais and joins the gathering once again. There is a loud applause for the speaker at the podium. The speaker beckons Velu to go ahead and address the gathering. There is a huge applause as he walks to the podium. He clears his throat and begins. He begins with thanking the previous speaker and then moves on to summarize the district's achievement in the past six months. There is applause for every achievement mentioned and every award won. Velu thanks his fellow club members and opens his speech for Q&A. No one has questions. Velu repeats that he is open to any questions regarding the club or any activities.

A hand rises among the audience. "Yes, you", Velu says. There is a gasp from the audience. Heads turn to see who it is. Just another member, of course. The woman rises and asks "In our previous meeting we had asked you why you selected the slogan "Knitting Hearts Together". You said you would answer that question in the next meeting. It is the next meeting now. Would you tell us now?". Velu smiles. He says "Yes, I will tell you now."

He begins "Do all of you know the graveyard behind Mangalam road?" Heads nod and a few answer in soft volumes saying 'yes'. Velu continues "About 3 decades ago, that graveyard used to be my cricket ground. I along with a bunch of other boys used to play cricket over there every Sunday. We used to meet up after breakfast, play on till late noon go back home, bathe-refresh and come back in the evening to discuss about our game. This was my Sunday. I used my bi-cycle to get there every Sunday. On one such Sunday, as we were playing we saw a group of people running towards one of the streets there. All of us gathered to see what was happening. A woman had lit herself on fire. People were trying to put out the fire. In no time the fire was out but the damage was done. I quickly ran towards that house and got into the crowd. I went forward and in no time there was a car arranged to take the lady to the hospital. Three men carried the woman and I ran to help them. We carried her and lay her in the car. The car sped off towards the closest hospital. As I saw the car leave, I heard one of the women cry saying the woman had no right to do this hen she had two fatherless children. I quickly walked into the house to see a boy aged around 8 and a girl aged around 4. The boy was carrying his sister in his arms and crying. I couldn't bear that sight. I called the two of them and sat them on my bi-cycle and cycled to the hospital."

The audience was hooked. Velu continued, "I reached the hospital and guided the kids to the department were they treated burns. The place was dingy and crowded. Among the three men who carried the woman with me, one was the woman's brother. The kids ran to their mama. The boy was at that age where he could understand what was happening. People present around started to give their blood samples to donate blood if necessary. I did so too. After a couple of hours, a nurse came to the crowd and said that the woman didn't make it. She had died while they were trying to treat her. I swallowed a lump down my throat and looked at the kids. The boy began crying. He hugged his mama's legs and cried. Poor thing! I can still remember how he ran towards his mother and cried. He was not allowed to hug her cause she was covered with a banana leaf. He couldn't cry on his mama's shoulder because he was carrying the boy's sister. All he could do was look at his mother and cry so loudly. I immediately ran towards him and hugged him. He constantly said 'anna, anna' and cried on my shoulder. The body was given to the family in an hour and we took her back to the house in the same car. The sad thing about this Sunday was - it had changed two children's lives in an afternoon. This Sunday had orphaned two children."

"The last rites were all performed by the little boy. His head was tonsured and he was clad in a dhothi. I was shattered to see the boy. The little girl just watched on. She couldn't identify her mother for there was no identification. All she did was watch as her mama carried her in his arms. After everything was over, I went back to our ground to pick up my cricket bat and left."

The audience was speechless. No one prompted out of anxiety or anything. They just wanted to know the rest. He went on. "Then my next Sunday was normal, except once I saw the boy playing with his little sister. I gave him a packed of biscuits once. He took it with a smile. Years went by, I graduated college. I started to look after the family business. I began my printing company. Then I got married in 86' to this gorgeous woman here. We had a girl 3 days before we could celebrate our first anniversary. Five years after that we had a boy. You all probably know them by name than face here." The audience smiled and nodded.

"In April 2009, I had some pain in my left arm and went to get a check up done. I was with our ex-governor when I went to the hospital. I hadn't told my wife or kids anything. The doctor shocked me saying I had 3 blocks in my heart and might need to get an angioplasty done. I came home and spoke to my wife. Luckily, my son's exam had just gotten over that day. So we decided to get the angioplasty done the very next day. Since my daughter had one more day of school, we picked her up on the way and I drover to the hospital. On the way, I asked her to sing for me. As usual she refused for the first 5000 times and then sang. She sang 'Iru vizhi unadhu', a song I loved. We reached the hospital. Hospital. Payment. Admission. Angio. After the angioplasty, the doctor said that a bi-pass surgery was necessary as the blocks were nearing 90%. My wife immediately went ahead and spoke to the doctor to know what kind of surgery and everything. Finally, they decided on April 1 and I was operated then. That morning, my kids visited me in the room before the anasthesea was given to me. They had prayed in the temple downstairs in KMCH and they came with the prasadham. I was then reeled into the operation theater. It was a 10 hour operation. The day was probably the slowest day in my family's history. Once I recovered I heard that several Lion members had come to donate blood for me.

2 days after the operation my kids and wife visited me in the intensive care unit. I was worried that the kids would be scared to see so many tubes in my body. The little one looked terrified on the first day. After a few days, I was brought to a room. Friends, family - all visited me during that one week. One Sunday, a young man walked in to the room. My wife told me that this young man had come to donate blood for my operation. He wanted to donate blood to someone before he left for work to Dubai. He had no reason to choose me. I thanked him and asked him what job he is joining. He replied saying he was going to work for a construction company in Dubai. He also said that he wanted to see how I was doing. I asked him where he was from and he said "Mangalam Road, Tirupur". I looked at him and asked him what his parents were doing. He said his father had passed away in a road accident years ago and his mother was also no more. He said he has a sister who lives in Tirupur. I plainly asked him if his mother suicided. He replied with a sober yes. I asked him if his sister was 4 years younger and mentioned the area of his house. He looked a little shocked and said yes. I then told him that I was with him when his mother passed away. I mentioned his mama and the entire hospital scene. He had tears in his eyes and me in mine. He shook his hand with me and thanked me. He said he didn't remember much from that day but was thankful for what I had done for him. He said his sister had gotten married recently. I told my wife to give him my visiting card. I told him to contact me for any help. He took leave."

There was sniffing in the audience. Some clapped. At the end Velu summarized saying "There was no need for me to be with that boy when his mum died. There was no need for me to donate blood. Similarly there was no need for him to come here and donate blood. But somehow both of us wanted to. I hugged that boy when he had no shoulder to cry on. The design of life is this - every human's decision and acts determines a change in someone else's. My decision to run towards his house and his decision to donate blood were both kind deeds. These two deeds came from our hearts. And that by time and destiny has knitted the two of us after so many years. Every good deed we do, is somewhere and in someway looking frantically to find us when we really need it. That's why 'Knitting Hearts Together!'"

The audience stood up and clapped for what was eternity. Velu thanked the audience and adjourned the meeting for dinner. Many members came our sniffing, mostly the women. There were sobs here and there. Dinner was served.

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I heard this from my father when we were on our way to Coimbatore. We had crossed Mangalam Road and that's when my dad narrated this to me. That my friends, is the true story.

...the second first kiss

I was sipping on my tea and biting into my croissant. I had finally settled, or that's what I thought. It had been 23 months since I left my country and arrived at Oakland. I had arrived with no clue and now here I was in my own house, in a colony filled with people who would not remind me of the past and a job that was enough for a monthly saving and grocery.

I was on a time table, a time table to forget the past, a time table that would keep me busy, a time table that would exhaust me so I would not stare at my ceiling thinking of the past in that eerie silence of the night not knowing how to sleep. My life was now in a place I hadn't seen coming. I was in a different country, far from family and cut off from friends.

It was the 100th week. 100 weeks of waking up to say hello to my family on a webcam. 100 weeks of not answering emails from friends. 100 weeks of pretending that the picture I had hidden in my piggy bank never existed. 100 weeks of beginning to believe that my will power was getting strong. 100 weeks of not voluntarily sending any emails, or calling friends. My life was just the new people, my family and running away from the past.

I was almost 1.5 years into into my job and finally the day came. My boss came to my cabin and offered me a higher position and a raise that was more than double. I was overwhelmed after a long time. Something made sense. I began to believe that running away from everything has done something new to me. It was the first time that a promotion did not follow a series of phonecalls, hugs and a dinner. But I decided to remove that from my thoughts and get back to the time table.

Bhagvat came over and congratulated me. He was the only Indian in the office and was way senior to me. He lived in the same colony as mine with his wife and children. His wife would drop her kids over with me every time they wanted to have one of their romantic dinners. Bhagvat was as usual praising my work and this time he got together a gang of colleagues to celebrate my promotion. They were the bunch of people who often nudged me to join them so this time I didn't want to say no. We were to party at Sin City near our colony and Bhagvat had permission from his wife to drink for my promotion.

I hadn't dressed up in a long time. I wore my red dress that was as formal as it was chic. I didn't go through with the trouble of wearing any make up. I left the house making sure all lights were off. I got into a cab and arrived at the place. I could hear the jarring music from outside and all of a sudden I was in no mood for noise. I met up with Laila and Kiance outside and we went inside together. It was 2 hours of vodka shots and bottoms up contests for the rest while I laughed at them all with my fruit drink. Each one started getting tipsy soon and I decided to leave. I got Bhagvat into a cab and got in in the front seat.

We arrived at his house and after careful help from his wife Bhagvat was in bed. I kissed the kids goodnight and turned to leave. Anita stopped me and offered me Kaju Katli. They were wrapped with silver like in India and were in a Sri Mithai box. I was moved. I hadn't seen an Indian sweet in a long time. She wished me and applied sinthoor on my forehead. It was almost a reflex - I feel on her feet and she hugged me. For the first time I cried. I cried after we said our byes and I arrived home. I locked myself inside and cried from behind the door. I slipped on my PJs and got into bed with some yoghurt. Anita's message was on my phone. It was her usual goodnight message and this time with an added exclamation mark with Congratulations.

I had moved on to a new role and the new bosses were pleased. I was given a new camera with a set of expensive lenses. With a new team I was busy with photoshoots, interviews and my laptop. My life now revolved around new techniques in lighting and color. I was reading about photography and talking it too. Any beautiful place had my opinion of what I could do there. I was visiting 'locations' for photo shoots and creating story lines.

The new job was getting to me when one day my boss came over and gave me the news. They were creating a travel catalog for one of the travel agencies and I was to shoot in Las Vegas for 3 weeks. My team and I were overjoyed. Well, who wouldn't be if your trip to Las Vegas was paid for and you were put up in Ballys! I had heard a lot about the place from my parents and they were equally happy for me.

The exciting day came and all of us were at the airport. Photographers, lighting directors, models and the financiers. This time the photographers were posing. The whole team huddled for a prayer and boarded. It was a beautiful flight and an even more beautiful landing.

I had to open my mind a lot more for Las Vegas. Every scene there had more light, more color and more themes. My mind was running wild. I had 5 ideas on hand already for the shoot and I was still on my way to the hotel. We all reached, checked in. Since I was the only woman, I got my own room without having to share it with anyone. It was like I wanted it. No one but me and yet the outside virtual world I'm in around me.

The rest of the crew was already making plans to hit the casino and bars. I was in no mood for any of that. I made myself and appointment at the spa for the next day and decided to take a walk around the place for some ideas. I packed my camera and my wallet in my hand bag and locked the room. I decided to learn the hotel in and out before it was dinner time. I walked through giant lobbys and verandas with exquisite architecture and design. The hotel was stylish in its own English-American way. I walked by the pool side and decided to stop for some drink. I bought myself a pineapple-papaya-carrot health drink and that was when I made up my mind I would never buy a non-alcoholic drink from a bar ever. I wasted almost all of it and walked to do what I do best.

My little flashy friend was out and I was clicking pictures by the pool. Women in their swim suits and bikinis were having their kinda vacation. A group of girls were more than happy to pose for me, so I had my own little shoot by the pool already. It was totally Las Vegas. There were models, bikinis, and of course a lot of glamor. I thanked them for their time and we had a group picture taken and I bid goodbye and left.

I arrived at the lobby to check my email and also send my parents a few pictures. I was amused at the number of unread messages in my Shaadi.com label. I had filtered these emails when I had arrived in Oakland and when my mom decided the internet is the place to find myself someone. I sent emails to my family and returned to my room. I was a little exhausted so I ordered dinner in.

I watched a little TV and ate my lasagna silently. About half an hour into my dinner, there was a knock on my door. I opened the door to find a houseboy give me a note. I read the note and smiled. The rest of the crew had wanted to make use of the 2 days we had before the shoot so they had gone on a road trip without me and that was their apology note. It was their guy thing and I had no right to feel bad anyway.

I thanked the houseboy and turned to go in when I heard someone speak Tamil. I quickly looked on both sides of the corridor and saw a woman in a salwar kameez on the phone. She was tall, beautiful and explaining to her mother why her phone was not reachable for all this time. It was over 10 seconds when I realized I was both staring and overhearing her so I turned to go back inside. Just when I was about to lock, she knocked. I opened and almost apologized and she asked me for a pen. I gladly accepted to give her one to save the embarrassment and also cause it wasn't my pen to give. She was noting down some numbers and then she needed a place to keep her notepad to write comfortably on. I invited her in and when she was done with her call, we introduced ourselves.

Her name was Rithanya and was on holiday here with her husband. She was a housewife and her husband was into agriculture. His farm was India's leading orchid supplier and the flower business was apparently great. She was alone right now as her husband was away with some other friends at the casino. I told her about myself - a photographer from Oakland, single and here on work.

She invited me for dinner but since I had already had mine, I told her to order in food so we could talk. She wanted to get out of her room, so I decided to treat myself with dessert with her. I was asked to call her Rithu. Rithu was talkative. Non-stop. She was also all about herself and her husband. I was dying inside but it had been long since I had heard someone speak so much Tamil before, so I allowed myself to devour it.

She complained about the food abroad and how she wasn't the kind to eat cold food. I helped her order and we waited for her pasta. She added a lot of chilli flakes and salt to make it Indian and started eating. Rithu hadn't stopped talking even then. She didn't mind the people around her when she folded her legs on the sofa. She didn't bother how loud she was. And she made me sweat a little whenever she pointed at someone to make fun of them.

After a lot of talking, both of us were eating our ice creams. We decided to carry it to the pool side. We were chatting about how Indians come abroad for money and not stay in the country. She was explaining to me how her father never gave her an option about her career and how she had to get an arranged marriage. As we were talking she got a call. She told me it was her husband and excused herself. She came back in 2 minutes and told me her husband would be joining us shortly. I made up my mind to say hello and leave. Also, I was concerned about the company the husband had not given her the whole evening.

In exactly 5 minutes, Rithu smiled and stood up to stretch her hand and hold her husband's hand. I looked up to say hello and shuddered. I managed a hello and after that I could not hear a thing. There were memories painting images of the same face. I was sweating. I was dehydrated in 5 seconds. I regained conscious when Rithu shook my hand and said 'Are you alright?' I said I was and excused myself for some water. I walked to the bar and breathed out. I was looking at the face I was dreading never to see again. It felt like a week before I brought up my courage to get back to Rithu. I walked back seeing her hold the hands I've always imagines holding. I walked back preparing dialogues of what to say and get away. I walked back imagining how my life would have been if things were just the same as 3 years ago. I walked back looking at my past who I once thought would be my entire future.

I reached the table and didn't look into the eyes I always wanted to look into. I sat opposite the couple. I looked up to say that I wanted to leave when the most familiar voice said 'How have you been?' My heart sank. I wanted to cry. I wanted to get up and run but instead I looked up and stared into the eyes and said 'I've been good. How have you been?' Rithu was confused. She looked at his and asked him if we knew each other. He, with a mention of my name said it. Rithu's face changed color. I was in the situation I had always run away from. She stood up and walked away from the table.

I had to do something. I walked up to her and apologized and said bye. She instead replied asking me where I was so long. I didn't quite get the question. Her phone rang and she walked back to the table to get it. She was talking for a long time which I could only imagine was her mother. She walked away from the table and me and spoke for a long time. I almost wanted to commit the sin of basic courtesy and leave without saying bye. She came closer to me and I hear her say 'Honey, you have to come here immediately. We just met Priya. Yes, your friend K's Priya'

I looked at her and searched for the answer. Who was she 'honey'ing when her husband, my ex was sitting at the table. I was clueless. She looked at me and said 'We have to talk.' She went back to the table and sat near him. I knew I was supposed to follow when I saw the two of them look towards the door. It was Nishanth. The face I had vividly remembered. Nishanth hurriedly walked towards the table and when Rithu pointed to me he came towards me. The familiar hug was missing. Nishanth stared at me and after a minute I had to give in. I hugged him and I cried. Cried on the shoulder of one of my best friends. Cried for the 3 years of unanswered emails. Cried for the 3 years of my parents shutting the doors on his face.

Rithu came towards us and helped Nishanth with a hanky. I walked back to the table and now Rithu was near Nishanth. I had to sit near K this time. Nishanth introduced me to his wife Rithu. One part of me was screaming inside and one part of me wanted to immediately cry on the shoulder to my right. There was no reaction from K.

I had turned to stone. For more than 5 minutes no one had spoken. After what felt like eternity, Nishanth and Rithu excused themselves and left. He left his room number, mobile number and left saying he wanted to talk to me. As he left, I walked up to him. I had not decided what I wanted to do, but I wanted to tell him I was sorry. And when I did, he replied saying he was only glad he found me after 2 years. He told me to get some sleep and think things over.


I sat with K and watched as Nishanth and Rithu left. Rithu came back half-way to invite me for breakfast. After she was gone, it was just me and K. It was after 3 years I was sitting near him. It was so eerily silent that I could hear his breath and my heartbeat. It was just seconds when he suddenly got up. He was not walking away or moving. He was standing still, with his hands crossed looking at the silent pool which was now closed for use. We were the only two people there.

I had kept away from this moment and had not prepared at all. I wasn't expecting to bump into anybody in a long time. Least did I expect K to come up suddenly. He looked just the way I remembered him. He turned and looked at me. I froze. I had no idea what to say. He asked simply 'Are we ok?' Of all the things I had expected him to say, this was not one. I searched for an answer and finally blurted 'I don't know'. He replied with a smile 'Let's make it OK. I want to forget the one day that ruined our 7 years and the rest that were to follow. I know why you left. I know I shouldn't have let anything take the only thing we wanted away from us and I'm sorry. Now I want to know if you will come back with me and be my future.'

I had nothing to say. I didn't feel like questioning him. I had heard just what I wanted to hear. There was a part of me that was thankful for K's apology. There was a part of me that wanted to apologize. I was crying. K lifted me and hugged me tight. I was on his shoulder. I was crying. He sat me on the bar counter and hugged me close and hushed me. I drew back and looked at him and smiled in my tears. He tried to smile back but he was fighting back tears too. I hadn't seen him cry in a long time. He leaned into me and hugged me closer. He was home and so was I. After almost an hour we talked. I told him I was here on work. He told me he was here on work too. We were sitting together on the poolside bench and he was holding me close. I was leaning on him and we talked for hours.

It was close to dawn when we walked back to our rooms. He dropped me at my door and hugged me again. I looked up at K and said 'I never stopped loving you.' He replied with our second first kiss. He hugged me again and left.

I packed my bags from Las Vegas the next day and left to Oakland with K. The next day I quit and went back to India. K and I are married for 3 years now and we live with his parents in his farmhouse.

A conversation...

A conversation...

I was heading home for a much awaited weekend. It was a tiring drive to the airport after work and I needed some rest. I waited impatiently to board with a heavy bag in hand. Once I did, I looked for THE seat near the emergency exit for more leg space. This happens in all domestic flights but Paramount (Travel Business Class baby!) This Spicejet was traveling from Delhi to Coimbatore via Hyderabad. IN these flights its very tough to get a good seat cause the Delhiites take the good ones. To my surprise 2 seats near the emergency exit were free and both were to the window’s side! Lucky me! ;) I quickly found my way to that place and arranged my hand luggage in the compartments above.

The isle seat was occupied by an old man (around 60… at least!) who looked a little like Vijay Mallya. He stood up and made way for me to walk in. He was one of those traveling from Delhi… one of those who had the choice of getting the better seats before I could... hmpf! I sat down and informed daddy that I’ve boarded. He listened to my conversation which was extremely obvious so I changed to Tamil. Then he smiled even more. I switched off the phone and as the stewardess started enacting her daily DOs I opened my book and began reading. I noticed a weird ring on this guy’s hand. It was a snake – a snake ring. EEuuww! I was engrossed in my book but could not help noticing things about this guy. The flight’s inside temperature was warm, rather hot. He was wearing a woolen cardigan. His shirt pockets were bulging out of his cardigan. As I noticed that he pulled out a Blackberry from there. He then looked at it and shook his head like he made a mistake and put it in the portion in the seat in front of him. He then pulled out another Blackberry from the same pocket and put it there. Whoa… I thought! Then he pulled out two more Blackberries from his pant pockets and put them along with their siblings. Whatever you are man... I work for Google, I thought!

Once the flight was on the runway and the lights were all off, he switched on the light right above my head. I realized what he did and immediately turned and thanked him with my MOST FAKE SMILE! (You gotta see me do it... its on the face. It's like a sadist's smile. But it works when you want to say "I don't like you") But truly, nice of the guy I thought. After a while he started the conversation.

He : So, you live in Hyderabad? :)

Me : Yes, I do. (Nothing more, nothing less. The kind of answer which would end the conversation!)


He : Which class are you in?

I was totally frustrated with this question. It happens to me always. Yes, I'm puny. Yes, I'm tiny. Yes, I'm short. But, Damn it I'm working. I hate it when I'm misunderstood to be an eighth std.

Me : I'm not a student. I'm working.

He : Oh! Where you working?

There he comes! That's the question I was expecting :)

Me : Google Inc.,

He : Ohhh! Google! Hmmm... So do you know Mr.Sundararaman in your HR department?

Me : No sir, I don't.

He : Nice company - Google.

Me : Yeah, I know.

He : I've been to your office. I mean your head quarters. In the U.S.

Me : Oh, you mean in Mountainview?

He : Yes, that one. Nice office. Nice place to work for. Do you know your company has been voted as number 1 company to work for by Forbes magazine?

Me (Proudly) : Yes, I do.

He : Who are those two guys? Your company founders?

I was dumbstruck. I've never heard of anyone call Larry and Sergey - two guys. They are the people who founded the world's number one company.

Me : You mean Larry and Sergey?

He : Yeah, Larry Larry. I met them in a conference in America. I stayed in their guest house after the conference.

Hahahaha! Loser... what do you think huh?!

He : So, do you live in Coimbatore?

Me : Yes, in Tirupur.

He : Oh! Good. So what's your father? An exporter? What's your company's name? Which part of Tirupur?

Whoa whoa whoa man! Hold it!

Me : Yes, he is an exporter. Myco Knitting Mills. And what was your last question?

He : Which part of Tirupur? Rayapuram?

Me : No, not Rayapuram. Kongunagar.

He : Oh ok. Near the Exporters association. good. good.

Me : Eh... (Looked confused and didn't know what to ask)

He : My father in law's house is in Rayapuram.

Me : Oh ok. My uncle lives there.

He : Oh! Which street? 1st or 2nd?

Me : 1st. Why?

He : What was he? An engineer?

Me : Yes. (completely flabber gasted!)

He : Mr.Moorthy?

Me : Yes!

He : My father in law's house is behind your uncle's house. I know them quite well.

Me : Oh! So are you going to your wife's house?

He : Not wife's house. Father in law's house. Wife's house is my house. We are not together. But that does not change anything. It is still my father in law's house.

My mind : Take that "I'm sorry" look off your face Pragi.

Me : Oh. So where are you going now?

He : Do you know Prem Durai? He is one of the biggest exporters in Tirupur?

Me : Yes I do. His son is my friend.

He : I have financed for many people in Tirupur.

Me : Financed? So what are you?

He : I'm a consultant. A financial consultant now. I started my career as an employee in Centurion bank. I was the CEO of Reliance Insurance. I have worked with World Bank, Chennai branch. I'm right now one of the 10 directors of SEBI. I also run the company Religare, a holding company of Ranbaxy which I started from scratch. I have worked for UNICEF. I've been consulting director of NABARD.

My mind to myself : Pragi, it's time you reacted!

Me : Wow!

He : Yeah, I know. I'm right now going home. My mother lives in Coimbatore. Ramnagar. I'm going for a holiday. Just 10 days. My mother lives with my widowed sister. I have my own flat there in Coimbatore. Fully furnished - Western style. I get to enjoy a leisurely 1 hour bath in my jacuzzi only in Coimbatore. It does not happen even in my Delhi or Mumbai residence. I have my own car stationed there. I use it whenever I go there. I don't like having drivers wait on me wherever I go. I drive myself. I go swimming everyday only when I'm in Coimbatore.

Me : Where in Coimbatore? Jenney's club? (Knowing it to be the biggest club i guessed he should be going there only)

He : Cha cha! Not that one! That's dirty. I user Springfields. It's a private club owned and managed by 5 of us. We use it whenever we want to.

This is when I realized that there was something about this man. He is BIG. He is someone. He knows a lot. I also realized that I had used my boarding pass as book mark and closed the book in my hand long back. I decided to talk to this guy. I kept the book aside. He knew I was interested in talking.

He : So what games do you play?

Me : Shuttle badminton. Played till I was in school. Then stuck to volleyball and basketball in college.

He : Shuttle. Good! How far has this game taken you?

Me : Nothing much. District runners up.

He : Where did you do your schooling?

Me : First 5 years in Nazareth convent, Ooty. Then in TEA public school. Then In Satchidananda Jothi Nikethan. I did my under graduation in Ethiraj College, Chennai.

He : I used to have a few estates in Ooty. I sold them all off. None to maintain. And I have already told you I financed many of the exporters from TEA association. Your school Satchidananda... I have met that swamiji in Yogaville. I studied in Madras Christian College. I did my under graduation there.

Me : Ok.

He : Schooling is very important in life. Don't you miss school?

Me : I miss school a lot. I'm in fact going for the Alumni Association of my high school.

He : Oh! Good. So your going to meet all friends, enemies, first crushes??

I was totally surprised about how this man was getting personal all of a sudden.

Me : Friends, yes. First crushes, yes. Enemies, no.

He : Who was your first crush?

Me : Excuse me?

He : You can tell me.

Me : Surely not somebody you know. (I said tauntingly)

He : Hahaha! Good one! You're smart.

I could have said "yeah, I know."

He : Are you career oriented?

Me : Not anymore. I changed my mind.

He : Get married, have kids, live for your family. There's nothing like it.

Me : Meaning?

He : Fall in love, get married. Never settle for an arranged marriage.

Me : I still don't get it.

He : You won't.

Me : Ok.

He : So when you were career oriented, what did you want to become?

Me : A journalist. A reporting journalist. A journalist who did her own cases. A journalist who wanted to shine for hard work and not controversies of cricket or celebrities.

He : Good one again!

He (after he threw the sandwich he bought from the stewardess in the trash untouched) : Is this the only flight that goes to Coimbatore at this time?

Me : I guess so.

He : I usually fly by Kingfisher.

Me : And you look like Mallya.

He : You mean this guy Vijay? That fellow is a very good friend of mine.

Me : Huh?

He : Vijay Mallya is a very good friend of mine. We were good friends even before he could start his airline venture. When I worked for Reliance he called one day and asked me to meet him at his office with my passport. I did so immediately thinking it was an emergency. A manager from his office escorted me to a nearby private aerodrome. He was waiting for me in a helicopter and we were flying to Dubai. I was shocked for a minute. Then he said that he wanted time with his dear friend, me! I agreed and we flew to Dubai. We shopped, swam, drank beer and returned. When I was getting out of the bird he handed over an envelope to me and said "I'm making you CEO of my airline company. You start tomorrow." I returned the envelope saying I didn't want to spoil the friendship by working under you. You carry on. I will carry on. We will be friends for life. I don't want to work under a friend. Thanks for a good day. I walked away.

Me : Wow!

He : See, I have a Kingfisher privilege card. I never fly by Spicejet. This is a card that only the closest circle of Vijay have.

He handed a glossy red card that had the kingfisher bird on it. And it said VIP. Signed by 'Vijay.'

Me : What did you want to become when you were in college?

He : I was lost when I was in college. I never wanted to become something. I lost my father at a very young age. My mother worked for IOB Chennai. I studied hard and got a job in a bank. I got married. We had two sons. I got divorced. I became a CEO for 4 companies. I earned a lot. I still earn a lot. I dine with the finest people. I talk to big people for hours on the phone about their personal matters. I'm what I'm now. I never thought I would be anything. My sons are in the US now. Both married. On their own. I meet them one every year. I'm just a consultant now. But every day I earn in lakhs.

Me : When was the last time you met your sons?

He : I have everything in life. I wear the best of Italian shirts. I drive cars even before they are introduced into the market. I meet the big people everyday. I live in luxury. I travel 160 days in a year. Mostly abroad. I meet different people every year. But happiness - - Missing in my life.

For a minute my heart sank. I felt miserable for the guy. He meant what he said. This time I said "I'm sorry" softly.

Me : What are you going to do in Coimbatore for ten days?

He : I sleep a lot in these ten days. I take my mother to all temples she wants to go to. I spend a lot of time with her. Mothers are so important. Fathers too. The bond of a child and its mother is directly related to her womb. Blood relation. No relation is like what it is with your mother. I love my mother.

I smiled. He was genuine. Yes, a show off. One of its kind. But, a man who had everything in life but inside was screaming for attention and companionship. This guy was lonely, is lonely and has just decided he will remain so. i felt sad for him.

We were about to land.

Me (out of curiosity) : Why did you chose Spicejet if you have this card?

He : I had to finish the meeting, though I was allowed to leave in between. It was a meeting with the Finance minister, Chidambaram. We've known each other for long, so i didn't feel like walking out.

Me : Oh. Ok!

He : What's service according to you?

Me : Service. I think giving your time and help is service. Money is service, yes. Prayer is not.

He : Any hands on this field madam?

Me : Well, yes Sire!

He : Tell me.

He is a man who is willing to listen.

Me : I belong to a student organization called Team Vision. We organize charity shows and lend hands in all we can. We've done 3 concerts till now. For visually, physically and mentally challenged children. We've raised money for them and given them infrastructural support. We read for visually challenged children every weekend. We record our voices for their MA and BA studies everyday in cassettes so they don't have to depend on us. We spread awareness of the importance of ramps in public places. This is the little we do to make a difference to them.

He : I visit one place near Marudamalai. It's for mentally challenged children. I spend time with them. I play with them and I fund them.

Me : Very nice of you to give away the little time you get with your mother for these children.

He : It's challenging. Managing time, family, friends is all very challenging.

It was a rough landing, earthquake landing I should say. We took our hand luggage and waited till the other hurried passengers could leave. I helped him with his heavy bag. He walked me to the baggage collection counter and made sure my father waved from the arrival lounge.

Me : How do you remember so many poeple?

He : Just like how you do.

Me : How do you remember sooooooo many people?

He : I remember the one who are important and worth it.

Me : So what am I? Worth it?

He : This is one journey I dreaded till the minute you boarded the plane. You are like the unborn daughter I've always wanted. Bold, out-spoken, straight forward. I wish I had a daughter like you.

Silence. I wanted to say something, but didn't.

He : It was very nice meeting you my little girl.

Me : You too sir. Have a nice holiday with your Mother.

He (shook hands) : Wishing you only the best in life.

Me : :)

He handed me his card and I gave him mine.

He : Hi, I'm Anand. Nice meeting you.

Me : I'm Pragathambal.

Anand : Bye

Me : Bye :)

This is one of the conversations that lasted 1 hour and 6 minutes. I thought he was a show off, I realized that was how he lived. I don't blame him. I wish him a happy holiday and a happy time ahead. He is not happy. He has no time to find it. It is these 10 days every year he gets to find some happiness and share some happiness. I was glad I could share something with this guy who called me his unborn daughter. My dad helped me with my luggage and we had dinner. I told him all about Mr.Anand. We reached home and I recited the whole thing all over again to mom. I then slept. Slept well. I was home. :)

potted daisies | cartoon strips | retirement | life

These characters made me laugh everyday. My mornings always started with them.

After I retired I took an oath. An oath to never oversleep. When I was working I always woke at 6am, had bath, plucked flowers from my garden and arranged them for the idols in the pooja room, prayed and then sit for breakfast and leave to work. My oath was to wake at 7am and do all of the above and not go to work. The first day after retirement was bliss. I was happy after the farewell they gave me in my office.

I was staring at the morning paper and smiling as I read through the cartoon section. These characters made me laugh everyday. My mornings always started with them. With little time every morning before leaving to work, I never paid much attention to these comic strips. Now I sit down with the paper after breakfast and read through them. Sometimes in the evenings when there is nothing to watch on TV, I read through them again and smile. Some of these comic strips make me laugh.

I was getting used to my schedule now. I would finish reading the paper and then I would water some potted plants on my balcony. Then I would finish lunch and take a long afternoon nap. I would wake and have tea and then walk my dog for 2 hours. Fudge liked these 2 hours. He would walk with me in style. I knew I was old. But my evening walks was my time to show off my track pants and sunglasses. My daughter in law got them for me when she went to Hawaii. Fudge wore his super strap collar with his name engraved on a silver dollar. He didn't walk like a normal dog after he left the house gates. His walk always changed to a little trot and a stylish one. Fudge was 5 years old.

I was done with my morning paper. I walked to my to get my hat. I used it to escape the sun while I watered the plants. I wore the hat and walked out with the bucket and mug. I usually cleaned the pots when they had old leaves in them. I threw away the old leaves and just when I was about to enter the house I heard a car horn. I turned to see a Grey Civic enter the lane. I stood to see who it could be. Our house was the only one in that lane. The nearby plots were all empty. Any visitor had to be our visitor. I watched as a man in a white dhothi and white shirt enter with his wife. They were both in their mid forties I assumed. They smiled and me and said Namaste. I smiled back and did the same by joining my two hands.

I assumed they were my son's friends so I called out for my daughter in law. Sathya came to the door and welcomed them inside. I walked back to the room to get rid of my hat. I loved it when we had visitors. I had people to talk to. After retirement I spoke to my son, my daughter in law and my grand kids. It was usual daily stuff. When we had visitors people asked me about my retired life and I liked the attention. I walked towards them and seated myself on the sofa. The two of them stood up as I sat and then seated themselves.

Meanwhile Sathya had inquired who they were. They had come to ask my grand daughter's hand in marriage to their son. I was overjoyed. I realized at that moment how old Preethi was and smiled to myself. The man introduced himself and his wife. He told me about their family business and what his son was doing. He handed over his son's horoscope. Matching horoscopes are an important part of South Indian marriages. Sathya asked me to accept it and then received it from my hands. They spoke to me for a long time. Sathya kept the horoscope in the pooja room and prayed and came back to the hall. She offered sintoor to the lady.

They told me how they had heard about Preethi and where they had seen her. After having tea and some snacks they left. I sat on the sofa thinking for a while. I then smiled to myself about how time had flown so quickly. It felt like yesterday when Sathya was carrying Preethi her first born and bringing her inside the house. I remember how I had blessed her as a baby with hundred rupees. Sathya came back to the hall after she sent them off. She spoke to me about their family and then said she would go to the astrologer with my son in two days. I prayed that very instant that Preethi have the best in her life.


After sometime Sathya called me for lunch. I sat at the table and waited for my son to come home. We all had lunch together. We spoke nothing. I had a feeling everyone at the table was thinking how quickly Preethi had grown up.


After my afternoon nap I walked to the hall to find no one. Sathya had left a note for me. It said that she and my son had left to the astrologer and there was tea on the stove. It also said she would pack dinner from outside for tonight. Sathya was always protective about me. I knew to make tea but she made it a point I go through no trouble every time she wasn't home by tea time. She was literally my daughter ever since she married my son.

I heated my tea and sat by the lawn and watched the setting sun. They came back at around 730pm. I waited near the door as he parked the car. Sathya came towards me and told me that the horoscopes had matched. I was overjoyed. I thanked God and walked to the pooja room. Sathya offered me some sweet.

The next three weeks were sheer celebration. There were ceremonies for the families to meet. There was a private dinner party in the house. Preethi had quit her job and was back home. The house was lit up always. It was a very happy month for everyone. Preethi had grown up so much in my eyes in that one month. She usually pressed my feet at the end of the day and spoke to me for an hour or so. Now she was with me throughout the day. We shared our morning paper. She would read the comic strip out and laugh with me. We watched TV together. She cooked different dishes from her cooking class and feed me. My usual answer was 'Amazing' not because it was but because it was her!

The day finally came. The whole family had left to the marriage hall to spend the night there. It was early morning muhurtham. I stayed back at home. Sathya had arranged for a driver for me and some other people who were staying over at home that night. I woke early for Preethi's big day. I woke at 330am. I had a quick shower. I prayed and waited for the others to get ready. I was wearing a new silk dhothi and shirt that Sathya, my son and Preethi picked out for me. I got into the car and we were on our way.

As we crossed the temple at the end of the road, I prayed for a moment. I thought of those days when Preethi was a little girl and we would walk to this temple every Friday. She would hold my hand and never let go. She would get the sintoor from the pujari without standing in line and bring for me as well. With her I never had to stand in line. I thought of the days when we both had sat on the steps of this very temple and had coconut prashad. I smiled at how quickly days had gone by and in a few minutes we were at the marriage hall.


I assumed Sathya was busy getting Preethi ready. The rest of the immediate family was at the reception. I joined them to welcome the guests. I heard Sathya's voice. I saw her talking to a few guests. I called out to her to tell her I had arrived. She walked towards me and told me to get some coffee before the muhurtham. I asked her if Preethi was ready. She said Preethi would be ready in a while. I walked to the dining hall where they served coffee. I spoke to a few guests and walked back to the reception. My friends from my work place had all just arrived. I was having a nice time with them. Family from different places had come clad in their best. They all spoke to me about my retirement. This day couldn't get any better.

It was almost time for the muhurtham. All of us from the reception walked inside the hall. I went straight to the first row to find myself a seat. I watched as the pujari and groom sat by the agni and chanted mantras. I heard a little hustle around and I saw everyone craning their necks towards the flight of stairs. I tried to catch a glimpse and I saw Preethi in her wedding attire accompanied by her friends. She was in a gorgeous red saree and clad with jewelry. She was looking prettier than ever. She had her head down and she walked towards the stage. As she sat near the groom I smiled at her and waved. Preethi looked and me and smiled a shy smile back. I remembered the very smile a few years back. She had worn a saree for the first time. She came walking to my room in an uncomfortable limp to show me what she was wearing. She was trying her mother's saree for her farewell in school.

I smiled to myself. I looked up to see she was smiling back. She had an impish look in her face. I called it her 'Preethi look.' When she knew she was up to something, she had that look. I grinned at her. After a lot of mantras, the pujari signaled for them to stand up. The complete hall stood up along with them and threw the flower petals as the groom tied the knot around Preethi's neck. I could see very little with all the photographers hiding the main stage.

In another five minutes the couple walked towards me and fell on my feet for blessings. I blessed them and hugged the two. Preethi hugged me back and pinched my cheeks the Preethi way. We shared a laughter. A laughter we shared every morning with the cartoon strip. A laughter we shared with every grandpa story of mine. A laughter we shared while the TV rambled. A laughter we shared at the table. A laughter we shared while trimming the lawn. A laughter we shared while she misspelled a word in scrabble. A laughter we shared on the temple steps while eating coconut. A laughter we shared while she taught me how to use the internet. A laughter we shared as we both grew as grand father and grand daughter.

I watched her walk to other guests to get their blessings. I smiled with pride at my grand daughter.