See you soon..

On Sunday, 21st September, I received a sms stating that my friend's, Ashutosh, also my colleague, mother had passed away. She had been battling a fatal disease for sometime now and this was the day when the fight was over.

I was unable to make it to his place on the same day, but was there following day with the rest of my colleagues. Upon entering his house we found his father sitting on a mat with several relatives. He invited us all in and exhibited no trace of sorrow or anguish. We were briefed on the happenings of the past few months up to the time of the tragedy. Ashutosh's father then showed us a family album. Amidst all this, Ashutosh, who had gone to select a frame for his mothers picture called me and instructed all of us to leave the house and wait for him near the entrance of the building. Reason? His father, a heart patient, was advised not to talk too much.

Two things struck me at once. First, Ashutosh, instead of being at home and mourning the loss, was up and performing his duties. And second, he was fully aware of his father’s condition and had the presence of mind to call and instruct us about what we should be doing.

Following his orders, we went out of the house, towards the gate and waited for him. Ashutosh arrived shortly and met us. Of all the things he said, that which I will never forget is -

"On Saturday, I had my mother. On Sunday all I have is a memory."

Makes me wonder about the things we really need to look forward to and cherish.

[This post is dedicated to Ashutosh and the courage he displayed in testing times.]

Mike is dead.

This is one of my favourite jokes - 

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Two guys meet up in a bar. The first one asks, "Did your hear the news - Mike is dead??!!!" 

"Woah, what the hell happened to him?" 

"Well he was on his way over to my house the other day and when he arrived outside the house he didn't brake properly and boom - He hit the curb, the car flipped over and he crashed through the sunroof - Went flying through the air and smashed through my upstairs bedroom window." 

"What a horrible way to die!" 

"No no, he survived that, that didn't kill him at all. So, he's landed in my upstairs bedroom and he's all covered in broken glass on the floor. Then, he spots the big old antique wardrobe we have in the room and reaches up for the handle to try to pull himself up. He's just dragging himself up when bang, this massive wardrobe comes crashing down on top of him, crushing him and breaking most of his bones." 

"What a way to go, that's terrible!" 

"No no, that didn't kill him he survived that. He managed to get the wardrobe off him and crawls out onto the landing, he tries to pull himself up on the banister but under his weight, the banister breaks and he goes falling down on to the first floor. In mid air, all the broken banister poles spin and fall on him, pinning him to the floor, sticking right through him." 

"Now that is the most unfortunate way to go!" 

"No no, that didn't kill him, he even survived that. So he's on the downstairs landing, just beside the kitchen. He crawls in to the kitchen, tries to pull himself up on the stove, but reached for a big pot of boiling hot water, whoosh, the whole thing came down on him and burned most of his skin off him." 

"Man, what a way to go!" 

"No no, he survived that, he survived that! He's lying on the ground, covered in boiling water and he spots the phone and tries to pull himself up, to call for help, but instead he grabs the light switch and pulls the whole thing off the wall and the water and electricity didn't mix and so he got electrocuted, wallop, 10,000 volts shot through him." 

"Now that is one awful way to go!" 

"No no, he survived that..." 

"Hold on now, just how the hell did he die?" 

"I shot him!" 

"You shot him? What the hell did you shoot him for?" 

"He was wrecking my house."

Spices (or why I sould carry loose change)

The last working Friday of every month is a, sort of a, holiday in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. 

All the shops and businesses are closed except for medical facilities and dairies. A very funny thing indeed. And irritating too for me, since I don't cook at home and depend on the hotels for my meals.

This time I decided to linger around in the office till dinnertime, dine at Vashi, and then go home. At around 7.00pm Xavier, my former team lead, came up to me and inquired why was I staying back late in the office? I told him and he laughed and invited me to Sonia, his regular mess.

Me and Xavier share a good relationship: as good as a team lead and a team member share. So, I made him wait for another hour and at around 8.00pm we headed for Sonia. I was looking forward to a lot of "purotha", "double anda-curry", "ommelette", "cabbage sabzi" and a sprite, all being my favourites. This mess is close to the place I had stayed earlier and is closer to a classy joint, Spices. I had lived for almost 2 years right opposite to Spices but had never been there. As we passed, I told this to Xavier. He was probably waiting for an opportunity not to go to Sonia and and immediately said that we should then go to Spices. I was a bit reluctant, since it was the end of the month and I was low on cash. (my month end status begins roughly on the 13th of every month). He sensed my plight and said that the dinner would be on him. I was thrilled since I had always wanted to check this place out. 

There's valet parking (even for motorbikes) at Spices and I was feeling pretty "elite" (I had only Rs.400 on me at that time, but who cares?). We requested for a table near the window and got one. The usual stuff followed: Vodka for Xavier and a Virgin Mango Bellini for me. Chilly paneer was our starter and when it came to the main course, I decided to take the best. I ordered a mushroom sizzler for me and a lamb-sizzler for Xavier. He deserved the best, since he was paying for the meal. The sizzlers arrived after 15 minutes and we were the center of attention for about 2 minutes until the sizzle died down. I was unable to finish my dish but did not ask for the leftovers to be packed. However, Xavier did justice to the lamb.

While Xavier asked for the bill, I looked outside and saw the valet re-parking my motorcycle. I thought I should tip him and decided that Rs.5 would be enough. I dug into my wallet and found that I did not have the exact change. I thought of asking Xavier but- here's the scene.
I make Xavier wait for an hour in the office until it’s "my" dinnertime.
I jump on the suggestion that we dine at a pricey place.
The dinner is on him.
I order overpriced dishes for us. (again, since he is paying!).
And now, I want him to tip the valet also, for my motorcycle!! (no one said there's a limit on being cheap!)

Well, I could have never lived with this and I tell him that the bill is going to be split. He is surprised and refuses at first, but I am adamant and he finally agrees. So we split the bill and then I ask him for the change to tip the valet.

I could not believe this happened.