A Walk to Remember

I don’t even remember the last time when I went for a walk with my dad. Just like that. Just him and me. I. I felt happy walk with my dad this morning. I felt something very pleasant. Morning charm of Sunday added special exclusivity. Still slumbering households, vanished traffic, a few heads n mouths here and there, soothing rays and calm breeze…
I did not speak anything important. I didn’t want to or I did not know what to. I guess I was giving commentary on the loveliness of BTM Layout in Bangalore.. its parks, gardens, peaceful locale, broad roads, homely n townish crowd (all of which I discovered recently‼). A walk that came close to my mind in terms of setting was that of TB Dam’s when I was in 4th standard or probably younger.
Felt sad to see him weak and old. Wished I could read his mind completely and fix all that’s causing him discomfort. I wanted to tell him there is nothing he has to worry, about me or about life. I wanted to tell him that he was an ideal man…values, ethics, principles, ---personified. I wanted to tell sorry for all the hurts that I have caused him in my last 27 years. I wanted to assure him that everything will be alright and wanted to promise him that I will settle down very soon.
P.S: On a very different note, “Walk to Remember” is one of my favorite romantic movies

2009-2011: Last 18 Months

-My sister (Soumya) got married. Most happiest day of my family.
-Ravi, my cousin, got married. Another celebration!!
-Best friends, Krismo & Prasad successfully earned MBA degrees from international B schools, UK & Spain respectively. Proud to see them as international graduates\m/
-Ricci started earning and spending in dollars. He lives in American Malgudi, Wisconsin now
-I too achieved by MBA degree from a good B school in France.
-Travelled many countries and can say I saw 3 continents
-Spent an year with friends from 26 different countries : learning, unlearning, working, traveling, sharing, playing and achieving.
-Learnt cooking, managing a house and accomplishing anything, anywhere on this planet
-Did skiing, shark-diving and casino-ing (yes even in Monaco‼). Touched wild shark in the middle of sea
-Tasted some zillion types of alcohols..spirits, liquours, beverages, and all that fall in between them. Learnt a great deal about them.
-France was one of the best things that happened to me.
-Krismo and I left together left carbon-footprints on international skies from Dubai to Banaglore!!It was THE MOMENT too meet your friend in some other country and then fly together!!
-World has become a sweet place for now I have friends all across the globe
-Saw Mediterranean sea, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean. Liquid Magnetism!!!
-Experienced first snow-fall of my life
-Had never kissed so many girls/ladies in one year (Thanks for French way of greeting)..hence smelled so many exotic perfumes…doink doink
-Exposed to so many new thoughts, authors, concepts, musicians, companies, cultures, achievements and challenges.
-Spent lots and lots of money..till the last penny. Never imagined that I’d spend as much money in one year.
-Professionally and personally maturity was ruthless tested. My leanings, if evaluated are priceless
-Saw the darkest and weakest side of relationships and people.
-Put on lot of weight. Tone has gone for a toss, have become curvy‼!
-Met Nagashree; her plight still agonizes me.
-Prasad became CEO of a Spanish company for India
-Raj, atlast came to a place, where one ought to be—Bangalore
-Tried eking out in Hyd but got some job in B’lore..this company resembles my primary school..LOL, peanuts are better than penny-less, isn’t it..

My Penthouse

Sitting on the floor with my back reclining on to the sides of my chic low-level bed, I was enjoying the most romantic and soft light oozing through the very large windows of my new suave penthouse. Soaked in tranquility after the storm in whirl of life, disturbed only by cozy light coming from these windows, I am looking across the evening humanity and its lovely spread from this vantage point. Its a beautiful view of city lost in buildings and trees except the super tall aptmnts dotted here and there on the rim of horizon. I wanted to take an spacious, airy and naturally lit independent flat but staying in a penthouse is not bad too. It’s equally sexy place.

Looking at evening sky with light sprayed romantically, I cannot help think all these:

"I think I want some peace, rest and certainty. I will and want to be in India at least for another 6 months. I want to anchor in time and space for I am feeling as if I lost ground and have been running. It dawned upon me that I was really far away. I want to come back to societal plane. The society where my parents, friends, relatives, families (Real people) family values, ethics and life-enriching order still live. Where the meaning of love, friendship, willingness to sacrifice and go out of one's way still thrive. It might not be glittering or flashy but its million times more worth than Gold, it’s real and priceless.

Its in these relationships: father, mother, siblings, friends, son, daughter, wife, husband, neighbour..we find many tributaries of "purpose" "meaning" and "joy of life". (Of course there are many more too). Companionship, Trust, Loyalty, Sensitivity, Utmost value for relationship and compatibility (for god's sake, not to be read as having same likes or dislikes!!!) are quintessence of any meaningful and true relationship especially for marriage and friendship. I think all those come naturally when you choose to LOVE the person and respect life."

Finding this unbelievably beautiful penthouse in an unexpected locality of Bangalore rings the bells of serendipity.