Monday, May 09, 2005

Intersections

We had been badgering L for a treat, primarily because nobody had anything better to do. L decided to graciously oblige on Friday (he called it the `treat for unknown reasons') and invited all of us for dinner at Andhra Pradesh Bhawan. The usual delays happened while M got her kids ready, and V asked P (her husband) whether they are joining in the treat or not, who in turn asked V again the same thing. Everyone included, there were nine of us and the kids. A half an hour drive got us to A.P. Bhawan, where we had our Rs.50-all-you-can-eat thalis. There was dal, rice, chappatis, halwa, two vegetable dishes, curd and some of us also ordered some chicken dishes (which of course cost extra).

I started eating with a spoon, and soon spotted L merrily delving into heaps of rice with his hand. He gave me a knowing smile and said `Do you use a spoon at home?' I do not, and I saw the point. I was with friends. I could act like myself (carving out chicken pieces with a knife n fork is so "not-me"). I looked around, everybody - even V's cute little daughter, shared my world and made it that little bit more special. As S enlightened everybody with his theory of super compression, I saw the candour and gay abandon with which everyone behaved. We all waited until V finished the last morsel of food on her plate, as she has a strict no-food-goes-waste policy. After which, battling bits of chicken stuck between my teeth, I followed my friends on walk under the stars to the India Gate. Ice cream from one of the numerous ice cream carts parked all around India Gate was the cherry on this cake of an evening.

Saturday morning had me running around with Dad, trying to get this and that done, when B called, asking if I was free to join him for a trip to Gurgaon. Engrossed in the call, I locked my car keys inside the car, which cost me an hour's round trip home, on bus and on foot, to fetch the duplicate keys. With all chores done, B picked me up from home and we reached Gurgaon in an hour. There we paid a visit to G. Amongst 14-20 story high-rises and very chick malls, Gurgaon seemed... different. G's home is on the seventh floor of one of these high-rises, whose top floor houses a couple of penthouses. I paid a visit to one of these, and I'll not say anything more about that.

After wandering around a mall with B and G for an hour, acting mostly like juvenile teenagers, I suddenly came to the conclusion I am blessed. B and G are my childhood buddies, from school. They probably knew my every surprise reaction to their every frivolous action, by now. Moreover, they too shared my world. I am sure the honour, and the good luck is all mine. For lunch, we gorged on Pizza Hut pizzas. Then I freaked out at a bookstore spending way too much money in proportion to what I earn, while, G spent like an hour buying cards from Archies for someone whose identity he refused to reveal! Then we headed back home.

At night, H called. H is a friend from college (a.k.a. UG days). Another friend of H needed some information, which I gave, after which H informed me that he is getting married on the 27th. Congrats! I must've shouted so loudly on the phone, H went mum for a good ten seconds. Guess he's practicing keeping his mouth shut. Another friend, another world.

At the end of all this, I formed this theory. I am the center of my world, as are my friends the centers of their worlds. Our worlds intersect. In doing so, we make each other's a bit more habitable. Their colours intertwine with mine to paint my days in the menagerie of chaotic hues, which form my life. It makes my existence less boring, more complicated and a lot more interesting. And for that I am thankful.

Oh... there is always room for more chaos in my life, so you are welcome to come and intersect my world!

20 comments:

  1. sigh.. youre so lucky to have childhood friends still around....double sigh....

    btw. am back in the web again.... guess am a sucker for dat spidey!

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  2. Honestly, you are so lucky to have such friends. I have friends, but our worlds don't intersect all that often :)

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  3. hmm ..come to think of it.. i feel like a fish out of water all the time..
    *bloop*

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  4. @grafx: aww ! Don't sigh. You have me for a friend, don't ya?

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  5. @sanjana: as you are of mine, and I am very glad about that !

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  6. @khushee: Oh.. i have friends who show up once in a blue moon. But what's that they say abt absence making the heart grow fonder... :)

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  7. @grafx: Want me to put a bucket of water over you? *SPLASH* or maybe I shud put you in a bucket of water instead? *PLONK*

    Errr... is the bucket too small?

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  8. Er, here everyone seems to go green with envy coz of the friends that u have but what struck me-was the fact that the food at A.P.Bhawan is reputed to b good & it doesnt pull at ur purse strings at all.

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  9. @starz: Oh yess! Very very true, and very very tasty. Doesn't pull dah purse strings at all. Esp. on sunday afternoon's when they serve some heavenly biryani !

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  10. Aah first rain… sweet lassi at dilli haat, nihari and paya at karim’s chandni chowk, chicken patties at the BCL, fantastic coffee at sapru house (you have to attend a conference for that), chachaji’s (?) at kamala nagar, chaat outside SRCC and outside UPSC, steamed momos, again dilli haat and what was the name of that damn place…one in CP, really old, known for their kebabs…………now I will keep thinking of food all day. you have ruined my day, thank you.

    Well I made goan prawn curry last night, so there.

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  11. @stiletto : Ohk... since you started it! Amazing flavoured milk at Keventer's (CP), lemon tarts at Wenger's (CP), Paranthe wali gali (Chandni Chowk), Sohanhalwa from Ghantewala (Chandni Chowk) ... oh..I give up! simply too many good things to continue this way :)

    Is any of that prawn curry left? Plz, plz say there is and invite me over. plz, plz, plz...

    *These foody thoughts are beginning to get addictive*

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  12. nice post there! :) makes one feel warm and nice!
    came from inky's...

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  13. @shub: Hi n welcome n glad you liked it !

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  14. " Their colours intertwine with mine to paint my days in the menagerie of chaotic hues, which form my life. It makes my existence less boring, more complicated and a lot more interesting."
    - poetry in prose?
    be careful else the chaos might become a cacophony!

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  15. *drags herself in and flumps down on FR's space*
    groaaaaaaaaaaan.. why is it SO HOT!

    i would give you a hug now but its too hot.and yes you are my friend.. you IS!!

    err.. yes the bucket is too big... my comfort come first you know ..*fluffs her hair and flutters her eyelashes*

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  16. @swathi: :) Cacophony... nah... I don't think people take me that seriously!

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  17. @grafx: ohh... shucks! Let me turn on the AC and then we can get on with the hugging part ;)

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  18. alright you.. get back to work NOW! ( whers that broom)

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  19. Am going, am going... don't get all worked up! (whers that hug?)

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