A Trip to Bangalore

A TRIP TO BANGALORE

After the properties were shortlisted, I was set to visit Bangalore. It was a day or two only without Mansi here in Mumbai, but I felt overworked. For a lazy laggard like me who is averse to any kind of work. I had to heat the milk, manage maid, heating reheating the food till the supply gets exhausted. For the things I used to like to watch on TV when Mansi was with me, were appearing meaningless for that part of time. I was feeling so saturated. Even though she used to get irritated with cricket, new world order, patriotism videos. I had the freedom to watch and do as per my wish but still I was not feeling the joy. Sometime absence is felt more than presence.

Cometh the Friday and I was set to catch a connecting flight to Bangalore via Hyderabad. I was a tad ignorant of all the process to fly, but Mansi and Shruti were there to assist me as and when required. Around 6 pm I got a string of messages from Shruti asking if everything is all set, flight on time etc. I realized it 6:30 and it is time to leave the office. I reached home and finished the last round of veg biryani prepared by Mansi. I was elated that it got over finally.

Again, I was running short of loose money to give the security guard who was dutifully washing the bike with a smile of face. I assured him of giving the money later. I checked the wallet and found 5-6 bills of hundred rupees and one monster two thousand rupee note which is born to stay in wallet forever. My several attempts for a new guardian to him or shredding him into pieces proved futile always. He kept lying in my wallet and passing a grin. Even if I had wanted I could not do anything to him. I could hear a chant emanating from him “Hail Modi”. Auto was taken for airport. I reached airport at 8:45 PM. Mansi asked me to print the boarding pass. That further reduced the check-in time and I was gaping at the Spice Jet lounge figuring out how to pass time. Boredom invites other evils and this time I welcomed hunger. I thought I will not eat in airport as it was too expensive and worthless. But hunger prevailed over willpower and I ended up succumbing to the temptation and ordered rajma chawal. While eating I saw a board of SPA. There was once Buddha statue and dim lighting. Since only half an hour was left for the boarding. I though why not try in Hyderabad as it will be anyway cheaper than Mumbai.

I boarded the flight and was welcomed by red and black silhouettes. Ohh sorry they were airhostesses. But they were not at all looking at the passengers. They were looking somewhere else and I assume they were condescending seeing the desi passengers. There were some Muslim families who were so united that even during boarding pass check-in they were forming a rail between me and other passengers. I was contemplating; this is not a general bogey of some Bihar train that you will get lost. They maintained the unity. There were 2 ladies in hijab, one stout man holding a child and another lanky fellow shooting the video. It seems he was taking selfies with his nephew and constantly adoring him. Even I like to capture snaps from phone and I too like my niece. But that doesn’t make sense in a rational world to be a paparazzo for your own nephew/piece. Anyway, I had ample time to kill and I didn’t mind that. I was ambling towards my seat only to find a mob of overweight burqa clad and saree clad fat women chasing their seats. A fat skull cap clad man shouted at me to vacate the place for these fatties. I asked him where I should go explain. He was adamant. This time I strongly told him “What is the problem”. He murmured and went silent.

Sometimes we think we are the problem, our personality is the problem, our weight, height and what not is the problem and there is problem everything linked to us but others. We are taught to believe the world is perfect and as you sow as you reap works perfectly in real world. Only when you come out of your dreams in Alice in Wonderland the reality starts to sink in. When the stark reality is nobody I mean it, nobody cares about you or I should say give a damn about you. People are so self-absorbed in their encircled gallery of people and digital world that nothing matters to them. We are constantly contemplating about them. Anyway, let’s pack this boring philosophy in a wooden box and lock it and throw it on to the sea.

This was 3rd time. Yes, this was my third time taking a flight. First it was from Hyderabad to Bhubaneshwar way back in 2010. Second time it was last year from Mumbai to Delhi. But still I was unable to combat the flight anxiety. The mere idea of the plane leaving the runway and going airborne kept me in distress. The sound of engine commenced, the wheels started rolling, rolling and kept rolling. I closed my eyes. I started mumbling all the mantras I was aware of. Maha mrityunjaya or Gayatri what not. After 10 minutes I could still hear the wheels rolling. Now curiosity took over fear and I was wondering how long are we going to be in land? Are we taking the terrestrial route instead of aerial route? Why the fuck did I pay for this. Now the plane was still, like a dumb bird still perching on place where she just ate the food. She is totally unaware that after the food is given you need to fly.

After a rest of 10-15 min, the plane finally started, wheels started rolling, the friction with the ground could be easily heard. That friction sound kept me happy if the plane was not leaving the ground. The ritual of reciting mantras resumed and this time I didn’t stop till I stopped feeling the sound of friction. Finally, the plane was airborne. I was relaxed. I went into a nap and within a span of 5 min heard the announcement “We will be landing shortly at RGIA”. While we were airborne, were we time travelling? I felt strong sensation in my ears. I had to wait for the flight to land and find an open area. Upon reaching the airport, I pressed by my nose from both the sides and blew the wind from my ears. Now I was fine and was able to hear well. The temporary deafness was gone. It was still 12:30. I had to catch the flight at 6:20 AM.

There was full 6 hours of time to pass and no place to sleep. I reached the departures in no time and moved toward the spice jet. The lady on the other side told me I cannot check in before 3 hours. I retreated slowly and moved towards the sitting area or waiting area. In the big screen they were showing the highlights of the test series between India and Australia where Kohli’s men defeated the Kangaroos 2-1. Beside me a person was sleeping. From the looks he was looking a mason or peasant to me. No amount of passenger’s squeals or cacophonous announcements could break his sleep. He was a man of steely grit and firm determination to sleep in the airport no matter what the universe plans to deride him. It was a kind of “over my dead body” battle with universe. I was wondering if I had that kind of determination I would have been either a data scientist or published writer or an ISB graduate. Well let’s keep the failures aside for some time.

I settled myself into the airport. I had some water from the difficult tap of airport where you must beat the gravity to pour the water into your mouth. I was trying to sleep. Suddenly I saw a plethora of people waiting at the railing of airport just in front of the bench where I was sitting. I wiped my eyes and arranged myself not to miss some celebrity passing through. I waited for some time, normal people were coming with their baggage on trolleys. After an hour of watching this activity I yawned and asked a person sitting nearby.

Me: Are there some celebrities coming, that people are flocking here?

He: Our kids are coming from abroad. Haven’t you read the newspaper?

For a second, I was thinking was that reply in a sarcastic way or he meant it? Or there was a third possibility that Indian government was rescuing Hyderabadi people stuck in gulf countries and bring them to their native place like they show in Airlift. I moved on from that and ignore the guy. Watching the cricket highlights was a better way to kill time. Finally, the clock ticked 3:30. I stomped upon the accelerator and reached the boarding gate. The baggage check and security check were done. All the formalities were over, and 2.5 hours were there between and the flight to Bangalore. I started exploring the possibility of finishing morning abolitions in the airport and bathing in spa to save the time in Bangalore.

I started hunting. With a little bit of effort, I found O2spa. I had been to O2 spa earlier. It was a decent spa. But it starts at 4:30 -5 am. Anyway, it was inside the boarding gate campus. So, I passed the time somehow till 3:30 and then entered the spice jet terminal board no 28 had O2spa I waited for 1 hour and placed a call no one picked.

Then at 4:40 I saw some people enquiring I too joined the commotion. I checked the price it was expensive, but I thought I can at least peacefully sleep for 45 min and bath and freshen up which can reduce the time wastage in Bangalore. The counter person had “bhoori aakhnein” and I suspected him of a cheat or he might waste my time. So, I asked is the spa ready? He asked me to show the boarding pass. I said 5:50 I must reach anyhow. He motioned me to wait for 5-10 min. I waited, and this time went he told me sir aap 5:30 bhi start karoge to flight pakad loge (Even if you start at 5:30AM you will be able to catch the flight). I scorned the receptionist and rudely rejected the therapy and left the place. I had to catch my flight. After half an hour I got the message. Thank you for visiting O2 Spa. Your Bill No: GHIAL50690 Bill Amount: 2754.00. Share your valuable feedback at https://www.o2spa.org/feedback/. I thought WTF. Later I got a call from their customer care; would I like to have any massage. I explained the scene and disconnected. In a flash I checked my account. Thank fully all the accounts were safe and there was no deduction. I felt relieved. If I had given up to the counter person wishes. I would have missed the flight then I realized whenever I do something without telling Mansi always something bad happens. Thank God the inner voice prevailed.

I boarded the flight to Bangalore. This time I was ready to combat the flight anxiety. It was a one of a kind experience to sit in a 2X2 airplane. I was getting a feel of orange travels. This time no butterflies were there in the stomach, things went painlessly. Plane landed at 7:40 AM at Kempe Gowda International Airport. I was stinking like a dog. I straightaway went to the washroom, adjusted myself and had water again from the difficult tap. As expected Tata Docomo network ditches always at the right time. Some things never change. Like when you are in a bad mood and there is “lauki ki sabzi” at home or when there is a dire need of communication and there is no network.

Shruti had dutifully given me the bus details. I checked bus number 7 and it had to depart at 8:45PM. It was still 8PM. I took the ticket for 7A which would drop me at Water tank Koramangala. I boarded the bus and encountered some strange calculation from the bus conductors there. The counter person asked 245 rupees from me and told me to give Re 1 to the bus conductor. Why didn’t he ask Rs 246 directly? I thought of asking him, but laziness prevailed again.

I sat obediently in the bus and gave the conductor Re1 and told him to inform me when Forum Mall will come. I could not understand much at which place the bus was stopping. I could recognize Cubban Park, Shantinagar bus stand. I was eagerly waiting for the Water tank. To add to the confusion but consequently for my convenience Shruti asked me to stop at Forum mall. After every 10 min I was irritating the bus conductor about Forum Mall. He patiently told me I would be informed upon arrival. Thankfully the passenger beside also had to drop at Forum Mall. After some time, the stop came, and I was standing at the back side of the mall. I called Shruti and she was at the mall, but at the other side. She understood the situation in time and we met in no time.

Amidst the printed head scarf and loose white top and jeans I saw her bespectacled eyes sneaking out of the scarf. We took the auto and Shruti showcased her bargaining skills. I was offered Mysore Pak, banana and water at once. I was overwhelmed at that time and chose water. We reached Shruti’s place at 9:30 AM I guess. She had already made the breakfast by her cook. The vermicelli was delicious. We had breakfast and next course of action was to checkin at Oyo and take out the rented activa.

But it was 10:00AM only by then. As a perfect host she offered me water on a steel glass. I was about to drink it but my glanced went towards the strand of her hair dipped half in the glass and half touching her hand. I was about to burst into laughter but knowing Shruti I controlled it. She promptly changed the water and glass. I wanted to chat with Shruti more as I relish these one on one interactions with a person as this gives so much to learn about their character, their thinking, their approach to life, their life style and what not. But time was not permitting that, and I had a big task in hand. I had to cover 7 properties in a day and the properties spread across a region 40-50KM. In Hyderabad or Pune this distance would not scare anybody but the sight of Bangalore traffic in mind compelled me to proceed further.

But in those 30-45 minutes, I had realized that I have a strict taskmaster with me and even if I would be exhausted before finishing the list she would make sure I visit all the properties. Even in a 5 foot-ish stout frame, her gait was personifying audacity and confidence. We visited the Oyo and I showed my booking. The receptionist thought we were a couple and asked us to show our identity cards. I had to intervene and make sure that she is not staying with me. She is a good friend and stays nearby.

I asked her to see the room and the room was spectacular for meager 1400 per day price. She left the place and I started getting ready. I was fully ready for the Mission 2BHK by 11:30. I was about to call her, but she was already there at the gateway of Oyo. We reached the basement where we were supposed to get the active. The wheelstreet guy showed us the activa and asked us to check for any issues. He asked me to submit the deposit of Rs 500 and an original ID proof. Just to take a chance I gave him the colored photocopy of the Aadhar card and the gullible took it happily.

PROPERTY VISITS:

Since we got the activa, we discussed a small plan. First Kasavahanhalli would be covered, then Bellandur and finally Electronic City. I had created a table as per the priority. But on reaching Bangalore Concorde Tech Turf got added and Holiday Apartment was removed. So, we had to alter our plan and had to spend more time in Kasavahanalli, Bellandur and Sarjapur. Aqua project was selected first and Shruti was fast to put the location on map and we started. On the course, Shruti showed me the erstwhile beautiful Agara lake and the muddy track at the perimeter of the lake forming a square. Shruti explained how she runs to reach this place which is more than 2 Km from her place and then runs 4-5

laps of the muddy train and then go back running. Finally, I understood how her timings are better than me. The discipline and the place to run were working together to make her go faster in a 10KM run and made her better her personal best in each run. That could be one of the reasons, but I suppose the bigger motivation would be to take a proud selfie with Captain Vyom.

We had a tabulated list handy for our reference to fasten the task of property visits.

We started with Aqua. Luckily Asif called us before we call him. I drove the activa and Shruti was acting as a perfect navigator. We rode through the outer ring road and moved towards Sarjapur road. As expected the hot weather started taking a toll on us we stopped by for a hydration break at a coconut water shop. Shruti insisted to pay. I was surprised to find the coconut water at meager Rs 15. The ever quick Shruti was in a different time zone during a hydration or eating break. She made no hurry instead offered me the malai (coconut meat). With some effort we tore it to half and gulped it down. By name Aqua seemed to be some majestic project with swimming pool, gym, boulevard of coconut trees, automatic Johnson lifts and shining high rise buildings. On the contrary we were welcomed with cloud of dusts and fog of cement dust. We went straight towards the marketing office. Asif didn’t waste much time and displayed the sample flat and an under construction flat to us. We were done with floor plan, cost sheet and project completion discussion in 15 minutes. Meanwhile Shruti already called the next in line and saved time.

Next was Srihari Residency in Bellandur. When I start riding the activa I found the brakes a bit loose. So, I was avoiding high speed. During our ride to Bellandur Shruti was insisting to increase the speed. I was a bit circumspect but was obeying her time to time. We reached the building and met Debashish the owner. He made it clear that he is not a Bengali but Oriya, I am still not sure what difference did it made. We entered the elevator and he was not able to see the floor number and asked us to press 3. Shruti promptly pressed 3 and we entered his flat. From the tenant’s lungi to the door to the wall everything was colored with orange. The flat had good wooden work and was yielding a rent of 18K without maintenance which I found to be a good deal. The tenant uncle was comfortable with his skin and stayed topless throughout. He made no effort to wear something in the upper body when a girl is there.

I took pictures from all the angle and left the saffron dhoti topless uncle. Debasis didn’t allow much to be discussed in the flat and proceeded toward the elevator. Again, he was confused to press G. We sat on a dilapidated three-seater sofa and discussed about the property. Meanwhile Debasis asked the guard to come up with 3 packets of butter milk. The butter milk sprang a new life in Shruti and she got a new energy. With a wave of ecstasy, she thanked Debashish for, no not a good flat but for the butter milk. We bade good bye to Debasis and proceeded towards Sairam Gardenia.

Again, Shruti showcased her excellent communication skills and talked to Sairam Gardenia flat owner. She put the location in map and we reached the location without much of fuss. The guard showed us the flat and we didn’t find the flat either interested or disgusting. It seemed we went to the place just to tick mark it. The weather was energy sapping and we planned to eat lunch after Mahaveer Orchid. Within an hour we finished Mahaveer Orchids too which was spectacular society with plush swimming pool, outdoor and indoor games, party hall and spacious flats. Only disadvantage being the flat was far from the main road and nearby market. Shruti captured a nice video of the flat. We were a bit tired by now and planned to take a pit stop at a restaurant.

EDEN HUT:

We left Mahaveer Orchids and started to move towards the outer ring road. On Sarjapur road we found Aqua. It was so disgusting to find two properties in a close vicinity and we still visited them in a space of 2 hours. It was a fault in our planning, but we could not have done any better. The lack of geographical knowledge of that area made us do that. Shruti knew a very good and inexpensive restaurant in Bellandur and we advanced towards it. The restaurant was Eden Hut. It had a V-shaped ceiling, modest quality of chairs and tables and setting of a low-key restaurant or dhaba. I scrolled through the menu and it was inexpensive. I was not aware about the specialties of the place. So, it was a consensus that Shruti would order. We were so exhausted that the bigger dilemma was to hydrate ourselves first or feed. We had butter milk and nimbu pani first. It was so soothing, and I could feel the icy lemon juice flowing through the throat, chest and towards the stomach freezing everything on the way. We had traditional Indian meal of ghee rice, dal, chapatti and palak paneer. When are you hungry and have a big appetite, everything tastes so delicious. But the food was scrumptious. The rice was too much for me. But Shruti managed to finish it. Bill time came, and I was expecting a fight. Shruti is extreme in care and fight, love and hate. To avoid any physical injury, I succumbed to her and allowed her to pay the bill.

DANGEROUS FLYOVER:

After the lunch I was feeling very drowsy and lethargic. May be the lack of sleep and heavy food was taking a toll on me. Shruti offered to ride the activa. Next stop was electronic city. From morning I was

riding and Shruti was following the maps. But by now her battery was drained and I had to use my cell. This was another reason why she had to drive as she was well verse with the roads. The adrenaline rush took on her and she was riding the activa like a horse. I was getting scared. We were zigzagging on the way to reach the electronic city flyover. Once Shruti took the flyover there were no limits to her happiness. She was full throttle on activa. During this time, she showed me many buildings like Infosys office, Infosys office and Infosys office. After that the wind was gushing into the ears and I could not clearly listen much. I was just nodding to whatever she was saying. We saw the gigantic Wipro’ and Infy’ castle like offices.

I called the Concorde guy and he asked us to move towards Wipro bus stop and go left on that road. Now it was a straight road. Wipro bus stop was on right. We took the wrong road and went some 5-6KM ahead. I called him again and this time Shruti took the initiative to understand the road. Well what he explained was amusing because we were already on the right path. Some more enjoyment with google maps and we reach tech turf builder at around 5:30 PM. If I had to write in a single sentence the builder made a mockery of us. First, he convinced me that I can get a 3BHK at a price of 2BHK. Then he showed me a flat which appreciated my budget by 10Lacs. Also, the bedrooms were tiny. We left the place. Two more properties were still left to see that day. We went to see Manya Hi Living. We cut through HCL road and took several sharp turns in a crowded colony. The place reminded me of Begumpet area in Hyderabad. We reached Manya the place reminded of Boy’s hostel. The flats were stacked in a row and the corridor reminded me of the brothel shown in Bajrangi Bhaijan. Shruti stressed that it’s not Manya Hi Living but Ma-nya Hi-Living. The same kind of setting was observed in Aqua too. The flats were stacked in such a way that when you are crying in your bedroom, the adjacent flat members can hear you weeping. We left the place with a smile on face and a no in our heart.

It was already 6:30 PM and it was getting darker. Considering the time and traffic we pushed HSR layout flat for tomorrow. The road till flyover was sparse and we vroomed to the flyover in no time.

SHRUTI ROCKS

As we entered the flyover the traffic increased gradually. In 15 minutes the flyover was packed, and we were crawling on the path. But Shruti was skillfully maneuvering the activa quite deftly in the jam-packed flyover. At least we were progressing and not stagnating. I again noticed her Infosys office and made an invisible bow from inside. It was more than 45 minutes and I could understand the tiredness in her hands. She was incessantly over taking big buses and jumbo cars. The constant maneuvering was taking a toll on her. On enquiring she told me she is experiencing some pain in the forearms. She still carried out with pain. The flyover was like a Mobius coil and it ceased to end and surprised me for its length. The vehicles were overtaking us in dangerous manner and I was worried about us. Cars and two wheelers are expected to overtake but for the first time I saw even the gigantic buses were overtaking each other in what seems to be a narrow flyover for their magnitude. After what seems eternity the flyover came to an end. Shruti managed to finish the dangerous flyover without a glitch. I offered her numerous times that let me drive but gave an ok signal every time and refused.

We desperately needed a hydration break and a stretch stop. The constant sitting on same place was blocking the fluency of blood flow. On that day what I was asking or even saying to Shruti she felt it was an obligation to agree to my demands. In the afternoon I asked her about Hatti Kappi and in the evening, I told her we should have Sugarcane juice. So, the first attack was on Sugarcane juice. Shruti started scanning the road for juice centers. We spotted 2-3 of them but all were closed. Not having the juice was not an option for her otherwise her hospitality would have compromised. We finally found a sugarcane juice center. She parked the activa and we were welcomed with an endless cloud of smoke. On asking the vendor told us there are lots of mosquitoes and he must take that measure. We thought the mosquitoes would be gone but we were wrong. I insisted on paying. This time I won for a change in the battle of Panipat. Strangely the mosquitoes went full force and attacked Shruti with full might but were not touching me. I had experienced the same with Mansi. The mosquitoes used to constantly bite her but always left me. Now the question arises are mosquitoes fond of beautiful girls? The day was not good for Shruti, first that ride on jam packed flyover and now the mosquitoes attack. I didn’t know what future beckoned for her that day. We were quick to gulp the juice and left.

I insisted Shruti that we should end the day and leave to our respective places. But how could the day finish without Hatti Kappi. She told me it’s only 2KM from here. Strangely everything is 2Km far for her.

We left juice center and when Shruti took the right turn a motorbike came screaming towards her with a screeching noise. Apparently, the right indicator given by her was too late for the biker. He spoke angry words to her. She managed to utter that she gave the signal. But the arrogant bangalorean wanted to continue it seems. We both convinced him that it was unintentional and ended the altercation. Stretching the fight in an unknown city is not a good thing. Fortunately, the feud didn’t last long. This was the biggest signal that I should have not missed. Shruti was clearly out of sorts and was tired like hell. I thought I should have shout at her and forcibly took the activa from her. If she was a boy I would have massaged her forearms or shoulder to alleviate some pain. But her certainly this was not an option.

After the rock n roll ride, we managed to reach Hatti Kappi. I immediately ordered 2 coffees for us. Shruti instantly refused. How I controlled my anger at that time only I know. I sipped the coffee alone like some menial task and we left the place. On the way Shruti showed some eating places to me and explained a bit about them. I could not grasp much but understood that she passionately and religiously visits restaurants, café and ice cream. When we were 2 km from her place, suddenly I felt some loss of balance and the activa stopped with a thud. It took me a while to realize the activa has crashed. I saw Shruti and activa lying on the road. I was about to panic and lose my cool. But luckily God send me some sense. First thing I did was to pull up Shruti from the ground. Simultaneously I was lifting the activa to make it stand. A person from behind came and helped us with the activa.

The activa collided with a bike and crushed its number plates. I didn’t see when the bike started and came directly in front of us and the time to react was too small and we collided with it. Unfortunately, the RTO office was nearby and without we notice he took the key of the activa. This is an old trick by policeman to harass people. In Mumbai generally, the auto drivers know how to tackle this harassment. They always carry an extra key and move ahead on their destination. I was still in shock what was happening. There was a happiness that Shruti was alright without a scratch of blood on her body. But at the same time, I was disappointed that we had committed the blunder. The policeman asked me to show the DL. I told she was driving. Shruti offered her license, he checked and returned. The policeman asked us to reimburse the damage to the bike. She gave Rs 300 to the biker. I asked the cop at least now give the key. He gave and a big accident which could have caused a big damage was replaced by a minor blip.

Shruti apologized profusely to me. This time it was obvious, and I took the activa from her and snatched the driving task from her. I am not sure what was going through her at that time. But I was certain her heart was pounding with pressure and tension for sure. She offered me to drop me at my Oyo, but I refused. I parked the activa at her place. She asked me that she can escort till the Oyo building and I obliged. For the first time I saw her silent and in tension. I could have given her mild side hug to calm her a bit but thought otherwise. It may not go well with anybody or at least her. We still had not that bond of friendship that we could comfort each other. At least I felt the same. With that an exhausting, eventful and happening day came to end.

In the room the accident was still roaming around in mind. The accident Shruti suffered in Malshej Ghat came back to haunt my mind. I was feeling very guilty at that time and the guilt came back again in a different face. This visit brought a new-found respect in me for Shruti. Anybody would love to have a friend like her. Earlier I used to think of her as some eccentric foodie who is a bestie of my sweetheart. But this visit brought an altogether new perspective on her personality. My respect for her went a notch higher. She left no stone unturned to make my stay comfortable in Bengaluru. From bringing banana, Mysore Pak and cool water to ease my body in the hot weather when I reached Forum mall from airport, to calling every property owners/agent and decreasing my workload for the day and then fulfilling my demands after a tiring day in the park. She was a perfect host and the best companion that day.

HSR, Lunch, Bye bye Bangalore

Next day I had the complimentary breakfast at Oyo. It was a day to visit single property at HSR layout. I coordinated with Govind and set a time of 11AM to reach the property. I checked out at Oyo and went to Shruti’s place. She booked the cab to NIFT college for me. I visited the property with Govind. It was a good area and the flat was affordable. I thanked Govind for dropping me near a point where I could easily get an auto for Koramangala. I took the auto and reached Sony signal from there I could locate and reach Shruti’s place without caller her. That was a big achievement for a geographically challenged person like me.

I explained her about my property visit. In purple full sleeve top and black shorts, she was looking like an innocent school girl. She had already prepared the delicious lunch for me. Meanwhile Mansi’s call came, and I briefed on the visit. Shruti served the lunch and we ate it with some chatter. No matter how much I eat, she always said I am a boy and I should eat more. When time flies we never know and it was the time to leave for Mumbai. I had a wonderful memory of the visit. With an ever-reducing family after I took the decision to spend rest of my life with Mansi, I found a new family member in Shruti.

After thanking her for a great hosting with a side hug I left her place. I caught the bus at Ayyappa temple. The memorable journey came to end. It was time to meet my sweet heart after a gap of 5 days what seemed to be eternity to me. This visit was very special to me. I got to know how much I miss Mansi when she is not around. Initially I thought after more than a year of marriage the inseparable bonding fades with time. But as it turned out, she became a habit to me. I missed her dearly many time during this visit. Another reason which made the visit memorable was Shruti. I feel who through her care, affection, being on toes all the times and for her big support throughout the trip made a big entry in our (Mansi and I) hearts. These kinds of visits made us more human and add beautiful strings of memories in our collection of Nostalgia and I hope these visits happen frequently in my life.

Aditya – The story teller