An afraid night @ Bangalore

Lady attacked at ATM counter in the morning; a guy got robbed in the mid night; these kinds of news are familiar for a Bangalorian. But it bothered me when my friend became a victim. He got robbed last week in the Garden city of India.

            A Year back we heard similar news happened in other cities. Now it is in our city and then to our friends/ relatives. Yes! the day is not so far when you and I will be a part of the news. All these news leads to an unsecure Bangalore. After all we don’t know who is good, who is bad. If you are alone you should worry about yourself.

This is my experience about the journey in a mid night

A Sudden wake up from my sleep; I was sitting in the window seat of a bus, Some Kannada Movie was playing; I just looked outside through the window. I could see the Reliance Jewelers – Yes, it’s near to our office! We are about to reach; my watch showed 1 am.

            We went to Ooty for an adventure trip; we started last Friday night, after 2 joyful days we are back in Bangalore. Now we are in the same place where we started our journey before 48 hours.  

I got down with my wet jacket and a small bag- filled with my cloths drenched in rain. All the members in bus followed me to office. It is Sunday night; ohhh! Sorry Monday morning, there were no cabs. Most of them had kept their vehicle in the office before we left, some among us who didn’t have vehicle managed to get lift from them. I had to go to Indiranagar and no one in our team had to come my way. As time passed, count of people came down.

I saw an Auto parked in front of the gate, I went towards it, the Auto driver was in a Black jacket, the cigarette in his hand was about to die. I asked him for the fare to Indiranagar, he said “200Rs”’ – this is more than double of actual fair – still I agreed to go because I wanted to reach home soon, somehow.

I came back to rest of the people who were planning to go; Ramanitharan – My colleague [we call him Ramani] told me that going alone in Auto is really risky in midnight- But I didn’t have another choice. So I told him there is nothing to worry and left the place, wishing happy journey and sweet dreams to everyone.

I and my auto driver started the journey – The words which Ramani told me were still running in my mind. So I closely watched each movement of Driver as well as the route. We entered Sent mark road, now comes Anil Kumble Circle signal where we need to take a right [or that was the only way I know].

            Unfortunately the same thing happened, of what I was worried in last few minutes. He took the auto straight towards the darkness. I was losing my breath, felt my story is going to end–I was in a trap, didn't know what to do; “if I keep my mouth shut next day I will be breaking NEWS for Bangalore Mirror”. I felt like jumping out of the auto, I held my jacket tightly. At last I broke my silence and shouted to the Auto driver.

“Bayya ye kyahai ? , Indiranagar ko right Jana Padegena ? ….” – with my half boiled Hindi I expressed my fear.

He replied: “Wo , One way hai, yeseethajasaktha..”

“Nahi, mujhe malum hai, vo route men hi janapadegaaaa …”I told him by leading my finger towards my road – My voice broke somewhere in the middle of the conversation which showed how scared I was.

I couldn’t see the road in front of me; it was really dark. He took a 'U' turn from next junction and came back to that way I told him. And we continued the journey towards Indiranagar.

           I was still afraid, didn’t know what he had planned for me, my trust on him had lost. Lots of stories which I heard from my friends came in to my mind. Each crowd beside the road we passed felt like people who are waiting to trap me. Whenever he applied breaks and while going through the lonely places made me feel like he was going to apply his plan on me.

            I wanted to call someone and talk something, to make myself comfortable. But in that midnight no one would be there to pick my call. I just wanted to ask him something about his family to reduce my tension, but my voice stuck somewhere in my throat.

            After Halsoor Metro Station- the station just before Indiranagar, he took his mobile and called someone, now we are just 1 km far from my Home. But still he can do something. That moment I took my mobile and called my roommate and told him that I am about to reach.

          

 I told the auto driver to turn right and go straight, I didn’t feel to keep the auto driver wait at least for a second, so I took money from my pocket. Now we were near my Home, I told him to stop the vehicle, I got down from the Auto and gave the money and said Thanks and walked away from him.

While walking to Home I was thinking about the Auto driver, is he a good person? Till this moment I don’t know, probably the answer is yes. The half hour I spend inside the Auto was horrible. We can’t trust even those people who smiles to us. The city has turned like that.

            I wrote this story because I reached safely, or in other words I escaped from a trap. This is not just a fear of an individual. Everyone who is alone in the city may face similar situations. I don’t want to blame anyone, but wanted this city to be safe like our home.

മണം

ഇന്നലെ പെട്ടന്നൊരു മഴ പെയ്തപ്പോളാണ്, ആ മണ്ണിന്റെ മണം എന്റെ മൂക്കിലേക്ക് അടിച്ച കയറിയത് , അത് ഒര്മപെടുത്തിയത് ഒന്നാം ക്ലാസ്സില്‍ കണ്ടന്‍ ട്രൌസര്‍ ഇട്ടു പോയ എന്നെ ആണ്.
അതെ ഓരോ മണവും നമുക്ക് ഓരോ ഓര്‍മകളാണ് ,
കുട്ടിക്കൂറ പൌഡര്‍ എന്റെ മനസിലേക്ക് അവളുടെ ഓര്‍മ്മകള്‍ കുത്തി നിറച്ചപ്പോള്‍, എന്റെ പ്രിയ സുഹൃത്തിനു ലൈഫ് ബോയ്‌ സോപിന്റെ മണമായിരുന്നു. ചന്ദന തിരിയുടെ മണം എപ്പോളും മരണത്തിന്റെ ഒര്മാപെടുത്തലാണ്.

അതെ ജീവിതം കുറെ മണങ്ങള്‍ മാത്രം ആണ് , ബേബി പൌടെറില്‍ തുടങ്ങി ചന്ദന തിരിയില്‍ അവസാനിക്കുന്ന കുറെ നല്ല മണങ്ങള്‍....

First Slap With Care ...

At the end of my 6^th standard we had shifted to new house, Yes to my dream home [while sitting with my mom , I usually say that I feel this home still like a dream – While writing this story also I am feeling the same , Yes that was my BIG Dream]. My house - one side is road and rest of the sides covered with Parkland. So in rainy seasons my home will be covered by water except road side. Lots of children come and catch fish from that water, but I was not allowed to play with them. I had only permitted to saw from my veranda.

I had been studying in 7^th standard; to complete my 7^th standard I forced to stay with Grandma [where I stayed till my 6^th standard ], in every week I had two days holiday to spend with my own family so I like Fridays. Those weekends were remembered by smile of Friday and tear of Sunday. It’s enough, let us come to the story.

That was mid of July, a drizzling Saturday - first day of my weekend holiday. I had seen that some of my friends were catching fish. They called me to join I also interested and looked into mother’s eyes, she toss her head with no sign. Time went off, all my friends enjoyed a lot and went for lunch. I was still looking at the pond – I had enough freedom even though I felt a cage of Love.

Again I went to mom to ask permission, but she was too busy in Kitchen, time was around 12:45 pm. My mind was in a mood to play, I really had an eager to play like my friends had. After a lot of thoughts, I just decided to play in the pond, my estimated time slot was 10 minutes, after 15 minutes at any moment my father might reach – He had been a Beedi worker and he usually come for lunch at home. As per my plan mom never going to saw me from kitchen and she was already busy in kitchen.

As per my plan I would not going caught and the last chance was spy work of my sister but she was not there to do it today. So it was the most relevant time for me.

I closed all loop holes and started playing in pond, while touching water with right leg, I felt like a parrot which flew from the cage – it was awesome, really no word to explain. I could see some small fishes were swimming in water. I wanted to catch them, I would never get a chance like this, I put my leg into water and splashed it but missed!!.  I had seen my friends were using the same trick to catch fish. I keep on trying, but all fishes were too intelligent, they went in the deep of the water .The water weren't settled by my play, I waited some more time to settle the water.

Now I had only one aim in my mind, I wanted to catch a fish and prove myself in front of me [coz it was a secret operation, did u forget ? :P]. I put my leg with extreme care in the water and tried again. Yes, I saw a fish flying with splashed water. I took my eyes from the water, but my eyes were ended at a white dhoti which wet by my splash. Oh My God that was my Father!!

He came and slap on my leg, I didn’t know why I worn trouser on that day – to get that direct slap to my leg? I felt sad – that slap was not that much painful to made me cry, but father was in angry; but that made me uncomfortable. He took me to the home by pulling by ears my eyes were became red and filled with tears, but it wasn't rolled out - that made my vision unclear. I couldn't accept the reality, rather than my father’s slap I was confused on the failure of my master plan.

I forgot about the slap, there was only one thought were running in mind my mission failure – Yes, it was extremely planned, then what happened?. When we enter into to our home – My father’s one hand was still on my ear, I looked towards clock through the gap of his wings and hand. OMG! It was 1.20 pm – how? As per my plan I should be here in my home, but I was being hanged on father's hand. How did it happen? – Is clock ran too fast – might be, I looked into father’s watch by leading my head a little forward, oh there was also – While sitting simply this clock moves slowly but While playing it covers half an hour within 10 minutes. Still my plan was good, clock played – that thought made me comfortable :).

I realized that father was watching my mission at least last 15 minutes. So I didn’t have any word to utter. I heard lot of advise by putting my head down. I didn’t know from where this much tear came in my eyes, it begin to rolled out. Mom saw that and hugged me and said “Its OK, don’t repeat this.” – I managed to wipe my tear in her Sari. But still I confused on the tear, did it really come of  slap or mission failure ? .

                We all sat together to had Lunch. I was looking at my plate, I didn’t have enough courage to look him. I looked at the clock, it was moving too slowly – I felt it was too tired after a long run and taking rest. I finished my lunch and escaped quickly from his eyes.

                I slept a little to came out from all bad memories  lost of mission , slap from father – I really felt angry on my father – not because he slapped because I didn’t see the fish which I caught first time in my Life. Fish ow ?, did that jump into pond again?  Lots of thoughts came into to my mind.

                At that evening father came with a box, as like many children my favorite was also ice cream– in my life till that day I ate ice cream less than 5 times. I really afraid to go near to him, didn’t know what was going to happen now. This would be a continuation of afternoon? so I sat on the upstairs father kept that box on the table, Mom took that and led towards me, I didn’t mind she opened the box there was a ball ice cream, she gave that to me and rub on my forehead. While eating that with lots of joy mom murmured “After that slap, your father felt more pain than you.”

                At that moment I looked at him. That time I felt guilty on myself I was the reason for all these situation. I ran and sat on his lap and gave a spoon of ice cream and a kissed him ..

 

ഒരു ശരി

                    ബസ്സിലെ ജനൽ കമ്പിയിൽ തലയിടിച്ചാണ് ഞാൻ ഉറക്കം ഉണർന്നത് ,
അതെ ഇന്ന് Sep 12 ശനിയാഴ്ച ഞാൻ നാട്ടിലേക്ക് വരുകയാണ്. ഇന്നാണ് ചെകവേര്സിന്റെ ഓണക്കോടി വിതരണം.
                   അതെ നീണ്ട പേരുകളുള്ള ഒരു കൂട്ടം ആൾകാർ ; സമിത്തിനെ ആര്ക്കും അറിയില്ല എന്നാൽ Samith  C Valsalan എല്ലാവര്ക്കും സുപരിചിതൻ ആണ് , അങ്ങനെ facebook  ന്റെ ലോകത്ത് ജീവിക്കുന്ന ഒരുകൂട്ടം നല്ല മനുഷ്യരുടെ കൂട്ടായ്മ അതാണ് കണ്ണൂര് ചെകവേർസ് ; ഞാൻ എങ്ങനെ ഇവിടെ എത്തി എന്ന കഥ പിന്നെ പറയാം .
                   ഓട്ടമത്സരത്തിൽ ആമയോട്  തോല്ക്കാൻ മത്സരിക്കും പോലെ എൻറെ ബസ്‌ ഇഴഞ്ഞു നീങ്ങി കൊണ്ടിരുന്നു ,എൻറെ ബസ്‌ സ്ടോപിൽ ബസ്‌ എത്തുമ്പോൾ സമയം 10 മണി ; ഒരു ബാംഗ്ലൂർ കാരന്റെ പത്രാസോടെ ചെവിയിൽ  earphone  ഉം - അല്ലേൽ വേണ്ട എന്നെ വിവരിച്ചാൽ കഥ ബോർ ആവും - അപ്പൊ ഞാൻ ബസ്‌ ഇറങ്ങി വീട്ടിൽ എത്തി കേട്ടോ .
                   അമ്മയുടെ സ്നേഹപ്രകടനത്തിനും അനിയത്തിയുടെ പരിഭവത്തിനും  ശേഷം ഞാൻ വേഗം അഴീക്കൊടെക്ക് പുറപ്പെട്ടു.അപ്പോളും എന്റെ മനസ്സിൽ കുറെ പേരുകൾ  മാറി മുഖങ്ങലാവാൻ പോകുന്നു അല്ലെങ്കിൽ സുഹുര്തുക്കൾ ആകാൻ പോകുന്നു എന്നതായിരുന്നു .
                  2 ബസ്‌  ഒരു ഓട്ടോ , അങ്ങനെ ഒരുവിധം ഞാൻ ആ അമ്മമാരുടെ സദനത്തിൽ എത്തി ചേര്ന്നു, അവിടെ എനിക്കായി ഒരു കൂട്ടം ചേകവന്മാർ കാത്തിരിക്കുന്നുണ്ടായിരുന്നു [പേരെഴുതിയാൽ തികയില്ല ; പണ്ടാരോ പറഞ്ഞപോലെ എല്ലാര്ക്കും ബല്യ ബല്യ പേരപ്പാ !!]
ഒനിച്ചൊരു ഊണ് ; A/C കാബിനു പുറത്തേക്ക്  ശരിക്കും ജീവിതം മനസിലാക്കിയ ഒത്തിരി നല്ല നിമിഷങ്ങൾ ;ഒരേ കഥ പറയുന്ന കണ്ണുകളുമായി ഒത്തിരി അമ്മമാർ
                   തിരക്ക് പിടിച്ച ജീവിതത്തിൽ നിന്നും അടർത്തിയെടുത്ത  ഇത്തിരി നിമിഷങ്ങൾ  ആയിരുന്നു എല്ലാവര്ക്കും ; ഓര്മപുസ്തകത്തിൽ സൂക്ഷിക്കാൻ ഒരു group  photo ; Gokul Ramesh [Sorry ഗോകുൽ - ഇനി അങ്ങനെ വിളിക്കാം പേരുകൾ  നന്നേ ചെറുതായിരിക്കുന്നു - ബന്ധങ്ങൾ വലുതും ] ന്റെ ബൈകിന്റെ പിറകിൽ  വീട്ടിലേക്ക് വരുമ്പോൾ മനസ് നിറഞ്ഞിരുന്നു - കുറെ തെറ്റുകള്കിടയിൽ ഒരു ശരി ചെയ്തത്കൊണ്ടോ? - ഇന്റർനെറ്റ്‌ കണ്ണികൾക്ക് അപ്പുറത്തേക്ക് സൗഹൃദം വളര്നത്തിന്റെ  സന്തോഷമോ ? .............
 സ്നേഹിക്കാനും സ്നേഹിക്കപെടാനും ഈ ലോകത്ത് നീയും ഞാനും അറിയാതെ ഒത്തിരിപേർ കാത്തിരിക്കുന്നുണ്ടെന്ന തിരിച്ചറിവ് ;

A Rain which wet My Life with Love !!

   It was a rainy morning of September - Bangalore was frozen with rain and cold, I was standing at the balcony of my friend’s room with a black tea – which was prepared by my friend, I had came here to spend my holidays with him – I had been doing my post MBA course near Electronics city. My friend was staying alone at Indira Nagar.

          While enjoying the rain I saw an umbrella was coming out from the car porch of my opposite building. That was a girl – I could see her foots with beautiful sandals, she wore a sari, but I was unable to see her face because of that umbrella – I was really enjoying the rain but now I wanted to stop it – to see her face. I tried my level best to see her face, but I only saw her long beautiful hair-which roll in a different model; from that moment I was thinking about the girl and began to dream. I didn’t know when tea, sorry black tea in my cup got finished; from that moment I became too busy person over my thoughts.

Almost all time I spend at balcony to see her, but I didn’t know when she had gone inside her home. I shared my grief with my friend and he suggested me to stay with him to find her. But that was not feasible for me – I wanted to attend my classes. At last I decided to spend my holidays with him.

Days went off almost 3 months I spend in Indira Nagar to find her, I felt that she vacated from the hostel or she was not coming out of the hostel since from that day. I really disappointed to stay in Indira Nagar - Where my unknown beauty Lives or may lived. The trust I kept on love is not there with me.

Dec 20, I was sitting in my friend’s bakery – the same day I was leaving Bangalore for my Christmas vocation. While thinking about journey and family, one girl came and asked my friend about the order which she placed through call for her birthday. He replied that it would take 30 more minutes to ready. I glanced at her– I was thinking of my long haired Beauty– whom had stolen my heart. She turned back to her room, that very wonderful moment I saw the hair which I was searching since last 3 months yes it was her.I stuck for a moment and recalled the moment – I recall the words she had said to my friend, yes she called him – I took his mobile and find her number in received list.I wrote a Birthday wish to her, there was no reply for few minutes, and it was hard to wait– I felt clock was too lazy to run. I had typed one more message that reveals my entire story related to her but her reply was a call, she inquired about me; at end of the call she told that she wasn't interested in love but we can be friends. I didn’t have other choice because I wanted to be with her– my role was not a matter I wanted to be with her that’s it.

I went to home with extreme happy; I didn’t feel to stay there for those days, I wanted to go back to her. I called her number many time in between these days and after five days I came back to my favorite Bangalore.

Days passed like anything - we tied with a knot of friendship. I was sure that I was still in love with her, but more than my love I wanted to make her comfortable so I tried to be her good friend.

It was mid of February; the month of love. She called me and told she wanted to take a photo to apply for an interview; I accompanied her because I also wanted to take my photo – or I made such a reason to be with her.

While walking towards the studio we discussed about my marriage, I simply asked her what is her opinion about a proposal which came for me. I expected a little bit of sadness on her eyes, but she was as usual and suggested me that the proposal was match for me.

We had taken the photo.While coming out from the studio room, we were too close and she was just in front of me. I asked her “Let me say yes to my Family?” She looked into my eyes and answered yes and left the me. I tried to catch her hand I missed it but I got her hair-the real reason for my attraction. I pulled her towards me, she lost her balance and managed to comfort on my chest- I wanted to roll a camera around us to capture the most beautiful moment. She looked into my eyes those beautiful eyes told what I wished to hear. She was really romantic on that moment, on the next moment she ran with a mousiness smile.

I paid bill in studio and went to drink a coffee with her at Cafe Coffee Day. She was really shy and she couldn't look into my eyes too, I felt she was really uncomfortable. I was thinking about that wonderful moment which had happened in between us.

While drinking my coffee I asked her “Will u marry me?”

She was kissing her Cup to enjoy her Coffee, she looked at me with a stunned face.-It was a rude look which remembers our first meeting, some part of coffee was still on her lips. She looked into my eyes and smiled at me and again kissed her coffee cup...

With my Dream Girl !!!!

It was a cloudy evening of a nice Wednesday; I was sitting in my living room and drafting a mail. I was really getting bored to sat like this, but my friends were had gone for job – I came for two days leave which was only granted in Karnataka.

                I took my mobile; there was a message from my dear

“Wt r u doing my dearrrrrr?” – It came 5 minutes before; I was too late to reply

“Here smply sitting my swt <3, let us @ beach?”  - We were not so far from each home, but we never planned a meeting like this.

             I Turned off my Laptop, still my inbox was waiting for a reply –Yes, it came “dear is getting ready :) ”

I changed my dress – black jeans and light blue T-shirt. while leaving my mom inquired about it, with a naughty smile I replied that to meet her Daughter-in-law. She laughed at me and told me to convey her regards.

                Beach is hardly 500 meter from my home and for her too, but to meet each other we may have to walk a little bit through the beach. our homes were located two ends of the beach. “Started…<3 ;)” – Message blinked on my screen.                I walked towards beach with lots of memories which made me to fall again and again on her. With lots of memories of my dear I reached the beach.Once I reach there I dialed her number, a childhood photo of her flashed on screen; I feel to kiss that cute baby. She took my call and answered me that she was started walking from other end. 
                I can see a white frock; yes it was my angel. I felt a little bit fear but the trust she kept in me gave me enough power. She was too close to me, I didn’t know what courage made her to come for me. I held her hand – My each finger filled the gap of her fingers.

                She is really cute, and the ever beautiful and my most favorite behaviors of her were childishness and talkativeness. She lean her head on my shoulder and we walked slowly by leaving our foot prints in the beach. We felt Asia’s largest driving beach is too short for us to walk together.                  While walking in the calm and quite beach- May be because of the week day the beach was really empty, I pull her towards me and murmured to her ears “I am feeling to lie on your lap”. She clutched my hand tightly and looked in to my eyes with a naughty smile.

                We walked towards a bench which was placed in the corner of the park. I lay on her lap, I was so happy – she kept on talking about each incident which happened today morning.I was holding her hands close to my chest. While looking at her eyes I noticed her beautiful lips which attracts me deeply, light pink lipsticks gave more beauty to her lips, Love is blind but now her lover is deaf, I was only looking at her lips ,I didn’t know what was happening in the rest of the world.                 There was a fight happening in my mind, to kiss her – My romantic mind needed that but my real mind which deal with the reality was really opposing it. There was enough excuses in each side – but men is always men and it happened.                 I overcome the circumstances and break her conversation which I didn't listen last few minutes, the breeze which came through those trees gave a romantic mood. I asked her permission “Let me taste your Lipstick?” I shifted my eyes from her lips to eyes, her eyes talk more than her lips.From her closed mouth, she shows her teeth slowly. ohh its a smile :) but suddenly she pushes me from her lap with a timid face, I didn't expect such an attack from her, I fell from the bench my forehead hit on the ground.                 I was still on the ground waiting for her apologize, but there was a pin drop silent, my eyes were closed I waited few more minutes. And slowly opened my eyes and looked towards her, but I couldn’t see her and even that bench too, in front of my eyes there was a cot with bed spreads which fall to a white tiled floor.