It's all about the Bike

On my way home from work a week ago, I saw a four or five year old kid on the pillion of a Bajaj Chetak. She was hugging her Dad around the waist, face turned towards us, eyes shut tight. Really cute. Instantly an image flashed across my mind- S with a little girl behind him on his bike. Im quite sure I wasn't simply being mushy with the thought; it took me to the familiar Fiero and the times when a day wasn't complete without a ride on it. That bike holds so much meaning for me. If there's a symbol for us, its the bike! The first time he pulled my hand into his. The first time he betrayed how he really felt. The bike lessons. The early morning breakfast dates at Mayfair. The excursions to Nandankanan... Memories of a lifetime!

Mr. Armstrong I beg to differ- it may not be about your bike, but its all about ours!

Coffee and Conversations

Well, what can I say? Its been a mix of both- loads of work and a rich collage of experiences. These are memories I would have loved to write about but havent had time to get my comp fixed and therefore blog. Theres a thing about memories- with the passage of time you remember the feelings which went with those memories but tend to forget little details like who made what face and the din of the coffee shop and the little patch of spilt cold coffee on the triangular table... but you immortalize them by putting them down in writing. So I shall blog about today and save the events of the last two months for later. LIFO :D

I was relaxing at a Barista outlet with a few close friends today and the conversation had turned from a Luxury cruise to Port Blair to honeymooning in Cairo. Everyone had a suggestion about my august destination in November ;-) so we were not really surprised when the respectable looking middle aged gentleman sitting alone at the table next to ours chipped in. He'd overheard our conversation and seemed to be one of those people who love travelling and exploring new places. His recommendation- Minsk (Belarus); too bad that the place will be snowed in around November. When I told him that, he had more suggestions and the four at our table and he were totally engaged in the conversation. Why am I blogging about this? Because this was one of those movie-like situations where an absolute stranger engages you so completely that you forget about the time a-la "Before Sunset"! Doubtless an intrepid traveller, he was a fantastic raconteur too and all of us were enthralled with his descriptions of places he's been to. We could've sat there till much later, but I had already told a friend that I would have dinner at her place and it was nearly 9 PM so all of us took leave rather reluctantly; I was perfectly happy leaving him with a genuine smile and friendly wave without exchanging names or cards but M went over to shake hands and now we know who he is. A bloody VP with a well known firm. And we were talking and arguing like old chums. Eek. But what a cliche!