Of Threads & Bonds

So now I get some of it, not all. There were times, when they made me run till I wouldn't run out of breath. Watch that terribly scary movie, while I screamed and clawed their hands so that I wouldn't fear the other demons I'd meet in real lives, or was that just for kicks? Make fun of me and tease till I would get angry (which wasn't too difficult) and beat them up, and they still wouldn't stop, so all the teasing by random losers didn't even make a mark. 

They are shamelessly possessive, terribly kind , incredibly crazy and hilarious to the point of being ridiculous, wait a minute, they are!

Brothers. The best characters in my life.

There hasn't been a moment in my life that hasn't been influenced by one of them and at times all. We grew up together, we watched each other rise and fall, make it big in our lives, celebrate each others accomplishments; whether it was climbing the first mango tree together or graduating with honors. They nursed me when I was unwell, bore all my tantrums, taught me a million lessons. The immense pride and regard that I have for them and everything that they do is inexplicable. Role models, Superheroes, Knight in shining armor; they fit the bill for all of them, and more.

I have a million reasons to thank them but majorly for introducing to all the cool apparently "boys will be boys" talk. Ask me anything and not everything about computer configurations, football clubs, action movies and I will yap your ears off for hours together.

Not because it's Raksha Bandhan, or maybe it is because it makes me miss these guys more than ever. And despite distances, arguments or time, we are going to be this crazy bunch of old timers, listening to 90's bollywood tracks, chasing dogs on the road, driving a beaten up old car and laughing till we couldn't breath.

This is Mumbai

Runs day in and out

A maze of towers and shanties stand tall

Tracks and trails weaving in and out

Dusty highways and forlorn by-lanes

This is Mumbai.

A rush everywhere, but nowhere to go

Seeing people everyday, never meeting any

Begging for some time but none to give

A flurry of hurried footsteps everywhere

This is Mumbai



Rains that fail to cease

Enchanted by rivers and creeks

Waits for none but pleases some

Makes it murkier, but hey

This is Mumbai


Fall in love with it

Embrace it for what it is

Fast. 

Enchanting.

Crazed.

This is Mumbai.

Lessons from my friends

All my life, of all the things that have come and gone by, most of which I can't remember but what i do remember is always having a friend by my side. Right from kindergarten up until now, the only difference between then and now is , back then I had 1, yes just 1 friend ,she was this cute adorable oddball like me,still is!! And now, I have a bunch of crazies, who claim to own me and call themselves my friends (well i do too.. we agreed to complete ownership rights of each other!!)

As a kid, I was extremely shy,reserved and I only did talk to my family and friend (yes, just the 1), as the years passed by I realized that "other people", aren't that bad after all.. they are in fact quite nice (well most of 'em). I inferred that my friend seemed to get along well with them and the fact that she didn't get eaten up also seemed to help somehow.

Lesson 1: People are nice, Talk to 'em.. Just talk!

Cut to college, I met specimens (still talking about friends). I say this because these guys had to be custom made for me (and me for them). They had and still do have, the ability to make me laugh while I cry, kick my ass while I sit, make me dance and call me Micheal (yeah.. Jackson.. who else?), come up with the most ridiculous and hilarious plans which always seem like a good thing to so. Yes, my friends are closet magicians  ,indeed I am truly blessed!

Lesson 2: Love and trust the people who love and trust you. 
And Don't panic if a dog starts walking behind you, but if it starts running, you better do too ..panicking and running!!

So i continued with my education, bless my parents for having faith in the grey matter of my brain. This time around, when I say crazy i really mean it!! They sneaked around and taught me how to.. drove people nuts and taught me,this now failing art.. eliminated my residual sanity and branded me a complete and certified crazy. They never failed to make my day by just being in it.
Lesson 3: It's never too early to start having a good time, 
if you decide you are not good enough, ask the people who believe in you more than you do in yourself. 
And ..always... have an alibi for your last night's whereabouts.. always!!

I went to school and then college and then some more, most of which I can't remember. But what I do remember is.. the school band I joined because of my friend and found the love for the most beautiful thing in the world: music. Overcoming my inhibitions and fears. Laughing.. a lot!! Making everyday a day to look forward to.. living it...loving it!! 
I could do all of it or rather I can't imagine doing any of it, if it weren't for my friends. They say classroom is the best place to gain knowledge. Agreed. They say life is a great teacher,you learn as you grow. Agreed. But I have to add, friends teach you the biggest lessons ,no school teaches or no teacher can read from a book. You just need to find the right "educators".

Lessons from my friends, 3 and counting.... Now available in Spanish too;))