Pushkar being a frequent traveller and taxi fares making my purse lighter, I decided to try my luck in getting a driving licence. In Dubai, getting a driving licence is akin to getting first day first show tickets to Aamir Khan’s movies. Herculean!!!!! Pushkar got his licence on his 5th attempt (he has been driving since 15 years and owns a Saudi licence). So, that’s how difficult it is get a licence here.
Anyway, story of struggle for licence aside, what I actually wanna tell u is…I failed my first Road test and I squarely attribute my failure to the bad coaching I was given by the old Grumpy instructor. The invigilator, who assessed my driving test, had listed 13 faults that I had made. No safe distance between vehicles, does not maintain speed during lane changing, does not follow road signs… are the few from the list. Now, for me to be eligible for the second test I am required to take 8 more classes. Today was my first day with a new instructor and I was hoping with my fingers crossed that I get a good, patient, and a calm person.. Until I drove with him for a couple of kms, I thought, crossing fingers works, for he seemed a right instructor.
I halted for the red signal (u see, I know so much, Y did I fail?) and was distracted by a European couple in the taxi next to us. They seemed to be looking at us and laughing in their sleeves. I thought, its just a figment of my imagination and ignored them. The curious me, looked at them again, they still were looking at us and laughing. I raised myself to look into the mirror but failed to see reasons for the giggle. Looked at my dress, wondering if I had worn it inside out. That wasn’t the reason either; threads were well concealed .Checked in the rear view mirrors if I was within my lane. Was also wondering if they had seen me drive and thought I was a formidable danger to the fellow humans on road. I felt mortified by their unceasing laughter. The windows of both the cars were closed, so, asked them with a lip sync in an animated version, “What is it?
The lady reciprocated in handspeaks, asking me to take a look at my instructor. I turned to him and Lo! He was dozing away in the comfort of my driving. I vowed hence, to refrain my smooth driving skills and give the instructor a bumpy ride.
EVERY PERSON IS A LEARNING.....
LEKHANA (my niece): only after this darling in my life have I learnt to ask questions. Her questions are so witty and incessant. I have discovered that if I had asked questions like her when my age was like her’s, I wouldn’t seek Google’s help today to give convincing answers to her questions. I can sell my soul for her.
ANURADHA (my sis): A Simply Superb Simple Selfless person ever. She is like our very own Santa clause, who gives you so much and never asks/expects anything in return. I am introduced to the “unparalleled Pleasure” that is attained when you are of some support to somebody. Thanks to you Radha.
DEEPA MOHAN: Never invades anybody's personal life. Utterly unlike the nosy women. This, I think is an important trait everybody should practice. Am Practicing it.
NEELA: Cleanliness personified!! Anytime of the day, her room is kept squeaky clean. I learnt to keep my cupboard clean from her.
ANJALI IYENGAR: She made me realize how important it is, to make a person feel important on their B’days, just by wishing ‘em. She keeps the closest tab on the B’days of all her near and dear ones. Hey Anjali, Thanks for making me feel so important every year for 11 years now.
MAMTHA SHETTY: Worships Laughter. I laugh the most with her. Be it a physical pain or mental disdain, she is always there to tickle you with her sense of humour. I have learnt to be available for ppl when they need me the most.
SUPRIYA KHURANA: Penny wise, Pound wiser. She believes in spending wisely. I believe in believing her.
KOKILA MALLIKARJUN: Learnt the lesson of being organized from dear Kokila. The simple trick that she follows is, she jots a to-do list and ticks them off as and when it is done. This works wonders for me.
SMITHA PADIYAR: She lives today like there is no tomorrow. Very practical, with mind, really broad. Am preparing to practice her perspective of life.
Cant wait to learn more from more...
ANURADHA (my sis): A Simply Superb Simple Selfless person ever. She is like our very own Santa clause, who gives you so much and never asks/expects anything in return. I am introduced to the “unparalleled Pleasure” that is attained when you are of some support to somebody. Thanks to you Radha.
DEEPA MOHAN: Never invades anybody's personal life. Utterly unlike the nosy women. This, I think is an important trait everybody should practice. Am Practicing it.
NEELA: Cleanliness personified!! Anytime of the day, her room is kept squeaky clean. I learnt to keep my cupboard clean from her.
ANJALI IYENGAR: She made me realize how important it is, to make a person feel important on their B’days, just by wishing ‘em. She keeps the closest tab on the B’days of all her near and dear ones. Hey Anjali, Thanks for making me feel so important every year for 11 years now.
MAMTHA SHETTY: Worships Laughter. I laugh the most with her. Be it a physical pain or mental disdain, she is always there to tickle you with her sense of humour. I have learnt to be available for ppl when they need me the most.
SUPRIYA KHURANA: Penny wise, Pound wiser. She believes in spending wisely. I believe in believing her.
KOKILA MALLIKARJUN: Learnt the lesson of being organized from dear Kokila. The simple trick that she follows is, she jots a to-do list and ticks them off as and when it is done. This works wonders for me.
SMITHA PADIYAR: She lives today like there is no tomorrow. Very practical, with mind, really broad. Am preparing to practice her perspective of life.
Cant wait to learn more from more...
ALMOST WITHOUT A PASSPORT
The destination after Amsterdam was the Hustle-Bustle Brussels. The inception of my trip in Brussels was full of excitement and frustration. All my way to Brussels, Pushkar and I kept hurling ideas about adding a novelty factor to the trip….and we almost surpassed our endeavour in doing so.
Reached Brussels station at 3ish after a few beautiful hours on track. The station was massive-mall like with shopping centres, bouquet stores, restaurants, food joints and thieves.
Just before we could exit from the station, Pushkar decided to grab some grub from one of the joints. I stood outside the joint with folded hands and the two strolleys by my side. I placed Pushkar's laptop bag on one of the strolleys. Let it suffice to say that this bag had both our passports.
When my wait was just about to get boring, a thug came from nowhere, burgled the laptopbag and my boredum. He quickly picked the bag, and on a count of 2 winks, he started to run with it. I winked no more and ran after him, hollering…catch him!!!, catch him!!!
Brussels being cold, I was loaded with wool. Believe it! I was wearing two pairs of socks. With all the wool enhancing my weight, I could barely run as fast as the thick skinned thug.
Did I Give up??? No ways, I ran floors after floors, jostled my way wobbling and panting, just to get my hand on the thug's collar first and then on my bag.
The bystanders witnessed the chase with least intention of any action from 'em.
There was only one young guy who dared an attempt to run a few steps with me, but those steps remained a few.
When I was about to take the stairs which the thug took, I saw two cops at the other end of the stair case standing there with my laptop bag. My ecstasy at that moment cannot be explained adequately.
I shook hands with the cops, but couldn’t thank them enough. And let me not forget to mention …, those cops were handsome twosome with brawn and enviable heights.
I sat on the stairs, held my bag tight, took a deep breath and even before I could sigh for relief, I realized that I had abandoned the other two strolleys.
Held my sigh and ran back to the food joint. Pushkar was waiting with the strolleys, and was guessing that I may be hiding behind one of the pillars waiting to ambush him, which I usually do. But, no sooner he saw me with a face so deprived of verve; he wiped the smile off his face and sensed that something went wrong with me.
Slurring and gasping, I narrated the incident.
He patted my back, curled me into his arms and said “well done baby"
Reached Brussels station at 3ish after a few beautiful hours on track. The station was massive-mall like with shopping centres, bouquet stores, restaurants, food joints and thieves.
Just before we could exit from the station, Pushkar decided to grab some grub from one of the joints. I stood outside the joint with folded hands and the two strolleys by my side. I placed Pushkar's laptop bag on one of the strolleys. Let it suffice to say that this bag had both our passports.
When my wait was just about to get boring, a thug came from nowhere, burgled the laptopbag and my boredum. He quickly picked the bag, and on a count of 2 winks, he started to run with it. I winked no more and ran after him, hollering…catch him!!!, catch him!!!
Brussels being cold, I was loaded with wool. Believe it! I was wearing two pairs of socks. With all the wool enhancing my weight, I could barely run as fast as the thick skinned thug.
Did I Give up??? No ways, I ran floors after floors, jostled my way wobbling and panting, just to get my hand on the thug's collar first and then on my bag.
The bystanders witnessed the chase with least intention of any action from 'em.
There was only one young guy who dared an attempt to run a few steps with me, but those steps remained a few.
When I was about to take the stairs which the thug took, I saw two cops at the other end of the stair case standing there with my laptop bag. My ecstasy at that moment cannot be explained adequately.
I shook hands with the cops, but couldn’t thank them enough. And let me not forget to mention …, those cops were handsome twosome with brawn and enviable heights.
I sat on the stairs, held my bag tight, took a deep breath and even before I could sigh for relief, I realized that I had abandoned the other two strolleys.
Held my sigh and ran back to the food joint. Pushkar was waiting with the strolleys, and was guessing that I may be hiding behind one of the pillars waiting to ambush him, which I usually do. But, no sooner he saw me with a face so deprived of verve; he wiped the smile off his face and sensed that something went wrong with me.
Slurring and gasping, I narrated the incident.
He patted my back, curled me into his arms and said “well done baby"
IF I HAD MY DRUTHERS....
I would leave to my hometown now, organise a re-union with my friends who are as thick as theives with me, laugh with 'em and let 'em laugh.
I would pack a backpack, with some essentials, go on a hike into the wild.
I would hire a Sexy yatch, Sail till i get Sick in Sea.
I would sing and dance in rain, with least inhibitions while thousands of pairs of eyes witness my madness.
I would sit by a Serene Sea, Strictly during dusk, with Bob Marley singing his reggae of my choice. And White wine (Domaine De Pellehaut) adding more life to the already living evening.
Am so sure, by doing these things, i would pamper my soul and massage my ego.
But...in reality the design of life is such that, you are chained lose enough to dream these seemingly achievable sources of joy, but tied tight enough, just to dream 'em.
I still dream of realizing these dreams...
I would pack a backpack, with some essentials, go on a hike into the wild.
I would hire a Sexy yatch, Sail till i get Sick in Sea.
I would sing and dance in rain, with least inhibitions while thousands of pairs of eyes witness my madness.
I would sit by a Serene Sea, Strictly during dusk, with Bob Marley singing his reggae of my choice. And White wine (Domaine De Pellehaut) adding more life to the already living evening.
Am so sure, by doing these things, i would pamper my soul and massage my ego.
But...in reality the design of life is such that, you are chained lose enough to dream these seemingly achievable sources of joy, but tied tight enough, just to dream 'em.
I still dream of realizing these dreams...
FEAR OF BETRAYAL
My "Today" being so Beautiful...
How i wish, I could hold back the clock,
Never letting it strike the "unknown Tomorrow"
I can face any storm dauntlessly, But...with you beside me.
God Forbid!! what if, our roles in this cosmic drama of life changed?
While I remain me and storm is what you turn to be.
How i wish, I could hold back the clock,
Never letting it strike the "unknown Tomorrow"
I can face any storm dauntlessly, But...with you beside me.
God Forbid!! what if, our roles in this cosmic drama of life changed?
While I remain me and storm is what you turn to be.
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