Hardwork

Rakesh,Somu and Vignesh were all dumbfounded.A pale of gloom surrounded the room.They were looking at each other's face and the words won't come out.

They could not believe what they saw.

This is not what they had expected.This had consumed days of effort.They had burnt the midnight oil for this.

They had done meticulous planning.Thrashing out all the variables that could lead to failure of the plan.They had thought about all the angles of failure as well to ensure that they were not blindsided.

Everything went well as per the plan.Untill this moment. Finally youngest of the lot Vignesh burst out crying "Oh My God!!! This can't happen to us.We put so much effort.They say Hard Work never fails.Then why this??".

With Somu just signalling Rakesh went upto Vignesh."Vignesh!!We understand your frustration.We too are disappointed.It happens.Lets take it as a learning to not take everything at face value".

And there lied scattered all the jewelery they had robbed which just turned out to be just high quality imitation. 

The Ukulele Girl

 I had just finished my official trip and after 5 days I was going back home.I was sitting in my seat in a small Bombardier aircraft with 2 seat on either side of the row.I normally wish for a interesting co- passenger,or a celebrity famous personality so that I can have some interesting conversation.But that very rarely happens either because of my reluctance or from the co-passenger.

Since I had boarded earlier I was sitting in my allotted seat which was a window seat.I was just peering into the outside and occasionally looking inside where others were boarding one by one and taking up their designated seats.Suddenly there was lot of giggles and bit of cheer and I saw 3 young Girls who looked like they just probably are in the first or second year of their college.As usual they were more cheerful than the older lot and that explained the laughter or giggles.

Out of the 3, 2 had already taken their seats and they all seemed to carry a Guitar or someinstrument.The 3rd girl kept moving towards the rear and finally came to my seat.I smiled at her and she smiled back.She had quite a few bags in her hand and one small instrument inside a case which looked the size of a violin.Upon seeing her struggle to place the luggage I said to her ' Hi! If it's ok for you , you can give me that instrument.I will hold it for you'. She replied ' Thanks a lot! That would be so helpful' and sat down after placing her baggage in the over head compartment.

 I then turned to her and said ' Quite a lot of luggage ha' . She replied ' Yeah. True.And since they were a bit delicate had to carry all'. Then we just introduced each other. She said she was a student of fashion design. 

Even though I don't play any instrument I always have been  interested in music and people who play instruments.

Then I slowly asked her ' I saw you and other Girls all have some instruments.Are you a Band or something ? '. She replied very honestly ' Oh no no.I am not part of any band but I just bought this to play for my own sake.My other 2 friends are better in terms of playing than me'. Then I asked further ' From the size of it looks like a violin.Is it??" To which she replied " No.Since it is in a case it looks like that.It is actually a Ukulele". I had no clue as I had never heard that name before.I told her "Honestly.I have never heard that name before".

"Oh yes many people have definitely seen this but then they don't know it's name.I am sure you will recollect when I explain" she said and I had no clue if I would be able to find out. Then she started explaining or rather describing " This is like a small sized guitar.You would have seen in many Tamil movies where the Hero plays.My father had shown me even in old movies Shivaji Ganesan plays in one of the songs" I could not recollect immediately but then had a faint idea.Trying to check if my guess was correct by quoting one of the old songs and she said yes that's the one.

Then probably she felt comfortable or may be still had trust with society she continued speaking " I just bought this Ukulele because it is easier for beginners to learn.Normally people start off with this and then move onto Guitar ". She went on to the tell how her parents are very friendly and how she convinced her father to get her one Ukulele suddenly one day and his father agreed to buy her one. She went on to describe how she was a darling of her father and how he encourages her to do what she wants.

The more she spoke , for some reason I was imagining as if I was having a conversation with a grown up future version of  my daughter (who was just 3 years old at that time).

Without even realising time had flown and we reached Chennai.I said it was wonderful chatting with her and she replied the same.

And i said Good Bye to the Future version of my daughter.

Back to the present

Listening to the songs in mobile I was just about to finish my morning walk.

I was just taking the last left that leads to street where my apartment is.I saw A young boy (teen rather) coming in a cycle the one with a  straight handle bar MTB type .He was wearing his in school uniform.Quickly it took my mind on a time travel and in a flash reminded about my school days.

When I was just relishing the thought of my school days and memories the young boy from apartment smile at me and said "Good Morning Uncle"

Within a flash was transported back to the present :)

P.S: Still wondering why is he going to school so early in a school uniform.

Wake me up??

We are about to hit the bed.

I called "Nithila! It's time to sleep.Come here kutty.".

"Ok Appa" she replies and comes and lies down next to me.

" Appa! Tomorrow you wake me up at 5 o clock itself".I just casuall nod.

"Appa I am serious.Wake me up tomorrow"

" Nithila Kutty! You have been saying this for almost a month now.But when I try to wake you up you just say tomorrow and again curl up and sleep" I tell her with a serious face.

" No Appa.This time I have an idea" she says.

" Nithila! Appa has tried many ideas.I tried to gently wake you up using your favorite song.I played loud music in TV.I even tried to gently shake you up" throwing my hands up " Nothing seems to work".

"No Appa I have an idea.Listen to this" and I try to cut her off " No Nithila.You listen to me.I have a new idea.The moment you wake say 54321 and jump out of the bed".

For a while she is silent allowing me to win then she says "Ok.Appa.Suppose if that also doesn't work,let's try my idea".

My kid is a child prodigy when it comes to art of negotiation and convincing."Ok Nithila tell me your idea" I tell her.

She starts speaking in a serious tone 

" Ok.See I am not waking up at that time because I am dreaming no." I am confused and reply "Ok So??".

"Appa.You should know my dream and then when you tell about the dream I will automatically wake up because of the interest".

I think to myself that's the most interesting and super natural idea almost like Inception movie.

I explain her " But Nithila it is your dream that comes in your sleep.How can I find what's happening on your dream da?It's not possible".

"Ayyo Appa.Wait. Now show me your head".She keeps her hand in my head trying to find what's inside my head.After a while she turns to me and says " Appa there is nothing in your head.You have no imagination"

I just could not stop myself from laughing.

" Yes Nithila Kutty I am no where close to you when it comes to imagination".

Why do we tonsure ?? (Nithila and Appa Story)

Few days back I was doing some online research to understand the story(original native version) of our native God's we worship as Clan Deity(Kathayee Amman) in our family. I found the story about another God(Periyachi) though it's not our clan deity but we give the same treatment to that God as well.Once I learnt about it I was trying to explain the story to my kid.

Telling story to my kid is not the linear narration of me telling and she listening with rapt attention.Its more of a Christopher Nolan style narration :).

She will ask me something and we meander somewhere for explaining this and that and try to be back to explaining the story.

Me: Nithila! I have a nice story to tell.

Nithila: Yes appa.Story about what?

Me: it's about the God in our Village temple.

Nithila: Which temple??

Me: Don't you remember.The temple we went to tonsure your head when you were 3 years old.

You cried a lot.

Nithila: Yes Appa.I remember now.

Me: Do you remember the scary looking God in Black dress ??

Nithila: Yes appa.Very scary.

Me: I know the story of that God.

Nithila: Appa wait.

Me: What Nithila??

Nithila: Why do we tonsure our head?

Me: We do that for every kids born in our family once they are born and first time we do that in that temple.

Nithila: But why?

Me: Me scratching my head.

Nithila: What will God do with our hair????

Me: Me scratching my head even more.

Finally she came to her own conclusion.

Nithila: Appa I think God will make Wigs using that hair.

I said 'May be'  nodding my head.Though she found an answer.

Now I was the one with a question hanging over my head.

P.S: I never got to tell the story and never proceeded after realising   it as it was bit violent for small kid.

Smile please!!!

I was driving to my brothers place which is 30 mins drive from my home.

I had to pass through a toll plaza.

I slowed down and then there was a car in front of me.The white color  car had a sticker of  Army written in White on the rear glass.

Probably I was paying a lot of attention to the car or may be I was lost in own thought my face should have looked grim or serious.

The guy in the toll plaza " Anna! Why are you looking so grim??"

I could not believe he was asking me.Then I ask him "Are you asking   me??".He said " Yes Anna.I am asking you only." With a smile in his face.

Instantly it brought a smile to my face.I realised probably I should have looked grim and then smiled back at him " Is my face looking ok now??".

He had even wider smile.I left the plaza and was  smiling for another good 5 minutes.

Cheta two tea

"Cheta two tea" said Rasul to the tea shop owner Vinoo.

Vinoo was surprised.Rasul is his regular customer.                                                                        Everyday he regularly comes at 11 .30 for a tea.

That is his usual routine.He usually comes alone and only orders for one tea but why did he order for 2  today.His mind was getting restless.May be young Rasul has found his love.Or probably his old friend has come to meet him.But if that was the case then wouldn't he be standing next to Rasul.I think it has to be his lady love only that's why she might be standing a little away from the Tea Stall and Lover Boy is going to take the tea glass with him and have a romantic tea break said Vinoo to himself.He became curious and wanted to go and catch him on the act and see his sheepish smile.

Normally Vinoo would not even think too much about anyone who comes to his shop. But it was different with Rasul. Vinoo had a younger brother Viju.They both  had lost their parents at very young age and naturally Vinoo being the elder was very fond of his younger brother. Tragedy struck Vinoo's life again when he lost brother in an accident 3 years back. It took a long time for him to recover from the loss of his brother. Rasul looked strikingly similar to his brother in terms of looks and even affable behavior.That made him take more interest on Rasul. For him it was a way of coping with loss of his brother. Suddenly all thoughts flashed away from his mind and brought him back to present.Given years of experience he had finished making the tea in an auto mode without even realising .

"Rasul!Tea ready.Here you go.But who is the other person " with a wink in his eyes.

"No one Chetta."replied Rasul taking the tea glasses on his hand.After Rasul started walking Vinoo could not wait.

"Jithu! Here handle the tea shop for sometime.I will be back in a jiffy" said Vinoo to his worker and started following him without his knowledge.

Filled with curiosity he tip toed and eventually stopped at a spot slightly away from where Rahul Stopped.

He saw Rasul hand over the tea glass to an old man who looked deranged. Vinoo slowly walked towards Rasul and just smiled at both of them.

After the old man had the tea, thanked and left ,  Rasul said " Chetta! I noticed him while coming to have tea. He has not had anything and looks very week.He was too proud to beg and when I insisted he said he will have a tea.That is why". Before Rasul could finish , Vinoo tapped on his shoulder as a sign of appreciation with a smile and started walking back with empty glasses in his hand. "Rasul! This 2 cups of tea is on me" he yelled without looking back.It was Rasul with a smile on his face now.