Now and then

Last Sunday, after dropping off my dad at the airport (he was going back home*), in a somber mood I was telling my daughter how hard life was when we were kids and how easy things are for them these days. She has heard this a few times before, so looked at me squarely and asked me “didn’t you have fun when you were a kid?”

That set me thinking and here goes -

Then, I wanted to be all grown up, working and independent.
Now, I want to go back in time, back to school and blissfully dependent.

Then, I thought parents could often be a source of embarrassment.
Now, I realize that feelings are mutual.

Then, complicated things looked simple.
Now, everything seems complicated.

Then, shopping was to survive.
Now, I seem to survive to shop.

Then, I longed to add a few Pounds.
Now, I starve to keep them off.

Then, ‘going away’ was fun.
Now, ‘going home*’ is excitement.

Then, ‘change’ was the way of life.
Now, even changing clothes is an effort.

Then, I needed more money...
Some things never change!

*going home for me is by default going to Chennai

Frinitis

Friday, end of the day at work - well, almost. My mobile was ringing incessantly. I got to it, looked at the blinking name with a smile and went…

"hiii !"
“Hi, chaltein kya aaj?”
“Who all?”
“Just the two of us. It’s been a long time since we caught up, no?”
“You bet. 10.30?”
“Perfect. Will pick you.”

My husband was working late (watching match?) that evening and hers out of town. No reason for guilt :-)

There was no discussion on the venue. It’s the same when we decide to meet; it’s like a second home. The guy in charge of the place (more like a friendly bouncer ) knows us well and made sure we were seated with the least amount of waiting. Other regulars, mostly men, had curious look on their faces – not generally, but that night was an exception. One of the important matches and there was more cricket in the smoke filled air than music. But there was music like always, music - that doesn’t thump into your head, you can relate to and you can sing along.

We hang out here with our husbands in tow and other friends from time to time. But mostly it’s just Neha and me. The female bonding is an extravaganza to an otherwise set pattern of life - work, home, work, home…party (where predictable discussions happen) and the cycle continues.

While here, we alternate between screaming our lungs out to make ourselves audible and remaining still for several minutes enjoying the music and the drink (she drinks hot water, neat). We talk just about anything – complacent husbands, new fad of our young daughters, their prospective boy friends, “oh-didn’t-you-check-out-the-new-designer-label” sorts and our strategies when we meet them next, issues like skewing male: female ratio and still the dearth of good looking guys and the likes. Things that affect us and things that don’t.

We gossip, giggle, listen, criticize, console, discuss & debate. We emote and that without pretense. We crawl back to what seems like a distant past of carefree individuals that we were. We giggle and scream some more and time to go home. We don’t argue and negotiate for another drink when we get up and leave with a light head and a lighter heart.

This bi-monthly or so (average periodicity for you) of overhauling and we are back again with renewed vigor to care for and serve those who we are wholly or partly responsible for.

If this is Frinitis, then this virus is welcome more often.

*For the uninitiated, Google for “Frinitis” (if you haven’t already).

will be here soon...

can't wait to connect...
don't know what to say though...
thinking! thinking!!
will be here soon!