Over the hills, into the sunset

This one's for all those who've loved; for all those who've felt that ‘magic'

The road snaked its way around the little hillocks - a band of black amidst the greenery, a wonderfully picturesque setting. The sun was slanting into the west; the clouds were few but were now slowly gathering around the setting sun allowing themselves to be dipped in gold. But the sky was still mostly blue. For miles the trees and the tall grass painted the hills with a sea of green and wild flowers grew in between. The air was pure and the wind was mild. But not when you rode! It blew against the face and through the hair but it was not cold. It was the kind of breeze against which you put your face up, close your eyes and feel the freshness and smile.

And they were doing just that!
For miles they were on the road now heading back to the city, enjoying the country air, the beauty of nature and most of all - their togetherness!

He was smiling, humming a song. She was silent, just drinking in the sights. And then he slipped into thoughts and she started humming a song. But they would soon start talking again - about this and that, just the way they spent all their time together. But this was different…this was just the two of them on a lonesome road, riding without a care in the world! He was not going fast. He'd figured out, the slower he rode, the longer they could be together that evening! As they rode around another bend, he adjusted the rear-view mirror so that he could see her face.
He could see her smiling, a glow in her eyes and her soft hair being thrown around in the wind. He loved her!
She sat behind him on the bike, often closing her eyes, feeling the wind, listening to him speak, and allowing the moment to sink in. She knew she was with the person who loved her more than
anyone else. A person who would do anything for her. A person who had grown so dear to her over the years! She smiled, a smile that comes from deep within and spreads a glow over the face. She watched the small lake coming into view, nestling at the bottom of the hills – down below. The sun was sinking further into the west and the sky was turning pink. There were lots of birds in the sky now – sparrows, parrots, a few eagles and lots of crows.
‘Look at the birds, they're heading home!'
‘Yes, it's beautiful…but not more than you!'
‘Stop flattering! Liar - that's what you are!'
But he could see her blush as she said that. He laughed.
‘But you know you should soon stop this?' her eyes grew moist as she said this. The smile had left her face.

He heaved a deep sigh, ‘Yes chum. I know. I know we may never happen. I know this won't last for long now.'
‘I feel so guilty. I feel I've ruined your life', the tears were slowly coming in to her eyes.
‘No! That's not true. You know I would do that for you without blinking an eyelid. You know I would do anything. You should not feel guilty chum. You should not'
‘Maybe you are right. But I don't know why we should go through this? Why can't we happen?'
He sighed, ‘Both you and I know that there is nothing we can do about it! That's the way the world works. That's life I guess'

Her brown eyes glistened with tears. The wind blew them over the eyelids onto her face. She
quickly brushed them away and tried to smile. He didn't want to cry though his heart ached.

‘I think we should face what comes at us. We know we don't deserve it but if that's what God has willed for us, then so be it! We know what we have is something special, something precious that will last us a lifetime. The pain will be there, but we should fight it! Remember chum, we take the good and leave the bad behind. Please don't cry. I can't bear to see the tears in your eyes. Look around you - it's so beautiful. We should cherish this moment. We may never be together like this ever again'

‘I know. You are right. You are so right', a small smile returning to her face.

The sun was a golden orb now and sky was streaked with pink and gold. The trees swayed and the birds flew in flocks. They rode on – two friends, two lovers – riding through the hills on the
lonesome road. Soon they would cross the hills and return to the city. It was the last time they
would ever ride like this.
He started to sing a song, one of his favorites.
She groaned, ‘How am I supposed to cherish the moment with you croaking like this?'
Pat came the indignant reply, ‘I'm not croaking, I'm singing!'
‘Like hell you are!'
‘Like hell I care!'
They burst out laughing. And the wind carried their laughter over the tall grass and the wild flowers, leaving a bit of their love all over the hillside.
It was a wonderful evening, an evening when they rode over the hills and into the sunset…

- Strider

MEN OUGHT TO LEARN WEARING THE APRON

A good friend of mine – a typical IT professional, 25 something, who had begun the rigors of hunting for a life partner, casually remarked to me, “I’m tired of living a bachelor’s life yaar. It’s time I got married and had a wife who’d cook and take care of home.”
The statement not only shocked me (as I did not quite expect my friend with quite a modern outlook towards most things to say this) but also disgusted me, as I was rudely reminded of how the typical Indian male is still steeped into falling back on the draconian male dominated society’s outlook of – Women are there to cook, clean and look after kids and home.
My blunt answer to him was, “Why don’t you hire a cook and a maid?”

For centuries, the Indian society has grown to be a male dominated one. Women have always been shunned from stepping into the man’s shoes. But whenever they managed to step up to the mantle, they flourished. There have been numerous occasions in History when Indian women played a key role in what was viewed as a “man’s” job. But sadly it has only been in the near past that we are seeing Indian women starting to shine in various fields. One would hope that this change sweeping urban India will soon be seen all across the country.

However, while we claim to be breaking the gender bias and paving the way for equal rights for women on one side, we still have a majority of urban Indian males who still stick to age old views when it comes to the day to day life!
Women still have to be the ones who are responsible for all house hold work. They have to manage their professional career and still take care of cooking, cleaning and taking care of kids. And No! This view isn’t held only by the Mother in Law or Father in Law. The husband who represents the changing face of India – the modern Indian male, still sticks to such views. Truly sad!

How many men actually lend a hand in the kitchen? How many men clean up the house or take care of kids while mommy is away at work?

Cooking and cleaning certainly isn’t rocket science! Let’s accept it for a moment that women are better home makers. But it still does not stop the men from helping out and filling in when the women are busy in their professional careers! The typical Indian male is so busy living up to his boisterous tough guy image that he forgets to realize that times have changed. Cooking a meal for the family or picking up kids from school are roles that many an Indian male is starting to take in their stride. Let’s hope this change percolates to all pretty soon. It’s time to bury the male ego and move ahead with the times.

Most of us would remember the song on women empowerment that used to adorn the national TV channel many years ago – “Hum honge kamiyaab, hum honge kamiyaab…Ek Din”. I think that day has long since arrived. Women have a right to choose their profession and decide on their career. They need their space to prove their true worth. It would be a shame if a lot of their time was spent in the confines of four walls called home. After all, in modern India - if women have proven that they too can wear the pants in the family, then men ought to learn wearing the apron.

- STRIDER

Failure has no Friends

Post the World Cup Debacle, the media, the fans and just about every one remotely associated with Indian cricket were busy in venting their anger on the Indian Cricket Team. After the disastrous World Cup campaign, some fans were in shock, most were gutted and the sense of sadness will linger long after the dust has settled and the players and coach were dead and buried (couldn’t think of any better fate that could await the lot).
India as a cricketing nation has forever been overtly passionate (which isn’t wrong) about the game. While the love for the game is always welcome, the knee-jerk reactions have always been quite disappointing. Targeting the players and the coach, attacking their houses, burning their effigies and posters may be termed as an outlet for the disappointment, rage and frustration welling amongst the fans. But is it justified?
Equally disappointing is the role of the media – every single channel and newspaper have left no stone unturned in lambasting the Team’s performance.

On the other hand, the undeniable truth is that the Team put up a shoddy performance – a performance way below par and they certainly have let themselves and the whole country down.
Whatever the reasons may turn out to be, whatever the ramifications of this loss will turn out to be, another fact remains – some of the best cricketers the country ever produced, some of the best talent the world ever got to see, have scripted themselves a most sorry end to their glorious careers.
Sachin Tendulkar. Rahul Dravid. Saurav Ganguly. Anil Kumble.
They probably won’t get a chance for a swansong. No riding away into a glorious sunset. Their showcase always sans the one medal of glory that every child growing up wanting to be a cricketer – aspires for. World Cup glory shall never be theirs.
At this point, I’m filled, not with rage or frustration, but a sense of deep sadness.
While everyone else may loathe the lot, I beg to differ.
It is true that the players are commercially oriented. Endorsements and advertising have reached never before seen peaks. But if you tell me – The players are not motivated or committed enough to play for the nation and that they’ve been lured away by the luster of the moolah, I would not believe you.
Playing for the nation is the highest honor in sport and I certainly believe that these 15 men understand the significance of that.

Yet they lost.
Yet they surrendered to weaker opponents.
Yet they were swept away without a semblance of a fight.
It happens! That’s all I can say.
That’s the way the game goes. That’s the way life goes.

There are times when every nerve and sinew wills for something but yet the result is something different.
What do you do when you see your heroes fall thus?
Sling mud at them? Loathe them?
We have only proved that Failure has no friends.

I would rather stand up and put my hands together for some of the best cricketers I will ever see in my lifetime. Feel sorry that they fell the way they did. Share their pain of not attaining the sport’s coveted glory. And hope that Indian cricket will see better days in the times to come.

Don’t know about others, but I will always proudly say –
I lived in the times of Tendulkar and Ganguly.
I lived in the times of Dravid and Kumble.

- Strider

Meke Dattu & Sangama– A Perfect Getaway!

It was a sunny Saturday morning with a few clouds dotting the azure sky. A perfect day for a Getaway! The three of us (Prasad, Prasun and yours truly) set off on two bikes, carrying a backpack each, a camera, some food and lots of good spirits! The destination was Sangama and Meke Dattu (Goat Crossing, when translated to English). Sangama and Meke Dattu is about 90 odd Kilometers from Bangalore and about 40 odd Kilometers from Kanakpura. Sangama stands at the confluence of River Cauvery and Arkavathi. Meke Dattu is about 5 Kms further from Sangama where the river plunges through a series of Gorges.
The Road to Kanakpura was surprisingly devoid of traffic, which made the Bike journey very enjoyable. Cool breeze, a tree lined pothole-less road and two fast bikes was enough to have us settle into the Weekend mood. We covered the distance to Kanakpura quite quickly and then proceeded onto the road to Sangama (which one can easily find either by following the Signs or by asking the locals). We did both for good measure! Kanakpura by the way offers the last fuel stop. We had plenty so we didn’t have to worry much. The road past Kanakpura gets narrower but apart from a small stretch, it offers a smooth ride. We had several pit stops on the way. Often just to stop and look at the fields and the beautiful countryside and drink in the freshness of the morning. About 10-15 Kms before Sangama we saw a signpost that announced ‘Chunchi Falls – 5 Kms’. An arch was being constructed at the entrance to this deviation. We decided to explore this on our way back. The road, a few Kms before Sangama, plunges into a series of Hairpin curves. It sure is fun to ride down this stretch.
It was around half past 11 when we finally arrived at Sangama. There are a couple of small teashops and a parking area (with a parking fee!) at this place. We were right on the riverbed and seeing the clear water flowing through was such a refreshing sight! After a small dialogue with the teashop owner we gathered that Meke Dattu was about 5 kms from the other side of the River Bank. Since we cannot take our vehicles across the river we have to cross the river on foot and then choose from the option of either riding a rickety old bus that makes half hourly trips to and fro from Sangama to Meke Dattu or trek those 5 Kms. A small trek was right up our alley and we were game for making the most of our Getaway! But first we had to cross the river.
The water was only knee deep at most places but we kept a wary eye for any crocodiles, snakes or any other creature that we could think of at that moment. However the sight of several small groups of picnickers playing in the cool river water reassured our unfounded fears. On reaching the other bank we were reluctant to leave the cool waters and go on the trek. But the spirit of adventure got the better of us. And off we went on the trail that led up to Meke Dattu. There was good foliage around us, but sadly the summer had wilted most of the greenery and bare trees stood out everywhere. The Trek was not the most pleasant one with the sun deciding to come out in full glory but the trees did offer good shade. The rickety old bus went past us a few times on our Trek. Some way into the trail we could hear the river roar through a gorge. The sound of the gushing waters drew us away from the trail and we set off to explore! We were in for a rocky climb over sharp rocks but the roar of the river just drove us on. Finally we climbed over one big rock and Voila! There was the river below! The muddy rapids rushing through the little gorge was a fascinating sight! We spent quite a while at that place and we even climbed down to the river. (On hindsight, it was not a very safe thing to do!)
After our ‘great’ discovery we set off back on the trail and arrived at Meke Dattu all hot and tired. It had taken us about 2 hours to trek up the distance. At Meke Dattu, a series of steep crude steps cut into the rock leads us down to the gorge. The view all around the place is quite breath-taking. The Gorge itself is a set of Rocks that one has to climb to get a sight of the river below. This place is quite dangerous if one loses their footing. The lore has it that a Goat when being chased by a Tiger jumped across the Gorge and hence the place got its name – Meke Dattu. After feasting our eyes on the rocks and the river we climbed back up. This time we decided to take the bus ride back to Sangama. We were fully pleased with ourselves having satiated our spirit of adventure.
We arrived at Sangama to the sight of the cool river water and lots of people enjoying a swim. We didn’t need any invitation. We plunged into the river and after the hot trek it was a welcome relief. We spent more than two hours playing in river- just relaxing those nerves, soothing our minds and cleansing off all traces of stress. What a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon!
We reluctantly got out of the water as thick clouds gathered up from nowhere. In no time, it started raining heavily. We beat a hasty retreat into the Teashop and ate some hot omelets. Soon the rain relented and we started our return journey.
On the way back we came upon the deviation to ‘Chunchi Falls’ and our youthful spirits just made us head out onto the small road. It wound its way through a small village. The cloudy evening sky and the rustic setting made it a delightful ride. We arrived at Chuchi Falls in no time. We had to hike a small distance down to the Falls. But once we got there, it was worth it! A beautiful waterfall was before our eyes! The noise of water dropping down in full force and the sight of the white waters was just the icing we needed on the cake. As clouds gathered up once more, we decided to call it quits and headed back to our bikes. On the ride back, the rain did come down to bother us a bit but finally after about 190 Kms and 12 hours of non-stop fun we arrived back in Bangalore all smug and happy. We finally trooped off to Pizza Hut to celebrate what had been a wonderful Getaway!

- Strider

Hiking the Great Unknown

- A travelogue by Strider

I’ve seen the Grand Canyon several times from the South Rim now and ever since the first time I set my eyes on this spectacle of nature, the desire to plunge down to its bottom and explore its hidden secrets burned strong within me.
And so it came to pass, at the crack of dawn…one fine day, I took the plunge.
I’d heard about its towering canyon walls and the deathly silence broken by the roar of the river deep below and the gurgle of its creeks and streams. I’d heard about the fiery heat in the unforgiving inner canyon and the cool shade that some patches of trees offers. I’d heard about the wild life and the flora and the suspension bridges right at the bottom, the winding and tiresome trails and a thousand other bits and pieces of what until a couple of hundred years back was called the – Great Unknown!
But nothing could prepare me for the experience I had…as I spent three days in the canyon…hiking down to the bottom and coming back up. Every step and every bend of the trail had a new sight to offer!

Joining me were my two of my office buddies – Abhishek and Nitin and Nitin’s better half – Stuti.
We started off down the South Kaibab Trail which is about 7 miles in length and is the shortest trip down from the South Rim to the Colorado river.
It is however a steep trail but offers some great views of the canyon. The early start ensured we beat the sun for most of the hike – this trail has no shade what so ever nor does it have any water – which meant we had to carry enough to last all the way down.
The trail offered stunning vistas of the canyon, especially at the O’Neill butte and at Skeleton Point, but nothing can prepare you for your first sight of the inner gorge!
After about four hours of tiring hike, I caught the first sight of the river and soon I could hear its roar…and then I saw the suspension bridge way down below!
The last stretch after the Tip-Off was a steep descent and by then the sun was out in full glory too – which meant we had to take more breaks in the shade of rocks and shrubs while munching on trail bars and apples. To add to it, all of us hardly had any sleep the previous night – courtesy some poor foresight of not carrying extra sleeping bags. The ones we had did not suffice for the cold weather at the Rim and we had spent most of the night shivering without sleep!
After close to six hours we finally reached the end of the trail where a small tunnel led out to the Kaibab Suspension Bridge (also referred to as Black Bridge).
This is a bridge for both foot travelers and mules.
We crossed the bridge with the swift flowing Colorado beneath us. To the left stretched the other - Silver suspension bridge (a foot bridge) spanning the river and connecting to the River Trail and then the Bright Angel Trail.

The river - after Glen Canyon Dam was built upstream - is usually green and clear (as I’d observed on several occasions from the Rim and at Desert View). But historically the river was a raging reddish-brown torrent carrying tons of mud and silt down its tumultuous journey. In fact the original name coined by early Spanish explorers – Rio Colorado was after the color of the water. The Dams that came up in last few decades have of course changed it all. So it was indeed, a pleasant surprise to find the river - brown when we got there! We were to learn later that rains upstream over the last few days had allowed the river to show signs of its earlier glory – we just felt lucky to see it so!

After crossing over we headed up to the Bright Angel Campground. Fatigue was catching up fast owing to the long hike and lack of sleep. The campsite was laid out on one side of the Bright Angel creek in the shade of cottonwood trees and we were lucky to find a site right next to the creek! After pitching tents and cooking up some chow we slept late into the afternoon.
The evening involved a pleasant walk up to Phantom Ranch – a lodge with some cabins, dorms and a canteen that was built in early nineteen twenties. The place is half a mile from the camp ground and scores of cottonwood trees dot the whole area – a truly charming place.
We attended a Ranger program about the Canyon’s history and its first real explorer – John Wesley Powell. Later we headed to the Canteen for snacks and coffee.
Cool lemonade or beer or even a cup of coffee will never taste better anywhere else!
The other unique must-do down there is to send post cards! The Post cards will bear the special seal – Mailed by Mule from bottom of Grand Canyon!

The following morning we took a stroll around the area. We visited the ruins of an Anazazi Pueblo which dates back over a thousand years – evidence that humans romanced the canyon from a long time ago. We then explored the Boat Beach – a shallow river beach where river runners stop by on their journey over the rapids. We also spent some time at the mouth of Bright Angel creek. Sitting there watching the clear waters of the stream flow into the muddy torrents of the river, listening to the roar of the rapids, with sunlight streaming over the bridges spanning the great canyon whose mighty walls arose high above – it was truly a place where tranquility and peace reigns. Very few sights can be more captivating.

To escape the wrath of the sun, we rested and played in the stream for most of the day and started our hike up after 4 pm in the afternoon. The plan worked! The hike up was not only pleasant but we were also blessed with a rare cloud cover that made our hike up to Indian Gardens (destination for our second night’s camp) one of the best parts of the whole trip!

The 4.5 mile hike to Indian Gardens begins after crossing the river over the Silver suspension bridge. The River Trail – which is a mile and a half in length runs parallel to the river and offers amazing views all along. Every bend makes you stop and catch your breath - the views have to been seen to be believed!
One of the other things that will captivate anyone who ventures into the canyon is its geology! Layer after layer – Earth’s history opens out to anyone who cares to take a peek. The oldest rocks at the bottom of the canyon are around 2 billion years old! Ever thought how it might feel to touch something that old!!??
Also dotting the whole region are plenty of fossils, or so I have read and heard – and I did try playing my hand at paleontology but ended up a cropper! Did not sight a single fossil – but I still touched something which was 2 billion years old! Beat that! J

The River Trail ends where the Pipe Creek flows down into the river. At the River Rest house the Bright Angel Trail begins its 9 mile journey up to the South Rim forming one of the most frequented trails in the canyon. We were of course hiking this stretch with a night’s break half way at Indian Gardens – and a wise move it was too! As the whole way up was pleasant and hardly testing and thoroughly enjoyable!
The 3 mile stretch up Bright Angel to Indian Gardens involved negotiating the steep switch backs of Devil’s Cork-Screw - an area where a hiker had lost his life the previous year succumbing to the brutal summer heat. He’d made the fatal mistake of challenging the sun and the desert! We were of course hiking this stretch at around 6 in the evening with a cloud cover to boot! You may read tons of literature about hiking precautions in the canyon but only experience teaches you – hiking our way down just one day earlier we were exhausted and worn out thanks to the sun and the heat. While climbing up during the cooler part of the day - in spite of heavy back packs - made it almost a walk in the park!
This stretch presented us with interesting sights – little waterfalls off the trail formed by the Pipe Creek and the Garden Creek and wild deer that we came across every once in a while and of course the majestic Canyon walls kept us company. We even came across a small cave – an alcove actually, but it did bring out the spelunker in us and armed with flashlights, we spent awhile exploring it. As the sun slowly set and dusk was falling, we came across tree cover and soon we ended the first section of our hike up at the Indian Gardens camp ground.
Dinner was followed by some difficult moments with our equipment, as gusty winds threatened to blow our tents five campsites down! Extra pegs and guy wires rescued our dwellings but the time spent on that meant we had to abandon our plan of a moon light hike to Plateau Point which was a lost cause anyway – as the moon chose to hide behind the clouds. Standing there at night, we could see the lights at the South Rim high above, a towering task lay at hand the next morning – the last leg of our hike!

I awoke at 4 am, determined to hike to Plateau Point which is a 3 mile round trip hike from the campsite to a stunning view point inside the canyon! The Trail is a flat one that steaks across a plateau that stretches out right to the edge and there one is treated to a breath-taking view of the inner gorge and the river – one of the best views of the canyon I’ve seen. After failed attempts of rousing the other members of my party, I set off alone on the trail. It was a quick hike, with no backpack and a canyon sun-rise beckoning me, I hastened on the trail passing deer and the West Tonto Trail junction on my way. The sight awaiting me was unbelievable to say the least. Standing at the edge of the cliff I could hear once more - the roar of the river down below! Sun rise was swift and the sight was as captivating as most of my exploits over the last couple of days! Both - my camera and I were satiated after drinking in the sights at Plateau Point!

I returned to find my mates breaking camp and after a hearty breakfast we set off to climb out of the canyon – the last four and a half miles! We ascended at a fair pace with mule traffic and down hill hikers impeding our progress more than the stress of the climb up. Soon we reached the three mile rest house and as traffic increased with each passing yard, we came across the one and half mile rest house. The canyon was now a different sight - one that I have been quite accustomed to seeing from the top. The trail stretched below and the view was as lovely as ever – doubt if I will ever tire of being the wide eyed tourist out there!
The last stretch was slow progress owing to the steep switch backs and the scores of hikers – most of whom were seeking a small day-hike down the trail. The heavy backpack hikers climbing out were treated with respect, and we pretty much lapped up the attention and those who paused to have a chat with us were treated with descriptive and colorful answers to queries of our trip below.
After around four hours I paused at the last bend – I could see the Kolb Studio above – the trail ended up there and the South Rim would greet me soon. I took a gulp from my last bottle of Gatorade and looked back – a dream fulfilled! I was now one of the many who’d ventured into the Great Unknown. And as I hiked those last few steps out of the canyon casting my eyes on the sight below me – I realized – I’d fallen in love with Grand Canyon…again!

Over a cuppa Cappuccino

The cool draft of the air conditioner was a welcome relief as he stepped off the street into the crowded café. The sun was out and the street was quite empty as weary shoppers sought refuge in the numerous waterholes dotting the city’s prime shopping area. It was late in the afternoon and he glanced at his watch as he made his way in, weaving through scores of people trying to find a table. The place had changed a lot!
He observed that the years had added more tables and even more people. The décor was different, more modern and chic – landscapes and water colors had made way for modern art, an electric guitar with broken strings hung on a wall, the music was different and the air - alien. Gone was the laid back café where one could sit at a table and spend hours.
The place was bustling and everyone looked so young.
He almost turned around to leave when he spotted a young couple get up from a far table. He gratefully swooped down on it and pulled the chair around to face the street – it used to be one of his favorite spots! One could sit for hours at those tables looking out onto the street through the huge glass wall, sipping coffee and watching the world whiz by. A waitress appeared by the side immediately with a menu. He was surprised – the place sure had changed. When he used to frequent the café a long time ago, one was allowed to settle down, relax, chat and when you really felt like ordering your cuppa, you had to look up or signal or yell across to get someone over to take the order.
He sifted through the menu – new flavors, new food, new drinks – he hardly had heard of any of them. ‘What the hell!’ he thought, ‘When have I ordered something different!’ and looked up at the waitress – ‘One cup of cappuccino, please.”

As the waitress disappeared with the menu he settled back and looked around. The place had so many memories - a smile creased his face as he remembered his very first time here – it had been with her! They had sat a table just across from where he was sitting now – it had been a sunny day as well. They’d spent hours, blissfully unaware that neither had enough money to pay the bill!
Those were times when students carried no credit cards or flashy cell phones - a movie and a trip to a café pretty much blanked most of the month’s allowance. His smile grew wider as he remembered the waitress handing over the bill to him. He’d brought out his wallet in a flash but the waitress quietly stepped away as his face grew pale – accounting had never been his forte. Since it had been a date, he had bought balcony tickets for the movie as opposed to the twenty-five rupee Front Stall tickets. And the burgers had had to be accompanied with separate sets of fries and Pepsi.
Things usually got better when couples fell in love – then they could share the food and drink. First date and a single order of any food or drink would sink any hopes of romantic interludes with the girl and soon her girl-friends would get wind of this and before he knew it – he’d be branded ‘Cheap’ and no good looking girl in the vicinity would ever date him again!
‘Water is more healthy’ is never an acceptable answer to ‘How come not having Pepsi?’
Neither is ‘Fries are oily!’ a quip to ‘Why no Fries?’
Burdened with such pressures a guy would end up buying separate orders of everything on first dates - whether he is in the mood of having it or not!
To add to his misery on that particular day, he’d forgotten the big sized popcorn he’d bought for the movie and her spur of the moment desire to have cotton candy and icecream!
And all through their lengthy tee-a-tee at the café, he had been wholly drowned in her brown eyes, dusky skin and gentle voice to keep track of the cups of coffee or the brownie and chocolate fudge!
The damage in the end – was complete. He leafed through the notes in his wallet and then again and again, all the time trying to maintain the smile and composure. She observed something amiss and started peeking at him from behind the coffee-table magazine she’d picked up once his face had started paling! Soon he had to press the panic button and started rummaging through his pockets – but by then he knew the writing was on the wall – no guy ever carries extra money in other pockets!
She slowly put down the magazine looking at him with her eye brows arched.
‘Err…there is a slight problem’ and the next words must have taken him an hour ‘I am…I
think…I am short of cash!’
‘By how much?’ her eye brows were still arched and her face gave nothing away.
‘By…err…um…forty five rupees’ and every word was driving a nail into his coffin. He knew he was finished - the worst nightmare coming true. And the most tragic part of it was the fact that he’d really liked her, time had flown by in her company. She was witty, funny, bubbly and boy - was she beautiful…and now he had blown it all!
She slowly drew her arms up on the table and rested her chin on them, ‘So you’re short?’
Her eye brows were still arched but then, she suddenly broke into a giggle and patted his arm and drew out her purse. He just sat there mumbling incoherent words of sorry while she pulled out a note of twenty and then a ten and then it was her turn to turn pale! She continued to rummage without any more greens coming out but for some coins. She turned her purse upside down and out came the lipstick, the mirror, the hand kerchief and a myriad of other articles that he had never seen before in his life, but there was no more cash! She started checking her pockets and he started praying. And just when he was about to get up to talk to the cashier, she pulled out a twenty from the pocket of her jeans!
‘Voila!’ she waved the note with a huge smile and he slumped back in his chair.
The waitress returned to collect the check after allowing the teens to exchange a ton of ‘Sorry’s and ‘Its okay’s.
‘That was a close call’ she giggled as she packed her purse again.
‘I’m feeling so embarrassed! Am so so sorry!’
‘Hey its ok’ she chirped ‘I had a wonderful time! We should do this again!’

‘Really?’ his heart started to thump and hopes of not having to stay single for like the next decade started oozing!
‘How about next Saturday? But this time with the money!’
He could only nod – Yes, as words seemed to abandon him!
‘And though the balcony tickets are really flattering, Back Stall will do just fine! And you really don’t have to buy an extra order of fries if you don’t like to eat them!’
They had burst out laughing!

‘Sir…Excuse me Sir, here’s your coffee’ the waitress broke his reverie as she placed a hot cup of cappuccino on the table. The cream swirled in the middle in the shape of the heart and the aroma of fresh coffee rose up. He gently stirred his cuppa adding sugar and as he took his first sip, he couldn’t help but appreciate the fact that the taste was the still the same.
He sipped again and his smile returned as he remembered his birthday celebration at the café – it had been a surprise. He’d been hoping she would come out for a date on that day but she’d excused herself with the pretext of running chores for an aunt who’d come into town. He made plans to watch a movie with the rest of his gang, and all but one bailed out at the last minute and when he had arrived at the theatre, his friend stood there pointing to the ‘House Full’ board. Feeling miserable at the turn of events, he’d thought of heading back home but his buddy convinced him into a trip to the café. Soon as they’d stepped in, a ‘Happy Birthday to You’ song rang out and at a big table in the corner stood the whole of his gang, but his eyes rested on the one in center – there She was with a big smile and a twinkle in her eyes. She had baked the cake on her own and made the whole arrangements. They’d had a wonderful time – one of the best birthdays he’d had.

He pushed back in his seat and set his cup down, still lost in thoughts - There were so many memories at the café and he was amazed how little he came to this place now. This was where they’d had their first fight as well. A silly argument that began with him taunting her about a guy who’d been interested in her for a long time. In fact it was She who’d started it – teasing him with a new junior girl who seemed smitten by him. And he had returned the volley only to realize – a little too late – that things didn’t quite work like a tennis match! Girls believe they have a license to tease, prod and push around their boyfriend and slightest retaliation can result in a wide range of reactions – varying from their face clouding over as if a couple of storm clouds had settled overhead to anger boiling over and them stomping away from the place. The worst is when their voice chokes and then a tear appears at the corner of their eyes and once that started – there would be no stopping! On that particular day – it began as a storm in the tea cup and then he said something stupid – Boys always do that, they don’t mean to but by some abysmal turn of fate or poor vocabulary or even an improper tone of delivery it ends up as ‘their’ mistake. His little ‘mistake’ resulted in a two week long vendetta – one which even a bunch of roses, a box of Ferraro Rocher or a Hallmark card couldn’t resolve. Eventually he’d managed to make up with her or maybe it was just the fact that She got bored with an empty hour she was left with every day – the time they spent on the phone!

He sipped his coffee slowly, savoring its taste and the flood of nostalgia that it was bringing along with it - That evening when he’d dedicated a song to her and they’d held hands humming together as it played from the juke box. The time they’d got drenched in rain and sat shivering as they waited for their coffee. Those gang meet-ups where she’d sit across from him shooting coy glances or winks and nudging him with her foot below the table. The day he’d announced he was leaving the country for a year and the mixture of joy and pain it had filled her face with – the fact he’d got a great opportunity coupled with the fact that he’d be away for so long. The times they sat with their buddies mending each others’ love lives. The time when their relationship was on the rocks and they’d sat there staring at each other, silent and broken. The evening when they’d thought it was all over…they’d never managed to rise from their seats – they couldn’t believe it was their last date. Only they’d returned back to the same table three days later. There were so many moments in there, she’d sit there making faces at him or giggling endlessly or simply talking – time would fleet by and he would sit there watching her, her brown eyes dance and twinkle as they caught the sun, her soft hair falling gently over her shoulders and his when she’d snuggle up against him, her soft hands and the way she’d hold his,
clenching tightly in hers – to let him know she’d never let go.

He took his last sip and laid the cup down, staring wistfully at the empty seat in front of him now. And it suddenly dawned on him – it was the first time he’d been in the café without her! He quickly turned away looking through the glass wall and his eyes saw the bustling street but his mind was somewhere else.
‘Sir…excuse me!’ He was rudely interrupted and he jerked his head around to see the waitress standing there. It must have hardly been a moment since he’d laid his cup down.
‘Anything else Sir…or is that all?’
And soon as he nodded a ‘No’, she produced the bill and conjured a plastic smile that couldn’t have lasted more than a tenth of a second and vanished through the maze of tables and people.

He felt irritated. He was going to leave but just the fact that he’d been given marching orders the moment he’d finished with his coffee made him swell with anger. This certainly was no longer the café he’d been coming to. And then he looked at the empty seat in front of him and wondered what she’d have said to him – probably something nice to soothe him down but she’d most likely have joined him - cursing the waitress. But he could see two-three couples waiting at the door for a table. Times had changed now and he better be moving along to make way for the others. His smile returned and he shook his head as he took out money to pay the bill and even left a decent tip – the café had served him good coffee, not to mention – all those memories!

As he walked up to the door bracing himself for the sun outside, his cell phone beeped. A text message was flashing – ‘Hey hubby dear! So so sry. Got late at mtg. Where r u? Am across the street frm our Café!’
He stepped out and there she was – frantically looking around for him as hordes of shoppers bustled around her. As he crossed the street she turned around and her face lit up with a radiant smile.
‘Waiting too long for me?’
‘I’d wait a lifetime for you!’ he smiled and gave her a quick hug.
‘After all these years, you think I still swoon for your romantic one-liners?!’
‘Sweetie – whom are you kidding – you can’t live a day without being pampered!’
They burst out laughing.
Looking around she exclaimed ‘God! This place has changed so much!’
‘Yes honey, we haven’t been here in ages’
She looked up at him – ‘Had a hell of a day so far and am starving. We still have enough time before the kids get back home…so before we shop, why don’t we go up to our old café and grab a bite and some coffee? Or did you just come from there?’
He smiled and looked across the street at the place where he’d just been ejected from a few minutes back.
‘Yup had just been there but was too lonely without you. Let’s go back there and stir up some nostalgia!’
Her soft hair with little streaks of grey fell over his shoulder as they held hands crossing the street…walking up to the café.
- Strider