The last few days were hectic: ceremonies, friends arriving and leaving and a family that wants you at home 24x7.
I juggled everything but it didnt feel like I spent quality time at all.
I attempt to fathom that as dear grandparents think that I am working on my research.
Monday, August 27th, was another day that could do with a few more hours.
Lavy and I got back from Pondy the previous day quite late, and slept in time to avoid murdering each another over an inexistential argument.
Feeling like yesterday's leftovers, we went on for a tete-a-tete with Megh and Spidey by 6.30 a.m. These chats with cutting-chai are wonderful, we learn from each other and occasionally watch a film together but today there was no time.
I got a call that my maternal grandma was hospitalised for a veezing bout. What do I do.... mum said she was fine and simply held for tests. But multiple guilt when not around is natural.
As getting back to our 'tribal village' (tbm) was imperative, attending Arun anna's wedding over the reception seemed logical. Meeting shalu after three years was the more important agenda. And she did warn me that she would be busy at the wedding.
God! how did she manage to slim down so much...I didn't get to speak a word as the dutiful sister was playing the guest of honour. But it was simply good to see her. Some things never change: the loony walk, large smile and goofy act when in a spot of tension.
Peppered with great wedding music, I had a long overdue chat with archu. We ended up storyboarding camera positions for her wedding, complete with crane shots and chroma key. T'was a telugu wedding (Arun's bride is a goltu and I acted the expert to shalu's pop-in-law)
A few grins, many laughs and an hour flew away.
Stepping into office, vinnie called to give me a piece of her mind. She does it only when pushed to extreme. She went on to how I had deserted being the univ class's unofficial rep. Point taken. I have been wrapped with my life.
After mollifying her, I decided to act good and messaged sojee and later cheryl on christmas plans with children of the Fatima convent or other homes. Managing to feel better about keeping in touch with close buddies, I scrapped Angel. Phew! What a relief to have orkut at office!
But there was still a long day ahead after work.....
Mekie was leaving to Ann Arbor and so was Dee Dee to Delhi. DD's was a 5'o clock flight....so I ditched him, though it was the second time in a row.
Mekie's late night flight was better. And if I didnt see her then, that would be base sacrilege. As it stood, in several weeks we met only on brief and rare occasions. Did I mention that her home is 10 yards away?
After work, luckily a lean week, I rushed to rad's mehendi.... late and tired. But arti can make anyone feel better. What else from the daughter of a mum who looks for a rainbow after every shower with the same enthusiasm as a kid? By the way, however arti manages to remain skinny with aunty cooking from heart and soul totally befuddles me.
Vaishu and I made a colourful peacock and for an hour, Mads, arti, rads and I chatted wistfully of Moppy days in telugu, hindi, english and local tamil. We missed priya but made pals with a new priya, who spoonfed the hand-tied bride!
I rushed but arti simply made an extra five mins special with a line of small squiggles in fragrant mehendi. A souveneir of a short but unforgettable evening.
A drop to Velachery (courtesy: mads) and some soul talk. The growing-up pains of a mother who balances career and a young daughter. And Velachery looms too soon despite peak-hour traffic.
I take A51 and call Sayee: how and when do we meet mekie?? She promises to wait but eventually gives up as the bus takes a painfully long route.
I land, sooty and grime layered....mekie takes my breath away with a hug and saying things like 'You did manage to spend time with me'. A knowing grin that makes A51 worthwhile.
Finally I meet my dear grandma (albeit late) - absolutely fine for a 75-year-old but tired. I politely listen to all her talk on marraige and responsibility. I let the old dear get her way, my lungs have given away.
But what a day....six worlds! I cant have a better day to engrave about.
Tripping with the gang, anna's beautiful wedding and shalu's goofiness, archu playing host;
Talking with DD on onam, listen to vininie's justified retributions, cheryl's witty msgs on chinky eyes and nigger noses;
feel sojee's laid-back attitude, a smiley scrap from angel;
mehendi with a rainbow, arti's warmth, mad's cheer, rad's nervousness, vaishu's glee;
a knowing grin from mekie, sayee and veena on the phone, pampered by parents.
and a pleased grandmum.
I trudge home awaiting admonitions for not using my time properly. And guiltily report to my paternal grandma of my adventures.
I dont know why I feel guilty, its an inherited sociological neurosis. Guilty when at home for not working, and while working for not being with family. Terrible, if we hang out with friends; when we actually juggle myriad roles.
As I catch up with sour parents whom I refuse details of a cousin's love-life, I am drooping into blissful oblivion.
Tomorrow is an hour away and I must fulfill more roles: a better daughter, friend, sis, grand daughter, volunteer, employee......Tomorrow is another day!
romila ;)
I juggled everything but it didnt feel like I spent quality time at all.
I attempt to fathom that as dear grandparents think that I am working on my research.
Monday, August 27th, was another day that could do with a few more hours.
Lavy and I got back from Pondy the previous day quite late, and slept in time to avoid murdering each another over an inexistential argument.
Feeling like yesterday's leftovers, we went on for a tete-a-tete with Megh and Spidey by 6.30 a.m. These chats with cutting-chai are wonderful, we learn from each other and occasionally watch a film together but today there was no time.
I got a call that my maternal grandma was hospitalised for a veezing bout. What do I do.... mum said she was fine and simply held for tests. But multiple guilt when not around is natural.
As getting back to our 'tribal village' (tbm) was imperative, attending Arun anna's wedding over the reception seemed logical. Meeting shalu after three years was the more important agenda. And she did warn me that she would be busy at the wedding.
God! how did she manage to slim down so much...I didn't get to speak a word as the dutiful sister was playing the guest of honour. But it was simply good to see her. Some things never change: the loony walk, large smile and goofy act when in a spot of tension.
Peppered with great wedding music, I had a long overdue chat with archu. We ended up storyboarding camera positions for her wedding, complete with crane shots and chroma key. T'was a telugu wedding (Arun's bride is a goltu and I acted the expert to shalu's pop-in-law)
A few grins, many laughs and an hour flew away.
Stepping into office, vinnie called to give me a piece of her mind. She does it only when pushed to extreme. She went on to how I had deserted being the univ class's unofficial rep. Point taken. I have been wrapped with my life.
After mollifying her, I decided to act good and messaged sojee and later cheryl on christmas plans with children of the Fatima convent or other homes. Managing to feel better about keeping in touch with close buddies, I scrapped Angel. Phew! What a relief to have orkut at office!
But there was still a long day ahead after work.....
Mekie was leaving to Ann Arbor and so was Dee Dee to Delhi. DD's was a 5'o clock flight....so I ditched him, though it was the second time in a row.
Mekie's late night flight was better. And if I didnt see her then, that would be base sacrilege. As it stood, in several weeks we met only on brief and rare occasions. Did I mention that her home is 10 yards away?
After work, luckily a lean week, I rushed to rad's mehendi.... late and tired. But arti can make anyone feel better. What else from the daughter of a mum who looks for a rainbow after every shower with the same enthusiasm as a kid? By the way, however arti manages to remain skinny with aunty cooking from heart and soul totally befuddles me.
Vaishu and I made a colourful peacock and for an hour, Mads, arti, rads and I chatted wistfully of Moppy days in telugu, hindi, english and local tamil. We missed priya but made pals with a new priya, who spoonfed the hand-tied bride!I rushed but arti simply made an extra five mins special with a line of small squiggles in fragrant mehendi. A souveneir of a short but unforgettable evening.
A drop to Velachery (courtesy: mads) and some soul talk. The growing-up pains of a mother who balances career and a young daughter. And Velachery looms too soon despite peak-hour traffic.
I take A51 and call Sayee: how and when do we meet mekie?? She promises to wait but eventually gives up as the bus takes a painfully long route.
I land, sooty and grime layered....mekie takes my breath away with a hug and saying things like 'You did manage to spend time with me'. A knowing grin that makes A51 worthwhile.
Finally I meet my dear grandma (albeit late) - absolutely fine for a 75-year-old but tired. I politely listen to all her talk on marraige and responsibility. I let the old dear get her way, my lungs have given away.
But what a day....six worlds! I cant have a better day to engrave about.
Tripping with the gang, anna's beautiful wedding and shalu's goofiness, archu playing host;
Talking with DD on onam, listen to vininie's justified retributions, cheryl's witty msgs on chinky eyes and nigger noses;
feel sojee's laid-back attitude, a smiley scrap from angel;
mehendi with a rainbow, arti's warmth, mad's cheer, rad's nervousness, vaishu's glee;
a knowing grin from mekie, sayee and veena on the phone, pampered by parents.
and a pleased grandmum.
I trudge home awaiting admonitions for not using my time properly. And guiltily report to my paternal grandma of my adventures.
I dont know why I feel guilty, its an inherited sociological neurosis. Guilty when at home for not working, and while working for not being with family. Terrible, if we hang out with friends; when we actually juggle myriad roles.
As I catch up with sour parents whom I refuse details of a cousin's love-life, I am drooping into blissful oblivion.
Tomorrow is an hour away and I must fulfill more roles: a better daughter, friend, sis, grand daughter, volunteer, employee......Tomorrow is another day!
romila ;)
arti's handiwork and our hennaed hands
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