Back to the Hills

It’s been a while since I felt like writing. Now that school’s out and I am sitting on a job offer and the only thing on my mind is to unpack Punjab and pack Bangalore in my overstuffed suitcases and cartons (how I hate all the packing and unpacking), I have taken a sojourn to the hills. While I attempt to find peace in the two cottages with the spectacular view in the depths of Hemingway, I can’t seem to be able to spend more than ten minutes at a stretch reading For Whom the Bell Tolls. Mum and I took an early morning walk, taking in the unusual freshness in the air with a tea spoon of chill that is omnipresent here. There were tiny little pink birds fluttering around, hopping on the mountainous slopes chi-chiing away without a care in the world. For a place that is supposed to be fighting incessant forest fires (as per our very dependable media), there seems to be nothing that could possibly disturb the peace of these little ones.  I get reminded of the sparrows back home that have gone missing over the past ten years. Clichéd, but sometimes, I yearn for those simple times when Nim and I would spend an afternoon giggling in bed, with mum fast asleep in the next room, listening to them sparrows outside with a bit of the sun trying to force its way in through the not-so-thick curtains hanging on our window. Back then, family vacations to the hills were frequent and in hotels, with daily walks to nearby spots, when I would try to outpace dad while pretending I wasn’t tired at all and could keep up with his stride forever. Today, as dad and I sit nursing aching joints, that pair feels like it existed in another time, on another planet. As always, Nim’s presence is being dearly missed.

While I sit on a couch contemplating what to write, I hear mum and dad fighting over who needs to bathe first. Neither budged.

It is now time to return to the present. I should probably take a shower and get dressed so we can head out someplace. My undying desire to find a grassy spot with the wind rustling the blades for a picnic remains unfulfilled. One day, I will find my spot, sit with a book and a picnic basket and enjoy a lazy afternoon in perfect company. Oh yes, I always pictured a red and white checkered sheet underneath me while I laze around. I think I read too many Enid Blytons as a kid. It has ruined my perception of reality as an adult. Anyhow, if school has taught me anything, it is that everything is possible if you put in the right amount of effort. I intend to make this picnic a success someday.

Back to the hills,

Keep calm and move on.

Naina

Experience that changed how I think - Part II

I used to go for my internship to South Campus every day for two months during my summer break. Summer means 45° and hot winds. I would take the bus every morning, because my family lacked confidence in my driving skills. One day, I finally convinced them to let me drive down by myself. Dad, being the encouraging sorts, agreed. Feeling all grown up, I pulled on my shades and plugged in my music and drove off. Being a Saturday, I didn't get much traffic on the road. I got there in good time, only to  discover the parking was full. The parking guy would not let me in. I scanned the lot and found this tiny spot between a Honda City and one other car. I showed him the spot, and he let me through. Like a pro I maneuvered the car into that tight spot. Feeling rather proud of my achievement, I turned the engine off and gathered my stuff. I was about to step out, when it dawned on me, there wasn't enough room to get the door open. The gift of foresight... I did not have it.
I looked at the old couple sitting in the Honda and smiled, wondering what to do. Helplessly, I figured, I would have to back up and park elsewhere. I figured if i did that and found a different parking, nobody had to know what I had done. Sounded easy enough, till I tried. I scratched the entire left side of the Honda on my way out. Uh-oh. My first accident ever. The sweet old man who had smiled at me a few minutes back looked at me in shock.
Well, the rest is boring stuff. I apologized, called my dad, who apologized on my behalf and shared his contact.. Yada yada...it was all sorted out.
The point being, you have to plan in advance. Whether you're parking a car, or backing up one, you need to know exactly where you're heading and what your next move is going to be. You can't scratch somebody else's brand new Honda and expect them to be OK with it, and not every father is as tolerant or supportive as mine when it comes to pulling his daughters out of a tight spot. So that's your lesson for today, look for how you're going to get out of the car before you park it.

That last line kinda sounds deep...
Naina