An Ode to the Neighbor

Upon my parents' relocation to their current residence two decades ago, they were warmly greeted by the neighbor. Tragically, his wife fell ill within a few months and eventually passed away. Following his wife's demise, he, a widower, distanced himself from our entire community. For the past 21 years, he lived alone, typically maintaining solitude. His interactions were primarily limited to the essential vendors—those providing milk, newspapers, and food supplies.

He had a routine of rising at 4 am, taking a morning stroll, consciously avoiding encounters with fellow residents in the colony. To ensure minimal social interactions, he preferred going shopping around noon. By 8 pm, he would retire for the night, dozing off into a peaceful slumber. While his wife was alive both of them used to interact with my parents. However, following her passing, he started avoiding any interaction with them.

Whenever his son had the opportunity, he would visit him. According to what we learned from the son, his father chose not to move in with him. Additionally, he had completely severed ties with his wife's relatives as well. On two occasions, his son reached out to us on our landline when his father didn't respond to his calls. When my parents checked on him, he barely expressed gratitude and instead ended the conversation with a brief "hmm." However, I was truly impressed by him as he lived his life adhering to a routine, in his own unique way, and must have found happiness in his own world.

Recently, as I accompanied my dad to the hospital, I observed him sitting on his balcony, providing instructions to the painter working on the gate. The following day, I hurried back with my mother to gather more belongings for the hospital since my dad had been admitted. Once again, he was on the balcony, giving instructions to the painter. That was the last time I saw him.

Upon our return, we noticed his gate was locked, assuming that the son had possibly taken his dad, as it happened occasionally. However, today, a neighbor hurried to our home after reading about his death in the newspaper, seeking additional information. As anticipated, none of us had his contact details, but after a few inquiries, we managed to reach the son. According to the son, his dad had passed away two days ago. Feeling unwell, the son had requested his cousin to take him to Kochi, where the son lived. Unfortunately, his dad passed away on the way.It dawned on us that it was the very same day when my dad was discharged, and we had returned from the hospital.

It must be acknowledged that he opted for a solitary life and passed away in solitude, without causing any trouble for anyone, including his son. He serves as an illustration of the idea that we enter and leave this world in solitude, with others merely acting as spectators, adding drama to our lives.  confess a sense of sorrow, knowing the 4 am glow of his bedroom lights and the sight of him reading the newspaper until the milk vendor arrived will be missed forever.

Even in silence, he made his presence felt.

Guns 'n' Roses

 

Thor, Love and Thunder soundtrack made me listen to Guns'n'Roses's Sweet child o' mine after a long time. It's one of my Liked songs on my Spotify list. More than the song it's the memory associated with
the song that made me look back to my younger days.

Immediately after my graduation, I got a job where I met an incredible bunch of people. It was my first time away from home but these people never let me miss home. Though we didn't speak the same language, there was lots of warmth and affection among us.

In this group, we had this insanely talented guy who had learned the strings all by himself. He was the musician in the group, playing and singing Western and Bollywood songs with ease. It was during those
times, the early 2000's we had the email boom, and this guy had his email ID as axlrose***@xyz.com. Any gettogether, he was ready with his guitar, singing songs so effortlessly. It was due to him, that I
explored Guns'n'Roses, Queen, etc to name a few

We were in touch till we worked for the same organization, then he left for higher education in the US. When I heard the soundtrack of Thor, I remembered him, his ever-smiling face, and all those good

Encounter with Nadal

She was startled by my sudden embrace
Her eyes, so green, gave a steady gaze
For my touch had left her in a daze
She flipped over, ready for the chase

She wasn’t certain of my intention
She looked for help, for intervention
As she looked at me with great attention
I could sense her coyness and her tension

I stretched my hand for her to sense
She smelled me, gave up her defense
As I caressed her warm and thick fur
She welcomed it with a gentle purr

For she is Nadal, the timid cat
Once she knows you, she is a tiny little brat!

How He Changed My Life!

I was very averse to Bollywood movies while growing up, to such an extent that I didn’t know any of the major stars in the Hindi filmdom. I remember watching my first Bollywood movie “Saajan” in the theater with my sister and her friends.  From the excitement that they showed, I garnered the fact that the lead actress was numero uno.  I was waiting with baited breath for intermission, by the end of the movie, I was yawning.

After my first tryst with Bollywood movies, I decided not to watch any. However, my vow didn’t last long. During the summer vacation in the same year, I was forced to watch “Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander”, as my sister didn’t have any company.  By the end of the movie, I told my sister “The hero is cute, one song is good”.  However, I made my stand clear that I don’t enjoy Bollywood movies.

During the good old Doordarshan days, the TV series aired were of very good quality and content.  It was during those times, a young energetic actor had caught the viewer’s attention. He made appearances in TV series like Fauji, Circus etc. His looks were quite average but there was something about him, his charisma, very magical and magnetic. As an avid viewer of TV, this actor caught my attention. I used to wait for his episodes.

As I was not following any news about movies and its actors, I didn’t know that the same actor has signed his first Bollywood movie.  After my 10th grade examination, I got to watch his movies “Baazigar”, “Darr” and “Deewana” in quick succession.  When he talked, he smiled, he cried, he danced, my heart pounded faster.  For the first time in my life, I started enjoying Bollywood movies. He made it huge in Hindi filmdom and became the reigning “Romantic” hero.

I started following his interviews, his movies.  I was literally stalking him. His pictures adorned my bedroom walls and wardrobes. The computer’s hard drive had a folder full of his pictures and songs from his movies. Anyone could guess what my computers’ wallpaper, screensaver, and Windows login password would be. I started fantasizing about him. For me, he was a paragon, an epitome of perfection.

During my twenties, he ruled my head and heart.  I was so enamored by his quick wit, his gift of the jab and his intellect that I was looking for the same qualities in all the guys who came into my life.  As I entered my thirties, a period of normalcy settled in. His success story being very inspirational, a man with no godfather makes it big due to his tireless passion and insane energy.

There can be one and only one person, erudite and eloquent who keeps entertaining, enticing and exciting me all these years. His name is Shah Rukh Khan.

Gracias!

A Tribute

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, ex President of India, passed away yesterday. I was wondering what I could have written about him, which no one would have told ever. I haven’t met him in person nor do I have had email exchanges with him but I always look up to him for being a wonderful human being who led a selfless life. He is indeed a huge inspiration for many in my generation and I really feel privileged to be a part of the generation where we had great minds like Dr Kalam.  A person with humble origins, to being the missile man, to being the President of India, he really lived up to his quote “The dream is not that you see in sleep , dream is which does not let you sleep”. When death approached, he showed his generosity, even though he was doing what he loved to do the most ie lecturing at IIM, Shillong.

Dr Kalam wanted a better and brighter India, and being Indias’ citizens, it’s our duty to fulfill his unrealized missions and visions.

Jai Hind!