Part 3: 'WOMEN IN MY LIFE'
It was a 7-8 hour long journey from Bangalore to Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. We had berth no. 44,45,46 booked. In the same compartment, we had a South Indian couple sitting who looked like in their mid- 50's, they had adjusted the luggage and were already settled as we came. North Indian Family travelling to Trichy in train is quite a rare sight. All stared at us as we adjusted luggage and spoke to each other in 'Hindi'. They didn't seem to get anything.
Women have a necessary desire to communicate and talk. Mom got all her courage up and enquired the South Indian couple about the city they were going to. Most South Indians are serious people and mean only business. You don't see South Indians chatting, or wasting time. They talk less, and wear simple. The lady replied "We are going for a Family Puja! in Thanjavur" and smiled. She had the most welcoming face that I saw after coming to South. However, her husband looked serious and demure. But, we managed to get him talking too. He worked as "Chief of Security Gaurds", no wonder he looked like that. His wife was the most expressive women I saw in South. She didn't know English. Her eyes glittered, despite of a huge language barrier, she knew what we were saying. As I joined the conversation, the conversation stirred. I talk a lot when I do. The security uncle would smile every now and then. Maybe, he never saw someone talk so much. He'd translate everything to his wife who laughed and laughed. My parents looked at me to stop as I talk real frank and blunt.
They told us a lot about 'Thanjavur'. Thanjavur has some old and magnificent temples 'Brihadeeswrar Temple' is the most prominent, a Lord Shiva's Temple. We told them about the college and counselling in 'IICPT'. Earlier, it was 'Paddy Research Center' set up in 1967. They offered us some home made dishes and "Macchi ka acchar". Fish is to South Indians, what butter chicken is to Punjabis. We slept till dawn, woke up and got ready as destination approached. Then, something unusual happened. Dad was not behaving normally, I knew he was onto something. Something was bothering him. He finally broke the 'ice', he asked 'the couple' if they had any kid or not. "Oh, psychic mode is on"I told myself. They had no kids after 25 years of marriage. They were going to a Puja! at their home for a child. Yes! I could relate two things. He offered a free Astrological remedy to them and they gladly accepted. Both wrote it down on a paper. Dad is an astrologer, he loves it but doesn't want any money out of it. Their eyes were teary and hopeful, as they thanked Dad. When we finally reached, I touched their feet and they left me with lot of blessings and love. Her eyes still glittered as she bid me farewell, she smiled at me as if she knew me completely. Women have always understood me better than any man can ever do. They are the balancing force in my life. I want to thank my mother, sisters and every female friend that I have had fortune to meet. I owe my life to you all!. My whole life, I've been surrounded by women. They have literally nourished me along. Some people misinterpret your association with women, luck with women doesn't mean luck in your affections.Yes, I have been unlucky in my affections.
Thanjavur, now this was seriously south-south. We three stood at the Station Junction. I asked mom,"2 din mai ham kahan se kahan pahunch gaye? this looks like another country." She smiled at me as we found dad had vanished, you all know for what. The station itself looked like a temple, with big pillars and paintings of God. This city indeed looked historical and religious. It was only 6 in the morning as we got out of station. The counselling was at 10 AM, so we had time. A women flower-seller stood outside the station. Mom had her eyes fixed on jasmine. She wanted a touch of South Indian on her hair. She was not happy with the price, bargaining - a special super power that only Indian women posses and even the barrier of language can't stop them. Hand gesturing and in few Yes's and No's, mom had it her way as me and dad saw the funny side of things. These are the only times when we enjoy each other's company while otherwise it is quite awkward between us.
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We got ourselves onto a bus. It was full of south Indians who gave us unfamiliar stares, as we were the only odd ones there. I knew this was real south, people with tilak on, conductor who didn't want an extra rupee, as father tried to persuade him to keep the change, but failed miserably. The songs irritated me, I felt I was dragged back in time to the 20th century, there was not even a sign of westernization. The same old clothes, culture, buses as if nothing had changed there for years.
It was a 7-8 hour long journey from Bangalore to Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. We had berth no. 44,45,46 booked. In the same compartment, we had a South Indian couple sitting who looked like in their mid- 50's, they had adjusted the luggage and were already settled as we came. North Indian Family travelling to Trichy in train is quite a rare sight. All stared at us as we adjusted luggage and spoke to each other in 'Hindi'. They didn't seem to get anything.
Women have a necessary desire to communicate and talk. Mom got all her courage up and enquired the South Indian couple about the city they were going to. Most South Indians are serious people and mean only business. You don't see South Indians chatting, or wasting time. They talk less, and wear simple. The lady replied "We are going for a Family Puja! in Thanjavur" and smiled. She had the most welcoming face that I saw after coming to South. However, her husband looked serious and demure. But, we managed to get him talking too. He worked as "Chief of Security Gaurds", no wonder he looked like that. His wife was the most expressive women I saw in South. She didn't know English. Her eyes glittered, despite of a huge language barrier, she knew what we were saying. As I joined the conversation, the conversation stirred. I talk a lot when I do. The security uncle would smile every now and then. Maybe, he never saw someone talk so much. He'd translate everything to his wife who laughed and laughed. My parents looked at me to stop as I talk real frank and blunt.
They told us a lot about 'Thanjavur'. Thanjavur has some old and magnificent temples 'Brihadeeswrar Temple' is the most prominent, a Lord Shiva's Temple. We told them about the college and counselling in 'IICPT'. Earlier, it was 'Paddy Research Center' set up in 1967. They offered us some home made dishes and "Macchi ka acchar". Fish is to South Indians, what butter chicken is to Punjabis. We slept till dawn, woke up and got ready as destination approached. Then, something unusual happened. Dad was not behaving normally, I knew he was onto something. Something was bothering him. He finally broke the 'ice', he asked 'the couple' if they had any kid or not. "Oh, psychic mode is on"I told myself. They had no kids after 25 years of marriage. They were going to a Puja! at their home for a child. Yes! I could relate two things. He offered a free Astrological remedy to them and they gladly accepted. Both wrote it down on a paper. Dad is an astrologer, he loves it but doesn't want any money out of it. Their eyes were teary and hopeful, as they thanked Dad. When we finally reached, I touched their feet and they left me with lot of blessings and love. Her eyes still glittered as she bid me farewell, she smiled at me as if she knew me completely. Women have always understood me better than any man can ever do. They are the balancing force in my life. I want to thank my mother, sisters and every female friend that I have had fortune to meet. I owe my life to you all!. My whole life, I've been surrounded by women. They have literally nourished me along. Some people misinterpret your association with women, luck with women doesn't mean luck in your affections.Yes, I have been unlucky in my affections.
Thanjavur, now this was seriously south-south. We three stood at the Station Junction. I asked mom,"2 din mai ham kahan se kahan pahunch gaye? this looks like another country." She smiled at me as we found dad had vanished, you all know for what. The station itself looked like a temple, with big pillars and paintings of God. This city indeed looked historical and religious. It was only 6 in the morning as we got out of station. The counselling was at 10 AM, so we had time. A women flower-seller stood outside the station. Mom had her eyes fixed on jasmine. She wanted a touch of South Indian on her hair. She was not happy with the price, bargaining - a special super power that only Indian women posses and even the barrier of language can't stop them. Hand gesturing and in few Yes's and No's, mom had it her way as me and dad saw the funny side of things. These are the only times when we enjoy each other's company while otherwise it is quite awkward between us.
We got ourselves onto a bus. It was full of south Indians who gave us unfamiliar stares, as we were the only odd ones there. I knew this was real south, people with tilak on, conductor who didn't want an extra rupee, as father tried to persuade him to keep the change, but failed miserably. The songs irritated me, I felt I was dragged back in time to the 20th century, there was not even a sign of westernization. The same old clothes, culture, buses as if nothing had changed there for years.
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