Though I woke up at 5:30 today, Aditi again got ready before me, how does she beat me to it everyday. We reached early and I found just a few familiar faces.
Today, Goollu was on Sentry duty near the inner gate, scanning all who entered. I was also duly subjected to a sniff and passed off after a small tail wagging. Those who have had dogs in their lives, are familiar with the language of tail waggings and barks. I almost always knew who was at the door by Max’s reaction, ranging from ear deafening barks to jumps & ferocious pendulum like tail wagging-usually signifying Andal & Aditi’s return, to sometimes total indifference. There were those rare people that he loved at first sight, and also the most others who didn’t win his approval even after years. Kaaju, on the other hand, is a different soul altogether, was born to be a friend to all.
After the rain last evening, the fragrance from different flowers and plants was more pronounced today. If yesterday it was the different sounds that welcomed me into the park, today, it was the fragrance of moist soil and blooming plants. Rain is indeed magical. I pulled my mask down, took a few deep breaths, and decided to fore go the mask during the walk today.
The Throwball net had been pulled down and a cricket match was in full swing, we are indeed a Jugaad country. The same ground hosts throwball, cricket, badminton and volleyball, and sometimes many simultaneously. A group of boys watching the players were animatedly debating on the best beer available, with full confidence of true connoisseurs. I did turn slightly to gauge their age and guessed they were college kids. Smiling to myself, I remembered my friends and missed the honest carefree chatter that only friendship brings. Wonder why the number of our friends decrease as we grow older. Would like to think that it is just lack of time and different priorities. But, Is it really just that or do we start judging and classifying people?
Have you noticed the ambitious and competitive walkers who suddenly increase their speed to outpace anyone close ahead of them. Must be like overtaking the car in front of you. Wish they slowed down and enjoyed the walk instead of turning it into a race.
As I neared the boundary wall facing the temple on my third lap and was about to join the many bowing their head in reverence, noticed this gentleman who nodded towards the deity and continued on. Loved his equation with God. Our beliefs and our relationship with God are so personal and demonstrated in different ways. We seek his attention by elaborate rituals and prayers, with meditation and fasting, by donations and sometimes with just a nod.
Reached the boys again and this time, it was a technical discussion on motorbikes. Beer & motorbikes, Guess every college boy’s dream, even stereotypical. I remember similar conversations in my college canteen in Chandigarh. Has nothing changed? Also reminded me of yesterday’s conversation with Akash planning up to save for another bike, and me very sagely and unnecessarily advising him to fill his life with people and not bikes. What is with growing old? Don’t know about others, but unsolicited advice seems to come from me too naturally these days. I checked my mobile, 4.2 kms done, it is either getting easier day by day or I am pleasantly distracted, and donot notice the distance. Just then Aditi joins me and we walk the last stretch together, debating whether to detour and buy our regular coffee powder or try the new different powder at home. Does your life revolve around coffee decisions too?
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