Envoy

In anticipation to tantrums of being holed up indoors during my trip to US, a chauffer-driven swanky Cadillac has been rolled out. If things go as per plan, I will be escorted from JKF Airport in and through New York; also the vehicle and driver shall remain dispensible to beck and call for weekend outings, and other errands.

I can already hear the little birdies chirping to welcome me on crisp sunny mornings like these.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, the driver is a novice; so the next 4 months are for practice and hence been put on an advance payroll. :D

Mubarak Din

This year Eid has been a completely different experience. Uptil 2007 I have spent every Ramazan Eid with my family - parents, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandma et al. The dinner party where 100's from the extended family meet up. The rituals is to gather Eid-i, play housie, comment on inches gained or lost, length of hair and styles accompanied with everyone's opinions. The crammed function hall, the late meal. Getting dressed, choosing the right accessories, new clothes, photo sessions.
And I had taken it all for granted. Cribbed about making such a big deal about visiting each one's home and nearly passing out by the time we head home late in the night. Stuffed as we would be with the Sev Khurma and platter of goodies offered at each house, I had never thought that there would come a year when I would not be a part of this hubbabullo.
As a token gesture I wore salwar-kameez to office. But it just wasn't the same. I am used to working on Eid, but having nothing to look forward to really made me lose my appetite. I sucked on sour grapes for lunch, then slunk to my desk and quietly shed tears. I bought new clothes, ate sweets, dressed up, demanded Eid-i from friends. But it isn't just the Eid without family. I have never felt so alone before.

It’s celebration time

Raindrops have stopped falling on my head. The streets are ablaze with orange leaves. The damp walls have dried up. They are now glistening with fresh paint. The festive season is here. And the entire world is celebrating.
All of India is rejoicing the victory of good over evil with Dassera. Huge effigies of Ravana are burnt to commemorate the occasion. Germany is guzzling pints of beer, elated with the fall harvest season with the Oktoberfest.
Meanwhile, Muslims are abstaining from all worldly pleasures. Ramazan has a charm of its own though with the streets come alive each evening.
And so are Hindu women. They will be doing the Karwachauth fast for the long lives of their husbands, who have been coughing up fat sums, to meet their shopping bills.
With the days getting shorter, the season of lights cannot be far behind. Halloween is also just around the corner. And so is Diwali. Pretty mud diyas, firecrackers, lanterns, sweets meats, a whole new wardrobe; and with that a pile of gifts and greeting cards.
Stuffed faces, satisfied appetites, Pretty smiles, the euphoria is bursting forth its seams.