Run Forrest Run!!

Small things can make my day. I could have had an extremely tiring day and a mention of one of my fav. books or authors can get chirpy again. Today was one such Monday. I had a rather angry, disappointed evening. The good news I was awaiting eluded me AGAIN! I was angry that nothing seems to be working no matter how hard I work.

With the mind of taking my fury out by running I walked up to the gym. I was never skinny growing up. However, I played my share of some decent sport while in school and a little in college so that kept me athletic if not a size 0. I came to this 'glorious' city and binged on food every day and suddenly one day this lazy, tired, unhealthy woman stared at me from the mirror.

I have tried very earnestly to be a regular at the gym. Somehow, after say a month, I lose focus and give in. So, in the register of my office gym I am listed as 'irregular'. That said, I have been quite regular for the past month and a half . So, after I ran my heart out, I checked my weight. The trainer telling me 'tum 2 kilo ghataya hai' was the highlight of my otherwise sad day!

This little incident brings me to the topic of my post. I have become observant of the different types of people who exist in the gym and found some rather typical ones. This is my take on them.

Exhibit 1- The Grunter!

While you are trying hard to focus amidst the blaring house music , he will make sure to declare his existence! He will first announce to whoever bothers to listen how much weight he is lifting and then pretend like he's giving birth! "1, 2, 3, aaarrgghhh, 4, 5, aaarrgh, 6, come on, 7, yeeeessssss, 8..." and you secretly imagine him dropping the weight on his chest and passing out cold!

Exhibit 2- The 'I am with you bro' fellow!

This guy is actually sweet. He may/may not care too much about his own regime but will always be there to push you. He is the kind who while you are running will walk past and tell you ''yea come one..faster faster'' , stand at your toes while you exercise and say ''3 more to go, push push''!! Watch him when he gives you advice for this 'new ab toning exercise', he will even give you a demo!

Exhibit 3- The blonde!

This species dresses rather typically. Dressed head to toe in brands, she usually carries with her an ipod and a sipper. They are tiny, petite, you can sometimes even see their bones sticking out. "I've put on so much weight, I have to reduce my flab, I've never been fat in my life''!! is their part of the story. Idiot will run like she's walking on heels and amuse the trainer by trying every equipment available!

Exhibit 4- The marathon king!

This man will be running when you enter the gym. After you huff and puff your way around and are done for the day, the man is still running! He usually runs at one solid speed with admirable stamina. His calf muscles are tight and he never seems to tire.

Exhibit 5- The serial killer!

He is the silent assasin, the ninja! He doesn't talk to anyone and is pretty much on his own most times. He rarely makes eye contact and if you are a regular after 2-3 months, will probably nod at you once when you bump into him. He doesn't care of the blaring music, the sad bollywood songs on TV, the people around. He comes in, runs like a man on the mission and leaves with his stoic silence intact!

Exhibit 6- The poor aunty!

Auntyji is a 'career woman'. Amidst all the young snoots, she wants to get her figure back and is trying desperately to start running rather than walking on the treadmill. She never gets tired of walking at the speed of ' 4 km/hr' for 1 hr! Finally after the workout she will get herself some juice, then some chaat, then a little bit of coffee, 2 slices of 'brown' bread, one small helping of maggi and tell someone on the phone 'haan main bas abhi gym karke aayi'!!

Exhibit 7- The TV addict!

This guy is here coz he doesn't have a TV back home. He will sit and peddle like he has no hurry or worry in the world at a snail's pace. His eyes are fixed on the TV and is often humming along happily to the latest Bollywood katrina kaif song!

Exhibit 8- The Hulk!

The ultimate Salman Khan fan! The song 'Jalwa jalwa' or any Akon number totally pumps him. He is the kind who eats every meal like a king. He has been building his muscles, working on his triceps and downing his protein shakes since he left school! He sometimes walks around replacing the gym instructor when he goes for a quick break. His best friend in the gym is the instructor and you often catch them discussing and exchanging vital stats!

Exhibit 9- The Bomb!

This has to be a woman! She's the one who has always been fit! Most of the above exhibits want to know her name. She walks in either with a giggly friend or by herself like she cares a rat's ar**! This chick means business, knows her weights, does her crunches with ease and glides on the treadmill grooving to the ipod.

Well, in between all these characters there is the little me thinking of the scene from 'Forrest Gump' where Tom Hanks is told ''run forrreeest run''! Working out without looking around at these characters would be so lackluster. After a tiring day, I now look forward to that one hour of entertainment in the gym!

Raag Malhar

I woke up this Friday with a smile! I smiled for a lot of reasons. After a tough ride, Thurs noon I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. My hard work was rewarded. I heard my dad's voice tell me that good things happen to good people and I saw it finally happen to me. But, while I was being patted on the back, I did not exactly jump and scream with joy. My best friend asked me on the phone "what is wrong with you, why don't you sound excited?''I was not. A sudden calm had dawned on me. I was happy but more than that I was thankful. A handful of people believed in me when things went horribly wrong. I felt thankful that I had enough resilience to fight back and keep the faith those few still had in me.

So, that was one reason I woke up smiling after a peaceful slumber. When I looked out from my window seeing the children in my building scampering with their bags and lunch boxes, I thought of the days when my friends and I would cycle down to school singing along each morning. While the reverie was flashing, it began to drizzle! The clouds parted and the blessed rain came down for a brief time. That was enough to make the whole day beautiful :)

With the windows down, I felt the breeze in my hair. I felt that morning like I could do anything, just anything I wanted and no body would stop me. I sat down on my laptop to work but not without the wonderful music. I kept humming all day. I kept going back to memories dear that were still fresh.

I stood at the balcony watching a few drops come down hoping it pours some more. Everyone around me was in a light mood because of the pleasant weather. I stood watching, smiling, slurping on chai. The day was packed with trainings and meetings but somehow, nothing could take my happy away.

After years, I thought of my grand dad. My old man on whom I rode piggy back as a child. He would watch me play, hear my fancy stories which I made up while on walks. He taught me to make paper boats. He was there when I got wet for the first time on my terrace. We raced paper boats down the stairs and he let me win. Later, I grew up. I somehow had no time for my oldest friend. He moved on to silent days by the bed while I moved away with new friends and new games to play.

After 10 years, I suddenly missed him like crazy. I wanted to hold his hand again and watch his toothless grin. But these thoughts didn't make me sad. I may have spent little time with him but they, after all these years, still made me smile on a rainy day!

The sun played peek-a-boo with the clouds all day long. I was waiting to get out of work. The music never stopped playing in my head. It was an evening filled of books then. I was like a little child in a candy store. Every book was calling out to me and I didn't know which ones to carry home. I got myself 4 wonderful books from my current list of 'to be read soon' grinning like a goofy dog!

I bid adieu to Shrek at 9 that night. 'Shrek- forever after' was a disappointment from the start but I still sat through thinking of the previous 3 movies, people I saw them with the first time, those I laughed with recalling the lines innumerable times thereafter. Donkey and his songs, Puss and his accent! Sigh! I will miss them.

Saturday was my lazy day. I enjoyed my solitude. Watched 3 intelligent British movies. They were a refreshing break from Hollywood! Enjoyed my latest book by myself at a coffee shop, got wet in the slight drizzle, cleaned my room and read some more.

As the day ended, I missed that light headed feeling. Tomorrow- who knows what stories that would bring? Would these three days of simple joys come back again? I have no clue. After a long time, I had nothing in my head but just gratitude for the good times.

Saawan Barase, Tarase Dil Kyon Naa Nikale Ghar Se Dil

Barakhaa Mein Bhee Dil Pyaasaa Hai, Ye Pyaar Naheen To Kyaa Hai!!

No matter how grey the clouds get there are somethings that will always be my silver lining. My family, my best friends and my music within. On a tough day when nothing is how it is meant to be, reading this note will perhaps tell me that nothing can take my happy away unless I let it!

Reflections.

Champai dhoop ke saaye  Baahon mein simat aaye hain Deheni lage hain shariyano mein Bada rangeen lagta hai Phir bhi ghamgheen lagta hain
- Gulzar Sahab.

I just finished reading the English translation of Shankar's 'Chowringhee'. It is an account of Calcutta (the old names still hold a charm, don't they?) through the eyes of a naive hotel clerk. From behind the reception counter at the majestic Shahjahan hotel, the protagonist watches the life and lies of those who sashay across.  

You instantly relate to the characters of Shahjahan. Each one adds their own hue. The poor man from the Howrah underbelly finds himself in a trance when life suddenly transfers him to the world of glitz and glamor. He sees people transform like chameleons under the neon lights. He learns simply by observing their behaviors.  

While the pages fleeted, I was lost in thoughts. Thoughts about the people that surround us. The people that influence us, in good ways and bad. People that support us, that hurt us, that make us fight back with a vengeance,  that love us truly, people who have just one face. 

When I finished the book, the story continued to run in my head. What are we but our stories?Chowringhee was not just a story about individuals, but an incredible chronicle of life in a past faced world. You welcome the charm and intelligence of Sata Bose, the receptionist. You shed a tear at the tragic hostess Karabi Guha whose only fault was that she did not know how to love with clauses. Your heart goes out to the owner of the opulent hotel who is a merely a poor rich man at heart.You meet a cabaret dancer who sheds her inhibitions in front of the unruly crowd, the bar man with a golden heart who prays for forgiveness every day, the musician who plays his tribute to Beethoven each morning with the rising rays of the sun, the launderer who a la Lady Macbeth bathes at the Holy Ganges after cleaning the sins of the dark night. There is that sly steward, the secretary who is more than what she portrays herself to be, the porter who is desperately trying to win over his love..

Then there is a world outside the hotel. The world of the rich and famous, the world that bribes the poor to keep their secrets guarded. You watch them walk in and out with shades covering their eyes,  drowning their insecurities in the comfort of alcohol. The shrewd industrialists, the unfaithful wives, the social worker who turns a vamp by night, the starlet seeking shelter from her jealous husband, the innocent youth who turns crafty, the kind air hostess who surprises many by making intelligent conversations. You meet them all.

You laugh at their small joys, you bask with them in their moments under the sun. You cry while they whimper at their miseries. You wish you could talk to some of them, you are glad you never met a few. Chowringhee brought all these different people alive and then made me reflect on those around me.

It made me stop a while and think of those incidents that made me laugh till i cried. Of the times when I cried till it couldn't hurt no more. How often am I grateful to those who make me who I am? Do I express it at all? Do I say things right the way they are meant to be, do I brush aside moments that need to be acknowledged? 

Yes I do. Now as I write this post there are so many things I wish to say to those who make a difference to me. In the daily turmoil where I am running towards a future not quite clear, I miss out on the simple pleasures. As I observe the life of those around me, I am reminded of how lucky I am. 

You sometimes need to take a step back to move forward. Just like that, one day, you sit down and think. Think of the people you come across every day, situations you wriggle out of, trials you put yourself through, choices you make. For in the end, we all have a choice. These are the choices that build our story. For what are we but our stories?! 

Chhaaon chhod ke dhoop mein chalna  Dhoop sada reheti bhi nahin Yunhi kabhi toh hota hoga gunaah haseen Phir bhi ghamgheen lagta hain.