Experiences from a trip

So, I'm back to putting down my observations, having decided, for now, that fiction is not my cup of tea.

 I just returned from a week long trip to my native place. Being away from the city tends to make you realise a lot of things if you take out time to introspect. The first thing that struck me was the weather. In winter, the mercury dips to 14 degrees and there's a slight nip in the air, which, in all honesty, feels wonderfully different from the warm winter of Mumbai. Granted, the summer is more severe, but in winter, its cool enough to make you want to snuggle up in a blanket, but not so cold that you'd shiver even after 3 layers of clothing.

I'd taken a few books with me to pass the time in the trip, and I'd like to summarise them before going any further. Revolution 2020. Typical Chetan Bhagat. Filled with sterotypical comparisons, a weak love story, and descriptions about the dressing sense of the female protagonist are aplenty. The title is completely misleading. Open, the autobiography of Andre Agassi. Amazing. Very well written. His life story is very different from public perception, and he has been completely honest. I'll leave it to you to read and form your own opinion. Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris. The 2nd book starring Dr. Hannibal "The Cannibal" Lecter, suffice to say that you will be shaken to the core after you read it. The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway. A story which won the Nobel Prize for literature. Perhaps I didn't understand what it truly conveys, but its quite intriguing.

Now, on to my experiences on the trip...

 As I took a bus to get to my nani's place, I gazed as we passed lush green fields, the population of a billion dissolving to nothing, and I felt a feeling of peace wash over me. Someday, when I'm done with my duties as a son, husband and father, I'd like to settle in a town and live in equanimity. Build a home, but with a palatial feel, and of course, environment-friendly. There's something about a big house, complete with a backyard that gives me a sense of home. Climb upstairs, sit in the gallery, enjoy the peace and quiet that only a town can give you. And if you have a little dog who loves playing with you, what else do you want?

 Incidentally, they were showing 'Hey Baby' in the bus. Before I proceed, I've always considered myself to be a family guy, you know, marry early, have kids, live the good life. When the 3 guys fall in love with the little girl, it was then that it hit me. Was it an epiphany? Was it a moment of truth? I don't know. But in that moment, I felt an overwhelming feeling of affection surge through me. In that moment, I was ready to do whatever it took for that. To love my wife, have kids, provide for them, love them, protect them. But was it just a flash in the pan? Will I be able to shake off my inherent laziness to achieve that? Will I be able to cross any and all hurdles that come in the way? Will I be able to keep my priorities straight, and not lose focus of what is important in the pursuit of materialistic wealth? I hope so, but I don't know. Sometimes I need a swift kick in the arse as a reminder. I hope I don't need it here.

 Moving on, I'd gone for dinner with my cousins. We were chatting about all the topics under the sun, but a particular snippet of the conversation stayed with me. My bhabhi said, "For that, I did consider marrying him(my cousin) early"

I'm sorry? Didn't quite catch that. She repeated, and she was literally blushing as she did. In that instance, she was the most beautiful woman in the world, gushing about her husband-to-be. I wanted to go 'Awww' but decided against it, managing with a chuckle instead. And my cousin, ever the loving fiance, has been perfect, despite me teasing him mercilessly about being a perfect gentleman. I like to observe people and their behaviour. It didn't take me much time to discern he's wrapped around her finger, and it won't be long before he's completely whipped. But in this case, I don't think its a bad thing. Oh, to be young and in love! 'Tis a wonderful feeling, innit?

 I bid farewell the next day, to return to Mumbai. I don't know how the week snuck by. Perhaps I lost track of time on the swing in the backyard at my nani's place. In the evening chill that a town offers. In playing with the cute little pup as it licked my fingers. In the meals we had together sitting on the floor. I don't know. What I do know, is that I have tears in my eyes as I write this, wishing I had stayed another day, another week.