A Road Trip, A Race... and Mumma’s Weekend Out

We are so wrapped with our own lives that we hardly get time, not just for ourselves but also for the ones we love, our parents, our spouses, our partners, our children, our friends. Long working hours and deadlines and travels take up our weekdays, long runs and races take up majority of our weekends. Even the time that we actually spend with them are obligatory, cursory moments, not really quality time.

So when a race, which I was supposed to pace, gets postponed, jumped at the invitation from a friend to run the Nashik marathon. A promise of a flat route and good weather and some good seafood got me tempted (as if I needed flat route  and seafood to be enticed). Saw this an opportunity to get mum along and was grateful when the answer was yes. Mum seemed quite excited at the prospect of an outing, even if it meant that I would be out running. To be honest I was more excited about Nashik than I was even about my Thailand holiday. This was hitting two birds, or was it more than a couple of birds, with one stone.

Come Saturday and we were off on our road trip. We set out in two groups, one from Malad and the other from Powai. We did what we all do on road trips, we sang, we snacked, we teased, admired the view outside, clicked selfies. We took tea breaks and pee breaks. All the time I was little worried if mum would be comfortable but my worrying was unwarranted. To my delight she was smiling, not trying to smile but genuinely smiling, enjoying her time, even joining in for pictures and selfies. My friends, on their part, made her feel comfortable and took to her instantly. She enjoyed the extended misal break, which turned out to be our brunch. She munched on the papads, has some lovely chaas and relished the jalebi, much to my charging due to concerns of her diabetes. She even chewed pan. All in all she was taking in and relishing the entire experience. We even went to a temple and got shushed and reprimanded for laughing and chatting in its premises (what else could you expect from a bunch of cheery runners). On a hindsight we were disturbing the sanctity of the environment.

We made a stop at a sports training academy where our host is a trustee. I even got to play a couple of exchanges (if you called one shot rally that) of badminton. Boy have I grown old. We even the future Siana and Sidhu in training. From there we headed to the expo to collect our bibs. Proudly showed my Mumma around the expo but the most amusing moment was when I collected the bib. I have always thought my name was the most easiest thing to spell, but much to my annoyance people quite often end up misspelling it, not this time. Not this time, ended up chuckling realising they made my name quite roomy.

Finally, we reached the hotel, and went up to our rooms to freshen up and relax. I checked on mom to see if she was ok form all the travel and sitting for long hour in one place. As she took a short nap I took the chance to post the pics we clicked from the journey so far, being quite the so-called social butterfly. 

However, after a short nap it was once again off to do some sightseeing. As we headed to Trimbakeshwar, on a very picturesque highway, saw a number of signage for the Marathon, especially the 42k turning point. Proudly pointing this out to Mumma, actually feeling bad for the full marathoners, and then it hit me, the route ain’t flat. So one side of brain went  into a full blown panic mode, where as the other half was just simply excited of the route not being flat.

So we arrive at Trimbakeshwar, after halting for evening tea and Poha. I was apprehensive if Mumma was ok visiting temple, as most devout Catholics do. But she was ok with it, she even got a good history lesson of the place from Alpa and Jaj. 

On the way back there was a plan to drop us Runner at the hotel while those who were not running, my mum included, would head to Shirdi for a quick darshan. However, later on the plan was dropped as it would be quite late. 

We then went to Infant Jesus Church, stopping in between at a Hanuman Mandir. And from Infant Jesus we headed to Panchvati, actually admiring all these places and how the river flowed through them. One word of caution out here, using Google to navigate can be quite tricky, it can easily be hit or miss.

We then returned to hotel to join the rest of the gang to enjoy the wonderful seafood spread prepared by our wonderful hostess. So you had Surmai and prawn fry, along with fish curry for the non-veggies, and dal for the veggies. Stuck to the prawns as I don’t like seafood but made the most of the food which was served and absolutely relished what I ate. 

Finally, we retired to our rooms as those running the next day would have to wake early to prepare, but before that got news that our driver was ready to take the ladies who were not running, to Shirdi, by 5 the next morning. So tried to sleep early, while keeping my running gear ready.

Woke up up in the morning and went through my pre-running rituals of having a shower and applying Vaseline, to avoid the sting of chaffing, though I missed my black coffee. Woke mom, who got ready and came down to the hotel lobby to join the ladies who were ready for Shirdi.

Once we saw them off, kissed Mumma good bye, we headed to the starting point. As the area was close to the hotel we walked to it chit-chatting on the way. Reaching the venue we did what we always do, socialise, click selfies, smile for pictures, try to find the baggage counter, some water and Head to the starting line, and yes spend time stretching and warming up.

So switched on the music, Garmin, NRC and off you go. The weather was nice and route scenic but not as easy I thought it would be. Nonetheless kept going and trying to relax and enjoying the run. Though I knew I was kind of struggling, I concluded, bloody-hell I need to loose weight and go in for lighter shoes. No way was this run easy, even began wondering when would the turnaround point would come cause when we passed the 12th km. However the return journey brought a glorious sunrise over the highway and a lots of hi fives to friends and fellow runners. Finally crossing the finishing line at 1:48, not quite the time I hoped to clock but was satisfied.

Collected my medals and went out to pace friends on their way back. Once all them were back it was time for the post run shenanigans, to click funny pictures and selfies and join the celebrations and celebrate the PBs and podiums. If you thought that after running 21k a Runner would be dead tired then you should see my friends dancing after getting theirs PBs and simply enjoying the atmosphere.

Once back at the hotel it was time to shower, refresh and have a quick breakfast. By the time we got back the ladies and mom were back from Shirdi. So quickly packing and checking out of the hotel, thanking our wonderful host’s family for their wonderful hospitality, it was off to Sula Wines for some more celebration.

All through the ride I slept like a baby, cause I am one big one. Reaching Sula meant some more pics to be clicked to capture the memories of the place. Being a Sunday the place was pretty crowded. Somehow we found a table that overlooked the vineyards below. We crowded around a single table sourcing chairs from tables where they were unoccupied. We enjoyed some French Fries and nice conversation over glasses of wine. Tried to show mumma how to hold a wine glass. The best thing is had a couple of sips of wine and didn’t feel light headed as I always do. On the way out picked a bottle of Riesling.

Before we headed for lunch we stopped at this wonderful place called Utopia run by the dashing Adwait Kher, who also happened to be one of the first marathoners from Nashik. Calling it just wonderful wouldn’t do it any justice. Overlooking the Godavari, these quaint cottages were beautifully rustic in their decor. It was peaceful, blissful, quiet, like a piece of heaven on earth, surrounded by fields. 

The more we interacted with Adwait the more we admired him. He left us in awe with his wit and charm and his down to earth disposition. He had no shred of attitude considering he owned and ran this piece of heaven and was married to a Miss India and his daughter had just made her foray into Bollywood, and as we would later learn, was a model.

From there we headed for a quick lunch, or I should say quite the sumptuous lunch before we made our return journey back home. All this while though mom had been quiet she was making the most of the experience with her new friends insisting that I get her to the back road even if just for a walk.

In the evening, when we finally made it back home, I looked at mom worried that she would be all tired and worn out from the journey. She didn’t look exhausted, of course she would be tired, wouldn’t one be sitting in a vehicle all the time. She was smiling and that was what I wanted, to see her smile. She had a wonderful time and made some wonderful new friends who wanted her to join them whenever she could. I hugged her tight and kissed her and ordered food and retired for the rest of the night.

P.S. Thank you Atul for not only inviting us to Nashik but also your wonderful hospitality. We couldn’t be more grateful to you. 

To your wonderful better half and your kids a big thank you for everything and the wonderful lip smacking food. 

To the awesome Prerna, Babita, Alpa, Pooja and Jaj for making my Mumma feel like one of you, taking care of her and making her feel comfortable and being awesome.

To Neha, Manasi and Reshma, congratulations on your PBs and being awesome run buddies.

To the city of Nashik, thank you for the memories.

An Awakening

She was beautiful to behold with looks that could anyone’s breath away. She was the apple of her daddy’s eye, the thorn in the eyes of her rivals and the object of lust to her many suitors. She was a combination of beauty, charm, wit and brains, and used it to her advantage. She was not born with a silver spoon but knew how to use her beauty and charm to get her way, to get what she wanted.

She craved for a life of luxury, of no cares for the world. But above all she craved for a high standing in society, leading her to spurn many a suitors who coveted her attention but didn’t meet her expectations. She finally married for the money to a man way older than she, handsome for someone of his age.

Though she had all the riches which she craved for, she felt an emptiness in her, a loneliness. He gave her all the luxuries she desired but what he didn’t give her was love. He treated her with respect but seldom paid her any attention, and of love he didn’t give her any. She tried to console herself with the thought that she had all the riches in the world but all she felt was a sadness that her beauty and Love was given to a man who had no use for it.

She thought of a boy she once knew, a young strapping lad who loved her with all his heart inspite of her vainness, and she found herself falling for him despite of the walls she built around herself. But like all her other suitors, she spurned him too cause he couldn’t give her the life and social status she wanted. She thought about the passions she wanted to pursue but had abandoned in her quest for riches.

She wondered how did she ever let her life get way from her, how did she ever get this way? Was she tired or was she just lazy? Where did life go, had she she sacrificed her happiness for a life of luxury? Had she sold her soul for it? She buried her face inside her hand and began to cry, a prisoner of her own vanity.

He married not of his own will but of the the will of others. He was surprised when she agreed to marry him, considering she was young and beautiful and he was way older than her. 

He felt no attraction towards her, he felt no attraction to any women at all. He had long since made peace with his preference, burying it in a singular focus to be successful and rich, especially knowing that his family would never accept him for who he was, would never accept his choices. He knew they feared ostracisation, being knocked off their self-made pedestal. So he went about living with a mask on dodging the question of marriage as long as he could till he couldn’t take the pressure anymore and finally gave in. 

He couldn’t love her like husbands should. Her beauty captivated him but he  couldn’t love her. He could provide all the luxuries of the world but the one thing he couldn’t give her was love. Out of a sense of guilt he let her have whatever she wanted never once questioning her. He had befriended loneliness and continued e to be friend with it.

Though they shared a bed, a room, a house, a last name, they were strangers to each other living under the same roof. They tried to consummate their relationship in order to further the family name but had to abandon the act when things got weird, awkward and uneasy.

They were two souls in a loveless, tortured and unhappy relationship but never once wanting to the end the union, giving up the lives they were living. They were prisoners of their own trappings.

In the midst of their turmoil he came like a breath of fresh air, a whirlwind that swept them from the lies they were living. A stranger, a distant relative, who initially felt like an intrusion, an annoyance, but by and by he grew on them. 

He was everything they were not, everything they hoped to be, which was what took them by surprise, made them envious, made them distrustful of him. He was free spirited, an open book, what you get is what you see. A person who lived life openly on his term. He flirted with both of them, to their annoyance and later to their flattery.

She was the first to let her guard down. In him she found a companion, a confidante, a friend that she lacked. He helped her see the folly of her materialistic views and helped find a life she once knew. He encouraged her to shed her materialistic ways to pursue a life she had abandoned, a life that brought her true happiness. He made her feel the way she used to feel. He opened her mind and brought about a change in her.

He took a bit more time to come around. This may be due to that fact that he was unnerved by his mere presence, envious by the fact that here was a person who wore his preference on his sleeves, who was unashamed and unafraid of who he was and open and unbashful about it. He was all that he was not.

He tried his best to keep his guard up but he couldn’t help but find himself being drawn to him. He would find himself staring at him, and when this was noticed he quickly averted his glance. This lead to him being hostile and curt towards him. 

One evening, while he was strolling through the garden, trying to get him out of thoughts, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned around and his heart skipped a beat. He was standing there, trying to confront for his hostility towards him, asking him he did anything wrong towards him. 

And in all this he just could notice his lips, his face, and in that moment he let his guard down, grabbed his face and kissed him with all the passion he felt. When he pulled back he expected a punch on his face but was surprised when he kissed back. It was like the floodgate was open and passion and emotion like water flowed.

When they finally parted, he began to sob in his arms. He felt ashamed, exposed, emotionally naked. This was who he was, no more mask and all. He embraced him and kissed him once more and told him that there was nothing wrong with him, nothing to be ashamed of cause this was who he was. He encouraged him  to be himself, to be true to himself and to her.

She had observed them from the balcony that overlooked the garden. She saw all that transpired. It took her by surprise but she didn’t feel hurt or betrayed, instead there was feeling of relief that a curtain was lifted and what was behind it was there for all to see. 

They met in the hallway, initially not knowing what to say to each other. After a bit of hesitation they broke down in each other’s arms. For the first time they embraced and really meant it, for the first time they had a heart-to-heart conversation. They had an awakening to each other. That night one relationship ended but a new bond took root. They agreed it was the best they go their separate ways.

Couple of months later they divorced amicably, bringing an end to their marriage. However they stayed friends, their bond stronger than it ever was. He supported her passion, her career endeavours, providing her valuable advice and emotional and financial support when she needed it. He was shoulder for her to cry on, lean on, through success and failures, good times and bad times.

She in turn was his rock who stood by his side especially when he came out of the closet, providing him the courage and strength that he needed at the time. Unwavering and unflinching she supported him.

They found success and they found love and they were happy content with life and for each other. They no longer had to live a made up life.

As for the stranger who acted as a catalyst, who brought about an awakening, well after while he said farewell to both of them. His job was done and now he had to return back to his life. 

In the end, they were in their on way, content with the lives they now lived, their very own happily ever after.

Running for Aarey

We run for so many things, for causes, for fitness, for PBs, for the girl child, for our soldiers, for cancer awareness, to qualify for marathons like Boston (for the elite runners) and Mumbai (for lesser mortals like me). But today we ran for something that was much bigger than ourselves. We ran for Aarey, ran to spread awareness and in support of Aarey. At some point we all have run Aarey and it holds a special place in all our hearts.

It didn’t matter where you ran, whether it was in Aarey or from Bandra to NCPA or different parts of Mumbai, we all ran with a common purpose. We ran tall, strong and proud, greeting and encouraging fellow runners, and most importantly with Aarey in our minds and hearts. We ran as one for a common cause, we fan for Aarey. 

Even the Gods seemed to approve as the weather was perfect. It did mind if you were young or old, ran fast or slow or just walked, you did it with one purpose, to save Aarey. 

Aarey, the green lungs of our city, needs to be saved not just to maintain the biodiversity of our city but for the future. There so many reasons for Aarey to be saved and we pray and hope that those who need to hear our voices hear it and bring about a change, brings a change of heart and see the folly of their actions.

Together we can do more, we can bring about a change, bring about an awareness. We know that our actions today has definitely brought an awareness, now we hope it brings an awakening before it is too late and we have to live in regret.

The Zumba Master Class

When she called to tell me that she was finally having her solo Masterclass, I could sense the excitement in her voice, and I got infected by her excitement, after all that’s what friend do, they get excited too, for her, for the experience. However, when she told me she planned to have it in the complex’s clubhouse, became a bit skeptical. Not that I doubted her ability to conduct an event but I was concerned the issue of the people of the complex, the federation would cause.

Nonetheless, she was my bestie and I was 100 percent behind her, cause that was friends are for. At times tried to act as a devil’s advocate (figuratively and not literally), not to try and dissuade but to try and not let her get too ahead of herself (as I feared in my head). 

Met with her team and discussed the stage, discussed the capacity, the charges, met with the members of the federation to inform them about the event and get to understand the rules and charges. Once we had these sorted out it was time to bring in the registration.

I could see the anxiousness in her as the days went by. Days flew by but registrations were sluggish at the best, and I felt bad that I was doing nothing much to help ( I am really bad at sales). Nonetheless she didn’t want anything come dither her and she chugged on with the thought that she will give her best no matter who signs up.

So after numerous planning and choreographing with the team and her fellow Zins who would be with her taking the masterclass, overcoming setbacks and things that would throw someone’s mind for a spin, the day finally arrive. I knew my excitement and nerves were nothing compared to what was going through her head. But whatever was going through her head I knew she was excited and ready for this.

So after a quick prayers (as we macca pavs always do) with her family and Zins it was show time, time to put on a master class. The excitement was palpable as the ladies and few gentlemen and children were getting ready, clicking selfies. 

She informed me that her fellow Zin was doing a song which we had done and she wanted me to do it on the stage. Now my left feet syndrome took over me. Though I said yes, running through it I was several steps behind both of them. Even got me to think that it would be better I don’t come on stage.

When they started, I stood there observing her, a proud friend, seeing the crowds sweat it out, keeping up with the Zins on the stage. What’s stood out for me was my dearest and sweetest Anthony uncle so sportingly and free-spiritedly doing those steps, and my friend’s daughters keeping in step and very sweetly dancing.

And then it was my turn to go on stage, and made it through, literally stayed alive. Then you had the Zumba battle with the Zins leading their team in an interesting battle. Finally you had a cool down to the perfect song. And then it was time for clicking selfies and thank yous.

Tanya, buddy I am so proud of you and what you achieved and I know for sure you are going to go places. Keep at it and don’t let anything hold you back. 

The Sailor, the Maiden and the Sea

He stood on the deck of his ship looking landwards thinking about the lady he left back on the shores. Though his heart, his love belonged to the sea, he couldn’t shake off the thought of her.

The sea was his home, it was the place he belonged. He was married to it and had taken her as his bride. But why oh why was this gentle lady on his mind, occupying the space meant for thoughts of the sea.

He knew she was a fine girl, and a good wife she would make, but his heart belonged to the sea. This made his thoughts perplexing. He had seen many a beautiful maidens where he made port, came ashore, but here he was standing with an aching longing, a feeling he couldn’t describe, that took him by surprise. His heart longed for her and all he could do is think about her. Like she had taken over his mind.

A few miles away, she stood on the deck of her home looking seawards towards the man that she had just seen off. He came like a breath of fresh air and stole her heart.

She knew very well that his heart, his love belonged to the sea, but somehow she lost hers to him. He had warned her against it but she couldn’t help feeling drawn to him. Like a moth to the flame, she felt drawn to him, attracted to him.

She knew that whenever he came ashore, he would come bearing the finest gifts from distant shores but the only gift that she wanted was him, his touch, his feel, his smell. She wanted to feel his presence next to her. Though she knew she could never have his heart, but couldn’t stop herself from loosing hers.

Though his ship may have just sailed to sea she prayed that he would comeback to shore, comeback to her. She tasted the saltiness of her tears, as it rolled down her cheeks, wondering if he too was tasting her tears in the saltiness of the sea breeze that caressed his face. She felt envious of the sea breeze, a burning jealousy, at least it had the opportunity of touching his sweet face. 

She stood there all wrapped in his thoughts, with tears gently streaming down her face. She knew he was sailing somewhere, but he would be back someday, but she couldn’t shake off the feeling, no matter how hard she tried.

They were two people drawn to each other, slowly falling in love with each other, no matter how they tried not to. Their hearts yearned for each other even though the sea came in between them. They were two lovers falling in love and didn’t know know how. They didn’t know that they had already embarked on a voyage called love.

Dear Karni Sena: The Folly of misplaced self-righteousness

Dear Karni Sena,

What were you smoking... I mean thinking, when you decided to protest the release of Padmavat, calling for the movie to be banned. Certainly you hadn’t seen the movie. 

Watched Padmavati (oops... made a boo boo once again)... Padmavat this Sunday and may I dare say that your claim that the queen is portrayed in bad light is as frivolous as the dream sequence that you claim to be in the movie that demeans her. In fact she’s much stronger than even poor Ratan Singh, who in many way is blinded by his own self-righteousness and male chauvinism and let’s face it, is the damsel in distress of the movie.

So your protest seems to be misplaced. I don’t think the feminist undertone went down with you well, cause right from the queen that’s more wiser and stronger, to Malik Kafur, a eunuch general, has more sense than the king. The queen actually had more foresight and wisdom than the king. Even our very own Shivaji could have told him that he was walking into a silly trap. But then you haven’t seen the film, so how would you know this.

In a way you gave a-not-so-great movie the publicity that it would have only dreamt of, if it had release on its own merits and not on the controversies that you faked up. The film actually plays on silly stereotypes of righteous Hindu king against a barbaric ruler. And what were you actually protesting, a person who historically has no evidence of having ever existed.

So when you threatened to cut off the nose of the the lead actress, you ended having your own unmentionables(let’s keep this PG) cut off and handed to you and became the butt of numerous jokes. Not forgetting helping the director rake a moolah from your stupidity.

And though you may feel like your political careers are set, based on the governments that chose to look the other way rather than reprimand you and let you get out of hand with your silly and misplaced protest. So you may have got some eyeballs and governments indirect support you, but remember, Jasi Karni waise barni...

So all the best for your future careers and whatever you try to take and protest. You sure made a fool out of yourself, and God knows what Rajput pride you have left.

P.S. Of course Sunny Leone will have many followers in India and don’t be surprise if there are many of them in your ranks too.