A Friend & A cup of Tea

.....I was sleeping like a bed-slug in the early morning and somehow I got up, rubbed my eyes with knuckles gently and found that my husband, Amit already left to office.

Actually as per our rule list, weekend’s homework has to be done by Amit. However, he went to office on some urgent work leaving everything on me.

Hmmm…

I switch on the FM Radio and it was my favorite song ‘Poora London Thumakda’ from the movie ‘QUEEN’.
I felt so refreshed as if I am the Queen and tapped my feet to this song. Of course, I am the Queen of my Life.
Listening to the song, went to Kitchen, as usual nothing was cleaned to make a cup of tea. So, started washing a bowl.

Once done, I kept the container on the stove, and put all the ingredients for making tea including Ginger. After few minutes, my tea is ready.

I took the cup of tea and sat near the window. Looking at the beautiful sky, reading paper, had a sip of tea.

I immediately, took away the cup from my mouth, as there is very less amount of sugar and almost sugarless

Hmmm…God!  When I am gonna learn making a perfect cup of tea.

I immediately recap an incident, which happened to me in the context of tea.

 We were group of friends, who works in the same Manufacturing Plant, but for different companies.

One day, I was waiting for my friends at outside my office.
 My boss pass by and asked me, hey Anu, Shall I drop you at home?
No.Thank you sir.
I am waiting for my friends. They are on their way. Will go with them. Thank You Once again for your concern.
It’s Okay Anu.
See you tomorrow.
Bye. Have a nice day.
‘Thanks and same to you too. Bye.’ I said
After 10 Min, my friend’s vehicle came and I got in.
Why are you people so late? I screamed.
‘We have work at site. Not like you ‘ said Vijit
‘What do you mean?’ I too work, not like you, working alternative days and praising yourselves. Understand.’ I said
Hmmm….
‘Whatever, Anu says, say yes all of you guys’ said Vijit.
‘Yes’, loudly yelled everyone in the car.
‘No, It’s not like that’, I said
‘Oh, that means you agree that you don’t have work at office. Isn’t it? ’,Said Vijit.
‘Hey Vijit, You are just bantering. I don’t give any reply from now on.’ I said.
Oh no, Anu dada, It’s not like that.
And we continued quarrelling….
In the meanwhile, we reached our apartment.
Children playing at downstairs, saw us, and shouted’ Vijit Uncle. How are you?’
He did not reply .Nevertheless, I said with a giggle, ‘Uncle is very fine kids.’
He got annoyed, gave a furious look at me, and went to his flat.
‘Hey uncle bye, see you tomorrow.’ I said with a smirk and left to my flat.
After reaching my flat, I came to know that I forgot my home keys.
I telephoned Geeta & Kalpana, my roommates, to ask about their coming home time. And they said, it may take another two more hours.
Hmm.I left to Vijit’s flat to sit there until they come.
I saw him sitting in sofa, which is in front of the door.
‘Hi Vijit, what are you doing?’
Nothing yaar, everyone went out on some or other works like paying bills, etc and as I am tired, I stayed at home.
Where is Dev, your cook?
I don’t know , where he roams? May be at downstairs talking with Aunt’s.
Oh okay.
Hey Anu, can you make a cup of tea for me? Pls.
‘I said to myself, this is the toughest question so far in my life. I don’t understand why Vijit always troubles me asking such type of difficult questions?’
Umm..Yaar, actually I do not know how to make tea. However, I can try for you.
Try? Exclaimed Vijit and said, ’No No, leave it’, as if I am gonna give poison to him
How come you don’t know this, have you never done at your home?’
‘No. I only know drinking tea when my mom gives to me.’ Said innocently
‘Hmm.. Amit, god only can save you! ’Said Vijit
I was annoyed and rigidly said, ‘No, I will make now, and you will say how tasty it is?’
‘Hmm..okay let’s see. But, I will be sitting here watching TV.I won’t guide you. Okay’ said, Vijit.
‘By the way, I don’t need your guidance, I said in a firm voice.’
I took the vessel and kept on the stove, ignited, poured some milk and then I took tea powder and sugar. And I let it on the stove for some time.
‘Hey vijit, Tea is ready.’ I shouted! As if I achieved something big’.
‘Oh is it!’ Incredulously said Vijit

I poured it in a cup and gave it to him.
He took a sip and kept the cup on the table’
What happened?’ I asked
You also have once and tell me how it is?
I said okay, and took a sip.
Chee …I roared with a frown on my face & kept the cup back on the table.
Tea is deplorably bad in taste. I said to myself.
‘Hope now you understood the taste, isn’t it?
What are the ingredients you used? Why the taste is like this?’ Vijit questioned me like a lawyer.
I said, you come to kitchen once, I will show you what I used for making tea.
He came and I showed him all the things I used.
Oh god!  you used Masala Powder instead of Tea powder! Don’t you know the difference? ’He asked in a firm Voice.
I said, ’it’s not written on the box. Hence, I thought this should be the tea powder and so I used it.’
‘Hmm..what to do with you? Amit god also cannot save you now.’ he yelled
‘Amit is in Bangalore, you don’t worry. I will learn by that time I get married.’ I said quietly
‘Vijit, pls don’t tell to other friends .They will tease me for lifetime.’ I said in a low voice.
No, I will tell to everyone. This is a very good chance to tease you. And I am not gonna miss this.’
Pls Yaar. You are my friend. Pls..
‘Okay then, on one deal.’ He said
Okay.
‘You should not call me uncle anymore. And even when kids in the building says, then you should tell them not to say. Okay.’
Hmm..Okay. What about after marriage? Then also, shouldn’t I say Uncle?
‘Yes. You should not say this word forever.’ Deal?
‘Umm Okay Deal’. I said.
Good.
‘Hmmm..sometimes one need to surrender , no other way…..It’s his time, let him….One day will get opportunity to tease him, let’s wait ‘.I said softly.
What?’ said Vijit
‘Nothing dear. Now, can you  pls show me how to make tea?’ I requested.
Okay.
And he explained me step by step and under his guidance, I did it.
Dev came home, saw me at Kitchen. ‘Madam, what are you doing?’
Making Tea..
Have it and tell me how it is?
‘He had my tea and said okay’. I felt very happy.
And wordlessly I thanked Vijit.

Hmmm…………

Feeling Nostalgic!  Revealed the secret.

 “Making tea is not as easy as it looks. However, remembering a blend of good memories makes a perfect day & a person happy forever”. -------Anu

 

(Remembering those memories, brought a smile on my lips and left to kitchen to keep the cup in wash basin……)

 

Clearing out the Clutter

……Saturday.. Weekend … but no enthusiasm….no plans of how we are gonna spend these two days…

My home is filled with lot of mess, many vessels to wash in kitchen and even my mailbox is filled with scrap. I started reading some mails that were pending in my inbox and is an easy thing to do early morning.

One mail intrigued me very much. It is about clearing out the clutter. I read the article posted by Mr. Arvind Devalia, a Philanthropist. It was nice and motivated.

Then I thought it is a good idea to start with.

Oh god! I would have cleaned on daily basis….it’s tough doing in weekly basis.

I started clearing unused &old clothes from wardrobes of my bedroom one by one. I startled at one shirt, which was gifted by my best friend without knowing whether it fits me, I never wore it until date, as it is XL size formal shirt but just kept as a remembrance.

I tied all unused clothes in a box and kept aside. I called Amit to look after other stuff in the bedroom. He entered into the room irritatingly….shouting ‘what the hell is happening over here?’ Why all of a sudden started cleaning?

Every husband says these usual dialogues. So no worries.

I got one of your girlfriends gift lying in that cupboard. Check it and if not required let me know, I said.

Oh! Is it?

Yes…

Why are you sooo excited about it suddenly? You were saying something like hell, cleaning etc? I said.

Nothing yaar, just like that …pls don’t mind..

First tell me where is my girlfriends present?

I said, check in that cupboard. Hope u will get it…

Amit started searching for a while and didn’t find…
while doing so, he throwed all the things from cupboard on to the floor…

Where is it Anu? I didn’t find.

Ha haa…Thank you…

Why thanks ? Said Amit..

Actually I called you to remove the stuff in those cupboards as I am tired and you did it…

If I ask politely u never do….so I did this way..ha ha..

Youuu…..

Okay okay ..it’s in the prayer room…Ur girlfriend gave “Lord Shree  Krishna’s” idol .isn’t it?

I already kept it in prayer room. Pls check it..

Is there anything else you found? asked Amit.

I said so far nothing…

Oh Okay .I thought you might have found my girlfriend’s love letter, which I kept safely .He, said quietly with chuckle on his face and left the room.

Hmm … is it? Then clean the other room, you may find it.

Slowly I finished clearing all the old stuff and finally cleaned everything.

I felt very tired and took a short break in between.

Thinking what next?

I remembered Mr.Arvind Devalia’s lines: “Clutter is not just those physical things hoarded for years.It includes time commitments and other things that use up more of your energy than you can afford to give them.”

Umm..

(Thinking whom I spoke with in past few days..)

Yes, got it.I promised my friend Manasa who is staying in US that I will give a call to her today.

Here I would like to say that BUSY is the only word always tries to keep you away from your friends, family and well-wishers.

I hate saying BUSY to my people who are close to me.

I faced these situations titled ”BUSY”.

Recently I had been to India for Diwali. And I telephoned almost all of my friends about my arrival to Bangalore and conveyed my Diwali Wishes. However, I missed phoning my friend Kalpana.

On the last day while leaving to Oman, I remembered her and messaged her saying, “I was busy all the time and am sorry for not calling you when I was in Bangalore”. Though she did not say anything, I felt very bad for that. And I took an oath that I never forget contacting my friends though I am busy.

                                                “Don’t promise or say a word when you can’t stand on it.”

I telephoned Manasa…tring..tring…..

Hey Manasa! How are you? See I said that today I will call and I called you…

Yes Anu. I am very happy. Today is my daughter’s Birthday. I want you to wish on her B’day.

Oh thanks dear for remembering me on this occasion.

Next year onwards, without missing I will give a call to her. I said. 

Okay dear. She said.

I felt very happy that I called her on time….If I phone her the next day, then the purpose of calling would have failed.

So always, stand on your commitments .And try to achieve most of them if not all…..And see the difference…

If you are unable to remember the things which you said you will do for yourself or for others, just write on a sticky note and put it on ur desk, computer, book etc ..

By following this for some days, you will feel the change, positive energy flows in your life and confidence level improves.

Also, one will have good bonding with their people. Just try it today and see the transformation.

If there are any problems in friendships….just ring them up and clear the things. If it is not being cleared, at least will have a satisfaction that we tried our best from our end .

Cleaning your pile of mess in all respects keeps you energized …

 

 “Start Clearing out the Clutter in your Lives…and live a clean life..”

 

Beautiful Moments....

Beautiful Moments....of our friendship....


............Tring Tring ...my mobile rang.....I was with boss in office. I cut the call..

Oh its time to go haa?boss asked.

Yes sir.Friends were calling..waiting for me..

Again my mobile was ringing.....I Lift the call.." Anu come down...we were waiting downstairs , leaving to home." Its kannan.

Sirrrr....

Ok go..Have a nice day..

  Thank you sir.

 I rushed down and get into vehicle in which my friends ...hmm ABB friends ,my best friends were waiting for me....scolding for being late of 5 min....

Ranjan,our friend,driver, madam, aap ke under mein aur kitne log hi?" Vijit,Madam was not having enough work, how come juniors ?

hmm shutup!

Hey ranjan,I have 4 subordinates working under me...dont listen to them..they used to tease me..dont even join them..samjhe..

Listening to" Jab we Met" songs in vehicle...Vijit tell me the meaning of the song "Tum se hi..tum se hi...".?by the way he explains well....

Depok joined in between...Actucally his name is deepak…..we call him as deepok as he used to call me ONU instead of ANU...thats why...

Deepok new mobile? when u bought? recently Onu....I can see market every often..thats why bought a high end mobile...wow nice deepok..

Thanks Onu..

Hmm hmm thank u deepokkkkk.....

Hey its drizzling guys....wanna eat garam garam pakode...hmm it will be yummy enjoying the superb weather ..cool breeze..

Vijit and kannan said ..s we should..lets call Dev to make it ready by the time we reach our apartment.

New character ....? Yes..Dev is ABB cook.good friend of us.I used to tease him alot..You know he was a great fan of MTR Masala.ha ha ...He never use other brand except this...

On the way to home ,saw road side pani puri .. ..deepok said "we will have pani puri first ,I said yes without a second thought.....

Deepok asked pani puri fellow"how much baina?"

Rs. 10 per plate ,he replied.

Your panipuri price is increasing day by day than the petrol prices? how come?deepok asked.

we all chuckled for his question...

Shopwala said"Saab aapka thanka bhi tho bad rahi hi na"..

we laugh out loud...

tik hai tik hai aap pani puri dijiye..said ravi..

Had a very tasty panipuri..I love them...

And then headed to our apartment..children are playing in the downstairs enjoying rain...

Dev is ready with pakode and garam garam chai.......wow yummy

...we all sat in the balcony chitchatting, enjoying the rain and pakode with chai,,,.....superb evening.....

Nur come with mouth organ playing “kuch kuch hota hai…song”….

still remember those days which I spent with you all..

Thanks for everything..guys.....



Hey Vijit...... ...1 day to go..........

 

Congratulations ........Wish You happy Married Life.....

 

 

Anu

An incident to Remember

Got a call at 04-30 AM, In a dozy state I picked up the call and said   “Hello”.

Madam this is Ahmed from Meru cabs.

Ok. Have you reached to the address given? I asked.

Yes madam almost. I am on the way to your home. Can you confirm the address once again pls?

I explained him the address and immediately woke up rubbing my eyes with the knuckles and  started telling off about my boss,”Oh god its so difficult to wake up early in the morning that too in Bangalore. Its all because of my boss, cant we book a ticket in the day time around 9 or 10 o clock or cant we have a war room meeting connecting to site instead of attending a live meeting…..blah blah..”

Anyways , its better to go early so that we can return early by finishing meeting…just like a famous saying  ”early to bed and early to rise”.

Finally got ready by 4-50 Am and boarded the car which was at the downstairs.

I said ‘ Ahmed, I am sorry to make you wait’.

 It’s ok madam. Don’t worry ‘We will charge you for waiting time too’ said Ahmed with a chuckle on his face.

Hmmmm……Chalo lets move. It’s already late..I said

Finally started to Bangalore International Airport at 5 o clock in the early hours of the day.

As I was feeling drowsy, I slowly inclined to sleep on the way to airport.

Ahmed awakens me and said   ”Madam we reached airport”.

Oh is it?

Yes madam.

Saying Thanks to Ahmed, I collected my bag and paid off. And left towards departure section. As usual a long queue at the counters ,so preferred collecting ticket to Rajahmundry using kiosk system.

Then headed towards security check, where I was asked for keeping laptop, mobile and electronic items outside in a tray. In the process of keeping my things, my mobile found missing.

I stood numbly  in the queue thinking where would I forgot my mobile.In the mean while I heard a voice saying ‘ next ‘.I immediately moved for security check and cleared.
Then  rushed for STD .Luckily I found nearby without much search. I called Amit, my husband to explain the thing what had happened. But to my surprise he said” collect your mobile from the driver who is standing outside near car parking area. I immediately kept the call and rushed towards security personnel asking permission for going out. He questioned me for 5 -10 minutes about why, what purpose and what happened etc. I explained him about the whole thing and finally he allowed me to go to the exit gate and the driver ,Ahmed handed over my mobile with due respect. I thanked Ahmed whole heartedly and then on we prefer to go in his vehicle,whenever needed.Ahmed is so sincere and loyal to his profession. We should say that " We still have trustworthy people like Ahmed in India where crime rate is touching its peak day by day".

Thanks to Ahmed and Thanks to Meru Cabs for choosing persons like Ahmed as his employees.

Renewable Energy

Opting renewable energy against fuel based power generation is always encouraging and advisable. For example,In India ,Gujarat government has come up with a project called "Gujarat Solar Park" of capacity 968 MW. The solar park is expected to save around 8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere and save around 900,000 tonnes of natural gas per year. Its a great move by Gujarat Government towards sustainable energy development.Hence I would like to see utilization of Renewable Energy in other parts of India and Oman too as there is an abundance of natural resources like sunlight,biomass ,water and considerable wind available. Thanks to 'John Brian Shannon' for throwing light on this issue of Renewable Energy in 'The Times of Oman'. Anu

Essence of Life

Life! In sea, there will be millions of waves which come and go spontaneously….. whereas in life ….. Yes…….It’s the same too………… My friends , My amity and the days which I enjoyed with them… I never know how I spent time with them ,living in present without worrying about future and the gone past…. Those are the very special days for me …… And I used to wait for the same wave to come and touch my feet… But it has never come…… Then…one day.... I felt the same touch with the new wave and started enjoying………… then I realized that… Life is full of waves………It teaches me to learn how to live in present ……..enjoying the waves which are coming towards you without waiting for the previous wave …....That is life….