Buddha Baap - The Old Man.

Daddy - my ultimate epitome of tall, dark and handsome. Yes, he is all 3 in an extremely handsome package. He had dumbbells at home to pump up his biceps and he played racquetball and went for a run and stayed fit. He is still just as fit. We watched Rambo on Star Movies year after year and I always said to him - He is Rambo without the scars. One near-death experience, 9 months on the hospital bed and he was smiling. Why? He was now a total Rambo, with the scars and all that. Yes, that's my daddy for me.

I beg, borrow, steal money from him. Ok let's put it this way - I snatch money from him in 3 ways - begging, borrowing and stealing. My dad has limited means but I know he will always find enough ways to give me money when I want it. All expensive things are bought by dad. Any place that accepts cards, daddy will buy me things. He is the one who gets those expensive shoes and cameras and clothes. He is not an ATM, he is a vending machine for everything.

He is the man who knows when I am thirsty and am not asking for water because I think its a hassle to stop the car. He is the one who knows I am longing for Jumbo glass Pineapple juice at our favorite stall. He is the one who promptly goes out at midnight to get emergency products on day 1 of my chums. He is the man who patiently waits outside the salon while I get excess hair plucked and nails polished. He is the one who can smell yummy Samosas and Jalebis from a kilometer and will drive in that direction no matter where he has to go. He is the one who will make us pack up our things at 9PM for a 6AM trip 600miles away. He is the dad who can make 20 lecherous men look away with just one stare. He is the one who knows exactly what kinda stuff I trip on when walking on the streets. He will still clutch my hand tight when I cross roads.

He is the one who is SO freaking proud of his 2 daughters and will talk about us anywhere, anytime and to anyone. He is the one who wakes up with a startle at the thought of me getting married and going away. He is the one who still loves me and protects me like I am a 2 year old. He is the one I hug, clutch, hit, shout at and do and say all nasty things to. He is the 6 ft tall man who, even after 30 years, smiles at his 5 ft short wife when she is yelling at him.

He is the man who made his way into the big nasty world - all by himself. He is the one who has never ever let anyone challenge his integrity. He is dignity personified. He has lived in limited means, raised his family maybe not in riches but with the maximum quantum of love ever. He is the ultimate family man and the awesomest father.

I love you daddy. I will probably never show you this blog but you should know that there is no one as important and dear to me as you. You are a dad better than one can even dream of. That tight hug and peck on your bald head 15 minutes ago was the daddy-daughter version of this post. I love you so much.

P.S: Buddha Baap in English translates to Old Father, Baap being the crass-est way of saying 'dad', in fact bordering rude. I've addressed my dad as Buddha Baap since I was 5.

Checkmate

(Part 2 of Checklists)

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She reached home only to get the most dramatic and movie-like call of her life. She'd probably never imagined that what was to follow would be just as dramatic but with an end that only life can offer.

She was fiddling with the bunch of keys to figure which one was the right key and her phone buzzed. She is neatly arranged with her stuff, unlike most girls her age. She knows exactly which pocket the cell-phone is in. The phone said - D Calling...

She thought in an instant that she now had to deal with a delayed or canceled flight of a delayed or canceled love of her life. She answered the phone anyway

Him - "I did not board the flight. There's somethings we need to sort, to undo. There is mess in my head and I need you to sort this out."

Her - "You know the way. Get home. I'll order some food. Get some tea-leaves on your way back."

Him - "Ya we gonna need that. You are smart!"


They both giggled and hung up.

She knew what was coming her way. Life had been quite predictable for her and the predictability was the only surprising factor she had. He took just over 40 minutes to get home. The doorbell rang and she got the door. For a change, she was surprised.

It was as if they had exchanged emotions for hugs when she left him at the airport. She stood there, calm and peaceful, smiling, without a speck of anxiety on her face, like he usually does. And there he was, fiddling with his stuff, his phone, looking all clumsy - just the way she is around him at all other times. He did not know what was the right thing to do or say standing at the door like that. She stepped up, hugged him and said come on in. He seemed relieved. At least the awkward silence was gone.

He sat in the living room and said -

"Dont run inside to get dinner. Sit here. Right here. If I dont say it now, I can never say it. I've felt just as strongly as you have in the last couple of years.  I've dated other women with you on my mind, just the way you dated other men without ever getting over me. I did not want you or me to get into something beautiful and then not know what to do about it. You and me together, with your career aspirations and my family ties, are a logistical nightmare. We will never work this out. But I understand very well that logic hasn't helped us much anyway. I want to finish this. I want to feel close to you and I want to cherish this as something more than a friendship. Its a mistake. But I want to do this. The ball is in your court."

And for the first time, she felt weak in her knees. She wanted this and she did not want this. She knew exactly what would happen if she denied him what he offered. She would never ever get over him. She will be an emotional wreck. She also knew what would happen if she gave in. She would live in the memory of that 1 day for years to come. She'd anyway not get over it.

This time around, her head and heart did not manage a healthy debate. There was no time. Her heart decided to call the shots and her body was a mere puppet in the hands of her heart. The next thing she knew, she was next to him, surrendering whatever trace of logic was left.

The next morning, was a morning like no other. They were 2 people in love, happy and perfectly at peace with life's shortcomings. They knew the situation they were in and knew that it was perfect. Both of them called in sick at work and spent the whole day together, laughing and having fun. He left by the evening flight and promised he wouldn't come back this time around. They both giggled over it.

She got home and knew that Utopia was where she lived in the last 24 hours. She knew she'd go through the pain of nostalgia, but she also knew that she felt complete and happy today.

She looked at her checklists on the fridge. She realized that the best things in life are never a part of a checklist. They just happen when you don't plan for them. She crashed on the bed and smiled - a smile of victory to her life.

And wishes come true :)

Dint I tell you my life has reached a period of legendary weekends?

So after all those months of GMAT, switching jobs, staying up all night to write essays, pestering ex-bosses to write recommendations, I finally have heard from the 1st college that I had applied to. And I have heard on the affirmative! Yes, I am joining ISB Class of 2011 on April 12 :)

So it is back to Hyderabad for me now. Yes, the stale Hyderabad but I am not complaining. It's new people, new campus, some old friends and a year of frolic.

So blogging will either increase a lot or decrease a lot! Tomorrow (hopefully) is my last day at work. It's then back home to arrange the monies and eat some awesome food and go for long walks by the beach with mom. And then shop for college.

Hyderabad, get ready - your lucky charm is back ;-)

P.S: Ya Ive chucked my American dream. At least for the moment.