Weekend Masti! (March 25-26, 2006)
EVENT 1
With Zanzu
The beginning of Saturday, March 25, 2006 was quite ordinary. Woke up early and was greeted with some usual back-offs from the usual artists. Well not exactly how I wanted it to be, but nonetheless, it happened. Was expected. Glad that all of it happened early in the day, so that the rest of the day was not ruined.
Spoke to 'Bevdya' who called me KHAVIS for still being in Mumbai and not in Pune as promised, but he seemed to be ok with it since he too was in college with his friends having some usual dope of fun and games.
Then came the interaction with Vintya and Jandya. Spoke to them several times just to understand what exactly was their POA (Plan of Action), but to my dismay there was nothing concrete decided till then. Anyway I knew for sure that all of them would be in Pune by evening by hook or by crook.
In the mean time as this interaction took lot of time, Mr. Late happened to reach Dadar station before I could @ 11am sharp (9.30am was the scheduled time though.... but still reaching there before I did was quite a commendable thing!! Cheers). Amidst some kind of confusion headed straight towards Kalyan where we attended Zanzu's sister's wedding. It was not as easy as it sounds, since Mr. Late had conviniently forgotten the chit on which he had written down the address. Hmmmmm .... so there we stood @ Kalyan Station Platform No. 4, no idea whatsoever what needs to be done.
Frantically making calls to Zanzu but to no avail. He must have been busy. (Isn't it like.... obvious??). The stars seemed to be really powerful for us that day since they bestowed upon every bit of luck which was required to reach the marriage site. After a brief interaction with his folks, Mr. Late got the address and we headed towards the hall in a Rick trying our level best to speak Marathi (FYI - Mr. Late works with Air-India and now speaks English better with a heavy Brit/US Accent, than the native Marathi). We made it to the marriage hall a good hour and half late, but the more important thing was that we were there. Against all odds we had made it to the destination, dehydrated and drenched in sweat.
After munching down dozens of Gulab Jamuns along side the regular Paneer-Mutter and Bhindi and assorted accompaniments, we headed back home. Already tired, only half way through the day, we somehow managed to board the right train at the chaotic Kalyan Jn. Returned home at about 5pm. called up Prabs at 6.15pm and he asked me to meet at EPR Station.
EVENT 2
Vikky di Party
Cell phone battery had drained by the time it was evening. Speaking to one and all through out the day was quite a task. Left it at home for charging (missed a whole lot of calls :( ). Went to EPR where I met Prabs. After meeting it was decided that we go to Chembur in a bus, but instead we took a train to Kulla to meet others from the usual paltan, viz, Taks and Peshwe III. After a good 45 min wait at probably the worst possible station (you have to see it to believe it) in Suburban Mumbai we all finally met at P#3 Indicator ke niche. Headed straight to Vikky di Party where the music was tuned in for the entire mohallah and not just for us. I must admit that the music was rocking, but it has now left me partially deaf and with a sore throat trying to communiacte with people there.
We waited and waited for Vikky (who again has a reputation similar to that of Mr. Late)Finally showed up by 9.15pm when the party went underway. After a couple of round of drinks and snacks being circulated with blaring music in the background, we all desperately tried to speak to each other. (Ex-Shaw's are always a great to speak to since one gets an idea of the outside world, a world beyond Bawa's which very few people who work there have ever dreamt of. Yea yea... Whatever!)
After shaking a leg, now to add some spice to the entire event, the cops turned up. I was so damn sure that they would, since the music was surely going to pierce their ears as well. Prabs and I had our fair share of the Mutton Biryani and mutton offals before we left from there. Not waiting any futher for an untoward incident. Peshwe III left with Bajirao III on their Pulsar for Vikhroli and so did Prabby and I.
Dodging a cars on the busy Eastern Express Highway, Prabs and I finally made it to the bus-stop, one piece, safe and sound. Only later did we discover that it would have been much easier if we had taken the SUBWAY. Damn....., I can never undertstand why can't we find the subway when we need it the most! Is this the case everywhere?
EVENT 3
With the Keku's
DAY 1
After a tiresome day all across the distant and central suburbs of Mumbai, I woke up at 4.18am. Very frankly could not sleep all night with the fear of not being able to get up on time for the Intercity Superfast Express train to PUNE. So now that I had loads to time. Sat for the routine check-mail, forward/reply stuff and fixed other things before getting ready to leave. Reached DDR Station at 6.21am for a train which leaves at 7.00am. The next 40min which I had were quite fun since just before this Intercity thingy leaves, there's this Tapovan Exp which leaves with characters traveling on-board the train for a remote hamlet in MS. I wonder why the train is scheduled at 6.25am for the unheard-of place for people who act funny when in Mumbai trying to do things ordinarily they won't. You have no idea what this city can do to people. Dadar ... busy as ever flooded with Bhaiiyas at any point during the day gives a person a fair idea of the exploding Mumbai population. Anyway
Boarded the Intercity after a brief chaos as usual since the bogies didn't quite come where they were announced they would. I promptly found my window seat and gathered myself for a good sleep on my way to Pune.
When I checked my watch it was 10.20am. Man was I late for the 11am wedding ?? Alas! I sure was. Anyway I took a rick to Sajan's place in Mayur colony. Harrowed by calls from mom, dad and bevdya, phone ring going every single minute, I somehow managed to keep calm. Reached there and changed into a formal set of clothes in a jiffy for the Big-event. To my surprise we were well before the final warning (IIShubh Mangal SavadhanII), SO I HAD FINALLY MADE IT ON TIME! YEAH YEAH YEAH ....... no bounds to my joy.
But others were nowhere to be seen. Met up with Bevdya and CD who were the only souls I knew besides Sajan. CD had been transformed into a MAN. I say that because when I had left the colony in 1998, he was just a kid , that too one like me! (here it is not implied that I too have turned into a man, but I am a youth today and still sometime before I become the COMPLETE MAN like CD who now looks like he's well settled in Pune with a family of four). Had a brief chat with Bevdya before others turned up. Kushti, Rutoo, Vintya, Bail and Bandya all were in a few moments. The first of the lot. Others who were sloshed, were finding it tough to make it to the hall on time. After sometime Sarvya and Jadya (the B'day boy turned up) and things started looking good. We sat and spoke and made merry, as we waited for the last batch of people to come-by.
Met up with Vasu Maushi and was surrounded by teachers. Was reminded of those good old days in school. Great fun! Had to rewind a great deal to quite figure out the who's who of St. Hawk's School, but then managed it successfully. There was no doubting it either ways. Suddenly there was this chalk board and teachers teaching all sorts of subjects from languages to science to everything under the sun (revevant from the textbooks of course)
Spent some time with Keku, the only time I spent with him on this trip. He was obviously too busy attending to other guests, other friends and his relatives (being specific here). The gang was too occupied staring at chicks (or should I say there was only one as per most). Yes she indeed was gorgeous, well she always was and am sure she will continue to be. She had everything right for a guy to be mesmerized and fall for. Having seen too many like her in the city of dreams, I felt rather odd hanging around with my gang and soon shyed away from the lot. However, to say the least, caught a glimpse or two to know why exactly everybody was after her :) All I have to say is, guys please stop doing this in public. I know exactly how you feel, but kindly stop getting yourself into an embracing situation especially when it involves beautiful cute little mama's with their parents who can get you into trouble back home rather easily if need be. So please for God's sake.... STOP IT!!
After lunch (a lovely Maharashtrain one that I was longing to have) had the hyped AMAZING!! Panhe recommended by none other than Bevdya. Good stuff. Good show Bevdya. Cheers. Headed to Sarvya's place where we rested our bones as we lay gazing the roof.
In the specially cut-out for school pals, made it across the city to reach Koregaon Park - Pune's hub for the show-off's. Supposedly a COOL place to hang around (but frankly I never thought so). Don't want to hear any Puneites ego here, but sadly it doesn't really rock. Anyway there's no debating that since no other place in Pune does either way :). What mattered most was the company, which was the best, so the place according to me really did not matter. There we were at Burger King! Had loads of fun. Yapped and yapped endlessly, continuously chomping on the Burgers masked with tonnes of mayonnaise along side the conversations. Spoke about the journey so far (in life) so also where it was headed, however from here we headed straight to some Hookha Lounge Cendenza... or whatever, which had traditional seating with mattress and traditional ambience with bamboo partitions and loads of mosquitoes. CD had been lured to pay for the Burger bills which he fell-to and promptly did that. Back at the Hooka Lounge, the dude DJ (if there was any) played the same songs over and over and over again, and Bail (aka Himesh) was being forced to sing. He didn't quite seem interested, though he didn't mind it either. A photo session and much grave topics there, it was time when we said goodnight and parted from there.
Headed straight to Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Mandir. Sought his blessing of the LORD and wished that everything come true for everyone (the standard prayer now-a-days. It’s been long that I have stopped being selfish and asking for personal favours to the Lord:) ) Headed back home where we all collapsed chatting in the drawing room. Soon everyone was fast asleep by 2.00am. Indeed was great fun all day! Packed with activity, satisfaction was guaranteed.
DAY 2
There it was Day 2, got up early, received calls from teachers (the current one's) and college-mates, who wanted me to hit the college by 12 noon (which somewhere down within I knew I never would). I was very keen on attending lectures though, but later remembered it was the most boring lecture of the teachers with the problems with the langauge of Englis. A PG from IITTM with horendous language to whom I can attribute my spelling mistakes for life!. I decided to stay away.
With Zanzu
The beginning of Saturday, March 25, 2006 was quite ordinary. Woke up early and was greeted with some usual back-offs from the usual artists. Well not exactly how I wanted it to be, but nonetheless, it happened. Was expected. Glad that all of it happened early in the day, so that the rest of the day was not ruined.
Spoke to 'Bevdya' who called me KHAVIS for still being in Mumbai and not in Pune as promised, but he seemed to be ok with it since he too was in college with his friends having some usual dope of fun and games.
Then came the interaction with Vintya and Jandya. Spoke to them several times just to understand what exactly was their POA (Plan of Action), but to my dismay there was nothing concrete decided till then. Anyway I knew for sure that all of them would be in Pune by evening by hook or by crook.
In the mean time as this interaction took lot of time, Mr. Late happened to reach Dadar station before I could @ 11am sharp (9.30am was the scheduled time though.... but still reaching there before I did was quite a commendable thing!! Cheers). Amidst some kind of confusion headed straight towards Kalyan where we attended Zanzu's sister's wedding. It was not as easy as it sounds, since Mr. Late had conviniently forgotten the chit on which he had written down the address. Hmmmmm .... so there we stood @ Kalyan Station Platform No. 4, no idea whatsoever what needs to be done.
Frantically making calls to Zanzu but to no avail. He must have been busy. (Isn't it like.... obvious??). The stars seemed to be really powerful for us that day since they bestowed upon every bit of luck which was required to reach the marriage site. After a brief interaction with his folks, Mr. Late got the address and we headed towards the hall in a Rick trying our level best to speak Marathi (FYI - Mr. Late works with Air-India and now speaks English better with a heavy Brit/US Accent, than the native Marathi). We made it to the marriage hall a good hour and half late, but the more important thing was that we were there. Against all odds we had made it to the destination, dehydrated and drenched in sweat.
After munching down dozens of Gulab Jamuns along side the regular Paneer-Mutter and Bhindi and assorted accompaniments, we headed back home. Already tired, only half way through the day, we somehow managed to board the right train at the chaotic Kalyan Jn. Returned home at about 5pm. called up Prabs at 6.15pm and he asked me to meet at EPR Station.
EVENT 2
Vikky di Party
Cell phone battery had drained by the time it was evening. Speaking to one and all through out the day was quite a task. Left it at home for charging (missed a whole lot of calls :( ). Went to EPR where I met Prabs. After meeting it was decided that we go to Chembur in a bus, but instead we took a train to Kulla to meet others from the usual paltan, viz, Taks and Peshwe III. After a good 45 min wait at probably the worst possible station (you have to see it to believe it) in Suburban Mumbai we all finally met at P#3 Indicator ke niche. Headed straight to Vikky di Party where the music was tuned in for the entire mohallah and not just for us. I must admit that the music was rocking, but it has now left me partially deaf and with a sore throat trying to communiacte with people there.
We waited and waited for Vikky (who again has a reputation similar to that of Mr. Late)Finally showed up by 9.15pm when the party went underway. After a couple of round of drinks and snacks being circulated with blaring music in the background, we all desperately tried to speak to each other. (Ex-Shaw's are always a great to speak to since one gets an idea of the outside world, a world beyond Bawa's which very few people who work there have ever dreamt of. Yea yea... Whatever!)
After shaking a leg, now to add some spice to the entire event, the cops turned up. I was so damn sure that they would, since the music was surely going to pierce their ears as well. Prabs and I had our fair share of the Mutton Biryani and mutton offals before we left from there. Not waiting any futher for an untoward incident. Peshwe III left with Bajirao III on their Pulsar for Vikhroli and so did Prabby and I.
Dodging a cars on the busy Eastern Express Highway, Prabs and I finally made it to the bus-stop, one piece, safe and sound. Only later did we discover that it would have been much easier if we had taken the SUBWAY. Damn....., I can never undertstand why can't we find the subway when we need it the most! Is this the case everywhere?
EVENT 3
With the Keku's
DAY 1
After a tiresome day all across the distant and central suburbs of Mumbai, I woke up at 4.18am. Very frankly could not sleep all night with the fear of not being able to get up on time for the Intercity Superfast Express train to PUNE. So now that I had loads to time. Sat for the routine check-mail, forward/reply stuff and fixed other things before getting ready to leave. Reached DDR Station at 6.21am for a train which leaves at 7.00am. The next 40min which I had were quite fun since just before this Intercity thingy leaves, there's this Tapovan Exp which leaves with characters traveling on-board the train for a remote hamlet in MS. I wonder why the train is scheduled at 6.25am for the unheard-of place for people who act funny when in Mumbai trying to do things ordinarily they won't. You have no idea what this city can do to people. Dadar ... busy as ever flooded with Bhaiiyas at any point during the day gives a person a fair idea of the exploding Mumbai population. Anyway
Boarded the Intercity after a brief chaos as usual since the bogies didn't quite come where they were announced they would. I promptly found my window seat and gathered myself for a good sleep on my way to Pune.
When I checked my watch it was 10.20am. Man was I late for the 11am wedding ?? Alas! I sure was. Anyway I took a rick to Sajan's place in Mayur colony. Harrowed by calls from mom, dad and bevdya, phone ring going every single minute, I somehow managed to keep calm. Reached there and changed into a formal set of clothes in a jiffy for the Big-event. To my surprise we were well before the final warning (IIShubh Mangal SavadhanII), SO I HAD FINALLY MADE IT ON TIME! YEAH YEAH YEAH ....... no bounds to my joy.
But others were nowhere to be seen. Met up with Bevdya and CD who were the only souls I knew besides Sajan. CD had been transformed into a MAN. I say that because when I had left the colony in 1998, he was just a kid , that too one like me! (here it is not implied that I too have turned into a man, but I am a youth today and still sometime before I become the COMPLETE MAN like CD who now looks like he's well settled in Pune with a family of four). Had a brief chat with Bevdya before others turned up. Kushti, Rutoo, Vintya, Bail and Bandya all were in a few moments. The first of the lot. Others who were sloshed, were finding it tough to make it to the hall on time. After sometime Sarvya and Jadya (the B'day boy turned up) and things started looking good. We sat and spoke and made merry, as we waited for the last batch of people to come-by.
Met up with Vasu Maushi and was surrounded by teachers. Was reminded of those good old days in school. Great fun! Had to rewind a great deal to quite figure out the who's who of St. Hawk's School, but then managed it successfully. There was no doubting it either ways. Suddenly there was this chalk board and teachers teaching all sorts of subjects from languages to science to everything under the sun (revevant from the textbooks of course)
Spent some time with Keku, the only time I spent with him on this trip. He was obviously too busy attending to other guests, other friends and his relatives (being specific here). The gang was too occupied staring at chicks (or should I say there was only one as per most). Yes she indeed was gorgeous, well she always was and am sure she will continue to be. She had everything right for a guy to be mesmerized and fall for. Having seen too many like her in the city of dreams, I felt rather odd hanging around with my gang and soon shyed away from the lot. However, to say the least, caught a glimpse or two to know why exactly everybody was after her :) All I have to say is, guys please stop doing this in public. I know exactly how you feel, but kindly stop getting yourself into an embracing situation especially when it involves beautiful cute little mama's with their parents who can get you into trouble back home rather easily if need be. So please for God's sake.... STOP IT!!
After lunch (a lovely Maharashtrain one that I was longing to have) had the hyped AMAZING!! Panhe recommended by none other than Bevdya. Good stuff. Good show Bevdya. Cheers. Headed to Sarvya's place where we rested our bones as we lay gazing the roof.
In the specially cut-out for school pals, made it across the city to reach Koregaon Park - Pune's hub for the show-off's. Supposedly a COOL place to hang around (but frankly I never thought so). Don't want to hear any Puneites ego here, but sadly it doesn't really rock. Anyway there's no debating that since no other place in Pune does either way :). What mattered most was the company, which was the best, so the place according to me really did not matter. There we were at Burger King! Had loads of fun. Yapped and yapped endlessly, continuously chomping on the Burgers masked with tonnes of mayonnaise along side the conversations. Spoke about the journey so far (in life) so also where it was headed, however from here we headed straight to some Hookha Lounge Cendenza... or whatever, which had traditional seating with mattress and traditional ambience with bamboo partitions and loads of mosquitoes. CD had been lured to pay for the Burger bills which he fell-to and promptly did that. Back at the Hooka Lounge, the dude DJ (if there was any) played the same songs over and over and over again, and Bail (aka Himesh) was being forced to sing. He didn't quite seem interested, though he didn't mind it either. A photo session and much grave topics there, it was time when we said goodnight and parted from there.
Headed straight to Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Mandir. Sought his blessing of the LORD and wished that everything come true for everyone (the standard prayer now-a-days. It’s been long that I have stopped being selfish and asking for personal favours to the Lord:) ) Headed back home where we all collapsed chatting in the drawing room. Soon everyone was fast asleep by 2.00am. Indeed was great fun all day! Packed with activity, satisfaction was guaranteed.
DAY 2
There it was Day 2, got up early, received calls from teachers (the current one's) and college-mates, who wanted me to hit the college by 12 noon (which somewhere down within I knew I never would). I was very keen on attending lectures though, but later remembered it was the most boring lecture of the teachers with the problems with the langauge of Englis. A PG from IITTM with horendous language to whom I can attribute my spelling mistakes for life!. I decided to stay away.
Had misal at Chandani Chowk from where we parted our ways and headed back home. After having a couple of Neera's at a Neera Vikri Kendra in town, we sat near right outside Talyat la Ganpati as we waited for Rut's to complete his family visits.
To say the least, I had the most memorable time in recent years. Especially so with my friends whom I love being with, the most! Kudos Keku for getting us all together. Thankyou one and all for being there. Thanks Sarvya for all the hospitality! (I must admit and not forget that as well! Good Show)
I haven't mentioned quite a few people up there, and trust me it is indeed intentional.
In the past 8 years, (mind you that's a really long long time by any standards) things have changed drastically. To list down a few,
To say the least, I had the most memorable time in recent years. Especially so with my friends whom I love being with, the most! Kudos Keku for getting us all together. Thankyou one and all for being there. Thanks Sarvya for all the hospitality! (I must admit and not forget that as well! Good Show)
I haven't mentioned quite a few people up there, and trust me it is indeed intentional.
In the past 8 years, (mind you that's a really long long time by any standards) things have changed drastically. To list down a few,
the +'s
1. What a group.... truly amazing company with like minds and similar topics to share.
2. Loads of fun, frolic and laughter. Took off all the stress (if any :) ) and today feel rejuvenated.
the -'s
1. the focus has now shifted to getting sloshed rather than making merry.
2. priorities have changed (they had to) and now friends seem to have taken the back seat and made way for newer one's who are more important than the old one's. Chalta hai... chalaychech
3. Some people behave in a different manner. The approach was absolutely, totally worth forgetting. I mean every bit of it. Such lackadaisical attitude is totally disheartening. In one word PATHETIC.
4. Saw selfishness at its best especially so after the final year campus placement interviews. Humans are supposed to be selfish, but I could never imagine my schoolmates being so selfish and inconsiderate!
I hope you enjoyed reading it all. Please draw your own inference. Ideas given above are totally mine and are intend to harm anyone's feelings. In my opinion of the entire trip was extremely good. Do not ask for any clarifications as to who's who and what is what.
1. the focus has now shifted to getting sloshed rather than making merry.
2. priorities have changed (they had to) and now friends seem to have taken the back seat and made way for newer one's who are more important than the old one's. Chalta hai... chalaychech
3. Some people behave in a different manner. The approach was absolutely, totally worth forgetting. I mean every bit of it. Such lackadaisical attitude is totally disheartening. In one word PATHETIC.
4. Saw selfishness at its best especially so after the final year campus placement interviews. Humans are supposed to be selfish, but I could never imagine my schoolmates being so selfish and inconsiderate!
I hope you enjoyed reading it all. Please draw your own inference. Ideas given above are totally mine and are intend to harm anyone's feelings. In my opinion of the entire trip was extremely good. Do not ask for any clarifications as to who's who and what is what.
I hope to meet them all again and that too soon..... the way they are or changed for good. I like being with them anyway, always and forever !. :)
Cheers!!
posted by Aniket | 5:15 pm
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