Half Marathon

With pandemic, work from home and lethargy creeping, the activity - which started to overcome lethargy has taken a new course. It all started in May 2020. The first run was little more than 0.5km and I was panting for breath. The running app showed 7.30 pace. Wanted to try before giving up and pushed myself a bit for couple of months. Aug 2020 was the first HM (half marathon) clocked at 2 hrs 20 min. The result was exhausted, niggles, tiredness. More of the mind run than muscle run. If you truly wish something and you take a step towards it, the remaining 99 steps you are conspired from universe. Burners is what was offered. Thanks to Manohar and Karthik.

TTK (Target Twenty one KM), HM training started in Dec 2020. 13 weeks of training that included forms of run, strength training has finally taken to finishing line. Rigorous and strict training from Gokul

- We were allowed to make mistakes and learn by mistakes. 

- Understand the run terminology

- Constantly broke the mental barrier

- Everyone were assessed based on individual capabilities. Strict no comparison.

- We were never spoon fed, we were allowed to try variations and experiment. 

- Sweat was the only return expected.

- Strength training was a true game changer

- Lead by example. The trainer following the routine himself

- What was hard yesterday is a warm up now

- Growth in uncomfortable situation

The result - 21km in 1hr 48min and still better a comfortable, no pain, less tired, enjoyed run. There is a difference in seasoned running.

Thanks Karthik, Gokul, Ravi, Ganesh, Vidhya, Nandish, TTK mates, pacers, organizers, volunteers.

A long way to go

 

Education

The below is the excerpt of the book Youth power and the Power of Ideas, Sessions of Leaders Academy, Super Kids Bangalore program, Sadhguru's videos and personal experience. The article is a bit lengthy. Would recommend the stay with it throughout. Any opinion otherwise, critic, suggestions are highly appreciated.

Learning Cycle
Knowledge --- New Information --- Interpretation --- Knowledge (Higher knowledge)

For any learning, we either start with our current knowledge or no knowledge. Using our sensory organs (read, listen etc.), we gather New Information and we give certain Interpretation to the learning. The Interpretation is what takes us to the higher Knowledge. Knowledge applied in different situations in life and tested through experience become Wisdom and Intellect.

Question now will be - How do we figure if the Interpretation is right or wrong? A music, a blog, a video, a book etc. that can inspire someone can be totally unacceptable for someone else. One of the goal of Education should be to enable proper Interpretation. To understand this better, lets understand the problems with the current education system

Problems with current education system

• The system test more of the Memory than Intelligence/Intellect.
• Success is seen in terms of what a person has - Money, Property, Buildings, Cars etc. 
• Vast majority of the students pursue education with the sole aim of passing examinations and to secure good job. Careerist attitude towards education
• Lack of quality education: Extent to which the student is able to understand the fundamentals. To explain this further, we would have read about the country history in our schools, how many of us can tell the country history, if not in depth, at least on a very high level? How many of us know the meaning of our National Anthem? How many of us know why Swami Vivekananda is called as Youth icon? How many of us know why the English alphabets are grouped as Vowels and Consonant? We find, the fundamentals we learnt, very hard  to explain others' with reasoning.
• Lack of understanding the true purpose of the education and its capacity to generalize the understanding to a meaningful pattern.
• Lacks to ingest human Values. As an example; IAS, IPS examination requires invigilator and squad during examination. The people who will be part of administration and service and are part of upholding the human ethics, rights and laws, do they need someone else to make sure examination is ethical?
• Knowledge currently taught in school will not help students to deal with real life. The stats of Suicides, Depression, Ethics, Social behavior, Habit of giving back to the society etc can tell us where we are heading. Knowledge is much more that what is taught in the school. 

Let us understand a little more on Knowledge

Knowledge
Knowledge can be categorized as: Objective Knowledge, Social Knowledge and Subjective Knowledge.

Objective Knowledge: So far what we have discussed and taught in the school falls under this category. There is always a knowledge explosion and constant upgrade is always necessary. A generation always have more and more in the curriculum than the previous generation. And it is exponential. Objective knowledge though helps in identifying the current problems and instead of heading towards a solution for it, these days it is heading towards getting degree, success in terms of what a person has monetarily. This often leads to ego centric success in life. Ego centric often leads to Frustration, Dis-content, Anxiety, Competition against others, lack of peace and fulfillment. Knowledge acquired in this fashion improve the economic condition, but doesn't help to deal with challenges of life. Check for yourself: The end of day is always tired. The start of the week is unhappy.

Social Knowledge: Knowledge to deal with the social world. Adjust ourselves to the society or group. These days groups are disappearing. Family is shrinking, get together is shrinking. Check for yourself: Our group usually match our thoughts. In other words the group has become comfort zone. Remember the person growth is always in the discomfort zone. It is also the knowledge of giving back to the society, need not be monetary always. Donating blood, Taking care of mother earth, Charity activities, Education to the needy etc. Anything that we give back to the society that has come to us. Attitude of Gratitude. Check for yourself: What have you given back to the society?

Subjective Knowledge: To function effectively Subjective Knowledge is required. Knowledge of mind - thoughts, desires, impulses, will power, anger, lust. Knowledge of this will help to lead a pure life and utilize the mind power to a greater success. It is the knowledge of true nature. This knowledge cannot be acquired from outside. This is already within and has to be unfold. India is the place where Subjective Knowledge can be effectively learnt. The tools like Yoga, Meditation helps in acquiring Subjective Knowledge. Check for yourself: Close your eyes for 10 minutes. See how many thoughts cross your mind. Majority of that is unnecessary. And this is one of the reason for Anxiety and cluttered mind. Realizing the thoughts and reducing the thoughts helps to have a clear mind and see any situation the way it is without exaggerating or overreacting. Is also helps one to analyze the interpretation is right or wrong - it is also termed as aligning with nature. Interpretation that is right for one need not be right for other. But aligning with nature/divine/consciousness there is always right or wrong for an interpretation. Clear mind - anything and everything is possible. Don't believe? Have you heard of Law of attraction? Watch this video.

Summary
Purpose of education should be around all knowledge area. Going back to the learning cycle of Knowledge --- New Information --- Interpretation --- Knowledge (Higher knowledge). Education system in schools and colleges provide only the information with less or no time to get a meaningful interpretation out of it. Without interpretation Intellectual awakening cannot happen. Without Intellectual awakening education will not be effective. Goal of education should be to enable proper Interpretation. As an analogy, seed has the inherent knowledge of becoming the tree, it requires a suitable environment (water, air, space, a support) to grow to its fullest. Similarly, student has the inherent ability to learn; the teacher/parent only has to awaken the inherent capacities, provide suitable environment and guide for proper interpretation. "Enable to student to learn by themselves" - be it curriculum or life challenges. With Subjective Knowledge, comes the clear mind; free of anxiety. And with this anything and everything is possible. Education should be of all aspects of life

• Personal: Knowledge that can improve us personally. For Ex: Taking care of our health, shoulder individual responsibilities.
• Professional: Knowledge that can improve professionally. For students it is the curriculum.
• Social: Knowledge of giving back to the society. How to work as a team, as one family. Not just the immediate family but on the global level - To live as one family. Nature of inclusiveness. Involve students/children in a team game. They learn to deal with different opinions, resolve conflicts, team objective. Involve them in the charity activities - could be as simple as celebrating birthday in orphanage. Teach them to treat the mother earth with love and care - Reduce water, electricity usage, gardening, love nature. Attitude of Gratitude. The more and more you give the more and more you get, could be in a different form. 
• Intellectual: Knowledge that can help us in choosing right over wrong, ability to take decisions. Allow students/children to take their decisions (let them pick vegetables in the grocery list), let them make mistakes. Be the guide to improve the intellectual knowledge.
• Financial: Knowledge of finance is also necessary in the current world. Start at the very young age with piggy bank, students/children need to understand that everything has to be earned and nothing comes for free.
• Spiritual: Knowledge to effective functioning. This is a common knowledge required across all other knowledge areas. To live Haaapilly, Peacefully, Legally, Ethically in all situations.

It is the responsibility of both the school and home to help the students/children in all the above knowledge areas. Making sure the student/children learn something in all the area constantly. It should be also read as YOU do and your child will follow, they need not be taught. They learn by following the role model. Be a role model. It should be competition with self than competition with others. Day-on-Day, Month-on-Month, Year-on-Year is there an improvement in all the knowledge area should be the goal.

References
Swamy Vivekananda view on the purpose of education: Link here.
UNESCO, Delors Report, view on the purpose of education: Link here.

Awareness and Experience

To experience anything first you need to be aware of it. More the experience; more the clarity on the subject. The more aware you are the more wonderful your experience and the clarity on the subject will be. To increase the awareness you have to increase your energy level. However, if you don't know the purpose for which you are trying to increase your energy there is no way the energy is going to be raised. Are you clear on the purpose or goals? Having a clear goal will automatically helps in increasing your awareness and by experiencing the journey you gain more expertise over the subject. This formula works for the things that are tangible, measurable. 

On the spiritual path you may not have the clear goals. However, you still increase your energy level that will help you become more and more aware to experience. The end result may be very different than your initial unclear goal but you will be much more satisfied and content. 

The entire concept of Yoga has come from awareness and experience. Awareness and experiencing the response of body and mind that is now available to all of us in books / Internet etc. Again, it is experience of intellects' that is present in the books / Internet etc. which we blindly follow. It is good that we follow, but being aware of what we are doing can enhance our experience.

Imagine you are in a pitch dark room, you can only experience what is around you and you are bound by that. But, when you put on the lights - you see the room is much bigger and your experience changes. Make this analogy with LIFE - increase your energy (turn on the lights) to have a different experience of YOUR life. Imagine if you can master your energy then you are on a different level. Take a look at the video of this young girl for example - https://youtu.be/ZtLkzg8bFgA. 

You can be inspired by great leaders (Ex: Spiritual leaders Buddha, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa etc., Business Leaders: Steve, Mark, Bill etc); but I would say don't follow the path. It is filled with their experience. Follow your own path inspired by them - you may find a new path.

Thank you 2017

Thank you Haaaappy 2017. 2017 started with the motto Healthy and I believe it is a huge success with no doc visits or medication (except once). Food, Exercise and Thoughts; if right then everything else will fall in its place.

Feeling good things

1. Blessed with twins - Haaaappiest moment of my life.
2. Exercise and Meditation almost every day
3. Enrolling other to the Leaders Academy
4. Materializing Leaders Mobile application (though it is WIP - work in progress)
5. Dance performance in one of the biggest event in Infosys - Parichay
6. Attending K20 - Aacharya Devo Bhava
7. Dance performance in K20
8. Learning AngularJs, Angular 2.0, Node.js, Azure IaaS, ASP .Net MVC, PhoneGap
9. Getting 70-533 Microsoft Certification
10. Donating for Bellichukki organization
11. Visiting BelliChukki organization (though it could have been better with more number of visits)
12. Blood donation
13. Learning dance from one of the good classes' in Bangalore - Kaladhaare
14. Attending Nirvana - 4 days residential program understanding the true potential of yours'. The power of Silence.
15. Visiting Belur with Family

Welcoming 2018 with the motto of Peaceful Progress. Peaceful progress Personally, Professionally, Socially, Financially, Spiritually, Intellectually.

Thank you 2016

Thank you Haaaappy 2016. 2016 started with the motto Haaappy.

Feeling good things

1. Influencing people for health conscious.
2. Joining brother to Leaders workshop
3. Family trip to Simla, Sonmarg, Gulmarg
4. Association with BelliChukki organization
5. Joining Mom to Leaders workshop.
6. Sharing DevOps concept to the team and the extended team
7. Meeting one of my best friend, Roh, after a long time of 10 years 
8. Wife carrying news
9. Dance talent showcase in e2E day
10. Completed 500km run
11. Completing 10 yrs with Infosys
12. Donation for Leaders Education Trust
13. Belur visit with family
14. Bellichukki wishing me Haaappy Birthday
15. Baby shower function
16. Joining Roh to workshop
17. Self health learning
18. Joining Infosys Shristi group and performing for environment awareness
19. Seeing baby movements during scan
20. Attending K18
21. Getting relatives, friends to K18
22. Leaders mobile app concept approved by Bala sir

Welcoming 2017 with the motto of Healthy

Thank you 2015

Thank you 2015 for all that you have given to me.

Not so good things

1. Dejected by the close ones
2. Losing my dream for the second time

Feeling good things

1. Being part of LEADER'S Academy
2. Meeting Bala sir
3. Being part of Nirvana
4. Showing me the direction of setting and realizing my goals happily, peacefully, legally and ethically
5. Getting the "Most Valuable Person" award from Infosys
6. Getting the promotion
7. Started investing in the SIP
8. Visiting Courtesy Foundation
9. Donating the blood
10. Helping the people to find blood during emergency
11. Helping the people to relax their stressed mind

Good or bad, Right or Wrong, Bright or Dark there is always a positive side of it. Thank you 2015 for all that you have taught me and warmly welcoming 2016. Looking forward to achieve my 2016 goals.

Implementation

Implementation

1. Be happy to feel happy. ಎಲ್ಲದರಲ್ಲೂ ಸಂತೋಷ ಕಾಣು. ಸಂತೋಷ ಹುಡುಕಿಕೊಂಡು ಹೋಗಬಾರದು. Happy ಅಂತ ಹೇಳ್ತಾ ಹೇಳ್ತಾ happy ಆಗಿ ಇರಬೇಕು.
2. ಏನೇ ಮಾಡಿದರು ಅಂತರಾಳದಿಂದ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು. ಸಂತೋಷ ಕೂಡ ಅಂತರಾಳದಿಂದ ಅನುಭವಿಸಬೇಕು. 
3. Change is action will bring change in feelings. If I don't like where I stand today, it is because of the decision I have made in the past. Change the decisions (actions) I make, will bring the shift in my stand (feelings).
4. Action is more important than words. People follow your actions but not your words. Practical is more important than theory.
5. Implementation of the answer is the solution.
6. Repetition is the mother of all learning
7. I face - it goes, I fear - it grows
8. ವಿಚಾರ ಶುದ್ದಿ, ವಾಕ್ ಶುದ್ದಿ, ಭಾವ ಶುದ್ದಿ, ಕ್ರಿಯಾ ಶುದ್ದಿ 
9. Being good is important than looking good
10. If I am in the comfort zone then it means I am not growing
11. Ignore the ego, Ignore the image
12. Whatever I do, do it 25% faster
13. When I talk - keep is simple and short
14. Goal is something that stretch me more and at the same time moves me forward
15. Visualize the goal for it to be materialized
16. Always be in the awareness about my thoughts. Don't let the negative thoughts in to your mind.
17. God's Energy + My effort + Faith => MAGIC (Result)
18. Always look for empowering communication. Attach the feelings and know the depth of the subject for empowering communication
19. How something is communicated is more important than what is communicated
20. Law of 33% - Should have people surrounded with 33-33-33 factors
21. Quality of my life depends on the quality of the questions I ask myself
22. In the sway of emotions intelligence goes for vacation. Black box period determines your personality. Personality development is making myself comfortable in uncomfortable situations.
23. Do not react. Instead respond
24. If I look for transformation, then follow - Receptiveness -> Listening -> Learning -> Understanding -> Digesting -> Implementation -> Transform.
25. Marketing has two things - Never sell, always offer
26. My growth should be on all pillars of life - Personal, Family, Social, Financial, Intellectual, Spiritual
27. Avoid wasting time. Make myself busy on the things I love to do.
28. Improve the will power continuously.
29. In relationship, it is not the question of whose mistake. It is the question of whose life.
30. Instead of taking good name and living bad life, it is much better to take a bad name and live good life.
31. Creative person is motivated by the desire to achieve more, not by the desire to overpower others.

Leader's Shibira (Camp)

Got an opportunity to attend the Leader's Shibira (Camp) today, 07-Jun-2015 - part of Inspire India organization. One of the good thing that has happened in recent years and one of the unforgettable day. Some of the take away from the Shibira.

Life starts with an agreement. But, moves on with understanding and adjustments. Without happiness there is no life. Without dissatisfaction there is no growth.

To achieve anything big
1. Have a big dream
2. Attach the feelings to the dream
3. Stop giving reasons
4. Practical experience is important
5. Train sub-conscious mind 

Goblet of Fire

Goblet of fire - the feeling, sitting inside the dark House, that is no more a Home. Being alone when you are down is not at all a hard thing. The hardest is being alone when you are happy. You laugh and look around to see nobody. The very next moment the laugh dies. I guess, I need to swallow this  goblet of fire for a better wax mould. One thing the still keeps me going on is my ambition and aim. I know the supporting hands are less, but until the inner force keeps me alive, I am sure I will reach there.

Being Nice

Problem with being a nice person is - you have to be nicer always and to almost everyone. Sometimes wonder why do I have lot of patience, why can't I just vent it out and be clear on what is required. Why do want everyone to be happy and together. Why do I have to bend on everything, to the level of pleading. Well, I am that and I don't see anything wrong in that. Plead for the family is not wrong, having patience is not wrong, seeing everyone happy is not wrong. If YOU can't understand this, then don't blame. I am not a GOD to understand everything and everyone. If YOU have problem with me, then speak to me. Instead YOU did the other way around - Being nicer in front of me, and speak behind my back with others.

You have people/character/emotions come into your life shockingly and surprisingly. You have losses that you never thought you'd experience. You have rejection and you have learn how to deal with that and how to get up the next day and go on with it. - Taylor Swift

Open Little Secret

Disclaimer: This is only for fun and doesn't target any specific person or group. The words/sentence here are not meant to change your views and no pun intended.

Open Little Secret - the impression I get on my project every now and then. Trying my best to have an analogy with the new born baby.




OK we got the child, that is good. But, was the latest approach followed while making the child? You must be kidding. "Latest approach followed to make a child" - includes touring to Hawaii, surprise with expensive gifts to keep someone out of tensions and then the rest. Else, the latest medical routine (FET, ICSI etc) has to be followed. Either way, both needs a kidney to be sold and time. Can we get that?

OK, we got the child with two eyes, one nose, two ears etc. I am glad to know that. But, are they doing what they are suppose to do? And all of a sudden we rush to another team, who says - OK, out of 4.0 - eyes stand on 3.5, nose stand on 2.6. When asked, "how do you determine 4.0 is the best", no one has the answer ... lol.

OK, baby just got delivered and while the specialist is checking its condition, can we start planning for the next one and probable date of birth? Is it possible to have the twins (or even triplets) within the same time? Do we even think, if the mother is doing good and if the new born baby needs mother's nurture? Yes, we think of it and the offer is - take care of child, mother and parallelly start for the next child - "Give one and Plan three offer" :)

I am bored of looking (nursing) other babies, I want to contribute to bringing life to earth - The national anthem of the team :)

I checked the baby. It has its eyes opened and is just doing fine. Can be discharged. Later parents finds the baby is not blinking at all and is not breathing :)

You need 9 months to deliver a baby? Oh common, can we try for 7 months cesarean? On contrary, for some, 9 months is too less to deliver a baby. I need to go for gym, get my body in shape and only then can be given the best try. But, at the end, the clause will still be "Will try my best (Can't guarantee)"

Hey, can we have more men to get the baby ASAP? Oh common, its simple logic - if you need more baby, you need more women too :)

Save "Our Lady of Sorrows"

Home

"Home is a place to love and not to live". "Togetherness is very important ingredient to family life" ಎಷ್ಟು ಸಮಂಜಸವಾದ ವಾಕ್ಯ. ಮನೆಯೊಂದು ಬೆಳಗುವುದಕ್ಕು, ಮುಳುಗುವುದಕ್ಕು ಕಾರಣ ಇವೇ ಆಗಿರುತ್ತವೆ. ಯಾರು ಈ ವಾಕ್ಯಗಳ  ಮನದಟ್ಟು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳುತ್ತಾರೋ ಅಂಥವರು ಮನೆ ಬೆಳಗುವ ನಾಂದಿ ಹಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಮನೆ ಬೆಳಗಿಸಬೇಕಾದ ಗುಣಗಳು ತುಂಬಾ ಏನಿಲ್ಲ.  ಸಹನೆ, ಎಲ್ಲರೋಳಗೊಂದಾಗೋ ಭಾವನೆ ಇದ್ದರೆ ಸಾಕು. ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಮನೆ ಮುಳುಗಿಸಬೇಕಾದ ಗುಣಗಳು ತುಂಬಾ ಏನಿಲ್ಲ. ವಾಕ್ಚಾಳಿಕೆ ಗುಣ ಒಂದೇ ಸಾಕು.

ಯಾವ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲಾ ಸರಿ ಇರುತ್ತೆ? ಒಂದಿಲ್ಲೊಂದು ಅಪೂರ್ಣತೆ ಇದ್ದೆ ಇರುತ್ತೆ. ಅದು ತನಗೆ ಇಷ್ಟ ಇಲ್ಲ; ಇಷ್ಟ ಇಲ್ಲದ ಅಥವ ಇಷ್ಟ ಇಲ್ಲದವರೆಲ್ಲ ಸರಿ ಇಲ್ಲ, ಇಷ್ಟ ಇಲ್ಲದ್ದು ತನಗೆ ಬೇಡ ಎಂದರೆ? ಒಂದು ಪಕ್ಷ ಸರಿ ಇಲ್ಲ ಅನ್ನಿಸಿದ್ದಲ್ಲಿ, ಸರಿ ಮಾಡುವ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ನಡೆಯಬೇಕೇ ಹೊರತು, ಒಂದೇ ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿದ್ದು ಮಾತಿಲ್ಲದೆ, ಕಂಡು ಕಾಣದಂತೆ ಓಡಾಡುವ, ಪ್ರವರ್ಥಿಸುವ ಭಾವ ಇದ್ದರೆ ಅಂಥಹ ಮನೆ ಸ್ಮಶಾನವೇ ಸರಿ. ತಪ್ಪು ಹುಡುಕಲೇ ಬೇಕು, ಹುಡುಕಿ ಎತ್ತಾಡಲೇ ಬೇಕು ಎನ್ನುವ ಮನೋಭಾವ ಇದ್ದರೆ, then sorry that is not family.

ಹಾಗೆಯೇ ಈ ಕಾಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಇದೆಲ್ಲಾ ಆದರ್ಶದ ಮಾತು ಅನ್ನಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. It is more like give and take. You like me, I like you too. You give me shit, I give you shit too.

Surprise

She blindfolded me, kept me waiting for some time and then she called. I opened my eyes and was dumbstruck and speechless.

Knock, knock; somebody was knocking the door at mid night. I knew this is going to happen. My buddies at the door with cake in the hand - My Birthday. Smile on their face said it all - "Dude you will feel the pain". Cake, Candles, Birthday song (I guess, now, the candles costs more than the cake :)) and the first proceeding starts - FACIAL. Wishing me, everyone had their facial turns. The funniest facial I have ever seen. It didn't end here. After a quick shower the second proceeding starts. 1, 2, 3, 4 and so on, the counting started for the birthday bumps. A return favor for what I had given:). I guess this is the only occasion when everybody else laughs. Damn, I felt the pain the whole day and still we call it as "A MASSAGE"? lol

Considering the pain and the sleepy eyes, I hit the bed after the office hours. This came to my sweet heart's advantage. She had a plan for surprise and now has to execute before I wake up. The plan was almost done and was couple of minutes away to be executed and I woke up :). Jeeeeezzzzz she yelled and came running. She blindfolded me, kept me waiting for some time and then she called. I opened my eyes and was dumbstruck and speechless. It was just the candle light all over, pleasant aroma, light background music and the food - Candle light dinner :). Everything was planned pitch perfect and HOW ROMANTIC. Flash cards on the table caught my attention. Hand made flash cards. Every card had something for me to read on how much she cared our relationship. >:D<.

The rest of the evening was .......... 

TED Talk

What we see is what we think....Agreed boss

Coffee Day

Part 4

It was the day after my engagement. Added to it was my birthday - 25th October. Woke up with fresh, pleasant feelings and with the smile on the face. With weekends behind, first half of Monday will be the dullest time of the week in office. Being the birthday boy, fresh feelings of engagement, eagerness to be with my Love; I just wanted for the day at office to get over and was least bothered about my US travel arrangements. Reached home in the evening, freshen up and took a little longer than what I generally take in front of the mirror. With Armani Code fragrance, I was set off to meet "going to be" Mrs. Madhura Praveen. At 7 in the evening I was near her PG. Called her
 

Hi Putta. ನಾನು ನಿನ್ನ PG ಮುಂದೆ ಇದ್ದೀನಿ. ಎಲ್ಲಿದ್ಯಾ?

ನಾನು ಇನ್ನು on the way ಇದ್ದೀನಿ. ಇನ್ನೊಂದು 10 min ಆಗುತ್ತೆ.

ಸರಿ ಕಾಯ್ತಿರ್ತೀನಿ ಬೇಗ ಬಾ.

ಸರಿ ಬರ್ತೀನಿ ಆದರೆ ನೀನು PG ಮುಂದೆ ಇರಬೇಡ. ಎಲ್ಲಾದರು ಸುತ್ತಾಡ್ಕೊಂಡು ಬಾ.

Wait a second. Did I hear that correctly? Yes, I did. I was asked not to stand near her PG. "Don't stand there" - What a word to hear on the first meeting with your "would be" :). Many options crossed my mind to find an answer for that. Could it be she is thinking that, she is in the attire that I may not like? Could it be that since it was PG only for estrogen, she thinks I might stand there watching other girls OR highly unlikely that other PG girls will watch me :)? Could it be she is carrying a birthday cake and she wanted to surprise me? Could it be she is making a prank out of me?

10 min passed. However, couldn't get the reason out of her. And as usual she asked 10 more min :(.  With no choice to me, I set off for another ride. I don't know from where I was stuck with the name Varun. He stays close by to her PG. I called and asked him to come over. Meanwhile I took one of her favorite "Daily Milk - Silk" chocolate. Varun and I spent some time, had a chikoo juice and he left to his office.

Waiting...Waiting...Waiting...Damn, that was the longest "an hour and a half" waiting on the very first day :(. There she comes finally. I didn't know that 10 min for her means 90 min for me. Could be she is on Mars and I am on Earth. Practical example of never understood theory, at least for me, - "Theory of Relativity" :) - Lol .. no pun intended ;)

She was in maroon salwar. Introduced her roommates - Sandy and Seema. After some talk Madhu & I decided to hop into "Coffee Day". RX 100, the icon of shear power, and with my sweetheart at the back - that was the kodak moment :). She placed her hand on my shoulders and then vrrooommmm. It was hardly 5 min drive but was very much memorable. There was hardly anyone in the CCD at that time, we choose the table with facing chairs. I looked at her. Matching bindi, hint of face makeup, neatly scoured clipped hair. She raised her eyebrow gesturing "Whats up? OR Why are you looking like this?" with a smile.

"Excuse me Sir. Can I get your order?", the boy at the CCD asked. Oh oh wrong time to be there my "Mr. CCD", I thought. Knock knock ... come back to reality, I said to myself :). Cafe mocha, Devils Own, Black forest was our order. We talked about things happened on the Engagement day, our relatives etc etc for a very long time. The order was there on the table. To my surprise she takes out a gift wrap silently and says "Many more happy returns of the day". Damn, that was surprise to me. The last time someone surprised me on my birthday was my brother 7 years back. I accepted the gift, slowly started unwrapping it :) ... didn't want to lose the surprising moment so fast. It was a fastrack watch. "ನಾ ಕಟ್ತೀನಿ, ನಾ ಕಟ್ತೀನಿ", she told. She was fixing the watch to my hand and I was watching her. How sweet are you my sweetheart. I looked at the watch in my hand, raised my head. Our eyes met and they talked; we both were searching for our happiness in others. "Love you putta" I said. Held her hand and kissed on her fingers. "Thank you for all the wonderful moments, gift and surprise", I said. This was the reason why she asked me not to stand in front of her PG. She came back from office, took the watch, gift wrapped it :). She wanted to keep the surprise. "Love you a lot putta". I took the scoop of black forest and fed her. She fed me with another scoop. And then I, then she, then I, then she. I couldn't take more and she took the rest :). I gave her the chocolate I bought for her. I was holding her hand, we were talking and I was caressing her palm. "Excuse me sir. Your bill"; Mr. CCD was again at the wrong time :). We came out of CCD and realized that I forgot the gift box. After getting the gift box, we drove back to her PG and again she held my shoulders.  I was about to stop near her PG. "ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಬೇಡ, ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಮುಂದೆ ನಿಲ್ಸು", she told. Drove past her PG and stopped. Stepping down she stood so close to me, that I couldn't resist to hug her :). She was talking and everything was out of focus for me. Her smile, with berating, when asked for a hug was a clear indication to ask that some other day :(. The hardest part was nearing. I wish, this time we both were on Mars to slow down the time :).

Thanks for making my day, for the gift, surprise. Love you "Chinnamari" :) .. muuuaaahhhh

Engagement Day

Part 3

Both the family agreed, more importantly Madhu and I had the same feelings towards each other, Oct 24th 2010 Sunday was decided as the Engagement day.

Alarm went off. It was 3:00 in the morning. I had hardly slept for few hours after talking to Madhu late in the night and to wish my best buddy for the B'Day. The later didn't happened even after multiple tries. I could hardly open my eyes. We had to reach Kanakapura, which is an hour drive from Bangalore and from there all the way to meet my love, which is of 6 hrs drive to Somwarpet. Mom came for my help to get out of the bed at 3:15. Mom, Pramod, all my Mamas, Attes and I left to Kanakapura and reached there around 5:30 AM. I had argued with my mom in wearing a gold chain before leaving home. Somehow she fixed me to listen to Dodappa in Kanakapura and he made me to wear :) ... love you mom. I don't know why but I don't like gold stuffs and knowing that I will listen to Dodappa she kept it with her till Kanakapura. We left Kanakapura at 6 AM. All my relatives in Kanakapura were in the bus and all of us who left from Bangalore were in Qualis. Having nice fun, talk and a stop for breakfast we were in the picturesque, green, scenic Malnad region - Somwarpet at around 11:30 AM. Man ... the person on the pilot seat really stepped on the gas.

Unlike all the engagement in our family that had happened at the girl's house, mine was in a party hall. It was a warm welcome with Arathi to start with; for which I had to pay quite a few bucks until they stopped asking for more :). By the way what is the purpose of Arathi?. Anyway followed then was introduction of her family members, soft drink. Camera light flashed. Adarsh, Madhu's brother, being a professional photographer had took care of this along with his friends. I was searching for my love. Where is she? ಪುಟ್ಟ ಬಾರೋ ಬೇಗ ಅಂತ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಕೇಳ್ತಾ ಇತ್ತು. Madhu's mama told me that if I would like to freshen up, they have a room in the floor above and Madhu is in next room of mine. My relatives were busy with hers in setting up for the day. Wink ;) My heart rushed to see her. Neatly dressed and with a hint of over makeup, she stood there speechless. Hi .. I stretched my hand. She was a bit hesitant. She looked around waiting for someone to give a green signal; guess she was baffled :). Kumar uncle who was next to me said "ಪರವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ ಕೈ ಕೊಡಬಹುದು". She then stretched her hand and shook with mine. My relatives and I then left to my room to get ready for the day. My brother who had controlled to answer his nature call, left his pant and went inside the restroom. When he came out he was with short towel wrapped around :) in-front of everyone [Of-course with only gentlemen inside the room]. The elders of both the family gathered in my room to decide upon the marriage stuffs. Marriage date was fixed on Feb 12th, 13th 2011 at Somwarpet. All through the conversation between elders, I was looking at my love. It was around 12:45 PM when the elderly talks was done. The stage was set for 1:30 PM. With another 45 min left for the engagement to start. I was just spending time walking and talking to her relatives. She was sitting with Vibha and Shubha, her cousins. Our eyes met and I winked at her. She was smiling and blushing :).

She was in the maroon saree. We both walked together to the stage. She was asked to be seated first and then I. We both set the stage remembering almighty in mind. All the eyes in the hall was watching us. Damn that was scary for few seconds. Garlands were exchanged and it was her who was first to put the garland. Rings were glowing, we both exchanged and decided to spend the rest of our life together and again it was her who was first to adore the ring. Why it should always start with girls? It was part of the customary as said by elders. I made promise to her and myself in my heart while exchanging the ring - "ಪುಟ್ಟ ಏನೇ ಆದರು ನಾನು ನಿನ್ನ ಜೊತೆ ಯಾವಾಗಲು ಇರ್ತೀನಿ. I Love you a lot ಮುದ್ದು". Everybody clapped and we exchanged sweets. It was then the blessings followed by photo session with family, friends and relatives. A funny incident was her granny blessings. She took a hint of ಹರಿಶಿನ and rubbed against my cheeks :). This customary is done only for the girls. When her granny was doing this to me I could hear Maddy saying "ಅಜ್ಜಿ, ಅದೆಲ್ಲ ಹುಡುಗರಿಗೆ ಮಾಡಬಾರದು". And granny replied "ಏನಾಗಲ್ಲ ಇರಮ್ಮ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪಾನೆ ಹಾಕೋದು". It was a long; an hour and a half of photo session. I was tired and hungry. We touched the feet and took the blessings of my mom, ದೊಡಪ್ಪ, ದೊಮಮ್ಮ, her mom, dad and other elders. We again had a photo session. This time it was Madhu and I, together, posing in different styles :). The best I liked was when I held her shoulders and pulled towards me. Damn ... Mr. Praveen is so close to "going to be Mrs. Praveen" for the first time :).

We were now allowed to eat :). We sat next to each other, gave morsel of food to each other and more sweets were exchanged. My chikkappa, who wanted to pull our legs, wanted her name to be told by me and my name to be told by her. She was a bit shyish telling my name :). We were asked to exchange the sweets again :(. " ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಸಾಕು ಬಿಟ್ಬಿಡಿ please. Sweets ತಿಂದು ತಿಂದು ಸಕಾಯ್ತು :( ಅನ್ಕೊತಿದ್ದೆ ". After food we left to meenakshi aunt's house to take blessings of Madhu's grandparents. She was next to me in the car. We were four in the back seat; shubha was sitting on meenakshi aunt's lap. I wish she had the seat and Madhu on my lap :). I wanted to hold her hand, stretched my palm but she was too shyish to hold before meenakshi aunt. We took the blessings of her grandparents and left to her house. She again sat next to me. On the way, I badly wanted to hold her hand. By GOD's grace this happened when Madhu's ಮಾಮ met us on the midway in another car and shubha, meenakshi aunt moved to the other car. I stretched my palm again. This time Madhu placed hers on mine. I held her hand tightly and close to my heart and said "Love you ಪುಟ್ಟ" and she replied "Love you too ಪುಟ್ಟ". This is one of the unforgettable moment of our life. That was close to the heart. We stopped on the main road and were walking to her house. Mountains right in front of her house was too photogenic to watch. One day I will get close to those mountains, I said to myself. I was asked to get out of her house just after 5 min of entering :). Some customary of ರಾಹುಕಾಲ. I was out of the house. Wanted to see her very badly. Messaged her asking her to come out. She came out and signed to come near to her :). My chikkappa, brother who was watching this pulled my legs - "ಹೋಗಪ್ಪ ಮನೆಯವರು ಕರೀತಿದ್ದಾರೆ". I climbed the steps and raised my head. Oops where is she :(. Someone else had called her and she went inside :(. Finally it was the time to bid adieu. She was standing there, our eyes met again. Wish I could stop the time forever. We all walked back to the main road. My heart was searching for her again. One last time for the day I wanted to see her. She was not there. ತುಂಬಾ ಸಂಕಟ ಆಗ್ತಿತ್ತು. We were about to leave the place, there she comes on the back seat of his brother's bike. My heart pounded with joy. For the first time she stretched her hand and said - "Many more happy returns of the day in advance. Have a safe journey". Next day it was my birthday. I shook her hand and said "Thanks. ಆದ್ರೆ call ಮಾಡಿ wish ಮಾಡೋದು ಮಾತ್ರ ಮರೀಬೇಡ :)". Wanted to hold her hand forever but had no other option. I looked in her eyes and my inner voice talked to her "Love you ಪುಟ್ಟ". Stepped inside the car and left to Bangalore. We reached Bangalore at around 11:45 PM. At 12:00 in the night she calls me to wish for my birthday. We talked and remembered the moments of the day before hitting the bed.

- To be continued

Next Three Days

Part 2


October 19th 2010, Tuesday morning
I was walking to get my bus to office. It was kumar uncle on the other side who called me to give Madhu's email id and mobile number. Number ಬೇಕಾಪ್ಪ ಅಂತ ಕೇಳಿದ್ರು. ಹೇಗೆ ಹೇಳಲಿ ಬೇಡ ಅಂತ :) .... ಕೊಡಿ uncle ಅಂತ ಹೇಳಿದೆ. Went to office and mailed Madhu - "Is it OK if I call you sometime later in the afternoon?". Got the reply "yeah sure :)". But got busy with the work and missed to call her in the afternoon. After reaching home in the evening I messaged her "Hey sorry was busy with work this afternoon. Can I call you now?". She replied - "yeah sure :)". 

Me: Hi
She: Hi
Me: Sorry ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನ busy ಆಗ್ಬಿಟಿದ್ದೆ call ಮಾಡೋಕೆ ಆಗ್ಲಿಲ್ಲ
She: ಪರವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ. Hey ಕೇಳು ಇಲ್ಲಿ. ನಾನು ಒಂದು reception ಗೆ ಹೋಗ್ಬೇಕು ರೆಡಿ ಆಗ್ತಿದೀನಿ. ಒಂದು call ಗೆ wait ಮಾಡ್ತಿದೀನಿ. Call  ಬಂದ ತಕ್ಷಣ ಇಡ್ತೀನಿ ಆಯ್ತಾ?
Me: Hey ನೀನು busy ಇದ್ರೆ ಹೇಳು ನಾನು ಇನ್ನೊಂದ್ಸಲ ಯಾವಾಗ್ಲಾದ್ರು call ಮಾಡ್ತೀನಿ.
She: Hmm ಸರಿ ಸರಿ.
Me: ಸರಿ bi
She: bi

After sometime got a message from her - "Hey sorry ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ಮಾತಾಡೋಕೆ ಆಗ್ಲಿಲ್ಲ ಬೇಜಾರು ಮಾಡ್ಕೋಬೇಡ". Smiled at her message and replied - "hey thts ok. You don't have to be so formal with me".

October 20th 2010, Wednesday evening
I called her after returning home.
Me: Hi, ಹೇಗಿದ್ದೀಯ 
She: Hmm ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದ್ದೀನಿ. Hey sorry ನೆನ್ನೆ ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ಮಾತಾಡಕ್ಕೆ ಆಗ್ಲಿಲ್ಲ 
Me:  ಪರವಾಗಿಲ್ಲ. ನನ್ನ ಹತ್ರ ಅಷ್ಟೊಂದು formal ಆಗಿ ಮಾತಾಡೋದು ಬೇಡ. ಹೇಗಿತ್ತು ದಿನ?
ಹಾಗೆ ಮಾತಾಡ್ತಾ ಅವಳ ಕೆಲಸದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ, studies ಬಗ್ಗೆ, ಮನೆ ಅವರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ , PG ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತುಂಬಾ ಹೊತ್ತು ಮಾತಾಡಿದ್ವಿ. ಆಮೇಲೆ phone ಇಟ್ಮೇಲೆ it was nice talking to her. She is kind, caring, understanding ಅನ್ನಿಸ್ತು. ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಗೆ, ನನಗೆ ಸರಿಯಾದ ಜೋಡಿ ಅಂತ ಅನ್ನಿಸ್ತು. ಆದರು ನನ್ನ life ನಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಕೆಲವು ಘಟನೆಗಳು ಅವಳಿಗೆ ಹೇಳಿ ಆಮೇಲೆ decide ಮಾಡೋಣ ಅನ್ಕೊಂಡೆ. ಅದನ್ನೆಲ್ಲಾ ಮುಚ್ಚಿಟ್ಟು false impression ಕೊಡೋದು ನನಗೆ ಇಷ್ಟ ಇರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಇದನ್ನೆಲ್ಲಾ ಯೋಚನೆ ಮಾಡ್ಕೊಂಡು ಮಲಗಿದೆ. 

October 21th 2010, Thursday evening
ಮತ್ತೆ ಆವತ್ತು ಸಂಜೆ ಕೂಡ call ಮಾಡಿದೆ. ನಾನು ಹೇಳ್ಬೇಕು ಅಂತಿದ್ದ ವಿಷಯನೆಲ್ಲ ಹೇಳಿದೆ. ಅವಳು ಅದನ್ನೆಲ್ಲಾ ಕೇಳಿ "past is past. ನೀನು ನನ್ನ ಜೊತೆ ಇವಾಗ ಹೇಗಿರ್ತೀಯ ಅನ್ನೋದೇ important ಅಂತ ಹೇಳಿದ್ಲು". ಆವಾಗ ಅನಿಸ್ತು ನನಗೆ ಇವಳೇ ಸರಿಯಾದ ಜೋಡಿ ಅಂತ. ಒಂದೆರೆಡು ವಿಷಯಕ್ಕೆ restrictions ಆಯಿತು. I started liking her. ನಮ್ಮಿಬ್ಬರ family ಬಗ್ಗೆ, hobbies ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ಆವತ್ತು ತುಂಬಾ ಹೊತ್ತು ಮಾತಾಡಿದ್ವಿ. By the time we ended the call the reality superseded the inner myself. This was the moment that unmasked me and recited to myself - "I got the gift to myself & my mom"

The same day, her relatives visited our home. It was then ಅಮ್ಮ told them that I would be traveling to USA on Oct 30th and if it is yes from their end too; would it be possible to engage "Me and Madhu" before that. After some elderly discussions between the family Oct 24th, Sunday was decided as our engagement day. 

Madhu and I, were happy to spend the rest of our lives together.


- To be continued

The Moment

August 2010, after struggling a lot with myself, I decided that I got to stand for my family, specially for my mom. Nothing is worth than the smile on her face. I decided that I should go for my mom. Oct 17th 2010 with masked face & fake smile, which was unmasked shortly, here goes the story. This is for us on the eve of a year knowing each other:)


Part 1
ನನಗೆ ಅಂತ ನಾನು ಏನಾದ್ರು ಕೇಳ್ಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದೀನಿ  ಅಂದ್ರೆ - ಅರ್ಥ ಮಾಡ್ಕೊಳೋ ಹುಡುಗಿ ನನ್ನ ಕೈ ಹಿಡಿಬೇಕು, ಮನೇಲಿ ಯಾವಾಗಲು ನಗ್ತಾ, ಎಲ್ಲರನ್ನು ನಗಿಸ್ತ, ನನ್ನ ಬೆಸ್ಟ್ ಫ್ರೆಂಡ್ ಆಗಿರಬೇಕು ಅಂತ. ಮನೇಲಿ ನನಗೆ ಹುಡುಗಿನ ಹುಡುಕೋಕೆ ಶುರು ಮಾಡಿದ್ರು. ಎಲ್ಲೋ ಹುಟ್ಟಿ, ಎಲ್ಲೋ ಬೆಳೆದು, ನನ್ನವಳು ಹೇಗಿರ್ತಾಳೋ ........ ಮಳೆ ಜೊತೆ ಆಟಾಡ್ಬೇಕು, ವಟ ವಟ ಅಂತ ಮಾತಾಡಬೇಕು, ಪುಟ್ಟ ಮಗು ಥರ smile ಕೊಟ್ರೆ ಏನೇ tension ಇದ್ರು ಮರ್ತೋಗ್ಬೇಕು, ತುಂಬಾ responsible ಆಗಿರಬೇಕು, more than that ನಾನು ನಾನಾಗೆ ಇರಬೇಕು ( ಅಂದ್ರೆ ನಾನು ಹೇಗಿರ್ತೀನೋ ಹಾಗೆ accept ಮಾಡ್ಬೇಕು ) ....  ಹಾಗೆ ಏನೆಲ್ಲಾ ಯೋಚನೆ ಮಾಡ್ಕೊಂಡು; ಅಕ್ಟೋಬರ್ 17 ಸುಮಾರು 3:45 ಮಧ್ಯಾಹ್ನ ಹುಡುಗಿನ ನೋಡೋಕೆ ಅಮ್ಮ, ಮಾಮ, ನಾನು ಹೋಗಿದ್ವಿ. ನಾನು black shirt, light blue jeans ಹಾಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದೆ. ಅದು ಅವಳ relative ಮನೆ. ಅವಳ uncle ನಮಗೆಲ್ಲ greeting ಹೇಳಿ ಒಳಾಗಡೆ ಕರೆದರು. ಅಮ್ಮ, ಮಾಮ ದಿವಾನ ಮೇಲೆ ಕೂತ್ಕೊಂಡ್ರು, ನಾನು opposite ನಲ್ಲಿ ಇದ್ದ chair ಮೇಲೆ ಕೂತ್ಕೊಂಡೆ. ಇಲ್ಲೇ ದೀವಾನದ ಮೇಲೆ ಕೂತ್ಕೋಳಿ ಅಂತ ಮಧು ಅಂಕಲ್ ನನಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದ್ರು ಆಮೇಲೆ as expected ನಾನು ಏನು ಓದಿರೋದು, ಏನು ಕೆಲಸ ಅಂತ ಕೇಳ್ತಿದ್ರು. ಎಲ್ಲಾರು casual ಆಗಿ ಮಾತಾಡ್ತಿದ್ರು, ಆದ್ರೆ ನನ್ನ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಮಾತ್ರ ಅವಳನ್ನ ಹುಡುಕ್ತಾಯಿತ್ತು. ಅಮ್ಮ ನನ್ನ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಅರ್ಥ ಮಾಡ್ಕೊಂಡ್ರು ಅನ್ಸತ್ತೆ, ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ನೀರು ಕೊಡಿ ಅಂತ ಅವಳ uncle -ನ  ಕೇಳೇ ಬಿಟ್ರು :) ...... Uncle ಕೂಡ ನೀರು ತರೋಕೆ ಹೇಳಿದ್ರು. Bad luck  :( ... ನೀರು ಏನೋ ಬಂತು ಆದ್ರೆ ತಂದಿದ್ದು ಅವಳ aunty :( .... ಬೇಗ ಬಾರಮ್ಮ ಅಂತ ನಾನು ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಅಂದ್ಕೋತಿದ್ದೆ. Violet shade saree, neatly dressed with matching lipstick .. there she comes with sweets in her hand. ಮೊದಲು ತುಂಬಾ ಹುಡುಗೀನ ನೋಡಿದ್ದೆ ಆದರೆ she could be mine ಅಂತ ಯಾರನ್ನು ನೋಡಿ ಅನ್ಸಿರ್ಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಮೊದಲು ಅಮ್ಮನಿಗೆ sweet ಕೊಟ್ಳು, ಆಮೇಲೆ ಮಾಮನಿಗೆ ಕೊಟ್ಳು. ನಾನು ಮಾತ್ರ ಅವಳನ್ನೇ ನೋಡ್ತಿದ್ದೆ. It was my turn to take the sweets. ತಗೊಬೇಕಾದ್ರೆ ಅವಳನ್ನ ಕಣ್ಣಲ್ಲಿ ಕಣ್ಣಿಟ್ಟು ನೋಡ್ಬೇಕು ಅನ್ಕೊಂಡೆ ಆದರೆ ಅವಳು ನನ್ನ ನೋಡಲೇ ಇಲ್ಲ. Shyish ಅಥವ ಭಯ ಅನ್ಸತ್ತೆ ಅವಳಿಗೆ [which I like :)]. Sweets  ಕೊಟ್ಟು ಒಳಾಗಡೆ ಹೋಗ್ತಿದ್ಲು. ಇನೊಂದ್ಸಲ ನೋಡ್ಬೇಕು ಅನ್ನಿಸ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಮಾತಾಡ್ತಾ ಮಾತಾಡ್ತಾ ಹಾಗೆ ಅವಳನ್ನ ನೋಡೋಕೆ ತಿರುಗಿದೆ. ಆದರೆ ಕಾಣಿಸಿದ್ದು ಅವಳ ಸೊಂಟ :) ... though not my intention it just happened ... ಹೊಟ್ಟೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಮುಂದೆ ಬಂದಿತ್ತು ... ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಡುಮ್ಮಿ ಅನ್ಕೊಂಡೆ :) bossy bossy type ಹುಡುಗಿಅನ್ಕೊಂಡೆ :). ಅವಳ aunty ಬಂದು ನಮ್ಮ ಜೊತೆ ಕೂತ್ಕೊಂಡ್ರು. ಅಮ್ಮನ್ನ ನೋಡಿ ಇವರು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಅಕ್ಕಾನ ಅಂತ ನನ್ನ ಕೇಳಿದ್ರು :) ... ಎಲ್ಲ ನಗ್ತಿದ್ರು :) ...  ಇಲ್ಲ aunty ಅವರು ನನ್ನ ಅಮ್ಮ ಅಂತ ಹೇಳಿದಾಗ ಪಾಪ sorry ಕೇಳಿದ್ರು :). sorry ಯಾಕೆ aunty ಅದು compliment ಅಂತ ಹೇಳಿದೆ :). ಅವಳ uncle ಅವಳಿಗೆ ಬಾರಮ್ಮ ಕೂತ್ಕೋ ಅಂತ ಹೇಳಿದ್ರು. ನನಗು ಅದೇ ಬೇಕಾಗಿತ್ತು - ಸರಿಯಾಗಿ ಇನ್ನೊಂದು ಸಲ ನೋಡ್ಬೇಕು ಅನ್ನಿಸ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಅವಳು ಬಂದು ನಾ first ಕೂತಿದ್ದ chair ಮೇಲೆ ಕೂತ್ಕೊಂಡ್ಳು. ಅವಳನ್ನೇ ನೋಡ್ತಿದ್ದೆ. she could be mine ಅನ್ನಿಸ್ತು. ಆದರೆ ಮಾತಾಡದೆ, ಅವಳ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತಿಳ್ಕೊಲ್ದೆ, ನನ್ನ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅವಳು ತಿಳ್ಕೊಲ್ದೆ decision ತಗೋಳೋದು ಸರಿಯಲ್ಲ. ಅಷ್ಟರಲ್ಲಿ coffee ಕೂಡ ಬಂತು. ಅವಳ ಹತ್ರ ಮಾತಾಡಬೇಕು ಅನ್ನಿಸ್ತಿತ್ತು. ಮಾಮಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದೆ, ಮಾಮ ಅವಳ uncle ನ ಕೇಳಿದರು. ಅವರೆಲ್ಲ ಕೂಡ ಒಪ್ಕೊಂಡ್ರು.

Me: Hi. I am Praveen
She: Hiiiiiiiii [girls usually has this way to extend every word :)]. I am Madhura.
She has a sweet voice. 
Me: ನಿನಗೆ ಹುಡುಗನ್ನ ನೋಡ್ತಿರೋದು ಇಷ್ಟ ಇದೆಯಾ ಅಥವಾ force ಏನಾದ್ರು ಇದ್ಯಾ?
She: ಹಾಗೇನು ಇಲ್ಲ. ನನಗೆ ಇಷ್ಟ ಇದೆ. ನಿಮಗೆ?
Me: ನಂಗು ಕೂಡ ಇಷ್ಟ ಇದೆ :). hey ನೀನು ನನ್ನ ಹೋಗೋ ಬಾರೋ ಅಂತ ಕರೀಬಹುದು. ಹೋಗಿ, ಬನ್ನಿ ಅಂತ formalities ಬೇಡ. ಏನು ಓದಿರೋದು ನೀನು.
She: BBM ಮಾಡಿದೀನಿ. ನೀವು?
Me: Hey please don't be so formal ಆಯ್ತಾ. ನಾನು BE in CS. Kumar uncle ಹೇಳಿದ್ರು ನೀನು ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡ್ತಿದ್ಯಾ ಅಂತ. ಎಲ್ಲಿ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡ್ತಿರೋದು?
She: Regaalis ಅನ್ನೋ ಹೋಟೆಲ್ ನಲ್ಲಿ finance related things handle ಮಾಡ್ತೀನಿ. ಅಂದ್ರೆ accounts related, income tax related ಎಲ್ಲ ನೋಡ್ಕೋತೀನಿ.
Seriously I didn't know what is that. I was just nodding my head :)
Me: ಮದ್ವೆ ಅದ್ಮೇಲು ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡ್ತೀಯ?
She: ನನಗೆ ಮಾಡಬೇಕು ಅಂತ ಇಷ್ಟ. ನಿನಗೆ ಹೇಗಿರಬೇಕು?
She is getting used to talk in ಹೋಗೋ ಬಾರೋ language :)
Me: ನನಗೆ ಹೋಗಲೇ ಬೇಕು ಅಂತ ಏನು ಇಲ್ಲ, ಆದರೆ ಹೋದ್ರೆ ಒಳ್ಳೇದು. She knows how to handle herself, be idependent, get to know how to deal with people etc etc. [Frankly speaking I didn't know why I was telling this to her. But, I didn't want someone to suffer like my mom, who has very little knowledge on dealing with people outside the world. She never got a chance to interact with people and she has suffered a lot because of that.] Studies ಎಲ್ಲ ಸೋಮವಾರಪೇಟೆ ನಲ್ಲೆ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದ ?
She: ಹಾ ಎಲ್ಲ ಅಲ್ಲೇ ಮಾಡಿದ್ದು.
She was just answering to my questions and there was no questions from her end. Thinking she might be nervous I asked her
Me: Nervous ಆಗಿದ್ಯಾ?
She: ಇಲ್ಲಪ್ಪ .. with a smile.
She looks beautiful while smiling. Perfect smile of my imagination - ಎಲ್ಲ ಬೇಜಾರು ಹೋಗ್ಸೋ ಅಂತ smile.
Me: ಅದು ಸರಿ. ಮಡಿಕೇರಿ ಕಡೆ ಹುಡ್ಗೀರಿಗೆ nervousness ಅನ್ನೋದೇ ಗೊತ್ತಿರಲ್ಲ :). ಈ ಮಾಡುವೆ ಇಂದ ನಿನಗೆ ಏನಾದ್ರು expectations ಇದೆಯಾ?
She: Expectations ಏನು ಇಲ್ಲ. ಆದರೆ ನಮ್ಮ family ತುಂಬಾ poor family. So, grand ಆಗಿ ಏನು ಮದುವೆ ಮಾಡ್ಕೋಡೋಕೆ  ಆಗಲ್ಲ.
Me: ಅದು ಎಲ್ಲ ಗೊತ್ತಿದೆ. ಅದರ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಏನು ಯೋಚನೆ ಮಾಡಬೇಡ. ಅದು ಬಿಟ್ಟು personal ಆಗಿ ನಿನಗೆ ಅಂತ ಏನಾದ್ರು expectations ಇದೆಯಾ?
She: ಇಲ್ಲ. ಅಷ್ಟು ಬಿಟ್ರೆ ಬೇರೇನೂ ಇಲ್ಲ. ನಿನಗೆ ಏನು expectations ಇದೆ?
Me: ನನ್ನ expectations ಅಂದ್ರೆ. ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೇಲಿ ಇರೋದು ನಾನು, ಅಮ್ಮ, ತಮ್ಮ. ಇವರನ್ನ ಬಿಟ್ಟು ಬರೋಕೆ ಆಗಲ್ಲ. so ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಗೆ ಹೊಂದ್ಕೊಬೇಕು, ನನ್ನ best friend ಆಗಿರಬೇಕು, ಅರ್ಥ ಮಾಡ್ಕೊಬೇಕು.
She: ok.
Why was that ok? Was that to tell me that it is ok from her end? :) ...... Unlike what I thought as bossy nature in the beginning, this is what I observed in the short talk - She is caring nature, respect elders, family, soft in nature, ಅರ್ಥ ಮಾಡ್ಕೊಳೋ ಹುಡುಗಿ
Me: ಇನ್ನೇನಾದ್ರು ಕೇಳೋದು ಇದೆಯಾ?
She: ಇಲ್ಲ.
Me: ಸರಿ ಒಳಾಗಡೆ ಹೋಗೋಣ?
She: ಸರಿ ... with a smile
Damn .... I loved her smile 

Can she be mine? hundred of question passed in my head. It was almost ok from my side. But, still wanted to talk for some more time to know her more before saying yes. As we were ready to leave; I observed someone jumping inside the room. Oh, wait a second. It was not just one, it was two of them jumping to see me.

Praveen ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಈ ಕಡೆ ನಿಂತ್ಕೊಳಪ್ಪ - I heard aunty voice directed to me. Turned towards the voice. ರಂಗೋಲಿ, ಅಕ್ಕಿ ಹಿಟ್ಟಿಂದ ಹಾಕಿರೋದು ತುಳಿಬಾರ್ದು. I realized that I was standing on the ರಂಗೋಲಿ quickly moved away apologizing. When my mom came, we all bid adieu and left. I knew ಅಮ್ಮ and ಮಾಮ are gonna ask my opinion. Again, hundreds of questions crossed my mind while stepping down the stairs. We reached the car and her relatives were standing outside. Kumar uncle saw that those girls, who were jumping inside the room to see me, are also standing and asked me to show my face to them. I raised my head, smiled at them and stepped inside the case. As expected million dollar question came - "ಏನಪ್ಪಾ ನಿನ್ನ opinion-u?".

ಹುಡುಗಿ ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿದಾಳೆ [ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಡುಮ್ಮಿ ಅಂತ ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲೇ ಅನ್ಕೊಂಡೆ :)], soft nature, respect ಕೊಡ್ತಾಳೆ. So far ಇಷ್ಟ ಆಗಿದ್ದಾಳೆ ಆದರೆ ಒಂದ್ಸಲ ಮಾತಾಡಬೇಕು ಅಂತ ಹೇಳಿದೆ. ಅಮ್ಮನಿಗೂ, ಮಾಮನಿಗೂ ಕೂಡ ಮಧು ಇಷ್ಟ ಆಗಿದ್ಲು. It was more or less yes from our end ಅಂತ kumar uncle-ಗೆ ಅಮ್ಮ ಹೇಳಿ ಅವರ ಮನೆ opinion ಕೂಡ ತಿಳ್ಕೊಳೋಕೆ ಹೇಳಿದ್ರು.

We left the place and I was all waiting to talk to her over the phone.


-To be continued

Busy?

If you are too busy, let me know if I can be of any help; but, don't be too busy for me to have a second thought

The thing that is keeping you busy might someday seem tame and bored. When you recur you may not see me as the same person you wished

Don't be caught up in the busyness that you lose connection with yourself

Little things, even a Good Morning greet, seem nothing but they do rejuvenate and bring peace

All I need is a minute to ask "how are you"

Is this called as missing someone?

Standing lonesome and feeling your presence, I see in all direction in search of your eyes

Tarrying with a hope - "I will hear you", I seek for a complete silence so that I wont miss it

I stand there with open arms and feel the cool breeze which dry my eyes

Thinking you I close my eyes. And when it opens, warm emotions tickles down

I stretch my palm and gaze at it, hoping you will hold it

I feel cold deep inside the heart, which shivers without you

If this is called as missing someone, Can you hug me once to keep it warmer?