Joggers Park- Revised

"How about this one?".. "How about this one?".. My fiance was showing me some designs to help me decide what I would like to wear on the D-day. Jodhpuri, tuxedos, sherwanis, the list endless.
Not only did the enitre episode make me more confused it also made me realise that unless I get in some sort of shape (human ofcourse), its very unlikely that I would look good in any of these clothes, no matter what I choose to wear, but I couldnt tell her that.
I could ofcourse say the pics of the models were edited but hey we all know the truth nah. So I decided once again to return to my "tryst with fitness" and the art of healthy living and decided I shall take a walk/run/crawl around the park everday no matter what.
The issue of being part of the world is that you cant help getting glimpses of the lives of your fellow beings and this experience was no different.
Suddenly there is this whole bunch of people and kids who are so interested in a healthy life and I am like "where were all these people for so long?". I am so used to the air-conditioned gym where i can sit and see if I could burn calories..the open air had so many challenges I had no clue about.

Lap 1 : 3:50 secs
The worried father:
Just as I was about to complete the first lap I saw a man searching the parking lot near the park as if though he was searching for his keys.. He wasnt creating a scene but from his body language I could easily make out he had lost somethin really precious. He kept pointing to the pram which he had parked near the compound wall of the park and had gone to take a quick jog to relieve his tensions and burn a few calories and as soon as he completed his lap he noticed his daughter who was asked to sit in the pram was missing and he was searching for her..I kept looking back to see if he did find her.. but he didn't.. he was so upset.. Its strange how people set out to do things and when they return to where they belong they realise they have lost or in this case misplaced something so valuable.. Just as I was about to complete Lap 2,I heard a loud shout of "Daddyyyy!!!" and saw the beautiful child smiling and running towards her dad and he ran towards her like as if they had met after years.. I am sure he will remember this moment for his entire life. maybe someday when his daughter returns to meet him from her busy academic or career schedule or for a few minutes she would take from the rat race called life..

Lap no:4 12:59 secs
Two men in a park
On completion of Lap 4 I came across two middle aged men who were visibly upset at their medical reports. " Damm! I shouldnt have gone to see the doctor, high cholestrol and Blood pressure and he has adviced me to walk for atleast an hour and to control my diet, you know how my wife is, she only needs such tiny matters to impose a ban on everything I enjoy. I mean come on I have been toiling here for like 20 years, taking all sorts of crap from my boss, struggling really hard to make my ends meet, raising kids and all. Is it wrong to maybe have a few pegs or eat some non veg?."We end up fighting almost everyday since I did this test., so I have no option but to walk..". for which the other man replied.. " Well you are lucky atleast you wife and children so close to keep an eye on you and to take care of you"."Look at me,couldnt afford the high rents here so sent them all back to India and have to wait for 365 days to go meet them for 30 days. The doctor has adviced me to conduct a surgery for my knee this year, but I havent told home. I just tell them that I am fine and doing great."" Whats the point in making them sad too". Hearing this the other man let out a huge sigh/
Maybe it was a realisation that we only value something when we no longer have it or are forced to part with it even if its momentarily and its when you see that the the man next to you is blind that you consider yourself blessed to have atleast one perfect eye..

the Run continues.......

Marriage masala

Back to work. Senior teachers seem all colored after the long Diwali break and all geared up to usher in the marriage season of India. All the young unmarriage teachers are the eye-candy of the seniors to pass on their silver-jubilee-marriage knowledge. Being the youngest in the lot I am the constant talk of the staff-room. Back at my flat 'all the single ladies' seem to be getting knocked-out LBW also known in the young marriage market as Lass Becomes Wife!! Days of feminism and freedom are gone, welcome the Phase II. ''If it makes him happy do it! What will you loose so much if you budge a little?", mother was giving one of her lectures. She holds the largest flag in the Great Indian Fat Wedding marathon and shows no signs of keeping the flag down till she has instilled in her city-born liberal thought child a bit of conversative India elegence. Secret is, she has been trying hard to filter me into the feminine sandals of the main-stream 60's heroine of Indi-cinema! Problem is I love my stilletoes a lot and I do make noise when I walk in them declaring my arrival.
With the match going strong, I asked myself if my life has lost its east-man colour. Will I be left alone? Atleast a few years earlier before I met this 'guy' I used to think that I will marry at 29 after completing my PhD and immediately visit the gynecologist to give me birth boosting pills. Now I can take it slow or I think I can at least! The Bombay... oops.. Mumbai fever took over me in graduation and incorporated me automatically in its bright lights, sunny sights and short tights. With a wide variety of friends who ranged from plain panner to peppy pepper I discovered that I was much more than sitting and reading Paulo Coelho. I realised that I was someone who loved watching Vagina Monologues with popcorn in hand and could wear anything other than dull hues and earth colours. That was once upon a time story though. Now, just like any other girl I want a certain person's very certain company but can't imagine he would travel 2,304 kilometers on weekends to light up the dinner table with my favourite wine on a cozy table at the far corner in Bootleggers. Everything suddenly circles around him and I can't figure out where I stand because as you can understand completely I would also be going around him in circles!
I guess Phase II is about loosing the teenage thunder and gearing up to be the sultry serene sexy woman who has been there and done that. The true feminine attitude that is capable of incorporating the male life-style into their own and yet clearly demarcate their own space and place. So here's to womanhood and bottoms up to the process of attaining the mark of 'woman of substance'.