Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Crowning Glory- Life's Game

You should read what happened previously. How else will you understand the story? Read it here

Chapter 23-

Jennifer splashed water on Tara’s face and shook her. “Wake up! You can’t be unconscious NOW!” Jennifer yelled at her face. Cyrus untied her hands and they made her lie on the couch. Tara started coming around and finally opened her eyes. “You want to know, don’t you? Want to know what I did? I did everything in my past to make the best of my situation. I had nothing and no one. You have to understand that.” Jennifer did not say a word but stared impassively at her. Tara closed her eyes and recounted her past.

“Tara beta why aren't you opening the door?” her mother asked for the umpteenth time. Tara was in shock, sitting on the bathroom floor with a pregnancy test in one hand. This was the second one taken in two days. She just could not believe that one drunken night could lead to such a big disaster. She knew of people who had been trying for years with no luck and here she was with a positive test in her hands but sans the happiness. ‘I will have to tell my parents’. Her stomach clenched at the thought of the reactions she will receive. Aloud she said, “Nothing mom, I have an upset stomach. I will come out soon”. Her mother said ‘okay’ and Tara heard her walking off. After a few minutes of thinking about particularly nothing, Tara came out and went to the kitchen. She stood at the doorway and saw her mother. Beautiful and still young, she was in charge of the household. She was wearing a saree and Tara knew she had not even met her husband even once before she had gotten married at the age of 19; a year later Tara was born. Tara was aware of the marriage proposals and the pressure she was under herself just at the age of 18. She knew for sure she had no say in the man she was to end up with and that her family would wed her off with all the pomp and show thanks to their wealth. She sighed and stood next to her mother. ‘What did you think of the boy you met two days back?’ her mother’s voice came as if from a great distance. Tara didnt answer. Her mother was growing impatient with her erratic behavior since yesterday. “Mom I have to tell you something”, said Tara with a lot of effort. Her mother replied, “I don’t know what is wrong with you since the past two days. We will talk later. I’m busy” Tara took it as a sign and hurried out of the kitchen.

Later in the night, feeling bad for having rebuked her, her mother came to her room to ask what was bothering her. Tara didn't know what to say because she had shamed her parents and she knew that nothing will save her from their wrath. Gathering courage from absolutely nowhere, she said, “Mom, I, I have made a big mistake.” Her mother, concerned, asked, “What’s the matter? Nothing can be that bad that cannot be resolved. What is it?” Tara ploughed on and plunged before she lost her strength, “I am pregnant”. Her mother asked her to repeat what Tara had just said because surely, her dutiful, straight- A daughter could not be pregnant nor does she have any male friends. Obviously she didn't hear her daughter correctly and this must be some big joke. “I’m pregnant” Tara repeated. The resounding slap came from nowhere and Tara made no move to defend herself. She just sat there, staring numbly into space. Her mother got up and started beating her all the while yelling and screaming at her. Her father came running in to see what the commotion was all about. Her mother told him what Tara had said and she then became the victim of her father’s blows as well. Finally, her father took out a bag, put her clothes in it whatever he could find and dragged her towards the main door. Her mother knowing what was happening begged him to not do it but he was relentless.

He dragged her by her arm, not listening to the mother’s crying or paying attention to Tara and her pleas and threw her out of the main door with the bag landing in front of her. With a last look of disgust, he shut the door and Tara could hear the bolts. She could hear her mother pleading with him to let her in. He yelled at her and dragged her to their room. Tara stood there for a couple of hours willing for the door to open, for her mother to come out and take her inside. But nothing happened. Fearing the worst, she picked up her bag and trudged along the road towards her friend, Reema’s house which she knew was about half an hour away. She reached her place and rang the doorbell. Her friend opened the door and took one look at Tara and the bag and took her inside. Tara wasn't willing to talk and Reema didn't ask. She had a spare room and made Tara sleep. In the morning, Tara woke up and for a minute she wasn't aware where she was and she panicked. Then it all came back to her; the positive test, the sinking feeling, the slaps, her father’s look of disgust and reaching her friend’s place. She got up and saw Reema sitting in the living room with a smoke in her hand. She went and sat next to her and just sobbed. Reema was shocked with this way of morning greeting but comforted her nonetheless. Tara finally told her the story and how she was thrown out of her house and she had nowhere else to go. Reema made her tea and told her to abort the kid. Tara refused saying that she wasn't going to murder an innocent child because of her wrong doings. Reema was well aware of her friend’s slight orthodox thinking and she had known suggesting abortion was a long shot.

Days turned into weeks and Tara started growing bigger. She had tried contacting the guy who is the father, but he had refused to have done anything and had insulted her in front of all his friends. Reema had helped Tara get a job through some contacts in the media world and she was working for a TV channel as an assistant receptionist. Reema was a travel writer and used to be away for most of the times and Tara used to be alone. On an off day, there was a knock on her door. She was wondering if Reema was to be back that day and she went and opened the door. She was shocked to see her mother standing in front of her, looking unsure about herself. For six months, Tara had gone everyday to her parent’s house, begged and pleaded to be taken back, threatened them with suicide, called them everyday till her father had changed the numbers. She was aware of the whispering and the glances which people shared every time she walked towards her father’s house, bigger than the previous day. Her mother just stared at Tara and to her astonishment just hugged and cried. Tara got her inside and both of them wept and sat in silence. Her mother broke it and told her bluntly that it was too late for abortion and it was too late for her to say anything to her daughter about it. She announced she was going to be with Tara till the day she gave birth but she was not sure what will she do after as her father was not at all happy with this decision. Tara was glad of having her mother around for the next three months. Reema and her mother got along well so there was no problem of the three of them staying together. With her mother’s support, Tara started doing well at work and was slowly taking on more responsibility and was trying to get into PR.

In the meanwhile she had received a job opportunity for the new company Lucky One Media as the PR Manager and a wedding invite with a return ticket to Delhi from her close friend Roopa, who was getting married soon. Tara had told her that her mother was unwell and that’s why she was so out of touch. Her friend had been relentless and had convinced her to come for the wedding. Luckily the wedding was a couple of months after the due date. Finally her water broke when she was at home and Reema and her mother rushed her to the hospital. She had a healthy baby girl after the grueling 16 hour of labour.

She knew her father would not come to meet her but she had really wanted him to. She knew she was dead to him and she was completely cut off from her family and the possessions. A week after getting discharged she sat in those rare moments when her baby daughter was asleep thinking about what she was going to do. Her mother was going back to her house in a couple of days and Tara knew she had to choose between her career, as that was the only thing that had helped her cope in the past nine months, and her daughter.

Being an unmarried single mother was going to prove a challenge and Tara was not sure about her capabilities. After days of pondering, with a heavy heart she decided on giving up the baby in an orphanage for an adoption. She researched and came across a good one called ‘Aashakiran Anathalay’ which was on the outskirts of the city. She went and met the main lady Mrs. Nayyar and took the papers from her to fill them up and get the process rolling. Then one day, when she was travelling back from work in a particularly crowded local train compartment, she overheard two women talking about one of their friends who had given up her baby to this group from Kolkatta and she had received a lot of money which she had desperately needed. They weren't sure what the group was into but it could not have been good. This piqued Tara’s interest and to her delight she found that one of them was getting off at her stop. She followed the woman and finally caught up to her. “Hi. I am sorry I couldn't help over hearing but I wanted to know the details of the Kolkatta group”. The woman looked at Tara suspiciously and asked her whether Tara was a cop. Tara said no but she was looking for a friend who wanted to give up a baby because of an unwanted pregnancy and she was thrown out of her house. After a couple of minutes the woman relented and helped Tara with a phone number after speaking to someone. She informed Tara that they went by no name and she should not think about giving the number to anybody because the group will disappear without a trace and it was anyway a onetime use number and she better call them tonight. Tara took the number and hurried home. She relieved the baby sitter and contemplated. She called the number and a male voice with a thick Bengali accent greeted her. With his broken Hindi she got to know that they will come and pick up her baby for their orphanage and give her INR 5 lacs. If she agreed to it then the deal could be done and dusted by the next day but she had only 24 hours to confirm and he gave her another phone number to speak to when she made up her mind.

Tara had spent nearly a year in the media industry to know the dirty picture. It was either money or sex that could propel her to the top. Thanks to her pregnancy she had been at the receiving end of quite a few lewd jokes but she had become stronger and there was no way was she going to sleep with any of those men. She needed the money and because she had built a wall around herself she wanted a growth in her career as soon as possible. The idea of having a family no longer appealed to her though she did have her vulnerable moments. She had decided. She needed the money rather than a daughter who reminded her of the tough times. The next day she called up the number and just said a ‘Yes’. She agreed to meet them at a hotel. She met a woman whose name she doesn't know and… and….

At this point Tara could not speak anymore and dissolved into sobs. Jennifer looked at her with so much hatred she surprised herself. “How could you? How could you trade your daughter for money? You are such a cold hearted bitch. I knew it from day one you have no love for anyone in your life. Not even yourself. What kind of a mother are you? You adopted Roohi for what then? To sell her off eventually? Where is she? You don’t deserve her or her love” Jennifer continued to yell at her. Seeing her in that state Cyrus tried calming her down but she shut him up. It took all of her strength to not kill Tara Dutta, CEO and Page 3 regular, right there and then.

Intrigued? You obviously want to know what happens next. Read it here

“Me and my team are participating in ‘Game Of Blogs’ at BlogAdda.com. #CelebrateBlogging with us.”

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Crowning Glory: Life's Game

Chapter 7: 

Read Chapter 6 here

Sunday dawned bright and sunny. After a hectic and an emotionally stressful week, Tara decided to laze around in bed for slightly longer than usual. She looked at her bedside clock and realized she just had an hour before the Marie Claire photographer showed up. Thinking of Jennifer, Tara remembered the tattoo and a feeling of foreboding returned. She forced herself to take her mind of it and realized Shekhar was already up and about, with the sounds coming from the kitchen. She could hear her darling daughter’s squeals as she dropped yet another magnet on the floor.

She got up and went to the kitchen and an adorable mess greeted her sight. Shekhar was on the floor with Roohi on his back, saying, ‘horsey, move’. Hating herself for it, Tara asked both of them firmly to please clean up the mess and to get ready for the photographer. Everything had to be perfect. Shekhar tried imitating a neigh which resulted in Roohi dissolving in a fit of giggles.

An hour later the doorbell rang and Tara greeted Jennifer. Jennifer was awed by the meticulous house. She realized that the house was far bigger than she had imagined it to be and to have such an apartment, overlooking the sea has to quite an expenditure. The front door opened to the entry hallway which was decorated with a Venetian mirror and a vintage wooden table underneath it. Beyond the hallway was a huge living room where there was a set of beige leather couches and a glass coffee table and the entrance to the balcony. Next to the area was the TV section where Tara had put up a pair of lazy boys. Ah! What wouldn't Jennifer give to sit on one of them. She saw the eight seater dining table with high backed chairs. To the left of the dining area, Jennifer could see a bit of the guest room which was converted into a study and to the right she could see two bedrooms. Behind it were the kitchen and a small prayer room.

The house was perfect just like the woman standing in front of her with not even a hair strand out of place. Jennifer realized this is what she wanted to achieve in her life and imagined Tara to be her mentor and helping her through the tough times. But little did Jennifer know, Tara had a hard exterior and she had never let anyone come close to her. Except, maybe, Shekhar.

Tara in the meanwhile had followed Jennifer into the living room and could not help but discreetly look at the tattoo trying to confirm that it was the same one. She didn't want to. Tara forced a smile as Jennifer turned to her and asked her if she could please get a glass of water and if it was okay for her to start assembling her equipment. Tara said, ‘Right away’ as she walked towards the kitchen hoping she didn't give away too much by glancing at her wrist again.

Shekhar and Roohi were trying to make a cake amidst laughter and Roohi was content just licking the batter off the spatula. Anger suddenly boiled inside her and Tara surprised herself by snapping at them, ‘Can you guys stop it? There is a guest in this house. I feel I have two children instead of one’. A stunned silence greeted her and she busied herself with water. Jennifer’s voice came floating in saying, ‘It is completely fine ma’am. A little laughter has never hurt anybody and God knows I need it after staying alone.’

The photo session finally began with Tara sitting in the study and in the balcony. Jennifer then instructed her to go change into something a little more casual for the rest of the photographs. Alone, Jennifer started to look at the framed pictures hanging on a wall in an artistic collage. She saw Tara during her graduation ceremony, young and beautiful, sharing a laugh with her friends, saw a picture of her and Shekhar when they had just started dating, saw the wedding and engagement photos. Jenny was brought back from her reverie when she heard a voice behind her. ‘Hi I am Shekhar. Tara’s husband’. Jennifer saw a short balding (premature?) man with the smile as in the photo on the wall. ‘Hi I am Jennifer Joseph. Photographer from Marie Claire. I am here to do get an interview with successful women and your wife is one of them. Sorry to spoil your Sunday. But tell me, how do you live with such a beautiful and a successful lady? The men I know would get intimidated. Don’t you?’ Shekhar smiled and replied, ‘If you were given this project a few years back, then Tara’s name would have not featured in your list.’ ‘Why?’ a perplexed Jennifer asked. Shekhar replied, ‘when we got married, she was just a small medial professional running some errands. Now with her rise to the top, I am extremely proud of her, not that I wasn't back then as well. I hope nothing jinxes her career path’. Even though she knew Shekhar meant it in a good way, Jennifer could not help but feel slightly confused and out of sorts with his statement.

Tara finally returned to the room dressed in skinny jeans and peach coloured top with her daughter in tow who was looking adorable with her hair done up in a ponytail and a sleeveless dress with red strawberries. Jennifer then instructed them for the poses and started taking the family photos.

An hour later, they were finally done and sat down for coffee and Jennifer started asking questions about her background, ‘So your husband tells me that you have risen to the top thanks to your hard work. How does a successful woman like you juggle home and work life?’ Tara replied, ‘When I was lowly media personnel, I used to do a lot of administration and miscellaneous work which the big wigs couldn’t be bothered with. It was then I had decided to work as hard as I possibly could and did not let, and I still don’t, let anything come between me and my career. Yes, handling work and home is difficult at times but I try my best to be successful at both.’ They heard a snort come in from Shekhar’s direction which he immediately turned into a cough. After a couple of more questions, Jennifer got up and thanked the couple. She bid farewell to Roohi clicking a snap of her trying to sit on the lazy boy. As Jennifer turned to shut the door she saw Roohi hanging on to her father’s leg asking for ice cream (‘little brat’, Jennifer smiled to herself) and looked over at Tara who was quiet and staring into space.

Curious about Chapter 8, aren't ya? Read it here!

My team and I are participating in ‘Game of Blogs’ at Blog Adda. #CelebrateBlogging with us.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Aurangaad

No it is not a spelling mistake. Yes I know it is spelt as Aurangabad. But that is how my friend pronounces it. I should know 'cuz we spent 4 years of our prime there. Doing Hotel Management. Along with that we did a dual BBA degree. We passed out in July 2008 and November 2013 is when we collected our BBA degree. Yup 5+ years. 

The feeling of when we arrived at the station at 4 am was of a sweet and spicy Chinese starter (since bittersweet sounds too cliche). Taking in the sights was enough to make me weep. We were excited as children when they are told that they will get ice cream everyday after dinner and they can sleep by midnight after watching the mind numbing TV shows. We went to our favourite place, the dhaba (a small roadside restaurant) which used to be and still is IHMites favourite haunt (my college's name was/ is IHM-A). Across the road from the institute was this place where we used to weep, notice breakups, hook ups, laugh, bitch, smoke, interact, do projects, have the famous cold coffee and basically do absolutely nothing everyday. This was the first place we visited in the morning. 

The famous dhaba
Due to vacation time there was literally no one there and in the institute. But we went to our college anyway. Visited the library and took in the smell of books. Saw the auditorium where we used to perform and give presentations and make absolute fools of ourselves, saw our classroom where the boys burst a fire cracker and where we used to play Counter Strike during lectures. I went to the girls hostel and saw our water cooler where the awkwardness and the cold shoulder were cooler than the water it dispensed and where gossips took place. Saw our balcony where Savz and I used to talk about life and philosophy, saw the garden where I used to run in my heels when drunk with Ruks running behind me with coffee and Savz with food. Ah good times! 

My favourite library
 
IHM's Anti Ragging Policy Board

The 3 days we were there passed by in a blur. Tried going to almost all the places where we were regulars. 

One of our more frequented restaurants in the city

Visited a lot of historical places but nothing could come close to the feeling we felt when we were there. I will give up anything in my life to have one more year with my batchmates with lectures and all. 


One of the awesome carvings in Ellora (Cave no. 1 I think)


Ellora Caves
Aurangzeb's Tomb
Bibi Ka Makbara
Daulatabad Fort
One of the ways in the fort


Panchakki

I have so much to say but for the first time I have failed in expressing my feelings about the experience.

I guess this is what they call 'hiraeth'.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Disasters at their best* **


You know, I wrote a dissertation during my 'younger' days in college. It was basically on how tourism gets impacted due to man-made and natural disasters so it included tsunami, SARS and the 9/11 attacks along with a debatable topic of how Global Warming was/ is a man- made or a natural disaster. But the more pressing problems right now we are facing are the lack of morals, humanity, and a complete lack of empathy for human life. All these casual talks about the war in Syria, the attack in Kenya and in Pakistan coupled with the devastating earthquake, just proves that the world as we know it, or rather our civilization, is at the brink of its extinction. I am 100% sure that it will probably happen. Quite honestly when someone mentioned the news of the blast to me, my reaction was, ‘Really? Gee, that is terrible. Ooh look new shoes’.

The point of this article is that I think that the world did end in December and is slowly and steadily deteriorating as the days go by. Though not physically but definitely, morally. Yeah, that much needed meteor which was required to bounce off certain individuals got delayed by a month (due to bad traffic and bad infrastructure) and missed the target by a gazillion miles. I remember opening up the paper one day in December (I have stopped reading the paper by the way. I have not read one single positive news since the day I learnt how to read and have my own opinions). One page spoke about ‘The Gangrape’ (I honestly thought that it will be another case like the 1000 others and I am not going to give my two bits here. It should be enough for you to know that I am a very pissed off woman); One page spoke about a grandfather raping his 9 year old step granddaughter, another page spoke about the mass shootout in the school. One page spoke about a man in China who injured 22 children with a knife; then the consequent pages spoke about the dismal performance of India in cricket. I was nearly crying with frustration when I slammed my door shut and went for work and got stuck in bad traffic due to bad infrastructure, myself. 

But if you see, the Mayans were right. For me along with a gazillion people on this planet, the world did end in December. December 2012 taught us some things which we will not forget in a hurry. It taught us that indeed united we stand. It taught us that people do suffer from loneliness and depression and it's not just some nonsense in movies. It taught us that you can be brave and fight for your life no matter how injured you are. It taught us that we should not disregard human life. It taught us that there are sick people on this planet and that they need immediate help (either admittance in a psychiatric ward or The Fight Club- take your pick). It taught us and reinforced this fact that our judicial system is as liked by the people as Sheldon Cooper likes other people sitting on his spot. 

*(Authoress’s note: This article is not a mockery to anyone who has been a victim in any which way to a disaster. My deepest condolences and support to all who have suffered.)
**Frustration can be felt here 

Thursday, June 13, 2013

I am sorry Goa, I have found someone else. But we will always have our times.

So like I have told you in my previous posts, I want to tell you about my trip with SG. (SG's a girl btw). So 2 months back we decided to go on a trip. Actually we have been thinking about a trip since a year but what with work and life gettin' in the way, we. Just. Couldn't. So from Singapore to some Eastern European destination we finally settled on something closer home, Kovalam. So weeks went by mailing each other links to the hotels, becoming experts in navigating Expedia, reading about the place and the places to see, getting warned by our mothers to not venture out alone after sunset and to make sure we were safe, looking for the best flight deals, etc (End of Thinking Capacity). It was so exciting!!! Then FINALLY the D day came. We had to board the flight at 6:30 AM. I started my packing around 3 hrs before. She came over, we took a cat nap for an hour. We obviously got late in getting ready. We ran down to the car at 5:45 thinking being Air India, it will never be on time. We ran to the check in counter and were told that the flight gates are shut. SG and I looked at each other and I immediately thought of not telling my parents if we were gonna be stuck in Mumbai. I really wouldn't want to have that conversation. Anyway we begged and pleaded and finally they let us go (thank god for web check ins. Technology, you should get the Nobel Prize) with a stern look and a warning to not repeat it again. I had a strong urge to sing out 'We are sorry miss' like how we did in KG. SG and I ran till I was red in the face and was gasping for air. (Not very fit you see). We reached Kovalam, tried bargaining with a taxi but to no avail. We reached our hotel, Turtle on the Beach (the name really attracted me), in exact 20 mins (as was mentioned on their site) and plonked ourselves on the bench. It was sweltering hot. We were greeted with shell necklaces and coconut water. I saw a small balcony sort of place outside the lobby. I was mesmerized and walked towards it like a moth to a flame. We were so amazed by the view. I have never seen the sea so blue and beautiful in this country. 

We then went downstairs to eat breakfast in their cozy coffee shop. It was right next to the pool with a breathtaking view. While I had gone to give my egg order, a crow flew and neatly stole a sausage off my plate. How does all this really happen to me. 


It was a Friday so we still had 3 days to go. By the time we finished our meal, our rooms were ready. On the way to the room, we saw a cabinet next to the elevator stacked with books. We were so excited, we immediately grabbed one each and then with sheepish looks asked the guest relations personnel if we could borrow them. Turns out we could and the books were there for the guests themselves! Trip was just getting better and better. We finally reached our home for the next 3 days. Our room was really big with a balcony and we had a clear view of the sea. Most of my room time was definitely spent there. We crashed for a while and decided to go out in the evening. We went towards the beach. It was a 10 min walk from the hotel with a steep slope. Going towards was never the issue. Coming back was a BIG one and which would be for the rest of our trip. We came back soon and ate in the hotel. We ordered beer, got really tipsy and played carrom (the highlight of our trip)


We had so much fun playing that game. We retired early that night. Hey, the purpose of the trip was to relax and unwind and not do anything which will induce aching muscles and sweat (leaving aside the slope and the weather). We woke up at a reasonable time the next day. Reasonable according to vacations and being in time for the breakfast. 

That day was dedicated to spa. Ah! How I was waiting for it. I went in for the Chocolate scrub along with the Ayurvedic Indulgence. Chocolate scrub was delicious and if I was a cannibal I would have eaten myself up. Ayurvedic Indulgence was for 120 mins. After changing, the masseuse made me sit on a chair and massaged my back and my shoulders with the perfect pressure. Not too deep not too light. Then I was made to lie down on the bed and was given a full body massage with deft strokes. Once the massage was over, oil was dripped on my forehead through the pot hanging from above the bed and was given the most relaxing head and scalp massage. I slept there for good 30 mins till the oil soaked my hair. It was one of the best massages I have ever had. I then went for a pedicure and went back to the room. We slept for what seemed like days. We woke up after sunset and decided to go to the German Bakery which was situated on the beach. On the way we picked up little trinkets. We ordered food like we had the munchies. Whilst waiting we discovered a small library neatly tucked into a corner of the open air restaurant. It was the best experience ever along with having a very good cold coffee. 

The next day was spent in a blur. We went out during the day, shopped for small souvenirs and came back completely dehydrated. In the evening we decided to go the Sky Bar of Leela which was a 2 min walking distance. At least the hotel gate was. We did NOT anticipate the walk from the gate to the main lobby to take up half of our lifetime. We reached the bar and found it to be one of the best bars I have ever been to. Not many people (thank god. I hate the people), quiet, beautiful breeze and the sound of the sea crashing over the rocks just next to us. We made a friend there and got talking to the bartender who is also a hotel mgt graduate. It was definitely one of my better evenings. We walked back in a drunken stupor and crashed. The next day we boarded the flight back to Mumbai. I was sad to see how fast the trip got over but t'was awesome while it lasted. We have promised that we will go for another one soon when she graduates from her college. 

Take care my lovelies and make sure you DO take that trip once in a while. Break away from the rut.

(Still to come- my birthday, Niki's wedding and how we got back)

Sunday, June 2, 2013

8 and 12 days!

Its that time of the year again everyone! The time for, I honestly believe should have been, a national holiday. Actually, this year should be two national holidays. In 8 days it is my birthday (trust me I get sooper excited about EVERYBODY'S birthday) and in 12 days is my last day of working with hotels (at least for now). It has been 4 long weeks at work with a lot of downs and a one definite up (when AS and I got back :) :) :)). Also, I have never been so sure of getting into writing/ social media as I am now. I have been looking for avenues. Something I will love to do on the side along with my studies. 

I have realized  that driving on Bombay roads is like playing one gigantic tetris especially at signals and jams..... and signals..... and jams. 

This post is a short and random one but next week I swear I will write about my Kovalam trip, my apartment and how we got back! Till then take care. Stop and smell those pesticide ridden roses.