Incommunicado period hopefully past

Hey guys,

I have got mails, smses, and or calls asking me what I have been upto and if I am even alive. While I did not realise I had been that lackadiasical in my communication that you would wonder about my state of existence I do apologise for not being in touch and hope that you all know that if you had needed me I was just a phone call away. So what have I been upto huh.. well

First there was this buliding that I stay in
The BMC ruled that 30 years old and more and it might cave in
So began structural repairs partial
The top floor flat we live in was deemed experimental
Since we live on salt commission land
If the building falls the place will be out of our hands
So the repairs were begun with many false starts
As South Indians we had to be stingy with the costs
A whole wall fell in our bedroom
Mosquitoes galore that night on our blood we groomed
A part of the drawing room wall was the next to be demolished
By that time we had almost got used to our blood needing to be repienished
Hammers and tongs above our flat was not enough
As the terrace got redone we had to have not seepage but flood.
As our newly painted walls cropped up new designs
My brother and I almost decided to disown our family ties
Unfortunately my mother had instilled values
We stayed on and even helped the workers in the mileu
So it goes on even now
We water our walls as our plants are gone
We dust the dust on the dust covering the dust of our stuff
Our CPU languishes in our technician's shop filled with dust and what not
Our AC and stuff we do not even want to touch
We fear they will crumble with all they have endured.
Somehow the brave TV and washing machine soldier on
We take our blessings, whereever they are found.

Of ocurse it is not enough that I wake up to Dust and sleep in Dust
Since I teach at various colleges, projects and stuff carry home I must
Then correct them and then dust them and then store them and then dust them
Meetings and travel will come my way
I will brave the pollution and population fray
Work on not just the weekdays but weekends too
Public Holidays just meant there was time to catch up do
Lectures that begin at 7 am and some that end at 10 pm
A parcel of life that I have wilfully chosen
How do I complain when I was the one to gainsay
The saner voices that I now wish I had allowed to prevail?
I earned a bit more and spent a lot more on travel
I came across many whom I taught who are far more sensible.
Projects of editing and constructing reports I could not say 'NO' to
My doctor's advice though I constantly did NOT adhere to
Sheer common sense does not accompany the genius see
I have grand delusions about my abilities.

Then I decided that enough was enough
So many years that I have spent sheltered and cossetted
I had made a decision: I would go out more and meet my friends
Late nights if need be I would not forsake
In fights with my folks I would partake
Freedom, however, was my birthright
I am, by God, going to finally it enjoy.
So kind of my friends that they arranged
Weddings and functions and parties for me to hold my sway
Daring I went and fun I had so what if a few hours sleep was also set aside
Memories I made and spent more time and energy on travel on again
Rickshawalas and taxi guys are a smart lot I learned as politics and waht not we discussed on our way
Kala Ghoda was fun too.
Of my poor cousin I made full use
His good nature I admire
As he spent more time trying to ignore my tired sighs.
Cakes and samosas and jalebis and pizzas
I have partied hard this winter past

While still not accomplishing much I have done more than ever before
I am proud of myself, please this time my selfishness ignore
The year upcoming I will try to be more organised
And for mails and calls too I will time prioritise.
You were there in my thoughts a few moments here and there
But time flew past before I could my thoughts with you share.
I am trying to do better as you can see
To be more outgoing and a better friend be
A slow learner I admit, however, I will succeed surely.

I hope that you guys will also contibute and teach me
How you mange to accomplish so much so unassumingly.

Apologies and Love
Anusha


- Written on 15 April 2009