continued....
Work was on in full swing towards the launch of a big new health club in Chembur, Bombay.
We had completed the initial phases of concept and design. Now we had to get it set, up and ready for operations.
As always of any and every project in India, there are snags and delays leading to super delays. The same was true for this too.
As always, we were short on time.
After postponing the opening date a couple of times, we finally decided to launch it on 11 Jan 2002. As time time drew close, we had no choice but to put in longer hours on site.
26 Dec 2001
Only 2 weeks for the launch date.
Completion seemed near impossible with the snail pace and ever increasing snag list.
Completion seemed near impossible with the snail pace and ever increasing snag list.
We pulled up our socks, took the shovels in hand and started putting in 22 hours at site.
Non stop we worked to get it sparkling and ready on time.
We went home only to bathe, if others crinkled their nose or insisted.
In the last 15 days, my hand bag had stretched and swelled in weight and size, and metamorphosed into a suitcase.
Every important item was dumped into my handbag with the promise of being sorted later.
House Keys, Cupboard keys - in duplicates and triplicates,
Several demand drafts that had to be deposited in the bank,
Non-refundable airline tickets for my husband and son who would leave for Delhi the day after the opening,
Credit cards, debit cards, cheque books, camera, 2 mobile phones, spare car keys (of 2 cars), driving license, a few thousands in cash and other important documents.
My husband also threw in his cell phone and wallet 'for safety'.
My hand bag had become a bank locker of instant valuables.
I vowed that the next big event in my life (after this health club opening) was 'to sort out the jhola-jhamela' (hand bag mess).
On the day of the opening, many guests who streamed in, invited and uninvited.
We were busy welcoming, chatting and showing them around.
There was no track of who came or who left.
There was no track of who came or who left.
One Smart Alec came in and left...... with my hand bag.
He took the 'all inclusive-suitcase-hand bag' that had everything it should not have had!
After the Health Club opening, I went to the police station,
for a rather unhealthy activity.... to file the unfile-able 'FIR'.
for a rather unhealthy activity.... to file the unfile-able 'FIR'.
I tried to explain the situation, but in vain.
My hindi was horrible and marathi was impossible.
The inspector nodded, chewed, spewed, smiled (and smelled) through his lips so red of pan.
His inquiry had only one question of curiosity "Why had you put all the items in one bag?" he enquired.
"T'was stupidity' your honour", I replied without any humour.
The next 2 days were spent in following up with banks, credit card companies and airlines.
As soon as we got the airline tickets, my husband and little son got ready for the big move to Delhi.
I dropped them to the airport in my matiz.
It was 10pm when I returned home. Tobler was eagerly waiting for me.
It was 10pm when I returned home. Tobler was eagerly waiting for me.
He and I went for our night walk
and on the foot path guess what we saw....
a cute little snake
coiled, in S shape
he rubbed and scrubbed his scales to say
Ssss....stay away ssss...stay away
just to scare us away
But it would mean his death if I left him this way
I looked around
and saw our watchman
and saw our watchman
walking, banging his baton on the ground
I took the baton in my hand,
crouched
crouched
and gently pinned the snake's head on the ground
Hey, I reminded myself, be careful with your weight
please don't kill him instead of save
So I lightened the baton on his head
only a wee bit, too lessen the weight
And....
Like lightening he struck back, jabbed at my thumb and kissed me for the day
"Aarrgghh that was hard" I remember I did say,
I squirmed and sucked hard on my thumb as it throbbed in pain,
while the snake, he just lay
while the snake, he just lay
Then I lifted him with two batons and took him into the nearby darkness,
Hoping he would strive and survive
for many many more days
for many many more days
The guard shuddered and stared, shocked how Madame dared
Terrible times ahead, he said,
this snake will not leave you
till you are dead
till you are dead
not he, but his wife who will come instead"
Madame feigned confidence and said
Please check tomorrow whether I am alive or dead
Saying this, Tobler and I climbed the steps to home
Oh ! I was so tired I just wanted to hit the bed
Oh ! I was so tired I just wanted to hit the bed
to be continued.....
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