For Pune, My home

Scene 1

Its sunday evening at 4PM. G and i frequently visit a grocery shop called Dorabjees, which is in Camp, around 5 KM's from Koregaon Park. Most of the days our drive is stressful because its so darn crowded and jammed. But this sunday on the 14th, it was empty, nearly barren. We drove pretty fast and reached in 15 minutes as compared to the regular 30 minutes . But how i wished the roads were crowded like before. As G drove silently, i kept telling him"baby i don't like seeing the streets so empty..it makes em sad. i wish when we return its crowded with people and cars and pedestrians and cyclists"

Its 6:30PM we walk out of Dorabjees to cross the road and go to the big mall across. There is a M&S outlet there which is my favorite. And crossing the road between Dorabjees and the mall is always a pain cus the traffic never seems to stop.silently i prayed..let it be the same as always

As G and i walkd out, i smiled, there were people all around, mommies holding their babies and walking out, foreigners crossing the busy MG road...this is my Pune

Scene 2

As G and i drove back from our brave shopping experience we continued with our usual chat. Though G was a little pre-occupied with the bill at M&S i wanted to make him feel happy,so i continued my chatter on how i am a loyal M&S fan and all my stuff is from M&S and it should not really bother him so much.

As i looked out of the car, we were next to a tourist Innova at teh traffic signal. And i two mailing faces looking out of the window with cameras in hands, Two foreigners with the windows rolled down, taking in all the smoke and pollution Pune has to offer and looking out for pictures. And you know what struck me, they were smiling...this is my pune

Scene 3

Next Saturday the 20th of Fberuary there is a big event at my office. The venue had been booked last week, at The O Hotel. The O Hotel is a 5 star hotel located next to the German Bakery.

As some of my colleagues questioned the decision again of sticking to the same venue, i looked at them and said"so what"

This is my Pune , and nothing can break its spirit.

As a student, the German Bakery was one of our favorite hangouts because of the great food, reasonable prices and the feeling it generated. Not one of the swank AC joints but a very cosy joint with tall wooden benches and tables, pictures of Rajnish(Osho) all around, pictures of Nepalese Gods and Godesses, notices of flats available for rent and of course one where you could bring in your pets and sit.

G and I have been frequent visitors of the place since we had a soft corner for their mushroom omlettes and masala chai. The benches where my friends and i have shAred so much of laughter and the gully(lane) next to it where G and i have made 5 rounds to get a decent parking space.

I am not afraid and i will not give in to fear..