Rendezvous by the bay!

Back to Mumbai. Amchi Mumbai. The air never felt so capital (err for it provides you respite from the scorching heat and cools the overheated pores reeking sweat). Time to catch up with some ex-Patniites (Ex from my perspective..)and ex-Somaiyaites…

After an extended deliberation and series of mails it was decided that April 28th,2007 at Churchgate Station ticket counter …the rendezvous shall transpire! I left out one inconsequential detail, the time! 1 PM. Yes when the gorgeous sun shall grin all its love over its joyous subjects!

So I set out boarding a fast local for CST station from Thane - bemused and nostalgic,for it had been an year since I set foot on this mode of transport(Mumbai Train). As the train neared Ghatkopar, I was almost about karaoke to my favourite song which was playing in my vicinity ‘Ajeeb Dastaan hain ye..’ …Hold on that’s my ringtone! I held up my cell..call from a mysterious number. I answered and was greeted ‘Tum apna dabba uthake fek do..’.

Smiles daubed my countenance as I realized this to be none other than an aggravated Pooh(Dipika) whose patience had brimmed limits trying to reach me through a labyrinth of network issues that AirTel service assures you. Incidentally Mr Mittal happens to be her role model (Ask her!!). Time flew – in conversation with Pooh or lambasting the AirTel connection, which could not keep lick with the Mumbai locals.

Anyways after short jaunt through Azaad Maidan,Cross Maidan et al I arrived sodden in sweat and pouring like Niagara to descry a giraffe in deep tête-à-tête with a pink canary(kidding). Now NatGeo experts beat that! Ok the Giraffe is none other than Pammu Don aka Pramoth who incidentally has ceased growing any taller and the pink canary is Pinks aka Jasma.

Giraffe was his usual hunky dory self dressed in his emblematic maroon T-shirt and sporting that ‘I am gonna take your case’ grin on his face! Its bird flu season it seems!! No wonder he has stopped ascending heights..he has had to cut down on his egg ingestion. Eggs of the world rejoice!!

Pinks was the Indian Bahu in Western outfit. Apart from the typical Indian bahu jewelry that she adorned - nothing had changed. She was her usual pink self. She changed earrings for every occasion. Apparently she had procured two sets of earrings at the station and in fact immediately embellished herself with one of them. She had to- regrettably -carry her purse for her hubby was not around to carry her credit cards.

As we waited for our fourth accomplice to materialize chatter meandered towards the times gone by and as our banter was ambling along in came a roly poly figure which was unmistakably that of the person we were waiting on. Ten years have not changed a thing about this individual or at least the way he carried himself neither have they changed his greeting style – quick beam and witty gag – Divya (it’s a He :)). Divya… I am at loss for a nick that suits you!

Next stop – ‘Not Just Jazz by the Bay’. A protracted wait and we had a nice little table by the corner and sumptuous lunch awaited. Giraffe loves his mocktails and more so for their names. Some things do not change. Indeed! As the three assassins tried to beguile me in to savouring the Tabasco sauce to reminisce the good ol’days where yours truly would sweat under the attack of heavily spiced up culinary preparations!

Meal never tasted so good with the warm Marine drive breeze for desserts. The sweeping promenade along turbulent water refulgent under the late afternoon sun and a warm zephyr that soothed the soul set the stage for a fun filled afternoon show!! Yes Mr Bean’s Holiday playing at Inox. Pinks had changed her earrings in the interim as fun never ceased to stop as Rowan Atkinson set the stage on fire.

As the sun slowly ventured beyond the horizon it was time to head back home. Wait!!
Pinks had caught sight of Nautica outlet on her way and that surely needed a stopover. We were amused by the multihued Bermuda shorts, which only reminded us of another Patniite – Gujju Ghaati aka Chirag. As we reeled under the price tags so heavy Pinks set out buying saccharine gifts for Mr Singh(her husband!!) and Churchgate beckoned…..