Sisters & Friends

Today is my sister's birthday; she would have been a year older and many years wiser. She was my older sister; I say was as she passed away about 17 years ago. There was a void that she left behind as she was also my friend.

Sisters can be best friends, and we were. Today looking back at the years we spent together, there are so many moments with sunshine and laughter. Bicycle rides to school, then to friends houses, the annoyed face of my sister when being told by my mum " take her (pointing at me) with you." When I moved away from home to do my post graduation and then continue working in another city, she was my constant source of reassurance and reality. 

Always there to support me and a shoulder to cry on the perils of living away from home on a budget and trying to constantly make ends meet. In her short life she touched many lives and is still remembered, sometimes it is true that the best ones have a really short time on this planet. They walk amongst us as memories, every time I see a resident doctor at a hospital at any part of the world she is the 1^st thing that comes to mind.

Every night looking at the sky I think, oh thereshe is watching everything.  Dr Yasmin Thakur-Dave, what a pleasure it was to be a part of your existence.

You will always be in our thoughts.

The day I met Gulab

The day I met Gulab

Anyone who living in London, and either having Indian roots or then is Indian ( South Asian) would know Wembley and Ealing road. That’s the road you get saris, costume jewellery, and guess what cooking utensils.

So in my quest for buying a readymade blouse for the sari's I had been given as gifts, I found myself wandering down Ealing road. Post asking questions and various people pointing in various directions, I found a small shop with an even smaller shop front. 

The owner/ primary sales person who was at the counter was helpful: lo behold there were dozens and dozens of ready mad blouses. Finally matching the right blouse to the right sari, I need to try these on for any ale rations (yes the do that free of charge).I was asked to try this in a changing room; read: a cubical with a sewing machine, and just a peg, there was a curtain which you needed to draw.

That's when I met Gulab, she was sent to assist me. So I introduced myself and she introduced herself, helped me, and then asked where I worked. I said Leicester Sqaure central London, she said "huh” - So I said “Central London" she looked at me and shrugged and said “Huh" yet again. Then she said are you working today and I said I work only Monday to Friday and she looked at me “that’s good" she said. 

When I took my goods feeling triumphant that I managed to do all this in less than 2 hours and did not have to pay another £6 for 2 hrs of parking; Gulab made an appearance in my thoughts. How did she not know where central London was, how long was she here, is that what she did all day long, man the stall outside the shop, did she seem happy? And then thought switched to she must be, what you don't know you will not miss, is that not wait people say?

I will always remember that brief conversation in the most unlikely of places, and will always remember her.

For Gulab though I am sure I was an blip in her ordinary day and an amusement for a short while. Funny isn't it, I am sure I was the only customer who asked her name...

Neighbours and Friends

Neighbours and Friends 

It was many years ago when I was still studying; I meet a fiery Leo with tremendous spirit. She had guts and was willing to speak her mind; she still is the same person she was that many years ago. 

Anupama Mandloi one of the strongest people I know. We started out as room-mates and ended up as neighbours, we spent ages watching movies, going for a walk or just talking.

Now million miles away I miss the gesture of making that call and asking the question “so do you want to hang out?" Such a simple question but one that you can only ask when you have certain amount of comfort level within the relationship. 

There are very few relationships that last the test of time and people do sometimes come and go in your life as grand central station. But there are some that want to be there and the whole relationship is effortless.

Anu, have been there for so many of your Birthday celebrations and I missing being there once I have moved away. Wish you all the love, happiness and health for the next year. 

Keeping smiling; wish you everything you wanted in life... Thanks for being there.