Bridging Distances

(continued from the previous post dated 4th April '06)
Embarking on a tale of two cities helped bringing the miles closer,
both of us being far away from these places we love so dearly.
Thenthere is that inevitable question that crops up during the
initial stages of online interactions - what are we doing here -
and the search for an answer continues.


kband - You must have realised by now what difficulties i have in
chatting with u from home. Writing this mail to you fm office and
will hv to leave now coz everyone has gone. Just got time to tell
you that I'm going on leave to my own place Calcutta tomorrow and
shall be back on the 29th. So won't be bugging or spying on you till
then. But can't assure you that you won't be bombarded by my
mails in between. Take care of urself and others and give my love to
your li'l angel.



ash - I undertsand both your modem speed and domestic limitations
with chat from home. You dont have to stay up late with all these
problems only to chat with me, I think we are doing just fine with
emails for now, altho I definitely desire exchanging instant thoughts
via chat but I guess its okay. Its very kind of you to inform me about
your vacation plans. I sure will miss my spy and I do look forward to
your messages anyway so feel free to bombard as much mails as u
wish. Incidently I too have some tentative vacation plans around last
week of the month, Im not sure yet but I will keep u posted. My lil
angel is doing fine, he is 2 and his name means most determined and
judgemental. You have a fun filled time off and know that someone
miles apart is thinking of you..:)



kband - ...calcutta. most people always write off this place as dead
or decadent, stinking, potholed, with lackadaisical n argumentative
people.......but once u can get to the fountainhead of warmth, of care
and passion u cant help but develop an endearing attitude towards
the place n its denizens!
too bad ur vacation plans could not coincide with mine :-) btw, i plan
to return to delhi for a couple of days (16-18th) as some urgent work
has come up there. would love to utilise that opportunity to exchange
instant thoughts with someone who thinks abt me from miles away!
ur angel has a very interesting name, think she's taking after her
mom (literally n otherwise:)) hope to catch u soon, bye.



ash - Your personal perception of the city of joy is sure spellbinding.
Calcutta is definitely one of the most fascinating cities in the country
despite enduring poverty and famine. Of all its historic heritage, I
personally had the world's most frenetic shopping experience at that
Stuart Hogg Market with its array of curios, clothing, jewellery,
household goods, bookstores etc. Hmm, your ardent passion for your
city, reminds me of my enigmatic hometown mumbai: pulsating, alive,
on the move, vibrant and fun. Old and new, rich and poor, classical
and modern - its all here for one to savour and enjoy! Talking about
places, my vacation plans are still in a limbo depending on multitude
of things, but I do look forward to have a word with you on ur return
to delhi and before I explicitly decide to tour. Would u surprise me
on msn or what?
I'm a Bohra by religion, a Shiaa Muslim community of Gujarat in
western India, which traces it's spiritual ancestry to early
conversions to Ismaili Shiism during the reign of the Fatimid
Caliph in the 11th and 12th centuries in Egypt. So I got transformed
from my maiden name and hence the last name. Doesnt surprise
many Americans when I translate its meaning cos they have
business related last names as well like us Indians - John Smith or
Scott Baker fr instance...My lil angel is taking after all my bad
habits and all the good ones from dad...says so my significant other.
Dont all men appear chauvinist..ahem! Whats ur family like?
Seems like I blabbered a bit. Time I must get back to work, cant
wait to have u back live, take care and be well.



kband - It's been a day since u were there with me n can't help
wondering whats been happenin at ur end. at least u didnt have
to miss the 5 o'clock deadline, i hope. so ur a gemini, like my
daughter, and i can already sense similar streaks of impatience in
her budding character - she gets bored easily, even at this age,
but still has begun making a mark in several things already.
my first love was a marathi girl (from nasik) and though we enjoyed
each others' company very much, the bond couldn't be cemented
somehow. perhaps. other women, i've come across have always
fallen short of my benchmark, maybe i've not been lucky that way,
and thats what eggs me on in my search - not the quintessential
diva, but a thoroughly compatible one! given my shortcomings,
this may well end up as an exercise in utter futility ;-)
there were some developments in our co when i was at delhi, would
have to wait n watch as how things unfold, there could be far-
reaching implications. shall let u know sometime, send me a line
when possible.


(to be continued)