Chennai Diary - Day 2

... So, the manager was aghast when he heard I did the bus journey to office - and smiled when I told him I would do the bus thing tonight.
"But you can take the cab!". I mumbled something about how tough it was negotiating for the cab since morning - amendments would be tough to manage at 7 PM Monday.
And so began reverse osmosis - the autos here are amazing because they are triple rowed - with the middle seats ripped out and just a wooden plank at 0 level to sit on and people behind. As the saying goes about not making the same mistake twice, I sat ramrod straight this time.
Then the railway station was negotiated with no problems and onto the bus stop. The 5A came fashionably late - but got me near my colony in very quick time. Near because the bus conductor conveniently dropped me off one stop before my destination. And then I forgot directions to the CTS guest house.
Friends from IIFT would remember my telling them about this short course girl who used to turn up at my room looking for Puneet's. Both being diametrically opposite on separate sides of the first floor. And trust me.. it wasn't funny after the first 2 times. Clearly, she was not the only one with "Direction - Problem".
So I started a door to door "Sir/Ma'm - please can you tell me where plot number 10 is ?" Friends from everywhere would also remember my telling them about my father's cosmic capacity of making his presence felt just as I am about to do something wrong. He knows when I am drinking, when I am planning to run away on a trip, when I am out of money, when I have messed up etc. ( Papa just knows - and that is why, I have learnt to respect him. )
So papa calls just as I am talking to this lady with 2 kids and a dog. She's trying to help me in Tamil. Papa is also trying to help me in Hindi from 1500 km's away. One kid is studiously bent near the gate trying to do something I am ignoring at my peril. A cracker goes off. The b*****d dog goes ballistic with pleasure, younger kid starts screaming with joy, Mummy is pleased with her elder fixed deposit, Senior is in heaven, happy domestic scene - except I got scared and let out a torrentz.com of abuse in Hindi.
Friends everywhere know what happens when that happens. :( So, I gave Senior a burst :( I hope he did not have a sister inside that house. And then, horror of all horrors, papa is still on the line. Senior's Mummy screams at me in Tamil. How dare I shout at her aankon ka tara. And my father is laughing hysterically. He has heard both the blasts. I have never, never, ever done this.

Suitably chastened, with one last malevolent look at the b*****d, I slink away into the next street. And find the guest house after 45 mins.
Sachin's smug fan is in the drawing room.
He knows.
"Bahut der hui aaj, heh ?"
I choose to ignore. Almost.
"Haan kuch developers aaye huey they milne" . Sachin's fan goes c hussey b bollinger in the 4th innings. After all, he may be honest and better, but I'm still an Ass. Con. with Cognizant.
Entered my room with a smile. Slept off. Good day.
P.S. Papa... called me an hour back and asked why I abused the kid. "Papa.. I.. " :D
P.S. 2
If you know Saptarshi Ganguli, please take 2 minutes of your time, stand to attention and sing Happy Birthday. He just pinged me and said.. ‎‎
Ganguli, Saptarshi (Cognizant)‎‎ [2:34 PM]:
hahahaha salle ‎‎
Ganguli, Saptarshi (Cognizant)‎‎ [2:34 PM]:
wish me on my bday stupid
‎‎Singh, Hari (Cognizant)‎‎ [2:34 PM]:
ohh shit man!~‎‎
Ganguli, Saptarshi (Cognizant)‎‎ [2:34 PM]:
ha ha np
Pops. .we love you. You are evil.. but a very necessary evil. 28 & cheers!