Sometimes, things just don't go as planned, transpiring some unforeseen events. Last week provided one such occasion when I got to witness something very interesting!
It was one of my regular sojourns to art exhibitions at Kala Ghoda, where I usually spend entire day visiting every possible art gallery in the vicinity. It looked as if it was going to drizzle but despite having umbrella, I was caught unprepared by heavy rains drenching me completely. The down-pour made it difficult to continue walking towards the gallery amidst the chaos of traffic and loud noises. I rushed to the nearby coffee shop hoping to get some warmth in its cozy environs. Fortunately, I had entered the coffee shop just in time as soon, it started to get crowded.
Being little shy when it comes to going alone to coffee shops and restaurants, I bury my head in a book that helps me divert my mind. Once I am in comfort zone, it is fun observing life around me. So, there I was, silently witnessing scenes that unfolded around me.
A teenage girl at the adjoining table was busy over phone arguing about something and not a single sentence was complete without swear words. She had such lovely eyes that looked honest.
A lady in her fifties was with a young
girl, vehemently trying to persuade her against getting into any relationship. There was something about her energy that conveyed she had experienced some bitterness in life.
At the far end corner was a very old Parsi couple, enjoying coffee and being engrossed in conversation. They were so completely lost in each other and their beautiful aura was a proof of a life lived very well. Looking at their divine bond of companionship, I reminded myself "that is how I would like to age with hubby."
On other table, a handsome man with salt and pepper head, wearing classy white linen and jeans (what a heady concoction! D) was busy with a formal meeting. He looked very serious and I was so tempted to approach him and say "it is okay to smile!"
There entered a couple holding hands and cooing softly. Once they were seated, their public display of affection started attracting some attention and laughter. The woman received a call but she had problem with the network so she left the table and got busy over phone. The man quickly made a call and said, “I miss you too baby! You know
how crazy my work is. I promise, I will make it up to you next time we meet. Love you sweetheart.“
On the table next to mine, an obese woman with two kids tugging along had landed triumphantly. Her hands were full with
lot shopping bags, cell phone and a bulky bag. There was something very sweet about
her face. Interestingly, the moment she received her coffee and snacks she transformed into
completely different person. Her two kids seized to exist for her and so did the entire universe. Once she was done with her food, she looked around and called her boys and asked, "We are getting late. What do you want to eat?"
Wherever there are people, there are stories! Each person has a tale to tell. A few moments can sometimes open up myriad tales. Some stories have interesting beginning middle and end while some stories have lost the main plot. Some stories are in fragments, some are utterly happy from beginning to end and some completely hopeless. Stories full of love, laughter, pain, banality of daily grind, pressures of survival and endless human emotions unfold around us all the time in very interesting manners. It nice to see people, read them (WITHOUT intruding their personal space) watch them and sometimes see our own reflection in them! The experiences are strange, painful and yet so beautiful. No matter how temporary the encounters may last, they leave me overwhelmed.
Sometimes, stumbling upon a fragment of a completely unknown person can be eye opener. Albeit, there is a thin divide between assumptions and reality and the truth is evident only when one has known all the facets of the story. Nevertheless, such interludes at various places like airport, coffee shops, hotels, offices have always helped me understand life with different perspectives. No wonder, I am not much familiar with boredom!
