‘Once my papa met my mama under a mango tree
Then my papa asked my mama, ‘Will you marry me?’
When I was little, my dad used to sing this to me. It was all a little joke of course, there was no mango tree. Just a University classroom, 200 odd Engineering students and one very beautiful lady – my mother.
2015 is approaching at a close, and one can’t help but look back and marvel at how the year came on.
In your mind, the calendar days get slowly crossed off. 29th, 30th, 31st…
And then the page turns, and your mental eye moves to a brand new jotter – January 1st. A clean slate. A white board. An empty book waiting to be filled.
This year has been hilarious. Really, there is nothing one can do but to look back and laugh at the absurdity of it all.
How does one measure its successes and failures?
Vietnam and Cambodia were awesome. I didn’t realise how much I was missing until I went. Sapa remains on my list. Hoi An too.
Cambodia made me dream of India. These days I find everything does.
In August 2016, I will finally be returning to India. It’s funny isn’t it how weddings bring people together? Not mine – do not worry.
I will not have been for over 3 years. It has never been this long.
2015 also brought the renewed vigour in finding me a husband. How I love these tales. Interestingly, it also brought an amnesty. A white flag and a prospect of peace. That was before the renewed vigour, and international set ups and covert dinners. Naive, was I.
You see now why India is my drug.
And like a genie, they vanish into a cloud of smoke. The magic contained, at least for now.
2015 brought its own trials and tribulations, in every sector, in every sphere. It was exhausting to say the least.
You will be pleased to hear that light prevails.
And for some reason, 2016 makes me feel energised. Excited and relieved. The Jenga bricks have all fallen. The blocks have been rebuilt.
Bring it on.
Your move.
Tiny Indian Girl Up A Mountain 