Brunch at Bruegger's Bagel!

The 3rd semester in school wasn't a fun outing for Sameer in true sense. For reasons unknown, often, Sameer used to delve into a delirium related to his life in school. There were frequent skirmishes with Riya, more often than not, over trifles. Riya would try coping with it patiently and try reasoning with Sameer, when better sense prevailed. However, the tranquility would be short-lived since Sameer realized that the turbid estuary of thoughts, even though baseless, stemmed from  a sense of insecurity. 

It so happened once, that the spat between them was more intense than asked for. Sameer was upset, sad and more appropriately put, lost. He sensed the loss of a true friend in Riya and was coping with thoughts of having to bear a morbid existence at school. Deeply pained, he didn't realize, it was well past 2 am, when finally his soul forcefully ushered him to a disturbed slumber. 

The loud banging on his door, early in the morning, startled Sameer. Who could it be to not only dare barge in so early in the morning, but also as uncouth to bang on the door, unless the apartment was on fire. With drowsy eyes, Sameer inched to the door and looked through the peephole. It looked dark outside and he couldn't see anyone. Reluctantly, he opened the door and pronto, Riya sprung from nowhere. She just trudged in and ordered him, "Get dressed. Lets' go get some breakfast". She seemed to be in no mood to heed to his reluctance and held her ground firmly. Finally, both of them headed out to Bruegger's Bagel on Clifton and drained their mutual misgivings in a sumptuous brunch. 

It didn't require much to dawn on Sameer that nuances of life are simpler than usually interpreted. Values and strength of a relationship is all about how it is perceived and shared. It is easier said than done to actually give up on people in one's life, who truly matter to you since they are the ones who intricately weave and hold the bonds together. 

Life is what happens to you!!

The advent of 3rd semester at school meant fresh topics and newer set of study materials. Subjects unfamiliar or hitherto unheard of, ushered into Sameer's academic curriculum. The rigor of daily routine on weekdays left him with very little free time beyond school. After an early dinner, an hour or two would be spent on movies on you tube, once he was done with the informal tête-à-tête with Riya (or occasionally Anamika/other class mates). Catching up with Sarika & family was slated for every alternate day on phone while that with Priti & family was on weekends, sometimes in person. Sunday mornings were mostly kept aside for Skype sessions with Simba, Mansi and his parents. Without choice over a long tenure, Sameer gradually started making peace with his agony of missing his family back home. To be alone, became tetchy. He nurtured an unknown fear and disrespect for solitude, since each time he delved into thoughts of good times back home with Simba and Mansi, it was difficult to hold back tears gushing down his cheeks. He missed his parents so badly. It was as if, his mind was on the prowl to deliquesce and his eyes yearned to be moist, on the slightest pretext. He felt elated and delirious, each time he got to talk to someone, especially if it was Sarika-Sharat, Priti-Pramit or Riya-Adarsh. The only detriment to this halcyon would be the harbinger for desperation, in the form of intermittent tests or exams at school, when Sameer was forced to seek solace in study matter and class assignments.

Days passed and so did weeks. The fervor of initial days at school seemed to ease off. Sensing from his friends comments, observations or company, Sameer understood that unlike the times when school started, there was a strange sense of ennui for other things in school, be it short trips to nearby food joints, like-minded chats & fun-sessions, haute couture display or popping eyeballs at femme fatale. Most were caught in the enigma of thoughts related to grabbing internships or plush job opportunities after school. Paucity of sponsorship initiatives for generic disciplines at various organizations and knee-jerk reactions in the name of placement drives for business school students by the faculty or career center at school, hardly left things for international students to ensconce with. It appeared that the vociferous zeal of and for life had got truncated by the uncertainty of road ahead. To bear the grind and share the grin simultaneously, seemed to be an arduous task. Moreover, different electives also meant Riya and Sameer had fewer common classes and therefore lesser time in each others company, at school. For the first time in Houston, going to school felt appalling for Sameer. 

In the turbidity of passing moments for Sameer, thoughts of missing out on his son's growing years kept him relentless company. Probably, only a father could understand this yearning. Sameer loved traversing back in time on the pre-marriage days with Mansi. He longed for those innumerable trips in yellow cabs, his Hyderabad sojourn (since he was posted outside on work) to spend time with her, the good times at  Ban-Thai, Tangerine, Atrium, Waterside Cafe, Chinoiserie and many such. His sessions of movies, drinks & cricket-watching with his dad, joint cooking sessions with mom during festivals, soirees and late-night chats at his in-laws place and Sunday trips to his aunt's place were mere fleeting glimpses of joy now. The heart-to-heart talks with Sarika and her family reminded him of his growing years, when Sarika used to be the only friend, to whom Sameer could open his heart out, thread-bare. An unforeseen friend in the form of a new-found sister in his life, in Priti, made him ecstatic.Times spent with Priti's family helped him tide over his monotony to a large extent. Sameer reared a selfish pride in the discovery of a best friend at school in Riya. His blind faith and trust on her wasn't without reason. The sessions at Olives with Adarsh (with Riya joining them sometimes) were so cherish-able. 

The war inside was far from over for Sameer. What he missed not being in Hyderabad, was irreplaceable. At the same time, Sameer realized his valued gains in having taken this tough decision. Needless to say, knowledge transfer was a significant addition. For a person like Sameer, mere acquaintances and good company were like bells & whistles of life, he could do without. But the very specific few new additions in his life in the form of choicest people and relationships bore testimony to his only reason for happiness away from home. People, who for him, touched and expanded the selective & rigid contours of his current tumultuous core. For once, Sameer seemed to be in complete unison of the famous quote...........

“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.” 

― Allen Saunders

MBA Case Challenge!!!!

The second quarter in school was to culminate in 2 weeks, by the 3rd week of March, 2012, with MBA finals presentations. Unlike Hult or ACG, this case competition had more to do with grades and for Sameer and his teammates, it was all about reclaiming lost prestige. 

The ordeal of bearing with mediocre grades in Marketing (that was mostly what Sameer did all his work life) was more than frustrating for Sameer and Corwin (he was an experienced pro in healthcare business development). What started off as a cameo in honing marketing skills was now grinding their nerves, especially with Riya and Brendon's team reveling in the glory of high grades in this class. Riya's assiduous nature made her an easy pick for many of her classmates to clarify doubts or exchange notes and Brendon was no exception. Riya, on her part, also used to reciprocate the connect and sought Brendon, whenever possible, in most of the teams she worked on. In terms of team working, Riya was to Sameer as Brendon was to Riya. This comparative avoidance also egged on Sameer to put in the best effort to not only reclaim lost glory in Marketing, but also make a mark in the presentations. Coincidentally, Sameer & Corwin's team (Executive Authority, hitherto named EA) was pitted against Riya & Brendon's team (Phoenix B, hereafter addressed as PB) in the qualifiers and invariably, EA lost. Moreover, during the presentations, one of Sameer's question to PB was deftly answered by Riya to the extent where it made Sameer look like beating a hasty retreat. It was a strange feeling for Sameer. A feeling of despair and anger because his acumen was being questioned in terms of mediocrity in class performance (if grades were to be taken as symbolic measure) as also the fact that Riya and Brendon's teamwork seemed poised to throttle his existence and new-found friendship. On the flip-side, Sameer was elated beyond means at each of such defeats, since, after all, it was his best friend in school who was winning.

It was the final day for presentations in the MBA case challenge. Sixteen teams, divided into 4 groups, were required to present in a preliminary round and 4 (1 from each group) would finally advance to the finals slated for the ensuing day. As was decided, Sameer was to introduce members and start his team presentation followed by Corwin and so on. While others sweated it out with last minute changes and practices, Sameer sat quietly in a remote corner of the basement trying to pep himself up watching a Hindi movie song, partly because he wanted to concentrate and build onto the tempo and partly for the ostentatious nature of the heroine's hip gyrations in the song sequence which he wanted to keep others oblivious of. Their's was to be the 3rd team in the group to present and all 5 members of EA trudged confidently into the conference room on the 4th floor of the school of business. The presentations went of well and as per plan except for a minor glitch on time limit. Finally, they walked out and waited patiently for all other teams to complete. 

The results were to be announced on the 6th floor lobby, over lunch. All tables were occupied and there seemed to be a cacophony of hushed anticipation. Hunger for Sameer remained more of a discreet remnant than completely elusive. PB was all but a staunch ally for EA. Yet, Sameer was seated at the same table as Riya and Anamika with Corwin by the side. Everyone sat with bated breath as all the 16 judges walked in. Each panel of experts, started of by describing the pros and cons of each team's presentation and finally read out the name of winner in each group who qualified for the finals. Riya's team was in a different group than his and Sameer prayed for both of them. But, as luck would have it, PB failed to make the cut! For the moment Sameer was poignant since coming up next was the panel of judges who would decide the qualifier from their group. Each word they uttered seemed to encompass an eon till Sameer heard the name of Executive Authority being called out as the qualifier for the finals. Happiness knew no bounds when Sameer & Corwin tumultuously stroked their palms to a prolonged high-five. Riya and Brendon followed suit congratulating them along with Anamika and others.  

For Sameer, more than anything else, it was a sheer moment of victory. It was not just the pride of his team making the cut. It was the reverberation of his inner self's confidence. It was rekindling a sense of satisfaction. It was a self-assurance and reinstatement of his beliefs and awareness of a subject that was his bread and butter for 16 years. Knowingly enough, Sameer seemed to pamper a sly grin since he felt he had put an end to his ectoplasmic existence and belief when it came to Riya's teamwork with Brendon. On her part, Riya seemed to be as immersed in glee on his win, as was Sameer himself. Since  Adarsh was still at work and she had to wait for some more time, she asked Sameer out for coffee at Sitwell's on Ludlow. Once there, she seemed more engrossed in discussing the ensuing finals next day. She wanted EA to put in their best and egged Sameer to win the challenge. Her expression of Sameer and his team's capabilities were more of an aplomb observation. Somewhere within, Sameer felt she wanted EA to win not just because the team merited it, but also because he too was a part of it. 

In the finals it was another team which finally won. Riya joined Sameer in the evening after the event in school with a box of homemade Biscotti (meant for Sarika and her family, since Sameer was leaving for Minneapolis the next day). They would be joined by Anamika, Anika (Anamika's 3-year old daughter) Wahid, Pakhi and another of her friends for dinner and chat thereafter at Sameer's place. As Sameer and Riya went about getting provisions from Kroger, for the get-together, Sameer couldn't help feel belittled and bemused by Riya's reaction even after her team lost out on the MBA case challenge. Probably, she had given it only as much weight-age in thoughts, as it merited. Yes, a win and thereby better grades surely was up for grabs and no one would be as insane to not seek it. For reasons that defied logic, Sameer used to feel tremulous amidst the unknown, stranded on a virtual isthmus when Riya and Brendon were around together. But throughout the bitter-sweet exchange she knowingly never exuded a feel, which should have made Sameer think the way he did. In retrospect, Sameer realized that Riya was equally happy for him and derived as much happiness in his success, as her's. Probably, she was a friend, more in deed, than in mere glittery words. Slowly but surely the mistake dawned on Sameer. The mistake that he misunderstood his friend, more often than he really understood!!

The Boston Bonhomie!!!!

“When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. The only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from making engagements, each day had no limits. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.” 

― Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

Spring was round the corner. It was almost the end of February and Sameer and 3 others in his class were busy preparing for the regional finals of the Hult Case Challenge, a competition for the business schools around the world, to be held at Boston. His team, lead by Damodar was the first to qualify from their university. The others in the team were Anamika and Kevin. After school, it used to be fun, being huddled up in the SAP labs at the basement or presentation rooms in the library, where each shared the others view points and nurtured fruitful discussion. There were times when Anamika and Damodar would flay each other amidst fits of rage and Anamika had to resort to late night Skype chats with Sameer to ease off her temper and keep focused on their team presentation. Finally, the team landed in Boston. All four remained awake the entire night before the final presentation discussing the finer nuances of how to put the best step forward in the available 10 minutes in front of judges. Dr. Dheeler, their academic director, too had accompanied them. Unaided by the gloomy English weather at Boston, the foursome tried remaining unnerved and put up a good show. Due to paucity of time, Sameer had to conclude the presentation hurriedly and realized immediately it was a blemish that could be avoided if Kevin had stuck to his time limit. All the four walked out of the presentation hall in good spirits and Anamika, for one, made it a point to ensure everyone got their share of kudos and appraised each other's contribution as the best. As expected, Riya called Sameer as soon as he was back in the hotel, to hear about the event in detail. In the evening they all headed out to the glitzy award ceremony, where the best team stole the limelight in winning the competition. Finally Dr. Dheeler took them out for a sumptuous dinner where Sameer had Fish & Chips with Boston Lager to his heart's content. They were also elated at meeting a lot of students, some of them from the most prestigious and ivy league business schools in America. Their chat carried on well into the night where they analyzed the pros and cons of their presentation and preparation. 

Sameer, Kevin & Damodar were to drive down to Providence the next day for their flight to Washington, en- route to Houston. Heaving a big sigh of relief that the nerve-wracking day was finally over and at the same time with pride of living up-to expectations in competing with the best, all the four headed out to their respective rooms. It was a very long day. More importantly it ushered in an experience par excellence for a sleep well earned.

Raison D'Etre

Life went on as usual. Once in the groove, it had the stereotype Monday to Friday schedule, most of which would be in school, listening to lectures, completing assignments or working in teams on presentations. The axiom of friendship between the trio of Sameer, Riya & Anamika stood still at times, as each would be busy with their respective team members. Sometimes, they would resort to catching up on phone, G'Talk or Skype. At other times, they would head out to usual joints for their chat in recluse. On campus, Subway was also a twice-a-month destination for Sameer and Riya. More than sharing things and exchanging thoughts, the probity in their friendship gained ground in leaps and bounds, each passing day. Some usual fun moments on campus could be proliferated thus:-

'Olives'-Branch Odyssey!!!!

Sameer patiently waited at home for Riya's arrival. She had promised to take him to Kroger for groceries and other provisions. He was away for almost a month and needless to say, all he could lay his hands on in the refrigerator, were a few packets of frozen food. Having greeted each other, they headed out towards Clifton in Riya's blue sedan. A little ahead, she stopped by to pick Kashish, another classmate and friend, who was trudging along Jefferson Rd. Incidentally, Kashish & Prithesh were one of Riya's first friends at school whom she had helped and taken for shopping in the initial days. The serenity inside the car was suddenly obliterated by a strong aroma which almost ripped apart Sameer's nostrils. Kashish seemed to be drenched in an entire bottle of cologne. Sameer was taken aback when Riya turned around and mentioned to Kashish, "Hey that's smelling so good, what brand is it? I want to get the same for Adarsh". Sameer looked out and giggled away in privy. Although enough reason to exacerbate her with, Sameer decided to wait for an opportune moment.

Riya was very scrupulous of how she went about things, be it her assignments, building strategies to usurp the best grades or buying things from store. This was an added help for Sameer as it evinced that he wouldn't waste money on unwanted things. In school she was the only one who could exercise the liberty of correcting or reprimanding him and she could care less if he felt odious. Somehow, Sameer too felt a sense of one's own, when she took him to task. For him, to bask in the glory of this friendship was truly precious.

True to life, their friendship wasn't devoid of its share of the usual ups and downs. Once there was a misunderstanding between the two and all they would exchange for a couple of days was a mere wry smile. On the fourth day, it culminated in a spat in the basement of their school. What was amusing was the fact that both found it difficult to carry on being ill-at-ease with each other for more than a day. Eyes moistened and their voices broke. In sullen aggression, Riya asked, "Don't you know I don't have many friends here in school other than you and Anamika?" Sameer was only too glad to make amends and Riya suggested a celebration of the 'reunion' at Olives with Adarsh, in the evening. Little did Sameer realize that would be the beginning of a long trail of future visits to this place for the trio. Irrespective of whether to make-up after a spat or catch up on good times, the umpteen number of visits to Olives that Sameer, Riya & Adarsh together had, bore testimony to their lookout for something more than a mere 'olive branch'. Each of their joint visits assured them of a state of euphoria, away from the binding etiquette of school, twining their ephemeral moments to a strong eternal friendship!!!! 

Miss U, My Son!!

Sameer was back at Houston. He was glad being able to spend 3 weeks at home in Hyderabad, with Simba, Mansi and his Parents. At the same time, monotony of daily routine ahead pushed him to the verge of a shudder. Yes, there was Sarika, Priti & Riya and their respective families around him, but they too had their own lives and priorities to be taken care of. With solitude and boredom for entourage, his thoughts were devoid of purpose or direction. Once he sallied out of India this time, Sameer was unsure of how soon he would be able to head home. With obnoxious thoughts pounding hard, he laid his rattled mind and tired brains to forceful rest. As he closed his eyes, the melancholy of internal verses made him realize that he missed many a thing, foremost of which was his Son's presence and touch. Desperation and longing for Simba's company vented out in a trickle of words that exhumed Sameer's pain, laying bare the gash, deep within .

Alone in a solitary hamlet

Vying with yearnings & thoughts

No dear ones in the vicinage

Only good memories held aloft

The ire of feelings

Covered by the selvage of patience

Raking up a glimmer of hope

Through this semantic pretence

A human mind so forlorn

Craving for a soothing touch to embalm

Hope is all but a mirage

And none to make me calm

Human relations so intense

With hedonic feelings to soothe

But a journey in solitude

Is life’s eternal truth

It’s been a while thus far

Simba, with you in my thought

Wish you could be here with me

Since I miss you a lot!!!

Home Sweet Home!!!!

Sameer let out a startled gasp when he realized that Frank Hardy was using a harquebus to avenge the loss of his favorite Pavlova. Needless to say, Chet Morton was at the receiving end. It took a while for him to realize he was still in sound company amongst the literati inside the flight, and a leaf out of his childhood favorite, Hardy Boys, was a dream. It seemed the generous portions of haute cuisine on board had made him doze off. Somehow his spirits had hit nadir and he felt the urge to locate the nearest restroom. The relief of having come unscathed through the turbulence was palpable, when he finally made his way out. Passengers (4-5 of them) who had queued up for their turn by then, didn't look very amused and Sameer thought it better to overlook their grimace and frown. Having made good his escape, he peeped into the rearside pantry only to find a few peat-like remnants on the serving tray. Disgusted he turned back to his seat and stared at the message on the control screen in front of him. It read 'distance remaining - 486miles' which meant 45 minutes of flight time left.

It was 5.10pm. The motley at Terminal 3 in Delhi was a stark difference from US airports. Sameer's connecting flight to Hyderabad was at 8.15pm. He was desparate to get through the immigration check. The inflight food seemed to have taken a heavy toll of his normally accomodative digestive system. The only thing in his mind was immediate obliteration from the discomfort. The myrtle inside the washroom at the airport was a welcome breather from the usual morbid surroundings and wet toilet seats. Finally, Sameer headed upstairs to Gate 28 and impatiently awaited the boarding call.

Joyous tears gushed down his eyes, when Simba rushed into Sameer's arms, as he trudged out of the Hyderabad airport. The re-union was more than a fresh lease of life for him. Sameer's father and Mansi were there too and tight hugs were too little to convey his happiness on seeing them in person. It was 11.30pm when they finally got into the car and headed home. At home, it was yet another saga of emotional relief. The hugs lasted a trifle too long because no one felt like letting the other go. Sameer's mother, Janki, Sarika and Sharath were all awake awaiting his arrival.The weariness of 23 hours in flight and almost two sleepless nights just seemed to be a farce.

 On Saturday Dec10th, 2 days after Sameer landed, Mansi had planned a get-together for family and friends at Nicco Park. Lunch was to be followed by unlimited accessibility to available rides for all the kids & guests. Janki was in India for the first time and most appropriately, the get-together was to celebrate her homecoming. It was an apt forum to catch up with relatives and family friends. Avik, Priti & Pramit joined soon enough and Sameer was larking in choicest company. While Sarika helped Janki slid the knife through the Barbie Doll cake from Kookie Jar, Simba was busy prancing around with a mic in hand seeking extempore involvement from guests. He was the enthused emcee for the day.

It was indeed a long and hectic day. By 6.30pm the last guest had left. Sameer planned a repertoire in the evening to unwind. It would be one of those rare moments when his, Sharath's & Pramit's families would be together along with his parents. Bacardi breezers were a perfect choice to fizzle out the melancholy of tiredness. As appetizers kept pouring in, Pramit uncorked the 12yr aged JW Gold Label which Mansi had brought from Seoul, almost 2 years back. Sameer had stowed it away for want of a propitious moment in all these years. As the glasses clinked in the myriad of golden gleam, Sameer unleashed his pent-up emotions of more than 3 months. They touched upon an array of subjects including one on the equality divide between boys and girls, which almost drove Sarika and Pramit to a fisticuff. The brouhaha continued late into the night and it was 2.30am by the time everyone assembled at the dining table for dinner. By 4am slumber had crept in stealthily marking an end to one of the most memorable days for Sameer in near past.

The next day was scheduled to be spent with the children at Ramakrishna Mission, a one-day routine every year to mark Simba's birthday. As Sameer lay beside Simba, thinking of the difference that the last 3days had made in his life, he could gauge the scourge of time gaping at him. It was just 20 days more before he would force himself out of Simba's cuddle and head back to Houston, far away from where his thoughts and mind existed!!!!

The Candid Bliss!!!!

The daily routine at school was more of a forceful orgy than intrinsic dedication. The faculty went about their daily ritual and Sameer sat through the psalm waiting to hone his prevelant gumption. Studies and keeping up with school activities was more innate for the likes of Riya and Anamika and Sameer was forced to be in the reckoning out of peer pressure. The intermittent breaks were normally spent in the usual chats amongst Riya, Anamika and other friends. At times, Anamika would indulge in some prattle which more often than not, made him twitch brows. Ocassionally, Liz and Jenny would join them. The rigor, at times, proved more than a handful for Sameer and he found it hard to dedicate himself to people and things, high on priority for him. He inculcated two new favorite pastimes,  watching movies on youtube and looking for old school or collegemates on facebook. One such search led him to Shashank, his old buddy in school, who incidentally was in the US on work. He promptly sent him a message to catch up. Sameer realized that the existence in solitude had made him intrepid in his outlook, but his inner self was turning out to be timid due to his yearning for near and dear ones around him, which unfortunately, hardly anybody understood.

 

The exams for 1st quarter passed with its normal share of dramatics. There was a furore over the instances of cheating and plagiarism that students got involved with, in their finance exam and everyone was made to retake it on a different day at an unearthly hour. Finally, on Dec 6th, 2011, after the final exam was over, everyone headed to Hofbrauhaus at Newport to quench their thirst. Spirits ran high and everyone made merry, singing and dancing. Riya's chicken dance atop the dining table, especially impressed Sameer.

 

Kyler's wake-up call at 5am on 7th Dec, 2011 wasn't really needed. Sameer was all set and ready to head to the Houston airport. His flight to Chicago was scheduled to depart at 9.30am and the ensuing American Airlines flight to New Delhi from Chicago would be at 3.40pm. It was a long-haul flight which Sameer was eagerly looking forward to. It was more than three months that he was away from home. He hadn't seen Simba, Mansi, his parents and his near and dear ones for so long. Kyler dropped him at the airport with a big hug, promising to see Sameer back soon. After checking-in, Sameer walked across to Terminal 2 and waited for Riya and Adarsh. Riya was taking the flight to Boston for a short vacation, at 9.40am. Her flight was exactly the one after his. After bidding her adieu with their usual 'high five', Sameer came back to Terminal 3 and waited for the boarding announcement. At Chicago, as he waited patiently, Anamika called and kept him company over phone.

 

While Sameer helped himself to a warm Starbucks cafe latte, he wandered back in time, into the intricate realms that his mind had laid thread-bare. He couldn't help but think only about Mansi. No metonymy would befit her in appropriate measure. The nine years they had been together had seen its fair share of ups and downs. But seeing him always through the tempest, being with him through thick & thin, making him see reason with aplomb and unconditional love, Mansi had stood up to the test with defining ease. It was this yearning and connect that had brought them together. She was his best friend. They were now proud parents to the apple of their eye, Simba. In precisely 20 hours, he would be in their midst, feeling them in flesh and blood. He would be with his parents, whom he loved and revered so much. He was also excited about the fact that Janki, Sarika and Sharat would be there at home, awaiting his arrival. On 10th, Mansi had planned a formal 'homecoming' get-together for Janki and there he would get to meet Priti, Pramit and Avik too. With oodles of excitement about being with his dearest, Sameer stepped into the airplane impatient and eager than ever for it to traverse the distance and usher in the moment of him attaining his candid bliss!!!!

God's 'Quid-Pro-Quo'

Time elapsed slowly. Weeks passed with the same mundane routine of 4 days of class in a week, catching up with friends in between, cooking, cleaning, laundry and above all skype with family on weekends. Life had turned topsy turvy for Sameer in 2 months. Back in Hyderabad, he used to come home to the effervescent smile of Simba, update on Mansi's day in office and news of relatives from his parents. Dinner time was big on quality topics & content thereof. At times it used to stretch as long as almost 2hours. Weekends used to be for fun activities or long drives after getting done with Simba's Saturday morning dance sessions and ocassional doctor appointments. If not anything else, it would be a movie outing preceded by lunch at the mall food court and pizza dinner from Dominos or Pizza Hut. Once a month everyone would head for monthly groceries & provisions from Spencer and the ritual would end with 'Fillet-o-Fish" and cheeseburgers from McDonalds. Sameer missed all these so badly now.

 

The winter chill started with mid November in Houston. The week before, Sameer and his new classmates in the MBA program got together at Helena's place in Glendale over dinner. Apart from the food, the frolic they had was a welcome breather.  The ensuing week Sameer was invited to Corwin's place at Hyde Park for dinner. Corwin & his wife Mandira were expecting their first baby in a few weeks from then. As promised, Riya picked him up in the evening and they first proceeded to Sam's Club to grab a bottle of wine and a cheesecake which was meant for Mandira. In addition, Riya had also cooked a vegetarian dish which she announced proudly with a disclaimer to ensure exoneration. A few others from their school had also joined for dinner. It was indeed special for Sameer to be in good stead amongst jovial and fun-loving friends like Kyler, Venessa, Brendon, Corwin, Mandira and Riya. In fact two of Mandira's family friends were also there. It was also the first time amongst school friends in US that Sameer had to divulge his age (in response to Mandira's question), unwillingly.

 

With time, Sameer, Riya & Anamika got to be known as the threesome in school for their steadfast friendship. Anyone seeking information about Sameer would know whom to ask and so on for Riya and Anamika. Once during recess in school, Sameer, Helena, Rima, Riya & Anamika were seated on the sixth floor, working together on some assignment. On a discussion pertaining to the University, Riya suddenly got agitated and shouted at Sameer since he was trying to prove her wrong about what she knew. Sameer was embarassed and hurt at her reaction in front of so many (there were others too seated at different tables close by). He tried cajoling himself to normalcy and walked back home. Even before he had reached, Anamika called on his cell, trying to pacify him. In fact, in the ensuing couple of days she did all possible to bridge the gap between Sameer's hung face and Riya's cautious observance and truce between the make-believe foes was finally attained in the basement hall. Riya's tears made Sameer rethink, probably there was a connect which hitherto he had missed because she had no business reprimanding just about anybody. Yet another instance of her sponteinity was after the 1st quarter Economics exam when Riya and Sameer were waiting in the hallway for Anamika. While tallying answers for a specific question, it dawned they shared a common answer. Riya immediately yelled and said, "Give me a hug! Give me a hug!" With so many students around, Sameer was actually more than startled to react. Although a normal means of PDA in US, back in India, a hug, especially between a  boy and girl would be looked at in a sense more than the obvious. He was hardly used to them among friends, all the more if it was from an opposite gender. Unsure of how to react, he stood still, and true to her smart self, Riya was prompt to take a cue. Riya was also Sameer's gateway to USPS, retail stores for provisions and other such urgent errands in and around campus. She was his closest guide to reference and relevant information around Houston or otherwise. Apart from being a good friend she would don the role of his mentor, resume-builder, task-master and problem-solver (study matter and beyond),  among others with aplomb and perfect ease, time to time. It was sheer trust and reliance, gaining strength with each passing day.

 

Sameer's life in real sense, in the form of his family, was miles away from him. Nothing could replace or make do for what he was missing temporarily in his tryst with destiny. But what seemed ironical was how things were evolving around him in Houston.  It probably was God's way of Quid pro Quo; in return for what he had lost momentarily, he had gained happiness, solace and pride in  the form of a true friend in Riya, who was mature enough to be looked up to unconditionally, a friend who would stand by him in his hour of need or otherwise and who had the grit to see through any odds even in the fiercest tempest. 

 

 

Diwali in Houston!!!!

Winter was round the corner and days seemed to shorten. When Sameer had first come to US in August 2011, he used to get bewildered seeing a crimson sky well past 8pm. The United States, as they say, is the 'abode of plenty' and probably, sunshine was no exception. He recollected people back home saying, "the sun never sets in this country". October had set in and the chill on that Saturday morning was a pleasant break from the usual sultry days he had gone through. Simba was proudly showing off the addition to his 'hot-wheels' collection and Mansi was narrating instances pertaining to her office in the last few days, on Skype. Sameer's parents were watching silently, trying to catch up, once in a while, in between. It was the usual weekly routine that Sameer longed to engage in. He was up and in front of his laptop screen since 6am. With the chat over in a little less than 2hours, Sameer rushed for his shower to be in time to avail of the outing organized by the international students organization at the University.

 

For $10, the students were getting a city tour of Houston and a $5 lunch coupon at an ethnic food center. On the bus, Sameer found himself a place next to Wahid and they chatted about their families and life back in Hyderabad & Lahore, respectively. They talked about food back home too. Sameer shared recipes for Malabari Dry Mutton Pepper Fry and Sheer-Khorma while Wahid spoke about Biryani and Katlumma. Being a self-proclaimed foodie himself, Sameer couldn't help but schedule a dinner at home with home made Biryani and a chicken salan  in the ensuing week, with Wahid. During lunch, they treated themselves to Gyros (a Greek delite, which took a while for Sameer to pronounce correctly). The guide in the bus announced that one of the best Gyros in US was at Findley Market in Cincinnati, Ohio. While they indulged in innocuous chat, a few other students in the bus seemed to catch up with new friends through what seemed more of a glib. 

 

Students in the campus were enthused about Diwali, in the second week of October. The religious fervour had caught up and there seemed activities galore. On the day of Diwali, as Sameer sat brooding at his studio early in the morning, about how wonderful it would have been to be with Simba, Mansi, his parents and rest of the family back home, he was startled at the cell phone ringing. Who would it be at 7.30am in the morning? It was an unfamiliar number and Sameer received the call to discover Riya at the other end of the line. She wanted to know if he could reach college a little early since she would be there at 8.30am. It was Wednesday and the only class was at 10am. The issue for her was, she was uncomfortable being alone in college in traditional salwar kameez, all by herself. She was at the basement when Sameer reached college and interestingly, had two glass food containers with home-made Indian sweets (Kalakand and Sesame Laddoo). The sweets were too alluring to comply with Riya's strict instruction of 'not to touch' before end of class. He could care less when he actually defied her order and helped himself to a small piece of both sweets. After class, Sameer, Riya, Wahid, Pakhi, Kumar, Rima, Kashmira and Venkat headed to Deep's India Restaurant at Calhoun to gorge on Indian delicacies. On the way back to college, Sameer caught on Kashmira's blabber about cooking skills and helped himself to a forced invitation at her place for dinner on behalf of himself, Riya & Adarsh(Riya's husband). At the college, Anamika, whom Sameer had met through Riya, was waiting for both of them with some more home-made sweets. Sameer just couldn't ask for more, being away from home.

 

Both Riya and Anamika also planned to go to the temple with family in the evening. Though he mentioned he was keen to join them, Sameer was unsure of whether his presence would be an indiscreet invasion of either's private family moments. Just when he was contemplating reclusion, Riya asked him, "What are you going to do, being all alone at home today? Why don't you join me and Adarsh on our way back home, spend sometime there and then we all can leave for the temple". Needless to say, that was the best Sameer could have asked for. Sameer trudged into Riya's home for the first time. It felt good to catch up on an afternnon chat over tea and snacks. In the evening, after Puja at her house, Riya, Adarsh and Sameer headed for the temple. On the way they again caught up with a lot of discussion on Sameer's native place and Kerala in India. Back from the temple, Sameer and Riya headed for Kashmira's apartment while Adarsh headed out to meet a couple of his friends. They bid each other goodnight after a Diwali well spent in Houston, way beyond what Sameer had expected it would turn out to be.

 

As he resigned to his IKEA Malm, Sameer was briskly summing up the day, mentally. He realized how valuable an inclusion and addition, Riya was to his life in Houston. From the first time he had met her, it had been just 3weeks. She did seem fiercely competitive. She meant business and surely lacked tolerance for nonsense. She could call a spade-a-spade looking into the other's eye. Yet she was very considerate and seemed highly sensitive to things that were close enough to mean something to her. True friends are difficult to come by and normally friends/friendship made in initial years in life usually fruition better.  Although still unsure, Sameer sensed that contrary to what she appeared initially, here was a friend who could possibly make a positive impact and big difference to him and his life in Houston.

Teamwork at Winton Woods!!!!

The blare of the airconditioner finally woke him up. Bleary eyed, Sameer stared outside expecting a resplendent scenery in Burnet Woods. What greeted him instead made his eyes goggle. It seemed to have rained the entire night and the day seemed to be all set for many more rounds of scattered showers. It was Tuesday, 20th September, 2011 and as part of the orientation program, he was required to be in Winton Woods for a day of outdoor activity with his groupmates. The buses taking all students and faculty to this place was scheduled to leave from the circle outside main lobby of the C.H.L.College of Business at 8am. With barely 5min to start, Sameer managed to secure his seat on one of the buses. He was still conversant with the "IST" modus operandi. Except for Pakhi, he didn't recognize the others in the group. Incidentally, another group had already completed the same excercise on 19th and one more was slated to go through the rigor on 21st. With loud thunderclaps in the backdrop and streaks of lightening in the distant firmament, the stage was yet again set for a threnody of his drowning zest.

 

Winton woods resembled a usual Indian circus set. There were ropes dangling everywhere and instructors dressed as acrobats and trapeze artists were roaming around. When he tried to share his thoughts with a fellow student, prompt came the response, "Do you mean it resembles Cirque du Soliel"? Not sure of how to respond, Sameer beat a hasty retreat.There were huge rings lying on the ground and Sameer shuddered at the idea of having to perform hula hoop excercises with his overtly prominent waist and paunch. Soon enough they were ushered into the adjacent ground for some aerobics and then into the woods with different obstacle courses which they, as a group, were required to clear to reach their arbitrary destination. One of the excercises required 15 people to be huddled together in a spider web (made by rope), having enclosures of various sizes spun on it. The condition was, all the members had to position themselves in the web without touching the rope. They could touch or hold each other. The idea was to propagate the concept of teamwork (Together Each Achieved More). During another such course, Sameer noticed a sprightly young lad, trying all ends up to scale a large wall. Sameer recognized him as Wahid, the guy who had introduced himself in class as, "I am from Pakistan and I am not a terrorist".

 

Two of the earliest friends that Sameer had made at the college was Scott Drew & the sole Korean in class, Steve (his real name was Yon Won). Once during lunch at the Tardyman University Center, when Sameer was talking about their newfound classmates, Scott had mentioned to him, "Time will prove, who your real friends are"!!!! It was almost a week since then. Overall the day was a lot of fun but even with as much physical proximity as was required during each of the obstacles/events,  Sameer was still looking to add on to his list of 'real friends'. Although gregarious in nature himself, Sameer realized that 'proximity' in real sense, had more depth in mental attachment than physical nearness. The 2nd half of the day was spent in a group excercise with Helena and the way back home was spent in getting to know Rima, who seemed to be tensed on the course offerings in Qualitative Analysis, at the college. 

 

Without much fanfare, the classes finally started on Thursday, 22nd September at 10am. It was the 'Leadership & Organization' class. Dr. Klaterberg in his usual jovial self, walked into room 107 and introduced himself. The rest of the session was spent in each student introducing himself/herself. At the end of class, Dr. K'berg announced that he would form smaller teams amongst the students in the class for various group activities. It was to be his first formal group in college and like many others, he too hoped to be grouped with atleast manageable, if not like-minded people. Like anybody else, Sameer too believed in "1st impression being the best impression" and the fact that 1st group (in general like 1st love, 1st job) would remain permanently etched on his mind and life. Finally, when the names were announced, Sameer was taken aback to see Riya's name prominently displayed in the group where he belonged. The others were Corwin, Brendon & Ruhan. He didn't know what to expect. He wasn't sure of how the team-bonding would evolve. It was pointless to conclude anything since he didn't know any of them, but going by his 1st day experience, at least one of the members had all the potential of landing him in troubled waters or giving him a torrid time. As he headed down to the basement for their 1st team meeting for an ensuing presentation in class, Sameer kept his fingers crossed. Only time could say, to ensure his worth in this team, would it be a struggle to prove or an experience of 'dream come true'!! 

1st Day at College!!!!

Sameer hit the snooze button when the wake-up alarm on the mobile phone went off a second time. It was 6am. In two hours he was required to be at the business school in his chosen University in Houston. It was 12th of September 2011, the first day of a week-long orientation program before the classes for MBA (class of 2012) started from 22nd. With eyes wide open and his gaze fixed on the ceiling, Sameer lay on the airbed for a while. His thoughts seemed numb to envisage the days proceedings. Starting the day with a shower was a usual practice even back in Hyderabad. He quickly helped himself to two slices of toast and a cup of tea. In the next 45 minutes, dressed in formal shirt and trousers with black shoes, Sameer was trotting across Proshop Av. and Martin Luther King Dr.

 

By 7.25am, Sameer was at the main lobby of the C.H.L. College of Business. It was only a 7-minute walk from his residence. Students thronged the main passageway. There were a few grown-ups (than usual) in the multitude, like him. His eyes were eagerly searching for the first approachable person to start a conversation. Being a face in the crowd, for once, seemed to be an uninteresting proposition. Suddenly, he saw a girl closing in on him. She soon stopped short and seated herself at the wooden bench nearby. Her smile was more than a welcome respite for Sameer to approach her and introduce himself. She identified herself as Sonali and coincidentally from Hyderabad, the same place as where Sameer belonged. They soon started a converstaion and headed together to room 112, the beautifully done auditorium at the business school. Sameer was dazed by what he saw inside. A large room with scores of neatly arranged seats overlooking the well, large visual monitors hung from above with speakers to aid the back row audience, state-of-the-art LEDs lit the stairway and two huge screens dangled at the front to relay AV presentations. Swarm of students seemed to make headway to the seats farthest from the dias. Sameer and Sonali too joined the melee and were ushered into the middle on the 3rd row from the rear. The file of faculty members standing in front made for an interesting spectacle. Sameer was sitting like a jitterbug amongst 80odd students, caught up more in trying to identify the Indian students in the various rows. However, all he could pick were arrays of heads with black or blonde hair.

 

The dean, David Zerkowsky initiated the program with a customary welcome speech and announced how the ensuing days would unfold. This was followed by a detailed address by Dr.Videsh Chari, the Associate Dean. All along, the program director, Dr. Dheeler seemed busy trying to fix audio problems with the mic or co-ordinating with support staff on the catering arrangements. He was actively involved in one-on-one interactions with students too. Each student was also handed over a folder with details of each days schedule for the next 7 days. Sameer was impressed to note they would have free lunch, each of the 7days.

 

After lunch, Sameer had to make do with a different place to sit. He was cursing himself on having turned up late and losing the place he was seated on, prior to lunch. As speakers changed places on the dias, Sameer's roving eyes suddenly stopped at a girl seated just in front of him. Seemingly jovial and mingling with others with a studied silence, she seemed to be the only student in the program from Turkey. After grappling with 'yes' or 'no' for sometime, to say hi to her, Sameer mustered enough courage to call out, at the behest of curiosity. "Hi, I am Sameer". To ensure a generous measure on the 1st impression he would have made, Sameer added, "I am in the MBA program and come with a work experience of 15years in MNCs". Startled a bit, she turned back and replied, "Oh hi! I am Riya from Mumbai but in Houston with my husband for more than 4years now". She returned back to listening to the speaker again and Sameer was disgusted at the cold shoulder she imparted on the start of conversation he had provided to latch on to. A little later, however, she again turned back and asked, "So, what made you choose Houston". Not to be outdone, the 'smart' reply that Sameer could gather himself to provide her was, "Well the college website mentioned, it was amongst the top 10 in USA in terms of ROI". On this reply, the grimace on her face made Sameer squirm. He could sense something was amiss. The brief interaction was enough for Sameer to vow to stay clear of Riya, if he was to ensure himself of not being outdone, in future. Yes, she had all the elements of proving to be more than a handful to deal with.

 

The day was finally over with Dr. Dheeler dividing the entire batch into 8 teams of 9 students each.They were called Posse teams and Sameer was part of team 8. He was thrilled to see an Indian name among the team members. She was Pakhi. With a sullen silence and serious facial expressions, she seemed least approachable. On his way back home, Sameer tried hard to recollect atleast one thing about the day's proceedings, which would inspire him to go back the next day. With heavy steps, pangs of distress and infinite discomfort, he re-assured and convinced himself to wait for day 2, atleast for another free lunch, if not for anything else.

 

 

An Ogre called Solitude

The trauma of coping with a strange mental distress arising out of bidding adieu to Sarika and family coupled with the anxiety of expected solitary existence in new surroundings and amidst unknown people, was more than a handful for Sameer. He was writhing in a typical discomfort, hitherto unknown. Pramit called up in the morning on 10th Sept. to confirm that he would be at the Houston airport to receive Sameer and also take him to his studio. The Delta airlines flight from Minneapolis was at 2pm CST. Sarika, Sharat & Janki saw off Sameer near the check-in counter and promised to wait till he crossed the security check cordon.

 

At the check-in counter, Sameer's request for an aisle seat was turned down. The flight seemed to be overbooked and the ground staff exuded a strange hauteur. His backpack and carry-on were overflowing with homemade titbits given by Sarika, to last a couple of weeks without cooking. As he passed through the body scanner, a security staff signalled at Sameer to pause and step aside. Sameer could gauge that the steel bangle (kara) he was wearing, was the centerpoint of attention. After the usual frisking, the security personnel asked him about the kara. He wanted to know whether it could be discarded to which Sameer's reply was a firm 'no'. A little perplexed, the stout policeman pointed at a secluded corner for Sameer to go and stand while he went and fetched his superior. Most of the other passengers while completing their usual formalities, would gape at Sameer, some of which were more than a mere passing glance. Some looked aghast while some stared with a wilful frown. Although a routine security procedure at other places, a probable xenophobia for the stout policeman ensured a harrowing and embarassing experience for Sameer. To be finally done without having to open the kara and walk away waving to his loved ones who were all the while standing near the visitors lobby with bated breath, was like more than experiencing zephyr, for him.

 

The flight was on time and true to his words Pramit's was the first call, as soon as Sameer switched on his mobile phone at Houston. Pramit wanted to inform him that he would be there in 20minutes. As he waited for Pramit, Sameer could see many other new students, mostly international, making a beeline for the airport shuttle service for the complimentary drop to uptown, as arranged by the University.

 

Enroute to the studio at 3239 Proshop Av., Sameer & Pramit stopped by at Kroger to pick a 6-pack of Budweiser beer along with saltine pretzels. The apartment resembled a dungeon located at level 1 and overlooking the Burnet woods at the rear. A large sliding glass door was the only means of separation from the outer world. As soon as they entered the apartment, to his utter dismay, Sameer realized that the scheduled delivery from IKEA had gone astray. Pramit informed him that it was rescheduled for the next week. Fortunately, Pramit had brought along an air bag to suffice for the bed. As they rested themselves on the carpeted floor, uncorking their budweiser bottles and munching pretzels, Pramit shared a few interesting nuances of American life along with his and Priti's student life in Dakota. Life in US could be stereotype, especially if both the husband and wife were working. All they would get for themselves is Saturday & Sunday, most of which would be spent in unwinding, which meant doing household chores, catching up with friends or cooking for the ensuing week. Sameer realized that by spending almost the entire Saturday with him, Pramit was actually losing out on a big chunk of his routine family time. Pramit left at 7pm.

 

The eerie silence was more than a resounding shrill. Sameer was never used to this. The woods staring stark just beyond the glass pane did very little to soothe him. Luggage & other articles strewn all around, resembling his truncated life away from Mansi & Simba, added to the mayhem. Crouched on the airbed, Sameer seemed more than lost. He was too drained out mentally and the physical exhaustion urged him to skip dinner, the first of probably many such, in days to come. Soon enough he was lying on the airbed, in pitch dark with ocassional shrieks of his drunk neighbor from the adjoining apartment for company. However hard he tried, sleep was a distant proposition. Even Sameer didn't realize when he slipped into a deep slumber well past midnight. It was 8.30am when the ring on his mobile phone woke him up. Mansi was on the line to ask him to log into skype. There was so much to catch up on. Sameer was eager to see and hear from her and Simba. He would also get to chat with his parents. With utmost zeal, he pulled out his new laptop, gifted by Sarika, to log in. As he typed in his username and password, Sameer realized the solace and happiness he derived from even virtually connecting with his dearest ones, more so because he was unsure of how soon he could see them again in flesh and blood.

 

 

Discovering the Twin Cities!!!!

"Water with no ice", is what Sameer barely managed to mumble to the lady taking the order for  breakfast at The Original Pancake House at Eden Prairie, Minneapolis. It was barely 2 days since he had been in the state of 10000 lakes and Sameer was at this hugely popular joint for brunch, with Sarika & Sharat. Janki was at New Horizon, the daycare that she attended. Since he had hardly eaten out in US, he wan't too conversant with the customary interactions in such places. He heaved a sigh of relief when Sarika pointed out that 'Egg Benedict' would be a good choice, to opt for. The waitron returned to take the orders and not to be outdone this time, Sameer added hash browns & coffee with Sarika's selection for him. His protuberant paunch waited as impatiently as him to unleash the session of gluttony. With lots of care and effort to maintain etiquette,  Sameer indulged in binge eating. Within an hour, he was back in the car with Sarika and Sharat, but this time, heavily gasping for breath.

It was Wednesday and Sarika & Sharat had taken off from work to show Sameer around the twin cities. Even Janki got a rare break from going to daycare on a weekday. While parking in front of the Minnesota State Capitol in St.Paul, Sharat seemed to hover around the parking meter a trifle longer than expected. Sameer felt amused when he was told by his rarely gullible brother-in-law that the meter had available waiting time of 45 minutes and he was pondering whether to add a few quarters at all. "Got to learn a lot from him", Sameer thought. The day was well spent with sights of Guthrie Theater, Lake Calhoun and the old Pillsbury factory which was damaged in an inferno, many years back. Sharat also took him around the R&D center at his workplace, where he had started his career in US. It was an awesome locale on the banks of river Mississippi. Sarika showed him around the University of Minnesota and the School of Public Health, where she studied for two years. The names of best students for each year since inception were engraved on metal plates, which together, resembled a mammoth salver.  It was a big moment of pride for Sameer to see Sarika's name engraved with 2 other students for the year 2008. A brief stopover near Bloomington (at Sarika's workplace) was followed by a sumptuous dinner of sage-roasted chicken with asparagus & roasted potatoes with diavola sauce at Macaroni Grill at Edina and washed down with Pinot Noir. Being a foodie himself and with the surge of hunger at its zenith, this was bliss for Sameer. He felt a deep urge to vouch for Italian as the best cuisine in the world.

Before leaving for work on Thursday, Sarika asked Sameer to look up on his University website to figure out what books he needed to order online or procure from stores for the 1st quarter of the program. It sounded too boring and arduous a task, especially after the merriment of the last couple of days. Unwillingly, he promised to take a look on 'one-stop center', just to be spared of her reprimand, when she returned in the evening. With his sister and her family around, Sameer was having a great time, especially in not being reminded of the boredom he envisaged to go through, once back in Houston in his studio, all by himself. It would be a new world for him. Unknown surroundings, unfamiliar people and worst, the feeling of being in class with students, many of whom were fresh out of school and a lot younger than him. How would they take to him? How would he cope with the studies and assignments? As soon as he would be alone, his thoughts would drift to these worrisome fears. These concerns would make him meander towards misanthropy. The die was cast. Only time and experience could unveil what was in store. With bated breath and an eerie restlessness, Sameer waited for Saturday, the 10th of September, 2011. That was the day when he would be headed back to Houston, to start the orientation from Monday, the 12th. That would also be the day, when he would see and get to know some new people, be it on the dais as faculty or in his class as batch mates or probably beside him as dear chums. 

Tears of Joy!!!!

It seemed a little busier than usual. At the Houston airport, cabs and airport shuttles seemed to make a beeline to drop off passengers. En route to Columbus, a city in Colorado county 74 miles west of Houston, Priti, Pramit and Avik dropped off Sameer at Terminal A with hugs and best wishes for a good time at Minneapolis. People around him fiddling with smart phones to gauge directions and information were a new experience for Sameer. He couldn't fathom the need for a mobile phone beyond the basic functions of calling and text messaging. Having spent almost half a week in the US was adequate for him to understand that his simple 2G mobile phone was truly 2nd generation in terms of features as compared to a PDA. It was a trifle late by the time Sameer managed to follow overhead glow-sign boards and reach the Delta Airlines check-in counter. Having stared at the self-check in kiosks for a while in order to figure out how to proceed, Sameer decided to queue up behind the nearest person headed for the counters. Yet again, he was made to stare stark at the necessity of being smart enough to be self-sufficient. In the past, he had talked many a times about the need for being adept, confident and proficient in their individual skill sets, to his subordinates. In his heart, he vowed to walk the talk in future, as he inched closer to the Delta staff for assistance in obtaining a boarding pass. 

Sameer was startled when the in-flight executive announced, "welcome on board your flight to Hawaii. I am Maria, your personal assistant and janitor for the next two hours". Sameer twitched and twirled in his firmly fastened seat belts, wanting to point out that his destination wasn't Hawaii. Better sense and calm prevailed on him when he noticed the wry smile on Maria's face. Even the passengers were highly amused and although momentary, she was an instant celebrity. Her smartness overawed Sameer a little bit. He was sure of deflating the charm and pleasantly infectious aura she had infused among the passengers, with his honest attempt at a fake accent, which was all but US English. Although thirsty for water, Sameer decided to keep quiet. As the aircraft detached itself from the jet-way connector, all that Sameer could think of was meeting Janki.  

It was a little over an hour before he sensed that the descent to the flight had begun. As the aircraft gained proximity to ground, Sameer looked out of the window to discover the niche of scenic splendor that the state of Minnesota had carved for itself. No wonder it was known as the state of 10000 lakes. Maria was a benchmark for any great employee. She seemed to like her job so much that she could elevate it to exemplary levels in customer service with effortless ease. Sameer made it a point to make it known while thanking her as he deplaned. 

As soon as he stepped out, Sameer reached for his mobile. Having switched it on, he dialed Sarika's number and she reassured him that they were waiting at the greeting point in Lindbergh Terminal. The excitement to meet them was palpable as Sameer hopped onto the train on LRT to reach terminal 1. All the while he wondered about Janki. How would she take to him? Would he be an amiable company or reason for 'stranger anxiety' for her. Did she resemble her parents or anybody else in the family, in appearance? For a moment he was speechless when he saw a tiny little girl, perched on her father's folded arm glaring at something irrelevant and faraway, through the corner of her eye. Sameer couldn't miss that stare for anything under the Sun. It was the 'signature' glance/stare that Sarika used to have, when a child herself. He couldn't decide whether to call it Janki's thoughts in yonder or nature's genetic wonder. For Sameer it seemed a glaring semblance with the little sister he had grown up with. A tight huddle and embrace with the three of them was too little to exude the warmth and feel of happiness that Sameer was going through at that time. As they settled down in the car, Sameer could sense both Sarika and Sharat raring to ask him about his journey, his days in isolation from family, the brevity of his decision, the difficulties he envisaged and so on. He was startled, when Sharat impatiently turned around from the driver's seat and subtly asked with an elusive smile, "how in the world did you put on as much weight. Sorry to say, but you look bizarre" . As the car entered Bloomington en-route to their home in Eden Prairie, for a moment, Sameer wished he could take the same flight back to Houston and better still, to Hyderabad in India. Sharat parked the car in the garage and they all stepped into the house. Suddenly, the two of them with Janki on their lap started singing the birthday song to Sameer. Sarika removed the cover on the dining table to reveal a large and beautiful pineapple cake with "Happy Birthday Mama" inscribed in icing. It was a birthday cake for her brother, she had baked, on behalf of Janki. As she and  Sharat wished him, and Janki thrust a large block of cake into Sameer's mouth, the least he wanted to do was hold back his tears of joy!!! 

A Welcome Respite!!!!

The last two days were abuzz with activity for Sameer. Getting through the introductory session organized by the International Students office at the University followed by an hour long registration procedure, was a tough ask. The brouhaha amidst serpentine queues, unending photocopies of documents and swarm of unknown faces, both excited & confused Sameer to the hilt. Students from all around the globe with towering hopes and myriad dreams, trotted around. For them, the world seemed to originate and exist only on the few tables laid out in the Tardymann University Center of the University, on main-street. Attending to students, on these tables, were the officials who were regularizing students records like I-20, I-94, Visa, Passport details and other relevant certificates. The huge sigh of relief was palpable when Sameer ultimately got done with the formalities and headed out to Skyline Chili at Jefferson-Clifton crossing for his lunch with Yenal, his Turkish roommate at the dormitory.

Sameer could hardly wait to get in, when the white Altima pulled up in front of him near the dormitory. Pramit, who was behind the wheels, raised his hand and indicated to him to put the luggage in the boot of the car while he tucked the provisions that Sameer and Priti had got the other day, onto the backseat. As they settled on the front seats adjacent to each other, Pramit let out his hand and said, "Hi, Sameer bhai, heard so much about you". Sameer greeted back. They were meeting each other for the first time. Pramit mentioned that Priti and her colleague were expecting them at Ikea in West Chester for lunch and shopping for Sameer, thereafter. Their first halt was at Sameer's studio to drop the luggage and rest of the articles. They finished the errand deftly and were on their way to Ikea, soon after. After the customary exchange of pleasantries, Sameer started to gorge on Swedish Meatballs and Apple-cake with vanilla. This was followed by choosing the necessary furniture for Sameer's apartment. Next, they proceeded for check-out and sensing his dilemma how and where to process the order and swipe his credit card, Priti shared some vital tips for him to act upon. Finally, they stopped at the home-delivery counter to turn in their items to be told that those would get delivered in a week's time. Sameer couldn't help but marvel the efficient and adept handling of the entire episode by Pramit & Priti.

It was 6.30 pm. Sameer was at Priti's home, with Pramit and their little son Avik. The effervescent little champ was busy narrating his experiences at the daycare, for the day. He seemed to take an instant liking for the new person around. On the other hand, Sameer was delighted with Avik's company. The little one had so much to say, so much to share. In between his giggle and minor pause for breath, Avik seemed to traverse through his past and present. Sameer was having oodles of fun. The added incentive for him was, Sameer was feeling himself in Simba's company. Catching up with Priti and Pramit seemed endless. Priti and Pramit had so much to tell Sameer and vice versa. Pramit was also busy raking up his gourmet cuisine, the awadhi Biryani. They were chatting their hearts out. Yes, Sameer was truly living the moment.

A loud gurgle emanated as Pramit poured into the Stolzle Glencairn crystal glasses which already had ice cubes in it. He described that Bourbon was a much sought after drink in the state of Kentucky. As the expanse of the golden gleam on the crystal rocks widened, as they clinked their glasses to a loud cheers, Sameer's heart pounded with excitement. His flight to Minneapolis was scheduled for 11 am, the next day. Sarika, her two year old daughter Janki and husband Sharat resided there. Sameer would be seeing Janki in person, for the first time. As he took the first sip of his drink, the pensive mood that had engulfed Sameer and his daub of sorrow for the past few days, both seemed to get diluted. Even though momentary, it was a welcome respite after what seemed like an aeon of pain. 

The Invaluable Lifeline!!!!

The gleam of Sunshine was too bright. The sky was sparingly blue. Sameer turned on his side and stretched out his left arm. The clasp weakened when something soft in cloth embraced him. This was not the usual feel of Simba. Even the bed didn't render the usual warmth. It was a good night’s sleep alright but why was he missing the zest. Why did life seem a mere existence, all of a sudden? It was a conscious decision taken by none other than him to travel so far and bear with the separation from family for the time being. It had been just two days, but he was already missing them so much. His weary mind seemed to give up on making sense with the tumult inside.  He was effete, deep within, with his thoughts getting vectorial every passing moment.

A shrill broke through the somber silence around Sameer. He could gauge the mobile phone going berserk. He was in no mood to take the call without making peace with his inner self. Reluctantly, he clutched on to the phone and said “hello”. A soothing voice on the other side replied, “Sameer bhai! Hi, this is Priti” She continued further, “How are you? How was your journey?” In a flash, Sameer turned back  more than two decades in time. His only kid sister Sarika, who was five years younger to him, had joined school and it was her first day. While the parents waited outside the school gate with bated breath for their wards to be ushered in a file into their classrooms by their respective class-teachers, Sameer could see Sarika romping around with another smiling little girl. During recess, Sarika introduced her first school friend as Priti, who was distinguished by her hair being done up in two braided tails. His presence seemed a little too close for comfort for the little Priti. Sarika and Priti continued as very close buddies in the same school, sitting adjacent to each other, sharing each other’s lunch bites, being an avid part of the others sorrow and happiness until Priti joined a different school after ten long years. It was just the second time Sameer was hearing Priti’s voice in more than twenty years.

Priti had mentioned that she would pick up Sameer in the evening on her way back from work. She offered to take him to Meijer’s, retail major in Houston, to get his stock of provisions before he moved into his new place of stay. It was a mixed feeling of emotions, pride and happiness to see the little girl of yester years. She too was a kid sister for Sameer, who had grown up, in his hometown, near his own surroundings. He watched in awe as she smartly pulled up near the kerb in front of him and stepped outside. As he fastened the seat belts on the front seat beside Priti, in her car, Sameer couldn't marvel at the simplicity, confidence and honesty that she exuded. Indeed she had grown up. She stepped on the gas as they turned on to Clifton to proceed towards Martin Luther King Av. en route to Meijer’s.

As she spoke about her family (her husband Pramit and son Avik), as they caught up over the past years of each other’s life as well as days in school, as they discussed about favorite teachers and subjects, Sameer sensed the beginning of a new chapter in his life. He felt a sense of belonging. There was an air of unspoken proximity, a true sense of attachment. For the first time in more than a week, he felt the calming embrace of peace and normalcy in his life.  It was evident that Priti, Pramit & Avik would be more than his extended family in Houston. Their's would be more than a calming presence to his despairing solitude. The tempest seemed to ease off. He realized with glee that he had found his home away from home. Yes, he had just found his lifeline in Houston, a lifeline which would go a long way in helping him differentiate between existing and living!!!!

Coal in the Embers!!!

The University campus gates on Calhoun street was teeming with activity. The smell from the Indian restaurant Krishna, across the street was so inviting. Sameer was famished, but for one, he chose to relinquish himself of the irk of tugging his belongings with him. The well dressed chauffeur offered to help carry two of his enormous suitcases inside the dormitory house which was a short walk from the campus gates. By the time Sameer followed suit with the remaining bags, he was exhausted. After all he also had to usher in his 219 lbs. not too small statuette, along with the luggage. The smart chauffeur greeted him and was ready to depart. Sameer wasn't sure whether tipping was an acceptable norm in US. More importantly, he reckoned that a dollar saved would mean an additional burger gained for himself. After a momentary boggle he greeted back the chauffeur and trudged inside not realizing that he probably needed to trudge the path of etiquette and cultural mannerisms better.

The hot shower was so much needed. Sameer was desperate to don a fresh set of clothes. With the scent of eau-de-Cologne emanating from him generously, Sameer stepped outside to get a real feel of being in America. He started walking towards the main street ahead, all the while trying to figure out a place to grab his first meal in US. Since Bruegger's Bagels on Clifton seemed too inviting, he dashed inside and positioned himself behind the last person in the queue to the counter. The large display boards mentioned different types of Sandwiches. For some strange reason, it seemed Hebrew to Sameer. The names were a far cry from the simple ones he was used to, back in India. Finally, he managed to spot the cheapest on the list and marched ahead with confidence. At the counter, he was in for greater trouble, much beyond what he expected. The person who was making the sandwiches asked for his choice of bagel followed by the celery, pickle, egg and meat that he wanted it to be stuffed with. The last nail in the coffin was when he was asked to pick the cheese type he wanted. Needless to say, with embarrassment writ large on his face, Sameer blabbered what came to his mind, much to the amusement of the person across the counter and people behind himself. By the time Sameer managed to check out and make good his escape from the counter, his hunger had died down. Yes, there seemed to be a lot in cultural mannerisms for him to learn, much beyond a college diploma that he had actually come for, to the US. He felt being the coal in the embers. 

The back-pack slung over Sameer's left shoulder had online rent payment receipts. Sameer had managed to book his studio on Proshop Avenue, in close proximity to his college of business at the University. The lady at the Dazlight Properties office promptly handed him the keys to the letter box and apartment 7 on 3239 Proshop Av. On his way back, Sameer was too weary to walk a mile & half back to the dormitory and hopped on to Metro bus 19. Inserting the dollar bill and three quarters in the machine near the steering wheel was also a new experience. At the dormitory, Sameer was tired enough to hardly wait to catch up on his lost sleep. At the same time he was excited about shifting to his rented apartment the next day. As he lay down and closed his eyes, he wondered how his new haven would be, a house far away, from and being a home. In a few moments he had escaped into a realm of temporary solace!!!!!!!

The Journey Begins!!!

A whiff of dust was let off when the airplane tires grazed against the tarmac at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport at Houston. Even after having seared through the blue firmament for almost a day, the huge machine looked raring to go. By the time Capt. Mehra got the aircraft stationary at Terminal D, it was 7 am in the morning. The flight to Houston took almost 19 hours including a brief stopover at Chicago. Sameer was wide awake and gaping at the seat-back TV screen. For most of his co-passengers, the fabulous in-flight entertainment system with AVOD, kept them oblivious of the time elapsed. But Sameer was in a daze staring stark at the numbers on the screen which showed he was almost 9000 miles away from where his heart and soul were. He was not in the land of the unknown, but yes, he was surely in a moment of forlorn.

There was an air of urgency everywhere. For those around, the serenity seemed to wither away. Their patience and composure had all but stayed on. An elbow, en route to grabbing a cabin baggage above, almost cracked Sameer's temple. Even after eons of development, Darwin's theory of evolution seemed to have been propounded by people around him in the airplane. "What a mad race against time by an avid bunch of mortals whose run can ultimately take them closer and faster to their grave only", he thought. Sameer seated himself once again for everyone to make good their exit. Finally, he acknowledged and  nodded to a 'have a great day" greeting by a flight steward, who saw him off the plane. 

The queue at the immigration counter seemed never-ending. Sameer felt an unusual squirm throughout the wait. It could have been the fact that he was unsure of the formalities ahead. It could also have been because he didn't know what to expect from the immigration officer. He was locked in the precincts of his own confusion and non-clarity. In his mind, he quickly got himself versed in a few answers for some probable questions. From the immigration check to the baggage claim and then the underground train for inter-terminal transfer, Sameer was following others like a zombie. 

It was a big sigh of relief, when he finally managed to hand over the travel receipt to the chauffeur of the airport shuttle. The walk across various concourses to the travel counter had taken a heavy toll on Sameer's weary legs and body, which was all agog for some physical rest. As for the mind, which had been working overtime since many days, rest seemed to be a long lost proposition. 

As soon as he paid for the trip across the counter, Sameer realized that the cost of travel was also his first expenditure in US dollars. INR 1700 seemed much more expensive as compared to USD 30. For the moment, he had no choice. He knew he had to be prudent in his expenditure for it was an earning of his lifetime that he was going to put at stake in his new quest. Between Simba, his family and himself, he had chosen himself to invest in. Was he selfish? Could he only think about himself? Would this decision of his augur well for his life (which in truest sense for him was his family)? He ushered  himself on to the rear seat of the shuttle van and headed for the dormitory home on his University campus in search of answers to many more identical unanswered queries and irking dilemmas. Only time could say whether the answer would be propitious, if at all he got them!!!!!!! 

Taking to the Skies!!!!

Sameer was all ears when Capt. Mehra of Air India Flight AI 127 announced, "arm all doors; cross check and report". The constant announcements, safety instructions and brisk activities inside the airplane were more of a palaver. The feel and warmth of Simba's clutch at the Hyderabad airport, while bidding him goodbye, was still fresh. The torrent in his eyes would barely let Sameer catch up on the lost sleep of past few days. The calm poise could hardly camouflage the tempest within. He realized that physical toughness had nothing in common with mental grit. As the Boeing 747 taxied to the runway from Terminal 3, Sameer's heart started pounding harder. It was getting increasingly difficult to cope with his agony. With pictures of Simba, Mansi & parents etched in his hearts, Sameer took a deep breath and sat back with eyes closed. The airplane emulated a charging Spanish bull ready to take on the Picador and be let off into the ring. However, the din of high-bypass turbofan engines could hardly stand up to the tremor within him. The excruciating force exerted on his head-rest made him spare a thought for astronauts when their launch vehicle hits escape velocity. For 14 hours that's where he would be, glaringly lonely in the midst of 294 people. With a heavy heart, he also realized that he had taken to the skies, miles away from where his heart and soul were.

The Big American Dream

It's Wednesday, August the 30th. Getting out of bed in the morning has always been a tough ordeal. But what's up with Sameer today? He hasn't slept beyond midnight and is ill at ease in hiding the tire of an unsaid concern behind the dark circles beneath his eyes. It is obvious that he isn't at peace with himself, or rather more aptly put, quite worried. It was difficult for people at home to fathom Sameer's unusual plight. His wife stepped forward to feel the temperature on his forehead and then steps back sensing that nothing was wrong on that front.

To glimpse a mute and pensive beholder of monody in a usually fun-loving and jovial character like Sameer was a tough proposition for the others around him. Why did he adorn the forlorn look? In fact it dawned on them that he wasn't his normal self since many days now. Was it something at work which was bothering him? Was it that he had an ailment and not sharing with them for its fatality? They wished he came clean with whatever was bothering him. In lines with the old saying and belief, they too trusted that sorrow when shared, gets divided.

Simba, Sameer's 4 year old son wakes up, sensing a silent melee outside his room. He inches closer to Sameer with his tiny steps and seats himself on his fathers lap, all the while staring at him. A little drop of tear escapes the clutches of Sameer's will power and juts out of his left eye. He was caught in the whirlpool of deciphering the right from the wrong. His elderly parents could only pray within that he didn't desert them in their old age. He was unsure of the impact of his absence from Simba's growing years. He didn't know how it would be like to be not beside Mansi, his spouse, in her hour of need. He didn't know how they would cope with the distancing, for it was the day he was set to disembark on his big American dream. A dream which poised greater hope in life than realizing just a new-found passion,

The flight for Delhi was scheduled at 8.15 pm and the subsequent one to Houston was at 2 am.  In the hustle and bustle at the Hyderabad airport, Sameer wished he didn't let go Simba's cuddle knowing fully well, that wasn't to be. The racing clock hands along with the endless stream of onlookers and passengers behind him ensured that even the tightest embrace around his loved ones that day wasn't strong enough to hinder his physical distancing from them.