If you are expecting some kind of supernatural story types judging from the title, then I am sorry to disappoint you guys. This is a real life anecdote that I would like to dedicate to one of my BFFs Soup. Its an anecdote which describes two individuals’ trip to Marine Drive – a much yearned, a much detained and finally made trip.
Vids and Soup have always been of the same “wavelength”, if you know what I mean. They could read other others’ minds, literally. They knew each others’ interests and disinterests like the back of each others’ hands, I believe. They even like the same “assorted Danish Cookies” but knew how to stick to their own favorites. Etcetera etcetera. Vids had been to marine drive like a million times, sometimes alone and sometimes with friends, but never at night (that’s when you can actually add the tagline “adventure” to the whole trip). And she was longing for a night 'sashay' and that’s when Soup landed at Mumbai and expressed the very same idea. She expressed it to Vids cuz she knew she wouldn’t be judged or her idea would be objected to. So they just hopped onto the first train to Churchgate. We all know that the best adventures come when unplanned and uncalled for and that’s exactly what they did.
It must have been 9 PM when they reached Churchgate from where they took a taxi to Marive Drive. The roads were empty except for a few cars hurrying by but they weren’t scared. They were all excited to finally strike one thing off their “bucket lists” and to enjoy doing it together. After getting dropped off beside “Not Just Jazz By The Bay” they figured they should take a stroll by the sea admist the number of families and couples strolling or sitting on the pavement. They picked a spot where they could sit and look out into the sea. The moon was out; casting a dim glow over the black waters of the sea. Their hearts were at peace and they were thinking the same thing, “Wish this moment would go on forever”.
“Chai lelo. Chai” – the cry broke the silence. They were feeling cold and a cup of hot cutting Chai seemed like the perfect cure to the cold. 10 rupees later – still cold but serene and awe struck by the sight in front of them: a calm and picturesque night by the sea, something that’s almost impossible to enjoy in ever-buzzing Mumbai. During the next half an hour, they contemplated getting their portraits sketched by a “sea-side” artist for something to remember the night by (like they were gonna forget) and decide against it, admired the sea a bit more and hesitated to part with their cold yet comfortable seat for fear of losing the serenity that they now commanded. The area in and around Marine Drive is supposed to be the most expensive place for offices, shops, establishments and the like and their nocturnal adventure just about answered the “Why?” part. Who wouldn’t want to work in an office looking out to the sea? When all you need to do to take a breather is walk a few steps and Voila!
Moving on, the next step was to listen to a live band while pizza-ing. Jump in “Pizzaria” – one of the oldest pizza places in Mumbai – visited by celebrities and general public alike. The live band idea turned out to be “most – unlikely” to happen as the band playing that night sucked. So they settled for Pizza-ing with a live chat show, something both of them were proficient in. Pizza-ing and Jazz-ing done, they cared enough to look at the watch and it was midnight!!! They were in an almost parallel world – Mumbai being so big and all. To top that, they had to use the public transport. Leaving it all to the fates, they moved on to a Baskin Robbins parlour (open at midnight too!!) and bought medium sized scoops of ice cream and start walking to the station – uneventfully but very much enjoying their ice creams. At the station they jumped into the first correct train they see. Then the lights went out – just like that. For a minute there, their brave souls fluttered a bit and then came the voice, “Yeh gadi nahi jayegi, bagal mein jo gadi khadi hai, usme chado.” It was like sunshine through dreary clouds.
The train was almost empty except for, literally, a handful. The whole ladies compartment was for them. They walked around and talked, stood next to the doors and talked, laughed their asses off – in short they had a wonderful time. One of the best times in their life and one entry scratched right off their bucket lists.
Its funny how doing the most "stupidest" of stupid things with your friend ends up being so memorable and so much fun. Well I guess that’s why all of us are sort of "authorized" to do stupid things with FRIENDS. Hope all of you have done something stupid with your friend that makes you ROFL every single time you think about it. If not, its high time you did it.
This is for you Soup, my laaav :D
