All Roads Lead to pARK sTREET!

Megha, that is my cousin left today morning. Her departure slowly and sadly inducing a reminder of our departure soon. Gradually, the house is emptying, my grandmother's grieving mood looms overhead in the 1st floor of this old house, managing to seep into our thoughts infectiously. Every time we laugh around her, or talk to her, I can see it in her eyes- Her fear of a once-again empty house.

However, I try not to let it dampen my mood, and keep trying to cheer her up. The past few days have been heavenly. Finding my own happiness. Christmas Eve was "Legen-wait for it! DARY".. Yes, my sisters and I went down to Park Street late in the afternoon, met with a friend of Megha's and spent a pretty good part of the evening. It was the first time we saw the lights this year! We took pictures! The Park Street lights always remind me of the song- "Christmas Lights", and I can easily block out all the sounds and let the opening piano melody ring in my mind. Frankly, it's a maelstrom, record footfall, all restaurants and pubs making more money in one week than they make in the whole year! Even the most petit eatery will be decorated. It's just beautiful.

We went back home, I changed in 10 minutes (Yes!) to get ready for a party, where I'd be meeting up with all my school friends. Bless them. I met Prachi after one and a half years, it was a surprise - she'd said she wouldn't be coming! Anyway, it was one heck of a night- sorry no details now. For further information please ask personally. =P

Christmas was quiet, more of a family-home-ly thing. We celebrated an early birthday for my grandfather and Megha, who both have their birthdays on the 30th of Decemeber. How cool is that?

26th- I went to a very unfamiliar part of town, to apply for an internship, that I'd be pursuing over the summer. Somewhere in Alipore, Ishan came along with me, and it took the two of us to catch a shuttle to Exide, then take the tube to Jatin Das Park, then a bus to Gopal Nagar (I'd never even heard of this place before), then it was a 15 minute walk! Phew! After getting through the various levels of bureaucracy in the building, I finally left my application and was asked to come back the next day to meet the Registrar. Not having full knowledge of our bearings, we decided we'd just walk, and see where the road took us (filmy much? =P) But seriously, we walked down and came across the National Library which consists of sprawling grounds (park-like actually), trees that sometimes make you feel like you're in the woods, and colonial style architectured buildings. Two of which were under renovation, so we went into the new building, and after getting through bureaucracy again (we didn't possess membership cards), we finally marched towards the books. Immediately, the silence brought about an aura of academic pursuit. It seemed to say "who reads fiction?! That's for losers" And even though I'm more of a literature person, I didn't mind it that much. We wandered around the shelves and looked through the old-school subject catalogue. I was so excited! There were a myriad small drawers with labels of the first three letters of the subject. And inside were small cards, each card containing names and details of books. I'd forgotten this system even existed! I was so used to looking up books in the online catalogue of the college library. Without any paricular book in mind, we walked around some more and we both just picked out a book each and sat and read for the next hour or so. I didn't realize, how long it'd been until I finally finished reading about the "Rwandan Civil Wars - The Greatest Politcal Revolutions in this Century". Aah, the simple joys.

Then we walked out from another gate, into another unknown place and just. Walked. Believe it or not, we walked all way down to Park Street ("All Roads lead to Park street"? =P) Haha, past various junctions, landmarks, crossings, that made me go "Hey, I know this place" Past the Race-Course, the Alipore Zoo (we saw elephants! Zambia, I miss you!), past Victoria Memorial, St. Paul's Cathedral, and finally Park Street! It took us a good hour, actually a little more. We met Viren there, got some late lunch (at 5 PM!) Made merry. Then we continued walking. Conversing about everything under the sun, cracking lame jokes. The Lights were on by now, We walked through Camac Street, Russell Street, Wood Street, Reached Theatre Road. Until we decided to go home, his mom gave us a lift from Park Circus.

Conclusion- walking is good. No, I'm kidding. Try it. Let's hope the past few days have been as meaningful for you as well. Sometimes, you just have to stop looking for purpose, it'll come your way. Just stand down. Ah, I think I finally have a title for this post! ^