Back in Pune for a day and a half because the lack of our own car has freed us and we are ready to fly to distant lands - like Mumbai where I promised to spend some time with Suhita and Miskil. So the latest plan looks like stay over in Gauri's place (she is such a patient and wonderful host) and then head off to meet Chitra and check the house at Kothrud and leave for Mumbai tomorrow. Plan finalised we went home to Magarpatta, met cousin Chhaya who dropped in from Germany and caught up with her. Many were the good times we shared when as twenty somethings in the nineties, we all would hang around - Chhaya, Shubha, Parth, Milind and co - before we went our separate ways.
Raja joined us and we ended up having a beer and a good meal before splitting up.
Next morning, fully rested, I went for my customary walks around Magarpatta and loved the colors of the trees and the leaves and flowers. We hired a cab and headed to Kothrud, got the house cleaned up, checked on Bahadur, called Shambhavi and hired Mahesh to drive us to Pirangut. Meeting Chitra was a bit sombre - Prashant had passed away a mere two months ago. We met Shashi maushi who is gradually forgetting certain things - close to ninety now and in good health otherwise. Meera and Anika were around.
On the way back Anjali and I dropped off at Durga Cafe to savour a sumptuous and large chicken sandwich and their delicious cold coffee which is a steal at 60 bucks. Walked back home, met the sprightly Shambhavi who briefed us on the latest goings on as President of the Colony. We wound up at 730 and hired Bahadur's services who has bought himself a new Wagon R which he uses as a Uber/Ola/Rapido cab. He works like a machine - up at 430 in the morning and works till late at night.
Dinner over a drink, a nice chat about Gauri's school 'Aksharnandan'.
Gauri is one of the sweetest,smartest people I have met. Blessed with her mother's (Indu maushi, who passed away early) pragmatic approach to life, amazing ease with people, sense of humour and so many other skills, Gauri keeps herself grounded in a learning mindset always. She is very approachable, asks the right questions, is highly empathetic, has the ability to laugh (make others laugh and also laugh at herself). She is a huge proponent of Lousie Hay's work and conducts workshops of all types to empower those who feel the need to look within. Her school has now been in operation for over two decades and focuses on inculcating the right values. Several well known alumni already - the first batch has just turned forty! Radhika Apte is a known name of course. So is our own award winning architect Malay. With that twinkle in her eye, a generous, honest and open heart, an eye out for mischief, feet properly planted on the ground, Gauri is truly one of a kind. I enjoy my chats with her about education, people, books, life.
So, our stay at Magarpatta will end tomorrow morning and Mumbai beckons us. One last walk tomorrow morning and off.
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