Never a dull moment

The wedding season starts in full swing as the chill weather sets in. I was invited to attend a wedding of a budding architect Kirti whose office is in the residential building where I am staying. My only interaction has been with this youngster when I moved into the house of couple of months ago. He is related to my landlord and his brothers who are our neighbors when his sister got married into landlord’s extended family. The marriage was on Friday 27th November. That day seemed to be a good day for marriage as there were a large number of baaraats all over the place as the night set in. Some of the roads I traversed on the way to the marriage hall had several baaraats ( baaraat is the event where the bridegroom is taken in a procession the public along with a band before entering the marriage ) with their bands one behind the other that it reminded me of the contingents in Republic Day parade! I reached the stretch of road where the marriage hall of Kirti was located but I found the...

New location brings in new pressures. One has to make to new friends in social circles. Since I stay alone at Jaipur , I know only my landlord and his better half other than my colleagues in work place though it has been two months since I landed here. But I have a new friend though. My landlord has a six year jet black Labrador. He is a friendly chap and realized that I was going to be a permanent resident. Specs as he is called is an example for the adage do not judge a person by looks. He looks ferocious. For a few days he used to growl when I opened the gate but would keep quiet on seeing me. His expression and gait on such occasions must be seen to be believed. The moment he spots me he would immediately put his head down and walk sheepishly towards me wagging his tail vigorously. It is his way of saying sorry for barking. Spending time with Specs is a bright spot in the morning. He would come to me as I get down the staircase and come out into the open space. He would stand rubbi...