Mumbai Mania!!!!!

I am officially a Mumbaikar, and proud to be one. I came to Mumbai 4 years back after completing my Engineering. Since I was coming from a small town (Bhopal) I had my doubts about the big city. My mother always kept telling me that Mumbai is the residence of evil, every third person you meet in Mumbai is either a pick pocket or a rapist. I was so shit-scared when I came to Mumbai.

I clearly remember I came down all alone, with hell lot of luggage, my brother’s address and some money (4000 bucks only). The first thing I did on landing was to turn my phone on (even though I hate those wannabe’s who turn their phone on as soon as the plane touches ground) and called my mum who was hyper ventilating because I was flying alone for the first time. I was awed by the huge Airport, reason being Bhopal airport is like a miniscule one I think it should not be called an Airport it’s as big as Oshiwara Bus Depot, and I am not kidding. As usual my brother was not there to pick me. I told my mum I am taking a rickshaw, to which my mom flipped, she told me, “it’s not ok to travel in rickshaw take a cab, also when you sit in the cab call your brother with the taxi no. details and tell him if I don’t reach in an hour file a police complaint.” I knew she was over reacting but at the same time I was getting worried it took me 20 mins. to collect my luggage from the baggage counter and when I came out there was a parade of Rickshaw/Taxi drivers all coming towards me first I thought it was the effect of my gold facial I got done a day before but the I realized they were just looking for a passenger. I was surrounded by a crowd of Richshaw and Taxi drivers, everyone with the same question “kidhar jayengi madam??” some were asking the same in English, I was so harrowed, finally I agreed to one guy who seemed pretty decent but was chewing pan and was not even able to speak properly but when ever he spoke the pan spit came out. I knew for sure by his accent that he was a Bihari. But he was really nice and he helped me put my luggage in the trunk of the taxi. That’s what you need in an “anjan shehar” a kind and helping Taxi wala. But he broke his decent helping image when he said he’ll be charging extra for the luggage. It was already 9 pm and for me it was really late.

I was panicking inside so I called my brother and told him I am on my way he told me Yari road is not very far I shall reach in 45 mins max. When I was a little relieved I took a look outside and all I could see was huge glossy hoardings, madness of the traffic and whenever the car stopped at the signal a parade of beggars. I was awed by the scene even the people were looking so different and young unlike Bhopal janta, it was 9:30 already and still so many people on the roads where as in Bhopal the roads are clear after 8-8:30 max. When I was exhausted looking outside I asked the taxi wala”Bhaiya aur kitna time lagega” to which he replied “abhi ek ghanta to aur lag jaeyga bahut traffic hai” I was seriously worried now. The guy who was looking fairly decent at the Airport was now looking a bit like Prem Chopra the only exception being that now he was having a Bihari accent. I have seen many movies where the taxi walas kidnap a beautiful young girl and take her to a dingy location and do things which I can not even write here. I could see my life flashing before my eyes, I was so mad at myself for rebelling against my mum and coming to Mumbai. I was thinking about my family and how I may never be able to see them again; I was too scared to say anything when the Taxi stopped at the signal. Then it got me wondering if this guy is kidnapping me then he shouldn’t stop at a signal as I can run away easily I checked the doors they were also not locked. Then I saw a huge board which read “Versova” and an arrow sign I was relaxed now and was laughing on myself for being so stupid. Anyway I reached my brother’s place after 1:30 hours of sitting in the Taxi. I asked the taxi wala as to how much is the bill he said 350 I was like, what?? Then I paid him off thinking that at least he didn’t rape me.

I was home at last but my first Taxi ride would be so thrilling I had no idea. Even my brother was mad at me for paying so much to the Taxi guy clearly I was made a fool by that Prem Chopra look alike. But ideally I should have been mad at my brother for not coming to pick me up or even coming down the building to help me with my luggage. What could I say “Yeh Mumbai Shehar hadson ka shehar hai” I made safely home that night, which was more than enough but I didn’t know what was in store for this “small town girl” in this mad city.

to be continued…

--

Sneh

Being Married = Being Single

Don’t get ideas reading that, there will be some people who might be thinking I have lost it completely. But for me this is the truth.

Now, let’s ponder, I have been married for quite some time now, but I never have gotten this feeling that I am married apart from the hefty monthly allowance I get from Rahul or the ever flowing stream of gifts and love notes, and of course the credit card bill payments (I know girls it sounds too sweet to be true but it is.) Well what can I say some people are born lucky!!

Okay now coming back to where we were, I was married to Rahul a year back before which I was sharing a flat with a couple of friends, the only major difference that has occurred since my marriage is that now I have a new roomie.

There have been times when people ask me my full name and I blurt out Snehil Dixit but the truth is now my name is “Snehil Dixit Mehra” I know it sounds cheesy but what can I do I never wanted to let go of my maiden surname. I have been known as Snehil Dixit for past 25 years and suddenly people expect me to be called Snehil Mehra, which is not acceptable Sorry…

Rahul on the other hand is very chilled out as a husband; first of all he understands that I need a lot of space so he bears with me and how. I love shopping, he loves paying the bill, I love reading he loves sports, I love partying he loves sitting at home, I love getting sloshed he loves driving me home, I am a naughty kid and he is a decent boy. In a nutshell, we both are bang opposite and I trust me opposites do attract.

I am single in my head, which is because of many reasons, first of all Rahul doesn’t do emotional attyachar on me, nor does his mother. I can go out whenever I wish and I can do whatever I want. At the same time I have this awesome understanding with Rahul, we know how to balance our personal space and couple space. I love him for being such an awesome guy.

I have a very dear friend, Jo (don’t confuse her with Jojo). Jo is like a super cool friend we watch chick-flicks together, we gym together (which happens rarely though), we shop together and have loads of fun. Jo is single and that explains how she manages to give me so much of time. This thought just crossed my mind what if she was seeing someone, then she wouldn’t have so much of time to spare, right! But look at it this way I am not single still I give her a lot of time that is because my partner is super chilled out. And I have a rocking life.

I don't have any liabilities, i don't have to cook ever because we have our beloved Sheela Tai who is our very own "Ramu Kaka", i don't have to take care of any investments or monetary issues they are taken care by Rahul himself, and regarding household expenses I don't have to bother at all as my Sasu Mom takes care of all that. So all that I have to do in a day is to get ready, go to work, chill in the evenings with friends, go home do facebooking, eat food and go to sleep. Isn't it all one needs!!

Thus, "Being Married=Being Single"

Hence Proved.

"From Rags To Riches & Back!!!!!"

This blog is dedicated to all those who have been in the roller-coaster ride of financial ups and downs.

My life in Mumbai was pretty simple. My day used to start with a fight between me and Jojo (my flatmate) as to who will use the bathroom first and the day ended on our bed talking till vie hours.

I was in love with my life we had so little to spend and so many things to take care of. I remember the day when due to bankruptcy (which happened every end of the month) that we used to eat 1 packet of maggi for 2 days.

We used to share almost everything be it clothes, watches, shoes, note books, nail paints. We mostly preferred to travel in a bus than taking the rickshaw all we used to think of was to save our money, which for me was hard earned and for Jojo sent to her by her parents every month. But this scarcity never bothered us when we went street shopping at Bandra we stacked ourselves with month long supply of t-shirts and junk jewelery and osho chappals.. It was the best time of my life.

But then change is the law of nature, I met Rahul and got married in 6 months and even Jojo's parents moved to Mumbai. We had to move out of our lovely flat.

After marriage i was so relaxed as i never had to bother paying the rent every 7th of the month or to buy maggi family packs to feed myself for the month. All i had to do was to work, earn and save(which I never did).

Seeing so much money in my back account was nauseating. I figured out that i cannot save money no matter what and now when i had a husband to take care of almost everything i had my money only to be spent on my nail jobs and my spa treatments. I had the liberty to spend my money the way i wanted. I was finally free to spend my money the way i wanted. I was ecstatic. For the first time in my life i had a credit card and i was free to use it at my will.

All my friends warned me about credit cards but i never believed them i thought they were simply jealous. I learnt my lesson when for the first time i was over due on my credit card and Rahul had to help me, but believe you me that was not the last time. I continued getting over drafted and i managed to pay the bill off in every 2 to 3 months but there was always this time of the month when i was lost and bankrupt. At this point i must also tell you my salary was also 3 times of what i used to get a year back when i was unmarried. I used to manage every thing so brilliantly then but now even when i was rich i was poor every month end.

The only reason i was in this mess was because all my street clothing was now replaced by branded clothes, my junk jewelry was now replaced by diamonds and gold jewelry, my fastrack watches were now replaced by chunky watches from Guess, Esprit,Kennith Cole etc. , my 3 pairs of Osho Chappals were now replaced by 37 pairs of branded footwear ranging from Tresmode to Charles & Kieth, my ever so handy backpack was replaced by 21 stunning bags from all over the world. Even my favorite holiday destination Lonawala was now stylishly replaced by Lankgawi Islands Malaysia.

My life had changed or i must say transformed from one of a girl next door to Mrs. Show Off next door. I religiously go to Nail Spa and spend hours and bucket full of money on getting my nails done but the truth is i still miss those rainy july evenings when me and Jojo painted each others nails sitting on the windowsill and ate Vada Pao.

I have been married now for a year and 3 months I have a loving husband and a brilliant job, but still i m insecure, not because of anything else but because of my own habits. I wish someday my conscience wakes me up and i start behaving like a grown up, but then again i feel I am too young to worry over financial matters. A lot has changed since i got married but some things are still the same like my love for shopping, my love for food and above all my FINANCIAL UNSTABLITY...

-
Sneh