As I sit here in London in my ‘fully-furnished’ (temporary) apartment listening to the album Aadat by Jal – I cannot help but recollect the past one year (rather more) that I spent in Mumbai. My first year of living – ‘on my own’ – not supported by a Hostel or home. Also my first year of living with friends – ‘on my own’ – on my own salary, in facilities organised and supported by myself. The beginning of the period in my life of what people term as ‘bachelor’s life’ – which continues still of course! The song ‘Aadat’ has a link to my ‘bachelor’s life’ – it is the song which both me and Somnath enjoy singing along as loudly as we could (probably to the horror and discomfort of our neighbours) and Sharad was most irritated to hear.
The past one year was quite colourful, and apart from the three of us (Me, Somnath and Sharad) there were others who shared the apartment on-n-off. Pavan was with us from the day we dropped our luggage there – he was in for 4 months of his project stint. I dare say the house was lucky for him – he learnt and went on to like ‘Sales’ as a function in which he got posted in subsequently. And his marriage got fixed with his long time girlfriend – he’s getting married next year.
Anish, I and Sharad were the other 3 initial occupants of the flat – and Somnath joined us soon. In fact on the fateful day of 26th July when Mumbai was literally submerged and the days that followed thereafter – it was a picnic time for the 5 of us. Being at home full day – no way and means of going to office, little vegetables available outside – the bachelors gang was at its best cooking efforts.
One of the peculiarities of our home is the abundance of computing equipment. Between the three of us we have 3 computers and 2 laptops – no wonder we have a mini-LAN setup at home! The abundance of computers is compensated by the sheer lack of any other furniture in the house. There is one mattress each for each of us in the Bedrooms (which are strewn on the floor!), a computer table and 2 plastic chairs in the main room. No cupboards, no beds, no tables – absolutely nothing!
Pavan went to Gurgaon in August and Anish too moved out sometime in October. We had Ankit Gupta staying with us for about a month. Notably, all occupants of the flat are my NITIE batchmates. In fact ours is the closest flat from NITIE – we can literally see NITIE from our bedroom window (though it’s quite far away – across the Powai Lake). Proximity to NITIE had made our flat like a transit hostel for any and all batchmates who landed into Mumbai. Among frequent visitors have been Milind and Shubham in that order. In fact Milind even holds the record of being the best guest at cleaning utensils ;-).
Me, Sharad and Somnath have stuck with the apartment – and stuck is the word! While I kept roaming around Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune – our flat in Mumbai was always the ‘home’. And, in spite of wide variances between our office and personal timings – the three of us managed to spend considerable time together and by Joe it was enjoyable!
I am not sure if life would be the same again after I get back to Mumbai – Sharad might get married soon and might choose to move out. Apart from the loss of camaraderie – technically the flat is still rented in his name! As of now, both me and Somnath plan to continue staying in that apartment. But it’s difficult to predict what future has in store! Either way, the memories of the past one and half year will remain with me my whole life. As my laptop plays the flagship song of Jal– ‘…juda hoke bhi tu mujhmein kahin baaki hai!’ I cannot help but express the same feelings for the past one year and the setting where I spent it.
The past one year was quite colourful, and apart from the three of us (Me, Somnath and Sharad) there were others who shared the apartment on-n-off. Pavan was with us from the day we dropped our luggage there – he was in for 4 months of his project stint. I dare say the house was lucky for him – he learnt and went on to like ‘Sales’ as a function in which he got posted in subsequently. And his marriage got fixed with his long time girlfriend – he’s getting married next year.
Anish, I and Sharad were the other 3 initial occupants of the flat – and Somnath joined us soon. In fact on the fateful day of 26th July when Mumbai was literally submerged and the days that followed thereafter – it was a picnic time for the 5 of us. Being at home full day – no way and means of going to office, little vegetables available outside – the bachelors gang was at its best cooking efforts.
One of the peculiarities of our home is the abundance of computing equipment. Between the three of us we have 3 computers and 2 laptops – no wonder we have a mini-LAN setup at home! The abundance of computers is compensated by the sheer lack of any other furniture in the house. There is one mattress each for each of us in the Bedrooms (which are strewn on the floor!), a computer table and 2 plastic chairs in the main room. No cupboards, no beds, no tables – absolutely nothing!
Pavan went to Gurgaon in August and Anish too moved out sometime in October. We had Ankit Gupta staying with us for about a month. Notably, all occupants of the flat are my NITIE batchmates. In fact ours is the closest flat from NITIE – we can literally see NITIE from our bedroom window (though it’s quite far away – across the Powai Lake). Proximity to NITIE had made our flat like a transit hostel for any and all batchmates who landed into Mumbai. Among frequent visitors have been Milind and Shubham in that order. In fact Milind even holds the record of being the best guest at cleaning utensils ;-).
Me, Sharad and Somnath have stuck with the apartment – and stuck is the word! While I kept roaming around Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Pune – our flat in Mumbai was always the ‘home’. And, in spite of wide variances between our office and personal timings – the three of us managed to spend considerable time together and by Joe it was enjoyable!
I am not sure if life would be the same again after I get back to Mumbai – Sharad might get married soon and might choose to move out. Apart from the loss of camaraderie – technically the flat is still rented in his name! As of now, both me and Somnath plan to continue staying in that apartment. But it’s difficult to predict what future has in store! Either way, the memories of the past one and half year will remain with me my whole life. As my laptop plays the flagship song of Jal– ‘…juda hoke bhi tu mujhmein kahin baaki hai!’ I cannot help but express the same feelings for the past one year and the setting where I spent it.
Wow.. that was a very good writeup man...
ReplyDeletei couldn't stop reading till the end as i started. keep going...
I too have fond memories of that place.. having been there 3 times in the last one year.. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is funny how we get attached to inanimate things.. We had a similar attachment to our twin rooms 241 and 242 in NITIE, a place were MastishK, Arbit and many great friendships were born....