I was just too desperate to write a post on this. Well anyone would be, isn’t it? Rendezvous with a prospective. The stage was all set for 12th of December for us to first meet at the Shaastri Park metro station and then together to Humayun’s Tomb (well now you know why on earth I went all the way to Delhi) for some private chit chat. I reached Delhi with absolutely no preparation in terms of clothing. Got up early on that auspicious day, ironed my clothes (nearly burned my pant; it was not showing any signs of ironing so I increased the temperature and then it got stuck!) but didn’t take bath as the chilling temperature was too much of a persuasive factor. Started an hour earlier so as to reach on time. Delhi buses never stop so you need to hob in to board them and then hop out while they are moving. They are more than packed and if the conductor were a student of chemistry then he would ask everyone to align themselves so as to allow maximum people in (as molecules align themselves in a crystal with minimum spacing). Jaan hathele par le kar safar karta tha mai

I reached the destination but she was nowhere to be seen. I am used to it now. I think I should get into the habit of getting late. I am just too punctual on every occasion. She came in 15 minutes late and quickly recognized me. So we started off in an auto to the tomb. The auto wala initially asked 80 and to my surprise she suggested 70! I wonder why she was arguing for a petty 10 Rs. Or was she inept at the art of haggling? If that’s the case then I better me careful because I suck when it comes to arguments about price, in most of the cases I won’t mind parting away with the extra 20 or 30 Rs. Or she was sure of the fare and the auto walas in Delhi are not as arrogant as in Chennai. Anyway we started and so did her talks about how great Delhi is.

She: You see this is the real Delhi. Don’t form an opinion about Delhi from your experiences in Sadar Bazaar or the Chandni Chawk.

I: hmm…

While we were crossing a bridge which looked so similar to the Howrah Bridge in Calcutta

She: Argh! I hate this bridge. Just look at the dirty water below. I last came to this place on bike

I interrupted

I: With you ex boyfriend?

She: (red in anger) NO! With my father

I had a huge relief

She continues

She: You know Delhi has been corrupted and polluted by people from your place (Bihar). They come here for temporary work and eventually settle down. 90% of the auto walas are from Bihar. And then there are the Jats. You see we original Delhites have been reduced to a minority.

I: hmm… My friends have always warned me never to fall for a Delhi girl. One of my very good friend was ditched just because her father objected to the boy being from Bihar and not wealthy also. Am I too destined for that fate?

She continues while we were near the Gandhi Samadhi

She: This is the ring road and to your left is the Gandhi Samadhi.

I: I can read

She: We can stop here even. This place is quiet and it would be ideal for us to chit chat. We can even go the nearby Rajiv Samadhi or to the nearby Indra Samadhi.

I was confused and thinking what would Gandhiji would have though if he were alive today…people are dating near his place of burial…kya zabana aa gaya hai

She: are bhahiya yaha side kar ke rok dena. We will get down here only. Fine?

I: yeah fine!

She: arre eek minute…bhahiya yaha se to phir koi auto nahi mile ga

Auto Wala: Nahi..yeh ring road hai

She: chalo phir wahi chalo. You see this is a very busy road. Not some chota-mota road where you can stop anywhere. I am sure you would never have seen such a road.

I: I see. I have never been to such a big place in my life. It’s a lot easier in Chennai. You might be surprised to know that the police there are using US style police cars…damn they give that hi-fi look.

She: (Unaware of my boastings) this is the red fort.

I: But I don’t see anything red here

She: uff!

I: Ah, now I can see

Finally we reached Humayun’s tomb.

I quickly took out the money and handed it over to him…I was trying to impress you see

To be continued…