Checkpoint

Let me remember once again opening my front door in Greenlands Close. Coming back from regular shopping to an empty house and no one to open the door while juggling the grocery bags, car keys, car boot and the keys to the door. Nobody around to use their reflexes to attempt at least one for you!!

Getting used to arriving home is slightly different experience here especially if you have vehicles. As you approach at least 2 security guards open the main gates. This is true for most multistory apartment blocks. Everytime coming back to my apartment is like VIP entry to my own society. Talking on the phone to them, they have to end our every sentence with gg. gg. twice g. But thats not all, security guy is one of the most resourceful person around. People in marketing when fail to extract details from secretaries or receptionists, bank on security guy to release mobile phone contacts of everyone from CEO to servants of the company. Sometimes give them even a 100 rps note and they have in entry book all the details. Need electrician, plumber, newspaper delivery guy, milkman, carpenter, dhobi , call security and he will send someone in few minutes. Their presence has some security responsibility too, they check all the servants coming and walking out of premises like airport style security check. Even leftover food given to servant has to tagged with note written to security staff to allow them to take khichadi outside the gate.

So there is no downside? Recently, I made some bhakhree and steamed methi-muthia for a patient and left it in bag to be picked up by Keyur to deliver to concerned party. When we approached to collect the parcel, security guy came up to me and said ‘madam, thoda mistake ho gayaa. Woh guard ko pataa nahi kis ka hai, do roti galati se khaya.’ Actually I saw only 2 pieces rattling at the lower half of the containers. He made such a helpless face I could not say anything other than uttering to myself ‘ taari bhulee thaay’ what else? There goes my half a days work doing all those bhakhree on slow heat excercising my biceps!! I was not sure whether to laugh or cry or get angry. Though I left it without comment I said to myself...

Kya? maaf kiya jaay? chalo thik hai bhuk lagi to khaya but bhakhree ko roti bulaataa hai? aishwarya rai ko rakhi sawant bulaataa hai? khbi maaf nahi kiya?!

By the way, finally got the car today. Did not want to venture out on busy roads without license and last minute how to get reliable driver? Call security and the most decent driver turns up for the job in 15 minutes. What a joy! though felt totally out of place sitting in rear seat. I have to learn to perceive my own self differently all over again. I just realized, It sounds better when I refer to myself as ‘hum’ instead of ‘mein’ from the rear seat.