Recipes down the memory lane -1

Chapter 1 : It's a perfect world...so far!

October 2004:

It is the usual hectic day for Anjali and she was cooling her heels off at home. She is a typical city-bred girl pursuing her undergraduate degree in computer science engineering. She is just out of her teens, she is probably touching 5'7", her eyes are oft compared to the shape of a fish and when they do, they speak a whole lot than her mouth does. Her cherubic smile, her long legs and a body that turns heads, she could have been easily in the modeling industry. She is adventurous, brave, always inquisitive, bubbly, fun-loving and an endless list of adjectives that would bracket her into the 'this girl is a lot of fun to be with'. She has a varied range of interests - from cooking dishes to speaking dirty politics, from playing tennis to commenting on Crichton's science fiction novels, from shooting digital video on scenic trips to learning carnatic music.

Ramanan wasn't doing well for the past 2-3 days. He is barely able to walk and take care of himself but he is not unduly perturbed by his unwellness. All he is hoping is this bout of suffering to end sooner because he has got bigger dates to come. He is one of the nicest guys that you can get to meet. He is always helpful and he listens more than he talks. He was considered a sick child when he was young - always had the habit of getting into some unknown ailments that would take its toll on his body and emotions and by the time he recovers from one another unknown arrives. For the amount of suffering he has underwent the spirit he shows towards life is truly amazing.

A first look at Aditya makes you think he is a technical freak and someone who talks more than he knows. He is not particularly good at getting high scores in his exams but when you need some technical help ranging from computers to 'my-cellphone-antenna-is-broke' to how do I assemble this piece of furniture, he should be the first guy that you want to go to! He analyses things differently and loves to make mistakes for it helps him to get better each time. He is just done with his undergraduate degree in India and is in the US of A to pursue a PhD degree in Radiation Chemistry. He is hugely curious when it comes to the working of day-to-day electronic gadgetry and loves to fiddle around with them whenever he gets a chance away from his already busy research life. But then, he doesnt complain often!

Rehana Begum is a down to earth lower middle-class wife living in Hyderabad. She lives in a multistoreyed, multi-portioned complex right in the downtown of Hyderabad. She works as a janitor in the same office as her husband and their wages put together help them meet their ends. They have a 1 year old boy who is taken care of her next-door grandmother during the day and she is carrying a soon to arrive baby. Hers is a happy go family life, no big plans about the future, a living for today, a loving husband and kid, tasty food to eat everyday.

Is life a worthwhile trip when everything remains perfect and predictable?
Isn't it the popular perception that 'All of us had a past to deal with?'

To be continued ...