"Why be happy when you can be normal?"

I did the unthinkable a few weeks ago. Not only did I leave my Job for better prospects I also broke my engagement. It was something that my parents could never understand. Least of all my Father. Papa. Extremely caring and extremely rigid. A man who made his own choices and only at the fag end of his life does he realise that the mistakes that he made have exacted a bigger price than what he was willing to pay.

I ended my engagement not because I suddenly realised that I am in love with someone else or any of those pathetic flimsy reasons but because I realised that as individuals we were only destined to make each other unhappy. We would have probably harped at each other, fought, flung accusations, and wished we would never have gotten married.

She had no interest. In movies, books, cooking, working, studying or in me. She wanted unswavering attention, she wanted to be told that she is the best, she wanted wanted and wanted but she did not want to give. Anything. Neither love, nor support nor a sense of completeness.

To all purposes she wanted to simply float through life on a cloud without any regards to realities or the place that we are in life.

So I took the difficult decision to make life better for myself. I made the decision to break the alliance. In the eyes of traditional Indian society, I have committed harakiri. In my eyes I have comitted the sin of wanting to be happy......

Pune Potterings III - treasure hunting on J M Road

Hey dear readers. I'm back. Where have I been? Nowhere. I've just been enjoying my own company that's all.

I quit my current job. I was relieved on 12th September and my next job is taking me back to Gurgaon. I was fairly happy in Pune but then very practical considerations made the move necessary.

As with any new job I had to go in for a pre - employment check up and the clinic was located on J M Road. Junglee Maharaj Road, if you're a stickler for names. J M Road is a lot like D P Road in Aundh, only more commercialized with a lot more eateries of all shapes and sizes. The only thing is that the SRL clinic is located at the very end of the road and if you want a ride back to Aundh you have to walk the entire length down otherwise you end up paying double.

Since my finances are quite obviously constrained at this point of time, I walked the entire length and at the end I wasn't sorry that I did so because I had found quite a few treasure troves.

The first stop off point was at 'a steamy affair' a small roadside kiosk that sells among other things a killer authentic south indian style coffee. The other highlights are ten different varieties of idli and various types of dosa as well. Everything at rock bottom prices.

My next stop was at Baskin Robbins. I rate it as one of my best Baskin Robbins experiences as I was able to get a double scoop of Banana Caramel which hadn't turned grainy and was quite fresh.

A little later and I was in possession of the best cinnamon roll that I have ever had the good fortune to taste. It cost barely ten rupees and came from a small non descripit bakery called 'Bake house' which is seriously underrated.

I finished my culinary tour with fabulous momos at China gate. Needless to say my weighing scale and my gym instructor both protested this morning but then it was worth it.

And the best part is that almost the Entire length of J M Road is shaded by trees so walking along the road even in a light drizzle is an experience in itself. Do go if you have the time.