Sometimes, real life is stranger than fiction, Mi. Circumstances, priorities and perspectives transform us in ways we never even imagined.
Of late, I’ve been finding it funny how family members don’t care to keep in touch. When I take the initiative to call them, they wax on poetic about how I’ve forgotten them. Never mind that it was me who made this call, and the last ten calls before this. Rather reminds me of weddings we didn’t feel like going to, but forced ourselves to attend, because, hey, we knew that when we went, they’d ignore us, but if we didn’t, we would never hear the end of it, eh?
Earlier this used to freak me out, but these days, I simply smile and let it go. I have realized that you were the glue that held it all together.
As you always enjoyed pointing out, Mi, there are plenty of nice things in life, too,
I am trying really hard to focus on the good stuff; trying hard because life has a freaky way of throwing continuous curve balls, as if testing my patience. I keep thinking, this too shall pass, but hey, what do ya know? And I ask, ok Fate, what next?
Did I tell you I enrolled in a gym? Yeah, I can see you laughing your head off. My impression of one was always an enclosed place with equipment and lots of sweaty bodies, and, if the media is to be believed, lots of sleazy “goings on”, not to mention the exorbitant cost. I am not generalizing, but that’s what I’ve heard about the few that have popped up in conversation with those who go to the gym.
So imagine my own surprise when I went and joined the one near our place! I love it. It occupies a large stretch on the side of the playground at the end of 7th Main Road where they have that gorgeous bronze statue of Chandrasekhar Aazad, standing majestically and twirling his mustache. With glass walls on two sides, there’s a great view of the road on one side and the playground on the other. Nice place, plenty of fresh air and ha, ha, not expensive, courtesy our local MLA. Plus I get my daily dose of people-watching.
You’re probably wondering what prompted me to go there. With rains foiling my walking plans every day, I realized I couldn’t afford to do the bunkim on my exercise, so decided to buddy up with Vidur and go to the gym in June. Sigh. Now he’s back at college and I must go there on my own from tomorrow. I’m having a tough time keeping the tears from falling. Oh, that’s another conversation. Don’t even get me started on it now.
Oh, did I tell you about our Youth Club 30th anniversary celebrations? Guess who I met there? None other than the ex-owners who harassed us. I did not recognize them until someone pointed them out to me. They’ve changed so much over the years—as in aged. As I watched them, I expected to feel agitated as the old memories flooded my head, but was rather startled to find myself feeling quite zen.
Odd eh? Suddenly they seemed reduced to elderly people with health issues and nothing more. The fact that we had paid much more than we should have for the house, and added to that, gone through the trauma of a false lawsuit seemed quite distant. All I could now think of was how happy we’ve been in our home, the major milestones we’ve crossed, the nice area we live in and the other positives.
Crazy how we change, no?
Then there are the so-called friends who really aren’t. A case of, as Sury likes to say, “truce is stranger than friction”
♥
Day 1 of the #BarAThon Challenge from 1st to 7th August 2016
I am with Team #CrimsonRush
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23 thoughts on “Stranger than fiction”
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It is never easy to understand why people twist the truth but I guess if they need to blame someone — it might as well be someone ELSE. Regarding your joining a gym — I must say that if I did that it would surely be stranger than fiction.
Me joining the gym already is, Carol! He he. Hugs!
This made me smile and I’m going to remember your last line, ‘Truce is stranger than fiction ‘ for a long, long time:)
Oh yes, life makes us see so many improbable and unimaginable things.
Relatives… we all have the same type everywhere!! They can find ways to crib about anything and everything about us! Good luck for your gym time! 🙂
Hi Vidya
Sometimes, I feel Life is mystery. Things happen we don’t understand. But they happen … the curve balls are stranger than the fiction.
Exercise is not foreign to me but to join the gym is another story. I don’t like the atmosphere in the gym. Glad that you like that
Love your post.
Stella Chiu
I guess we will get to hear many more gym tales… With your mind of observation there’s always a story hiding in a corner. Yes, life has a way of maturing us… Instead of reflecting on the past we learn to flash a dignified smile… And Be at peace with what was byfobygone.
Ah, that was really an entertaining rant session I could relate to! I loved the end, “Truce is better than friction,” indeed.
Oh yes, my gripe as well, Vids. These folks who do their drama act every time you talk to them complaining how you don’t care and make you feel guilty. I am so happy every time I hear you speak so fondly about your gym. It’s really wonderful that you’re gymming it out. Hope your trip to drop Vidur went well.
That’s the sweetest conversation. A bit like unburdening yourself to your mum. Happy to hear you’re going to the gym. For years it has been my happy place, never mind the weight! There are days I wake up down in the dumps and need to push myself to get there but I always come back cheered up. I wish we were close by and then we could have had a mini BAR in the gym :-).
I loved ‘listening in on your conversation ‘with your mum, Vidya! I am sure she must be nodding her head in sympathy at the way people behave with her daughter, smiling proudly that you are taking care of your health and wondering when will the next mother-daughter chat take place! Of course, I know you must be chatting with her every moment. Well, that’s what we girls do, talk to our moms all the time, in reality and in our minds, don’t we?
Gym and it’s routine is more of a fiction to me! Exercise too!
And yes, we do make an effort to keep in touch with everyone and yet hear that we’ve forgotten them!
Strange, isn’t it?
Cheers
I loved reading this. Especially the relatives part. Have been tired of trying to fix up their complaints. Finally cut myself off from two of my uncles whose list of complaints were endless even after them being at the wrong ends. Same case with friends. Tired of being the only one to be interested in continuing the relationship.
When the prompt came up…. first thought that came up in my mind was Life! Surely life is definitely stranger than fiction. And gym …awe keep going.
Hmm, gym, I see! I have held this fascination for joining one for long, but never had the gall to actually take it up. Well, currently seeing my mum planning a knee surgery soon, I am wondering isn’t it high time I started tweaking those rusty ol’ knees and joints of mine. Time does things to you, aging being the biggest challenge. Enjoyed this take on the prompt Vidya.
I always enjoy your conversations with your mother. I did the gym thing for a while until I started doing donation to the gym and thought my money was better spent elsewhere. I was not born to exercise 🙂
Ah! The ‘you didn’t keep in touch’ people 🙂 Don’t we all know them? 🙂
Life is certainly stranger than fiction at times; glad to know that your gym escapades went well.
If you were a tad closer, we could have been those gym buddies. Okay, don’t laugh now 😛
I too have known people ever ready with their statement “Oh you tend to have forgotten us” or ” howcome you remember us today”. When making each telephone call,for me, is equivalent to the mankind taking a giant leap, these statements are helpful in curtailing my calling list. All of us have limitations. I hope people can see others’ too. I am a Yoga person. Going to a gym will be another stranger than fiction story for me apart from the one I wrote today 🙂
I honestly stopped keeping in touch altogether with people who had stopped making an effort for years to keep in touch with me. Earlier I used to go behind them and even call people to remind them its my birthday (I justified it saying it was our tradition)
Today, I realize it was just a matter of self worth. I know better.
Of course, I don’t know enough to enter into a gym yet… :p
Life seems mysterious to me too and I have also started thinking ‘fate, what’s next?’.
Regarding gym, i have never been to gym in my life more than a few days but i love loud music and watching people outside from glass ☺ all the best for your gym routine Vidya. I wish, you won’t discontinue in the middle like me.
It felt like a conversation to myself- life, it’s people and even the gym. I didnt enrolled in one ‘coz I just moved in to a new place with my husband and I’m still exploring. But I’m just back from buying a new pair of shoes and trackpants. Oh, I’m ready to at least take a walk. 🙂
There are some times when we’ve got to take the initiative, but sometimes it just feels nice when other people take the initiative instead!
Good to know gym is working well. I also missed a couple of days cos of the rain but I am still trying to stay away from the gym. Coming to people, they are strange. I loved your post, Vidya and your conversation with Mi. Hugs.
This could well be about me! It has me thinking on the exact same lines too! I love how your posts interact with me…it’s like we’re having a conversation!
Shubhangi @ The Little Princess