My New ABC - Part 2

Good morning. I slept like a log. The moment I got up, the first thing that hit me  that yesterday I forgot to mention the rapid fire round, conducted by Dr. Sarika. (How come all the doctors I met at ABC were so pretty? Delhi hospitals, get some from Agra. Please.) This was supposed to be the last planned activity for the day. With no one in race, for sure I won the hamper. (Dr. Sarika, the pethas are nice. And I loved your questions. They were smart and witty. Thank you.)
The Rapid Fire Round was followed by numerous rounds of signing the copies, my hand-writing getting from bad to worst, clicking of pictures, cake cutting ceremony to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Vashini and Ansha, another round of interview with the press. Was it over, i asked myself?  But remember I had a Doctor as a host?
“We have to be at Nidhi’s place for dinner. Be ready I will pick you at 8.30.” Her sweet voice passed the verdict.“But it is already 8.15” I pleaded, “and I am not hungry too.”“You can come along and not eat anything.” Game. Set. MatchArgggggggghEven in my Batman tee, I felt like an Ass man—the hard working one. Ok Doc, I will come but I wont eat, I promised myself.
As the wooden gate to Nidhi’s house opened, I was transported back to my roots; my ancestral place. High ceiling and rounded columns, huge arches, an air of serenity and warmth in every corner, every gesture; even in thoughts. Her in-laws were gracious enough to join us. The beautifully manicured lawn was perfectly set for the evening. Viaksh; Nidhi’s spouse, was the perfect host with his perfect, genuine American accent. American accent in Agra? Later, I discovered that a large part of his early years were spent in the US of A. Interesting.
We were joined by two more couples; Sunny-Bobby and Sumita-Aushutosh.  (Apologies if I got your spelling wrong buddy) Of course Dr. Shivani was there, in her very chic, white evening dress.
Well, that reminds me, since noon, I was very upset about something. Right from the moment I entered the hotel lobby, wearing my Adidas pajama and Iron man tee to this scene where I was in jeans and Batman tee, had I been underdressed or were the others overdressed? Every single woman made me feel a little more awkward than before as she was so perfectly decked for the moment. Agra women, I love your sense of style. Keep dazzling more and more.
See, you give me any width and off I go on some other tangent. Lol. Ok, coming back to the evening. Amongst a wide array of snacks, Nidhi also served us some veg kebabs. Mother, please forgive me but they were better than the one you make. I mean it. For all these years I kept on thinking that my Maa could made the best veg kebabs. But a bite into the perfect consistency and flavor of the ones served there had me floored. Ok, so what if it meant breaking my earlier resolve of not eating anything. I hogged at least a dozen of them. Senior Mr. Lall, like any refined gentleman was dressed in a royal blue kurta and white pajama, senior Mrs. Lall looked pretty in her traditional suit and Nidhi, pretty tired (please read pretty and tired) in her green outfit.
The dinner table had an assortment of veg delicacies. Alloo Dum to baked vegetable, Daal makhani to …well, why was I even checking the bowls. I was not supposed to eat anything, as I was not hungry. Right?
“Please try the Bhindi.” Nidhi insisted. After feasting on the Veg KebabsI took her recommendation seriously. And I’m so glad that I did.  Cooked in curd, the Bhindi was a delightful culinary experience.
Please, Agra and its residents let me go now. I can’t take all this love and attention any more. Pleaseeeee.
“Hey you ought to try this.” Said Bobby. A pretty, petite lady who somehow had managed to keep her BMR all pumped up. (Bobby, can I have the secret please?)She deftly sliced a large  piece off the glorious vanilla cake. (Was it vanilla, Bobby?) Fuck the resolve part, if someone as thin as Bobby was having it, for sure it ought to be low on calories and healthy. I provided my mind some solid logic to chew on while I sank into the bliss of cream, butter and the real cake. It was undoubtedly the best cake I ever had. Thank you Bobby.
Thank you Senior Lalls, Vikash and Nidhi for an exceptional evening and for being the perfect hosts. You guys truly took me back to the old world charm of UP. Thank you once again.
Phew. Finally I was heading towards my hotel where I would enjoy my solitude, I assumed. But then assumptions are fatal. Agra still had to offer me more. As Sumita-Aushutosh dropped me I casually asked if by any chance my room was ‘no smoking’ one as I wanted a little nicotine in my system. The day had been long, too many people, too much care and love, too many emotions. I was entitled to a smoke.“Well, it is.” Aushutosh, the GM of ITC told me.Damn, I can’t even have a smoke.“Come over to our place. Let us have a drink while you can have your smoke too.”
A beautiful house, a quaint garden, single malt and of course a smoke. The conversation steered towards Agra, UP and the country. It flowed well. Thank you Sumita-Aushutosh for your kind gesture. As promised, we will get together whenever you are in town.
I could not sleep the entire night. Trying to decipher the warmth, the love, those little gestures, that enthusiasm. My mind could not offer me any logical explanation. Was this the same city, which left me in total disgust the last time I was here? Was it the same city, which during the last few hours had me humbled, overwhelmed and taught me a new lesson on love, compassion, care and hospitality?
As I sit here today, writing this blog, I would like to put it on record that ABC has floored me with its intelligence, executional élan and quality. It would not be any exaggeration on my part to rate ABC as one of the best book clubs in the country. I am in awe of every single member who read and dissected every single word.  Thank you for sparring time. Please keep grilling me more so that I can write better.
Shajahan or whosoever made the Taj, you are a loser, dude. What you could not achieve after spending a fortune, years, lives and limbs, was done so effortlessly by the ABC. Travellers who come visiting the Taj, I feel sorry for you too. Wish if you could meet the ABC members and experience their hospitality, wit and compassion. I am sure they will make you realize that impression of human warmth is far more lasting than that of cold marble. Ministry of tourism and the Government of UP , invest in people and see how your revenue shoots up at least five folds.
Kahani ki seekh baaki hai mere dost.
1.     Never judge a city by its landmarks or monuments. A city is made of up people. It is the people who make or break it. If you have to ascertain the character of a city, the warmth it exudes, meet its residents.2.     Be open to people and opportunities. The moment you don’t expect, life flips you over and surprises you.3.     And do visit places, people who make you feel nice, who inspire you and who goad you to the next level.P.S1.     Invite me whenever, wherever I will be there.2.     So inspired I am that I have set my fourth book in Agra. I mean it. You will find mention of ABC in the book too.
Thank you Reshma for recommending ABC to me and thank you Dr. Shivani for everything.