The predators and the prey

[[deleted user]]

Q.4 How was your college days? Any funny incidents from college with teachers or friends?

[[deleted user]]

Why did u choose to name her Ishanvi? I loved that name. If I ever got to replace mine, that would be Ishanvi. Do you know its meaning? What do u call her Isha or Anvi?

[Pranjali]

Q6 how did you meet your wife?

[[deleted user]]

The holy moment I was waiting for. Let the 4th hunting game begins!! Oops, already started!! Never mind.... let's start-
Q7. Your weird habits? Any embarrassing moment you'd like to share?

[[deleted user]]

Q8. Who's the ruler of the house? I know the answer, but still would like to hear from you.

[Gorab]

I'll start answering them now. Have a tendency to include unnecessary details in answers, which I'll try to contain in spoiler tags.

Sorry, I was so scared of the questions that I ran away for a couple of days!
(view spoiler)[Hell no! The questions are interesting. Its just that I'm rarely online over the weekends :) (hide spoiler)]

[Gorab]

A1.
Live for :
Food! Big foodie. Everything in my life is pivoted around food. Even on trips and vacations, I'm very choosy and particular about what all we're going to eat.
Visiting home includes a list of what all Mom will be cooking.
More on that in next answer (thanks for asking the fav food!)

Die for :
Visualising earth from outer space.
More realistic ones :
Enjoying a classic film in a good theatre.
Watching a game of cricket in the company of friends. (Or playing a game of chess)
Adventure sports. Haven't tried already but would die for scooba diving, bungee jumping, gliding, kayaking... and yes people do really die doing that sometimes.
So you see, its very easy to get me killed :)

Kill for :
Nothing. The closest was to smash mosquitoes while dengue was prevalent, for protecting my family. Can't imagine killing anything physical. And hopefully won't kill any of hopes, passion, ambitions, emotions and relations.

[Gorab]

A3. Wasn't much of a reader before. Some comics in childhood. Started novels during high school and secondary. That too 5-6 annually.
Didn't read much in college (library was full fledged technical!)
Got back to reading couple of years back.

The long story.....
(view spoiler)[
After many years, late in 2014... a friend tagged me on FB with a game where you list down 10 books which changed your life... and tag other friends who do the same. [I hate such tagging games!!]
Bought 4-5 random books and thought of giving some time in reading. Was introduced to Kindle by an office colleague. Till then thought of it as a stupid device!
Promised myself to buy Kindle if I read those 5 books in next two months. (Which I couldn't..... and still got Kindle :P ... since I had read a total of 5 other books.)
Was extremely happy with Kindle, promised a paperwhite after 50 books. Earned it :)
Been reading consistently since :)
(hide spoiler)]

[Gorab]

A5. Wife chose that name :)
Thank you so much for loving it.
Its a synonym for goddess Saraswati Ji.
Takes 'sh' from Mom; 'v' from Dad; preceded by 'I' for her own identity.
(view spoiler)[Like all other things in life, was a bit experimental in trying to form a unique unheard name... Finally better sense prevailed for good :)
Honestly speaking, these facts were reverse engineered after deciding the name ;) (hide spoiler)]

Nicknames : Ishanu... Shanu.... (Now that you've given a good idea, will call out Isha and Anvi too!)

[Gorab]

Pranjali wrote: "Q6 how did you meet your wife?"

That's easy. Arranged marriage. Met for the first time at her house.

Long story
(view spoiler)[Wasn't serious about marriage that time. Had multiple cases of being convinced by parents to at-least go and see a prospective bride.
Visited home for a week's vacation. Met her. Chit chatted alone for 10-15 mins (later we were told it was more than one hour, and became a bit weird for both sides parents whose talks stopped after real time 10-15 mins.)
Next day, her father and uncle came to our house with a positive response. I was really really shocked! And demanded another meeting with her alone. Granted.
Asked her what she had in mind? Whether anybody is forcing her to marry? She hadn't asked anything related to my income... Told her it wasn't much and could only suffice for survival of two.
Told her I lied about smoking and drinking questions :P
Was highly impressed by her confidence and sensibility (or the lack of it in this case!)
Gave her more time to think about it. If at all she's hesitant about anything, just tell me and I'll tell her parents to not agree on marriage from my end.
But things eventually clicked in that week. We got engaged. My only condition that marriage should not happen before 10-11 months, which everyone agreed. Got married within 3 months :P :P
End of story. Beginning of a new one!
(hide spoiler)]

[Gorab]

Arpit wrote: "Q7. Your weird habits? Any embarrassing moment you'd like to share?"

Asking a weird person about his weird habits!
1. Always sticking the postage stamp inverted in upside down position.
2. Ensure watching a movie just before any important test and exam (and now interviews).
3. While talking to myself, I spell imaginary words using right hand thumb... scribbling on index finger. To an observer, it gives impression like I'm counting currency notes.

Embarrassing moment : Will come up as answer 4.

[Gorab]

Arpit wrote: "Q8. Who's the ruler of the house? I know the answer, but still would like to hear from you."

Take one wild guess!!!
Its universal truth. Wife is the boss. But things have changed. She can't rule the house anymore. Ishanvi has come :)

[Gorab]

Sundara wrote: "@Gorab
Q.2) What is your favourite food item?:P"

Its a difficult question.

Short answer : Italian.
Enchiladas, Bruschettas, Lasagne.

Love desserts more than the food.
Gola (flavored ice ball), Falooda, Flavored Frozen Yoghurt, any Ice Cream.

Warning : The below spoiler may contain added flavours.
(view spoiler)[
Indian :
Yes I love Dal Baati, Litti Chokha and all Indian traditional food. But can't say they are favorite.

Favorite Indian food :
1. Anything cooked by Mom (this is universal to everyone I suppose)
2. Any green veggie, dal and "Haate ki Roti" cooked by wife. (Haate ki Roti is a hybrid between Chapathi and Paratha... very similar to Kerela Parota made of wheat flour.)
3. South Indian meal served on plantain leaf. Simple Sambhar, Rasam, Rice with pickle, papad, curd n payasam.

Non-Indian :
Very much game to experimenting with new cuisine. Mexican (burritos, nachos), Mediterranean (Falafel)....
For instance, we went to a place called Little Italy, and were so baffled by menu! Crostini, Funghi, Caprice.. all greek! (https://www.zomato.com/bangalore/litt...)
But have plans to learn more about such food options :)

Don't like Chinese, noodles etc....
(hide spoiler)]

[Gorab]

Aarti wrote: "Q.4 How was your college days? Any funny incidents from college with teachers or friends?"

A4. College days were super fun! Though we used to abuse them then because of hundreds of restrictions, but all that has left sweet memories.

Incident :
Had flunked in both mid-term tests of Operating Systems. College used to send each test report with attendance percentage by post to every students home. Parents were concerned and worried. Only way out was to score significantly higher than the passing marks to average out the damage.

Turns out OS was the last exam of semester, followed by summer breaks. Last night before the exam. All prepped up (and as usual watched a movie too)... was about to go to bed, when me a friend came along to say all the best. And somehow both of us agreed to pull a prank. Using agarbattis and sutli bombs, placed four time bombs to go out at midnight in a couple of minutes duration... on all four external boundary of hostel.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!

Wardens took it more seriously than anticipated. Within a couple of hours, had to confess and surrender in front of wardens (why we had to do that - couple of innocent students who already had charges of ragging were on the brim of rustication... and unfortunately were present in one of the corners that time)

Somehow managed to sleep. Wrote the exam. About to leave for hometown. Wardens came and locked us up, not allowed to leave the hostel for two months as punishment.

Back home, father had hosted a family get together on the day I was supposed to reach. I called up my elder sister and told her I had missed the train.... and rest of the happenings. She started crying on the phone. And she was scared what to do...how to rescue me and first of all how to communicate this to father?

I had to do it. Mustered some guts, prepared mentally for harsh words, and called up Dad stating all that had happened.
Dad : "Tu chinta mat kar. Bilkul bhi ghabrana nahi. Main aa raha hoon waha."
(Don't worry, I'm coming there.)

After the call, I was crying like mad. Friends were coming and consoling that parents do get angry and don't take their words to heart. And that made me cry even more!

Very embarrassing moment! And now a chatpat memory :)

[Gorab]

Have answered them all :)
Will wait till tomorrow for any more question, and will announce the next person.

[Sundara]

Firstly...wonderfully answered!!
Some of your answers made me laugh out aloud :D And very honest answers too! You're an Amazing answeree Gorab:P;)
*clapping hands loudly and respectfully*
Really enjoyed reading your answers!!

[Sundara]

Gorab wrote: "Sundara wrote: "@Gorab
Q.2) What is your favourite food item?:P"

Its a difficult question.

Short answer : Italian.
Enchiladas, Bruschettas, Lasagne.

Love desserts more than the food.
Gola (flav..."

Even I love desserts!! Today too I had two ice-creams for lunch:P
And Little Italy?? My favvvv place to have lunch!! Went there for there for the first time for my twelfth-std-last-day-get-together! Been a fan ever since!! <3
But one major deviance from your favs is that I absolutely loathe eating lunch especially rice;P

[Sundara]

Gorab wrote: "Arpit wrote: "Q8. Who's the ruler of the house? I know the answer, but still would like to hear from you."

Take one wild guess!!!
Its universal truth. Wife is the boss. But things have changed. Sh..."

How old is Ishanvi?

[Gorab]

Thank You :-)

[Gorab]

Sundara wrote: "Even I love desserts!! Today too I had two ice-creams for lunch:P
And Little Italy?? My favvvv place to have lunch!! Went there for there for the first time for my twelfth-std-last-day-get-together! Been a fan ever since!! <3
But one major deviance from your favs is that I absolutely loathe eating lunch especially rice;P"

Missed to mention preference to eat out in pure vegetarian outlets.
Two ice creams!! Damn! Couldn't get any now due to bandh!
Will grab some as soon as situation gets favorable.

Cheers on Little Itlay :D
You loathe rice? That's a shocker!

[Gorab]

Ishanvi is 7 and a half months old.

[Pranjali]

Agreed with sundara, great answers and loved the detailed versions :D

[Gorab]

Thanks for loving the detailed versions :)
Was a bit hesitant of random ramblimgs, which only Arpit was tolerating so far :P

[Gorab]

Next candidate, come forward if anybody wants to volunteer!
Else, its going to be....
(view spoiler)[Hint : That person has exactly 15 common friends with me. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Sundara wrote: "Firstly...wonderfully answered!!
Some of your answers made me laugh out aloud :D And very honest answers too! You're an Amazing answeree Gorab:P;)
*clapping hands loudly and respectfully*
Really en..."
I repeat these words :)

[[deleted user]]

Q9. What's your dream job? Or any dream project?

[[deleted user]]

Q10. How newly achieved fatherhood affected you?

[Pranjali]

Q11. whose your best friend and what's they like?

[Pranjali]

Q12. what's your biggest pet peeve?

[Gorab]

So you're not going to let me escape today. Good questions again. Will answer when on PC. what's a pet peeve by the way? (Wild guess - "takiya kalam"??)

[Pranjali]

Not " takiya kaam", it means something you find really irritating or annoying.

[Pranjali]

And no we are not letting you go so quickly :p

[Gorab]

Arpit wrote: "Q9. What's your dream job? Or any dream project?"

Dream jobs :
1. Being a member of censor board. Would like to see all films dierctor's cut versions and firsthand.
2. Being a librarian in a big library, with not many visitors :P
3. Own a roadside dhaba, and also being a cook there.

But realistically, the grass is always greener on the other side. All these jobs are really tough!
Dreams and jobs don't gel well with me, they turn into nightmares!

I'd think of something, where you sit around idle the whole day, doing whatever pleases you.
But then... like a friend says, "There's no fun in doing nothing, when there is nothing to do."

[Gorab]

Arpit wrote: "Q10. How newly achieved fatherhood affected you?"

It did what marriage was supposed to do. Kick in some responsibility!

Example :
Oh wait... its a long story. Enclosing in spoiler tag.
(view spoiler)[
Couple of days before marriage, there were festivities going on at home, while I travelled to Delhi to give an interview for MBA program.
When wife asked about honeymoon plans, I told her it was a surprise.
The surprise was :
I had to attend interviews in Kanpur, Chennai, Kharagpur, Roorkee, Guwahati within the next 15 days, each in 2-3 days interval, in the same location order.
Had booked only one train ticket - From home to Agra. (No direct trains to Kanpur). Had plans to visit Taj Mahal as the first spot, and then catch a bus to Kanpur for the interview. And impromptu plans to travel by bus/train to next destinations as and when available.
What a pleasant surprise!!!

Lady luck brought a lot of charm with her!
On the day of the marriage, I got a better job offer.
Post marriage, we did go to Taj.
Change of plans - Instead of Agra to Kanpur, we went to Manali.
I skipped all further interviews.
What a pleasant surpise!!!

That's how irresponsible and unorganised I was then.
Now?
Even for a day outing with Ishanvi, I check the weather forecast, feasibility of baby care and feeding rooms, plan the schedule so that her sleeping time is not disturbed.
Not sure whether I've really turned more responsible, but atleast I feel more responsible.
(hide spoiler)]

Other change is priorities have drastically changed. Have become less career-oriented, and focus on how can I get maximum family time.

[Sundara]

Gorab wrote: "Sundara wrote: "Even I love desserts!! Today too I had two ice-creams for lunch:P
And Little Italy?? My favvvv place to have lunch!! Went there for there for the first time for my twelfth-std-last-..."

Abnormalities of mine (one of them,I may say):P

[Gorab]

Pranjali wrote: "Q11. whose your best friend and what's they like?"

No doubt my elder sister.
What she's like?
Motivating, loving and caring, understands me better than anybody else (except wife :P) .... bubbling with enthusiasm and full of life.
Loves to write and receive long letters, writes a personal diary and a blog (Been trying to motivate me to have my own blog, gifted a diary so I could start writing diary entries at least.... but Ney I'm stubborn and budge I will not!)

Its all ulta pulta in my head - friends are like family, family members like friends.

[Sundara]

Gorab wrote: "Arpit wrote: "Q10. How newly achieved fatherhood affected you?"

It did what marriage was supposed to do. Kick in some responsibility!

Example :
Oh wait... its a long story. Enclosing in spoiler ..."

That's sweet. You're turning out to be one great dad!:D

[Sundara]

Q.11) Two traits of yours which you can never compromise for anything/anyone??

[Gorab]

Pranjali wrote: "Q12. what's your biggest pet peeve?"

Its very very easy to irritate me. What freaks me out :
1. Honking.
2. People giving full attention to smartphone while in a company.
3. Talking loudly on phone in a cinema hall. Or chit chatting, loud munching... basically creating any kind of noise! (Farts may be pardoned :P)
4. Unnecessary intervention into my business (Any attempts at this generally gets served by a very rude response!)
5. Wasting\Disrespecting food.

Realized these are very common and must be applicable to all (is it not??)
Let me think of some unique peculiar ones....

[Gorab]

No I couldn't think of anything else.
May be this one : When I'm angry, and someone just says "Don't be angry!", that irritates me more and raises anger level exponentially!! Grrrrrrrrrrrr......

[Gorab]

Sundara wrote: "Q.11) Two traits of yours which you can never compromise for anything/anyone??"

13 is considered an unlucky number.
Thank god I don't have to answer Q13 :P (Thanks Sundara)

Here's A11 again :
1. Passion for following hobbies (which keeps changing moderately)
2. Frankness and transparency.

An incident to support point 2.
(view spoiler)[
My first company boss used to get mad at me frequently. He had given a technical task which I didn't want to do for various reasons... and told him very clearly that I won't do it.., but he insisted and told me to send daily updates on it.
Didn't do it and neither sent any updates.
After 3 days, the usual lecture....
He : "Why you're not sending any updates?"
Me : "Because there is no further progress."
He : "Doesn't matters how much is progress. I need daily updates."

The next 3 days I sent this :
"There are no updates on this."

Another angry meeting after a couple of days :
He : "Saara khoon to pee gaya mera, ab kya kaat ke khayega?"
(You've drank all my blood, now would you cut me up and eat?)
Me : "No sir, I'm a strict vegetarian."

Well..... Now wasn't that frank and transparent? :P :P
(hide spoiler)]

[Sundara]

Lol;-):P:D
Honestly Gorab it's very frank and transparent!
You could write a novel by putting together all these hilarious incidents that happened in your life :P
I bet it'll sell fast and people are gonna have a fun time reading it!! :D

[Sundara]

Gorab wrote: "Sundara wrote: "Q.11) Two traits of yours which you can never compromise for anything/anyone??"

13 is considered an unlucky number.
Thank god I don't have to answer Q13 :P (Thanks Sundara)

Here's..."

And sry about the question number..it's too difficult to view webpage of goodreads in mobile (also sometimes-lack of attention) ;)

[[deleted user]]

Gorab wrote: "Arpit wrote: "Q9. What's your dream job? Or any dream project?"

Dream jobs :
1. Being a member of censor board. Would like to see all films dierctor's cut versions and firsthand.
2. Being a librar..."

So you could be a Censor chief, who, on weekends, runs a dhaba, though roadside, but hygienic, and also owns a personal library that no one except you or someone with your permission can enter.

In this way, you can save your other two wishes. And that reminds me of my next question for you-

Q13. What would be your three wishes if a genie promises to fulfill them?

[[deleted user]]

Loved your long stories

[[deleted user]]

Gorab wrote: "So you're not going to let me escape today. Good questions again. Will answer when on PC. what's a pet peeve by the way? (Wild guess - "takiya kalam"??)"

Although I did not want to ask it, but since you started the topic, let me ask you an unofficial question-

Q- What's your "takiya kalam"?

[Gorab]

Sundara wrote: "Lol;-):P:D
Honestly Gorab it's very frank and transparent!
You could write a novel by putting together all these hilarious incidents that happened in your life :P
I bet it'll sell fast and people ..."

Thank you again for the jolly words :)

[Gorab]

Arpit wrote: "Q13. What would be your three wishes if a genie promises to fulfill them?"

1. (Selfish) Grant me such ability, that I manage to have one month every year for travelling and exploring the world.... for the rest of my life.
2. (For Earthlings) Magically cure planet earth from the most pathetic cancer its suffering from currently.
3. (Reciprocating) Give one wish back to the genie whatever it wants to fulfil - Even if that could mean revoking back all the wishes granted.. and worse!

[Gorab]

Arpit wrote: "Loved your long stories "

Provocative words... after all you will be the one to suffer most!
* Thanks :-) *

[Gorab]

Arpit wrote: "Q- What's your "takiya kalam"?"

Unofficial answer : It keeps changing. But the one I'm most (in)famous for : "Tum tumhara dekh lo..." (You arrange for yourself)

'Tis because a good team player I'm not.
College outing with 4-5 friends, deciding what to eat.... "Main Dosa kha raha hoon.... ttdl"
Even in a restaurant, with wife, deciding what to order - "I want to eat this.... ttdl"
Ok, I know most of the examples are food related.... Can't think of any other good.