The Cataplana Story

We talk a lot, we facebook all the time but we don’t meet that often. So, I really look forward to meeting my dearest Sara. This time I just wrote to her one fine day that it’s about time we should meet. And I don’t know what happened Sari responded positively. I think she too was really dying to meet up but I was really looking forward to it.

Before moving ahead, the history should be clear. Every time we had met, something went wrong. I remember last year on my birthday we went to some hang out place to have a chilled out time on foot just to see that the place is no longer there, then on Nadzy’s babyish request she had to eat really sad Dunkin Donuts and then we took a rikshaw ride with a crazy driver who was fighting with every car driver. We survived it though. Sari was so scared. The two of us have seen worse so we were laughing even then.

Next, I remember last year we decided to have one iftaari together. We went to a couple of places – again things didn’t go our way. We ended up in some outlet at Park Towers with a sick couple that looked so messy I almost puked looking at their dirty faces. It seemed they hadn’t taken a shower since months and that they fucked everyday wherever they could find space. We had fun but the food wasn’t good. That plan didn’t work out too.

Then, I don’t know why Sari had to treat us this other time. But we really thought this time all’s set. Timing was a bit off so our first destination hadn’t opened as yet but that day we had a really nice dinner.

Now coming back to our date yesterday. It was all true. We were actually meeting. Nadzy and I really liked some of the food at Nandos so we thought let’s just go there. I was really happy that I finally met my baby Isa :) he is too cute and adorable. Seemed a bit healthy and heavy mashallah se so I didn’t try picking him up :P But I loved his orange shirt and the way he said “Theek Thaak” I couldn’t take his pics as much as I wanted to because he was moving all the time. But I am glad I saw him this time.

So, we reached Nandos and the Cataplana experience began. I couldn’t understand why do they fit in sooooooo many people that the place becomes hot and that one can’t even breathe. Secondly, having too many customers only made the servers way too panicky I feel. Anyway, we got this really lovely table near the kitchen. Sari my darling, had to sit right next to the kitchen window. I was lucky I never got to see the kitchen. It was an ugly view I am sure. They placed those weird glasses of Tapal Ice Tea, which we never tried.

I don’t know if others have noticed this or not but we have on a couple of occasions. Just if you observe kids now have become very alike. Every body looks so identical…individuals are rare.

Anyway, the panicky server did bring the food on time thank god. The food looked pretty good. But then we started eating and it became so HOT. I couldn’t eat much it was so hot. I always have the hot chicken and it’s normally fine. But may be it was our bad table, too many people around or what it was just too sickening an experience. I did take pics though of every moment. I ate less because of the hotness factor. I literally had tears falling down my face…so I had to stop.

More importantly, Nadzy and Sara continued eating. Now, Nadzy and I ordered Cataplana, which Raza told me was an amazing dish there. So I tried it the last time I came to Nandos and really loved it. This time, as I said the experience was a bit different so it didn’t turn out the way it did previously.

Nadzy honey was eating like a child from her handi when a sweet server came and offered her a plate and the dialogues are below:

Nervous Server: Madam can you please use this plate and give me the handi?

Nadzy: Why?

Nervous Server: Madam we are out of handis so if you could use the plate we could serve another customer.

Nadzy (hot & angry): What the hell! I am still eating! First of all you make us sit in this terrible seat and now this…

Nervous Server: Ok madam please continue having your food. It’s ok. So sorry.

It was quite a weird thing to say. All customers are treated the same way. Ridiculous to ask a customer having his food to give away the dishes because you have allowed customers much more than your capacity. Normally, I feel Nadzy’s anger is difficult to control. This time I felt she should have given it to him and talked to the manager. It was wrong.

Anyway, after this Cataplana scene I had almost lost my appetite. So, I close my Cataplana dish and said anybody :P any takers now…and yes one server came running to get hold of the dish to serve another valued customer.

We ran out of there and I could feel the breeze. It was so refreshing. We ran to Forum to just splash some water on the face. And there in the loo some women were eating and drinking …god I almost puked again. I couldn’t take it no more. I ran outside that friggin rest room. It was great though. I love it when Forum has fewer people.

Next, we had some good coffee and the swiss walnut chocolate brownie. I have to admit that Espresso makes me a bit light every time I go there. Though, now it too has this Anil Kapoor time weird server who loves to roam around young girls. We took lots of pics. Sari took some really funny pics. I have already posted my collection.

I kind of shocked Nadzy and Sari when I said I want to buy something to read. A book and not a magazine for a change. But a book that’s not too thick. Not a novel. Something interesting. Something that I would finish once I start. Something that doesn’t have that killer small font. I read a bit of 101 things to do before you die :P Three really weird old men stood next to me and read out some cheap sher o shairi. They were so sick I swear…made me a bit angry. Nadzy found me a book “The Free Mind – A lateral thinking approach” by Edward De Bono and Sari said she will give me his other book “Six Thinking Hats” later. I hated contributing money to buy some book for Nadzy because she always does that.

Needless to say that I truly had a wonderful time out with Sari and Nadzy. We had amazing discussions, fits of laughter, pinch of anger, crazy pics. It was perfect with all the imperfections.

When I was little I always had one friend at every point in time. After a few years I stopped believing in best friends. The day I stopped, I started meeting amazing people…who are my greatest treasure now. The Cataplana story will be an amazing memory for me because it took place while I was with some of those amazing people.

Hugs and Love!

Killing Time

I have a very strong feeling this year I am gonna have so much trouble fasting. I am almost dead now. The clock is just not ticking it seems. I am looking at the needles and they are not moving. They are actually not.

At work everybody was so dull too. In my lil breaks I just went upstairs and I saw dead people everywhere. There was just no energy no where. People were actually waiting for 4 o' clock. But, as I said time was so ridiculously stagnant it was torturing. Every moment was a killer. I do feel 9 am -4 pm is a weird timing though.

Oh my god, I just saw Altaf Hussain's pic on one of the channels right now. This was the last thing I wanted to see. His speeches are so funny in a unique style. What a story teller. I remember I actually recorded one of his speeches from my cell phone...it sounded so funny. Way too dramatic to be true. But the funny part is that it actually happens and his followers love it.

I don't really make many videos myself. But there was this particular teacher at SZABIST - Shafi Azam. He was very interesting...not the typical sort of teachers you come across. Really intellectual person who focused more on grooming the brain rather than just teaching the course books. I made his video :P he looked funny too so engrossed and lost. I was really shocked when my friend Mustafa called me up and told me Shafi Azam passed away. He was a good person. And then later I was checking my yahoo inbox, which I hardly check in 3 months or even more and I actually saw his emails. It's sad.

It's a freaky feeling that I get time and again...one day I will be gone but my facebook, orkut and all the other profiles will remain.

And suddenly I hear Altaf Bhai again...he is talking ... it's sounds as if he is crying. So unpleasant I swear.

I am just killing time right now so am gonna write whatever thought comes to my mind...

I was lucky enough that Sarosh sahab received my call today and we finally updated each other about our lives. I thought of calling someone else as well but then I didn't...Recently I decided that I shouldn't run after people and keep calling them because they are not the only busy people in the whole world. I do get angry but then I do give them a call again thinking what the hell. It's just that when people really care it just shows...little things make a difference.

Nadzy and I were talking that how inspired we were with that old movie Lamhe. Actually, I love that movie and it's songs. I can watch it anyday anytime. I really believed in one of the messages the movie gave since 1992-3 that if you love someone just let the person know...the most the person would do is say NO but at least you would have no regrets in your life. I actually don't. But I don't know if I would tell someone again ... but since I'm unpredictable I can't really say myself.

I enjoyed playing Mafia Wars and I planned to go to Cuba and I have :) But now the charm is kinda over. This Ramzan I will play many games. Last year, I remember playing cricket and tennis online. We were all tense because of the way things were at work - client agency thing and the pitch to follow all that. So, it was kind of strange. That was quite a sucky time...there were times when I felt so insulted from both ends :P And somethings nobody can really understand because the real feeling is quite different.

I can smell pakoras :) I can see the promo of Bold & the Beautiful and I always wonder it's such a shitty show - everyone has slept with everyone in it. It has so lingered on. I don't even feel like watching it.

I must just stop writing now...should just watch tv till iftari.