All valid points, just a different universe for me. We grew up not closing our front door ever with every meal, celebration and grief shared with our adjacent selfs. :)
“thumping the tabla in time with the frenzied banging of their shiny heads, their wispy strands flailing in mute panic.” The visuals had me in splits for one whole minute! 😂
What fun! Super as always. For a moment i almost thought the grey haired man would turn out to be your father in law. Then I remembered you (unlike udit) dont forget family just neighbours. 🤩🤩Your k incident is similar to when our neighbour smiled at udit at the parking lot and accompanied till our flat. I think those were some of the most harrowing and bewildering moments for him 🤣
I liked it so much and laughed so hard after a long time...really, all the things you mentioned about your life in Kolkata, and that Bengali proverb, it gave me the home feeling, cuz its so relatable.😄
I received the same reaction when I told people that I didn't even take Joint entrance examinations. I bet the uncle was like "Porer chele porom-anondo, joto uchhone jaye toto anondo"🙃
It is a universal experience, finding out that someone is your neighbour when they press your button in the lift 😂 I also miss childhood days with colony neighbours a lot.
Haha, I was smiling throughout! For not recognizing people, I've resigned now to telling them I don't remember who they are. One girl told me we had met seven times in the same cafe :D But you know, maybe I'll remember her next time!
What is pop-punk music? Give me some recommendations!
Thank you, Pritam! Honesty is always the best option. :P
Oh, man, I was obsessed with pop-punk in my late teens and early 20s. I don't know if you'll like any of these (I have outgrown most of them) but here are a few bands: Ramones, Blink 182, Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Bowling For Soup, All American Rejects, Sum 41, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan.
I did not include Green Day in the above list because I have not outgrown them.
Gosh, everytime you write something new I realise that I'm better than you at literally everything 🤷
Oh lol.
Cool it, buddy.
All valid points, just a different universe for me. We grew up not closing our front door ever with every meal, celebration and grief shared with our adjacent selfs. :)
“thumping the tabla in time with the frenzied banging of their shiny heads, their wispy strands flailing in mute panic.” The visuals had me in splits for one whole minute! 😂
Thank you, glad you liked it! :D
Yes, I was closer to that universe when I was growing up. Things are quite different now.
A chuckle at every turn - how do you do it!
Thank you so much, Alaknanda! :D Really appreciate it and so heartening to know you enjoyed reading it.
What fun! Super as always. For a moment i almost thought the grey haired man would turn out to be your father in law. Then I remembered you (unlike udit) dont forget family just neighbours. 🤩🤩Your k incident is similar to when our neighbour smiled at udit at the parking lot and accompanied till our flat. I think those were some of the most harrowing and bewildering moments for him 🤣
Poor guy! He must have been so confused.
I'm not great at spotting extended family. I am sure there are some grand-uncles and second cousins I will not recognise if I suddenly bump into them.
Haha loved this. That tension of wanting to and then not wanting to socialize with your neighbour. So on point. Thanks for this Rohan
Thanks a lot for reading, Abhishek! To socialise or not to socialise. That is the social conundrum. :)
I liked it so much and laughed so hard after a long time...really, all the things you mentioned about your life in Kolkata, and that Bengali proverb, it gave me the home feeling, cuz its so relatable.😄
Banerjees ra shudhu Banerjees der bojhe😆😂.
Thanks a lot, Noyonika! So glad you liked it! That proverb hits hard - it's not something one can easily forget.
I had to listen my Kolkata's extended family (All the kakus and kakimas) say this to me three years back...I was 13 then🥲
Wow! No chill Kaku and Kakimas.
What a fun read - esp about uncles who are always ready to dole out unsolicited advice!
Thanks so much for reading! Oh yes, such uncles abound everywhere.
I received the same reaction when I told people that I didn't even take Joint entrance examinations. I bet the uncle was like "Porer chele porom-anondo, joto uchhone jaye toto anondo"🙃
Hahaha! JEE is an important marker of success for some uncles.
It is a universal experience, finding out that someone is your neighbour when they press your button in the lift 😂 I also miss childhood days with colony neighbours a lot.
Our worlds are shrinking and expanding in weird ways, isn't it? It's quite natural now to not know anything about the person living next door to you.
Funny and poignant. I say ditto to your recounting of your neighborly stories. We never closed our front door.
I feel like your neighbor uncle had used that aukaloti couplet previously.
Thanks a lot, Satyajit!
Yeah, he was skilled in the art of grilling teenagers.
Hahaha! After all the nostalgia about neighbors and colony families, I love that unexpected turn at the end. Great twists in your last few pieces.
Thanks a lot, Maanav! Appreciate it! :D
Haha, I was smiling throughout! For not recognizing people, I've resigned now to telling them I don't remember who they are. One girl told me we had met seven times in the same cafe :D But you know, maybe I'll remember her next time!
What is pop-punk music? Give me some recommendations!
Thank you, Pritam! Honesty is always the best option. :P
Oh, man, I was obsessed with pop-punk in my late teens and early 20s. I don't know if you'll like any of these (I have outgrown most of them) but here are a few bands: Ramones, Blink 182, Fall Out Boy, My Chemical Romance, Bowling For Soup, All American Rejects, Sum 41, Good Charlotte, Simple Plan.
I did not include Green Day in the above list because I have not outgrown them.
I’ve heard of a few of them — certainly haven’t listened to any of them to outgrow them! Thanks!
Always fun reading your observation and your gif game is damn strong!
And thank you for the shoutout Rohan! 😇
Haha, thanks a lot, Abhishek!
Hard relate.
I judged my neighbours by the food they fed me vs how quickly they left me alone. Not many passed the test, obviously.
Hahaha, high standards, my friend. Few neighbours can do both. The more they feed you, the more lectures and questions you have to endure.