1.
The call this morning: Today is VM’s first store
launch day. I called to wish him luck. He sounded so busy and so him. He loves
working hard and getting things done- and this event no matter how big it is,
it makes him so happy. I like him happy. I love him.
2.
The cool: I have been keeping cool which is a
tough thing to do.
3.
Eiffel Tower: Today is my last full day in Paris
on this trip. I have a feeling I am going to be back. Aunt and I went to the
Eiffel Tower today- again. It looked wonderful in the sun.
4.
Louvre: Aunt took me, by chance to the Louvre
yesterday. I thought I would not get to see it but then I did! I loved the
glass pyramid- when I go back to India, that’s what I am going to gift all my
dear friends- glass prisms.
5.
The weather: It’s great today. Just like it was
yesterday.
6.
The peek into Aunt’s life: I met Aunt’s friend
yesterday and I also visited her clinic. Aunt went to the clinic for the first
time in ten years yesterday. I could sense her feeling very nostalgic and a bit
emotional. She was shocked at the changes that have taken place- it’s a
possessiveness that I can imagine one would feel after working there for 27
years. I wondered how I would feel if I ever go back to a place where I have
given my all and see that it is a place I cannot recognize anymore. Surely, in
5 years, DCHS is going to be demolished and the slum is going to be razed- when
I go there then, will I feel possessive? A slight anger- would I go searching
for my kids and wonder what happened to everything and everyone? When I was in
standard 5, I used to see the roll of honour in my school- it began from the
year 1986 or earlier. I would feel very odd- slightly sad. I wondered how those
whose names appear on the board would feel now. I felt the same feeling when I
watched my aunt peering in through the closed gate.
7.
Gift shopping: for as long as I can remember,
every Christmas, Aunt would get us gifts. We would feel so happy knowing that
the toys, chocolates, clothes and shoes were from France. Yesterday, I went
shopping with my aunt. She bought a lot of cheese, meat and wine- all gifts for
my family and my uncle’s family. I never really valued the cheese and
chocolates that she would give. But yesterday, when I saw her choosing,
packing, paying and carrying everything home, I vowed never again to let that
cheese go bad in the refrigerator. I shall take personal responsibility of that
cheese.
8.
Dinner Out: I said I would take my aunt out for
dinner. She agreed. Until this morning we were arguing about who was going to
pay and I was quite mad. I told her very firmly that if I was not the one
paying, I would not go for dinner. She was annoyed too but she didn’t have much
to say. My aunt wore a beautiful dress and was getting ready- I was pleasantly
surprised to see her so excited about the dinner. We both dressed up and left
for Champs Elysees. People in Paris dress really well and walk on the street,
take the Metro or take a bus. This does not happen in Mumbai. I did not feel
out of the place walking on the street. We ate at a place called Pizza Pino. We
did not enjoy the food at all. When the bill arrived, Aunt and I argued once
again on the table and finally I paid. What relief. We had a good time. What I realized
as soon as we left the place was that aunt was very light. She was very
different. She asked me to click her picture which is very rare. She wanted to
stay out longer and went into more shops even though we were quite late.
Something about that dinner changed something for her. I wonder what…
9.
The day: Tomorrow I am going to be in transit. Again.
