It's Raining! It's Raining!

The first rain hit mumbai on June 4th. The flashes in the sky signalled its arrival. Somewhere around 9:30 pm rains started.
Today (6th June), It was raining heavily before I left the office at 7:00 pm. There were thunders and lightning all evening. While I was driving back home the rains brought back happy memories of past years. We used to get drenched during the first rains in mumbai and urge others to get wet too as if it was a ritual to do so. It's a great experience to raise your face towards the sky and let the rain droplets hit you. Today's downpour would have brought smile on faces of millions of mumbaites who have been facing the extreme heat and humidity for a few months now.
One thing which concerned me was the demolition drive just a week before in Matunga West. This demolition drive left many people homeless. Although most of the people moved to other places, many were still living on the pavements. They had made makeshift roofs which I am sure would not sustain the mumbai rains even for a day. Suddenly, the government policy of giving houses to slum dwellers started making some sense to me.

Kiss me Baby!!!

(Citi Center mall, Vashi)

Guess What? Last saturday I sang at the Citi Center mall, Vashi. I was not nervous Singing Karaoke even though it was my first time. One reason could be because it happened very fast. Moreover, the crowd at the mall was a little smaller than usual.

As I came out of Food Baazar, which is on ground floor of the mall, I noticed that my sister and niece had walked down towards a Karaoke podium. The person compering was urging the crowd to come over and sing a song, but was not getting many takers. Esha, my niece was called over on the podium as she was dancing to the music being played. Later I too was called on the podium to accompany my niece. Little did I realise what was about to come. The person incharge handed over the mic to me and before I cud say anything, he asked my name over the mic. And then he shouted "Rahul jee ke liye jordar taliyan..." . I knew I was doomed....

I started reading the lyrics on the screen. Yes reading! However, quickly i picked up the tune and started singing. It read "Kiss me baby! Kiss me baby! Tu hai mera garam masala". As I started singing, I was trying to recollect if I have ever heard this song.
I still can't believe that I actually got up on the stage with a mic and prompter screen in front of dozens of strangers. Now something about my luck. To my luck, the person compering was singing along with me. The guy was a pro and was singing beautifully. I somehow managed to sing along with him. After sometime I handed back the mic and was glad to hear the crowd cheers as I was Thanked.
It was an exhilarating experience!