The article attempts to capture moments from this beautiful hill station, now in the throes of becoming a 'city'.
GETTING A taxi to the locality in Shillong where my office is situated is a trying job. For some reason cab drivers do not want to go there, “It is difficult getting passengers back” they explain. Some don’t even give such theories they move on with a brusque “No”. No amount of cajoling, coaxing and pleading can persuade them. I get impatient, “This drives drive me mad” I say.
I tried my luck waving my hands frantically at an onrushing cab one day. Wonder of wonders, the taxi driver agreed much to my surprise.
I jumped into the cab like a predator unwilling to leave my prey. Once safely ensconced in the seat, I relaxed, looked at my watch with composure. What a fetish for being on time I thought. If I tell this to my friends, they say I boast.
The taxi driver seemed to be in a jovial mood. He switched on his music player and a Jim Reeves number came out sonorously: “Put your sweet lips…”
Memories flooded my mind, I thought of my college days when I hummed this tune enveloping my thoughts into a make belief romance. This time I couldn’t help it, I started once again actually singing, the taxi driver not to be outdone joined me. “I have got a whole collection of these old hits,” he explained, “From where?” I enquired, “Do you market them?” “Yes”, he replied, “Where can I buy them?” I asked excitedly.
I suddenly rued the fact that once upon a time, I also had a range of collection but lending them out I never saw them again! “Well, I market them in Chennai”, “Here in Meghalaya?” I asked impatiently. “In Nongstoin” he said. I sighed. “In Shillong?” I persisted. “No not in Shillong” was the reply. Jim Reeves ended his soliloquy and the next song was “Tell Laura I love her.” I remembered the Lauras of old times.
By the time the song ended, we had reached our destination. I hastily got out. The songs echoed in my mind. Life is a never-ending song I thought… By Ananya.s.guha
The article attempts to capture moments from this beautiful hill station, now in the throes of becoming a 'city'.
GETTING A taxi to the locality in Shillong where my office is situated is a trying job. For some reason cab drivers do not want to go there, “It is difficult getting passengers back” they explain. Some don’t even give such theories they move on with a brusque “No”. No amount of cajoling, coaxing and pleading can persuade them. I get impatient, “This drives drive me mad” I say.
I tried my luck waving my hands frantically at an onrushing cab one day. Wonder of wonders, the taxi driver agreed much to my surprise.
I jumped into the cab like a predator unwilling to leave my prey. Once safely ensconced in the seat, I relaxed, looked at my watch with composure. What a fetish for being on time I thought. If I tell this to my friends, they say I boast.
The taxi driver seemed to be in a jovial mood. He switched on his music player and a Jim Reeves number came out sonorously: “Put your sweet lips…”
Memories flooded my mind, I thought of my college days when I hummed this tune enveloping my thoughts into a make belief romance. This time I couldn’t help it, I started once again actually singing, the taxi driver not to be outdone joined me. “I have got a whole collection of these old hits,” he explained, “From where?” I enquired, “Do you market them?” “Yes”, he replied, “Where can I buy them?” I asked excitedly.
I suddenly rued the fact that once upon a time, I also had a range of collection but lending them out I never saw them again! “Well, I market them in Chennai”, “Here in Meghalaya?” I asked impatiently. “In Nongstoin” he said. I sighed. “In Shillong?” I persisted. “No not in Shillong” was the reply. Jim Reeves ended his soliloquy and the next song was “Tell Laura I love her.” I remembered the Lauras of old times.
By the time the song ended, we had reached our destination. I hastily got out. The songs echoed in my mind. Life is a never-ending song I thought…
.jpg)
