A rhapsody of intricate weaves

Ruelha 
I've been in Chennai almost a dozen years.
Yet there are only a few who have seen my tears.
I am known only to myself.
With bits of me scattered in this cyber bookshelf.

Yet there are a few.
Who somewhat knew.
Me, almost through and through.
Willingly come to my aid and rescue.

I have just a few whom I can call my friends.
Some whose loyalties are sweeter than dividends.
I've learned not to let everyone into my heart.
Not everyone I speak with, to my heart can consort.

At the very top, is my friend Razina.
Who perfectly fits the description of Athena.
I've known her for a decade.
And she has never betrayed.

She calls me her 'Baby'.
And always speaks to me gently.
I call her 'Razz'.
Because she's full of jazz.

The next one is my neighbour Geetha.
Reminds me of the goddess Seetha.
Because she's so loving and caring.
Like a mother, forever nurturing.

She sends me lovely goodies and treats.
Feeds me delicacies from her heart, to eat.
I call her 'Geets'.
Because she is just too sweet.

The next friend from Chennai is Abhijay.
Whom I fondly call Abhi or A.J.
He holds the title for the world's best boss.
I should really have that somewhere embossed.

I met him when I  finally got an opportunity to enter management.
After a few airlines as crew, this was my big achievement.
Being accustomed to just flying, I couldn't even handle Windows.
He taught me everything and became a hero.

Till date, he calls me 'Rue'.
And so all the office staff and crew called me that too.
We covered up for each other.
Such an awesome team player.

He was the world's best Base Manager.
And with him, this assistant learned to overcome fear.
He's not even in the country anymore.
And left for better prospects years ago.

The next one is my friend Reema.
She's a Delhi girl and we hung out for just three months here.
But, because we're kindred spirits and so similar.
We have the same taste in so many things.

I call her my 'doll'.
Because she's cute and all.
We both love Red Sangria.
Followed by Pina Colada.

Then by extension is her younger sister Ruchi.
Another Delhi girl who just moved to Bangalore city.
We met in the society's gym almost six years ago.
When I wished her Happy Diwali, you know.

This one I call 'Jaanemann'.     (Beloved)
She still can't pronounce my name at all!
Anyway, she never really needed to know.
Because as soon as she sees me her tongue let's go.

This is how she greets me every single time.
I'm telling you it's the opposite of divine.
Bit**-who**, kami**, kut**, Fu**-y**.
But for some reason it's funny, cracks me up.

I've obviously encountered a lot more people.
Yet only these remain in my heart's cathedral.
Hung out with a lot I'd call an acquaintance.
Yet only these carved a niche with a lasting fragrance.

It's not like they know everything about me.
But these are the people I'll remember from Chennai, you see.
It feels like I've been here forever.
Though distant, their memories I'll treasure.
It's not like I'm in touch with them all.
But some friends are just as away as a call.
Apart from my home and family,
A portion of my Chennai-rhapsody.

-RUELHA
www.ruelha.com
© Copyright Protected. All Rights Reserved
with my girl Razz
with Geets
That’s my doctor and friend and next door neighbour – Geetha’s son, Radio Oncologist Dr. Shakthivel Mani…baked a cake for his birthday. He is always confused about how to address me…aunty/didi(elder sister)/Ruelha? Just avoids it at all costs😅😂
I know this is a funny picture….but it makes me smile somehow ….reminds me of how I was invited for so many of her family’s and extended family’s events….I think I recognize almost all of Geetha’s relatives.
Me, Geetha and Ruchi at an airplane themed restaurant
with Geetha and a few other friends
with Geetha and Ruchi and few more friends
with my doll, Reema
those three months she lived here, she brought Delhi to Chennai😉🤩
R n R 😉💖
My ‘Jaanemann’ – Ruchi and me

47 Comments

    1. Wow David, I wish that were true. But, thank you for your kindness. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🎀🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Johnnnnnnnnnnnn…..
      These are my Chennai friends….you are a Bombay friend. So on technical grounds….you didn’t make the cut.🙏🏼🎀🤩🎀🙏🏼

      Like

      Reply

    1. Hey Saji. Thank you for that fine interpretation. Yes, I am a little partial to that particular scheme somehow….it just comes naturally to me. Thanks so much for stopping by.🙏🏼🎀🤩🙏🏼🎀🤩

      Like

      Reply

    1. I was reminiscing about the dozen years that went by and the people that were an integral part of it at some point or the other….
      So I just had to mention them in gratitude….although some have gone so far away….
      At some point in my life….in my heart they stayed.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  12. FRiEnDS From India…
    Whatever ‘You Guys’ Are Doing
    ‘Over There’ IT Works… Never Met
    An Indian Woman Less Than Kind…

    HAha… Except for Maybe after ‘They’

    Really Get to

    Know Feel

    Sense All of me
    Fredaches may come and go
    Yet… i Always Caution in Advance..;)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m not in touch with most of them Dawn…
      In fact some of these I will probably never see again in my life most probably cos they live away and we’ve lost touch etc.
      But they touched my heart at some point and I will always have fond memories of them to cherish….this was a tribute to the relationships and bonds I developed in Chennai city so far. I’ve been here a while and I thought I ought to mention them even thought almost all of them are not in Chennai anymore….

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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