Things I miss, Things I don’t

Things I miss, Things I don’t

For the most part of this adulating phase, I have been telling myself to spend money on experiences and not things. Don’t buy things, invest in them I would remind myself. That way you would have gained something that is long lasting, something that adds value to you and something that’s hard to take away. Explore art, may be it will let you explore yourself. You’ll gain some insight you’ll lose some inhibitions. I am no Buddha, as much I preach to let go, I can’t, and as much I want to stay connected but detached I can’t help but get attached to things. Its harder than you'd think!

Its IPL season and I genuinely believe I have lost interest in cricket since 2011. When my entire generation waited eagerly for something we came very close to during 2003. I still remember the Pepsi ad campaign that had Carl Hooper, Shane Warne and Sachin. Those were the times when Sachin- Shahrukh attempted “Ailla plane” type of ads. But the arrogant bastard from Down Under that is Punter, captaining the Australian team made sure we were far from winning. The team that I still believe was one of the best teams we have ever had, was no match for the Aussies. We lost two matches during the entire world cup and both to the same team. We were the second best team by a huge margin. lots of memories from that world cup though, like many others I can just look at the way scores were displayed on the screen or the Indian jersey and tell you it’s world cup, “that” world cup. Nevertheless, we got our “Mauka Mauka” in 2011, that day and what followed was one unforgettable night and it will forever be remembered by majority of this over populated cricket crazy country.

That was the peak of love for cricket  for me and since then I stopped caring. We win a series, very good,  lose one - no problem! If there is such a thing as nirvana for cricket, this is it.

But for many this isn’t the case. They care, share, breath and believe cricket and all forms of it. Two of my closest friends have absolutely contrasting views on this IPL frenzy. One believes it’s as crucial as any other format of the game; the other believes everything is fixed. From balls to sixes from LBWs to super overs and the rains everything is like Akshay Kumar’s password from Ajnabee. “Everything is planned” he claims. I am amazed with his conviction but I don’t really care. Nirvana remember!?

Only last month one of my relatives went to this IPL match. Super exclusive boxes for ultra VIP people. And in this uber luxury somebody managed to pick their wallet. Thanks to Modi we learnt to live on less cash and more cards, thanks to Modi we learnt the names of security guards outside ATM machines as well (for ATM near my house, its Rakesh during the day and ‘Jonnnie’ after 8 o clock in the night, Rakesh has 2 kids and ‘Jonnnie’ wants to switch jobs and change career line). Anyway soo a new wallet. New home for new monnneayy. This reminded me of the only time (I hope) I lost my wallet. I pretty much gifted it to whoever got it.

I remember being sad about losing whatever little cash I had, being pissed about the hassle I was going to embark on to get the license renewed, debit card blocked and then issue a new one. But what I missed most was the 1 rupee note that my grandmother had signed and given me. One drunk pact on a piece of paper with one of my closest buddies to start a business venture duly signed by witnesses. Ticket to what was a phenomenal match between India and Aus. at Mumbai, incidentally the guy who still believes in cricket, the guy who thinks it’s all fixed and I went for this one. What a game though.  Some memories of my first internship, a worn out bill of first date with her initials, picture of my niece who was wayyy cuter and also gullible to what she now believes aren’t “real magic tricks” (humph. Love, I really could disappear behind my hands and then reappear out of nowhere.. there’s just no way to prove I couldn’t. ) And a corrupted memory card that I hoped one day will work and bring alive so many moments that I would love to relive. Gone.

So it really wasn’t about the wallet. it wasn’t about the perishables. And it wasn’t about things. I was attached to something that was beyond that. Something intangible that had become a part of me or was a reminder of where I came from and what I aspired to be.

It was also a happy realization of something.

Memories I value. Things I don’t.