Wandering Sasha

Guess what?!

Someone’s on their way to meet me!! Haha I’m super excited to meet my best fwend after what felt like forever. Shushh I got to grab a cab to the airport I’ll be back!

So so yes I’m crazy about Mariya coming all the way from Vellore to Mumbai for a weekend. We’ve sorted out the itinerary carefully and the planning started months ago. Here I am at Chathrapati Maharaj Airport, eagerly waiting for that one familiar face amidst the crowd.

I thought I’d buy her a bouquet of Red roses but let’s not make it too cheesy (I’m broke. Let’s be honest). Our filmy meetup at 2 in the morning made the policemen smile. And in seconds after we met, we had garam chai and vadapav. Ahh come on what’s Bambai without vadapav?!

Started the day with a ride in typical Mumbai special Kaali Peeli taxi to the CSMT railway station. Roamed around filming the area for a while and had poha with mint chutney at a local restaurant (I don’t genuinely recommend that place for food sorry). The wandering continued till we found ourselves sitting at the pavement of Marine Drive and then later at the entrance of the Gateway Of India. It was around 12 and the scorching sun was right above our heads. A chill spread in our veins when we saw the Taj Hotel ifykyk.

Although we were tired Mariya and I decided to shop at the famous Colaba Causeway. The collections were plenty and the cost was cheaper. Too crowded pavements though. If you are someone who’s good at bargaining unlike us, you’ll probably be able to shop twice the clothes and jewelry we purchased. I also bought myself three books from the streets. A cold lemonade from the landmark of Colaba, the Leopold Cafe refreshed us from the sweaty streets of Colaba.

Nights are for bars! Any doubts? Good. Because I know I’m right! We came home to change and around night both of us headed straight to Butterfly High club in Bandra Kurla Complex. Since we hadn’t booked ourselves a table, we made ourselves comfortable at the table counter. Peachy Margarita and LIIT lit us up from the inside. We had lots to share, and update about our lives. And of course the drunk talks. After the realization that we’re tipsy we headed to Madras Diaries for some hot filter coffee and garam garam masala dosa. We South Indians can never get enough of ghee dosas trust me.

The second day was calm and composed. No rush. Quite how I like a weekend. We hugged and slept that night before and I woke up to Mariya my girl spooning me from my behind. It felt precious. I’m quite lucky indeed to find this gem of a woman, told my mind.

Around eleven we went to the swimming pool to simply chill and Mariya decided to swim a few laps as I waited for her nearby the pool. We got ready for the day and left to Bandra and decided to have our brunch at Aroma Cafe as we discussed about our next destination. Yes the Puppy Cuddles. The dog cafe in Mumbai. Both Mariya and I were extra excited to see about 15 dogs and puppies surrounding us. We could take a nap with the young pups and cuddling them was a direct spike to our serotonin levels. There were huskies, labs, retrievers, poodles and who not. Well maintained and clean, friendly, obedient dogs. It is a magical moment when a dog chooses you as its pillow. Oh to gain a puppy’s trust feels so overwhelming. It was Mariya’s first close encounter with dogs as well. We spent about an hour there. A really paw-sitive experience indeed.

With a full warm heart we left the place. Puppy Cuddles was a good idea. Again we were back to my apartment at 37th floor of Lodha Gardenia. Next in queue of our day’s activities was Hariharan’s Music Concert. The final stop for the day. Both of us once again proved we’re dramatic girls with our ethnic outfits to a musical Ghazal concert by a legendary artist. It was pure bliss to watch him perform live. Wahh wahh!

Hariharan sir reached the stage late for about like few minutes but he quickly turned heads with a single note of Ghazal. The show went on till midnight. We left half an hour before the program ended as both of us were really tired from all the traveling. But but but, Ha you thought we went home and slept? No of course!

We came home and changed into comfortable dresses and went straight to the Socials cafe/bar in the Lodha New Cuffe Parade. Getting drunk with your best friend is a different experience. Me and Mariya danced our hearts out without giving a single damn about what others would wonder. And to our excitement it was a Bollywood night at the bar. Wuhuwww! And the slightly overhyped Patiala was giving us enough guts to mock other people who weren’t dancing lol.

Around 2 am we crawled back to our apartment. I don’t remember changing into my nightwear. I also don’t remember drunk texting people and sending them voice messages. Nevermind.

Next day was a sad day. Mariya was leaving around 3 in the evening. We spent the day alternating between packing her luggage and hugging each other. We reached the airport earlier than required. Roamed around the place and had our brunch. I wrote a note for her in her secret diary. She bought me a strawberry lollipop.

We both were shedding tears at the food court of Mumbai airport as if we’re never meeting again haha. But trust me, if there’s a bond stronger than anything else, it would be the bond between two high school girls who never failed each other, giving their best to one another supporting them for life. I’m blessed to have such a girl in life indeed.