Cold Excursion – Conclusion

We came back to Gurgaon from Agra on 29th December, Thursday. Friday was spent lazing around at home, eating home food and relaxing. Ummi and I baked a Celebration Chocolate Cake. This time around, Ummi was the Chef and me – the sous Chef. There was some leftover batter with which she made cup cakes as well. The cake was supposed to be frosted the next day.

31st December, Saturday – we went to Delhi and visited the Dilli Haat. We did some shopping there. The steal got from there (this one’s for you RS):

• A pot designed as a frog for my balcony
• A Sun God made of bronze (Bhaiyya bought for us)
• Two quilling kits – one for me and other for Ummi
• Key chains with dangling elephants carved from wood, their tummies were elegantly carved to reveal a baby inside (Hats off to the sculptor) – to be given away to Mantam’s daycare folks, our domestic help and security gurad
• Sindoor / Kumkum containers decorated with Laakh and mirrors for Bhabi’s mom and relatives
• A wrist band with H‘s name written on it for her
• A set of 6 wooden coasters with a glass on its face painted with a Rajasthani girl’s picture on top. (Bhabi bought for us)
• Bangles for me
• Bracelets for Mantam and Mimmi
• One Laakh decorated pocket mirror, Bhaiyya gave me

From there we came back to Gurgaon and went to a mall called Ambience Mall. Ummi and Mimmi were insistent on taking Mantam to the mall as they always missed and thought about Mantam whenever they played games there. We had some ice creams. While we headed toward that play area, Bhaiyya, Bhabi and Ma went missing and called us to say that they would join us in a while. Abbas and I supervised the kids playing all games. Once Bhaiyya, Bhabi and Ma joined us, we decided to dine in the mall. There was huge queue as it the new year’s eve. We booked two restaurants, Bhaiyya waited at one and I waited at the other. After almost 45 mins, we got an entry into Kobe Sizzlers, where I waited (No, no, I didn’t wink at the reception guy. I promise)

I went in and captured the seats first and informed the rest of the gang to join in. When they enetered, Bhabi had a great fall and twisted her ankles very badly. We got a bag of ice cubes from the restaurant kitchen but she was in tremendous pain. All the excitement had drained down, we somehow finished the dinner not so pleased with the food. They were in a rush to close the kitchen.

When we came out, Bhabi was able to walk albeit limping through her way. And somehow Mantam and Mimmi refused to walk with anyone else but her. Clock had hit 12 and we all wished Abbas a very happy birthday. We bought some pain killer tablets for Bhabi on the way back home. At home, Bhaiyya and Bhabi showed us a Tee shirt and a tunic that they got for Abbas and me as our birthday presents.That was why they sneaked out in between. 😀

1st Jan, Sunday was a busy day as we had to catch the train in the evening. Bhaiyya and Abbas stepped out to bring lots of sweets for both our office colleagues and acquaintances. Bhaiyya brought two Jhola type bags for Mantam which they treasure so much saying – ‘Jumbo ne diya tha ye bag’. Bhabi packed so many other grocery items that are costly in Blore. In between all this hungama, we were 4 ladies in the kitchen. Bhabi and I cooking the lunch, Ma preparing Payesh / Payasam for her son, Ummi and I preparing frosting to decorate the cake. Post lunch, packed our bags. We had plans to start off at 6 as the train was somewhere around 8 PM, although I was not sure about the exact time. I asked Abbas and he said “Get ready fast, we’ll check it out in Tulu”. We cut the cake finally and had spoonfuls of Payasam.

We set out of home at 6 PM. We messed up with directions and ended up taking rounds of the same circle with confusing flyovers spread like tentacles of octopus. Ummi was back with her forecast. She declared – “We will reach the railway station exactly 30 mins before the train starts”. It had begun to rain. Clock’s hands were heading towards 8 PM and I told Abbas to get the ticket out to check the exact departure time. What did we see? This couldn’t be possible…..

As though Ummi’s predictions had magically transformed the departure timings in the ticket – “8:50 PM” it read. We couldn’t believe our eyes. Each one of us took turns to confirm if the other one saw it right. We reached Nizamuddin station at dot 8:20 PM. Ummi had the widest grin ever. I asked her mockingly – “So tell me, will we reach Blore on time or not?”. After a brief thought and a long breath, she muttered “Mmm, well, your train will be delayed by exactly 4 minutes.” Bhabi and I broke into a hysterical laugh at the way she said it. Bhaiyya hired a Coolie and went ahead with him along with the luggage.

Abbas asked us all to walk to the train and that he would park Tulu and come. It was raining and there was no proper parking space in sight. We slowly walked and reached our compartment. It was already 8:45 PM. Abbas was nowhere to be seen. The train was finally gonna start, whistle already blown, Bhabi said – “Don’t worry, He will hop into some other compartment and join you.” My mind was already devising plans on how to go to the loo with both kids together and making calculations on how much it would cost for Abbas’s air ticket.

The train began moving and fellow passengers gave questioning looks at me travelling alone with 2 kids. Within 30 seconds perhaps, Abbas appeared and I told myself “Thank God, Air fare saved. Phew!!!”

At Dilli Haat

At Dilli Haat

Huge Cake (Artificial) at Ambience Mall

Having ice creams at the Mall

The hoarding at Kobe's Sizzlers. The hard core foodie in me loved it. Couldn't help but click while the person at opposite table gave wierd looks at me thinking I was clicking his pic.

Abbas' Birthday Cake

A different angle

Along with the cupcakes

And the birthday boy