When some things go well............

"Been there done that" is never a thumb rule to keep things going the way we want. Travellings and outings is what I like and have liked all these years since childhood. We've always planned some really nice trips going places and having fun. This time it was a bit different trip. It didn't have the usual sight -seeing, hotel stay, junk food and the like. It was a visit to a friends place. Our first friends ever in this alien country, whom we missed soo very much since we shifted to another city in search of a better "roti, kapda n makaan". Both of us even missed the city, anyone would - Chicago. But ultimately the charm is not the city but the people who reside in there in the bonding they make with you. The love, affection and to be precise a very very non-formal attitude in welcoming us at midnight when the entire building was quiet is what alarmed me and made me feel really at home.
A 7 hr road run from Cleveland to Chicago, Pingu Puking in midst of a highway, skipping all the exits and rest areas just to be there with our own people as fast as we could, hungry as hell and tired but excited was the way we reached Chicago at our friends place that night at around 12:15AM. Hey........we're here, finally we made it. After a long gap of 9 months, we were finally at "Briarwood Terrace" with Aarya-Abhijit-Pari. All of us were soo soo excited n happy to see each other. Chatting n chatting n chatting...........went on till Pingu was tired n hungry. Wouldn't she be at 2 AM in the night ?? I gathered my senses and fed her something. Off she went to sleep, and the night was ours again. Pari had slept in more or less the same time and Aarya was free then and off started my inquiries about our gang at the chai party. the night kept moving, we had our dinner around  4 - 4:30 AM and as tired as Prasad was, he could've actually slept anywhere in any position he would've been in. Finally we decided to lay down at 5:30 AM.
Next day was drowsy, getting up late elders n the kids too. As planned, we had to have our lunch at a famous Indian restaurant which we missed so so badly out here. They had a lunch buffet which was open till 3 PM, and we realized this at 12:30 PM. Off we hurried with the kids and their food and got ready but the first stroke of destiny came in here : The battery of our car was drained off throughout the night and it would not budge come what may. Then the series of numerous phone calls to the car rental guys and through them to the insurance guys started. I had lost hopes that we're making it today to priya (The Indian food joint). But thankfully, the insurance guys were quick and they fixed the car by 2 PM. Quickly we started, and reached there around and before their closing time. Then came in the taste of already delicious food - why not after so much longing. All the people left, the buffet table was taken up, the server even held the check before us but we weren't moving so soon. The cleaner even came up with the vaccum machine roaring to our feet and we thought of rounding up but not before a snap (Prasad hates my idea of having a pic everytime but I leave him with no option). The evening was great at one of the famous malls and we were sent home by the Mall authorities as it was Christmas eve and the mall closes at 6. Later that evening was a time with my own gang at one of the friend's place. Mona - as enthusiast as she is, called every single person and those of them could make it, did. It was a blast with me shamelessly asking Mona to prepare some Dal-rice for Pingu so that I could have more time with them (not to mention she already had made delicious Khaman and a crunchy sweet pie).
Next morning was no better than the previous one with late risings. Suddenly Pari wasn't well. she had some fever and getting all fussy. Aarya-Abhijit dropped the plan to be with us that day and we had to  move alone. Some long awaited shopping at the Devon street and lip smacking chaat at the Sukhadia's covered our afternoon. With all the hands full of shopping bags and tummy full of great food were looking at the 2nd stroke: A parking ticket. I could well imagine the shopping that I could've gone through with the $100 that now we have to pay for parking our car in a tow away zone (Thankfully they didn't actually tow away our car). Sadly, I wished the clock to turn 3 hrs back and We could park our car somewhere else. With the spirits collapsing, we dropped the plan to pay a visit to downtown Chicago.
Driving back, we realised that we're running out of Gas and were in search of a gas station. Not ready already but sensing something fishy we well had another stroke : All the gas stations were closed for the day(It was Christmas after all). somehow we managed to reach home and had ourselves relaxed with the coffee, Aarya had made for us. After a while, Prasad n abhijit got Pita Inn food and we enjoyed it together. Then I was into packing up things as we had to leave the next morning and Prasad went to have a quick meet up with some of his old colleagues n friends (By now, everyone knows how quick a meet up can be). Aarya n me kept talking and sharing things till Prasad-Abhijit were back that was around 2 AM (I wasn't surprised).
Next morning we were supposed to leave at 8:30 AM but........we were up at 9:20 AM. Somehow we managed to freshen up and get Pingu ready, packed some food for her and actually started off at 11:30. We had to return the car maximum by 6 'o' clock in the evening and we were trying hard to make it up. We stopped once to feed Pingu and get some coffee for ourselves. By 4:30 we were sure that we aren't going to make it by 6 and we called the car rental guys to get us a work around. Something was waiting for us there as well: After 6, we will be charged a days rent. And we slowed down and reached home peacefully. I cooked something, we had dinner and the three of us were off to sleep at 8:30.
Next day was painful as Prasad had cold n fever, it was snowing and he well had to go to return the car. When all was settled, he decided to work from home that day and relax a bit. Still next day when he went to office he came to know that he had some 5 sick leaves pending and that they would lapse away by 31st if not used. So today, Prasad is on leave, to make up for the family time, the sleeping time that he had missed out on the last weekend. Had we known this earlier..........??? What  could I have known earlier :
1: That the car lights were still on through the night which caused the battery to drain away
2: That the place where we'r parkig our car is a "tow away zone"
3: That if it is Christmas, all the gas stations are bound to be closed in the evening
4: That the car rental guys won't let us go away with that 1 hr late drive without a penalty
5: That Prasad has 5 sick leaves pending to be used, which can be availed anytime
6: That if at all we had to pay that penalty, I could've spent some more time with such cute set of friends
This is life................U never know what's coming next till it is already there and you have to be ready to face whatever, however, whenever it asks for. Nonetheless, nothing is as great as meeting old friends and experiencing all the warmth they have for you. This one thing I know personally that I haven't called up many of them since I left Chicago, but still I know they love me and miss me as much as I do. Nothing overcomes this feeling of being loved and cared for..................not even the pain of writing this up and sharing  at 4 AM in the morning........
Till next time it's me wishing you a Happy New Year and a Happy life ahead.