Saturday, January 19, 2013

'Falling' into fitness !





I stepped out of the house in the chilly morning all covered up with sweater, muffler, gloves and cap. The thermals and jeans I wore would also help to protect me from the biting cold. Hubby insisted I wear the gloves and only with a minor hassle had I given in.The bass drums being played near the India Gate by the band as they practised for the Republic day parade could be heard loud and clear and it seemed to provide the right note as I marched towards the gate looking more like a terrorist in my winter attire.
As we drove to the Lodhi Gardens I continued to sulk. On reaching the destination the car stopped and as soon as I opened the door to get out of the car the nipping wind made me want to get back in and shut the car door. To avoid another tiff from the husband I gathered all my will power and stepped out of the car.Without a pause I broke into a trot. The tip of my nose was freezing so I pulled the muffler round my nose and walked briskly to beat the cold.
We had just finished half the round when a lady overtook me. In order to prove I am faster I tried to get past her. I did not notice the elevation to the pavement and before I realised I had landed on all fours. The lady who had walked ahead of me stopped and helped me get back on my feet. Two other gentlemen behind me made sounds which would have made one think that they had been hurt by my fall. My own man had walked ahead  not missing me beside him for even a moment  and  had  turned  around  later on hearing the sounds  behind to find me in a pleading pose. I was sure they were all smiling and hence refused to look at any of their faces. I just managed to say "I am fine"  and continued to walk  with intensified speed.
I was very excited after what had happened and I ached to tell every one.On reaching home I first told my son  "You know what ? I had a fall ".
"Did you hurt yourself ?" he wanted to know.
"Naa.. " I said with pride even as I rubbed my knees and wrists .They had turned red , but my gloves and jeans had saved me from any serious injury .

Next I told Tulsi, our then official cook.
"Ohh.. !" He exclaimed and looked unbelievingly probably wondering why I had gone all the way to Lodhi Gardens to fall when I could have done it in my own house. 

My friend Terry  called and I chirped about my mini adventure.

On chat I told my cousin Saritha " I had a fall .. and that too in Lodhi Gardens !"

We had been sharing our weight problems and inspiring each other to walk and change ourselves from fat to fit . As a result of which I had been walking religiously to shed those extra kilos.

I read what she typed as the words appeared " And then ... ? did anything happen ..? " Before I moved my own fingers to type a reply she added  "...to Lodhi Gardens ?" . 

uh ?

My initial reaction was that of disbelief .Soon I was laughing my guts out.
This had made my day!!

The Cupola on the top of Qutub Minar had been destroyed by an earthquake centuries ago . I visualised, once again, my fall with a thud that could have damaged the tombs of Sikander Lodhi and Mohammed Shahi . Or at the least created a crack in the pavement.
Now I look forward to the morning walks and I know I will always smile when I reach the   'where-I-fell' spot.
Each day brings its own colours
To be chosen, mixed,
Pigments of joy,
Happy moments,
Smiles and laughter....
And which will you choose?
For 'Life' is choice,
We are all painters
In our own way,
All needing to create
Something of worth,
Of lasting beauty,
Marking our journey...

1 comment:

Geetha Paniker said...

Your narration gave a feeling of going for a walk and having a fall. You have a great quality of changing a negative into a positive. You brought a brad smile on my face too.:-)