The Rough Note by MKaarS

  Chapter - 2   Bengaluru!  Finally, I was there!  Away from my home, in a totally new place, away from my parents and all the other familiar faces.  I had been waiting my entire life to experience this feeling of freedom and I have been imagining how awesome it would feel all along.  But in reality, it was nothing like how I thought it to be.  To be embarrassingly honest, it was terrible and scary.    Just as I reached Bengaluru and got out of the train, I felt clueless and lost amongst the crowd.  Where have I come? What am I doing here all alone? Was it a mistake to leave the comfort of my hometown and come to a strange place to start a living? I don't even have any friends here? What will I do? How am I going to survive here?  My mind reeled with numerous questions.  I just wanted to climb onto the train again and go back to my place.  Maybe I was not ready for this big change in my life. An...

  Chapter - 1 My name is Sachin. Or that's what I say to people. But my full name as per my Aadhar card, the document which authenticates me anywhere in India and my passport that identifies me anywhere else in the world, I am Sachidhanandha Swaminathan.   I am from Tamil Nadu. Normally I don't have to say this statement to people. Just by seeing me and hearing my name, anyone can easily place me where I belong.    My typical nerdy look (thanks to my thick rimmed glasses), my heavily oiled side-partitioned hair and thick moustache, (yes even my moustache is oiled), the Thiruneeru (sacred ash) on my forehead, my dark-complexioned skin (in my native, we call it as wheatish), my breath that smells of filter coffee - all screams Tamilian (Yes, not Madrasi).    And when I talk Tamil in my Kongu accent, anyone from Tamil Nadu will immediately ask me, "Thambi Koyambathoorungala?" which translates to, "Brother, you are from Coimbatore, right?"  ...

  Prologue "Yes, this is the first time I am travelling by flight," Little Inla told the airhostess who just brought her the meal from the kids’ special menu which she had demanded. "Oh, that's great. So, hope you are enjoying this flight journey with us," the airhostess said as she handed over the plate of food to Mia, Inla’s mom, who was seated next to Inla in the middle seat.  4-year-old Inla eagerly looked at the plate which Mia had just put in the tray before her and said, "Yeah, but that would also depend on how tasty this food is."  "Oh, Inla, that's rude to say." Mia said.  "No mumma, I am not being rude," defended Inla with a slight frown on her face.  "Of course, dear, you are not," the airhostess said before Mia could say anything.  Inla smiled.  "So, your name is Inla, huh? A very nice and a different name," the airhostess continued.  "Oh yeah. Not just it's quite differ...