Friday, November 9, 2012

Strangers-turned-friends


Alluring waterfront, lush-green surroundings, chirping birds, melodious music, walkers’ track, tempting eateries…name it and Sharjah’s Al Majaz park area has it all. Morning walkers naturally find the place a captivating never-miss attraction.
I jogged for a few minutes at the spot and decided to do some warm-up exercises. After a couple of push-ups, twists and turns on a concrete bench, I closed my eyes and breathed in.
I was thus lost in thoughts when I heard some noise from behind. Three youngsters surrounded me and started joking about my aerobics. Impulsively, I looked at my purse and key, which I had kept on the bench. They were intact. I realised that the boys were merely looking for fun.
With age comes maturity and I have aged enough.
I decided to make friends with them and demonstrated some exercises that I knew. I then introduced myself as a journalist and said if they could show some trick for an action photo, we would carry it in our newspaper. They did with much enthusiasm.
“Il youm kalaas. Ashuufak bukra,” (Enough today, rest tomorrow) I told them in broken Arabic.
They gave me a hug and disappeared with the words “Mas salama.”

7 comments:

  1. that is really mature Ramesh. The youngsters often warm up here once they sense that you are open to speaking their language, though haltingly. Good and quick thinking from you :)

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  2. Bachchas will remain bachchas......During the days I travelled to Dubai," Insha Allah Bukra"was a often quoted words

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  3. seems, you struck friendship real fast

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  4. Kids will be kids always , I am old but I will probably still do the same he he he

    Happy diwali Ramesh bhai to you and family and everyone around you .. have a good one

    Bikram's

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  5. My thoughts stopped when I read this -

    "I jogged for a few minutes at the spot and decided to do some warm-up exercises. After a couple of push-ups, twists and turns on a concrete bench, I closed my eyes and breathed in."

    :) Are you talking about yourself or someone else from the park doing these acrobatics?

    :D Interesting and positive response to the kids. Few of us would have the maturity for that.

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