The Two Cities

The One with the Tea Party

 She was beautiful. No doubt about that. She was young and fair with a well toned body. Her curls were a lovely sea blue. She was extremely moody and her moods led her skin to change color in the most amazing manner- Trembling red and orange with anger, pale white in sombre moods with tears flowing down her face glistening like frozen pearls. When happy, the pink flush on her cheeks and the twinkle in her eye could put a sunny smile on any face. A soft polished manner of speaking and the fragrance of pine and cherry blossom. She had elegantly built landmarks which signified her glorious struggle for independence and now nurtured the brightest young brains on the planet in her bosom. A blend of the old and the new- sophisticated, charming and chic -A true lady. No one could dream of hurting her. It was difficult to get rid of the inertia of the safe and cosy position she could put one in, in no time at all. Oh yes, she was devilishly irresistible.

The Wild One

She was lank and skinny with sores all over her body. Her hair was straggly, the color of murky waters. She had a dark complexion and the stench emanating from her was unbearable. Unruly, crazy and bubbling with life. Constant chattering, babble of a billion voices within her. When she got angry, words would gush out in a torrent of rain, overflowing and unsettling the routine life of her inhabitants. Living with her was a constant race for survival. No stopping, no rest, no peace. Just fierce competition with a billion more vying for her attention. Her embrace was close, cramped and left one with no space to breathe. People said she was resilient. She had endured innumerable beatings, ugly scars being the only proof of a violent past. Her vitality was overpowering. One always took her eternal presence for granted. 

It took a one night stand with the cold beautiful lady far far away, to make me realize that it is this fiery girl to whom my heart really belongs. I love you Mumbai!