Monkeys on the prowl

Our building complex was buzzing with activity last week.Reason? Two monkeys had arrived from nowhere and settled down blissfully on the branches of the huge neem tree near our block in the compound.When my husband mentioned one early morning, that I should be careful since he had sighted two monkeys moving around companionably around the complex, I didn't give it a thought but imagined what a cute sight that would have been!I did not take it seriously, until pandemonium struck on the 6th and 7th floors of our building.The monkeys were wrecking havoc in their kitchen and other rooms.Garbage bags put out in all floors were ransacked and messed up and generally they were creating a lot of problems, though not going to the extent of harming any one.

Notices were put up in the notice boards and children were requested to keep away and not irritate the monkeys,who seemed well settled in their new haven.Residents were advised to keep all doors and windows closed .All efforts by the watchmen and others to chase them away proved to be a vain attempt.Nevertheless, at our end,it was a thrilling pastime for ma-in-law and me,observing the twosome and their silly pranks in close proximity,since our windows opened out very close to the neem tree.Monkey-watching became our immediate hobby!

Finally a few men arrived in a van from the Vandalur Zoo, to trap the monkeys.There was a sudden burst of euphoria, as many residents and children gathered in the vicinity of the neem tree.The men tried as much as much as they could, cajoling them,tempting them with fruits,but the monkeys stubbornly evaded them. This posed to be a real challenge.

A few hours later,we chanced to see a cage on top of the van and lo- there was a monkey inside!Some one said that the other monkey was chased away. The van left and we heaved a sigh of relief! At least they could catch one of them. And the doors and windows were opened!

The next day when my husband met the office manager on some errand, he congratulated him on the successful mission,even though incomplete. The manager sadly replied -" Illa sir, nothing happened- They couldn't catch them.The one you saw inside the cage was brought from Annanagar where it was caught.These two have escaped, but we are expecting them to come back soon"

That much for all the hungama!!

And so we are back to closed doors and windows!.  

Grandmas' day out

Almost a month over, but I am still reminiscing the wonderful time spent with my friends.What was a nodding acquaintance, blossomed into friendship a few years ago.A happy foursome, it is a friendship with no disguises, no secrets.Rarely have we gone out together, and when we did, one or the other would be missing.But this time we did make it happen and we were determined to freak out and spend time together.We met at a friend's place first and I was awestruck at the surprises they sprung on me. Gifts were handed out, accompanied by their singing and it took moments for me to realise that they were actually celebrating my oncoming 60th birthday, which was due in a week.It left me speechless and I had no words to thank them.

We decided to hang around in the newly built mall and spend time window shopping.We must have been a funny sight - all grandmas moving around the mall jauntily with youthful exuberance!We recreated our carefree days once again, though only for a few hours.We moved from shop to shop thoroughly enjoying ourselves,not forgetting to buy a few saris in the process.We even encountered a well known film star and made small talk with her.I am doubtful if we would have even looked at her on any other day.A couple of photographs clicked by the floor manager and we headed to the food court for lunch.We had a whale of a time bingeing on a variety of food and ice creams!Chitchatting over lunch, we realized it had become too late to visit the exhibition we had planned to and headed homeward.For a few hours we had truly forgotten home and hearth. Back home with all the worries and responsibilities, happy memories were forever etched in our minds.