The Perfect Strangers. Mr and Mrs Sen
July 2017 was a very important month for me as I was releasing a book regarding my school days. This book has been dedicated to my school principal Mrs. Bubloo Sen and released on her 84th birthday amongst her friends and family at the book club in Bangalore.
While I was traveling to bangalore for this joyous event, for which I was very excited, I reached the airport early as the traffic everywhere as we all know encourages us to reach the airport much in advance.
After completing he security procedures, I proceeded to the master card lounge for some dinner. While traveling to bangalore I generally take a flight which reaches late as that helps me escape the peak hour traffic.
As I took a seat, I noticed a couple whom I guessed would be a few years elder to me.
The gentle man picked up his bag from the puffy opposite to my chair. I told him to let it be as I explained that I was alone.
They were enjoying their snacks and I ordered for myself a latte and sandwich.
The lady was looking at me and I noticed she was a person with a class. She was dressed in a comfortable outfit. The gentleman was also dressed very impeccably.
They were having a conversation and suddenly she mentioned something about the airlines dumpling waste in the sea. While saying so she was looking as me so I responded that it was not good. I asked her where she read that, to which she responded she saw it on the television.
The gentleman asked me if I was travelling to Delhi. I said no and clarified that I was going to bangalore. To which he asked if my residence was in Bangalore. I explained that I was from Navi Mumbai. He enquired for what purpose I was going to bangalore. I explained the launch of the book and the purpose behind that. The lovely lady asked me the name of the book and I said the title was luv U Mrs Sen Studently Yours. She looked a little surprised and asked me why the name Mrs Sen. I clarified that this was my second book and Mrs Sen was my school principal. I went on to add that I was very blessed as Mrs. Sen had also written a foreword in my first book titled Mom Dad U R Wonderful.
She smiled and said the reason she asked was because they both were Mr. and Mrs Sen.
My mind started racing with thoughts that this was no coincidence, and as always the universe was conspiring on something. I also had a feeling that this was not going to be a chance meeting but would lead to something.
I asked them. If they would like a copy of my first book. They gladly nodded in acceptance and said they would read it on tthe flight to Delhi.. They also told me that they stayed in Chitaranjan Park and the gentleman was an arbitration lawyer. I was impressed by their affection and warmth. They said the Durga Puja is very elaborate and famous for its cultural ethos. They both invited me and I thanked them. They paid for the book, I signed and took their blessings. We parted as their flight was earlier than mine.
I finished my meal and chatted for a while with the staff complimenting them on the food.
I also boarded soon and arrived at Bangalore. The stay at Bangalore was wonderful and so was the launch. Next morning we started exchanging greetings on whatsapp. Mr. Sen always sent thereafter very interesting forwards and Mr. Sen would also at times send some very excellent messages. They both read by the book and they knew my family by now by the first names.
On my birthday they sent me the most lovely message. I was so happy that a chance meeting had given me such amazing friendship.
One morning Mrs Sen enquired about the sale of my book. I told her it was on Amazon and directly with us. She said it was such a wonderful book and every individual must have it.
Then she told me that she wanted to gift the book to friends on the occasion of Durga Puja. How could she procure. I told her I could send by courier if she told me the number of copies. I joked further that if the copies were 50 I could travel myself. She said that would be so lovely. I checked the tickets price. There was a good deal as Durga puja was still a month away. I spoke to my husband and he encouraged me to go.
Mrs. Sen advised me to book after Mr. Sen would let me know the dates. He advised a couple of days later that if I would come towards Dusshera it would be more of an experience.
I was in the least concerned that I was going to a complete stranger's house and I had just shared few words for few minutes.
I went ahead and booked for four days stay with them. They were the most wonderful days.
Day 1 Mr. Sen arrived promptly at the airport with his driver. I was so thankful. We reached in a short time home and on the way we discussed many topics and family. He also told me that he had told his feienfr that I was the first Muslim friend arriving from Bombay. Later after a couple of days he told me how he had liked a quiet Muslim girl in college.
On the way he picked up some delicious quiches and croissant from a local but very nice bakery.
Mrs. Sen was all with arms wide open as we reached and of course Chulbul was watching me with curiosity.
I noticed a nice cozy well kept bungalow with a lovely garden and some beautiful antique pieces. Most impressive was Mr. Sens work room, just like a big lawyer. It had a charm about itself. I was given a nice room and he also showed me the backyard.
I freshened up, chatted for sometime and then had delicudel lunch with fish and huge yray of food. Mr. Sen is the most courteous and nurturing person I have come across next to my husband Rajesh.
I decided to take some rest as I had risen early to catch the flight. I took rest and found everyone was resting. In the evening Mrs. Sen and myself went for a walk and on the way we saw the Durga puja pandqls and festivities in the air.
We returned back to have some more discussion and then dinner. Once again the dinner was too delicious. After dinner we listened to some music and retired to bed.
Next day we went around in the evening agaoa and then Mr. Sens assistant came by. It was amazing to see him working nand also multitasking. Then I signed my books for their friends and relatives. Mrs Seen and myself went for one puja and we also shopped the color for feet and the bindi.
Next day was good and we saw a couple of pujas which were amazing. Mrs. Sen generously gave me a very pretty jamdhani saree and I looked like a true Bengali with a big bindi and the right jewelry. We clicked beautiful pictures. All their friends also appreciated and I met some wonfwonde people.
In the evening their friends from US arrived and we had a good evening. We also went to Mr. Sens parental house area for a puja.
I m completing this write-up at the same time that I had met them last year. Somwhow I got busy with many things and the write up was incomplete. Today I finished this while sitting at the lounge at bangalore airport. I still have an hour to board the flight. I was back at Bangalore for my principal Mrs. Sen's 85th birthday.
Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Sen for the wonderful experience. I m grateful to the universe that I met you both.
With Magical Love
Salma
While I was traveling to bangalore for this joyous event, for which I was very excited, I reached the airport early as the traffic everywhere as we all know encourages us to reach the airport much in advance.
After completing he security procedures, I proceeded to the master card lounge for some dinner. While traveling to bangalore I generally take a flight which reaches late as that helps me escape the peak hour traffic.
As I took a seat, I noticed a couple whom I guessed would be a few years elder to me.
The gentle man picked up his bag from the puffy opposite to my chair. I told him to let it be as I explained that I was alone.
They were enjoying their snacks and I ordered for myself a latte and sandwich.
The lady was looking at me and I noticed she was a person with a class. She was dressed in a comfortable outfit. The gentleman was also dressed very impeccably.
They were having a conversation and suddenly she mentioned something about the airlines dumpling waste in the sea. While saying so she was looking as me so I responded that it was not good. I asked her where she read that, to which she responded she saw it on the television.
The gentleman asked me if I was travelling to Delhi. I said no and clarified that I was going to bangalore. To which he asked if my residence was in Bangalore. I explained that I was from Navi Mumbai. He enquired for what purpose I was going to bangalore. I explained the launch of the book and the purpose behind that. The lovely lady asked me the name of the book and I said the title was luv U Mrs Sen Studently Yours. She looked a little surprised and asked me why the name Mrs Sen. I clarified that this was my second book and Mrs Sen was my school principal. I went on to add that I was very blessed as Mrs. Sen had also written a foreword in my first book titled Mom Dad U R Wonderful.
She smiled and said the reason she asked was because they both were Mr. and Mrs Sen.
My mind started racing with thoughts that this was no coincidence, and as always the universe was conspiring on something. I also had a feeling that this was not going to be a chance meeting but would lead to something.
I asked them. If they would like a copy of my first book. They gladly nodded in acceptance and said they would read it on tthe flight to Delhi.. They also told me that they stayed in Chitaranjan Park and the gentleman was an arbitration lawyer. I was impressed by their affection and warmth. They said the Durga Puja is very elaborate and famous for its cultural ethos. They both invited me and I thanked them. They paid for the book, I signed and took their blessings. We parted as their flight was earlier than mine.
I finished my meal and chatted for a while with the staff complimenting them on the food.
I also boarded soon and arrived at Bangalore. The stay at Bangalore was wonderful and so was the launch. Next morning we started exchanging greetings on whatsapp. Mr. Sen always sent thereafter very interesting forwards and Mr. Sen would also at times send some very excellent messages. They both read by the book and they knew my family by now by the first names.
On my birthday they sent me the most lovely message. I was so happy that a chance meeting had given me such amazing friendship.
One morning Mrs Sen enquired about the sale of my book. I told her it was on Amazon and directly with us. She said it was such a wonderful book and every individual must have it.
Then she told me that she wanted to gift the book to friends on the occasion of Durga Puja. How could she procure. I told her I could send by courier if she told me the number of copies. I joked further that if the copies were 50 I could travel myself. She said that would be so lovely. I checked the tickets price. There was a good deal as Durga puja was still a month away. I spoke to my husband and he encouraged me to go.
Mrs. Sen advised me to book after Mr. Sen would let me know the dates. He advised a couple of days later that if I would come towards Dusshera it would be more of an experience.
I was in the least concerned that I was going to a complete stranger's house and I had just shared few words for few minutes.
I went ahead and booked for four days stay with them. They were the most wonderful days.
Day 1 Mr. Sen arrived promptly at the airport with his driver. I was so thankful. We reached in a short time home and on the way we discussed many topics and family. He also told me that he had told his feienfr that I was the first Muslim friend arriving from Bombay. Later after a couple of days he told me how he had liked a quiet Muslim girl in college.
On the way he picked up some delicious quiches and croissant from a local but very nice bakery.
Mrs. Sen was all with arms wide open as we reached and of course Chulbul was watching me with curiosity.
I noticed a nice cozy well kept bungalow with a lovely garden and some beautiful antique pieces. Most impressive was Mr. Sens work room, just like a big lawyer. It had a charm about itself. I was given a nice room and he also showed me the backyard.
I freshened up, chatted for sometime and then had delicudel lunch with fish and huge yray of food. Mr. Sen is the most courteous and nurturing person I have come across next to my husband Rajesh.
I decided to take some rest as I had risen early to catch the flight. I took rest and found everyone was resting. In the evening Mrs. Sen and myself went for a walk and on the way we saw the Durga puja pandqls and festivities in the air.
We returned back to have some more discussion and then dinner. Once again the dinner was too delicious. After dinner we listened to some music and retired to bed.
Next day we went around in the evening agaoa and then Mr. Sens assistant came by. It was amazing to see him working nand also multitasking. Then I signed my books for their friends and relatives. Mrs Seen and myself went for one puja and we also shopped the color for feet and the bindi.
Next day was good and we saw a couple of pujas which were amazing. Mrs. Sen generously gave me a very pretty jamdhani saree and I looked like a true Bengali with a big bindi and the right jewelry. We clicked beautiful pictures. All their friends also appreciated and I met some wonfwonde people.
In the evening their friends from US arrived and we had a good evening. We also went to Mr. Sens parental house area for a puja.
I m completing this write-up at the same time that I had met them last year. Somwhow I got busy with many things and the write up was incomplete. Today I finished this while sitting at the lounge at bangalore airport. I still have an hour to board the flight. I was back at Bangalore for my principal Mrs. Sen's 85th birthday.
Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Sen for the wonderful experience. I m grateful to the universe that I met you both.
With Magical Love
Salma
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