Disclaimer: All the characters in my ‘City of Joy’ series will have only initials to keep them anonymous as SK has threatened to murder me should her name appear anywhere …

After slogging my butt out and reports pinning my hypertension on 9 out of 10, my boss Ashish suggested that I go on a break. well, I thought, sometime or the other I had to take a break, so why not now. So as usual confused me sat scratching my head wondering where to go. My recent past experiences at planning a break were a complete washout – couldn’t go to Greece (because as my travel agent said, “you are single, young, with no loans on your head, never travelled abroad before and hence could be a potential threat” ). Also out went Dubai, Egypt and Sri Lanka (folks couldn’t understand why SL of all places). Was suggested to visit South East Asia, get a couple of visas on my passport and be eligible for my ‘big’ trip.

While discussing my plight with my friend, Ant R, she  suggested I visit Calcutta. ”Come during Durga Pooja”, she said, “and you’ll kill two birds with one stone…watch the famed Pujo and also destress”. Sounded like a perfect recipe for recreation & rejuvenation. I agreed pronto and the date was set to September 24. Since Ant R was a school friend (we studied together from Std. VIII to X), I decided to ask 2 other friends from our group – PS & SK. PS is suffering from severe backache and has been advised to refrain from travelling; SK (surprise surprise) readily agreed. Her immediate ‘yes’ shocked me as I had mentally prepared myself for much persuasion and cajoling.

Well to cut a long story short,  SK & I left for Calcutta on Sept 24 morning looking forward to having some fun in the ‘City of Joy’.