Papaya Story!

I used to tell people whether they know the Papaya story when ever they try to butter to get things done from me. But I never revealed the story to anybody. People became curious in the end I had to tell the story eventually. The story is nothing but the old mother-times story but I made it little more interesting :)

Here you go ...

"There is this guy called Saya! He does things for pride always!
One day he and his girlfriends were walking along a street, there was a tall papaya tree with full of ripe red papaya fruits in it.
One of the girls wanted the fruits, asked him to pluck one for her! He hesitated first but then all the girls insisted, so he started climbing. 

Midway through, the tree started to creep. So this guy scared and stopped climbing. But all the girls were still cheering "Climb Saya Climb" (Read like "Run Forrest Run" from Forest Gump!). So this guy was pumped up and excited, kept climbing despite the tree still creeping.

In the end the tree was broken and he fell, his nose cut down :). There was this handsome guy called JK came to rescue him, called ambulance and madesure he is safe and secure! The Girls had their papayas and walked away with JK and had a wonderful evening time with him.

Moral of the story : Over to you!!!

Door Mat

Dawn to Sunrise: Credit: Sayanthan

Its still  not dawn in Jaffna yet! Time is half past five in the morning. Wilson's sudden barking woke up every dog in the neighborhood and neighbors too. Jessie noticed her mother has already woken up.

"Wake up Jessie, I don't know why is this dog howling like seen a ghost, can you go and check, this dog will never listen to me" -- Jessie's mother from kitchen asked Jessie. Jessie's mother never calls Wilson with his name which she found really odd. She was suggesting typical dog names like "Jimmy" or "Zesor".

JK's Jaffna Home Portico

 "Wilson must have seen something ma, lemme checkout", Jessie slowly gets up from the bed, checks herself in the mirror, adjusts her long hair and goes to backyard where Wilson is tied up.

"Good Morning Wilson, what's up with you? Are you ok?" --Wilson turns to happy mood after seen her and barks playfully now. Jessie raised the small Wilson and cuddled him with a delicate touch on his head. Now his bark turns into a little yip. Jessie recalls the namesake of Wilson refreshingly.

Feral Domestic Dog, Zesor

"So you got a little dog, ha? Labrador or something?" Jake asked Jessie.

This is their second meet. Its a canteen of the university where Jessie working as an English literature lecturer.

"Ha ha ha, my salary is not even enough to feed a Labrador. This is a feral domestic dog, just two days old I guess, so cute and lovely"

"So you love dogs... well is it he or she?"

"He of course, Do you have a dog at your LA place?"

"I would love to, but who will dog-sit and clean its poops haa?"

"Oh, they can't just go out on their own? Jaffna dogs can do things on their own.."

"May be you just come and tell that to Americans! haven't told his name yet?"

"Name? I just got him yesterday, ma is calling him Jimmy, but no naming done yet"

"Wilson?"

"Wilson, you mean the dog name?"

"Yeah, Wilson"

"Never heard such a name for a dog in Jaffna, where does it come from?"

"Its a character in Tom Hanks' latest movie, you watched Cast Away?"

"No, I seldom watch English movies, Who is Tom Han?"

"Hushhh..."

"What's that Hushhh..."

"Forget it, its a long story, there in the movie, Wilson is an interesting character, I have the VCD at home, may be we can watch when you come there"

"When?"

Jake has been seeing Jessie just less than a week now. Jake moved to Los Angeles fifteen years back, had his schooling there. He came to Jaffna to visit his aging parents for a three months vacation. One of Jessie's colleagues is his distant relative. That's how Jake was introduced to Jessie's father.

Wilson seems to be calmed down now. Jessie goes and makes a coffee and comes to sit at their porch garden. There is still a mild breeze out there. No feel can match having a strong coffee on a Jaffna early morning cold weather. Divine!

"Such a cunning smile ..erghh.. "
"Its fine to call me Jake"
"Why did you smile... Jake, my mum made the coffee!"
"The coffee is nice!"
"But that was more of a grin smile!"
"No, I was just comparing this awkward situation with US"
"Awkward situation? Don't they drink coffee? I heard they drink coffee with no sugar? sooo funny!"
"Yea, I didn't mean it, first day of date at girl's porch garden, her parents and friends hiding behind the window glasses, eavesdropping what we speak .. ha ha ha"
"Of course this is not US, in fact I am surprised my father allowed even to this extent"
"So you are fine moving to LA"
"LA?"
"Los Angeles, that's where I live"
"Oh, Is that a statement or question? I don't have a say anyway right? Do I?"
"Well not really, this is only a meet and its your life after all"
"Yeah its my life after all..."
"Look Jessie, world is much much broader than Jaffna, this war, deaths, fights for nothings, all these hoo haas, you are an English literature lecturer, you can come and work there, may be doing a fellowship at CSU, US is a country of opportunities"
"Me working there? You kidding me? Then who looks after the house? kids and all later?"
"Hey doormat! don't go there right away, too fast for kids haa"
"Na na na, I just telling"
"See this is what our problem is, just let the life loosen up, There are lot to learn from Americans. You hardly see housewives in American families, yet they do everything we managed to do, most of the times with much much betterment. Bottom line is they enjoy their lives!"
"So you called me doormat haa? That's funny... May I ask you a question? Why did you change your name to Jake? Jeyakrishnan sounds far better... Identity crisis?"
"Identity crisis? You dangerous literature people ha, I always felt so embarrassed by my name.... You feel like you're causing someone pain just by being who you are."
"Ha ha ha, That's Lahiri"
"What?"
"That's from Ms Lahiri, Pulitzer Price Winner this year, what you just said..."
"Damn, so you read her too, finished Intepreter of Maladies?"
"Of course, few times..."
"Cool, My favorite, I can relate myself a lot with those stories in it, loved them.."
"So cute, then I am fine"
"Fine what?"
"Seems, ma is calling, are we done?"
"Hey doormat, you said something... fine with what?"

Jessie got up, collected the empty coffee cups and the tray, took few steps towards the portico, stopped a bit, turned and smiled.

"Hushhh..."-- Jessie told with a little shy and went into the house, or was she running?

Time runs so fast. Three months with Jake had passed like a blink of an eye. Jake and Jessie talked a lot  during this period. Renovating their LA house, history of civil war, Oprah Winfrey, Ilaiyarajah to Back Street Boys, Merchant of Venice, Sengai Aazhiyaan, share market, Sampras, they just wanted a topic to keep talking, spending time with each other. When two different value systems interact, there will be lot to talk, discuss, argue and fight. Jake and Jessie had everything happened in this last three months. They found something common in them, related each other, at least they thought they did!

Its still not dawn yet, Jessy finished her coffee, but still little sleepy to get up. Jake left to US two days back. He must be on his way to LA now. May be he will call her in few hours. Hopefully ma's friends won't call and engage the phone for hours early in the morning. Jessie had a big yawn and then got up just when the phone was ringing.

"Jessie, attend the phone, it may be Krishnan's" -- ma never wanted to call Jake with his nick name. She thinks its odd to call a Jaffna person with a name like Jake.

"It can't be him ma, he must be still flying",  Jessie went and took the phone with a disbelief.

"Hey Doormat!", Jake from other end for her surprise.

"Wow Jake! you already reached LA? I thought you are still flying"

"Yeah still flying...Using in-flight phone "

"What, you are crazy!"

"Can't wait to call ..."

"Hushhh... Big liar, you didn't call me at the transit, seems boring air hostess this time haa?"

"Hey, you caught up with this Hush haa? I woke you up so early?"

"Na na na, you know what, Wilson woke up all of us early, he must have found something wrong" -- There is no reply from Jake for a second

"Jake, are you still there?"

"Hang on Jessie, Something wrong out here"

"What? Didn't hear you"

"Something fishing out here, Captain announces there is a bomb aboard, looks like a hijack"

"Jakeee, tell me you are not kidding, I am scared"

"Jessie, ... Yeah its a joke, don't worry, the line is not clear, sometimes it may get disconnected, don't worry"

"Are you sure Jake, stay with me, you hear me?"

"Yea I do, hey doormat, don't worry... I love you.."

"Jake, are you ok? I can't hear you well"

"I love you doorm..."

 Jessie hears some abrupt noises,  eventually the phone gets disconnected..

"Jakeeeee!!!"

Its still  not dawn in Jaffna yet!
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On the morning of 11^th September 2001, terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger jet airliners to attack the World Trade Center twin towers. From this four hijacked airliners, two airliners were deliberately crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City that killed everyone on board and many others working in the buildings ....
------------------------------------------------THE END---------------------------------------------------------------------

You may like JK's this story too!

Crap!

DISCLAIMER: The events depicted in this post are fictitious and any similarity to any person living or dead  is merely coincidental

"You know crap, can you just stop whining and enjoy the the evening. Remember Rule One? No office stuff after hours"
"Oh yeah, its my choice today, ok what would you like haa?"
"You won't change, will you moron?, mmm may be "Malibu and Pineapple"? "
"Perfect! Smoky Martini will do.."
"That's expensive, go for something simple"
"You don't know Jess, its a mixed day at work today, I am bit pissed off"
"Jeez, Listen, Remember Rule One?"

"I got fired!"
"What ... ?"

Jessie is always specific on her rule number one from the day one we started. No office talks after office hours. But then she had to remind me the rule every time we drop in for dinner. However one can't just leave everything happened during the most exciting hours of a day, yeah of course today is different!

"You know Mr Sully... "
"No formalities please, Call me Jake"
"Ok I would like you to remind that this is not your design discussion or a tea break. We are here to discuss your conduct during the project tenure. It has been brought to my attention that you are not following our newly introduced protocols. Do you have anything to add Mr Sully?"
"Process? well, I do follow ... at times"
"You see, your design artifacts coverage is 50% which is 15% below of our acceptable target. You have been changing the design without following the formal process of design changes and impact analysys, in the event your actions lead to overall project budget increase of 8% and not to mention about the risk you imposed"

 He gave me this nicely bound review finding document with all the evidences and records.

"Well I do apologize if it actually happened, But you see, this work is more to do with our individual judgment and instincts under the specific circumstances and domain experiences. We can't just follow everything on the piece of shit ... sorry .. paper, its not what Agile tells you, did you sign Agile Manifesto? We need to look at the holistic view of the domain, the business ... everything"
"I don't know what you talking about, well I will keep a note about the Agile and look at it on my next available time slot. All I want is to follow everything as per process and keep yourself safe always. Why do you care of holistic view, after all its not your part of job, I just read your job description"

Not my business haa? Then who else? hope its not yours?

Well neither mine! Do not change the topic, have you recorded your circumstances which lead to your process breakdowns. We can consider them if you have those evidences.

"You know what, I am known for my patience, so I suggest we end this conversation here, I don't have evidences, I never bring my cam-coder when I go to toilet. Thank you"

I just stood up and returned to my seat. OMG,  what did happen to me, couldn't I just listen and answer all the questions with patience. Am I not questionable? What makes me thinks I am larger than all these craps, will I ever learn to work with different people? Damn...Terrible Me!

"So wholemeal bread with peanut butter for lunch, You never change, Debra?"
"So you do Jake, you look so happy today? Is it ... Jessy?"
"Nah nah, Had some good moments in the morning at Vodafone"
"Oh yea, heard our DSL is well received there ... Is it?"
"Well thanks to you, It's very satisfying. I still remember the days I was just figuring out a simple property DSL with ANTLR. But implementing a fully fledged IOC container with our own DSL... We can be proud, can't we"
"Not to forget Scala too, these are the things keep us moving"

"Hopefully there won't be any glitches, no complacency please ... and don't ever be too emotional with what you do, prepare yourself for next work .. haa"
"Oh yeah of course! gotta check my mails, catcha"

Dear Mr Jake Sully,

You are kindly requested to attend our project review meeting at 4.00 pm. Project architect's presence is compulsory as per our process. Please bring supporting materials in case if you are to differ our review findings.

Yours Sincerely,

Jim Carry

Manager of Process and Protocols

"So you did this Anna?"
"That's right, I did this!"
"Awesome!, really impressed, seriously .."
"What? Did you think I am yet another customer who listens to what ever the craps the vendors tell, we do think.. you maggot!"
"Well oh yeah, I didn't mean it, its just an excitement when I saw you did this. I never expected a customer to configure our own DSL without us being consulted, its nice you done this on your own"
"Oh well, you guys are not special, you are yet another dancing and singing organic crap in this world, what made you think I wouldn't understand your DSL or whatever?"
"No no, its just my error of judgment, really appreciate you did this"
"Well you did, good for you!"

I still can't believe how well this project is progressed sofar. There were many doubters at the beginning. People thought we are trying too much. But we believed in what we did, had our own daemons to convince ourself and had the right team to make it success including the customer. I should call Jessy for dinner to celebrate this.

"Today?"
"No time like the present, Manhattan Inn, pick you on the way?"
"Nice mood ha?"
"Know why?"
"Mmmm got fired?"
"What?"

I am Jake in short JK .. errrh.. Jessie

"The next train to Flinders Street station via the city loop will be departing at five", the recorded voice was played when I pressed the green button. I sat on the near by bench which is inside the safety zone. We are tipped as soft-targets for crime and advised to stay within the safety zones in railway stations. Epping station is in its usual quietness. It’s a Saturday morning pro spring weather of 21 degrees, more than enough for me to leave my pullovers inside the car. Some drunken teenagers are playing Footy using empty VB beer cans at the platform. Two of them look like Vietnamese; another Lebanon and an African origin together with couple of native Aussies. They all talked in typical Aussie slang which something I am still struggling to adapt even after this many months in Melbourne. I am visiting my sister’s home at Dandenong to attend my niece's 16th birthday party.

Beside me, an old lady playing the yesterday's MX paper’s crossword puzzle. Though she finished most parts of it, she still stuck with one last word I guess. The word starting with ‘G’, forth box is ‘O’ and ending with ‘E’. No idea for me on what that word is anyway. The very next page has a coverage on the tenth year of commemoration ceremony of Serbian mass killings and another exclusive on a nude celebrity scandal. The lady doesn't appear too much bothered about this page. She is fully into the puzzle.

The train arrived at the platform with near empty. I got into the first compartment as usual. The teenagers have ceased their game, lit a cigar and shared it. Smoking and drinking are considered very normal here in Australia. My in-law used to tease me "You teetotalers don't have a place here mate". Once in a party, when I said I am a teetotaler, my friend offered me a beer! Unsurprisingly for them beer is just another form of water. Enough with the embarrassments, I now changed a bit and even become a big fan of South African Red Wine and getting to know few whiskey brands to cope up ! Now I don't drink whiskey but wines!

I heard the last train announcement before the departure. I started reading the novel which I bought last week. "The Namesake", a contemporary Booker price winner Jhumba Lahiri novel, my friend who recently migrated to New Jersey recommended to read this, claiming every migrant from Asia to western countries should keep a copy of it.

When the train was just about to leave, I closed down the book and stared outside. I noticed a girl running towards the train waving her hand to stop the train. While running, her jacket and handbag slipped in the floor. She said something which must be "Ow shit". Train driver too must have seen her, so he stopped the train. She now bent down, collected all the things on the ground, walked into our compartment. On the way, she gave a big thumb up to the driver, had a big laugh too. Typical Australian!

Incidentally she straightaway rushed to the seat just in front of me. She said a usual "Hi, How you doing?" to me, I delayed my response, confused on whether to say "Good, Your Self?" or "Good, How you doing " back. Most of the times people don't care what we respond anyway.


Lalor station is reached. Few more boarded. Epping line must be the quietest in Victoria in terms of commuters. I moved to window seat to give a room for the guy just got in. I hate the cigar smoke smell; always keep away from the guys jumping into trains. They bring that bad smell with them. He smiled at her, bantered something about the weather, and then tuned his iPod in. By then she already pulled her sweater out. Now although I keep the book open in my hands, I couldn't concentrate on it. I started staring at her completely. She wears a long V cardigan with lace tank top inside. She is little fatter and shorter than most of the Aussie girls of her age. She occupied the whole front seat with her pullover, handbag and jacket. Interestingly she has a bridge piercing with silver pearl. Her water-shine diamond lipstick matches well with her piercings and dress. She was looking outside the window, closely watching the traffic in the high street while humming a song. I think its lady gaga. The lady has not found that word yet. Reservoir reached.

She suddenly turned at me, not sure she realized me staring at her. She gently smiled. I can't remember the rule number three. But still went ahead with my own way. 

"Rocking weather, ain't it? U guys having an outing today?" I knew she is traveling alone. So using the word 'guys' to single woman is little odd. Bottom line is I just don't know how to start a casual chat like this.

"Yea, cool ha ... I’m going to Collingwood game, big game for us, isn’t ?"

I hardly follow AFL, simply because I don’t understand the rules. It almost looks like Rugby. Then again I don’t understand Rugby either. All I know is, Aussies are mad at it and Victorians in particular. Fortunately, my niece is a Cats fan and she told some of her favorite players' names to me once.

"Well, I follow cats, Gary is good ..."

"Fair enough! He is a legend, sexy too!”... No wonder why there are many sex scandals in AFL. All the women are behind these footy players and when money and women combine, that's hunting ground for paparazzis.


"Anyway you Indians are cricket crazies, ain't u, I stopped watching the game after Warnee retired" ... These days I never correct people when they mistakenly regard me as an Indian, at times I don't see the difference either !

"Well me neither, I love watching Tennis, Especially Roger’s back hand slices! "

"Roger? I couldn’t stop laughing when he cried at Australian Open last time, Such a shame for a player of his caliber” 

"You know, he could be game's the greatest player ever, but still he sleeps with his wife, goes to toilet in the morning, kinda things all of us do usually ... ha " .. I think I am little carried away by now. Some team coach made a similar comment on famous cricketer Sachin Tendulkar recently, but probably I timed it wrong.


"Coool, you are such an uncanny! Ohh Gee, What’s that book? Is that "Namesake", wow that's an awesome contemporary, I read it twice!” Surprised with her gesture, I just looked at the book cover again and told

"Oh is it? I just started it”


"Yea its good, my ex boy friend gave it to me .. I loved it, specially that guy...Errgg what's his name? Ahh Gogol, the story line hangs around him and his family !”

"Don't go there please, I just started !, I don't like people telling the story of novels and movies !"

"Yea Yeah I won't reveal the story, you enjoy "

She looks little annoyed with my response. But then of course she doesn't know, I usually struggle to use right vocabulary at the right time. I know many of my colleagues tipped me rude and arrogant behind the backdrops. May be its time for me to change !

She didn't continue the conversation after that. I am back to "The Namesake" now, but my mind is still trying to read her. The fact that she read "Namesake" irked me a bit. She must be a literature fan, reads contemporaries. Now I started observing her little more deep. It’s a mistake to say she is beautiful. ‘Awesome’ could be the right word. She retouched her lips three times already. Also adjusts her cardigan to hide her mild cleavage time to time. Her lace tank is not enough to cover her entire beauty. Is she trying to show it or hide it? I don't know. But whenever she does it, it draws my attention and doesn't help myself taking out my eyes away. She doesn't wear long heels. I think she might just look gorgeous in traditional Indian Saree or even Sudidaar.

The guy next to me already left and now only we three are at our compartment. That lady has given up the puzzle; the word could be a strange one for an Australian. I need to ask it from my father. Sometimes he may know it. Merry station reached.

I couldn't stop myself thinking about her again. She read The Namesake, means she should have had some Indian connection through her ex boy friend. May be he is an Indian too. Who knows, she might have done some research study in Indian contemporaries. Does she know A R Rahman? Jeez, She should like Indian music and food then, the things I can't just live without. Who knows, she well may even get along with my parents too. My father is a conservative, but I am sure she is too good of a person to ignore. Mother might find it difficult to speak in English with her. But I can always teach English to my mother. So that too wouldn't be a problem. Having her will help me moving on with my new life too. In case my case gets rejected, she can still sponsor me. What if she does get to know that I am still living with my parents? Oh my goodness, I should never utter a word about it. May be I should settle my parents to separate place. Let’s see.

She at times turned at me and smiled too or did she? I am not sure. I noticed she got a cute little dimple when she smiles.We are now two stations away from Collingwood. I don't even know her name. I am trying to recall what Will Smith was doing in "Hitch". Nothing comes to my mind now, blacked out. Shall I ask her name? May be "By the way, I am Jake, your good name please", damn, that's too old fashioned, what shall I say. Why don't I ask her for a coffee? mmm even I can join her for the match. I can skip niece's birthday party. Asking coffee would be fine, but is it too early. What if she says "U Bloody I!@#$ns", should I react politely then? Surely she is now single and free. She said she had ex which means she is free now. What was their problem. I am sure he was wrong. May be I will ask her name first and see how it goes.


Next station is Collingwood. Now only two of us are around in the compartment, the lady also left. Its strange on an AFL match day, the whole compartment is empty. Certainly the day meant for us. The weather is also neither too chill nor too hot, perfect for the situation. Now I decided. Let the party go, I am going to the game with her. How could I ask her name? Mmm "Hey I am thinking of coming to the match, U free to join with me?" .. mmm that's bad, May be "Hey, I think it would be fun if we both went together "... Well, it sounds cool, but should I use 'go' or 'went' there? Damn my English. It’s my father who didn't teach me English well. Why everybody got good parents but not me? Forget it, the best thing is to introduce myself and then check with her whether I can join, Collingwood is nearing, Nothing to lose, lets askkk...

"Hey maite.. I kinda thinking, why don't u join with me to the match, May be a coffee after that? Sure gonna be fun ! .Jessie !" -- she offered a handshake, I was shocked and stunned.

“Holyyyyyy Shittttttt .. ”

“Excuse me .. ?”

“No nothing, Oh yeahh, absolutely ... pleasure  is mine .. Jake in short JK . errrh.. Jessie !”
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"Basic Principles, There are none" -- Quote from movie 'Hitch'