While the Saqi is away

So our li'l princess and I were supposed to land on the same day, but she beat masi to it.

"Listen, I obviously can't come to the airport to pick you up," my sis had said over the phone. "I'll be in labour. Your jeeju will also be in the hospital. But his cousin will pick you up. Okay?"

"Of course, don't you worry about me. I won't get lost."

"Lost? YOU getting lost?? Hahaha! Who's worried about you getting lost? Even if you were left alone in the jungles of Africa, you'd make your way back without any problems." She said.

*Gulp* :O

I know why I have this reputation. It's because more than 20 years ago, li'l Sayesha got lost in a crowded market at night, and found her way back without help.

I think I was 2 or 3 years old. Mom, Dad, sis and I were in this noisy and crowded fish market, when I dunno how I let go of Mom's hand and wandered off to watch this huge fish being cut. I stood there in fascination for a while before I realised that I was lost. I looked around at all the knees around me, and realised that none of them belonged to Dad, Mom or my sis.

So I wandered all over the market looking for them, and then finally decided that I could not see them. It was about 9 pm or so, and really dark. But somehow, I didn't cry. Perhaps that's why no stranger came to my aid, because I did not look like I was lost.

Finally, I decided to give up the search for my family and make my way to where Dad had parked his motorbike. (Those were the days, when Dad rode a motorbike and ferried the three of us all over the city.) Waiting there seemed like a good idea. 'Cos no matter where he'd go to look for me, he had to get back to his bike, isn't it?

About half an hour later, they finally turned up. They'd spent an hour looking for me in the market, and then decided to go to the police. You can only imagine how delighted they were to see me standing near the bike. I'd stood there by myself in the dark for over an hour.

The story was, in typical fashion, proudly related to all friends and relatives who fawned over 'how smart li'l Sayesha was'. And before I knew it, I'd acquired the reputation of 'the one who can't get lost'.

And this is what had made my sister make the African jungle reference. Sigh. If only she knew of my Orchard Road adventures.

I'm gearing myself to live up this reputation I'd acquired years ago. So while I try and find my feet in New York, be good, guys. Saqi's taking a long break, but bar's as usual, open to all the bewdas and taporis that hang out here, as long as you sign a declaration at the entrance that you're gonna miss me terribly over the next few weeks. Muahaha! :D

And all those who keep complaining that my posts are too long and too frequent for you to keep up with, here's your chance to catch up with the old wine in the cellars at Sayeshaz.