A fish called Toughie – based on a true story.

Today is Toughie’s biggest test. He’s fighting between life and death. He’s there because of me. But I’m gunning for him to stay true to his name and fight his way back.

Two days earlier my eyes noticed Toughie. His once pristine and clean world was in shambles. Murky, dark, dreary and without food, still Toughie was doing fine. Seemed like he’d made some sort of quiet peace with his predicament. Cold and abandoned, Toughie took it all on his chin, without saying a word.

Right then I, with all right intentions decided to clean up Toughie’s world once and for all. To prove to him that there was still hope in this world. What happened was just the opposite.

I set out to clean the tank that was Toughie’s home. I emptied the filthy water but Toughie not understanding my intentions jumped out to save his life (I wish he hadn’t). There he was on the cold basin tile, gasping for air. I couldn’t afford to waste a single second. I quickly grabbed at his tail. But Toughie is a slippery customer. He wriggled himself free. A quick struggle ensued before finally I managed to put him in a standby jar, while I quickly cleaned the aquarium.

Tediously I washed his glass home and all the props inside. Toughie was going to be happy I said to myself. All done, I released Toughie into his pristine world. Just like the old times.

But something was wrong. Toughie was breathing funny. And then I saw his eyes. Shrinking. I kept looking but with each passing moment life seemed to be getting out of Toughie. And then…

A trail of blood….on Toughie’s tail. In his struggle, I must have broken his tail. His tiny frame against my strong grip. He didn’t stand a chance. I didn’t understand it. All my good intentions and now I was responsible for Toughie’s plight. I felt terrible.

Then all of a sudden, some movement. Toughie, the son-of-a-gun was fighting. The blood was still there. And I’d imagine as it does for humans, even fishes feel the pain. But Toughie isn’t one for complaining. He’s out there, living up to his name.

Note: Please keep a net handy while cleaning your fish tank. Not all fishes are like Toughie.

Rukmini and Prashant

It started out, like a bolt from the blue. Sudden, unexpected, exciting…the list I assure you is long. But what started out as a pleasant surprise doesn’t cease to surprise me. Not now after seven months, not in this lifetime. I can see Rukmini’s eyes rolling. You must know that she is huge Bollywood fan but sometimes even she has enough. That’s when yours truly takes over with really lame clichés from the yesteryears. Too bad it is my blog. Read on.

Rukmini. My better half. There’s no easy way to describe her. She is a child, a grown up, a rascal, sophistication personified, full of life, homely, charming, witty, dumb, cranky girl. And more. But in midst of all these contradictions, these maddening qualities… she is also, perfect. With just the right mix of all these qualities that makes her so bewitching and endearing, all in a same breath. A paragraph nor a chapter nor a book will do justice to all that I have to say about her. But this is a blog, and people these days have patience as big as the size of a pea pod. I’m not divulging anything further.

Prashant. Till recently a rudderless soul…now - an incredibly lucky S.O.B. I know many think this way. And if you want an honest answer, I agree too. For the rest… you know whom to ask, don’t you?

Together, we are the best thing to Bonnie and Clyde, this side of the world.
Welcome to our chotti si love story.