From Real Madrid Win to a Joyful Picnic and ICC T20 Triumph

The 6/7th Mar weekend almost felt perfect. Like a rare and treasured weekend, in more than a year.

The weekend started perfectly with a crucial away win for Real Madrid in La Liga against Celta Vigo.. An injury time goal, settled the tie in our favour. We have made a great progress, and arrested a slump which now promises great things to come. In my last more than 2 decades of being a Santiago Bernabeu faithful, I stand testimony how a spark can transform into a fireball of hope and spirit. Hope and Spirit are 2 very powerful emotions and can make the impossible happen. I remain hopeful like millions of us around the world of winning the La Liga for a record 37 times.

That meant I went to bed late, around 4 am IST and it is usual for a late night game of football and I woke up late to my colleagues calling me to start. We are going on an overnight picnic. Around 16 of us, present and ex-colleagues who are now friends or shall I say bosom friends.

We would host it at a farm house, around 120kms from my residence, at a place in Khopoli’s Pen (Yes, it is a place and not a writing instrument). After a quick quick pick up we four of us pushed off in my car on a 3 hours short journey. Excited and ready for a fun filled afternoon and evening.

Half an acre of land with a 4 bedroom 3 storey building, enough to sleep all 16 of us with a pool table on the roof. A large dinning area, Swimming pool and a small deck for DJ. Quite some party place. The ground was sufficient for a bit of cricket which all of us enjoyed. The evening duely filled in for our party, food and dance. A great end to a lovely day.

If you love pets, parrots, rabbits, roosters and a doberman stands there to welcome you. Uff! quite a place.

Cock-a-doodle-doo, next morning at 6 am as soon as the sun rose. We woke up, had breakfast and thanked the host for a great time. Bidding goodbye to our friends promising ourselves of such another event soon.

Came back home to a delicious meal cooked by wife and waited with baited breathe, as India took on New Zealanders for the ICC T20 WC Finals. Our patience and prayers and some fabulous display of talent got India the Championship. ICC T20 World Champions for the 3rd time. What an achievement.

As I tread through life, I count on my blessing and value every small ray of hope, victories and aspirations to go ahead with even more zeal. This was one of those weekend that I would carry in my heart as a special one and draw happiness from whenever I run out of a bit of steam.