If there's one place where I've spent more time than Bangalore, its Bristol. There was a great connect with the place in a lot of ways. And when things happen unexpectedly you tend to enjoy all the more. Sometimes it takes time to adapt and the initial days were quite boring. But soon it was fun. Everything about Bristol was great. The food, travel, shopping, soccer, Horfield sports center, cricket, cycling, the pubs and much more :-)
While i kind of hated travelling initially, i realized it was infact great fun going around Europe. That was the best thing to happen. Although a veggie, food was never an issue. I loved the McVities chocolate biscuit and almond croissant from Tesco, the breakfast at my workplace Aztec West which included scrambled eggs, toast and honey, hashbrown and bakedbeans, the cereal bars and Lucozade sports drink. Everyone loved the Horfield sports center, for its facilities were magnificent. It had a swimming pool with warm water, squash courts, gym and a makeshift basketball/football/badminton court. The 5-a side football game at Horfield was a great pastime and everyone of us (Caritor/Keane employees) would be eager for the weekend to kick some ass on the court.
While i cherish the whole experience one thing which i miss about Bristol is my doting neighbour Teresa Lines. When i came back to Bangalore i made it a point to keep in touch with her either through phone or mail. Her husband Vic, an avid sports lover was on medication for quite a long time and passed away in 2007. Her grandchildren lived close by, couple of roads away but Teresa lived alone. Whenever i called her she'd instantly recognize through my voice and would start the conversation in her own inimitable style "khaaaurtikkk(read karthik).... hi my love.... how r u????" with a laugh. I'd always joke around with her and crack some stupid jokes whenever i spoke to her. She was quite fond of me always enquiring about girl friends, my work, my parents and ofcourse my gym!
During one of my recent phone conversation, the voice on the other side trembled. I realized something was wrong. She said "Khaaurtik..... I've not been well for a while now.... I've just had a surgery and some x-rays for the lungs.....I've turned 80 and its not getting better". After the conversation i went into a reverie trying to remember the days in Bristol.
Teresa was like a guardian. Am sure the rest of the guys who stayed at 42, Third avenue opine the same. Not many in their 80's would have the energy and enthusiasm as she did. It was fantastic to see how she cared for us - the boys next door. She would enquire about our work, the life back in India , the soiled curtains, gardening and a whole load of things. She'd update us with what had happened in the neighbourhood, the thefts, burglaries, prayers at the church and much more. Infact, a lot of times she'd remind us of the day when the garbage collection happened and the color of the bin which was supposed to be kept outside.
Most times I'd bump into her with my shorts and jerkin before heading to the gym. She'd ask me not to come back late from the gym as there were few instances of people getting roughed up. She would talk about football and her grandson Chris's stint with the Bristol Rovers. She was extremely proud of him and one day invited me over to her place to show a collection of his photos and articles that appeared in the local media.
Although very sweet I vividly remember an instance of Teresa getting charged up. That day when we had locked the house and left the keys inside. Teresa helped us get a ladder from her neighbour and we tried to sneak through a small opening unsuccessfully. We finally reached the landlord for a duplicate key and were asked collect them. We informed Teresa about this and left to get the duplicate keys. Little did we know Teresa would be waiting for us the whole evening. I must admit it was quite stupid of us to not inform her once we were back. We were in our rooms when she knocked the door hard and started shouting at us for not letting her know. Teresa had a point, for she usually went to bed early and had been waiting for us that day only to realize we'd been home an hour back! It was shameful and embarrassing as she left in a huff saying she wouldn't help us again. I'd been feeling guilty for what had happened and decided to repair the damage done. The next afternoon i wrote an apology letter, got a small teddy bear from the greeting shop and dropped it at her doorstep as she wasn't at home. As i sat watching TV in the evening someone knocked the door. It was Teresa. She was emotional as she hugged me saying it was all fine. The letter and the bear had done the trick :-)
One very poignant moment hard to forget was during the Mumbai train blasts. I came home from work a bit late. Teresa was outside watering the plants. She enquired me about the blasts and the situation in Mumbai. Just as we chatted she broke down. Incidentally she'd lost her son in the war and felt miserable about all the violence in the world. Its hard to react at such times. It was just silence all round.
She loved displaying greeting cards. I think it was during Easter or Christmas, when the cards were all over on the fireplace, window panes and on the table. The best part about Teresa was when she'd prepare home made cakes and distribute. To say they were great would be an understatement. She kept her house spick and span, very contrasting to the one next door!
She loved her cat -"Shandy". Shandy and Teresa had some kind of connection. After Vic's death i paid a visit to her place. Shandy was quiet, didn't move around much and coiled in between my legs quietly. She knew something was definitely amiss.
With just 2 months away before i departed Bristol, i had my parents come over after an Europe trip. The way in which she interacted with them was remarkable. Although my parents couldn't quite comprehend the fast paced English she spoke they were able to understand what she intended to say. Probably telepathic. By the end of their stay they were touched by Teresa's warmth and gesture. Am sure Adi's parents who visited him in 2008 would testify the same.
The week before i left (1st week of July) i presented her with a classic pendulum clock along with a note of thanks. Any number of words wouldn't suffice to express something to Teresa. She hugged me and gave a peck on my cheek. She said she'd miss me and that i was a great lad. That for me was one of the best compliments that I've ever received from someone. Certainly not bragging, but that was something special. I remember messaging Malavika about that.
It was sort of a trend for those who left that place (I'd seen atleast a couple of them) to leave a bouquet at her door. I did the same on July7th. As i left Bristol, i saw Teresa watching from her window and waving at me for one last time.
Teresa was expressive and always spoke her heart out. Her laughter was addictive with great energy in them. She'd introduce her friends, make great cakes. She'd sign off in style saying "alrightttt...take care my love.... byee khaaaaaurtik" and she did mumble the other night when i spoke to her.
She'll always remain special...Home away from home..
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