Zalimmaaa ab tu ponstan khila dei!

Coke has been affiliated with music for quite some time now, with its coke studio going strong to season 9 along with singers and songs that are over the roof and have driven the nation to enthusiasm. The same is seen with its ad, the new in thing called, “Zalima coca cola pila dey”. Social media is bombarded with this line with memes and comics that have literally made not only the youth, but the old sing it out as well. The original piece, sung by Madam Noor Jehan (more so ear piercing than the modern counterpart) has paved its way now for Meesha Shafi and Umair Jaswal to sing it as well.

Looking at the ad it begins in a studio where yours truly the popular Meesha Shafi (looking all preppy), Umair Jaswal (not to preppy) and a cute sort of guy that seems to have a squint are sitting in the studio and the cutie starts to play the tabla (I think it’s the tabla). This prompts Meesha I guess to notice Umair and ends up eyeing him drinking (gulping) a coke instead! So she starts off with, “Sooonnaaayyaaa coca cola pila dey”. 

The candidness begins and he gives her a cheesy smile and keeps the bottle on a big red button (that OBVIOUSLY) makes them go on air (mistake tha jee) so that he too can partake in the singalong. Mr. Umair starts off with the zalimaaa bit and the scene goes to hottie 2 in a kiryana store where he does the pulling dance (you know the one where your roping in the person and pulling them! Disclaimer: Done at mostly all dance functions to showcase excite or the lack of dance talent!) with a bewildered shop owner starring at him (the expression can clearly be translated to, “has idiot has completely lost his mind or is high on something I didn’t get!”).

The ad seems to flow between various scenes like the one where there are two students in the library, both apparently listening to this on their headphones and the girl offers the guy her coke that he (literally with a shy smile) takes as well. Out of the blue, btw, there is a complete band as well, whom look like foreigners, playing to the songs beat as well. Within the ad day passes to night (with these guys still going strong on the Zalimmaaaaa) and a projector screen is seen with Misha Shafi moving to the beat (I thought they were on radio and the song was being aired by mistake but oh well) and a complete concert starts with people making the beat with the coke caps and empty bottles. The scene (finally) goes back to the studio were we see the three again and Umair realizing that the ‘On air’ sign was on hence rushing to remove the bottle from it thus ending the concert as well (I guess).

The concept and the song I love. Truly. But now the ad is a bit of an irritation than something that is fun to hear and enjoy. Coca cola (coke) has always come up with new ideas and concepts that literally create a pull and appeal to attract their consumers, but this ad when you literally forget the music for a bit and look at the scenes, tends to be a bit hopscotch. Maybe this was made to promote Coke Studio Season 9 or the concept of music that they are trying to get to but honestly … I just liked the concept of ‘sharing happiness’ better.

Ad rating: 3 winks.

Welcome to the world of Chaiwala

It has been a while since I gave a review about the eateries that have been popping up especially those near Khayaban-e-Muhafiz (I think) area. That line is populated with famous dhabas that have gained popularity over time and are favored by all and sundry not only to relax but to have business meetings and big business plans carried out as well.

One of these dhabas that has grown in significance is Chaiwala, a name that now resonates with the best tea and parathas in town. Truly Chaiwala’s popularity has hit the roof (if they had one because here the sky is the limit!). To those of you who don’t know, Chaiwala is an open aired parking lot based dhaba of sorts that has quite an elite gentry going to it.

The dhaba opens at night (I think because I haven’t bothered going in the afternoon or evening to know!!) an the open air, truck art graffiti on the wall and plastic chairs and tables in the empty plot along with the plot right opposite to the dhaba full of cars with waiting customers just about adds to the ambiance of the place.

Before I go on about Chaiwala, let me point out that right next to it is another eatery by the name of ‘Dandees’ and yet another by the name of ‘Chai Shai’ that has their own artwork and graffiti as well. These two have also gone on to have a booming business here though I don’t think they give ‘Chaiwala much competition (or maybe they do).

Coming back to the point, my recent trip there was to pick a quick order and as usual we landed in the car park/waiting area to be bombarded with waiters from all surrounding eateries but ‘Chaiwala’ itself. Upon asking for the waiter from ‘Chaiwala’ we waited a good 30 minutes (yes we timed it), and finally got fed up only to take the car in the lane right next to it so that someone could see us and serve as well!! Finally when a poor waiter did come he couldn't understand head or tail of what we wanted, but I'll give the guy his due he immediately sent another waiter (well trained) who took our order with a promise to give the take away items within 10 minutes (something that all eateries including this one says but never does!).

One thing before I go on is that Chaiwala's tea aka chai and parathas are phenomenally delicious. It has to offer a wide range of tea and parathas to choose from that are not only mouth-watering but hygienically served as well (I have no idea how clean the kitchen itself is an I don't really care as long as there is good hot food to stuff in the face).

Their Nutella paratha is to die for and the chicken cheese one topped with a cup of doodh patti or Kashmiri chai is simply delish!

We had ended up ordering their plain paratha, hummus paratha, cheese, chicken cheese and anda cheese parathas. By the way they have an amazing variety and I could go one an on but you literally need to go an try for yourself to know. The order took a good half an hour to 45 minutes before it finally reached us. But hey its food, good food so you can compensate on timing a bit I guess if you are a happy go lucky person.

Happily, on my way with the order, we had a blast with our taste buds especially with the tangy spicy cheese an chicken paratha an the hummus one.

The only downside (well 3 downsides) to this place are that firstly the service is slow (almost dead), secondly the ample amount of beggars there to fleece you and thirdly if by chance you sit in the open air area the mosquitoes that come along with the ambiance as well.

On the whole Chaiwala has done quite well and till date I think have managed to maintain their quality and taste as well (or maybe it’s my luck that I get good food whenever I go!).

Rating: 4 stars!

Fallen dreams

She dreamed a dream … a perfect dream

Of roses and rainbows and mystical lore

Where angels ruled and life was true

With honesty and love and faith and trust

Of summers and sunshine and smiles and giggles

Yet Life has a way of playing different riddles

Even dreams turn tables and lodge despair

The thorny ridges rise and evil plays

Where darkness rules which life doesn’t spare

Then comes the lies, the hate and the terror

With darkness and dread in the winter air

With anguish and tears the glittering eyes awake

For all was a dream and dreams always fail

The Bitten One

I’m a super sensitive person who gets upset or sad at every small thing that happens around me. There I said it. I’m not proud of it, but it’s a part of me and I can’t change it. When I love, I love with all my heart and when I hate, trust me even if you go through hell and back I still won’t see your face again. That’s just the way I am.

Friends are people I get attached to and care for just like that malnutrition person, Gollom, from Lord of the Rings who goes around saying “my precious”.  But having said that, if the very same friends turn out to be two faced, blood sucking parasites with nothing better to do in life then to make you feel like you’re the bestie one minute and then the most outcast person the very next, then sorry but you don’t deserve to be a part of me. A part of my life that is. (yes I know the sentence is too long).

A particular set of friends are based on gossiping with malicious in the name of innocent passing of information, about everyone else’s life and happenings not realizing that details shared may be personal or at times hurtful (mark harmful) as well. They tend to have a habit of simply sharing information at the ‘right’ time, so that suspicions can rise and after a series of fights and cold shoulders the friendships frizzle out and die. Lies play a major role too. To show supremacy (and look for jealousy maybe?) lies are spun to such an extent that at the end of the day one never knows what’s right and what’s wrong. But as a person I know says, “such is the way of the Samurai”. Friends are supposed to get you out of your misery not put you back in it. No one is interested in a random XYZ’s break up or make up, professional or personal life. Let them live their life and a nice suggestion; live your own life as well.

When working the biggest lesson that you can gain is that no one is your friend. No one. They don’t care if your dead or alive, happy or sad, angry or agitated. All they want is to live in the fake cloud of happiness that they create and fly by it. As long as they are a part of the popular or cool crowd the skies are sunny dandy for them, but the moment an uncool person comes along, the clouds turn dark and the skies seem to pour cats and dogs on them. I seriously at times wonder what the definition of cool is in their minds? Is being cool going out to renowned expensive eateries, wearing branded wear that half the people can’t even pronounce (Louis Vuitton and Gucci are main examples), or traveling abroad? Heavens forbid if you can’t do that. Or is being cool a part of reflecting your grooming, looks, thinking 'Urdu' is a language that is beneath you, and above all how well you can cuss out in English?

Friends are supposed to stick out with each other, not ignore, have fall outs and ultimately become people who are acquaintances with ‘smirky’ smiles and sarcasm in the name conversations. So this is an not just work based but otherwise as well.

The crux of all this is that stay alone and be at peace, don’t get close to anyone till they are as crazy as you and have the same madness as you have. After all you came alone and you will go alone as well. 

From the Bitten One. 

Off love and heartbreak

If I was the "bestest thing that ever happened" to someone ... then why the lies to ruin what we had? If I was supposed to be so "giving and loving" then why is it that i got no love in return? I never wanted anything but love, care and honesty but all i got was lies, deception and piece by piece of heart break till nothing remained but shattered pieces that left me with nothing but emptiness and pain. Lots and lots of pain. You broke me.
You have made me into a demon. I don't trust, I'm suspicious of everything, I think love is a lie. You proved to me that there is no such thing as love. It's a lie.
You said i made you into a "better person". Why did you change me into the worse possible being alive? Why did you ruin love for me? Why did you make me a lie to all? I lie that I am happy. I'm not. I'm broken and no one can fix me.
A game of deception played not by one but by many that are present. Everyone you knew played a part.
You have made me believe that everyone lies even if they don't. You made me so insecure that I don't have faith in anyone. You made the word marriage a joke. Now I can't trust anyone when they talk of marriage, it makes me unsure of myself. Your flings in the name of friendships with the opposite gender have made me doubt all kinds of friendships. Then you asked me to forgive you.
I guess some part of me has forgiven what you did, but then there is another part of me cannot forget what you did so who do I recover from that? I feel like, love an any other related emotion is fake. The demons you have given me keep telling me everything is a game. Your mind games were well played. So yes you were the first and last person who broke me.


A personal ode to love. 

The night I lost you

Sometimes, like today, I got scared, I needed you today but you weren’t there. I didn’t want to speak of love or marriage. I just wanted your support, but you weren’t there to give it. You said right after dinner I could call yet an hour later you were not bothered. All I needed was a little care. Nothing more nothing less. Your game was more important than my worry. I was upset and crying yet you seemed cold. I was shaking and needed warmth you seemed aloof to my pain. I know I’m not pretty, I’m far from it. I know you have other options better than me, but I know one thing you will never find a girl like me. No one will love and care for you like I have. No one will stand by you like I have. I care for you like my husband, my soul mate, in short my life. I am willing to give my life to be with you, but are you willing to do the same? I doubt it.

Everyone says positivity is important, but you know what I have been hurt so many times that I no longer am happy or positive. I feel like a lost soul. Useless and unwanted. 

One of a kind affair

I am having an affair. There I said it loud and clear. No longer am I going to hide it. The affair is getting to consuming for me. The danger, the thrill, the secret meetings. It gives an adrenaline rush to the bones. The heady feeling when it touches the lips, the sweet and tangy taste, the hot and spicy mood, the crisp and light touch all make me weak in the knees. What can I say? When something is so good looking, almost delicious and yum to look at. The heart tends to skip a beat. The love keeps growing it cannot stop. It just keeps growing. What do I do?

It soothes me, consumes me, gives

me comfort when I need it. The moment there is a tightening in the stomach, it compels me to unwind and feel the peace. To enjoy every bite every nip every lick and every suck. What can I do? I truly love food!