WHEN MARTINI MEETS TEQUILLA
What happens when two opposite poles get attracted??? You would expect fireworks, lightening, thunder …. true but this story of Martini and Tequilla is more than all this… if you are a real romantic at heart… then you will relate to this story …so sit back, relax and enjoy the Martini meeting Tequilla.
It was around 10 years back that Martini decided to return to his village Assago in Goa and stay in his old house left behind for him by his parents now of course all old and dilapidated. The first look shocked Martini, he could hardly recognize his old house, the house he was born and brought up it was in shambles, broken up, paint all giving way, the garden his mother loved and tended with care was all full of weeds, the gate creaked and needed effort to open… looking at his house Martini said softly, “welcome home…. you should have come back earlier”
Seeing the condition of his house Martini decided to check into the hotel close to his place for a few days till he could get his house all cleaned up and livable. Once he checked in he felt the need for a drink, so he sauntered into the open bar facing the beach. It was crowded with the usual influx of tourists and some locals… walking up to the open bar he sat down on the bar stool and ordered a Tequilla, the moment he said the word Tequilla, a lady sitting next to him turned towards him and lowering her reading glasses gave him the look and smiled, he looked back at her and smiled and introduced himself, “Hi, I am Martini and you must be ….she smiled at him and shaking his hands said, Nice to meet you Martini , I am Tequilla.
For a second Martini was zapped thinking she was pulling his leg but just then one of her friends called out to her, Hey Tequila if you have had your drink lets’ move in for lunch. Looking back at him she waved and said …. see you soon Martini enjoy your Tequilla.
Soon Martini settled down with his Tequilla and watched the group of girls going into the restaurant and smiled and said, “this must be heaven”. Soon he recalled his friend Jo walking towards the bar, it had been a while since they met but school friends one can never forget, seeing him Jo ran towards him smiling, hey Martini what the hell are you doing here? When did you come? Slow down Jo replied Martini I just arrived and have checked in here as my house needs re-modelling. Why are you staying here? Come let’s check out you can stay at my place, I am all alone, my parents are out and wife gone with her friends out so let’s chill at home like old times.
Okay said Martini that suits me too I can keep an eye on my house … saying this they left the hotel and moved into Jo’s house. After having a good goan lunch and siesta, Martini decided to take a walk on the beach after some time he saw the group of girls far away enjoying the sunset and he walked up to them. Suddenly he noticed the girl he had met in the bar, what was her name he tried to recall…. When he almost bumped into her… Hey watch out guess you have had too many tequilas she said and her friends laughed. Embarrassed he apologized and was walking away when she called out, hey Martini wanna join us girls for a party tonight…
Sorry I am not the party type replied Martini, come on don’t be a spoil sport join us it will be fun bring along your friends too. Noting down the address Martini returned to Jo’s house and told him all that happened, Jo smiled and said so martini meets tequila …. what a combo… come one man lets rock…
By the time they reached the venue the party was in full swing and loud music, dancing, drinks and the works, heading towards the bar Martini kept a look out for Tequilla when he felt someone pulling his hand and saying there you are what took you so long, let’s dance, turning around he saw it was Tequilla who may have already downed one too many drinks, he let her take him to the dance floor where she introduced him to her friends and they swayed to the music.
After some time, they left the group and walked back to the bar, when Tequilla looking at him said, I like you Martini and if we keep meeting like this I may one day fall in love with you, what say??
Martini totally embarrassed smiled and said, Take is easy Tequilla, looks like you have had your fill of drinks for the night, why don’t you eat something?? You think I am drunk and I am flirting with you… no way I am not drunk and I don’t flirt…if I like someone, I tell them straightway… so don’t worry about me …here fix me a drink…. What will you have asked … Martini… I will have you replied Tequilla, then smiling at Martini she said, I am kidding I will have a Martini.,
So how did you like your Tequilla?? Do you mean my drink or you? replied Martini, now see who is flirting said Tequila, maybe I want to know how you like both- the drink and me. Well, I enjoyed the drink very much and as far as you are concerned, I hardly know you…we have just met… that’s’ true replied Tequilla sipping her drink…ahhh this martini is too good.
So where are you from Tequila asked Martini, where do you think I am from Martini… well you are surely not from Venus…replied Martini and you are not from Mars too replied Tequilla. Okay said Tequilla on a serious note I am from good old Mumbai, I am a architect and what about you? I am basically a goan born and brought up here but been out of Goa for years now have my own business in Dubai, have taken a break from work and decided to spend some months in Goa and re-model my house.
And where is your house in Goa?? Down the lane where the nights are gay…. Replied Martini ok joking down this lane the last house. Oh, you mean to old dilapidated weedy house… that really needs re-modelling…maybe I can help you? So how about I re-model your house and you show me the real goa as this is my first visit here? Done said Martini shaking hands they finished their drinks and moved to the buffet.
It was around 1 am by the time Martini returned home, Jo was not to be seen so he retired to his room and fell asleep the moment he hit the bed. It must have been around 7 a.m. that he heard knocking on his door, still sleepy and having a hangover he somehow managed to open the door to find Jo’s servant. Sir, there is a lady who has come to see you? Who asked Martini, I don’t know her name and have never seen her before she says you are her friend, she is waiting for you in the hall. Ok tell her I am coming and can you please arrange for two cups of strong coffee.
Entering the hall still sleepy eyed and with a terrible headache, he saw a lady sitting looking fresh as a sun flower bright and cheery… Good morning sleepy head said Tequilla …Oh god not you again and that too so early, don’t you ever sleep. I have been up since 5 am and I thought of surprising you but I think you are not happy seeing me here…so I better leave. No no I didn’t mean to be rude, sorry please don’t go, sit down relax and have some coffee.
Looks like you were the one who had one too many to drink last night…. I thought of dropping by and having a quick look at your house …. Isn’t it a little too early to begin work replied Martini rubbing his eyes and trying to keep awake… who said I will be working come on let’s take a walk down old memory lane of your childhood… what about my coffee… that can wait saying Tequila got up and dragged Martini out.
It was a beautiful morning, clear blue skies and the sea breeze blowing softly, birds chirping and the little quaint village was slowly waking up, fishermen were getting ready to go out into sea the get their catch for their day, the pao wala was busy cycling blowing his horn and delivering the famous goan pao to the houses nearby. Seeing Martini he stopped and said,” baba you really here after all these years, so nice to see you, are you moving back to your house?? It’s been empty too long, needs a family now.
You seem to be quite a popular guy around here remarked Tequila, I noticed many people coming up to you and welcoming you back yesterday at the party. Yes, I love this village of mine and people here, they are so simple and easy going… what’s the word – susegard . They lead such a simple life with no worries at all, happy with their fish and fenny…no worries in the world and look at us, running around always after money, fame and before you know life passes by you like a lightening and you are left wondering where all the years have gone by.
Do you like what you do Tequila? Well to be honest, I do enjoy my job, its creative, earn well, financially independent and the best part I get to travel and see and meet new places— like my coming here and bumping into you… it was destined I think what say? I remember someone saying “ a person often meets his fate on the road he takes to avoid it.
That’s heavy stuff answered Martini, tell me honestly don’t you feel you are missing something in your life…we all miss something in our lives at some point of life and by the time we realize it it’s too late… do you believe in soul mates Martini? Soulmates…. and me …never…why for all you know you may be with your soulmate right now walking down the lane…
I don’t believe in soulmates and love at first sight, I find them very childish who ever falls in love at first sight, it happens only in movies, books ..in real life couples in love, married couples are still trying to discover love in their relationships and I doubt they ever find it.. Is that why you were never married Martini?
Marriage for me Tequilla is not a life time bond but a life time relationship that from day one should go on and on forward not backward… when two people get married, it’s not because they love each other but because they need each other for their own growth, they are each other’s strength not weakness, when one is down the other is down too and vice versa.. for me marriage is not a stamped paper signed in court but a unbroken seal of trust and honesty.
Have you ever fallen in love Tequilla? Yes, replied Tequilla many a times, I have had my share of good and bad relationships, met some good and bad people and now I have reached a stage in my life that all I want is someone who loves me for what I am, respects me and my profession, is there for me when I need him…someone I can laugh, cry, hold hug and grow old with, someone to cuddle and watch a movie, a sunrise and someone who brings me my cup of coffee first thing in the morning, which brings a smile on my face… I know it’s a long list but I am hopeful I will find my soulmate and partner soon….i believe in love…fairy tales, and am a die-hard fan of Mills & Boons…still read them…
Soon they reached Martini house and he opened to creaky gate to let her in, watch out he said, and holding her hand led her into the house….it was full of dust and cobwebs, fallen leaves all over the verandah, the old rocking chair now old and dusty ….taking out the keys of the house, Martini opened the door and out came out some bats, removing the cobwebs he entered the house …nostalgia flowed through Martini remembering the house, he could remember each and every nook and corner of the house, the old sofa now covered with a cloth dusty, the antique wooden table and chairs where they would sit down and have their meals, laughing away, the kitchen from which early in the morning one could get the whiff of fresh coffee, eggs, bacon, and the meals of fresh fish, prawns, crabs made by his mother. Those were the days of growing up which one will never forget, constant stream of visitors and friends.
Sensing that Tequilla was quiet, he turned around and found her outside the door gently wiping the old rickety rocking chair, she turned to him and he say tears rolling down her eyes, wiping them she smiled and said ..your home is full of such old memories… I can feel and sense the love and close bonding you must have enjoyed with your family and relatives… the laughter, songs, music, dance and parties which took place here, I envy you ..cause you had the best childhood and now you have the best memories which are so precious, I wish I had a family like yours.
Ok, enough of weeping and sobbing said Tequilla let’s explore your home and see how we can make it a home again, they entered the house which soon enveloped them with a cloud of dust and cobwebs, laughing and removing the cobwebs from their face and hair they began to explore the rooms one by one. It was a big bungalow old Victorian type, spacious rooms, high ceilings, large windows which when opened would give you the view of the garden ahead and behind it would open up to the beautiful view of the sea.
I would give anything absolutely anything to live here said Tequilla, away from the maddening crowd, noise, traffic, it is so peaceful here I could spend the rest of my days just sitting on that rocking chair and watching the world go by with a glass of wine by my side, some jazz music playing softly and waves of the sea slowly lulling me to sleep. This is the life I always dreamed of.. you are a fool to have left all this is search of fame and money…life is giving you a second chance by friend do let it get away this time…hold on tight to your home make it your life.
After seeing the entire house, Tequilla admitted it needs major re-modeling though she was glad that the doors were sturdy and wood still strong would last some more years and once it was cleaned up and house freshly painted and aired it will look pretty and new. So, let’s begin re-modelling your house Martini let’s go and get a team to work out here and I will supervise while you get busy with cooking some delicious goan meals for me. How much is it gonna cost the whole re-modelling asked Martin… let’s say I am doing it as a favor for you in return of giving you back your old home all I want is to be with you, get to know you better and leave the rest to fate.
The next few days and weeks went by fast, with all the carpenters, painters, busy in the house, they managed to get Jo’s gardener to clean up the garden and make it look presentable. With few weeks anyone passing by Martini’s house would stop and exclaim, wow what a beautiful villa this is, how did we miss seeing it.
After tedious days’ work, the evening were spent relaxing in the verandah facing the sea sipping wine and watching the evening sunset, holding hands walking down the beach, feeling the waves knocking them down, the breeze blowing their hair and generally feeling alive once again. In the course of the days, they spent together, Tequilla opened up her life to Martini, she told him she had a very disturbed and disruptive childhood, she was only ten when her parents separated and the images of them fighting and shouting was still inscribed in her mind.
The worst was her father coming home drunk and beating up her mother and sometimes her, she wondered at times why they were staying together if they hated each other so much.
Being the only child she had no one to run to, talk to or share her fears with… and slowly she became an introvert and kept to herself her only love at that time was books, she would get engrossed into her imagery world of books and pretend she was leading a different life and all this was a dream and she would wake up to find everything normal that never happened and soon she realized early in life that if she had to survive become someone she had to get a hold on herself. Years of studying and working hard won her a scholarship at JJ school of Arts and then working with some renowned architects she had today branched off independently as a reputed architect and interior designer.
Hearing her story Martini was speechless for a few minutes, then clearing his mouth he said, this calls for some champagne, lets celebrate to your victory over evil and my homecoming, saying this he got up and came back with two fluted glasses and sparkling champagne, here’s to more success and better life ahead …. let’s our lives sparkle like champagne and whenever a champagne bottle pops up remember the fizz is nothing but the bad things flowing out.
I am glad we met said Martini, cause if I hadn’t bumped into you that day in the bar, I would still be sitting waiting for my Tequila… same here laughed Tequila… you came into my life just when I had lost all hope and I must admit my favorite drink is Martini and mine is Tequilla …. holding hands they took a walk down the beach, stars above guiding them and waves softly giving them a sense of peace and tranquility. Turning to her, Martini said, “Thank you for giving back to me the most precious thing in life – my home and on second thoughts how does the idea of now making it “our” home sound to you… Let’s call this home “TequillaMartini”
