The Butterfly Effect

It was called “Butterfly and Brew.” I got ready and left around 8:30pm with a one hour ride to get there. The adorable security guard, Lokesh, says “It is very far, all the way on the other side.” Lokesh sleeps downstairs….on a bed…in the parking area…partially outside….sad.  

The bike came to pick me up and Lokesh made sure I was picked up safely. He asked me around what time I would come back…sweet. He told the driver in Hindi to not drive over curbs and potholes very fast and he agreed. This was a long ride from start to finish, BUT everytime I am on the bike or the bus I am learning the layout of the town and seeing all the different areas. It is like educational and also a trip down memory lane.  

There are also lots of new places, which I have not see in Bangalore as well.  The lights are shining bright, the city is full of noise, and I am yet on the back of another bike…so much commuting being far away from the center, but I love the area so the commute feels worth it to me sometimes.  

My driver, as usual, does not have change, and he says he will go to the store and buy some things. This took just a few minutes and  he came back, “Sorry Madam, here is your change.”  Oh Indians, I just can’t when they look at me with their soulful eyes full of apology and they are smiling right at me.  

This place was exactly the type of place for me and it was covered with newspaper clips, quotes, and butterflies. My Grandma loved butterflies…still hard to grasp that fact. Rest in Peace Grandma.. 

Anyways, the vibes were good. There is live music playing and our group of 50 people was upstairs. As usual per meetups, there are about 70 percent Indian men and 30 percent Indian women. Everyone was super friendly sharing their life details-lots of people in IT and in startups. People starting Youtube channels and the girls were all just super friendly and sweet.  

The DJ started playing Hindi music and we all went downstairs to dance. This lovely, beautiful girl from North India-who looked like a Bollywood star said, “Come on lets dance.” So cute and full of energy. We were all dancing to Hindi hits and as the songs went by the group became larger. The big dancers were dancing with such intention while the more shy ones were still showing some of their moves.  

The feeling of dancing to Hindi songs is just irreplaceable. Being Indian, I can feel the beats and I prefer listening to Bollywood music than an American songs. Nooone was even focused on drinking… everyone was just dancing. Johi said there is a small group of them that goes out together and she would love me to join them.  

When there are these meetings and I first arrive to India-I feel like “yaay I hope I made some great new friends.” But it can either be temporary fun, you can see them a few times, or they become forever friends. I was hoping that I could be their friends, like trying to fit into a high school group. Either way I was grateful for the memories. I know that people have close relationships and you can’t just come and instantly be included. It can be that way for me, but I do not expect people to do that when they have their close knit circles and have worked towards those friendships.  

Everyone went to the organizers house-amazing guy, full of good spirit and energy, but it was 12:30 and that was definitely it for me.  

I left with two of the young kids who drove like they just got their drivers license. The sudden breaking while trying to follow google maps was a bit of a mess. I hopped off midway and caught yet another e bike. The security guard was so helpful and he wanted to make sure I can get home safe. He did not fully understand me so he went to find someone near the street side to speak English. I ended up finally getting a ride(the process takes time for them to select a rider when it is after midnight). He arrived and he was wearing a mask, a winter hat, and winter coat-it was not that cold out this time of year. He looked like a penguin and he was very sweet. We told him to not drive fast over the bumps because my back….well the route back to my side of town was a construction route. He went over quite a few bumps and then I would see him bend his head down and stare at the ground to check for bumps while he was driving. It appeared that he did not see the 50 percent he was driving over.  

He dropped me off and I got off the bike and gave him a look like a mother gives a child who did not clean their room….He says, “Madam, are you upset?” Please don’t be upset. That is not a good route, but I can’t take another route. We have many restrictions on the application and I can get in trouble taking longer routes. Please don’t be mad Madam, I’m really sorry.” You could just hear the panic in his voice. The look on his face..wearing the mask and the little winter hat… I just feel like I remember that vividly in my mind- I felt so bad. I told him, “Don’t worry, don’t worry will give you 5 stars.. I know you work hard. It is okay my friend. Just try to listen more-Smiling like a mother at a child. ” He said, “Okay, Okay, Oh thank you thank you Madam.”  

And that was that. The penguin got 5 stars and I went to sleep after some nice dancing and meeting new friends….the end.