Loud

One of the two lifts has been beeping in its shrill voice. Sometimes someone does not close the shutter inside properly, and it beeps to indicate this. When we went for a walk two hours ago, this lift was beeping on the second floor. When we returned after the walk and some shopping, it was still beeping two hours later.

It took me just 2-3 minutes to take the other lift to the second floor. I thought perhaps it had developed a fault, but I went to check, just in case. I found the shutter inside the beeping lift fully open. I shut it, and it resumed its silent working.

I noticed that one of the four flats had its door wide open hardly two steps away from the lift, and people were about. They were talking loudly, which is perhaps why they did not hear the beeping, even though it was shrill enough to bother me on the fifth floor. Or else, they were so used to the sound that they ignored it.

It got me thinking that loudness drowns out so much. We hear only ourselves, our own world. Not our neighbours, not our children, not our spouse. Definitely not the rustle of leaves as the long-awaited breeze begins to blow, or the grumble of thunder before the rains come. We don't hear the pain in between sentences or the truth behind sweet lies.

Perhaps that is why some people are loud, to drown out things they do not want to hear, and accepting or not caring that they also stop hearing so much else.

Lemon and Lime

In India, I've observed many people using the words 'lemon' and 'lime' interchangeably--so much so that as a child I wondered why there were two names for the same fruit--which is the case with many, many people across the country.

Key Lime

This is a lime (Citrus aurantiflora), nimbu (Hindi)--Wikipedia says it is called the 'key lime'. This fruit is small, round and green-yellow and is what we normally grow and use in India.

Lemon

The lemon (Citrus limonum) is yellow and not round, with thicker skin, usually bigger than limes. I have never seen it sold in India in the common markets.

Though they can be substituted for each other in most recipes, the two have differences in taste and flavour. The lemon is easier to zest for baking into cakes.

Short story in Urban Shots

I see that I have neglected to post about my short story appearing in the anthology Urban Shots by Grey Oak publishers. The anthology was released in November 2010 and has been very well received.

I just found this review of the book and my story: Between the Lines.

Here's a report about the launch of the book, and another review with a little about each story on Book Reviews.

The anthology is available in all leading online bookstores including Flipkart, Indiaplaza, Landmark and infibeam.