The Universe Does Conspire: Some time back I got in touch with Paul as I wanted some info about gulf. While I was trying to help a friend of mine with info gathered, Paul did something else. For once he wondered 'It would be great to meet with Santhosh in Dubai'! Seems he wondered stronlgy enough for the universe to conspire to make it happen! This he told me when we met. Remember Paulose-Ko-Hello, the famous author once said "if you want something badly, the universe will conspire to make it happen"! On some official work I was required to travel shortly, though there were 2 other options, the same universe made me opt for Dubai, as I too wanted to meet Paul. I always knew I wouldnt die without meeting Paul, but had never thought of a meet in Dubai.
Getting In Touch: I mailed Paul as soon as I got my Itinerary, which totally gave me 36hrs in Dubai. Soon we were talking on phone & Paul suggested me to stretch it. Here the universe failed me, as there were no tickets to take me there on friday. Had that happened, I wud have Fri, Sat, Sun to eat all of Paul's Bheja! ;-) Finally it turned out that I was to reach there Sunday noon and leave by monday night. We decided to meet at mutual convenience. Even at this stage Paul was very helpful in giving a lot of useful info. He surely is a walking Wikipedia! ;-)
Aam Aadmi Meets the Paulosopher: Finally I checked in hotel at 2pm on sunday & informed Paul of trouble waiting to meet him! After some rest, I took a taxi to a mall nearby his office & found Paul waiting for me. I stealthily approached him & poked my finger into his side saying 'Hands up'! Following this shock treatment were some hugs, greetings. Paul gave me a mobile phone ( to make sure I dont get lost!) and his Metro card ( for travel). We decided to meet at 6pm at the same place after my sight seeing of Burj Dubai. This initial few minutes confirmed my opinion of paul being a Paulosopher!
MS meets are for eating ( including 'food for thought' ): thats what I have always belived in! So upon return Paul took me to a resturant where we had nice hot tea & chicken rolls, while catching some IPL action on TV. The conversation touched upon everything - from inflation, to world peace, to life in dubai, comparision of india and dubai, MS, God, Religion etc etc. After the snacks, we decided we have to soon digest it, to make place for dinner. So Paul took me around in the boat, bus, walking exploring many places, as I began eating his bheja with my PJs, while he enriched me with Gyan, on wide variety of Topics. Then at about 11.30PM we entered another hotel for a detailed dinner, during which conversations didnt stop. Rather it took an accidental turn with my display of 6th sense! Paul then went on to present a brief paulosophy on the 7th sense! By midnight I had eaten his bheja & we decided to part ways, as we had to meet next day too.
The meet Cotinues: Monday 9am-3pm was to be my business side of the trip, but it went on till 5.30pm. Anyway, I had to meet Paul as I had to return his mobile & metro card. ( I did tell him, I am tempted to flee with both!) Again we met, had snacks and tea ( twice this time!) and went around shopping. All this while our conversations continued. We both hit upon well, bcos our names are same! Also we had the mother tongue advantage for cracking jokes, pulling each other. Finally at 8.30 decided to leave for Airport. Paul was magnanimous to travel all the way to airport with me ( to make sure I REALLY left??). There again at the departure terminal hugs, wishes and tata byebyes and sure promises of meeting again!
All good things come to an end: As we parted ways, I kept rewinding the 9hrs I spent with Paul, out of my 36hrs in Dubai! But for his help and company the trip wouldnt have been memorable. As I got in flight, I began going through the numerous photos we clicked to re-cherish my time with Paul. Paul is a simple honourable man in real just as he is on MS. I am wanting to meet him again, hope the universe conspires! ;-) During our conversation I was telling paul about "greatest gift we can give to anyone is time", so thanks to Paul for giving me 9hrs of his life... thank you also for giving your time to me, in reading this!
