"You're all and only about people and events", remarked a friend. That got my mental attic cluttered...

When I was thinking about writing this series, I wanted to start with a person who really captures the essence of People In My Life. My obvious choices were Imran (My Person of A Lifetime); Akrur (the most intelligent person I have known at close quarters); Batook (personality personified); Vaibhav (my all time favourite writer and dear friend); and but-of-course the love of my life (those that we do not speak of).

But I choose Kishan Saraff.

I remember the first time I met him at the stairs at IGIDR. I kept thinking 'this guys is a typical Bombayite', while he kept checking out my lady friend; and ever since then, I have met him practially every working day for the last four and a half years; and have discovered that I was almost wrong about him in my first impression.

Kishan is an absolutely simple guy and takes life well, very well. By that, I mean his room is always clean. (Actually, too clean for a straight guy). His ashtray had water so that the ash doesn't fly out and had notes always up to date with the paper clip et al. I went to him for help once and without a second of hesitation, he lent me two hours explaining something rudimentary which I was breaking my head over (that's a big deal in a place like IGIDR).

And that's the thing, right, about Kishan. No hero-giri, no big statements, no big stands. Simple, straight, back-to-basics kinda logical approach to everything. And somehow that makes it so easy to choose with him. This math and finance genius can crack the wildest and wickedest jokes and in a couple of breaths, talk about the most complex issues like it's a Class VI problem.

An absolutely charming and crisp personality who loves to dress up well especially per occasion, Kishan is suave and crude at the same time if you observe long enough.

In an unfortunate event I once yelled at him. I have never mustered the courage to actually admit my mistake there and apologise. He was right and I was loud. Of course, we have become better friends since then, but that's solely due to him. The one thing that I really admire about this guy is his unassuming stance where lets everyone float and have fun in his company without making a big deal. He is a really treasured friend.

Happy birthday, Kishan.