[Guest Post: Sonal Giani]
Has this happened to you? I’m assuming that if you are from Mumbai and travel a lot, it must happen quite often… if you have a partner that is.
Some days ago, my girl & I were traveling in a rickshaw. Since she lives with her parents and we live quite far apart, we try as much as we can, to travel together, spending as much time together as possible.
What I like about a rickshaw is; unlike a bus it makes for a very comfortable place to sit and hold hands without anyone eyeing you. It is nice and windy and has a privacy of its own. You can talk incessantly and stare as much as you like. What becomes difficult however is when you feel like kissing…ohhh….and that happens with me all the damn time! And that’s exactly when funny things happen.
On this particular occasion, my girl looked bewitchingly beautiful and I could not help it – I kissed her on her lips. Only to realize…..Tan da tan….. that the rickshaw driver saw all our passion through his mirror. He looked as we broke away and was super flummoxed! (Heh Heh) I meanwhile felt awkward but I reasoned to myself he wanted a sneak peek so he got it. Dumbass! Ha!
On another occasion, when we wanted to make out, we first checked if it was dark enough. Then we checked to see if the driver has made himself busy with driving. We also made sure that the curtains were drawn! Talk about her paranoia!! And then we very passionately kissed for a good five minutes….Ummmmm.. And then….Suddenly… this light flashed on our faces from behind….
And we realized that…. the window behind was not only open but was also as open as a wide TV screen and all the people behind were aghast and amused. I could not help laughing as our auto moved on. And this guy passed by giving us a thumbs up.
I know people would tell me get a room but this is a different feeling I did not want to have sex, I just wanted to kiss. There are very few spaces except home where you could actually do that. No?
I wonder if a LGBT bar exists in Mumbai and I just don’t know about it. Do let me know if anyone does. Meanwhile my girl and I continue checking the mirror, the curtains and the rear. Heh Heh.
xoxo (I...
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Haha. I think the problem is that you’re in India. I’ve known that to happen to a lot of straight couples too. You know how our autowallahs are. And how the general public is about displays of affection- of any kind.
haha Bravo! I also believe its the “India” phenomenon! I think the kick you get out of doing somwthing outside the ordinary is just different. Beating the social norms and kissing in public is awesome.
Nice to have you back and write, Sonal!
Thankfully I have my own car with windows that are freakishly black tinted.
On the other hand Mumbai city has loads of sasta & tikaao hotels.
@janedoe:- i have a feeling that the autowalas know more bout the country and sexuality then any other group
am sure they are use to pda! 
aise logon ko radio shows pe daalna chahiye 
@rashmi:-i wish i was that daring when it came to partys though. I find these girls easily kissing the girls they dance with it in the same night they met…wow…and i wonder when will i become that bold!
And yes am happy to back, will love to write if you are reading!
@mj:-lucky u..give me tumhaari car bhadey pe sumtime..or take me out for a date i shall make optimum use of it.
rahi baat saste tikaoo hotel ki uski zaroorat nahi i have a beautiful house i think i need to control my urges but i wudn’t give them up for anything. its very me 
Hi Sonal,
A very interesting post and very well put across. I think most of the daring couples who travel by auto-rickshaws on a regular basis can easily relate to this. I sooo wish they had a curtain between the driver and the passenger seat in the autos… lol..
Although in some cases when you really really wanna kiss, you wouldnt really care…
Keep going.
Cheers,
Shalaka
It’s so difficult to find the space to be intimate (or even affectionate) in India. This post is hilarious, Sonal!
Wow that is amazing and definitely very courageous and brave. Thanks for sharing that experience. I wish i saw more gaysi rickshaw romances in India..and i wish i was actually part of one. My most memorable rickshaw experience involves accidentally falling off one. :/
@sharkie:- a friend of mine told me after reading this post that she had been caught five times kissing her chic in a rick. (chic in a rick- thats a good one) heh heh. But the point i am trying to make is that she still did kiss the fifth time so yes u r right who cares! Love rules!
) i intend to make u laugh a lot more 
@broom:- a friend of mine intends to open a resort for lgbt people in outskirts of mumbai…i can just imagine it…. wud be heaven! Glad the post got u laughing
@ Bluesky:- I won’t call it courageous or brave..i think its bloody impulsive
and i don’t know y u want to ‘watch’ gaysi romance… its actually a lot more fun doing it urself..heh heh.
But Sonal being impulsive or spontaneous can be romantic as well and I think being romantic in public in India can be seen as brave and courageous.
So your story as well as being romantic and inspiring is also courageous to me. 
The rickshaw story also gives me ideas if i ever want to direct a Bollywood lesbian story (an epic romantic story like 1942 Love Story/Jodha Akbar etc) set to the backdrop of the section 377 decision. . I hope you don’t mind if i incorporate a similar rickshaw scene in it. With a cheesy romantic song in the background (eg. kuch na kaho or mujhe teri aankhon ki gehrai mein dhoobne de), fireworks in the atmosphere and fireworks in the rickshaw..all happening simultaneously.
So I have to thank you for providing fuel for the inner film director/romantic in me and also providing me with endless dreams of me and my significant other passionately kissing on a rickshaw with the sun setting in the horizon.
You’re right. It definitely is better being part of the action than a bystander but right now i don’t know how or where i could find another gaysi to romance. Not that it is necessary to have a gaysi to romance but they’re in short supply/hidden where I live and it makes me wish I lived in India.
Hey Sonal,
space issue is gonna be worse in Mumbai – so better to adapt to the environment! Try proceeding from kissing to actually doing it in auto/taxi. Its mindblowing!
we can then share our stories
Cheers!
Auto ride with partner is really romantic & tempting.
Waise, Sonal wala idea acha hai…if we cud get MJ’s car on bhada 
mazaa aayinga.
IPL players ki maafik jo zyaada ki boli lagayega, wo us din car le jayega…!!!! Win-Win situaiton
MJ’s Rent-a-car Fundraiser for Gaysi?
he he he……keep it up…