<img title="Illustration/Uday Mohite" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/jun/running-age.jpg" alt="Illustration/Uday Mohite" />Illustration/Uday Mohite
<img class="left" style="float: left;" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/2017/jun/rahul-da-cunha-june.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="54" />So, I turned 55 yesterday. Yeah I'm a Cancerian - I get that smiling nod from most people, everyone's an astrologer, right? Followed by a classic back-handed compliment - "Accha Cancerian, huh? Moody artiste, typical crab, sideways movement, so lateral thinker, but you hide your emotions, hard shell but soft interior."
Fifty-five is a nothing age, not like 18 where you can start driving, or 21 where you can vote or 71 when you can stand for Indian Presidentship. Fifty-five is an age that fits somewhere between being a millennial and a new millennium.
Senior citizenship awaits me in three years, but I look forward to it with bated breath - just the thought that I will be entitled to Air India tickets at half price is so exciting. Young people will offer me a chair at a free seating David Guetta concert.
"Rahul uncle please sit."
"Don't call me uncle, I'm not your father/mother's brother."
"Okay Rahul sir, please sit."
The inevitable question is always asked when one turns a year older.
"Are you 55 complete or 55 running?"
I've never understood that phrase &ndash; 55 running?
In any case, at 55, you shouldn't be running&hellip; you should be, at most 55 sauntering or walking.
Then, there's the average Mumbai faux pas. Here's an example:
Faux pas person: That movie, La La Land, nice but was totally for the 'oldies' generation.
Me: What do you mean 'oldies' generation?
Faux pas-ist: You know, fifty plus types.
Me: Uh I'm 55.
Pause. Three possible comebacks from that 'foot-in-the mouth moment. 1. "Uh sir, you know what I mean." 2. "Dude, you don't look 55. You're too cool for your age." 3. "Uh sir, excuse me, I need to take this call." And then the issue of birthday presents.
Alas, no more gift coupons from Rhythm House - the erstwhile music store is becoming a jewellery showroom, though I'm hoping to get gift coupons worth R20,000 for golden earrings, a pearl necklace, or a silver bracelet.
Giving physical gifts seems pass&eacute; now, everything is an e-present. I'm not asking for wrapping paper, a red ribbon. I'm even saying give me a vase someone else gave you. Anything. Just something holdable. Don't make me go online to check an email where I need to click on a link and first three ads come at me, for Roopam saris, to purchase Adani realty in Kalyan, or order a Dominoes pizza before I get to my present.
So, if it's a low network area, or Reliance has dug up the cables outside my home, or I forgot to pay my Docomo dongle bill, I have to wait for '56 running' to download the 'tohfa'.
Yesterday, someone sent me an e-cake. How do I blow out candles facing a laptop screen without looking stupid? And the most vitally, how do you eat an e-cake, without someone saying pityingly, "Uh Rahul, are you 75 running, can I help you? RTI is around the corner if you want to eat something sweet." So, dear reader, you can e-wish me. I will be 56 running. And, next year I will be the same number as the PM's chest.
Rahul da Cunha is an adman, theatre director/playwright, photographer and traveller. Reach him at rahuldacunha62@gmail.com

Rahul Da Cunha: Are you 55 running?

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Rahul Da Cunha: Are you 55 running?

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